Shirley Joubert , Author at The Argosy

Video game corporations mass employee firings

Shirley Joubert — Thu, 28 Mar 2024 11:51:30 +0000

Video games had a major year in 2023, with the release of Baldur’s Gate 3, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Spider-Man 2, Street Fighter 16, and much more. Money was flowing into the market, and companies were fighting over consumer interest to be seen. Why then, did 2023 also mark the beginning of a number of mass employee firing sprees?

Video game news sources have been rife with information on these instances since the start of 2023, and the beginning of 2024. Sources like Euro Gamer, Game Spot, and Polygon have all covered the issue, as well as notable gaming news channels on YouTube such as GameRanx, IGN, and Skill Up. It seems as though the news is everywhere, and with so many layoffs being introduced every few weeks, the issue seems dire. Unity Technologies laid off over 250 employees in January 2023, leading to a disappointing launch for Halo Infinite’s multiplayer and reportedly affecting Bethesda game studios negatively. EA reportedly laid off 6 percent of its workforce in March of last year, with Unity following in May after cutting an additional 8 percent of its employees loose. September was seemingly a big month for layoffs, as Ubisoft shut down their London operations, and Epic Games fired roughly 380 employees. Bungie let people go in October, and in November Ubisoft struck again, releasing another 124 employees. November also saw layoffs from Digital Bros, Amazon Games, and once again Unity Technologies, while December saw a smaller company, Free Radical Design, lose 80 employees.

As if all of 2023 was not enough of an ill omen, January 2024 brought in the big guns. Unity Technologies struck again, Riot Games followed, and Microsoft Gaming laid off 30 percent of its workforce. In February, Sony Interactive Entertainment laid off 900 employees, and EA struck again as it laid off 670 staff members. The year is off to a rough start, which is not a good sign considering the heavy hitters that are being released this year in gaming. While many studios suffering from layoffs are smaller, independent studios, the layoffs are much more concerning coming from the larger game studios like Sony, Microsoft, Ubisoft, Unity Technologies, and EA.

The reasoning for these layoffs vary from company to company, with a few being affected by an internal restructuring for Embracer. In general, the statements given by larger companies like Sony and Microsoft were not accepted well by the general public or by the many outlets covering the news. Sony claimed they had not made their PS5 sales target, while Microsoft’s statement claimed to reduce areas of overlap within their internal structure (with the department most heavily affected being their physical media department, making it hard to produce games). Unfortunately, words from these multi-billion dollar companies fell flat, especially when the owner of the companies and the people announcing the layoffs are wealthy beyond what is ethical or needed.

Ultimately, there has been widespread disappointment and anger directed toward these companies. Crafting a game is unlike crafting a film, in that, with film, it can take a mere two years before it can be released to the public. Games, especially on a AAA level, or even an A level, take many years to make. Many games have been in the making for a decade or longer. The employees working in this industry have dedicated decades of their life, often to single games. Getting back in the saddle is a difficult feat, given the energy it takes to do so, coupled with the fact that it is a very competitive and growing industry. These employees have effectively been thrown out in the cold, likely without the necessary support for maintaining status in the gaming realm. In addition to asserting their greed, many of these companies have shot themselves in the foot, making future productions hard.

Activision Blizzard is Microsoft’s latest acquisition, and one that took years to finalise given the industry’s fear that it would open the door to a monopoly. Unfortunately, what was supposed to make Microsoft a powerhouse has now turned into the opposite, as many of the layoffs have negatively affected them, and in turn their neighbour, Bethesda. The Call of Duty series, Crash Bandicoot, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, the Elder Scrolls series, and Diablo were among some of the heavy hitters now legally under Microsoft’s belt, but going forward, they likely cannot do much with these titles or with the studio that produced them due to their firing spree. Likewise due to their lacking physical media department, they have had to outsource some of their physical media production to Limited Run Games, a company most known for its distribution of collector’s box sets or limited indie games. While Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s gaming division, has stated that they do not plan to phase out their physical media, their latest moves have had fans and collectors sceptical and incredibly worried for what this might mean.

Gabriel Theriault – Argosy Illustrator

While digital gaming is what companies seem to be leaning towards as of late, there are many gamers that find this troubling because there is no legal protection over the copies that you buy. Should a company decide they wish to shut down the servers, or that they do not wish to continue selling a particular game, they could do so without warning, and your copy will be lost without backup. While this may sound like paranoia, it has happened in the past and could very well happen again given the hard push for digital gaming. Of course, we can only trust that Microsoft will follow through on their word, but it is understandable that fans are worried about this sudden move.

All in all, these layoffs are incredibly worrying, and could lead to severe consequences moving forward. The past few years have given the gaming community many large games, and that trend is only continuing, with the announcement of upcoming games such as Grand Theft Auto VI, Monster Hunter Wilds, Fable 4, Hades 2, and Marvel’s Wolverine. Not only will there be new games to enjoy going forward, but we are reaching the mid-life cycle of major consoles like XBox, and Playstation. This means pro-versions of these platforms may be released or announced soon, and while this is long overdue, we are finally getting a sequel to the Nintendo Switch, showcasing the beginning of the end of a lot of drama regarding its software and hardware. Things are exciting and new in the world of gaming, but with such a multitude of empty seats in the development sector, it may mean longer wait-times for games, software, hardware, and physical media. It may also indicate a change in the quality of games that are released.

While many games come with bugs on their launch, they often come with day one patches. However, as of late there has been a seeming increase in buggy games being sold to the public, often taking a significant amount of time to fix. In some cases, companies do not acknowledge the issues. Bethesda, for example, has taken to gaslighting on Steam and social media, telling consumers that Starfield is not a buggy game, it is simply the player’s fault for not recognizing its potential. Likewise, highly anticipated games like Redfall suffered from so many bugs that, while initially making great sales, was so badly executed that customer reviews could not have been worse. The game is practically unplayable. Unfortunately, given the state of studios’ empty offices, this may only worsen over time.

The industry may, however, get better in the future. More money made by these studios may prove to be invested properly in the services it takes to up the ante. Given the executive decisions by many of these companies, however, it does seem doubtful that this would be the case. The greed of capitalism has once again struck, and while there has been a lot of good news in gaming to counter this issue, it seems like an unavoidable black mark on the industry. Hopefully these former employees are able to catch a good break and find a job that sparks joy and passion within them.

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Music majors go wild

Shirley Joubert — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 19:52:40 +0000

The end of March is an exciting time for music majors at Mt. A; it is a time where all their hard work can come together for a good old fashioned show.. From March 24 to April 14, the music department and its students will be busy putting on a number of recitals for students, families, and the public to watch free of charge. These recitals range in everything from classical, to Baroque, to contemporary jazz, and various other amazing genres and fusions. The students have been working hard to get the show on the road, and it is finally ready for everyone to see!

A shared experience among many third and fourth-year students, these recitals are a chance to showcase everything their studies have allowed them to hone over the past several years of university. For Emma Yee, a fourth-year voice major, planning for this recital began early on. “Before this school year even started, actually, was when I started choosing my repertoire and deciding that that was the route I wanted to go with,” she explained, detailing the application process and the work it had taken to get there. After applying, students were to present some of their desired pieces before a recital jury as part of an audition process. For Michaela Cabot, a third-year voice student, this recital has been a long time coming. “It makes you feel very vulnerable because it is just you on stage. But it is also very liberating for me, considering I have been working so hard to get here and it’s finally happening. It feels so real,” they added.

The themes and overall genres of individual recitals are up to the performer and what has been discussed with their mentors. This lends each recital a completely unique and fresh feeling, as none will be quite the same as any others, and all will have a deeply personal, and deeply emotive meaning and delivery. Michaela Cabot and Clare Lowe are planning to use their performances in a very unique way. “Me and Clare have both chosen a bunch of very intense, very dramatic but also very narratively driven pieces,” Michaela says. For Michaela and Clare, nothing is more important than what the pieces are able to evoke. “There is no explicit theme throughout. But every piece that we have tells a very distinct story, and we are just hoping that we can put together something that can be enjoyed by everyone”. Yee has planned her recital around many inspirations, stating that she looked to quite a few women composers and women poets. “I have some stuff that is Sappho, I have some settings of Emily Dickinson. So I guess there are kind of a couple of different threads that go throughout the recital. There is a bit of spirituality within it. But there is not one overarching theme.”

These performances are, above all, a showcase for the blood, sweat, and tears shed by music students over the course of their studies. Each of these students have been immensely skilled from the moment they set foot on campus, and they have only grown since, not only as performers but as people. “It is kind of …a celebration of the four years of my degree and the growth that I have had as an artist,” Yee explains. For Cabot, this is a moment well worth revelling in, and it is as surprising as it is deserved. “I went into the Conservatory and I saw the poster that I had made for me and Clare, displayed on the little television screen above our little corkboard,” she says. “It hit me all at once, like ‘Oh my God, this is happening!’”To spend so many years working up to something, it would only make sense for this to be an incredibly rewarding, but also incredibly nerve-wracking experience. It is truly a moment in time worth cherishing.

All recitals will be held in the Brunton Auditorium in the Marjorie Young Bell Conservatory of Music. The times vary for each performance, with recital dates falling on these dates: March 24, March 30, April 6, April 7, and April 14. There are no tickets required to attend, and some performances will have receptions afterward as well, where the audience will be able to meet with and speak to the performers. More details can be found at: mta.ca/current-students/department-music/calendar-events-music. Each recital will be entirely unique, and for every performance, the audience is sure to walk out with a full heart, and a thoughtful mind.

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Why are remakes everywhere?

Shirley Joubert — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 18:11:47 +0000

Gabriel Theriault – Argosy Illustrator

For the past few years, many have felt that Hollywood is in a bit of a creative slump. The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has stopped taking risks, even original Disney films like Raya and the Last Dragon have started receiving backlash for their lack of intrigue, and so on. The remake, while not a genre, has certainly started to feel like its own category of storytelling. Every year, a new remake or reboot comes out, usually with one small element introduced to make it seem new, all while remaining the same thing it once was. Usually, the reception is subpar, and the box office remains unimpressed with these last-ditch money-making schemes. So why spend valuable dollars on these films?

There are a few different sorts of remakes that have been adapted to the big screen in the past decade, namely horror movie remakes, Disney live-action reboots, and occasional remakes of 80s and 90s films. In terms of Disney’s live-action remakes, a few criticisms have been launched at the media empire, namely from film news services such as Variety, Looper, Screenrant, and others. Among these criticisms, the main ones tend to be that they feel like a cheap cash-grab, given that the nostalgia of their audiences will fill theatre seats regardless of the actual interest in the film or the quality of what is being shown on screen. It may be safe to assume that the driving force behind these remakes, as is the driving force behind any corporate entity, is capital. Disney, and other studios, are free to reboot their films because they are certain audiences will watch.

It does, however, seem strange that to make money, they would decide upon a remake, when constructing a perfectly original plot could make them much more money in the long run. Likewise, it could help ensure that they do not face more backlash for failing an adaptation that meant a great deal to audiences. Film critics like Owen Gleiberman have made note of the fact that we seem to be enduring a dry spell from Hollywood, one where their creativity has run aground. However, given the expanse of creatives that exist outside of Hollywood’s studio executives, it seems difficult to believe that creativity in film has hit such an incredible dry spell. After all, we have seen major success for more independent films such as Everything Everywhere All At Once, which not only told an original story, but did so in a way that captivated audiences across the globe, from all walks of life. In fact, one need only follow independent film writers to see just how many original scripts are being made. The problem is that these film authors are repeatedly rejected.

There are many great ideas out there in the big wide world of movies, but studio executives are playing it safe, which can feel very strange to audiences given film’s reputation as a medium that pushes boundaries and takes chances. Of course, there are many films from the past few decades that will go down in the history books as being truly amazing. On the other hand, there will also be many movies that are likely forgotten over time, and remakes will likely be no stranger to this phenomenon. The rewatch-ability of original films is incredibly important, and the reason they are even considered for remakes at this time is because of their original popularity. The difficulty now is that a remake will likely not stand the test of time in the same capacity. Original animated films such as Beauty and the Beast or The Lion King were highly praised in their own individual mediums. Audiences have been less impressed with their new CGI counterparts. Though their new CGI models look phenomenal, the general lack of interest in these character models may point to a larger issue in remake cinema: lack of soul. According to Looper, though there were clearly major expenses paid in order to achieve such appearances, the original animated films had a deeper sense of character, while the new remake characters seem soulless, less colourful, and far less whimsical.

The fact that a company like Disney is undergoing such a seemingly stagnant mode of creativity when they were at once credited with a 90s film Renaissance, is bizarre to say the least. Companies are playing it safe, and it is paying off. There is nothing to force them out of their shell quite yet. In fact, many reboots are finding huge success. Though the general audience reaction towards a remake is still overwhelmingly negative, the few successes, mixed with the fact that even the negatively reviewed films are able to rake in millions of dollars, have only proven to big-name studios that taking risks is not necessary. The problem here is greed, and unless audience-related statistics change and this change necessitates a need for more risk-taking, more intrigue, and more creativity, the trend of remakes will remain in place. Companies and corporations do not value their customers, and this trend is more proof of that. Audiences are generally unhappy, and despite this, the trend has continued, because it has not caused serious losses, and has maintained steady financial income for the various companies involved in the process.

Disney and other studios are happy to continue milking their products. The trend of remakes, no matter how disappointing, will remain so long as money can be made from it. However, despite this, cinema is healing. The past year has given us many great films such as Barbie, Oppenheimer, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Spiderman Into the Spiderverse, Past Lives, Asteroid City, and so on. With corporations in charge, movies will be majorly affected, but there are still great films on the horizon.

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Foraging season is back

Shirley Joubert — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 23:02:49 +0000

The snow is melting, trees are beginning to bud, and the sun is peeking out a tad bit more than it has for the past few months. While it may not officially be the Spring Equinox until March 21, the vaguely warmer weather and knee-high mud are good signs of one of the biggest foraging seasons of the year. Spring is filled with many things: leaves, flowers, as well as many species of mushrooms.

As with any pastime, there are rules, general advice, and etiquette to follow when foraging for wild edibles in Atlantic Canada. One rule is t, only harvest as much as you need and no more. This means rationing, measuring, and leaving plenty behind. Any ecosystem is a delicate force, and must be protected. Another rule is to make yourself hyper-aware of edible lookalikes and poisonous species. While there will be some identifying factors in this article to help you avoid picking the wrong foragable, the best option is to consult local experts, online or literary resources, or to download reliable apps specially designed for identifying plants and fungi.

Of course, while mushrooms are perhaps the most exhilarating foragable given their mysterious personas and their possible lookalikes, it would be remiss not to mention the bud New Brunswick is most famous for: fiddleheads. Fiddleheads, like many mushrooms, do have dangerous lookalikes. However, if you know what to look for, it can be exciting to find them. True fiddleheads can be identified by U-shaped stalks when cut (like celery stalks), as well as the papery-brown leaves that rub off of them when picked. Lookalikes will not have the U-shape and will have little hairs, while the true fiddleheads do not have hairs. Fiddleheads can often be found near the Miramichi, Tobique, Restigouche, and Saint John rivers. They have been described as tasting similar to asparagus, broccoli, and other greens, and can be sauteed in garlic butter or boiled and put in a classic fiddlehead soup or vegetable medley.

Soon, dandelions will begin sprouting from the ground. These weeds are easy to spot and are often discarded as everyone begins prepping their gardens for viewing pleasure. However, despite their status as weeds, dandelions are edible and can be used in many recipes, from tea to ice cream. The good news about dandelions is that there are no major lookalikes to be worried about, and their availability makes it hard to experiment with their many fun attributes. An important thing to know about harvesting dandelions is that the whole plant is beneficial. Their leaves can be added to salads, although older leaves may taste quite bitter compared to richer, younger leaves. To reduce the bitter flavour, the greens can be boiled down and included as a substitute for other green vegetables in soups, stews, and other dishes. The root and the flower petals can both be used to make a dandelion tea, which only requires you to boil the both of them in water with any other flavours you wish. The flower can also be used in homemade ice cream, dandelion fritters, enjoyed raw, and in many other recipes.

Spring also has its fair share of seasonal fungi fun-guys. One of the most common spring specimens are the Fairy Ring Mushrooms, which grow in grassy areas like backyards, forests, glades, or practically anywhere with greenery. They look like standard mushrooms: tan, with a 6cm cap and long thin stalks. They are pliant, so if you were to test them and wrap the stalks around your finger, a Fairy Ring stalk will not break. The gills on the underside of the cap are widely spread apart, not clustered too close together. Given the fact that they are classified as Little Brown Mushrooms (LBMs), a category that is quite extensive and contains a lot of similar looking mushrooms, it would be best to consult several guides and local experts before harvesting. While there are many species of Fairy Ring mushrooms, and several are not only edible, but highly delicious, there are also a few lookalikes to be wary of, and it is better to be safe than sorry in the case of fungi. On that note, fungi are particularly sensitive to chemicals in the environment, so if you find any Fairy Ring mushrooms near a road, it would be best to leave them be, as they may have absorbed toxins from passing cars and may not be suitable for eating. Fairy Ring mushrooms have a subtle taste and an even more subtle aroma, and can be used in practically any recipe that calls for white-cap or sauteed mushrooms.

Courtney Richard – Argosy Illustrator

There are many more foragable spring edibles out there, and you can use them for practically anything from salads, pastas, and desserts to soaps, candles, and homemade perfumes. Please remember to be incredibly careful when foraging, and if you’re heading to areas that may be populated with poison oak and ivy, be sure to wear long pants, long socks, and gloves. If you have the right plant-identification sources at your disposal, you will do amazing. Foraging, while scary and daunting at first, can be incredibly fulfilling and may open doors for interesting food experiments. Remember to leave plenty behind when picking plants and fungi, and to respect the environment. Good luck on all your foraging endeavours, and be sure to share with friends!

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The Hanteo Music Awards debacle

Shirley Joubert — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 19:51:07 +0000

Courtney Richard – Argosy Illustrator

If there is one thing that never sleeps (besides New York City), it is the vast world of K-pop, and though the year has only just begun, a lot has happened so far. K-pop fans have had a lot to keep them busy, from trending albums, TikTok viral sensations, crazy award shows, and much more. The year has only just begun, and we have already seen crazy success for Jungkook’s solo album Golden, DPR Ian’s hit song Don’t Go Insane, and TWICE comeback song With YOU-th. To say nothing of Jimin’s record-breaking presence on Billboard World Artist, and Stray Kids’ song LALALALA officially breaking 100 million streams on Spotify.

The year has so far been met with enormous successes, and though BTS fans have gone crazy without the Bangtan Boys, having nearly changed the fanbase name, the year is set to see some incredible comebacks. Not least of which is TWICE, J-Hope, Wendy of TWICE and Jihyo of TWICE, iKon’s main vocalist and choreographer DK, MAMAMOO+’s first mini-album, EVERGLOW’s comeback album, and H1-KEY’s post-disbandment mini album.

Despite great success, however, the year has likewise been met with insurmountable drama, not least of which entered reality through one of K-pop’s most prestigious award shows: the Hanteo Music Awards. This ceremony compiled all of 2023–2024’s most successful nominees in one room for its 31st year in show business. A lot of excited fans bought tickets, and the lineup for the night was the talk of the internet, ranging from ATEEZ to Zerobaseone. Unfortunately, the event kicked off with an incident that can never be lived down. The standing room area, which was directly in front of the waiting area for performing artists and nominees, was home to a number of mishaps, including two bathroom-related incidents. A fan pooped their pants, removed their trousers, and left them on the floor near the edge of the standing room location, directly in front of the musicians. The stench quickly filled the room, the crowd was put on edge, and the idols had to cover their mouths and noses for the entire event to avoid gagging.

Security was called, but they only confirmed that it was feces, and did nothing more. When prompted to clean it or to retrieve someone who could clean it, the officers claimed this was impossible and that the show must go on regardless. The show did go on, and the band Zerobaseone was eventually called on stage to perform a song. Once their brilliantly choreographed and catchy song was brought to a close, a voice rang up from the cheering crowd that was far louder than the rest. An angry fan was calling for band member Kim Jiwoong to quit, and they were shouting their demand repeatedly in the form of a chant. This one-person protest prompted fans to begin in-fighting, and soon, an altercation broke out, and multitudes of fans were hitting one another in the standing room. A child peed on the floor in the commotion, which caused even more unrest, given the sizable puddle and the significant lack of room between bodies. ATEEZ members called upon Security, and had to physically instruct them on how to do their job to end the altercation. Once the fight was over, and security had once again been called to deal with the bodily waste and had denied their ability to do so, the show moved on.

As the event continued, awards were handed out, performances were performed, noses were clogged, and mouths were gagged. During another performance, Sung Hanbin’s sitemaster was allegedly struck by a flying lighting rod and fainted, although not much has been reported on this. In the far corner of the event, a couple was seen to be having sex, which, due to the security team’s significant lack of dedication, was allowed to continue. By the end, when the event was being wrapped up and people were beginning to leave, they found used condoms in the trash. All in all, what was at first a bright start turned into a traumatic event for all involved.

While there were a few other music awards held so far this year, not least of which were the Seoul Music Awards, the Hanteo Music Awards certainly stole the show. So far, despite it only being February, a significant amount of things have occurred thus far in the world of K-Pop, and many things are slated to come in the future, from debuts, tours, and comebacks, to the safe return of various idols who have started their mandatory duty in the military.

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The beloved webseries recieving an adaptaion

Shirley Joubert — Wed, 14 Feb 2024 22:35:39 +0000

The internet is a treasure-trove of indie films and television shows, and perhaps one of the greatest inventions of the web is the web series. Since the invention of the web series, the internet has seen the rise and fall of many independent studios, and today we might be witnessing the rise of yet another talented group of individuals. Third Charm Films is a brand-new film studio, with only one major project under their belt: a YouTube web series titled Hetero. Upon the show’s release in 2022, it reached a broad but niche audience of queer young adults, and as of this year, they are planning to release a film version of their first season.

The show, which consists of five 18–20 minute episodes, follows a group of high school students trying their darndest to save their school’s Gay-Straight Alliance club from being disbanded by their disgruntled principal. They have been given an ultimatum: get more straight club members, or say goodbye to your favourite after-school activity. According to their principal, their club is not diverse enough, and their significant lack of cis-gendered and/or straight people puts the club at odds with its name. While this may not seem like a problem to the club’s members, it does prompt a rather ridiculous five episodes of mayhem and drama. Without spoiling, the show follows the five founding members of the GSA as they attempt to gain more, mainly straight, attendees, trying and failing to fit in outside of the queer culture they have come to find safe and welcoming.

No show or film would be complete without a vibrant cast, which is exactly what Hetero brings to the table. Audiences are introduced to debut actors Sabina Buensuceso, Jubilee Lopez, Adriane Watson, Eden Astra, and Jonah Cohen. Each play distinct characters, all of whom manage to have separate story arcs throughout their short, five episodes of screentime. From fearless nonbinary lesbians and brooding he/theys to complex stories of found family, intersectionality, and the complicated realities of queer and BIPOC teens everywhere, this show is bound to pique your interest. It will make you laugh, cry, get mad, quote Jennifer’s Body, yearn, and above all, it will make you cherish the concept of friendship and unconditional platonic love.

Gabriel Theriault – Argosy Illustrator

If this show knows anything, it is their audience, and the film is no different. Third Charm Films’ plan was to make the film much like the series, but a little bit more polished. The film intends to draw on a larger audience, telling the same story as before but perhaps a bit more thoroughly. Third Charm Films has also stated on their website that they hope this film will generate interest from larger production companies, hopefully securing them the necessary stability to keep telling compelling and original stories. It is unclear if they are currently planning on creating a second season of the web series, although fans of the show, as well as the context clues of the season finale, like to imagine that there will be one. The movie is out as of Valentine’s Day, and will be available for viewing online through the Third Charm Films’ YouTube channel.

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An ode to animals

Shirley Joubert — Thu, 08 Feb 2024 01:41:45 +0000

Life can be messy, hard, and filled with challenges that can alter our paths and mental health. Dorm life can be especially difficult: from being away from home to the loneliness that university life can introduce. Sometimes, we just need a little extra love in our lives, and one of the greatest ways to achieve that is through the care of an animal. Not only does having a pet encourage caring for another being, but they in turn care for you. Depending on the animal, that love might look a little different. You might receive general appreciation, you might get cuddles, or you might get verbal affirmations (not in literal language, of course). There might be a few additional factors besides love languages that affect your decision, from dorm life to finances, and this article can hopefully serve as a guide to help you find the perfect emotional support animal.

For many, a lizard might be the best option. Not only do many lizards take up little space, they are incredibly loving pets. Lizards are very affectionate, with a deep love for head pats and cuddles. They do require a little more effort than most pets, so for someone with a particularly busy schedule, they may not be the best option. They are also very sensitive to light, and will need to live on a strict schedule. Lizards are incredibly affordable, and depending on the type of lizard you get, you may only pay around 20 dollars for the animal itself. Lizards often live on a diet of veggies, mealworms, and crickets, with the latter two being easily affordable at pet stores such as PetSmart. This, coupled with the fact that you can purchase a terrarium for around 45 dollars, makes lizards a particularly affordable option. You may have to invest in warm bulbs for your lizard, and depending on the type of lizard you purchase, you will have to look into the right bedding for the terrarium. Usually, bedding for your terrarium is between coarse wood and bark, sand, and edible bark and wood chips.

If you are not inclined to like scales, you may prefer hedgehogs. While some species of hedgehog are protected species and therefore not viable pets under Canadian law, there are still species of hedgehog that are legal to purchase and care for in Canada. Hedgehogs are usually solitary creatures, but when they warm up to their owners they can be very cuddly and may be particularly taken to snuggling in your lap. Hedgehogs are more expensive than lizards, and sell for anywhere between 100 to 300 dollars. Hedgehogs can be kept in a cage much like a hamster or guinea pig, and their food can be bought at PetSmart for roughly 15 dollars. They are sensitive to temperature, so it is best to keep hedgehogs away from direct sunlight and cold drafts. It can also be helpful to have an area of their cage that is able to provide warmth, like a bed, without being unavoidable.

Rats and mice have been a polarizing topic for ages, but one thing is certain: they make lovely pets. Not only do they love cuddles, pets, and attention, they are very loving and will often snuggle with their owners. Rats and mice are easy to feed, with affordable kibble, and they can be kept in a cage. Rats can be bought for cheaper than 20 dollars, and mice can be bought for as little as 10 dollars. Both are incredibly rewarding pets, and are some of the cutest creatures you can find in a store.

Cats may not be a first choice for someone attempting to be hypoallergenic, but there are cats that are less likely to trigger allergies. While they may have a reputation for being grumpy, solitary, and uncaring, cats are often the polar opposite. Cats are some of the most loving animals, and often love hugs, kisses, belly rubs, and more. They are on the more expensive side, with litter boxes, food, and vet bills on the higher end of what many would consider affordable for dorm and student life. But if you are able to spring for a cat, they are one of the most rewarding animals you could have in your life.

Upendra Adhikari – Argosy Photographer

Regardless of what animals you choose, you will certainly reap the benefits of having their love in your life. Animals are truly precious, from cats and lizards to mice and hedgehogs. All are equally adorable, loving, and are sure to boost your overall happiness and mental health.

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Professional creativity on campus

Shirley Joubert — Thu, 25 Jan 2024 12:34:07 +0000

Though writing is dreaded by many students, the world of academics is riddled with words, papers, and theses. While many of us cannot say we have read the various musings of our professors, this should not stop us from starting. Professors from every department have published their writings, whether they be creative, analytic, historic, or any number of other adjectives. The world of writing is ripe with creativity, and the professors on campus have no shortage of stories and ideas to offer.

Dr. Geordie Miller has been in the field of creative writing for a good number of years now and has published many texts across a great many mediums. From journalism to poetry collections, to live shows, to book reviews, Dr. Miller has done it all. His latest work, Disharmonies, is a collaboration with Sackville poet Marilyn Lerch. “During the pandemic we kind of had this back and forth, sort of, as things seemed to be continuing to fall apart, and the social isolation and all of that” Miller stated. Once it became clear that they had a book on their hands, the project quickly became an investigation into deeper meaning. “It’s to try and think about what was going on in the world and where our writing kind of fits in with that,” he explained. Now, having been published, it is a collection of anti-capitalist and anti-climate change poetry, built on an understanding of our current society and what it could be if radical change were to occur. All in all, the book is a fascinating glimpse into two beautifully creative minds.

For those involved with the drama department, Dr. Sarah Fanning’s passion for the industry shines through. What some on campus may not know is that Dr. Fanning has written many pieces examining the relationships between literature and the screen, true crime and film, and much more. She often writes articles and chapters within collaborative books, which offer a feminist perspective on pop culture and pop culture history, especially on the ways in which Victorian literature has been adapted. Her fascination with period pieces, adaptations, feminist literature, Victorian-era writing, true crime, and film, offers a variety of brilliant pieces that boggle the mind with brand-new connections. For those interested in a true crime piece, Dr. Fanning wrote a particularly fascinating piece on David Fincher’s adaptation of the Zodiac killings in his 2007 film, Zodiac. The chapter is titled “‘What follows is based on actual case files’: Adapting the ‘Truth’ in David Fincher’s Zodiac”, and can be found in the book Serial Killing On Screen: Adaption, True Crime, and Popular Culture. If literature is more your fancy, Dr. Fanning wrote an article titled “The Many Faces of Jane Eyre: Film Cultures and the Frontiers of Feminist Representation”, which can be found online.

For anyone who has ever taken a class by Dr. Christopher Forstall, it may not be surprising to hear that he has a deep fascination for three things: epic poetry, computer science, and Classics. Few people can say they have combined all three into a published book that explores the human condition, but Dr. Forestall certainly can. In collaboration with Dr. Walter J. Scheirer of the University of Notre Dame, Quantitative Intertextuality: Analysing the Markers of Information Reuse follows their journey in analysing Classic poetry and its many repetitions. Their concept is that with a perfectly designed computer program, the repetition and patterns of these poems can tell us something about our search for deeper meaning as humans. This idea is a beautiful attempt at reconciling age-old ideas through modern technology to answer a question humans may never explain. While this book certainly cannot claim to answer this question, once and for all, it makes an excellent and wonderfully human attempt at it and is very much worth a read.

Back in the English department, Dr. Amatoritsero Ede wrote and published an anthology in 2022 of interconnected poetic essays. His book, Imagination’s Many Rooms, finds a way for life, death, conversation, poetry, and personal essays to not only live together but bleed seamlessly into each other. This book is filled with socio-political and literary commentary, which is no surprise to anyone familiar with Dr. Ede’s former works. Among his many other publications, there are journals of African literature, essays in Afropolitan studies, a plethora of poems, and anti-fascist writings, just to name a few. All in all, Dr. Ede has a wide scope of work, highlighted by a unique and beautiful writing style. If you find yourself at all interested in any of these subjects, his works are among those that should line your shelves.

Mt. A’s campus is bustling with writers, creatives, playwrights, artists, and more. It would be impossible to cover every publication on campus, and there are a great number of writers on campus whose names are not written here. Writers who have created astounding works that challenge narratives, explore deeply human questions, construct brilliant worlds, and more. The world of academic writing is far from dry, and out there are writings, likely crafted by people you know, begging to be read.

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The Hunger Games reprise

Shirley Joubert — Thu, 18 Jan 2024 01:25:47 +0000

Everyone’s favourite franchise has made a comeback. Between the creation of a brand new “Rick Roll” through 2014 Josh Hutcherson edits circulating Instagram and TikTok, and the popularity of the brand new film prequel, The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, the Hunger Games franchise has never been more well off than it is now. While the stories within these books and films offer a nice escape for some, the truth of the matter is that the majority of the consumers find some sort of familiarity within each chapter.

Olivia Haill – Argosy Illustrator

The first Hunger Games book was published by Suzanne Collins in 2008 to an immaculate reception from the general public, reaching critical acclaim within the first few years of its publication. First a paperback trilogy, and then an incredibly popular film series, the Hunger Games franchise has seen a recent spike in public interest since the release of the prequel novel, and now prequel movie, following the life of young Coriolanus Snow. A story of underdogs, power complexes, militarization, genocide, rebellions, coups, found family, consumerism, the perils of reality television, and much more, The Hunger Games is a story that, while relevant at the initial date of its first release, is even more relevant today, given the Euro-western political climate, and the state of the entertainment industry.

Although not presented in the movie, the first few chapters of the prequel present the nation of Panem as it exists in the aftermath of a major war. After the war is over, consumerism immediately resumes its dominance in the Capitol, mirroring the reality of America after World War II. The parallels do not stop here, because throughout the rest of this film, we see Snow’s rise through the ranks of government, as he slowly goes from a Capitol citizen with several underdog companions, to a man consumed by power, greed, and his own well-being. Both the book and the film draw parallels with the United States’ seeming obsession with underdog stories, and the idea of equal opportunity, while also being a powerhouse military and fostering billionaires.

Outside of the Capitol, the 12 districts of the main Hunger Games trilogy exist in a state of poverty, suffering, and constant exploitation. Every one of them, especially District 12, are police states, the flow of their economy affected greatly by the control exerted over them. The black market is prominent in many of the books; the first film showcases the dangers of illegally selling necessary resources like fresh meat. It is likewise one of the only ways to make a living in which one can sustain themself and their family; something the trilogy’s main character Katniss Everdeen knows all too well. Outside of black market sales, not many residents can make enough profit to be comfortable, and given that the majority of people in the district do not participate in the black market, the economy in District 12 does not favour its citizens.

Parallels can be seen in today’s economy, with the vast majority of middle and lower-class citizen’s increasing inability to afford housing. Product prices have skyrocketed, and inflation is only growing, despite the fact that many are increasingly uncomfortable with the amount of billionaires laying off company employees at corporations such as Amazon, Bethesda, Duolingo, and Google. Likewise, with changes in streaming services like higher Netflix costs, more ads on Amazon Prime, and password sharing rules on Disney+, many people have taken to social media to state their unease regarding paying more for streaming services, or to suggest that they may resort to piracy as a result. There seems to be growing unease around the world due to the rising cost of living, often stationary minimum wages, food insecurity, and more.

Of course, The Hunger Games is a story of protest, and given the political climate of its readers, the popularity of these stories today seems only natural. Today, the world is plagued by a great many fights and a great many injustices. From genocides like those occurring in Palestine and the Congo, the fight for trans lives across the globe, to women’s rights and autonomy, protests in France, the Black Lives Matter movement, the war in Ukraine, and many more issues. The world is going through severe injustices, attributed largely to systems of power and privilege for a select few. It is a self-sustaining system, one that does not account for the many people in need of a better life style, one that hinges on equality, equity, and the betterment of humankind. The Hunger Games and its prequel encapsulates the world’s needs at this moment, a moment in which many are looking and hoping for a time when the fight for human rights can end, and everyone can enjoy peace.

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It is almost the end of the term

Shirley Joubert — Thu, 30 Nov 2023 18:14:28 +0000

It can be a bit ironic to hear “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” given that it is notoriously a difficult time for students to balance personal life, work, and school, especially with exams, final projects, essays, holiday shopping, and everything else we have going on in our busy lives. With the exam season in full swing, and everything piling up, it can be good to remind oneself about the benefits of self care, and how to best engage in self-care with so many responsibilities on your plate.

Scheduling is perhaps the biggest issue during exam season. Now might not be the best time to test out every different method of time management out there, but it may be the time to try at least one or two new methods, if only for a few hours. There are a great many time-keeping techniques to choose from. Perhaps it may help to create a schedule, for example: focus on readings for one hour, focus on an essay for three, spend two hours with friends, and so on. Everyone is different. Maybe this method does not help, and you find it best to devote specific days to specific tasks, or perhaps you would rather avoid a schedule and opt for a less controlled, go-with-the-flow approach to your assignments. It should be noted that the latter is less about hoping for the best while doing the bare minimum, and more about honing in on the particular subject you find yourself most able to focus on in that moment, and carrying on from there.

Water is a necessity of life, and incredibly necessary during the time of year when students begin chugging more energy drinks than they get hours of sleep. Of course, energy drinks have their use and can be helpful during late nights, but water helps your body in more ways than you may know: from allowing you to feel more awake and well rested, to helping your body feel less in pain from the hours you spend working on your assignments from your not-so-comfortable desk. It relieves headaches, lubricates joints, and helps you focus. Whether studying, partying, or anything in between,, you should absolutely consider intentionally drinking more water.

Olivia Haill – Argosy Illustrator

Spending time with your friends offers a much-needed respite from stressful study breaks, and while it can be scary trying to regulate how much time you spend with friends compared to how much time you spend studying, there are ways that you and your friends can help yourselves get a break and get ahead. You can study with your friends and help each other out on projects, or you could body double and have someone in the room, working on their own studies, without speaking to you. If you do not want to study with friends and instead want to socialize, that is also a helpful way to recalibrate your brain and let loose before getting back to work. Sometimes what we need is to heed the words of the Beatles, and get by with a little help from our friends.

Other tips and tricks include music and playlists, taking walks, and finding new study spaces.. Having the perfect playlist could be the key to unlocking your study momentum, and a solid sleep schedule could go a long way towards making you feel healthy enough to continue working. Taking walks could help give you the distance and headspace you need to get over writers’ block, and studying someplace outside of your room or your usual work environment may also give you the distance needed to tackle a new perspective in your essays. There are many other methods you can use to get through exams, and unfortunately, there is no one right way to take care of yourself. Ultimately, no matter what you do, the way you handle your time is entirely up to you, and you know your limits and abilities best. The best thing you can do for yourself is to believe in your capabilities and to trust that you understand your needs. To all Mt. A students, good luck with the end of this term, and may your holiday season be fun and enjoyable!

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