Columns

Columns

The End Around: The Jaguars swung and missed, again

By Henry Gorelik | October 12

This offseason, like many before it, was full of hope for Jacksonville Jaguars supporters. With the addition of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Head Coach Urban Meyer, it felt like the entire organization had received a much-needed facelift. Meyer’s catchy slogans including “+2 Mentality” and “Own It,” the team's evolution into a players-first organization, improved strength and conditioning programs and plans for a brand-new training facility made it feel as if a genuine culture shift was afoot in Duval County. But after five weeks, it appears that Meyer has brought the toxicity from his past to the Jaguars. 

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Columns

Spoonfuls: Dakzen

By Sonia Richter | October 8

I had a mixed experience at Dakzen, a Thai street-food restaurant in Davis Square. Still, I’m reluctant to describe it as such. I think it’s important to explore why this is.  

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Columns

For the Culture: Pop culture flirts with intimacy

By Paul Osmond | October 8

Last year, I observed “the arrival of colorful knitwear with intricate patterns, landscapes and famous artwork” and predicted they would be paired with “’70s printed designs” in 2021. Although I have not seen as many Renaissance paintings knitted into clothing as I would have liked, there has blossomed a homely new connection between streetwear and knitwear. While streetwear was never against knitwear, it hardly employed the material — growing from skater culture, streetwear material primarily comprised denim and nylon. However, streetwear’s appreciation (and borderline obsession) with vintage clothing has burgeoned as the formerly “grandma” material has permeated the community.

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Columns

Dreaming of Sandman: Gods and free will

By Sadie Leite | October 7

College students may debate free will from time to time, out of academic curiosity or their own growing independence.  Volume 2 of Neil Gaiman’s “The Sandman,” “The Sandman: The Doll’s House” (1989–1990), could add a new perspective.

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The Strike Zone: Gender and modernity in Middle Eastern music videos

By Eli Striker | October 7

Twentieth-century technological advances led to the modernization of Pan-Arabic music. Musicians utilized improved microphones to cultivate the sensation of “atifiyaa,” an artist-centric feeling of sentimentality and sensuality characteristic of modernist Egyptian music. Further technological changes led to the popularity of the cassette tape, which helped deviant underground music reach millions of Pan-Arabic listeners. Underground cassette tape recordings were utilized by Dana International, a transgender Mizrahi Jewish pop singer whose music generated controversy because of her sexual lyrics and provocative dancing. Modernist changes in musical style allow artists to push traditionally rigid boundaries of gender in Middle Eastern culture.

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Columns

The Vintage and the Vogue: Phoebe Bridgers and earning godhood

By Robert Kaplan and Michael Friedman | October 7

Michael: Hey Robert, how’d you enjoy the Phoebe Bridgers concert?

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Columns

Roster Rundown: Who’s hot and who’s cold in fantasy Week 5

By Timothy Valk | October 7

Hey there! This is normally a place where I’d rave about Dak Prescott’s electric performance or preview the top players in a mouthwatering Sunday Bills/Chiefs matchup. This week, however, I’d like to introduce the column you’re reading. Welcome to Roster Rundown, a fantasy football spotlight chock full of news, stats and advice! Passionate about football but new to fantasy? I hope you’ll learn something or become inspired. Seasoned five-time league winner? I hope you’ll find this writing useful and compelling. Either way, I hope it becomes a fun weekly read.

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Columns

Potty Talk: Toilet philosophers

By David Wingens and Sam Russo | October 6

Philosopher Robert Pirsig famously asked, “What is quality?” Clearly, the Tufts University Department of Philosophy does not care. Its headquarters, Miner Hall, houses two options for bathroom goers — or students tired of hearing about Marxism (kidding, kidding, Tufts students never tire of that). The two spaces offer a study in contrasts.

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Columns

Brands who deserve our dollars: Naclo Apparel and Aliya Wanek

By Colette Smith | October 6

As temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to turn, it is time to break out your fall wardrobe and, perhaps, look for some new additions for your closet. If this is the case, here are some fashionable fall options from Black-owned clothing brands.

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Column

A Better Consensus: Why ranked-choice voting is awesome

By Jacob Fridman | October 6

We all know how elections go: the most polarizing candidate or the bland incumbent often wins with less than half the overall vote, or the race has so many candidates that just a few hundred votes decide the winner. In 2016, Trump won the Republican primaries with 1,543 delegates, well over half. However, he won only 44.95% of the popular vote. Flash forward to 2020, my own congressional district, Massachusetts’ 4th, had a nine-candidate Democratic primary. First place Jake Auchincloss beat second place Jesse Mermell, 22.4% to 21%, a margin of 2,145 votes in a race with over 157 thousands total. The other candidates had vote totals in the thousands, well over the 1.4% difference. These results are not representative, and in the case of Trump, these ‘plurality’ wins can be disastrous. How do we stop such close wins and candidates who thrive on a minority of the electorate? The answer is ranked-choice voting.

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Columns

Sports and Society: Privacy politics

By Oliver Fox | October 6

Last summer, NBA players said they were done playing America’s games. Fed up with national apathy with the senseless killing of Black Americans by law enforcement, the Milwaukee Bucks put their foot down and on Aug. 26, they boycotted their playoff game, changing how America’s elite athletes used their superstar platform. The game no longer just spoke for itself; the players had a loud voice too. 

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Columns

On Demand: 'Generation,' confusion, emotion and other things that end in -ion

By Raga Chilakamarri | October 5

I’ve only recently reconciled with the fact that I’m a member of Generation Z. Beyond being a Sagittarius born in the Year of the Dragon, I’m not quite sure where I expected to lay in the generational matrix; though, one viral tweet did confirm that I’m an honorary member of the Black Eyed Peas.

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Columns

Keeping up with the 617: Scattered thoughts on the 2021 Patriots

By Matt Goguen | October 5

Will this Patriots team ever stop giving me aneurysms? Coming off the heels of the biggest offseason for the New England Patriots in recent history, this football team seemed destined to improve. Even after the surprise release of Cam Newton to open up the QB1 position for rookie Mac Jones, many Patriots fans did not doubt the fact that this team was a playoff team on paper.

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Columns

Tales from the T: MBTA-0001

By Kevin Zhang | October 5

The T, greater Boston’s transit system, is one of the quickest, cheapest ways to get around the city — but it can certainly be confusing for first-time riders. Maybe you’re from the suburbs and are too used to driving everywhere. Or maybe you’re from outside the U.S. and are too used to trains that actually run logically. In any case, here’s a brief, by no means comprehensive, guide on how to use the T. 

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Columns

Blind Luck: Date No. 1

By Emika Brown and Nick Januario | October 4

Welcome to Blind Luck,  your new favorite dose of drama and source of vicarious living. Your scheming hosts, Nick and Em, have turned their attention to all the potential loves and connections on the Tufts campus. Every week, we will set up two people on a blind date from sources of our own notes, our little birdies and YOU. If you have a pairing in mind or just a friend who’s down, send them along to nicholasjanuario@gmail.com. 

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Columns

Beyond Sports: Stop cyberbullying high schoolers

By David Cooperman | October 4

On Sunday, Aug. 29, high school football powerhouse IMG Academy defeated Bishop Sycamore High School 58–0. This was not an ordinary game. After their defeat, investigations into Bishop Sycamore began to bring its predatory practices to light. 

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The Journey: Imposter syndrome

By Elizabeth Buehl | October 4

Today was my first day back in in-person classes. After grabbing a mid-morning iced coffee at The Sink, I sat down in a big, comfortable blue armchair in the Mayer Campus Center. As I bent back the pages of Edith Wharton’s “The Age of Innocence” (1920), I was transported to 19th-century New York City. Despite my fascination with her commentary on the complex inner workings of the city’s upper echelon, I couldn’t help but notice a tour group out of the corner of my eye. The spirited guide took a big step up onto a bench, and I had a moment of realization: I really am a Tufts student.

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Columns

K-Weekly: Why 'Loser=Lover' needs to be in your playlist

By Odessa Gaines | October 4

If you’re not familiar with the ever-growing world of K-pop, or international music in general, you may be looking at this section and wondering, what even is "Loser=Lover?" But never fear, dear reader, as I am here to shed some light on who TXT is and why you need to stream the group’s music.

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Columns

For the Culture: Why does hip-hop love Takashi Murakami?

By Paul Osmond | October 1

Ubiquitous in pop culture since the early 2000s, Japanese contemporary artistTakashi Murakami is familiar with co-relating high and low culture. Among other achievements, he founded the “superflat” theory, which draws on traditional “flattened” Japanese printing with anime and pop culture imagery. He is also famed for his strong collaborative relationship with high fashion label Louis Vuitton, with whom he produced several legendary pieces, and he frequently teams up with fellow fashion icon Virgil Abloh. Perhaps most incredibly, he has had his work exhibited at the Palace of Versailles in France. However, Murakami remains legendary in my mind for the special relationship he has formed with modern hip-hop.

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Columns

Over-the-Top Football: The new reality on transfers

By Michael Wallace-Bruce | October 1

There’s something I need to get off my chest. Players’ transfer fees should not be used to assess the quality of a soccer player in modern soccer. Here’s why.

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