Columns

Columns

Keeping up with the 617: A season in review

By Matt Goguen | October 25

If anyone said they expected the Red Sox to perform as well as they did this season, they'd be lying through their teeth. Coming off of an abysmal 2020 season, many baseball pundits doubted this Red Sox squad — and with good reason. Their offseason acquisitions weren't raising any eyebrows and the team was still without Chris Sale and Eduardo Rodriguez in their starting rotation at the beginning of the season. Given what the cupboard looked like at the beginning of April, what this team accomplished this season was nothing short of remarkable.

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Columns

Spoonfuls: Tu y Yo

By Sonia Richter | October 15

Powder House Square is home to more than just a chaotic roundabout. It is the launching point for every trip to Davis or to the infamous Pub Tuesdays. It boasts the birthday tradition of Yoshi’s — a likely site for numerous sushi pregames during this fine Scorpio season. I can’t say much on this, ...

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Columns

For the Culture: PluggnB artists bend rap fashion gender norms

By Paul Osmond | October 15

Nearly eight months ago, my brother introduced me to a musician who had just signed with Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records: SoFaygo. Although his music has not left my ears since, it is his fashion that has interested me most. Like Jaden Smith and Young Thug, who are other gender-bending fashion influences in rap, SoFaygo is one of the newest artists to bring feminine fashion to an otherwise hypermasculine genre. SoFaygo embodies an uncanny rise of music and fashion that subvert the gender norms of both schools.

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Columns

Dreaming of Sandman: Dream makes a friend

By Sadie Leite | October 14

It might be interesting to live forever.

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Columns

Keeping up with the 617: An underdog mentality

By Matt Goguen | October 14

Last Thursday, the Boston Red Sox dejectedly walked off Tropicana Field after an embarrassing 5–0 loss to an energized Tampa Bay Rays squad. The Rays dominated the Red Sox in all three facets of the game and were simply more determined to win the series. As expected, the series seemed to be over after the first inning in Game 1; however, the Red Sox have now secured a spot in the American League Championship Series and are four wins away from their third World Series appearance in nine years.

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Columns

The Vintage and the Vogue: Conceiving cuisines

By Robert Kaplan and Michael Friedman | October 14

Robert: Hey Michael, I didn’t see you last night. Where were you?

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Columns

Brands who deserve your dollars: Nynne

By Colette Smith | October 13

This week’s brand, Nynne, is more upscale and expensive than the brands highlighted thus far, but the company’s approach to sustainability is unique since it outlines eight clear focus groups. This tactic makes the sustainability objective clearer for the company itself, but it also helps the brand be more transparent with consumers, because they will have a better understanding of how Nynne is approaching sustainability. 

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Columns

Sports and Society: Of mascots and men

By Oliver Fox | October 13

Monday marked the first nationally recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day in the United States. For millions of NFL fans like myself, the first thing we did was watch the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Buffalo Bills just as the clock ticked past midnight on the East Coast.

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Columns

Potty Talk: Shower talk

By David Wingens and Sam Russo | October 13

We’ve all been there. You sit down in class on a hot day, only to realize that you just don’t smell as good as you should. You can blame it on the weather or the hill, or you can take matters into your own hands with one of the showers nestled in some of Tufts’ bathrooms, a feature that’s oddly omitted from every tour.

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Columns

On Demand: Does she cook or does she just watch 'Top Chef'?

By Raga Chilakamarri | October 12

I want to preface this week’s column by saying yes, I have seen Netflix’s talk-of-the town “Squid Game” (2021–), and yes, it did fracture my heart in many ways that I’d love to unpack. However, I also do believe that there are few worse things than a show spoilt, so for the sanctity and integrity of the series, I shall instead address a less devastating but still emotionally compounded competition: “Top Chef” (2006–).

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Columns

Tales from the T: A new station for a new Allston

By Kevin Zhang | October 12

Anyone who’s traveled to the neighborhood of Allston knows how difficult it can be, requiring a trek from the Green Line, a bus ride through traffic or a drive along twisting highways. But a massive new project is promising to change all this by bringing a frequent rail service from South Station, Worcester and Kendall Square to a new West Station in Allston, alongside a brand-new highway and urban neighborhood on former industrial land. What’s the story behind this megaproject? 

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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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Column

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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