Category: Opinions

By Syed Rahim

“Mankind was born on Earth. It was never meant to die here.” So goes the tagline of the blockbuster 2014 film Interstellar. In it, the Earth is suffering from a catastrophic crop blight, inflating food prices and leaving millions in poverty. Under the leadership of handsome scientist Matthew McConaughey, a group of hotshot scientists embark on a not-so-stellar expedition across the cosmos to save humanity from extinction.

Spoiler alert: we survive! But not because we found a magical cure for our crops. Rather, we packed our bags and set up shop somewhere else.

Though Interstellar is a work of science fiction, it’s not out of the question to consider the future it shows. Though our circumstances aren’t exactly as dire as portrayed in the film, they’re not a far cry from the potential future scientists are predicting.

And what hellish, apocalyptic future might that be? For one, melting glaciers and rising sea levels means coastal areas being flooded. As ocean water absorbs excess heat and carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, coral reefs housing millions of planets will die.
As for the direct effect on humans, estimates by the The Internal Organization for Migration report the displacement of 200 million people by 2050.

“Between 2030 and 2050, climate change is expected to cause approximately 250,000 additional deaths per year, from malnutrition, malaria, diarrhea and heat stress,” according to the World Health Organization.

At the root of those pesky doomsday scenarios is Global Warming, the term used interchangeably with Climate Change. According to the Oxford Dictionary, Global Warming is defined as “a gradual increase in the overall temperature of the earth’s atmosphere generally attributed to the greenhouse effect caused by increased levels of carbon dioxide, chlorofluorocarbons, and other pollutants.”

You may be asking, “All this sounds terrible. Where is the good news?” Well, there is none. The point is that things are only getting worse, and where to go from here is up to debate.

The accepted solution among climate scientists is to limit the emission of greenhouses gases that are warming up the atmosphere. This means cutting emissions from coal and natural gas to reverse our planet’s crash course to superheating. But what if the solution isn’t meant to be found here, on Earth?

The problem with space expansion is the cost involved in sending people out of orbit. Every pound sent out using the Space Shuttle costs $10,000. The launch of a Space Shuttle costs about $450 million.

With the proliferation of private space companies like SpaceX and Virgin Galactic, the process of sending average people into orbit will become much easier and less expensive in the future. Dozens of earth-like planets are being discovered every year, some of them not farther than a couple of light-years.

“Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward looking on planet Earth but to spread out into space,” remarked renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking. “Our only chance of long-term survival is not to remain inward looking on planet Earth but to spread out into space.

Once the fight for limited resources begins, it’s only a matter of time before war and disease kill millions. And once our planet has totally been exhausted, there really is no reason to hope for a future.

That being said, don’t worry! There’s no point in being pessimistic. Space travel is expensive, but research and development is driving down the cost every day.

As long as humans have been exploring the Earth, we’ve been looking up at the sky. Our ancestors before us were not only explorers of the seas, but of the stars. As corny as it sounds, the survival of the human race could very well depend on our exploration of the universe. To quote Matthew McConaughey, “We used to look up at the sky and wonder at our place in the stars. Now we just look down and worry about our place in the dirt.”

 

Sommer Fowler
Special Columnist

Whoever said high school years were the best of his life obviously never went through college applications.  These applications are the height of the high school career.  Every exhausting all-nighter, uninteresting extra AP course, and hellish SAT prep class was endured with dreams of our happy selves prancing through college campuses drenched in newfound independence.  By the time senior year crashes down like a pile of textbooks, most students are ready to embrace the well-deserved senioritis.  Only one task stands in the way—college applications.

As most students did, I spent three years of my life interrogating admission directors and scouring online statistics for the perfect formula to boost my chances of being accepted to college.  All this effort was met by phrases like “just be yourself” and “show your own personality.”  To everyone who is starting to believe these vague truths, allow me to clarify.  You should be yourself, as long as “yourself” includes straight A’s.  Showing your personality is crucial, as long as it is just quirky enough to distinguish you from the pack but not so much that you sound like you eat near the trash cans alone every lunch.  Also, if that personality does not fit into essays of 350 words or less you should probably find a new one.

Although the minority, some students decide to apply outside California—because being an extra thousand miles away from parents is worth doubled tuition—and must complete separate applications.  There are only so many essays I can write on how magnificent I am before I run out of ways to say it.  With the regular workload of classes in mind, the several hours spent on a single application is a daunting task.  As fashionable as gray hair became in the last year, I do not appreciate the gray strands application stress has generously gifted me.

Once the worst is over, the forms are complete and ready to submit, there is one last slap in the face.  A hefty price tag awaits applicants serving as a gentle reminder of the textbooks they will have to pay for next year.  This year UC applicants shelled out 70 dollars for each school—a price that caused me to second guess my chances of being admitted.

While PHHS has excellent counselors on staff who are ready to guide you through the treacherous process, there is only so much they can do.  Teachers can help you find your own voice, as mine have, but what you do with it is your choice.  The college application process will be long and difficult.  It will force you to be genuine with yourself to a degree you may have never reached before.  It will be undeniably awful but once it is over you have something else to worry about—admission decisions.

By Mae Castellano

Even after all the research you’ve done, you’re still clueless when choosing which college you want to attend. There are many factors in choosing a college that’s right for you—whether you actually like the campus or if you believe that it’s not what you were looking for.

The most important thing is to have an idea in what career you would like to pursue in the future. Knowing what you’d like to do will make decisions easier. If you’re not sure about what you want to pursue, Naviance is a great tool to use. Naviance allows you to take an interest profiler survey, under the “careers” tab.

“It gives you an idea of different careers that might be good matches for you. From that, you can figure out what major you need to pursue that career and from there, figure out which colleges offer that major,” advises Guidance Counselor Jennifer Cody.

With an occupation in mind and knowing which major to specialize in, in comes the other factors. Going on Naviance and inserting your college-life preferences is just the first step in this lengthy process. Now it’s time to see if the colleges are right for you.

Don’t feel the need to attend a school simply because your parents are pressuring you. You want to attend the college that will give you the proper knowledge to strive in your occupation. However, it’s good to be careful when choosing a college specific to your current major; it’s possible it will change once or twice.

Location is another detail to take into consideration. If your main concern is to stay near home, that’s most likely what you’re going to want to do, especially if you’re going to help out your parents. However, leaving does allow you to be completely independent from your parents and gives you a taste of the adult life.

Another common factor is cost. It’d make sense to choose the school that’s cheaper, but remember that it should have the right programs for you to excel in. Going to an expensive school may put a strain on you financially. However, if you feel the education is adequate, it may be worth it to get the appropriate material needed to excel in the future.

Attending a community college is an alternative and would help save you a significant amount. Going to a community college, you can still acquire the same general education you’d get from a four-year college, and from there you can later transfer to a four-year college to complete your bachelor’s degree.

“Visiting colleges might be the last step,” provides Guidance Counselor Chantu Nguyen. Visiting colleges last ensures that the academic portion of choosing a college is over. Going to a college and liking the school, yet it ends up not having the correct programs, would be a waste of time.

There are lots of different elements to think about when deciding on which school to attend. Having a career in mind and knowing which programs to get there are critical in determining where you’re going to enroll.

By Hannah Tong

As seniors begin to finalize all their college applications, they move on to the next step: figuring out how to pay for college.

The two most efficient ways students find financial aid is through FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and scholarships.

The Federal Student Aid is a part of the U.S Department of Education and helps students across the nation afford college. Over $150 billion in grants, loans and work-study funds are provided to students to aid them in their college expenses.

“I wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to hopefully lessen the cost of my college tuition,” expresses senior Elaine Pham.

The FAFSA application opened on Oct. 1 and the official deadline is on Jun. 30. However, the FAFSA deadline can vary among select colleges.

To apply, students and their parents have to fill out an online application about tax returns, financial status and personal information.  After submitting, everyone just waits for the process to go through.

Scholarships are also a major part of the college application process.  They are grants or payments made to support a student’s education and are usually awarded on the basis of academic or other achievement.

Students can access several different websites to search for scholarships such as Fastweb.com, Zinch.com, Cappex.com or Scholarships.com.

Each scholarship has its own specific requirements.  Some may require essays, letter of recommendations and transcripts, while others just require an application concerning personal information.

For seniors who are still looking for additional scholarships to apply to, PHHS always has updates on upcoming deadlines for specific scholarships either on Schoolloop or the PHHS home page. Students can also look under the “Guidance” tab and select the “Financial Aid/Scholarships” section to find a long list of scholarships.

By Sommer Fowler

Whoever said high school years were the best of his life obviously never went through college applications.  These applications are the height of the high school career.  Every exhausting all-nighter, uninteresting extra AP course, and hellish SAT prep class was endured with dreams of our happy selves prancing through college campuses drenched in newfound independence.  By the time senior year crashes down like a pile of textbooks, most students are ready to embrace the well-deserved senioritis.  Only one task stands in the way—college applications.

As most students did, I spent three years of my life interrogating admission directors and scouring online statistics for the perfect formula to boost my chances of being accepted to college.  All this effort was met by phrases like “just be yourself” and “show your own personality”.  To everyone who is starting to believe these vague truths, allow me to clarify.  You should be yourself, as long as “yourself” includes straight A’s.  Showing your personality is crucial, as long as it is just quirky enough to distinguish you from the pack but not so much that you sound like you eat near the trash cans alone every lunch.  Also, if that personality does not fit into essays of 350 words or less you should probably find a new one.

Although the minority, some students decide to apply outside California—because being an extra thousand miles away from parents is worth doubled tuition—and must complete separate applications.  There are only so many essays I can write on how magnificent I am before I run out of ways to say it.  With the regular workload of classes in mind, the several hours spent on a single application is a daunting task.  As fashionable as gray hair became in the last year, I do not appreciate the gray strands application stress has generously gifted me.

Once the worst is over, the forms are complete and ready to submit, there is one last slap in the face.  A hefty price tag awaits applicants serving as a gentle reminder of the textbooks they will have to pay for next year.  This year UC applicants shelled out 70 dollars for each school—a price that caused me to second guess my chances of being admitted.

While PHHS has excellent counselors on staff who are ready to guide you through the treacherous process, there is only so much they can do.  Teachers can help you find your own voice, as mine have, but what you do with it is your choice.  The college application process will be long and difficult.  It will force you to be genuine with yourself to a degree you may have never reached before.  It will be undeniably awful but once it is over you have something else to worry about—admission decisions.

By Sean Tseng

Technology permeates every aspect of life. Turn on your phone and countless apps fight for your attention with red-bubble notifications and endless information to scroll through. Social media overflows with unfiltered thoughts, littering platforms unchecked, and the latest victim of the internet seems to be the integrity of news and rise of “alternative facts.” Yet perhaps the most shameful victim of technology today, one that has been derailed in almost every way by contemporary lifestyles, is romance.

The toxicity of technology upon romance is clearly evident even on the most superficial of levels. The world of dating has been reduced to staring at screens for the perfect lighting and the most photogenic guy or gal to strike you as “the one.” Flowers at the door before a date have turned into bouquets of “I’m here” texts and two-dimensional rose emojis. The virtual vibrancy of technology has left traditional romance gray and withered. Just a cursory glance at society around us shows modern love trading in depth for simplicity.

Technology emphasizes efficiency and ease, two factors that repeatedly shortchange romance. The seemingly user-friendly “swipe right” format of popular dating apps like Tinder encourages superficial judgments and reduces attraction down to mere pixels on a screen. Convenience has trumped quality, and important conversations like break-ups are now occurring over the internet.

According to a 2015 Pew Research Center poll, 31% of adolescents have experienced a break up through social media or text. With such practices growing more and more commonplace, new generations are losing touch with the importance of in-person interaction. This tech-ridden lifestyle breeds bad habits in love.

Technology also poses as a point of contention within many relationships. A 2013 Princeton Survey Research Associates International survey found that 42% of 18-to-29-year-olds said their partners have been distracted by their phones. This conclusion was drawn from only a small sampling of the general population—some 2,000 people. Yet this issue is so prevalent that the internet has dubbed it “phone snubbing” or “p-phubbing.”

Phone snubbing, in which a person is ignored for the internet, happens so often that Princeton’s survey also found that 18% of couples in that small sampling had argued over the amount of time the other was spending online or on their phones. These numbers are only the tip of the technological iceberg that is ultimately sinking modern-day Jack and Rose’s love.

Beneath surface-level complications and inconveniences, high-tech dating introduces a world of uncertainty and danger. Online dating platforms are essentially markets, and those who advertise the best are the most successful. There’s no room for honesty. A quick search of “catfished” on Google yields a million results and several articles detailing the lengths some go through to lie their way into relationships.

In the age of technology, anyone is susceptible to being catfished or misled by online appearances. Many, from celebrities like college football star Manti Te’o or country singer Brad Paisley to everyday people, have fallen victim to the murky waters of scammers hiding behind virtual profiles.

Take the case of LA resident Paula Bonhomme for example, as reported by thoughtcatalog.com. In 2005, Ms. Bonhomme fell for an alleged firefighter named Jesse through online interactions. She exchanged numerous gifts with Jesse over the course of their relationship, totaling at $10,000 in losses when she realized the truth and unsuccessfully attempted to sue the responsible party.

Each aspect of modern love has been negatively impacted by technology. Courting has fallen flat, relationships have become strained and catfished victims have suffered consequences both emotional and financial. For all of technology’s convenient and inventive benefits, romance is most assuredly not one of them.

By Michelle Lin

Technology has become the solid foundation of society—as a matter of fact, there is little that we do today without the aid of some technology. Whether it be watching Netflix, scrolling through Tumblr, or messaging a friend on Facebook, our means of communication lie primarily in the small electronic devices grasped so tightly in our fists. As such, there is no wonder that many have also been turning to technology as a mode for meeting new people and developing romantic relationships.

In a world that’s been revolutionized by technology, apps for dating have become sources full of information. Tinder, for instance, connects people from their surrounding areas, dramatically increasing the dating pool with just one right swipe and a congratulatory match. With the option to narrow down selections by changing the distance or the age category, it’s become far simpler than ever to meet those around you.

Whether you are on the app to find a relationship or to make new friends, the chances of meeting people you may not usually meet outside of a packed schedule have grown tremendously with such innovations, and will simply continue to do so as long as technology remains a factor in modern society.

Take married couple, Jenny Shaab and Ben Marder, for instance, as reported by Business Insider. The couple met on Tinder in early 2013, and just a year and a half later, were happily married through what they believe was “fate.” Yet the Marders are just one example of successful relationships through online dating apps.

According to a spokesperson from Tinder, as reported to Tech Insider, Tinder “receives hundreds of stories each month from people who met on Tinder and are now engaged or married.” Despite the lack of hard numbers and scientific studies in this area, evidence of successful relationships can be found through the #swipedright hashtag posted on Tinder’s website that encourages users to discuss their love stories through Twitter and Instagram. Tinder, as well as other forms of dating apps, has proven effective to so many users today.

For the past decade, technology has also been an aid to communication between long-distance relationships. Rather than sending letters and postcards in the mail to be received in several days—perhaps even weeks—people are more instantly able to connect with others. Friends or significant others are just a few short messages away through social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter, which further allow people to stay updated on one another’s lives.

According to the Pew Research Center, social media helps teens feel closer to their romantic partners. 59% of adolescents with experience being in a relationship claim that social media allows them to feel more connected to what’s happening in their significant other’s life. Technology has been shown to benefit those who simply don’t have the opportunity or ability to be close to those they love.

With social media as a medium, technology has also been a large supplement to people who suffer from social anxiety. Without the initial face-to-face interactions, people are able to connect more easily and directly through non-threatening forums.

“Using social media could be helpful for people who have social anxiety,” explains mental health counselor Bill Munze. “Whether social media (hinders) more than assisted a person (rests) on the individual.”

Even non-dating platforms have the potential to connect people with common interests and spark relationships that would have never been possible otherwise. These websites and apps encourage people to communicate freely without the fear of struggling to respond in social situations and being scrutinized.

With the rise of the modern age, technology has been a beneficial means towards achieving romance. Dating apps such as Tinder or Hinge have connected people within surrounding areas, and social media has aided long-distance relationships and those with social anxiety. Modern romance is just one simple convenience of technology today.

By Lawrence Su (Guest Writer)

Whether you’re out there looking for a job, applying for college, or trying to get an officer position in a club, knowing how to smash that interview is quintessential. Having been to a couple of interviews myself, I present to you five of my most important tips for interviews:

Prepare for possible questions. One of the most common questions asked is, “What is your weakness?” If you can’t answer that question, go ahead and add that to your current list of weaknesses. Being able to answer questions swiftly and confidently will not only impress the interviewer, but also showcase your fit with the organization. By practicing with a friend or writing out a response to some possible questions, you can save yourself from a torrent of unprofessional “uhs” or awkward silences.

Dress for success. If you’re wearing something that you think your grandma would get a heart attack from, change your clothes—but don’t dress like you’re going to said grandma’s funeral either. It should be obvious that you’d want to make a good first impression; so by wearing a titillating tie or a blazing blazer, you’re showing to your interviewer that you mean business. Make sure to give yourself enough time, too, to dress up and not be late for that interview—get there on time!

Be yourself. If you find yourself having to be “someone else,” then you might as well not show up. Don’t resort to trickery or facades; interviewers can most likely see through that. By being who you are and responding sincerely to interview questions, you’re increasing your chances of landing that position that much more. Authenticity is always the way to go.

Ask questions. When asked if they have any questions, most applicants answer, “No,” to which Donald Trump would say, “WRONG.” Whether it’s a job, college, or club interview, asking questions gives you the opportunity to find out if this is the right place for you. Furthermore, this demonstrates your interest and possible proactive engagement towards the organization.

Thank your interviewer. Congratulations! You’ve finished your interview! But before you go charging out to reward yourself with a bowl of pho, don’t forget to thank the interviewer(s) right before you leave. Once you get back home, write a thank you email or even a letter if you’re feeling fancy. This is not only courteous, but advantageous when compared to other applicants who don’t even bother to say thanks.

It’s okay to be nervous; that’s why they’re called interviews. Interviews are there for you to display who you are. If you end up not getting that job, going to that college or getting that officer position, it’s okay—they don’t deserve someone as great as you anyway. ♦

By Erica Xie

The start of a new year also comes with the culturally rich months of January and February. These two months hold many spirited and beloved festivities. the biggest of which include Lunar New Year and Black History Month.

On Sat., Jan. 28, many East Asian countries and communities celebrated Lunar New Year, the first day of the year according to the lunar calendar.  This holiday is characterized with red envelopes for the children (or the unmarried) and the gathering of families to begin the new year.  Each individual family or community may have different traditions from each other.

For some, they visit the temple to pray for a fruitful year, while others have a big dinner with family.  There is a variety of different types of clothing and food available, including but not limited to the Vietnamese dress for girls áo dài, the Chinese cake nián gāo or any type of red clothing.

A tradition in my family, for example, is cleaning the house and wearing some sort of new clothing to start the year off lucky. There’s a lot of fēng shuǐ (superstition) involved in the customs during Lunar New Year and many of the traditions are play on words to ensure a good year ahead.  An example of this is the previously mentioned nián gāo, which means cake but also sounds like the characters for “high year.”

In addition, February is Black History Month, a month meant to raise awareness and appreciation for the often untold or overlooked stories of African Americans.  This event developed more recently than Lunar New Year, sprouting from “Negro History Week.”

The month was first recognized by the American government in 1976. During the years of the Civil Rights Movement, Black History Month grew with increasing popularity.

Each year, a theme is designated to the month.  This year, in 2017, the theme is “The Crisis in Black Education” (ASALH).  ASALH (Association for the Study of African American Life and History) provides an annual Black History Month kit which contains a Black History Bulletin that aims to help teachers and event coordinators design lesson plans around the annual theme to give a voice to the voiceless (madamenoire.com). Piedmont Hills’ own BSU (Black Student Union) is also presenting a person of the day with short descriptions of his or her’s achievements of contributions during announcements.

These cultures truly bring a richness to the unique and eclectic aura of America.  As the media and education progressively integrates cultural aspects into their everyday lives more cultures will be accepted and celebrated in society.

By Michelle Lin

With finals just around the corner in December, students should now begin preparing for these comprehensive exams.  To help you maintain or bring up your grades, you should incorporate the following tips into your studying schedule:

Silence your phone and take a break from your social media accounts.  If notifications are buzzing from your phone every few seconds, you can imagine it will be extremely difficult to concentrate on your studies without getting distracted.  Download a “Self Control” app on your electronic devices if you know you can’t restrain yourself.

Ask your teacher for help.  Find out what kind of an exam you will be taking.  A 50 question multiple choice exam is very different from writing an essay.  Seek help, especially in classes you are struggling in, and determine what key points you should focus on.

Make a study plan. Take out all your old notes and past exams (if you have them), and briefly go through them.  Pay special attention to what you struggled with and feel you need to review a bit more on.  Additionally, form condensed notes, which will ensure that you focus on the main ideas and cover the entire scope of your lessons.

Form study groups.  Your friends can be very helpful in helping you study. Test each other on the information and ask for help when needed.

Eat properly.  Make sure you’re feeding yourself with healthy food.  Eat a nice, nourishing breakfast the morning of your final.  Testing while hungry is not fun!

Sleep.  Don’t pull an all nighter the night before a final.  Fatigue may hinder you from thinking properly, and you may not retain information as well.  According to Neuroscience and Psychology professor Roxanne Prichard, “Becoming sleep-deprived causes a change in the brain.  Your brain doesn’t necessarily shut down when you lack sleep—it just stops functioning properly.”

Don’t cram last minute.  Start studying at least two weeks before your finals to get a complete grasp of the material.  Don’t study for ten hours straight; it strains the mind, and you’ll find you don’t remember the information as well as you want to.  “Last minute cramming may allow you to pass a test, but you won’t remember the material for long,” explains Williams College psychologist Nate Kornell, Ph.D.

With these tips in mind, you can study hard to ace those finals.  Finish the semester knowing you tried your best and did everything you could to pass your classes!