The use of contemporary social media has dramatically changed the way human beings interact. A couple of decades ago, the idea that one could connect with just about anyone in the world from their home as quickly as desired was unheard of. Thirty years ago, people did not make plans on the fly through texting — they made arrangements beforehand and met their friends at designated spots, which encouraged commitment and careful time management.

On Sept. 11, members of the men’s rights activist group Men’s Rights Edmonton helped establish Alberta’s second men’s activist group in Calgary. Men’s Rights Edmonton made national headlines recently with their “Don’t Be That Girl” advertising campaign, a response to the “Don’t Be That Guy” anti-date-rape posters distributed by Edmonton Police and partners. Men’s Rights Edmonton’s latest poster targets Lise Gotell, chair of Women’s and Gender studies at the University of Alberta.

This week’s Gauntlet includes our new drinking supplement and this has our editorial board feeling like critics. We spent our weekend sampling Calgary’s finest liquours all for the good of our loyal readers. But there was one line we should not have crossed. One burden we should not have bared. Our advice to you: never, ever drink anything from Minhas Brewery — it wins the Gauntlet Editorial Board’s award for worst liquour brand on the planet.

The University of Calgary Institute for Quantum Science and Technology was launched last week, providing new research and work opportunities for students in the faculty of science.

According to IQST director and physics professor Barry Sanders, the institute will focus on four pillars of research: quantum information, quantum optics, molecular modeling and nanotechnology.

“Some people refer to the 21st century as the quantum age,” Sanders said. “The usual way we learn science without quantum no longer applies.”

From responding to theft to dealing with public porn viewers, campus security had a full plate this summer.

Thirty-six officers under the leadership of campus security director Lanny Fritz responded to over 350 incidents between May and August. Fritz, a 16-year Campus Security veteran, said that although the summer brought few students, campus remained an eventful place.

At the beginning and end of every semester, students scramble to buy and sell their textbooks. If a student wants to sell an old textbook, their first option is to return it to the U of C Bookstore. And they usually get little money for the effort.

U of C students Vamsee Reddy and Jacob Nasser intend to solve this through the University of Calgary Book Trading Service — a website for students to buy, sell or trade used textbooks.

High River was devastated during the summer floods, with the whole town being evacuated and millions of dollars in damage done. One of those who lost her home was third-year University of Calgary archeology student Kaiden Tajiri. But thanks to a friend, her year might get a little easier.

To help Tajiri, University of Calgary student Penny Christakis recently created the Tajiri Project, an online fundraising effort for Tajiri and her family.