Tag: Column

The ethical dilemma of buying local

By Eric Mathison

The last few years have seen a dramatic rise in attempts to act ethically when traveling around town, shopping and eating out. Along with this increase, a growing number of people are choosing to “buy local,” with numerous websites offering reasons to adopt this lifestyle. But no matter what the product is, the pros of… Continue reading The ethical dilemma of buying local

Human rights legislation in legal limbo

By Eric Mathison

The recent ruling by the chairman for the Canadian Human Rights Commission has set a new precedent in human rights arbitration in Canada. The case was raised against Marc Lemire, a known white supremacist and the webmaster of a website that posted the text of a speech given by Kevin Strom, another well-known white supremacist.… Continue reading Human rights legislation in legal limbo

Freedom Through Ad Hoc Networks

By Ændrew Rininsland

The University of Calgary’s wireless networks are generally pretty fast, but there are often times when they are at peak capacity and everything’s really very slow. If you’re trying to transfer a large number of large files between computers or play networked videogames on the LAN, chances are you’re not only giving yourself headaches, but… Continue reading Freedom Through Ad Hoc Networks

Going downtown in two big cities

By Ryan Pike

For many, summer is a time to experiment. Some grow beards. Some shave their heads or dye their hair. Some go on vacations to strange places. All of these experiments ultimately reveal lessons to be learned. In Calgary, summer is a time for municipal government to experiment, this time revealing lessons regarding urban culture. Last… Continue reading Going downtown in two big cities

This little piggy caused a pandemic

By Eric Mathison

Since the World Health Organization declared a worldwide pandemic in early June for the first time in 41 years, news about swine flu has slowly lost momentum. Now, with students going back to school in the northern hemisphere, and with fall on the way, experts are preparing for the worst as scientists try to predict… Continue reading This little piggy caused a pandemic

Where have all the “great authors” gone?

By Cam Cotton-O’Brien

It is curious to see how easily even the incredibly lucid can deceive themselves. This is a common enough phenomenon, but it pops up in a embarrassingly conceited way when dealing with art, notably literature. In mid-July the Globe and Mail ran an article detailing a book club that has grown up around the late… Continue reading Where have all the “great authors” gone?

Young workers feeling the recessionís wrath

By Eric Mathison

Since the economy started its downward spiral late last summer, we of the insulated student population haven’t had need for the same apprehension as the rest of society. We have no life savings to lose, no homes to be repossessed by the bank and job security is more likely to be a security job. Sure,… Continue reading Young workers feeling the recessionís wrath

8Bit: Fuck the adolescents, gaming needs to grow up

By Andrew Swan

The AMP Your Game National Gaming Tour rolled through the university campus on April 7, 8 and 9. It was a pretty good time — lots of video game consoles to play, a Rock Band competition to watch and endless AMP energy drinks to consume. I was a little disappointed, though, in the staff that… Continue reading 8Bit: Fuck the adolescents, gaming needs to grow up

Exploring the imperative behind Earth Day

By Eric Mathison

Earth Day falls just over a week after Easter weekend and provides a nice shift in perspective from all the supernaturalism to something, well, more natural. Holidays are meant to evoke reflection, so let’s take stock of the Earth and ask: what is so good about the Earth anyway? Why should we devote so much… Continue reading Exploring the imperative behind Earth Day