TikTok Ban

BY SYDNEY WESCHCKE

STAFF WRITER

A few hours before the ban on TikTok was to take place, a federal judge blocked the ban. The main reason for the ban was the “immediate danger” of TikTok being owned by a company located in Beijing, China. The Trump administration is concerned that the Chinese Government could be able to access millions of American’s information. The app was set to be removed from the app store on September 20; along with more restrictions going into place on November 12. 

TikTok was set to be partnered with Oracle and Walmart; this has not been finalized yet as of the end of September. Microsoft has also shared interest in purchasing or partnering with TikTok. This would lower the national security threat, due to both those companies being located in the U.S. 

One solution to this ongoing security threat problem would be to use synthetic data. This is a way to make your data accurate but still anonymous. It would change some information about the person. For example, it could change their birthday by a couple months or days. Also, it would completely keep any addresses or other private information safe. In this way, TikTok could still be partially owned by ByteDance, and there wouldn’t be a security threat. It would also be safe if a U.S. company owned or partnered with TikTok.

Sources

https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/27/tech/tiktok-ban-judge/index.html

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/tiktoks-data-privacy-problem-has-an-easy-solution-synthetic-data-2020-10-02

https://www.tiktok.com/

Pack Sandwiches at Home and Drop Off for the Homeless

BY LYNNE INOUYE
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF IN TRAINING

In 2018, there were 11,371 people experiencing homelessness in Minnesota; a number that had risen 10 percent since 2015. Homelessness can become someone’s only option due to a large variety of reasons, including lack of affordable housing, past abuse, chronic health conditions, childhood trauma, and much more. It’s an ongoing cause for concern, and Minnesota winters can worsen already horrible conditions. With many shelters and support centers closing at night or filling up, it can leave thousands of people cold and without a meal.

This is where Allan Law comes in. For the past two decades, he’s spent every single night on the streets of Minneapolis, handing out sandwiches and other supplies to the homeless population. Even when battling prostate cancer, he was unwilling to take a week of rest, going as far as to sneak out of the hospital before he was meant to leave. He never sleeps in a bed or takes time off, working 18 hours a day on two hours of sleep a night. Law is dedicated to helping these people; he saw a need and decided to do something about it. His story is further explained in the documentary The Starfish Throwers, which shows three powerful examples of changing lives for the better.

If this cause interests you or you want to help, an event is being sponsored by the non-profit organization Girl Onward to make sandwiches to be handed out. With COVID-19, there’s been a decrease in volunteers, and it would greatly aid Law’s organization and the homeless people of Minneapolis. To sign up for this event, go to this link and RSVP: https://www.girlonward.com/events/pack-sandwiches-at-home-drop-off-for-homeless 

Keep in mind, all RSVPs are due by Friday, October 9th, to allow time for ordering supplies. This is also an event that will be done at your home, with set times to pick up and drop off sandwiches. Hope to see you there!

Sources: 

http://mnhomeless.org/minnesota-homeless-study/homelessness-in-minnesota.php

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/allan-law-feeds-the-homeless_n_5966246?ncid=tweetlnkushpmg00000026

Picture: 

https://www.godvine.com/read/one-man-helps-feed-the-homeless-every-single-night-743.html

Robots in Everyday Life

BY MARKOS YIANGOU

STAFF WRITER

From senior living homes to prosthetic limbs, the reach of robotic technology is growing in almost every industry. When I was younger, the idea of an automated machine was in my robot dog Zoomer or my friend MIP.  Who could have ever imagined that such efficiency from this type of technology could affect so many sectors in such a short time.

In the agricultural industry, companies are using robots to gather all kinds of crops, from apples to lettuce. Eliminating countless hours of manual labor. Not to mention manual labor is getting harder to find. In Washington, an orchard in Grandview uses a harvesting robot to pick apples off of their trees.   

The service industry has also seen a shift in automation. For example, McDonalds has been acquiring technology companies to automate their ordering process and bring more efficiency to their drive-thrus.In the future you will see drive-thrus change based on the time of day, weather, traffic, and the customer’s order.

Another job robots are doing is taking care of seniors. Some robots act as coaches to help elderly people exercise, stay social, and even distribute food and medicine. In South Korea there is a type of chair that can hold someone who weighs up to 220 pounds. It is a robotic chair that moves around with a joystick. Robots can be used for getting people around if they are unable to walk.

As we move into the age of experience, robotic technology will continue to play a big role in shaping our lives. Some are skeptical about bringing robots into everyday life, but if you weigh the pros and the cons, you’ll see the difference.  All of this technology is a benefit to society as it solves labor shortages and allows companies to remain competitive.  Everyone could use more Zoomer’s & MIP’s in their lives.

Sources:

Staples, P. (2019, March 02). Robots Used in Everyday Life. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://sciencing.com/robots-used-in-everyday-life-12084150.html

Lucas, A. (2019, September 10). McDonald’s acquires A.I. company to help automate the drive-thru, its third tech deal this year. Retrieved September 15, 2020, from https://www.cnbc.com/2019/09/10/mcdonalds-acquires-ai-company-trying-to-automate-the-drive-thru.html

Picture: https://time.com/longform/senior-care-robot/

Stardew Valley: A Review

BY LOGAN SCHLOSSER

STAFF WRITER

*Disclaimer: There are little to no spoilers here. If you don’t want to spoil the opening scene, you can skip the 2nd paragraph.

On the date of February 26th, 2016, a brand new title to the game market was released to shake the gaming market. The game I am talking about is one of the most successful indie titles to ever cross the platform, Stardew Valley. So, let’s hop right into the review!

Once you have created your character and are ready to step into the world of Stardew Valley, you are greeted with a cutscene. After wanting to leave your life as an office worker, you open a letter given to you from your grandfather; inside is a deed to his old farm. This is how the game begins.

Now into the actual gameplay. This game involves a lot of manipulating your crop growth to produce the max amount of money, so you can purchase wonderful upgrades for your farm. Basically, you can purchase different crops for different seasons. Each season is 30 days, and each day is 24 minutes. You do have to sleep though, so you will be losing half of your day! There are multiple types of crops; these crops can grow at different rates and all sell for different values. Besides the element of farming, there is also the element of talking to the townsfolk. There are around 20 different Non-Player-Characters to give gifts to and befriend. The more people you befriend, the more items you can receive as presents from them. These presents can span from food to ores. 

To move into the last category of the game, you can go into this mine to fight enemies with an upgradeable combat system that improves the farther you go down. Every 5 floors you go down it adds that floor to an elevator, which you can go to and go down to that level even after you die.

Alright, I feel that I should make an entire section dedicated to the beauty of this game’s art. The art is centered around a top-down 2D pixelated style, and just looking at this game is an absolute treat. The artists combined a 2D experience with modern shaders. The game somehow looks so realistic, even though you clearly know it is not. It is just such a comforting thing to look at after a long day of work.

Now there is so much more I could honestly cover in this game, but I really don’t want to turn this into “Logan spoils an entire game for a school newspaper”. if this article left you wanting more, simply purchase the game when it’s on sale. It will legitimately run on any hardware, and it will always be a comfortable experience. So, try it out for yourself if this game seems suited to your tastes. 

How Social Media Helps and Hinders Activists

BY LAASYA AKI

STAFF WRITER

People in general have mixed feelings about social media. Some only concentrate on the benefits of social media, viewing it as a way to connect with their friends. Others focus only on the cons, seeing it as a threat to our health and society. Either way, many people spend a lot of time on social media and come across tens and hundreds of posts each day. Using the powerful influence of social media, activists have reached a number of eyes that they wouldn’t have been able to reach before. 

Why is social media different from any other news outlet?

Well, social media and news outlets differ in many ways, but the main area is the audience. Social media is mostly used by a younger audience: Generation Z and Millennials. Many of these news outlets rely on people going to their site to view their content. Social media is on almost every phone of Gen Z. Even if they don’t actively look to learn, they will come across it while scrolling through their social media. And this doesn’t just apply to Gen Z, though there is a majority here; it applies to anyone who has social media.

Why is it important that the younger population comes across these posts?

Gen Z is the most tolerant generation compared to previous generations. A larger percentage of these younger peoples are more likely to be tolerant of race, religion, and sexuality. A large percentage of Gen Z is seeing what is right and what is wrong. The younger generation is the future and can change it. This isn’t the case with previous generations. Gen Z is known to take action when needed.

After the tragic death of George Floyd, an innocent black man who was murdered at the hands of the police, many people on social media organized protests and reached the eye of those who they couldn’t have reached without social media. Those who couldn’t attend protests spread awareness to others. This also was the case with Breonna Taylor, Elijah Mcclain, and many more. But, with all of this good, comes the bad.

The dangers of misinformation.

With all this information spreading around, not all of it can be true. With the rise of activists comes misinformation and conspiracy theorists. One of these absurd theories is that George Flyod isn’t actually dead and that he faked it. This is not true, but on social media how does one know? We can try to fact check what we read and educate others. With all of this good also comes bad. The activism is growing louder, and they’ll have to listen to us soon.

—

Sources

https://psmag.com/ideas/how-generation-z-as-the-multicultural-vanguard-can-safeguard-the-future-of-america

http://thesnapper.millersville.edu/index.php/2020/06/08/how-social-media-is-contributing-to-the-blm-movement/

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/01/technology/george-floyd-misinformation-online.html

Increasing Evictions: How the Pandemic Has Shaped What it Means to Have A Home

BY CREIGHTON LEWIS

STAFF WRITER

The novel coronavirus has changed everything. It’s made us more reluctant to visit public places, has prevented us from going to school this year, and it’s even gotten people kicked out of their homes. 

When people rent a house or an apartment, they have to pay their landlord a specific amount in order to ensure they have a place to stay. To have money, you need to have a job, but because of the pandemic, people have been unable to work, threatening their residence as a result. Depending on the rent amount, how much money someone has in savings, and whether someone has family members they can call and have a place to stay with, this can mean a temporary setback, or a one-way kick to the street. At a time where public health officials agree it’s best to be social distancing, doing so in a homeless shelter is going to be nearly impossible. The structures simply weren’t made with pandemics in mind. People are packed closely together, coming from different places and situations- it’s literally an infection waiting to happen.

Many people don’t know this, but after someone is evicted, there’s a permanent x on their record as a tenant. Wherever they try to go, the landlord will see this x and determine whether they think an individual is responsible enough to pay all of their rent on time. It makes it more difficult for people who are already desperate to find housing a place to stay. 

Finally, moratoriums are defined as  “delays in the activity of a law.” When someone agrees to pay the rent each month, they have to sign a legal document, but the moratorium blocks this document due to the current circumstance of being unemployed. Hopefully, all states’ legislatures will  pass a moratorium that lasts as long as  possible and makes sure all citizens have the ability to breathe, rather than suffocate from the  growing amount of debt.

ANIMAL PEN: The Hammerhead Worm

BY KAIA KARPE

STAFF WRITER

The Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species. It is also known as Broahead planarian, & the Arrowhead Worm. The Hammerhead Worm’s scientific name is Bipulam. There are around 830 species of the Hammerhead Worm. 

It’s known to eat soil invertebrates. Also, bits of them that are cut off can reproduce into another hammerhead worm & recover rapidly. The Hammerhead Worm is known to eat earthworms, slugs, & fellow Hammerheads, as well as harmful insect larvae. Most animals don’t eat Hammerhead Worms because they produce a chemical called neurotoxin tetrodotoxin, (it is one of few terrestrial invertebrates that can do this).

 That is not the only strength they have. They can reproduce asexually and sexually (but more often, asexually). It uses a process called fragmentation. This is where they leave a tip of their behind and develop into an adult. The only way you can conveniently kill the hammerhead worm is by sprinkling some salt on it. All in all, Hammerhead Worms are pretty hard to kill, but it is not impossible.

The Hammerhead Worm is very active and is found all over the world. They especially like humid conditions. It is also nocturnal, which means it is most active during the night. Like slugs, they can also be active during moist, cloudy days. Otherwise, they find themselves in dark, private spaces. They like humid, warm habitats, so you probably won’t find them in deserts or mountain ranges. They’re found all over the world, and you can find many in just one location. A certain location they are often found in, is in and around potted plants, which have nice rich soil and other worms to eat. So, they like moist or hot temperatures with not much direct sunlight, and many can be found in one location.

The Hammerhead Worm will almost always succeed in catching its prey because it will have an organized plan to eat it. Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is also its butt. They eat the prey (such as an earthworm or snail) by lying atop the prey as its mucus holds the prey down to prevent most movement. Then, the Hammerhead Worm extends the pharynx out of its mouth & secretes digestive enzymes. It then will suck the liquefied tissue into the prey’s branched gut using something called cilia. Finally, it is the time the Hammerhead Worm’s mouth is used as a butt. In the long run, the Hammerhead immobilizes its prey, liquefies the prey, & leaves the snail’s shell alone, and there will be nothing left of the earthworm.

The real question is: should we be concerned about the earthworms, snails, etc? There is some debate of whether we should be concerned about soil invertebrates. The majority says we shouldn’t be concerned because  of evidence. We should have an idea of what is going on. Overall, we shouldn’t be that concerned, but still keep an eye on it.

In short, the Hammerhead Worm is an invasive species that eats soil invertebrates. Hammerhead Worms reproduce quickly & heal quickly, so it is pretty hard to kill, and even most predators won’t eat it, because of the toxic chemicals its body produces. It will stop its prey’s movement & will slowly but surely efficiently eat its prey until there is not much left of it. In the end, they will only be a small threat to the earthworms unless the Hammerhead Worm’s numbers increase significantly.

  1. This Strange Worm’s Mouth Is Also Its (Butt). (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/news/0000015d-41d1-d1cb-a7fd-c5dd801a0000?source=searchvideo
  2. Weisberger, M. (2018, May 22). Giant Hammerhead Worms Have Been Invading France for Decades. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.livescience.com/62635-hammerhead-flatworms-invade-france.html
  3. Harrison, L., Posted:, 13, D., Charles B Peabody August 10, & 29, T. (2019, January 31). Hammerhead worms are an invasive species. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from http://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/wakullaco/2019/01/31/hammerhead-worms-are-an-invasive-species/
  4. (n.d.). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/galveston/beneficials/beneficial-57(partial)_land_planarian.htm
  5. Hammerhead Flatworm, Vol. 5, No. 27. (2019, September 17). Retrieved September 13, 2020, from http://extension.msstate.edu/newsletters/bug%E2%80%99s-eye-view/2019/hammerhead-flatworm-vol-5-no-27
  6. Anne Marie Helmenstine, P. (n.d.). Horrifying Hammerhead Worm Facts. Retrieved September 13, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/hammerhead-worm-facts-4178101

Things To Do When Quarantined

BY ALAINA INOUYE, LYNNE INOUYE, BELLA TRINKO and ROWAN RAVERTY

STAFF WRITERS

Are you bored out of your mind and need something to do? No need to worry! This article has plenty of ideas for things you can do from the safety of your own home. 

There are also plenty of things that you can always do. Reading is great if you want to be entertained. You could also clean your room or organize your closet, which will make your room a more relaxing space to be in. Another thing you can do is to listen to a podcast. There are plenty of podcasts about almost every subject for you to enjoy. Or you could play a board game. Baking is also a great option. A great thing to do in this time is to call your friends. Not only will it be fun, but it will help you to feel less isolated. 

If you would rather do something virtual there are many different options. One of the options is Virtual Disney. After Disney (Land and World) closed due to COVID-19 many people were devastated, so Disney decided to upload their rides virtually! If you aren’t really into Disney, there are many other things you could do, such as going virtually to museums, zoos, national parks, and many other fun things. 

On the other side of things, you can also go outside, as long as you social-distance and wear a mask. Taking a walk, going on a bike ride, or jogging are all great ways to get fresh air and exercise. We hope that this article was helpful and that you’ve learned some new ways to keep yourself entertained! Thanks for reading. 

“The Shows Must Go On”

BY LAUREN PAULSON

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

As more and more people are forced to stay in their houses in an effort to flatten the curve of people infected with Covid-19, there has been an increase in the amount of video, audio, and literary content released on the internet for free. Popular sports channels, podcasts, and online libraries are giving out free trials and free content in an effort to entertain people across the globe during this challenging time. The world of Broadway is no exception, and theatre-goers everywhere are taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: watching a Broadway musical in their homes for free. While all in-person Broadway shows have been cancelled through June (at the earliest), several big-name theatre companies and artists are releasing professional content weekly. Below are two of the most popular ways people are streaming shows.

  1. The Shows Must Go On: Andrew Lloyd Webber, the famous playwright of hit musicals like The Phantom of the Opera, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Jesus Christ Superstar, is releasing a film of one of his shows every weekend. Available for twenty-four hours starting on Fridays at 1:00 P.M., these musicals can be found at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdmPjhKMaXNNeCr1FjuMvag/featured. The first featured performance (which aired on April 3rd) was Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, followed by Jesus Christ Superstar a week later. Phantom of the Opera and its sequel, Love Never Dies, were available the past two weekends. Each week the website is updated with the news of which musical will be aired next, so be sure to keep informed so you can catch your favorite Webber show! If you missed one of your favorites, there are still clips of the most beloved songs from each of the musicals that have already been aired that can be found on youtube.
  2. BroadwayHD: This website streaming service that usually requires a paid subscription if offering a free seven-day trial to fans who want to binge their favorite musicals, dramas, and documentaries. All you have to do is visit their website at https://www.broadwayhd.com/ and sign up for a free subscription for one week; this will unlock access to hundreds of classics like Carousel, Les Miserables, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and many more. At the end of your free trial, you will have to unsubscribe to ensure you are not automatically charged a fee for an added month of access.

Another professional theatre resource (not a part of Broadway) that you can use to stream top-level Shakespeare productions is the Globe Theatre in London. This company is releasing several of its productions on youtube at https://www.youtube.com/user/ShakespearesGlobe, with each one available for two weeks starting every other Monday. A 2009 version of Romeo and Juliet is currently accessible for free from the website. In the coming weeks productions of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Macbeth, and The Winter’s Tale will be available for free viewing and streaming as well.

In our modern age, there are many ways we are able to stay connected and continue to enjoy entertainment, even when we are stuck at home. With a lot of effort from the theatre world to find a way to produce free, accessible content, theatre-goers and thespians are grateful to be able to maintain some of the joys of normal life.

Sources:

https://broadwaydirect.com/andrew-lloyd-webber-offers-free-musicals-to-stream-on-youtube-during-covid-19/

https://www.broadwayhd.com/categories/shakespeare

https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/watch/

Image Source:

Ramin Karimloo and Sierra Boggess sing “Phantom of the Opera”

Racism Stemming from Coronavirus

BY LYNNE INOUYE AND SYDNEY WESCHCKE

STAFF WRITERS

As Coronavirus cases steadily rise in America, a lot of us are becoming more and more stressed as we worry about jobs, family, or schooling. This, by itself, is perfectly understandable and valid. It’s only when this anxiety turns to blame, racism, and xenophobia that things become dangerous. In this article, we will be talking about how to spread kindness in these trying times instead of hate. 

First, many politicians and public figures have taken to calling COVID-19 the “Chinese Coronavirus” or the “Chinese virus.” This not only makes a scapegoat of China as a country but encourages racism against Asian Americans here. Though these people may treat it as a joke, it can encourage hate crimes and violent acts of racial discrimination. Over the last two weeks, there have already been reports of 1,100 Coronavirus-related attacks against this community. If you hear someone call it the “Chinese virus,” don’t hesitate to speak up and explain why this needs rethinking. There’s a reason we don’t name diseases after their place of origin much anymore; it has a long, negative history.

Next, you can just support the Asian-American community in general. The federal government hasn’t taken any strong action to protect these people, but some agencies have. The U.S Commission on Civil Rights raised concerns about it, and the Department of Education issued guidance to educators to protect their students at the risk of harassment. This is a good start, but a lot more can still be done. Be aware of the bigotry, and if you see someone being mistreated, defend them. 

I hope this article was informative! Stay safe and healthy, everyone.

Sources: 

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/how-to-respond-to-coronavirus-racism

https://www.hrw.org/news/2020/04/17/us-government-should-better-combat-anti-asian-racism#

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