Does Pop Affect Your Brain?

Dear Generation Z,

Should we be concerned about what contemporary music could be doing to our brains? Could classical music be better for our overall brain growth in the long run? Some scientists seem to believe that contemporary music could be damaging our intellectual power. According to this article, contemporary music may be hindering our creativity, and making us settle for less when it comes to our artistic abilities. This can be a little disheartening considering so many people, including myself, listen to and love contemporary music.

I took the liberty of interviewing three people who are more informed about music than I am, to get a broader opinion on this debatable topic. Daniel Bussey, a senior high school student interested in the benefits of music therapy and hoping to major in Voice Performance in college said, “Contemporary music is [not] bad for your brain . . . Due to classical music’s intricate structure the brain is particularly responsive to the genre of music. Although most contemporary [music] is not as intricately structured as classical music . . . contemporary music can definitely be used in positive ways . . . due to the upbeat nature of modern music . . .The brain actually gets quite excited when listening to it.” Bussey takes a stance that supports both contemporary and classical music. He recognizes the intricacy that classical music incorporates while still accrediting the positive aspects contemporary music brings to the table.

Amy Onyonyi, who will be attending The Boston Conservatory and studying Vocal Performance in a Bachelor of Music degree this fall stated that, “Studies show that classical music is better suited to positively stimulate the brain. Cows produced more milk listening to classical music than when listening to contemporary music . . . .  It ultimately depends on . . . how [a person responds] to different genres of music. Some people are more productive when listening to jazz and others when listening to sonatas [therefore] I can’t generalize and say that one is better for the brain than the other.” Onyonyi appreciates a plethora of music genres and would not put one above another. Her opinion is based on the fact that it is the individual’s choice.

After getting the idea to write about this topic from Audrey Statler – my current music teacher – I was interested in knowing what her standpoint was on this issue.  “I would hesitate to say that all contemporary music is worse for our brains than classical music . . . but being proficient as a classical musician does take more academic study than being proficient in contemporary music. On the whole, classical music is much more complicated and more difficult to understand . . . . Therefore [it] probably demands that we use more of our brains when listening to it.” Statler, a professional trained in music, knows from experience that classical music is more challenging than contemporary music. In her opinion, classical music is more stimulating, but contemporary music is not necessarily bad for one’s intelligence.

Obviously, this issue is not easily concluded. I would be reluctant to speculate on whether contemporary music is bad for one’s brain, but I can say that contemporary pieces are significantly simpler to learn than classical ones. Thankfully they are both different from each other, and bring an intriguing aspect of diversity to the music industry.

So, what do you think? Does the fact that your iPod is filled with pop music make you think you are at an intellectual loss, or do you think that you creativity levels are doing alright?

• Christy Mukolwe

Evangelical Vegans

Watch any documentary about animal abuse or the meat industry, and you will be convinced that veganism is an ethical global lifestyle, and not just because it ameliorates the grotesque conditions under which animals are forced to live. Environmentally, veganism is an antidote to most of the issues we, as a planet, face today, including carbon emissions, toxic waste, deforestation, the extinction of wild animals, the wealth gap, and excess water usage. Veganism also presents an alternative to privilege that includes dietary meat, animal – based clothing and makeup, and pharmaceuticals. Politically, it creates a rebellious route against ingrained societal greed and ignorance, as well as the fusion of capitalistic endeavor and legislation.

So, why aren’t more people vegan? Obviously, it involves an element of sacrifice, which some may find difficult to conform to. However, there are millions of people in this world who are highly capable of converting. The root issue, therefore, lies in awareness.

While we undeniably live in a world still influenced by racism and sexism, these perceptions have at least been validated as existent. The issue about to be birthed into controversy is that of “speciesism.” In the documentary Earthlings, every being on the planet is described as an equal inhabitant of the earth. The documentary suggests that we are obligated to live consciousnessly under a greater force of nature that transcends political barriers, varying ethical beliefs, and even differences between species.

Bezawit Hailu, an international student, is a vegan. Last Friday, she gave an important seminar on the inhumanities of the meat industry. In doing so, she objectively discussed the major flaws in the Western diet and superiority complex in regards to the rest of the planet. Her seminar is a good example of raising awareness without forcing judgment onto those who were previously ignorant of their responsibilities as dominant species.

James Aspey is an animal activist who remained silent for one year to promote awareness about veganism. In an interview, he says that he “went voiceless because they are voiceless – I thought. But then I realized they’re not actually voiceless. They cry in pain… The problem is that we’re not listening, because they have wings instead of arms… they have fur, they have scales… they’re a different species. So we don’t take their suffering seriously.”

All this said, the attention that veganism garners threatens it with becoming another ephemeral cultural obsession, status amplifier, or personal competition. It is a beautiful decision, but one that requires much thought, dedication, and self – actualization. Like any spirituality, there is a fine line between passion and radicalism. For example, as a former anorexic, an unhealthy vegan routine offered me a glorified path into starvation.

Now, when speaking to some outspoken vegans, I feel judged at times because of my perceived “selfishness,” lack of “discipline” or my unfortunate allergy to legumes. Here’s a phrase more people should be aware of: dietism. There may be a reason why James Aspey decided to lead by a wordlessly profound example.

The reality is that I, like many others, am trying to find my way to the true veganism that encompasses societal and personal respect. Don’t judge those of us who are carefully, intentionally, wading into the waters yet again. By nature, veganism is a yin – yang of the individual and the great society of life, and only begins with changes in diet. It is corrupted when it becomes an idol of self – promotion and materialism, and no longer stands for the shared spirit that drives all beings of life on earth. Veganism cannot exist without fluidity between the species of the self and of the world.

• Meredith McKelvey (article and photograph)

Ivory Inferno

The Ivory Trade is nothing new to us; it has been going on for centuries. Novels have been written about it and speeches have been made in bid to stop it, but poachers seem to always have a way to obtain ivory. Security is never enough. Today, we know the Ivory Trade to be the commercial, illegal trade of the ivory tusks of – most commonly – Asian and African elephants. Ivory has been valued since ancient times for such things as manufacturing, art, false teeth, fans, and dominoes.

Poachers are now slaughtering up to 35,000 of the estimated 500,000 African elephants every year for their tusks. With a pound of ivory fetching as much as $1,500 on the black market, and the rhino horn raising as much as £54million ($80 million) – more than gold or cocaine – it is obviously a problem of massive proportions.

It is absolutely sickening that poaching continues, and that innocent animals are being decimated for their ivory, only for pieces made of this substance to end up as dusty trinkets on shelves of wealthy people that will forget about them eventually or sell at a higher price.

On Saturday 30th April 2016, ivory from about 8,000 dead elephants went up in thick smoke. Twelve towering piles of ivory – £68m ($100m) worth – were incinerated in Kenya’s Nairobi National Park. Lighting the fire to what has been described as “the world’s largest stockpile of ivory and rhino horns” confiscated from smugglers and poachers, Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta demanded a total ban on ivory in order to end the ‘murderous’ trafficking. The event marked the nation’s fourth such burn, raising awareness about the importance of protecting animals and rejecting illicit business at their expense. This symbolic act shows Kenya’s stance on wildlife poaching. “From a Kenyan perspective, we’re not watching any money go up in smoke,” Kenya Wildlife Service Director General Kitili Mbathi said. “The only value of the ivory is tusks on a live elephant.”

While the burns are setting records, conservationist groups have noted that there’s still more work to. And Kenya is seeking a total worldwide ban on ivory sales when the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) meets in South Africa later this year, as poaching poses an increasing risk to the species.

Celebrities, including actress Kristin Davis, attended the event to show support. Representing the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, a Kenyan organization that rescues orphaned baby elephants, she said: “It’s very sad to see so much ivory in one place. I have no doubt that tusks from mothers of some of the orphaned baby elephants are in those piles.”

I was sadly not able to attend this event, but Rhea Chakrabarti, student and member of the “Hands Off Our Elephants” campaign managed to witness the spectacle. When asked about her thoughts on the event she replied, “When I was confronted by the 105 tons of ivory stacked up awaiting cremation, it was simply too much to take in. It baffled me how the ivory was stacked in a way that made it seem so beautiful. The tusks had writings on them, their weight and location -the little things. The pyres of ivory represented the lives of 8000 elephants. 8000 elephants. It’s disgusting just saying that…The ivory burning might seem controversial, but being there compared to nothing else I have experienced – it was beautiful and heartbreaking. Our government and many different organizations stood together for one common goal: to not let this happen again. The ivory burning was a step in the right direction for Kenya, [and] it sent a well-needed message to poachers, and hopefully next year there will be nowhere as close to the amount of ivory that was poached.”

Kenya’s ivory is not for sale! This trade means death – of both our elephants and natural heritage. I am a proud Kenyan living in this beautiful country, and I am proud that our country took a stand for its elephants and sent a message – one that I hope that transforms into action.

• Riyah Hadi

How to Get into College

Dear Admissions Office,

My name is (insert name here). I am qualified for your university for the normal reasons, i.e. higher education is a social necessity, I actually do love learning / I’m a genius, or my future career requires deeper knowledge of one subject, like neurosurgery. Apart from these substandard motives, I spent one week abroad in Africa complaining about the food, taking selfies with black children, and generally trying to force a radical life experience upon myself before the deadline for college applications.

During my time there, I played seven and a quarter hours of soccer with a bunch of school children with exactly three soccer balls that, collectively, cost me sixty dollars and ninety – nine cents. However, it was a worthy investment for a worthy goal…

The mud on the pattern of the soccer balls, I think, represents the relationships between Africa and the West. While there is some dirt and general lack of clarity, it is very possible to connect over something as simple as a game of soccer (nevermind that in Africa, “soccer” doesn’t really exist). As someone with enough money and ambition to travel to Africa for one week, I realized that I can bridge this gap between Western luxury and the beautiful cultures of everywhere else. I can play soccer in the mud with African school children, and take some pretty great selfies too (just look at my Facebook and Instagram accounts, as I’m sure you already have). Could this qualify me for a scholarship? Maybe.

I am an innovator of the future – someone with excellent taste in soccer balls and the ability to improvise whatever random, introspective enlightenments are necessary to raise my chances of getting into your educational institution.

Sincerely, (Your Name Here)

 

Dear Applicant,

Though you are deemed to be more than capable and willing to attend our university, unfortunately we cannot admit all competent applicants into this university. We receive thousands of applications each year from many impressive young men and women who all qualify for a position at this university. As a result, we have a very narrow process of selection (and you, despite your eagerness, were simply not interesting enough. At this point, you should know that a single week in Africa is not enough cultural “experience” to get into this university. In fact, we’re a little shocked that you didn’t spend at least ten days in Africa, and, furthermore, that you didn’t post at least thirty pictures per day onto your Facebook account. As for your introspective “enlightenments” – while they were profound, they were simply too unoriginal).

We wish you all the best in your journey to higher education!

Sincerely,  An Office of Undergraduate Admissions

 

Getting accepted by a well-known university is a difficult task, especially as many universities base their prestige on how selective they are. While it’s understandable that profound cultural interactions are the key into universities that desire to reflect diversity, trying to conform to these standards doesn’t mean that one is a leader. In fact, stooping to these requirements shows an intense lack of originality and consideration for the people one is interacting with just to get that golden ticket.

Pippa Biddle, on her website, expands on the “detrimental effects” of Western volunteerism in developing countries. Even with a well-meaning intention to help reinforce infrastructure and combat poverty, there are many ways to do so rather than a glamourous voyage across the world. When and if universities finally jump onto an anti-volunteerism bandwagon, college admissions may be more welcoming. 

But for now, some advice for all of you potential College students: when Western pressure turns third-world children and cultures into hoops, don’t join in the circus. Intentionality is everything. 

• Meredith McKelvey

Senior Sem: Between a Rock and a Hard Place

The thought of doing this major assignment was daunting. As a practicing procrastinator, I can testify that I was not looking forward to delving into this work. Unfortunately, I did not have a choice in the matter, and I had to complete my senior seminar – and earn a passing grade – in order to graduate. If you have ever had a conversation with me that lasts more than ten minutes, you would know that graduating from high school is a priority of mine. I have wanted this distinction since my freshman year, but having started my senior year at a new high school where graduation and senior seminar were linked, I was having my doubts; things were not looking up for me.

Senior Seminar at Rosslyn Academy is a three thousand two hundred and fifty word research paper, coupled with a forty-five minute presentation; all seniors that want to graduate must do this and pass. Just the mere thought of it made me want to cry, and watch several episodes of a TV show to distract myself (which I did, many times). Even writing this article upon completion of my Senior Sem was a struggle.  As the various deadlines approached (thesis, bibliography, rough draft), I would find myself neglecting my other academic responsibilities. During one of my study halls, as I was stressing over my paper, Joanne Ngotho, a fellow student stated that, “[The teachers] put too much emphasis on it.” So much unnecessary importance is placed on this seminar that my whole world literally stopped so that I could finish it – it had grown in my mind to be important enough to justify the devotion of all my waking moments.

When Senior Seminar is being described by the teachers in charge of this task, it is made seem like nothing else matters, and the worst part is that I somehow fell into that trap. I know that other things matter, and that life moves on after the seminar is over. Even though my life is moving on as Senior Seminar is now behind me, in the moments leading up to it, I felt caught between a rock and a hard place.

This outburst is not to discourage you from working hard on your assignments. I worked really hard on my seminar, but I wish that I could have known that it was going to be okay and I was going to pass. By that I mean, I wish I believed that eventually I would be done and I would graduate; but that never stopped me from obsessing over this one assignment.

In my future, perhaps in university, I see how this seminar could be helpful. Ngotho also said, “It is beneficial in the long run because it prepares you for university.” The seminar will probably prepare me for university where I will face hundreds of these types of trials. Although I’ll most likely still be worried about them because I am constantly overwhelmed by the pressure put on me – by me – I might look back and appreciate the experience I had in my senior year. Then again, I might not.

Making sure that different obstacles in life do not take over your whole life is important. Life is too valuable for one to be constantly stressed about everything. All stages of life are full of all sorts of difficulties. The important thing is to make sure that one’s mind stays focused on what is important – whatever that may be for you.

• Christy Mukolwe

Who Writes History? The Gender Gap

Is the significance of women’s roles throughout the course of history diminished in education? Some people claim that history was written primarily by men and for men. Few of the textbooks used in history education are written or edited by women. And yet, there are groups that still disagree with the opinion that there is gender bias in today’s history classrooms. They hold to the opinion that many of the leaders in the past were men and it is therefore natural for these curricula to focus more attention on men than women.

It is important to remember that written history is not based only on facts, but also on the views of those who write it. Furthermore, our perception of what has happened in our past is important because it is reflected in how we experience the present. The way we see the role of women in history, therefore, does matter in the current debates concerning gender equality.

In speaking with some students at my school, Rosslyn Academy, opinions varied on the perception (or lack thereof) regarding gender bias in history education. I posed the question “In your experience, do you believe that there is gender bias in history education?” to ten girls and ten boys. Interestingly, seven out of the ten girls thought that the history education they receive shows gender bias, whereas only two out of the ten boys think so. Boys, generally, did not seem to see anything problematic in the history they’ve been taught, while girls answered very differently.

Johanna French, a history teacher at Rosslyn Academy in Nairobi, says that her history teachers and professors of both genders were intentional in talking about women in history. I asked her about the books she uses in her classes, which I have noticed to contain quite a few documents and statements made by women, and she said “The books are good and also [intentionally] include women, but sometimes you still need other sources and documentaries that shed more light on women’s perspectives and experiences.”

Textbooks used in schools are not always the most recently updated versions, and the process for bringing in new research findings to the school education seems to be a slow process. Ms. French also says that “so much of history has been written by men that sometimes little attention is given to women acknowledging what they have done [throughout history] – including being some of the first writers and scribes in ancient Sumer and Mesopotamia. An interesting event in the US this week was about the idea of putting women on the new US dollar bills – like Harriet Tubman and Eleanor Roosevelt.” Evidently, people are opening their eyes to the roles that women have played throughout recorded history, and their importance in the stories we tell. However, a large part of history seems to be seen through men’s eyes.

What are some possible effects of a skewed perception of history? Perhaps there is a fine line between historical accuracy (because human history is dominated by men) and the diminishing of women’s roles. What we can hope for is further development of history education, and a greater diversity among the people working with it. Only then, perhaps, can the stories of our world’s women be told.

• Carolina Johnson