Vol. 20 Iss. 33

Volume 20 Issue 33 - 08/31/2012

Editorial – Underbraggart

When I was a preteen, underachieving became cool. Well, not cool in the sense of failing out your classes (though I was labelled as a ?browner? and I never could tell whether it was supposed to be an insult). Rather, That’s when ripped jeans appeared on the in-crowd and kids sported tees emblazoned with the… Read more »

From Where I Sit – Worth It

Anyone who has ever stepped up and joined a group knows the obligations often outweigh the perks. If you’ve taken on an executive role or, heaven forbid, the chair position, this is doubly true. As a volunteer on a public or private sector board, the expectations are high. If you receive an honorarium, there is… Read more »

Write Stuff – Books on DNA

Science fiction writers can be eerily good at predicting the future, especially when it comes to the technology we’ll be using someday. Jules Verne was especially prescient, imagining electric submarines and tasers long before their time. Now, though, science has turned the tables on those writers; It’s found a way to store books on DNA…. Read more »

Around AU

Each year since 2005, the Athabasca University Research Centre has been hosting Arts & Science Research Talks, which look at topics near and dear to your professors. The most recent talk was done back in April of this year, but fortunately all the talks since 2010 are being kept online and can be accessed on… Read more »

The Mindful Bard – Footnote

Film: Footnote (Sony Pictures Classics 2012) Director: Joseph Cedar Cast: Shlomo Bar?aba, Lior Ashkenazi ?My Father had a profound influence on me. He was a lunatic.? Spike Milligan ?. . . basically he’s trying to say this man is a sissy as opposed to the virile, strong Roman man with his iron helmet and cleated… Read more »

In Conversation With . . . Thought Beneath Film, Part I

Thought Beneath Film is a five-piece alternative rock band based in Hamilton, Ontario. The band has recently released its debut EP, Detours, and is now touring Canada’s East Coast. Recently vocalist and guitarist Brent Wirth took the time to talk to Wanda Waterman about small towns, musical influences, and the Emily Dickinson poem behind the… Read more »

Gregor’s Bed – Laborintus II

Album: Luciano Berio, Laborintus II (Ipecac Recordings 2012) Artists: Ictus Ensemble with Mike Patton ?But follow me but see the babies, chattering as they dream but follow me at this point, but see the mud at our backs and the sun and the sun between the trees and the babies asleep dreaming chattering as they… Read more »

Did You Know? – Student ID Cards

Studying by distance? You can still get student discounts at the movies, bookstore, or train station! According to the AU Student Calendar, every ?active Athabasca University student? is eligible to request a photo student identification card. To apply, you need to complete the required form and submit a photo. Acceptable photos are ?taken by an… Read more »

Click of the Wrist – Wink at the Moon

With the passing of Neil Armstrong last weekend and a rare ?blue moon? happening tonight, It’s a good opportunity to focus on our largest satellite and nearest celestial neighbour: Once in a Blue Moon Tonight you might observe the rare blue moon, but there’s no need to cue mood music. In fact, contrary to popular… Read more »