By Tobias Ma
The notion of someone being apolitical is impossible since everything is political and everyone has a political agenda. The term “political correctness” is therefore subjective and defined by its user. This is where I take issue with the term. Poltical correctness is misleading because all it implies is social pressure to behave a certain way.… Continue reading Paying lip service to political correctness
From an early age, I’ve questioned faith. My experience with religion has been that it can be incredibly prescriptive of what we ought or ought not do, and offers little reason to follow its rules other than fears of mortality. Good acts, and strict adherence to these rules will be rewarded in heaven. Unfortunately, the… Continue reading The school of freethought
When the immensely popular Pope John Paul II passed away in 2005, many believed that the Catholic Church was close to appointing their very first non-European pope. In fact, many believed that the cardinals would, in fact, choose an African cardinal to head the Holy See. After extended speculation, the cardinals emerged from conclave and… Continue reading Pope-ularity contest
The 2012 film Laurence Anyways introduces the raw directing and producing talent of Xavier Dolan. For his third feature film, 23-year-old Dolan has produced a beautifully cast, shot and designed film that sensitively and compassionately portrays a love story unique to our time. Released in May, it was the well-deserved winner of Best Canadian Feature… Continue reading Film review: Laurence Anyways
Imagine languishing in a Pennsylvania prison cell on death row for 31 years. Now imagine doing that while being innocent. For those who do not accept their fate at the hands of a terminally flawed justice system, their battle would unquestionably be for personal freedom, doing whatever they could to prove their innocence. Mumia Abu… Continue reading Film review: Long Distance Revolutionary
The Univerity of Calgary’s Distinguished Writers Program has named Margaret Atwood the 2012–13 Distinguished Visiting Writer, making Atwood the 19th writer chosen by the program. Previous writers who have visited Calgary as part of the program include Michael Ondaatje and Art Spiegeleman. Formed in 1993 by the U of C faculty of arts, the program… Continue reading Margaret Atwood comes to the U of C
By Sean Willett
A re you unsatisfied with the typical deluge of Valentine’s Day activities? Do chocolates and roses not fit your idea of romance? Do you wish there was an escape from this commercialized holiday? You aren’t alone — Kathryn Smith and Geneviève Paré of Cat on a Leash Creations feel the same way. With HeARTvark, their… Continue reading Fall in love with HeARTvark
The divisions in society is a topic explored by French political scientists and photographers Alexandra Novosseloff and Frank Neisse in their exhibit Walls Between People. An opening ceremony for the exhibit was held at the Founders’ Gallery in the Military Museums of Calgary on Feb. 8. The exhibit will be displayed at the University of… Continue reading World of dividing walls
By Emily Ng
The University of Calgary is involved in the first gene therapy trials for Fabry disease, an inherited genetic disorder. The study is led by assistant professor of genetics and pediatrics at the U of C Aneal Khan. These trials are the first for Fabry disease in the world and are funded by the Canada… Continue reading Gene therapy trials led by U of C
By Riley Hill
A research team at the University of Calgary is working on innovative stem cell research in the hope of creating new skin treatments for burn victims. Professors Jeff Biernaskie and Vincent Gabriel head the team, running a research lab at the Foothills campus. “The lab studies skin stem cell biology specifically,” said Biernaskie. “We’re… Continue reading A new way to help burn victims