Washington Square News Opinion

Jon's columns for 3/31 and 4/7

2005-04-07T09:04:00.000-04:00

"Speech, lies, and videotape" and "Give school choice a chance"

From the college newswire

2005-04-01T01:56:00.000-05:00

The Harvard Crimson has this excellent article running today about the latent bigotry against people with disabilities running through the discussion around the Schiavo case and the "right to die" debate in general. It is written by a student there who has cerbral palsy.

I've been following the Schiavo case and I have to say I've been pretty disappointed by the response of most liberals (I guess Jesse Jackson being the exception) to this case. I think it reveals a sort of callous bourgeois elitism. Just like brushing off torture of the likes of Abu Ghraib as "blowing off steam" is disgusting, so is trying to ignore or even justify the deliberate starving to death of a living person. (Nat Hentoff points this out in this week's Voice.)

The author of this Crimson piece is right on in his observations about how the "right to die" debate is based on many narrow normative assumptions about what a "correct" human is. Usually, when some "normal" person is considering suicide, we think that they are not thinking right, and correctly try to intervene to get them help. Yet if that person becomes stricken with some sort of disability, is it now acceptable, perhaps even natural for them to want to end their life? What do we say with people now struggling to live with disabilities? That I'd agree with someone's decision to kill themself rather than try to live your life? (Also related is the distrubingly high number of couples who are opting for abortion after their fetus has be diagnosed with disabilities like down syndrome, or even aesthetic and surgically correctable disorders like cleft lip.)

Almost all major US disability rights groups have condemned Shiavo's killing, yet disability activist Mark Polit asks why Schiavo isn't a cause for the left.

On a personal note, while in high school I worked as a teacher's assistant in a preschool class for developmentally disabled children, and while they were sometimes a challenge, there were also times when I'd never seen happier kids in my life. For the past four years, a class of developmentally disabled adults have been amoung the regular volunteers at the Catholic Center soup kitchen I help coordinate. (Incidentily, despite my best efforts I have been almost completely unsuccessful in getting NYU students to give up an hour or two of their precious time to volunteer at the soup kitchen.) How are the lives of these volunteers? Well they're surrounded by close and loyal friends and get an opportunity to directly serve their fellow brothers and sisters who are in need.

If only so many "normal" people locked in a self-centered world of money and power could experience life so fully.

J. Rowe's Latest

2005-04-01T01:51:00.000-05:00

NYU no place for anti-worker agenda

Shaun's column this week

2005-03-28T08:56:00.000-05:00

Learn the Lessons of Iraq War

Jon's column for 3/24

2005-03-27T15:39:00.000-05:00

"New York needs Rudy...again"

Shaun's column this week

2005-03-21T08:45:00.000-05:00

Looking back at "The Gates"

Jon's 3/10 column

2005-03-18T12:45:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I just got back from break and realized I hadn't posted this: "MTA's budget buffoonery"

I've heard from more than one liberal in response to this column who said they agreed with it even though they'd never agreed with anything else I've written. I think that shows just how far the frustration with New York state's fiscal profligacy extends.

Shaun's column this week

2005-03-08T19:38:00.000-05:00

Living and Dying By the Blog

My apologies for failing to stealthly plug the WSN Opinion Blog. I thought about it, but figured Ms. Redtape would flip and try to take it out on Jill somehow, if the URL could even make it into the column in the first place.

Jon has commented on this column over at his blog, and while I understand his critique, I want to stress that my point wasn't to say the NYU bloggers I spoke to were some sort of barometer on the blogosphere as a whole, but rather that their experiences and outlooks brings blogging issues to light. While it's true that the big bloggers aren't likely to shut down, I still believe that the democratic possibilities of personal blogs are tempered by their frailty.

Letters

2005-03-08T17:28:00.000-05:00

Traditional marriage should not be redefined

Tenure is needed to protect all minority opinions

Can NYU increase minority enrollment fairly?

Hughes ignores independent radio stations

Americans don't need to hear more sob stories

This is an excellent batch of letters. I look forward to reading your responses...

Jill's column

2005-03-08T17:27:00.000-05:00

This one is from last week, but I think it's still relevant...

Let Plan B be sold over the counter

Staff Editorials

2005-03-08T17:23:00.000-05:00

I haven't updated this in forever. Here are the staff editorials from the past week:

Stand up for female profs

Close NYU's racial gap

March to fight HIV/AIDS

Fix parental leave policy

Let students be heard

No easy fix for housing

Senate kills Killer Coke

Student voice is weak

Jon's column for 3/3

2005-03-04T10:21:00.000-05:00

"Republicans an eclectic bunch"

Shaun's column this week

2005-02-28T08:58:00.000-05:00

The End of the 2004 Post-game

Affirmative Action: Discrepencies within the black community

2005-02-22T11:48:00.000-05:00

EQUAL AID FOR BLACK STUDENTS

The debate over affirmative action should be based upon the fairness of the system and whether or not it effectively creates diversity; it should not be about whether the "right type" of black students are being granted affirmative action. Moreover, and this goes beyond the scope of my article, can you even begin to break down communities by "right" and "wrong?" There seems to be something inherently wrong in the debate and supporters of this idea appear to be proposing reversed discrimination policies over affirmative action policies.

But, when I write articles like, I immediately get accused of being a racist. I want to explain that these views are clearly not racist. As a proponent of minority rights, it is absurd that after writing column after column supporting minorities and those underrepresented, one column that does not agree entire with a minority community labels me as a racist. Instead, look at the bigger picture and understand what kind of policies and precedents only admitting those decended from African American slaves opens the door to.

and now...

2005-02-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

a PSA from Planned Parenthood

Give me tenure, or give me death

2005-02-20T17:53:00.000-05:00

For all our disagreements, Jon, I always value you as someone who will passionately defend the individual's right to do or say as he pleases. Therefore, I was discouraged to see in your column that your zeal for liberty is diminished when the subject in question is not a gun owner or a stock trader, but instead a University of Colorado-Boulder professor.

I realize you are not seeking the abolition of tenure or even necessarily the dismissal of Ward Churchill, but are instead advocating the subjection of professors to periodic review of the quantity and quality of their scholarship. However, you do not take issue with the quantity or quality of Churchill's scholarship at any point, but rather its content. So what are you really trying to say?

The validity, or lack thereof, of Churchill's arguments aside, the right of an academic to ask the hard questions and make the unpopular point is as valuable as any right in the American political lexicon. We're all much better off if we tackle the knottier issues in the laboratory of the university instead of the battleground of politics. There is no argument that does not have a place in the academic discourse, if for no reason other than to prove it wrong. And yes, that includes socialism.

There's nothing particularly faulty with your column, save its casual attitude towards academic freedom. Liberty is liberty, and if you'll argue until you're blue in the face to protect your right to own a shotgun, perhaps the spirit of free inquiry should be treated as something more than a "secondary" concern.

Jon's column for 2/17

2005-02-19T20:03:00.000-05:00

"Rethinking tenure tracks"

Liberal Guilt

2005-02-17T14:55:00.000-05:00

A rare and insightful political commentary from the New York Metro.

At what point do our political leanings color our reading of the news too much? Are liberals secretly happy when something bad happens in Iraq (or anywhere really) because it reflects poorly upon the Bush Administration? Did conservatives feel this same guilty pleasure when negative world events detracted from Clinton's administration?

Fake news from the White House

2005-02-17T10:18:00.000-05:00

This is not ok. It shouldn't even have to be said, but it is very unethical to be a "journalist" who is a paid mouthpiece for an organization or a political party -- that's what PR people are for. It's also unethical to be a fake reporter. While the Bush administration is using fake journalism as a great strategic tool, it's bad -- really, really bad -- for the public and for journalism as a profession. This definitely crosses the line between really brilliant PR and really scary propaganda. If any of you go into journalism, please don't do this.

Staff Editorial 02/17

2005-02-17T10:15:00.000-05:00

NYU must reveal info.

It's a hard-hitter.

i so couldn't resist....

2005-02-16T17:13:00.000-05:00

and neither can you or you

Greg B.: "I joined Sex is for Fags after watching girls who put out turn my big brother into a major wuss. By learning to repress my urges, now I can to grow up and be what I always wanted: a prison guard or a priest."

oh and more EULA madness

Jill's column this week

2005-02-16T15:11:00.000-05:00

We must tell our own stories

I have a lot more to say about this. At some point I'll add to what the column says.

Letters galore

2005-02-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

We should allow all voices in the Mideast debate by Alan Dershowitz (!!)

Azam distorts Dershowitz lecture

Azam is wrong; Bronfman right to host Dershowitz

Dershowitz has the right to express his views

Military deserves its own voice here at NYU

NYU has the right to protest JAG recruiters

WSN editorial board missed full fall break story

Rowe's anti-ROTC views unjustified

Staff Editorials

2005-02-16T14:52:00.000-05:00

I am really, really bad at updating these. Sorry. If any of you see that I haven't put one up and you want to comment on it, feel free to do it yourself!

Feb. 10: Keep textbook costs down

Feb. 14: Leased dorms lack care

Feb. 15: Federal cuts hurt students

Feb. 16: NYU: Get off our butts

matt's column

2005-02-15T12:46:00.000-05:00

the ownership society

Shaun's column this week

2005-02-14T20:54:00.000-05:00

"Constitution Day" a necessity

merger mania...

2005-02-14T16:59:00.000-05:00

continues

Two op/eds to emulate

2005-02-13T13:39:00.000-05:00

Whether you agree with her or not, check out Samantha Power's recent op/ed in the New York Times. Look at how she constructs it: she's done her own reporting, which she adds in as personal narrative in the introduction. She makes it clear where she stands without a sentence that sounds like a thesis statement. Then she launches into the hard facts of the topic she's covering in an engaging, conversational style. She uses relatively short sentences, and simple, unpretentious language. She orders her facts logically, mixing in anecdotes and quotes. She starts and ends strong, and puts a face on the issue she's discussing. It's a very powerful piece.

From the other side of the fence is a piece by Peggy Noonan, who is a consitently strong conservative opinion writer and a former Reagan speech writer. Her style here is markedly different from Power's, and one that really only works in very few situations. Her first-person narrative style is really only appropriate when writing about something intensely personal, that would sound cold otherwise -- in this case, religion. Of course, many of us do use "I" occassionally in columns, but in this one she leans on it, discussing her experiences in the first person. Again, really only useful in a few situations -- otherwise, it can sound self-inflated and lacking credibility. Anyway, check out both the op/eds. They're solid.

Give Me an L7

2005-02-12T17:06:00.000-05:00

OK really, this is the lamest guy ever...if you let yourself become "addicted" to AIM or Facebook, maybe it's time to, I don't know, oh yeah, find some friends and get out of your house instead of writing "op-ed" pieces for the Boston Globe.

Moreover, is there really nothing better for the Globe to run than articles on subjects that have been beaten to death for the last six years ago? Is AIM really "news" to anyone anymore? Is it just me or does the media go through cycles where it reports on things everyone in their 20s-30s knows about so they can "shock" the out of touch?

Or does the fact that I'm writing this solely to procrastinate on my thesis negate my entire argument?

2005-02-11T18:30:00.000-05:00

in case you haven't heard about lokitorrent... check it out.
i sense column material maybe?

J Rowe 2/10/05

2005-02-11T11:30:00.000-05:00

Here's the most recent.

2005-02-11T10:30:00.000-05:00

hope everybody's ready for their national ID cards.

matt's column

2005-02-10T13:44:00.000-05:00

An open letter to the AP

Intelligent reasons aside, it's simply annoying.

Jon's column for 2/10

2005-02-10T08:37:00.000-05:00

"Let JAG recruiters on our campus"

There was more that I wanted to say in this column, but I unfortunately ran up against the word limit. Let me just reiterate: I'm not opposed to students' protesting Solomon peacefully (although intimidating students who want to interview JAG comes close to crossing the line), or doing anything else to lobby for its repeal. My complaint is a narrow one, and focuses specifically on the way law schools have chosen to oppose Solomon (i.e. not through the democratic process).

A few additional points: First, directing anti-Solomon protests or appeals to JAG recruiters or even the Department of Defense doesn't really make much sense. The Solomon amendment isn't DOD policy; it's a federal law. Those who are against it should be lobbying Congress.

Secondly, we see a lot of hand-wringing on the Left about how elite, upper-class Americans no longer serve in the military. It's a rich man's war and a poor man's fight, they say. But if this was something they really cared about fixing, they would welcome military recruiters at elite academic instituitons attended by America's sons and daughters or privilege. The fact that they don't suggests ulterior motives.

And just what are their motives? Anti-Solomon sentiment is frequently couched in terms of sensitivity to gay rights. But as Jason notes in his column today, the antipathy toward the military in academic circles long pre-dates the Solomon amendment; schools have been booting ROTC off campus since the 60's. Jason's column is a lot more honest than most on the subject, because it doesn't really pretend that opposition to the military is a matter of gay rights; rather, it's because the Left just plain detests a lot of what the military does. Though I'm sure there are some sincere folks who are against Solomon because they want openly gay citizens to be able to serve in the military, it's this loathing of the military and its values that animates much of the anti-Solomon cause.

Jill's column this week

2005-02-09T23:05:00.000-05:00

Defend marriage this V-day

Staff Editorials

2005-02-09T23:04:00.000-05:00

We still need a fall break

We need anon sex supplies

Wills Column This Week

2005-02-09T13:22:00.000-05:00

In this week's Smoking Section we look at the death of free speech, hypocritical liberals, and Linda Ronstadt.

If that's not your cup of tea, read about how one county has the courage to make inmates pay for their stay in jail. And of course, the joy-kill ACLU is disgusted.

And for those of you that got hungry reading about the Monster Thickburger, here's a little relief.

Happy Chinese New Year folks. (And yes I mean Chinese, not Asian or Lunar)

Save Toby

2005-02-08T16:48:00.000-05:00

Save a cute little bunny by donating to this important fund.

Oh and it also helps not-so-cute people I guess.

Shaun's column this week

2005-02-07T08:51:00.000-05:00

Simple thought and simple theft

Jon's column for 2/3

2005-02-06T13:23:00.000-05:00

"NYUers old enough to drink"

house editorial 02/03

2005-02-03T17:19:00.000-05:00

NYU: Protest JAG recruiters

you'll never look at food the same way again

2005-02-03T10:24:00.000-05:00

maybe we should start calling it the WSN opinion and food blog. delicious.

the real monster thickburger

It tastes like burning

2005-02-03T04:47:00.000-05:00

Another 5am-ish post...and really...this is just plain scary...

"The disease, known as LGV or Lymphogranuloma venereum...is often marked by painful, bloody rectal infection and genital ulcers. "

OW! Abstinence-only programs may not get kids to use condoms but stuff like that will.

matt's column this week

2005-02-02T19:00:00.000-05:00

Why EA Sucks

if you think you can stomach it, there's an extended version... ~~just click "read more"~~ the html tags aren't embedded in the style template yet soooo... it'll just be posted as a comment until that's done

Hot 97 and Tsunami

2005-02-02T18:25:00.000-05:00

Check out my column here: http://www.nyunews.com/opinion/columnists/8753.html

It discusses the Hot 97 controversy regarding Miss Jones and her creation and publication of the "Tsunami song" which mocks the poor victims of the Tsunami.

Aside from the many letters I got from Hot 97 supporters, others really beleived that the song was merely a parady and was created to make controversy. Further, many told me not to take the song too seriously or got involved in the hype.

But, if you take the time to download the radio segament of first, the hosts fighting and then the first airing of the song, you'll realize that it is more than a joke. Miss Jones clearly has racist views towards Asians and felt no reluctance to supress these beliefs or keep them from becoming public. Regardless of the morning crew's beliefs, public airwaves are not the place to express such abhorrent views, especially in the wake of a tragedy.

I realize that it is very unlikely that the morning crew will be fired and that sponsors will sign back on with Hot 97, but I don't think this incident should be forgotten quickly. The song and Miss Jone's comments are utterly disrespectful and their ignorance should not be applauded.

House Editorial 02/02

2005-02-02T13:56:00.000-05:00

CAS needs new grad plan

House Editorial 02/01

2005-02-02T13:54:00.000-05:00

NYU rejects PACT money

fyi, we kinda screwed up on this one. nyu has not in fact rejected the PACT money, but is still in the decision-making process. however, we maintain our position that nyu should not reject this money. you can see a full retraction in tuesday's editorial.

House Editorial 01/31

2005-02-02T13:52:00.000-05:00

Put Spiritual Spot in Kimmel

Wills Column This Week

2005-02-02T13:32:00.000-05:00

In the Smoking Section this week, we discuss race, economics, education, and make a passing reference to eugenics.

If that's not your bag, you can also read about the results of Groundhog Day.

Or maybe you'd just like more of the Monster Thickburger.

Best sentence in all three of those pieces, including my own?

Blue-state critics, meet red-state consumers.

Try to guess which it comes from!

burger porn, part II

2005-01-31T22:18:00.000-05:00

Some things refuse to die: scroll down to the second paragraph. Enjoy.

mini woes

2005-01-31T17:30:00.000-05:00

After giving it some thought and reading my usual round of newspapers, magazines and whatnot I now fully regret writing about the mac mini, simply due to the sheer volume of praise for Apple currently saturating the media in light of its newest pint-size creation. I've never been fond of macs, though I acknowledge some their specialized uses, but I hoped that the mini would succeed if only to perhaps drive Microsoft to a higher plane that doesn't suck quite as much. Call it some twisted sense of sour grapes or something of the sort, but after seeing the damn thing plastered nearly everywhere and everything on read, with journalists and commentators making the same tired observations (though a few I've seen have been insightful) I now hope the mini sinks to the bottom of the ocean, though this is perhaps unlikely given its light weight.

Addendum: I have to take apart this nearly masturbatory Salon article about Apple.

First, the author initially denies the utility of a comparison between computers and cars, and then proceeds to compare the computer market now to the car market in the 70's. More importantly is the contention that: "What happened was that Japan started exporting huge numbers of Hondas and Toyotas, and people saw that for a reasonable price they could buy a car that didn't fall apart in two weeks" (emphasis mine). This comparison neglects that, until the mini, Macs were not reasonably priced. Nor do computers "fall apart" in two weeks.

"Windows users don't expect much in the way of quality, beauty or elegance from their machines; if they did, they'd be Mac people." Do I even need to take that apart?

The author's main contention seems to be that people will start switching thanks to spyware. I don't buy it. Most people, while they've heard of spyware on the news, simply aren't truly aware as to what it is or that it's on their machine. Moreover, many of them don't care. They shrug, go oh well, and then go back to doing the same thing they were earlier. I think that people actually do see PCs as a consumer electronic, though the author seems to think otherwise, and that the ease of use of Macs would allow people to see Macs in a unique light. Macs are just another type of PC to your average person.

Granted, the Windows code is a mess, with thousands of lines of extraneous code that is sloppily executed. But if the popularity of Macs increased so would the amount of software targeting them; Windows comps are targeted because it has the most users, so attacks are more economically efficient when they are aimed at Windows.

The major concession I'll make to the author is that the future incarnations of PCs down the road could very much owe themselves to Apple. Apple tends to innovate, and historically someone else will take it and sell it a million times better than Apple - Windows is just such a bastard child in a sense. I have no doubt that future PCs will somehow resemble the Apple paradigm; even Microsoft's upcoming operating system, Longhorn has definite Apple inspired features. While Apple might make the new world, I don't expect it to rule it.

One more contention: "The iPod is a consumer electronics device; it does one thing, plays music, and it does that one thing extremely well. The device is also intensely personal: People buy the iPod as much for form, for the way you look when you carry it around town, as for function. Your Windows PC, by contrast, is all function, no personality."

My computer is actually dead sexy.

Shaun McElhenny's column this week

2005-01-31T08:38:00.000-05:00

Crime, Punishment and Spitzer

Food for Thought

2005-01-29T17:46:00.000-05:00

honestly, I'm just procrastinating while I write my thesis right now...but this is interesting in and of itself...

It seems Hardee's has created the ultimate in horribly fattening fast food burgers...I mean "kill you in a greasy bite" horrible...and you know what? Americans love it.

As always, Big Brother hates it.

"Food porn," cried the Center for Science in the Public Interest, the Washington advocacy group.

A) This implies there's something wrong with porn to begin with. There isn't.

B) Can't we even let Americans choose what they want to eat? Is that really too much to ask? Hey, if they want to tell me what to eat, they should at least come cook it for me too.

2005-01-28T13:45:00.000-05:00

If anyone wants a preview of what I'm writing about this week, check out this Penny Arcade comic.

J Rowe's Column

2005-01-28T13:11:00.000-05:00

The latest: American Apparel not progressive, just perverse. While we're on the topic of fashion, check out this hilarious gem on the Vice President's causal attire at a solemn international event. I think I have one of those "staff 2001" ski caps too!

House Editorials

2005-01-27T16:38:00.000-05:00

Wednesday 1/19: Fire Sparks Concern

Monday 1/24: Protest for Democracy

Tuesday 1/25: Boost Latino graduation rate

Wednesday 1/26: Add vans to safe ride

Thusday 1/27: Beer, not bobbleheads

Jill's column this week

2005-01-27T16:37:00.000-05:00

Abstinence-only ed leaves students ignorant.

House editorials will be posted soon, I promise!

Arwa's Column: Falling into the Language Gap

2005-01-27T11:20:00.000-05:00

http://www.nyunews.com/opinion/columnists/8683.html

This column reveals that one in four adult immigrants living in New York City do not know English. City officials argue that failure to become proficient in English has directly resulted in lack of economic prosperity - primarily becuase immigrants cannot take full advantage of primary or secondary education in this country without adequate knowledge of English.

What's interest about this debate is that while these city officials might be correct in stating that English is necessary in the American educational system, it is essentially un-American to create a stipulation that says that immigrants need to learn English to survive in this country - a country founded on diversity and immigration.

Further, it is unfair for the city to ask immigrants to learn English when they have done little to make English-learning centers easily accessible.

The New York Times wrote a great article on this last week: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/19/nyregion/19english.html?pagewanted=2&oref=login
and the ACLU has an excellent brief on why making English the official language is unconstitutional: http://www.lectlaw.com/files/con09.htm

Jon's column for this week

2005-01-27T08:50:00.000-05:00

"Social Security a youth issue". For those who want to know more about SS reform, the CATO Institute's Project on Social Security Choice is a great resource.

Beware Steve Jobs bearing gifts

2005-01-26T23:53:00.000-05:00

It could be my purely functional tech knowledge or perhaps it is my abhorrence of all things Mac, but I don't know if I can envision Matt's argument of the Mac Mini as a Trojan horse bringing Macs into the homes of Joe and Jane Microsoft. Logically, it is plausible for someone to buy a Mac mini to use in concert with a PC, but, as Matt argues, this would mostly appeal to people with iPods or those who want to pursue multimedia editing.

So, in a word: students. My question is: while $500 is a cheap computer, who in that cohort has 500 bucks to throw around on a second computer? If they had $500 to spend on a computer, wouldn't their brand loyalties kick in and cause them to spend it on a new PC, rather than what amounts, for their purposes, to little more than an iPod accessory?

I can see the Mac Mini as a start, since the prohibitive cost of Macs must be what keeps at least some people from getting them. However, the benefits of owning a PC in a PC world, such as the interchangeability of software and documents plus an informal support network, give it an appeal that goes beyond the quality or price of the product. This gives PC's a circular appeal: people buy PC's because more people buy PC's. No matter how many e-mail worms you get, that chain is hard to break.

matt's column this week

2005-01-26T18:41:00.000-05:00

Mac mini Key to Apple's Future

firefox

2005-01-25T20:50:00.000-05:00

NYU needs to put Firefox on every Windows-based computer in its possession. Now.
That is all.

Jon Cipriani's column for 1/19

2005-01-24T11:18:00.000-05:00

"Get [New York] state back in business".

Shaun McElhenny's column this week

2005-01-24T08:52:00.000-05:00

NYU Protesters Off the Mark

WSN Open House

2005-01-18T14:00:00.000-05:00

The Washington Square News will hold two open house sessions this semester. Come meet the paper staff and learn how to be part of NYU's daily student newspaper!

Wednesday 5-7pm
Thursday 12-2pm

Both open houses will be held in the WSN offices at 7 E 12th st, 8th floor. Hope to see you there!

Hollywood, here we come

2004-12-22T18:06:00.000-05:00

This just proves what I was talking about here.

I think the two most significant trends in gaming in 2004 were the increased emphasis on in-game product placement and advertising, and Valve's sale, and, perhaps more significantly, authentication, of "Half-Life 2" over the Steam service.

The continuing and lamentable "E.A.-ization" of the conventional games industry: consolidation into a handful of publishers with developers organized into dronelike factories and teams of dozens or hundreds, and eight-figure budgets.

I think we're firmly in the age of the blockbuster now, and I don't know how I feel about that. Most of the biggest games of the year were "events" that cost a crazy amount of money to develop and took many, many years to polish and get right. That's a bit of a scary trend, because I don't see where it stops --projects will get bigger, teams will grow, tech will continue to become more important, and all the rising costs will inevitably lead to fewer risks in design. I'm a sucker for unusual and innovative games, so this worries me.

The only problem is that it's much harder to develop independent console (PC is a different story) games than it is to develop indy movies. Moreover, games tend not to age as gracefully as movies, where they can be "discovered" years after their creation, which is what happens to many independent films that become successful.

Ever get the feeling you're being Campus Watched?

2004-12-22T13:16:00.000-05:00

The recent Middle East pieces by Jason and I are linked on CampusWatch.org under their survey of NYU-related articles, but sadly, it looks like neither of us are recommended by Campus Watch staff.

um... I can be famous too?

2004-12-12T14:50:00.000-05:00

Linux Today

Amusing since I sorta knocked Linux...

though Jason's is much cooler

Olsen Twins Sign Maternity Leave Pledge

2004-12-12T01:38:00.000-05:00

In the face of growing pressure from NYU Students Against Sweatshops and the National Labor Committee, the Olsen Twins have signed the maternity rights pledge. Of course, the real challenge is whether their licensee, Wal-Mart, will comply with the Olsens' requests. On a related note, E! Online's report cites a young columnist without properly crediting him.

someone on Facebook hates WSN

2004-12-09T16:54:00.000-05:00

so they've started a group called No Trees for Trash.

Letters

2004-12-09T16:36:00.000-05:00

Thanks to NYU, fund for subway victim sucessful

Steinhardt is 21st century model, not miscellany

Phung should make up his mind about campus activists
*by Haley Plourde-Cole, not Katy Shepard

Liberals shouldn't discount opinions from the right

House Editorial

2004-12-09T16:32:00.000-05:00

Our wishes for Christmakkuh

Jason Rowe's column this week

2004-12-09T16:31:00.000-05:00

How the Olsens stole Christmas

Letters today

2004-12-08T02:22:00.001-05:00

Brooklyn 7 cause marred by inane writers

Liberal activists shouldn't control our lives anymore

Steinhardt needs name change, not program drop

Gunja blames minorities for social inequality

House Editorial today:

2004-12-08T02:22:00.000-05:00

NYU can lead on energy

Jill's column this week:

2004-12-08T02:20:00.000-05:00

AIDS solution not so simple

*I spelled World Bank President James Wolfensohn's name wrong. That is what happens when Copy goes home early. My apologizes; that should be changed in the online version in a few days.

Welcome!

2004-12-06T00:58:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the unoffical blog of NYU's Washington Square News Opinion section. All opinion columnists will be posting on this blog, and readers will have the chance to respond. Columnists will also be using this space to respond to letters to the editor. Enjoy!