Vol. 42, Issue 5
Feature
Wearable tech: the future of fashion
By Makenzie Hill feature editor
Near the end of 2013 a new technology fad began to immerge. Wearable technology has become increasingly popular. From smart glasses to GPS jackets, 2014 will be the year of wearable technology according to CBC News and a plethora of other technology sources. The trend seemed to begin with Google’s announcement of the Google Glass. These glasses are promised to have a wide range of abilities. According to Google, users are able to translate things like signs and menus as they gaze at them or translate what they want to say. They can take instant
pictures and videos, send messages, get answers to questions and more. This seemingly spectacular device has spurred a trend of all sorts of technology, such as watches that send messages, track movement and sleep, give weather reports and receive notifications from a cell p h o n e . Many companies, like Apple and Samsung, have been creating their own versions of these versatile wrist attire. However, this seeming trend goes much further than watches and glasses. Other products that are more similar to clothing in nature have been popping up and being announced. The more functional of
these products are those like smart socks and smart sports bras. These intelligent pieces of apparel track the user’s activity and performance. Other utilitarian pieces are those that are programed for GPS purposes. These products, like jackets and helmets, use flashing lights to signals the user when and where to turn. Also, there is one fashion designer, Asher Levine, who has created styles for Lady GaGa and will.i.am, that incorporates tracking chips into his couture looks. These chips connect to an app on the user’s phone in order to find the lost item. While there are those more practical items of “clothing”, there are those that use technology simply for the sake of using it. One such item is a holographic leather dress designed by Amy Winters. The dress reacts to sound around it and lights up and creates “visual music.” While the dress is interesting, it has no functional purpose. Another such product is a
line of dresses that move when someone is looking at them. Designed by Canadian fashion designer,
Y i n g Gao, the dresses use futuristic eye tracking technology that, when looked at, will move tiny motors to create new patterns. The dresses’ base fabric is made with, essentially, glow in the dark thread. Other designers have gone on the less flashy, and often cheaper, side. They chose to use simple light, usually LED, to add interest.
Through the recent years, technology has been an growing presence in our society. These creations go to show that technology will continue to play an ever increasing role in our lives. sources: www.cbc.ca and www.cnbc.com
Media is blowing wind over the Polar Vortex R e x Te m p l i n staff reporter
Earlier this month, records were shattered as the nation was hit with a friendly reminder of Mother Nature’s power. In some areas, the risk for hypothermia was so high, authorities begged citizens to stay inside. Even though it’s not likely that a record breaking cold front will happen again this year, the ridiculous cold shows that it’s important to know how to be safe. Inevitably, the media does what it likes to do and gave everyone a catchphrase: Polar Vortex. The fear surrounding the ‘Polar Vortex’ is a product of the media scaring people into getting more subscribers. (for a similar ex-
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@DHSGreenPride
ample Google ‘Justin Bieber Drug Possession’). Even though ‘Polar Vortex’ sounds like something from a comic book, cold weather is nothing to be scared of and neither is this weather system. First, the facts: The Polar Vortex is a system of winds that circulate around the North Pole. It’s basically a collection of jet streams that drop down on America most years, however we usually get it in much smaller doses in comparison to our friends in Canada. This year it came further south. Under normal conditions, the vortex spins around tight to the poles, and it goes so quick that hardly any cold air can escape its pull. Now, because of global warming, the ocean temperatures heat the atmo-
sphere enough to make the vortex unstable, and the arctic temperatures are able to move in any way they want. What’s scary to think about, is that with more arctic ice disappearing every day there is a possibility that the vortex could do this more in the future. Oh, the irony: global warming causes us all to freeze. So in preparation for a live showing of The Day After Tomorrow, here’s a new take on some rules that were blatantly stolen from our generation’s pinnacle of film, Zombieland. 1. Don’t be a hero. This concerns fashion. Maybe the staple athletic shorts and sweatshirt can be put on the shelf for a day when your car starts and your
breath doesn’t crystallize on the windows. Adding on to that, just because your status went viral doesn’t mean you’re you have to go flying into a snow bank with nothing but your underwear on. 2. Wear your seat belt. While fishtailing on the way to school, eating breakfast, texting and thinking about the homework you forgot to do simultaneously you will at least be safe from hurtling out of the front windshield of your car if you buckle up. 3. Enjoy the little things. This also mean to take care in the little things. Make sure you’re properly hydrated before going out and shoveling: it will keep your head clear. As well as being an illegal activity, drink-
ing alcohol lowers your core body temperature, which is obviously not a good idea. Make sure you’re wearing the right shoes and layer clothing to stay warm. But seriously, it’s important to be mindful of what limitations your body has in respect to the cold. The Polar Vortex is an impressive weather system, and it brought temperatures to some cities that rivaled the surface temperature of Mars. Man has struggled with winter since the beginning of history, and just because it is ‘2k14,’ resist the urge to endanger the body. Please, instead of turning up, turn down for safety. Luckily, come spring this cold front will have disappeared. So, chill out people.