Issue 3 | Volume 102

THE KISS HEARD ROUND THE WORLD (CUP)

Drew Bogumill Staff Writer

Spain’s women’s national soccer team beat England 1-0 on Aug. 20, winning the Women’s World Cup Final. While this was a historic win for Spain, it was overshadowed by a more serious incident that took place on the field after the game ended.

After the game, Luis Rubiales, who was the head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, grabbed star player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips after handing her a World Cup medal.

This act sparked a worldwide debate about whether or not this was an act of sexual assault. The day after the incident, Rubiales stated that he made a mistake, but he insisted that the kiss was consensual.

“I think it was a sexist act,” said junior Denise Fajardo, an exercise science major. “I do not think she or her teammates are taken seriously or being respected as female athletes. Gender inequality in sports

has been going on for years, and at this point, you would think that female athletes would finally be praised for what they do.”

Spain has officially launched a criminal investigation as to whether this was an act of sexual assault. Hermoso also filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales.

FIFA, which is the world’s governing body of soccer, went ahead and suspended Rubiales for 90 days from his job. Spain’s government also sent a complaint to Spain’s Sport Administrative Tribunal in an effort to try and suspend Rubiales.

On Aug. 25, Rubiales escalated the situation even further when he gave a defiant speech at the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly. The members of the assembly that have not quit yet defended Rubiales, and the federation even threatened legal action against Hermoso, who they are accusing of lying.

Usery Forum on Leadership: Paige

From 1998 to 2019, Senior Judge Peggy H. Walker served as the Chief Juvenile Court Judge in Douglas County. Over her impressive career, Walker has received the Commission’s Gender Justice Award in 2015, a Big Voice for Children award, Emory University’s EPIC Award for Unsung Devotion

for Those Most in Need

And the 2018 Georgia Supreme Court’s Amicus Curiae Award. Today, she serves as a Senior Judge for the Juvenile Courts of the State of Georgia.

Walker graduated from GC with honors and a bachelor’s degree in political science and education. She continued her education at Georgia State University and earned her master’s degree in education and Juris Doctor degree with honors.

Walker emphasized the importance of higher education and the significance of Constitution Week as a part of

ALBUM REVIEW & RANKING: “GUTS”

BY OLIVIA RODRIGO

Kate Verity News Editor

OPINION

On Sept. 8, Olivia Rodrigo released her second album, “GUTS.” With a mix of mainstream pop and pop-rock, the 12 tracks bring the listener through a 39-minute journey of teenage heartbreak, rage, confusion and self-awareness that any 20-year-old girl can relate to. After listening through this album several times, I have developed what I feel is an adequate ranking of the dozen tracks. The ranking is largely rooted in the quality of Rodrigo’s lyricism, but I also draw from the level of emotional response the song evokes.

Last place – Track

12: “teenage dream”

Coming in last place is the final track on the album. For one, the name “teenage dream” is very reminiscent of Katy Perry’s 2010 pop hit, and so I honestly half-expected Rodrigo to just release a

cover of that song. Even though this is my lowest-ranked track, it is still a good song. It had less content and fewer lyrics, but Rodrigo still did a great job presenting it. If I had still been 19 when listening to this, I know it would have resonated more, but I think that 19-year-old girls listening to her music will love and relate to the idea of feeling burnt out at such a young age. At 19, many people have been moved out of their parents’ house for a year, and some of the glory of being on your own and changing the world has rubbed off. By 19, I had slipped into the monotony of college and work and felt like I did not have anything unique to distinguish myself from the crowd. Rodrigo does a great job of conveying feelings of tiredness at such a young age.

Track 9: “love is embarrassing”

I think most girls can think of a situation they have been in with a guy who did not deserve the

energy and effort that they gave him. Feeling like you have found a great guy only to realize too late that he is kind of sleazy is such an embarrassing, humbling and common experience for girls. Having to crawl back to your friends, who probably never liked him to begin with, and explain that your socalled Mr. Right was actually not committed to you at all is perfectly explained in the song’s chorus. Having misplaced love and affection for a man who proved that he is not worth it is, as Rodrigo says, embarrassing.

Track 10: “the grudge”

This song is more of a gut-wrenching ballad than any other on the album. At the same time, it manages to be one of Rodrigo’s angrier tracks. It is about knowing someone treated you badly and knowing you deserve an apology that you will never receive. It is filled with the frustration of wishing you could just make them see what they did to you and recognize the level of hurt that you are still healing from. she is not ready to yet.

GC’s celebration and the continuing Usery Forum on Leadership, presented by the university’s leadership programs.

At the beginning of the panel, Walker shared a personal anecdote about her humble beginnings. A high school teacher claimed she was not intelligent enough to attend college. Instead, the teacher said Walker should learn secretarial skills and become a mom, because that was the expectation for women of the time. In response, this fueled Walker’s dreams for higher education even more. At every post-second-

ary graduation Walker had, her mother was sure to send the teacher a graduation invitation.

During her time at GC, Walker discovered her passion and purpose for foreign policy that carried into the rest of her career. Walker has been able to work in foreign policy affairs on the state, national and, over this past summer, international level. Recently, she was named one of GC’s most influential graduates. Walker has worked tirelessly to change the lives of families across the

Why do men LOVE the Roman Empire?

Over the past several weeks, #romanempire has reached over 1.2 billion views on TikTok. The term “Roman Empire” has garnered a 600% increase in searches this past month, according to statistics from Google Trends.

And it all started with a simple question asked by female creators to their male counterparts: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”. Women were both fascinated and humored by the responses they received.

According to the viral trend, men think about the post-Republican Roman state fairly often. This male fascination with the legacy of Rome is as amusing as it is questionable.

The Roman Empire

is widely recognized today for its influence on Western culture through its innovative practices in the realms of government, engineering and religion. Although it was nearly 2,000 years ago, the methods they implemented can still be seen in the politics, law and architecture of today’s societies. Women have taken to questioning their fathers, brothers, sons and boyfriends. They have been met with various answers, some more passionate than others.

“It’s just so cool, like, we as a society have grown so much simply because of the Roman Empire,” said Jacob Lewis, sophomore history and geography major. “Football would not be what it is without the Roman Empire. Flushing the toilet wouldn’t be the same.”

Paige Blakemore A&L Editor

Rebecca Meghani Senior Writer & Paige Blakemore A&L Editor

Kylie Noles | Digital Media Editor

Jennifer Crider | Editor in Chief

Rodgers’s injury reignites players and owners’ years-long debate.

actor, known for his role as Steven Hyde on “That ‘70s Show,” was found guilty on two counts of sexual assault.

61 people indicted in Atlanta for protests of “Cop City”

On Sept. 5, Georgia

Attorney General Chris Carr indicted 61 people with Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations, or RICO, charges after their multiple attempts to stop the building of a police and firefighter training facility in Dekalb County.

The Atlanta Public Safety Training Center is a project worth $90 million set to be built on 85 acres of land. The project is meant to provide current and new police officers and firefighters with more space for training. The Atlanta Police Foundation has helped fund it, along with the Atlanta City Council.

Matheson Sanchez, an assistant professor of criminal justice at GC, thinks law enforcement would benefit from improved and more convenient training facilities, but he is unsure if there is a “need” for it.

“I think it’s difficult to say whether there is

a ‘need’ for something like Cop City right now,” Sanchez said. “Those questions are asked, and the subsequent decisions are reached, after careful deliberation among high-ranking personnel.”

Those being indicted have spent the past few years camping in the forest surrounding the construction site, setting Atlanta Police cars on fire and allegedly threatening the Atlanta Police Foundation and the politicians involved with the approval for construction of the training facility.

Cop City has been opposed by Atlanta residents and members of the Cop City Vote coalition since 2020, and the indictment claims the issues started around the time of George Floyd’s death and have only escalated since the killing of Manuel Esteban Paez Terán by a Georgia State Patrol officer earlier this year, making it harder for government officials to identify those involved.

The Cop City Vote coalition has also ex-

Editorial Board

Smith......... Brennan Schmitz.........

Emily Henderson...........

Paige Blakemore............

Kylie Rowe........................

Drew Oldham..................

Isabella McComis..........

Kylie Noles........................

Avery Blair..........................

Kassie Arps.......................

William Burke..................

pressed concern for their neighborhoods and the use of specialized skills against the community.

“However, the nature of the Cop City facility seems to be what’s coming under fire here,” Sanchez said. “My understanding is that, among other things, it is proposed to be a specially formatted training area where personnel can sharpen tactical skills in an urban setting.”

Terán was a protester of Cop City, and in January, they were shot 57 times during a police raid of the designated construction site for the training facility. The cops claimed he did not comply when told to leave his tent as the police arrested protesters around him. Their death set a new fire under the protesters, causing them to escalate their response to the building of Cop City.

“The 61 defendants have conspired to prevent the construction of the Atlanta Public Safety Training Center by conducting, coordi-

nating and organizing acts of violence, intimidation and property destruction,” Carr said.

Along with racketeering, some defendants face charges of domestic terrorism, attempted arson in the first degree and money laundering.

Among those charged, Nadja Geier, Madeleine Feola, Emily Murphy, Francis Carroll and Ivan Ferguson have been accused of domestic terrorism after allegedly setting Atlanta Police cars, a bank and the 191 Peachtree Tower — where the Atlanta Police Foundation is “located” — on fire. These actions alone can earn someone a prison sentence anywhere from three years to life, depending on the severity of their actions.

The Cop City Vote coalition is worried that the facility could lead to the militarization of police and an increase in police brutality in the surrounding neighborhoods.

“I can say that it would undoubtedly increase police presence in the

immediate surrounding areas, which might have the effect of making residents in those areas feel as though they are being disproportionately and unfairly surveilled,” Sanchez said. “The offshoot is that people are questioning whether we want police who are especially well-trained to breach and clear buildings that might resemble those in our neighborhoods, on our streets or even at our own home addresses.”

An Atlanta Journal-Constitution article titled “More than 60 Atlanta training center activists named in Rico indictment,” states protesters believe this case is an attempt to intimidate and show that anyone who wants to stop this “will be punished with the full power and violence of the government.” The charges these individuals face can lead to a five to 20-year sentence or a fine. If they are convicted of money laundering, the fine can be up to three times what the defendants may have

received as payment.

Some students believe violence from either side should not happen and that they would peacefully protest.

“I think violence is never the answer, said sophomore Mary Ciucevich, an English major. “I would participate but not to that extreme. I feel like it’s a very complicated situation. I think there should be someone that should be there too, I guess, in a way, to protect everyone, but in some situations, I don’t feel they are necessary.”

The investigation is still ongoing, and the defendants await trial. The use of violence against the people of Georgia has caused officials to want better training for their officers. Still, it has also angered the people of Georgia and the Atlanta area, and it has pushed them to try to eliminate the police altogether in an effort to end the brutality they face.

Shadimon Smith

Asst. News Editor

President Biden skips 9/11 memorial

Davis Camuso Staff Writer Commemorate from afar: When can presidents stop visiting Ground Zero each year?

President Joe Biden has recently been under fire on social media. This past Sept. 11 marked the 22nd anniversary since the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Not only did the president not attend the memorial service at the Twin Towers, but he lied about visiting Ground Zero on Sept. 12, 2001.

According to an article from CNN by reporter Daniel Dale, “Biden wrote in a 2007 memoir that he ‘headed back

to the Capitol’ on Sept. 12, 2001. He spoke that day in the U.S. Senate.”

The article also revealed that Biden did visit Ground Zero, but he went nine days after the attacks, as opposed to the next day, as he had claimed.

Controversially, Biden did not attend the annual memorial service in Manhattan this year, making him the first president to do so. Instead, Biden delivered commemo-

ratory remarks from a military base in Alaska on his way back from Vietnam. The White House’s explanation for Biden’s absence only increased public outrage.

Fox News correspondent Peter Doocy asked the White House why the president was in Hanoi, Vietnam, and not at the service to honor those who died in the attacks.

“The analogy that I was given is that, 22 years after Pearl Harbor, U.S. presidents were not

still going to Hawaii,” Doocy said. “The response sounded a lot more like an excuse as to why the president was not there for the service.”

There is also clear evidence posted by JFK Library on Twitter of former President Kennedy visiting Pearl Harbor 22 years after it was attacked. The post’s caption states, “Today the country marks the anniversary of the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. In 1963, President Kennedy visited the USS Arizona Memorial and laid a wreath for those who perished in the surprise attack.”

Caitlin Patch is a junior mass communications major, and she gave her thoughts on Biden’s actions.

“It doesn’t give me a lot of confidence in

WORLD LANGUAGES & CULTURES MAJOR SPOTLIGHT: ANNABEL HIRST

Kate Verity News Editor

One of the lesser-known departments at GC is World Languages and Cultures. Students at GC who focus their studies on a foreign language often refer to themselves as Spanish majors or French majors for simplicity. However, the degree that these students are earning is a B.A. in World Languages and Cultures. The students will then choose to concentrate in either Spanish or French. The department also offers courses in Italian and German but not enough to complete a degree concentration. Students outside of the department who must take a few courses in a foreign language can fulfill this requirement with any of the four languages, regardless of what foreign language they took in high school.

Knowledge of a sec-

ond language is an increasingly beneficial skill when searching for a career path. According to the United States Census Bureau, about one in five, or 20%, of Americans speak a language other than English in the home. Of this 20%, two-thirds of them speak Spanish or Spanish Creole. This equates to over 41 million people in the United States who speak Spanish in their homes.

Annabel Hirst is a sophomore majoring in World Languages and Cultures with a concentration in Spanish. She was unsure exactly what she wanted to major in but found that she greatly enjoyed her base-level Spanish classes. She figured that sticking with studying a foreign language would give her skills to apply to whatever career path she chooses in the future.

“I just know that graduating and knowing a

second language is going to help me immensely in the workforce, and it just, like, expands my opportunities by double,” Hirst said. “Like, I could work in Latin America, and I could work in Spain and even in the U.S. as well.”

Now that Hirst has surpassed the basic 1000 and 2000-level grammar courses, she finds Spanish even more interesting. She is currently taking an upper-level course focusing on Latin American culture and is in another called Paradigms of Modern Iberian Thought, which she describes as focusing on Spanish literature and how it contributes to colonialism and culture.

One experience that helped to solidify Hirst’s interest in her major was the study abroad trip she took to Spain last summer.

“It was just the best experience ever,” Hirst said. “And while you’re

our president when his lies are that obvious,” Patch said. “I think that seeing a president not attending the service is not a good look for not only himself but for our whole country.”

Sophomore psychology major Maddie Mathews spoke about it as well.

“I think that because 9/11 was such a low point for our country

that it is very disrespectful,” Matthews said. “I think that it is disrespectful to our country that he could not attend the memorial service.”

Other political figures did attend the memorial service at Ground Zero, one of which was former President and potential 2024 candidate Donald Trump. This Sept. 11 had many people very upset with Biden.

there, you’re, like, taking classes, and so the class I was taking was really difficult, but at the same time, I got to experience all this new stuff and explore the city and go on excursions, and it was just great.”

One professor who really stands out to Hirst as being a source of guidance and help in her department is Spanish Lecturer Dr. Mariana Stoyanova. She led the study abroad trip, and Hirst describes her as being very helpful, both on the trip and in class.

“I know a lot of people get very stressed out about saying the wrong thing if you’re taking another language, and she [Stoyanova] would just tell us to relax and that we’re good,” Hirst said. “She’s so sweet, and she’s awesome.”

When asked what she would recommend to younger students who are considering

studying a foreign language, Hirst emphasized the importance of her study abroad trip.

“That changed my perspective completely,” Hirst said.

Getting to experience Spanish culture firsthand was somewhat intimidating at first, but Hirst ended up falling deeper in love with her major. After college, she is considering working to help communities where the primary language is Spanish and loves that she will be well-equipped to travel into many other nations.

Hirst also wants younger students to know that once they

make it past the grammar-based lower-level courses, class sizes decrease, and content becomes more culture-specific. Even if someone is not considering majoring in a foreign language, GC offers many courses meant to go along with other majors. For example, business students can take Business Spanish, or students involved in health sciences could take Beginning Spanish Health Science.

Having a basic understanding of a foreign language can help each student in their future endeavors, regardless of major.

Twin Towers Memorial in Manhattan Skyline

President Joe Biden

Isabella McComis | Digital Media Editor

Annabel Hirst, world languages and cultures major

Governor Kemp pauses taxes on gas for Georgia

Jack Mckinney Contributing Writer

As inflation rises across sociopolitical relations, many figures of politics have presented economically defensive plans. On the progressive side of politics, United States President Joe Biden introduced the Inflation Reduction Act to respond to this exigency.

“For the first time in a long time, [we] begin to restore fairness to the tax code by making the largest corporations in America pay their fair share,” Biden said. “It’s a bill that will cut your cost of living and reduce inflation, for it lowers the deficit.”

On the contrary, a notable portion of conservatives began taking

a different approach to combat inflation. Although differing across statewide legislators, the primary republican consensus relies on the foundational approach of economic stimulus: less taxes, more growth.

“While high prices continue to hit family budgets, hardworking Georgians deserve real relief,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

Kemp recently took charge in the partisan battle against ongoing inflation. Signed on Sept. 12, Executive Order 09.12.23.01 suspends ongoing excise tax on motor vehicle fuel, including gasoline and diesel.

“From runaway federal spending to policies that hamstring domestic energy production, all

‘Bidenomics’ has done is take more money out of the pockets of the middle class,” Kemp said. “That’s why I signed an executive order today, to deliver it directly to them at the pump.”

However, the intended savings from this order hover merely around 31.2 cents per gallon for gasoline. Many are left questioning the effectiveness of Kemp’s order.

“Most consumers of gasoline are not very responsive to changes in price for short periods of time, so the impact will be minimal,” said John Swinton, an economics professor at GC.

Likewise, some GC students acknowledge this particular concern. Henri White is a freshman psycholo-

gy major here at GC. Through driving his car, he often relates to the expense of gasoline.

“It would impact me and save me money,” Henri said. “But it will only save me somewhere north of $4. It’s not a big deal for me.”

Nevertheless, the savings have been shown to add up; in 2022, following the introduction of the war in Ukraine, Kemp issued a strikingly similar order.

In March 2022, Kemp signed legislation suspending the state’s gas tax following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

“During that 10-month suspension, Georgians saved $1.7 billion at the gas pump,” Kemp said.

Although it is justifi-

able for these comparisons to be made, there are many key differences. For instance, the new executive order is planned to end as of Oct. 12, which provides one month of relief – a vast contrast to the 10 months of the 2022 legislation.

“There should be almost no long-term effects, as the tax will return in one month,” Swinton said. “Overall, there should not be any real tipping of any economic scales.”

Considering all these factors, there is no definitive prediction for the results of Kemp’s executive order. Many citizens may as well remain unaffected, many might notably benefit and many might be somewhere in-between. Broadly speaking, this order demonstrates a strong perseverance for congressmen and congresswomen to adhere to party-line solutions, as inflation continues to torment economic stability.

FDA determines key ingredient in cold medicine not effective

Why is your cold medicine not working?

Chance Curbow

Staff Writer

On Tuesday, Sept. 19, the Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, released the results of an advisory panel that found phenylephrine to be ineffective as a decongestant. The ingredient is not dangerous but is used as an active ingredient in versions of notable over-the-counter, or OTC, cold medicines, such as Tylenol, Mucinex, Benadryl, Sudafed and NyQuil. The panel concluded that phenylephrine is only effective as a decongestant when spritzed into the nasal passages and does not work when administered orally.

Phenylephrine was patented in 1927 and established into medical use in 1938, according to Google Patents. This allowed it to be used

without being proven effective since it predated legislation requiring those tests. The problem with this is that phenylephrine was produced and patented as only a nasal decongestant. It is

take it out of the pills since it isn’t doing anything,” said junior Tyler Baker, a nursing major.

“It’s odd that the FDA hasn’t already discovered it being ineffective and made companies change

tually, could be pulled from the market. These monographs are used by companies as an outline of which ingredients are safe to use in their products. Having phenylephrine removed from the

Advil Cold and Sinus, and it’s been helping so much,” Connor said. “It’s only been a few days, but I’m already feeling better.”

Advil Cold and Sinus does not use phenylephrine as its active ingredi-

me because you’re taught to just put your faith in the medicine you’re being given,” Connor said.

“To learn that a lot of the major medicines are ineffective is disheartening.”

This is a surprise shared by students studying to be in the medical field as well.

“I never thought about what was really inside the medicine I took,” said junior Simon Turner, a nursing major. “I just assumed we were recommending and prescribing stuff that worked.”

still used, and effectively, in products such as Afrin nasal drops and Neo-Synephrine nasal jelly. It was never meant to be utilized in decongestant tablets or pills, but the drug has been in production and used for almost 100 years.

“I think they should

their ingredients.”

Now that the advisory panel found the drug to be an ineffective ingredient, the FDA has officially agreed that phenylephrine will go through the administrative process to be removed from the monograph of OTC drugs and, even-

monograph will make it ineligible as an ingredient in OTC medications.

Sophomore Sairsha Connor, a mass communication major, says Advil Cold and Sinus has helped her and her friends get over the flu.

“Me and all my roommates have been using

ent. Rather, it uses pseudoephedrine as well as ibuprofen. Other products, such as Benadryl Allergy Relief, Benylin Day & Night, and Boots

Chesty Cough & Congestion Relief also have pseudoephedrine as their active ingredient.

“I think it surprises

As of now, no recall has been placed on products with phenylephrine as the active ingredient, and the drug is still being sold in stores.

GC students and faculty should check their medications both at home and as they buy more, ensuring the drugs they are using work.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp

CONSTITUTION

Continued from page 1

Usery Forum on Leadership:

From 1998 to 2019, Senior Judge Peggy H. Walker served as the Chief Juvenile Court Judge in Douglas County. Over her impressive career, Walker has received the Commission’s Gender Justice Award in 2015, a Big Voice for Children award, Emory University’s EPIC Award for Unsung Devotion for Those Most in Need And the 2018 Georgia Supreme Court’s Amicus Curiae Award. Today, she serves as a Senior Judge for the Juvenile Courts of the State of Georgia.

Walker graduated from GC with honors and a bachelor’s degree in political science and education. She continued her education at Georgia State University and earned her master’s degree in education and Juris Doctor degree with honors.

Walker emphasized the importance of higher education and the significance of Constitution Week as a part of GC’s celebration and the continuing Usery Forum on Leadership, presented by the university’s leadership programs.

At the beginning of the panel, Walker shared a personal anecdote about her humble beginnings. A high school teacher claimed she was not intelligent enough to attend college. Instead, the teacher said Walker should

learn secretarial skills and become a mom, because that was the expectation for women of the time. In response, this fueled Walker’s dreams for higher education even more. At every post-secondary graduation Walker had, her mother was sure to send the teacher a graduation invitation.

During her time at GC, Walker discovered her passion and purpose for foreign policy that carried into the rest of her career. Walker has been able to work in foreign policy affairs on the state, national and, over this past summer, international level. Recently, she was named one of GC’s most influential graduates.

Walker has worked tirelessly to change the lives of families across

the state of Georgia through her time as president of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges and chair of the Georgia Commission on Family Violence. Currently, Walker serves on the Advisory Group for Safe Babies Infant and Toddler Courts for the state of georgia.

Walker’s decade-spanning career working with the law has given her the utmost praise for the United States Constitution.

“It is highly unusual, other than in a few countries, to have embraced the common law and to have a constitution that stands the test of time the way ours has,” Walker said.

Walker claims the foundational document has remained “time-

Times Talk: Climate & Politics:

A weekly tradition at GC for years, Times Talk has provided students with a space for community-wide discussion over a multitude of topics. This week, as a part of Constitution Week, Dr. Steve Elliott-Gower, an associate professor of political science at GC, facilitated a discussion regarding climate and politics.

Gower has taught several classes that look at climate politics in depth. During his Times Talk, he covered what climate change looks like, its effects on people and how this affects politics on an international, national and subnational level.

“There is a lack of education on climate change, even though it is changing the world that we are living in,” Gower said. “It’s overwhelming in its psychology and content because of the mass information: fires in Maui, flooding in Greece and in Libya, forest fires in the west. It’s a tsunami of information.”

He looked at climate change in terms of its causes, sources, effects, impacts and, specifically for politics, responses to climate change.

There are direct, primary effects that we are acutely aware of, like flooding and fires, but less so about its secondary effects, or “knock-on effects.”

“The three D’s: death, destruction, disruption,” Gower said. “There’s food insecurity, local migration, rising food prices, loss of biodiversity, impacts of public health, increasing or no home insurance rates because it’s getting too expensive for them to cover low-lying homes in Florida.”

With climate change, there are a number of issues that will arise, including a rise of bubonic plague. With the melting of ice, old carcasses from animals that carried diseases are being unfrozen, giving space to these old diseases.

Due to the different priorities of every country, responses have looked different worldwide. There is climate adaptation across the globe, like China’s sponge cities, meant to be climate-resilient and to take in a lot of water. The U.S. has been building climate-resilient buildings and adding more climate safety standards to building regulations, like having fire retardant material and having storm surge resilience.

On a higher tech level, Gower discussed geoengineering in terms of climate change resolutions.

“They throw reflective particles in the air to deflect the sun’s rays,” Gower said.

He describes this concept as something that should be carefully done. The purpose of this is to cool down the Earth’s surface. While this is one response for climate resolutions, other ideas have been more difficult to implement because of politics.

“Politics obstruct progress in climate change,” Gower said. “COP [Conference of the Parties] meets once a year to discuss climate change treaties and greenhouse gas emissions targets. These countries’ pledges have not been fulfilled. International cooperation is difficult because coun-

tries have different national interests. With the emergence of great power rivalry, the U.S., China and Russia, COP has become even more difficult.”

Countries are afraid of other countries gaining more power economically. There are plenty of other factors that contribute to this difficulty of resolving the devastating impacts of climate change: the burden of responding to climate change, ethical conundrums, the vast influence of the oil and gas industry and the fundamental disagreements about who is responsible for climate change.

While there are different efforts, or lack thereof, worldwide for climate change resolution, there remains the constant issue of the political polarization of climate action which will stymie climate progress.

Supreme Court Review Panel:

This Constitution Week event had a panel that looked at a variety of different Supreme Court cases:

Judge Ben Land, who serves on the Georgia Court of Appeals, covered Sackett v. EPA, a case about wetlands and CWA.

Matt Roessing, a senior lecturer of Legal Studies at UGA who covered Jack Daniel’s Properties, Inc. v. VIP Products LLC, a case about parody and trademark.

Jen Jordan, who serves as a political and legal commentator for media outlets including the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, WABE, MSNBC and CNN, who covered 303 Creative LLC et al. V Elenis et al. discussing first amendment and anti discrimination law.

Judge Stephen Bradley, who serves on the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court, covered Twitter, Inc. V. Taamneh and Gonzalez v. Google (Communications Decency Act).

Time for Changes in the U.S. Supreme Court?: The call for reform in the U.S. Supreme Court has been a hot topic of conversation in recent years due to public dissatisfaction with their decisions. While public dissatisfaction in the court’s decisions has always existed on some scale, the public confidence in the Supreme Court has sunk to a historic low, at 25%, according to a Gallup poll in 2022.

This panel focused on answering questions explaining the Supreme Court’s historic functions and purposes and gave their thoughts on ideas like having a mandatory retirement age.

Beginning with the purpose of the Supreme Court, the panelists described what the goals of the system have been historically and how their purpose remains important now.

“John Adams describes the goal of our system as a government of laws and not men,” said Randy Beck, Justice Thomas O. Marshall Chair of Constitutional Law at the University of Georgia School of Law. “They should be governed by the laws by

the people and not the whims of who is holding power in that moment.”

More than just the goals, Beck emphasizes the importance of the Supreme Court’s job in holding others accountable.

“They are the judges, the referees, to make sure people stay within the rule,” Beck said. “They hold federal and state leaders accountable in law and ensure uniformity in interpretation of the federal law.”

Looking back historically, the panel explained what the Constitution and our founders say about the Supreme Court.

“Article 3 of the Constitution describes it as an afterthought,” said Nicholas B. Creel, GC Assistant Professor of Business Law & Ethics. “It finds the power of the court in its legitimacy. We need the federal judiciary for its structure.”

According to our panelists, not much is said about the Supreme Court historically, as it remains one of the shortest parts of the Constitution.

”The Constitution is silent in the number of justices and left it to Congress,” said Benjamin Clark, Senior Lecturer of Political Science in the Department of Government and Sociology at GC. “It hasn’t always been nine. It fluctuated over time and in 1837, it was set to nine. It fluctuated some more during the Civil War and Reconstruction Era, but it has been consistently nine.”

There were presidential frustrations with the Supreme Court and wanting to adjust the size, but ultimately, maintaining the independence of the court has remained a priority.

“In 1930, Roosevelt was frustrated about the New Deal Agenda and wanted to change it,” Clarke said. “There was a norm against expanding the size of the Supreme Court; the idea of the President or Congress not having the power to interfere with the independence of the court.

How independent the court is, though, has stirred up conversation if they should remain that way. Clarke discussed the benefits and the problems that come with lifetime appointments, until they resign, die, are impeached or convicted, and the independent structure of the court.

“The benefit is judicial independence,” Clarke said. “Justices are not beholden to Congress or the President because they don’t need to worry about being reappointed. They are free to follow the Constitution and law, even when it’s unpopular.”

Without lifetime appointments, there is a strong likelihood that the justices would move into a private sector. Clarke mentions the problems that could arise from this, like how their former decisions could affect their future employment. Though with the lifetime appointments, he mentions how there is less accountability, democratically.

“Nominations recently have been highly politically charged, because of the high stakes involved,” Clarke said.

Though not having lifetime appointments, reducing the time they hold a position in the court, would remove the pressure from the nominations, there was a disagreement across the panel of having a mandatory retirement age.

“There have been concerns with age, like with Mitch McConnell, but it would require a constitutional amendment, which is a high bar,” Clarke said. “Having a mandatory retirement age without term limits, justices will be picked younger and younger, and less qualified, so they can stay on the court longer.”

There was a strong emphasis on the importance of preserving the court’s independence, in terms of a mandatory retirement age and term limits which can affect the court itself.

“In preserving its independence, there is no worry about the political ramifications of their decisions and their future political careers,” Beck said. “The Supreme Court is an anti-democratic institution; it does not reflect the majority and it can be minoritarian.”

The panelists further detailed how maintaining the independence of the court is important in keeping the power away from the passions and ambitions of the White House and political majority at the time. While hopes for changes in the Supreme Court remain high in conversation, the panelists explained the difficulties of doing so because of the strong independent power that they hold.

Kylie Noles | Digital Media Editor

GC 2-1 soccer victory over USC Beaufort

Connor Blakley Staff Writer

GC women’s soccer team took home a 2-1 win versus USC Beaufort in their Peach Belt opener at home after a strong second-half performance from the Bobcats. After a tough 0-1 loss to Christian Brothers University, the Bobcats were able to bounce back with a win against a very resilient USCB team.

The Bobcats were able to strike within the first two minutes of the game when midfielder Amanda Dewey stole the ball from a USCB defender and scored unassisted. This quick and crucial goal from Amanda made it her third goal of the season so far.

“The first five minutes, it’s always known to press high, so Jack tells us every game, first five minutes, we need a goal,” said midfielder Amanda Dewey. “I saw the opportunity, shot it and it went in.”

This goal from Dewey marked the first time this season that the Bobcats found themselves scoring first.

“It’s always import-

ant ‘cause when you look at the last couple of games, we have found ourselves a goal down in the first half, so it gave us a little bit of a different perspective,” said head coach Jack Marchant.

“Unfortunately, I don’t think we built on it very well, but again, it’s a bit

less than five minutes left in the half off an assisted corner kick from Synne Bye-Andersen.

This concluded the scoring of the first period, as the Bobcats had seven shots, compared to USCB’s five shots, going into the half. Both teams ended the first

The Bobcats showed a lot of grit, both defensively and offensively, as they held the Sand Sharks to four shots, compared to GC’s 10 shots in the second period.

The intensity was high later in the second period, as GC junior defender, Sydney Charles,

After this win, GC women’s soccer improved to 3-2-1 on the year and 1-0 in conference play.

“We found that belief again,” Marchant said. “We kind of lost that belief a little bit. We switched off, which we conceded a goal.”

The halftime adjust-

belief that we need to keep playing the way that we want to play, and good things will come,” Marchant said.

The Bobcats increased their focus to be able to get off to a much-needed 1-0 start in conference play. The next game is another conference game against Georgia Southwestern State University, which will be another big game for the Bobcats.

“You always want to be ahead of it if you can be [starting off conference play 1-0], and the fact that we have done that now, it puts pressure on the next game,” Marchant said. “We want to go 2-0, and the more we win early on, it puts us in a better position come October.”

of a learning curve for us — but a huge step forward to score early.”

This stood as the lone goal for most of the first half until USCB’s Kennedy Harris answered with a goal of her own with

half with two saves from the goalies and one corner kick each.

The second period of the game, the Bobcats started out like a complete team, as halftime adjustments were made.

scored her first goal of her young career and the game-winning goal to put the Bobcats up with 16:38 remaining in the second period off an assist from junior forward Morgan Amrozowicz.

The turf vs. grass debate rages on

Drew Bogumill Staff Writer

One week ago, NFL star quarterback Aaron Rodgers tore his achilles four plays into his season debut with the New York Jets. His injury has sparked further discussion about the dangers of playing contact sports on artificial turf rather than real grass.

An article from the National Library of Medicine analyzed a little over 50 studies that had been published between 1972 and 2020.

All of the included studies compared overall injury rates as well as lower-extremity — hip, knee, foot and ankle — injury rates on artificial turf and natural grass. Most of the studies done on new generation turf showed similar overall injury rates between playing surfaces.

When it comes to

lower-extremity injuries, however, the majority of articles reported a higher foot and ankle injury rate on artificial turf compared to natural grass. For soccer players, similar knee and hip injury rates were reported between playing surfaces, while football players were more likely to sustain a knee injury on artificial turf rather than natural grass.

Only a few articles from the study reported a higher overall injury rate on natural grass compared with artificial turf, but every single one of these studies received financial support from the artificial turf industry.

According to the University Hospitals Sports Medicine Institute, athletes are 58% more likely to sustain an injury from athletic activities done on artificial turf.

It was also found that

lower-extremity, upper-extremity and torso injuries occur at a higher rate when turf is used instead of natural grass.

The NFLPA, the NFL’s player association, did their own independent study on artificial turf using NFL injury data from 2012 to 2018. The study showed that the contact-injury rate for lower extremities was higher during practices and games played on artificial turf.

More specifically, the study showed that there is a 28% higher rate of non-contact lower-extremity injuries when playing on turf. Of those non-contact injuries, players were found to have a 32% higher rate of non-contact knee injuries as well as a whopping 69% higher rate of non-contact foot and ankle injuries on turf.

“My personal opinion

with turf is that I would much rather play on real grass because I always have,” said freshman Mia Palumbo, a soccer player. “I have not suffered a turf-related injury myself. However, I do know multiple people who have suffered ACL tears and many other common injuries due to turf fields.”

Sophomore soccer player Sarah Mason has personal experience when it comes to

ments proved to be the difference maker for the Bobcats, as they were able to shut down USCB for the most part.

“The character we showed in the second half and, again, just the

The Bobcat squad as a whole also expressed the importance of positioning in the 2023 Women’s Peach Belt Soccer Tournament, which starts on Nov. 6, where only the top eight teams advance. The top three teams in the conference will be hosting the first rounds of the tournament, and it will be very pivotal for GC to secure a higher seed in order to have home field advantage.

suffering a turf injury.

“I tore my ACL on artificial turf in the state championship for my high school team,” Mason said. “Now, anytime I play on turf, I get anxious and think the worst.”

Not everyone agrees that natural grass is better to play on compared to artificial turf, including GC junior softball pitcher Kaitlyn Anders.

“There are obviously advantages and disad-

vantages to each type of playing field,” Anders said. “As a pitcher, I personally like the traction that I am able to get when I am pitching on a turf field compared to natural grass.”

With so many serious injuries occurring on turf over the past couple years, many athletes are hoping that contact sports will start being played strictly on natural grass again.

Courtesy of GC Athletics

Courtesy of Julia Jensen | Art Director

SOCCER KISS

Continued from page 1

Spain’s women’s national soccer team beat England 1-0 on Aug. 20, winning the Women’s World Cup Final. While this was a historic win for Spain, it was overshadowed by a more serious incident that took place on the field after the game ended.

After the game, Luis Rubiales, who was the head of the Royal Spanish Football Federation, grabbed star player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips after handing her a World Cup medal.

This act sparked a worldwide debate about whether or not this was an act of sexual assault. The day after the incident, Rubiales stated that he made a mistake, but he insisted that the kiss was consensual.

“I think it was a sexist act,” said junior Denise Fajardo, an exercise science major. “I do not think she or her teammates are taken seriously or being respected as female athletes. Gender inequality in sports has been going on for years, and at this point, you would think that female athletes would finally be praised for what they do.”

Spain has officially launched a criminal investigation as to whether this was an act of sexual assault. Hermoso also filed a criminal complaint against Rubiales.

FIFA, which is the world’s governing body of soccer, went ahead and suspended Rubiales for 90 days from his job. Spain’s government also sent a complaint to Spain’s Sport Administrative Tribunal in an effort to try

and suspend Rubiales.

On Aug. 25, Rubiales escalated the situation even further when he gave a defiant speech at the federation’s Extraordinary General Assembly. The members of the assembly that have not quit yet defended Rubiales, and the federation even threatened legal action against Hermoso, who they are accusing of lying.

The federation ordered Rubiales to resign from his position after the incident. Although he initially refused to resign, he finally complied after multiple investigations were opened and he resigned Sept. 10.

Rubiales was not the only person who got into trouble as the coach of Spain’s women’s team; Jorge Vilda also got fired. This came after Vilda publicly de-

fended Rubiales’ actions.

A new female coach, Montse Tome, has been announced, making her the first female coach Spain has ever had.

Whether Vilda should or should not have been fired has been up for debate.

“He absolutely deserved to be fired,” said junior Jackson Kiser, a business major.

“With him being fired, it shows the steps that

the Spanish Federation is making towards players feeling safe.”

A majority of the national team’s players decided to start a boycott, saying they would not play again unless more was done about the situation.

Junior Toby Gaynes, a mass communication major, says accountability is key to improving women’s safety in sports.

“Actions speak loud-

er than words,” Gaynes said. “Any man who does something like this should not only be fired but also arrested.”

As of Wednesday, Sept. 20, most of these players ended their boycott. This came only after the Spanish government intervened to try and help create an agreement that would call for immediate changes to the country’s soccer federation.

College football week three gives unlikely thrills

Brennan Schmitz

Sports Editor

Week Three of college football has come and gone, and although fans were mostly looking ahead to the Week Four matchups, the Week Three slate was not without its surprises.

Arguably, the biggest game of the week was between No. 1 Georgia and unranked South Carolina. Georgia has not been the totally dominant team college football fans have been used to for the past two years, and the Gamecocks were looking to capitalize on that.

Spencer Rattler and the Gamecocks came out hot, scoring after a 10-play drive on their first possession. That momentum would carry into halftime, with South Carolina heading into the locker room up 14-3.

The Bulldogs would come out in the second half with a chip on their shoulder, as they shut out the Gamecocks for the rest of the game, winning 24-14. Carson Beck went

27-35 for 269 yards passing, and three different Georgia running backs cashed in touchdowns.

Nick Saban and the No. 10 Alabama Crimson Tide were another

Although this should have been an easy win for the Tide, bad weather conditions in Tampa and less-than-desirable QB play sent them to halftime with

the most exciting game of the week was between the No. 18 Colorado Buffaloes, led by NFL Hall of Famer Deion Sanders, and the unranked Colorado State Rams. Many

very chippy. It seemed players were in each other’s faces for the whole game, and Colorado star wide receiver and cornerback Travis Hunter had to leave the game

ly avoidable penalties from the Rams defense, Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders, the son of head coach Deion Sanders, hit tight end Michael Harrison for a touchdown to break the tie.

The Colorado defense could not seal the deal on the next drive, as Colorado State QB Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi threw a touchdown pass to Tory Horton in response.

team that had an unexpected performance.

After a subpar game against Texas the week prior, Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe was benched in favor of Tyler Buchner, a transfer from Notre Dame, for the starting job against the South Florida Bulls.

a 3-3 tie with the Bulls.

After continuing to struggle for the rest of the game, Alabama managed to put together two touchdown-scoring drives, both led by redshirt freshman QB Ty Simpson. They would win the game 17-3.

What was arguably

fans expected Colorado to put the Rams away easily due to their success in recent weeks, but in true college football fashion, this rivalry game came down to the wire.

There was a lot of talking going on between the teams leading up to the game, so things got

after taking what many believed to be a dirty hit from a Rams player. Neither team was able to pull away convincingly throughout the game, and they were tied 28-28 at the end of regulation, sending the game into overtime. After two complete-

The Buffaloes gave themselves another chance to put the game away after Sanders hit Harrison yet again for an 18-yard touchdown reception. Colorado safety Trevor Woods finally put the game away with an interception in the end zone. After double overtime, the final score was 43-35.

Although many thought Week Three would be a dud compared to what matchups were to come in Week Four, the world of college football still delivered on an action-packed slate of games for fans to enjoy.

Pitcure of Jorge Vilda

University of Georgia head football coach Kriby Smart

Horoscope for the Aries full moon on September 29

Jennifer Crider Editor in Chief

This summer, the Universe brought an abundance of challenges with seven planets in retrograde. After experiencing the difficulties that come with retrograde such as confusion, problems in relationships and poor communication, I can guarantee every sign is hoping that Libra season, which began on September 23 and ends on October 22, will bring some peace and good energy. However, this might not be the case, as there will be a full moon located in Aries on September 29, affecting each sign differently. To understand how this will affect your sign in the week leading up to the full-moon and on the day of the full moon, read below. (If you know your rising sign, read the horoscope for that sign instead of your sun sign.)

Libra: This full moon is going to fall in your seventh house which rules your relationships. With that being said, it is highly likely that you will be getting out of a romantic relationship or reevaluating it. Full moon’s help to purge negative cycles out of our life, so try to understand that whatever happens is happening for the best. This does not necessarily mean your relationship will end; however, you could be forced to have conversations that you have been avoiding. Although it is a Libra’s natural instinct to avoid confrontation in order to keep the peace, that is not healthy, and this moon will help you overcome that fear.

Scorpio: Although you typically try to avoid admitting your sensitivities, the strong Aries energy will force you to be vulnerable this week.

Open up to your close ones about the things you have been hiding. In the long run, this will strengthen your bond. Take a break from running away from your emotions.

Sagittarius: Your creative endeavors are going to be highly impacted this week since this will affect your fifth house of creativity and hobbies. This could be a really good time

Aquarius: With all the planets that were in retrograde, you have experienced a lot of chaotic energy, but this will all be solved soon, as the next week will be extremely productive for you. Specifically, you will be productive in your daily tasks, so do not expect long term success from anything happening this week. But, overall you will feel more

outbursts of anger or spikes in temper. These will happen randomly, and often in response to things that are not actually that serious. Try to not let these strong emotions overtake you, and avoid taking this out on the wrong people.

Taurus: This moon is located in your 12 house, which is the house of the unseen things such as emotions, dreams,

ly a bad thing, and this will benefit you in the long run.

Cancer: This moon will affect your tenth house of career, meaning that it is likely you will either be fired or quit your job. Since this full moon is in the fiery sign of Aries, this exit will be dramatic or angry. If being a full time student is your “job”, then this could affect something in regards to school like an argument with a teacher, dropping a class or failing a class.

Leo: Being that this moon is in your ninth house that is connected to all things relating to personal beliefs or education, you could experience negative effects in your educational life. This could be the result of some type of change within your personal values like changing your major or realizing your true passion in life. This week is going to be very powerful for you in regards to finding yourself, so make sure to spend some time alone listening to your inner voice. Take a step back from focusing on others, and take this time for yourself.

to try to monetize your hobbies or explore new ones. It is highly likely that you will discover new passions that you were not aware of and ditch your old free-time activities.

Capricorn: This is a really good time to plan your future, specifically if you are considering moving to a new place, as your fourth house of family and home is being affected by this full moon. As a Capricorn, you are a natural rule follower, so try to use this strong Aries energy to break away from what is expected of you. Plan an impulsive trip or look into moving to a cool new city.

balanced and put together.

Pisces: You are going to be forced to budget your money this next week. This might create anxiety. As a Pisces, you are a natural born dreamer, and this anxiety might force you to become more realistic with the world around you. This is temporary. Try to use this anxiety to better yourself instead of dwelling on what you need to fix.

Aries: Not only is this full moon located in Aries, but it is also located opposite to Mars, which is the planet of aggression. Therefore, expect yourself to experience random

The Masterson monstrosity

Carly Henderson Staff Writer

Earlier this month, Danny Masterson, famous for his role as Hyde on “That ‘70s Show,” received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison following his conviction for sexually assaulting two women.

The crimes occurred in the early 2000s. Masterson was accused of sexual assault by five women in 2017. In 2020, Masterson was charged with three counts of rape, as two of the women’s cases did not have sufficient evidence.

The actor was originally charged with three counts of rape, but the jury could not reach a decision involving one of the women, an ex-girlfriend of Masterson. He

was found guilty of two counts of rape in May.

Judge Charlaine Olmedo sentenced him to 15 years to life in prison on each charge, to be served consecutively.

After Masterson’s sentencing, it became public knowledge that his former costars wrote character letters on behalf of Masterson. Character letters are used to testify to and convince the court of the defendant’s good character. Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, who played Kelso and Jackie on the sitcom with Masterson, faced backlash from these letters.

After receiving outrage from the public regarding their letters, Kutcher and Kunis released a video explaining and apologizing for their actions.

“We are aware of the pain that has been caused by the character letters we wrote on behalf of Danny Masterson,” Kutcher said. “They were intended for the judge to read and not to undermine the testimony of the victims or retraumatize them in any way. We would never want to do that, and we’re sorry if that has taken place.”

“We support victims,” Kunis said. “We have done this historically through our work and will continue to do so in the future. Our heart goes out to every single person who has ever been a victim of sexual assault, sexual abuse or rape.”

The apology video received more backlash for the two actors. People felt that the actors were apologizing that the letters

karma and secrets. This could mean breakthroughs in letting go of negative habits or coping mechanisms that have felt impossible to shake. You will be putting your wellbeing first, making you a better friend and attractive to everyone around you.

Gemini: It is likely that you will be cutting off a bad friend or friend group from your life, as this moon will fall into your 11 house, which rules relationships with friends. Although friendship break-up’s are emotionally draining, and often feel like the end of the world, this is not necessari-

were released to the public rather than apologizing for writing the letters.

Students who are fans of the show have spoken out about their feelings regarding the Masterson case and Kunis and Kutcher’s letters.

“It’s really sad that he would do that,” said senior Sydney Homan, a business major. “Growing up loving this show, it’s scary to see that the person who played one of your favorite characters could do such horrible things.”

“Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis were just writing the letters to support the person they knew him to be, not to support a rapist,” said senior Cammi Breitbart, a mass communications major. “I understand why people are upset,

Virgo: This surge of intense Aries energy will cause unexpected changes in your daily routine, and for the practical minded virgo, this can be hard to cope with. However, this will help you reevaluate the priorities in your life, helping you learn how to go more with the flow. Since this full moon will be in the eighth house that rules personal belongings, this is a very bad time to spend money. Be careful and mindful of what you are spending, and do not try to fix your problems by buying new things. This will just result in more feelings of chaos.

but they weren’t saying what he did was okay.”

There is a question as to what is to come of the original sitcom’s reboot, “That ‘90s Show.” Actors Debra Jo Rupp and Kurtwood Smith, who played Kitty and Red in both series, also wrote character letters on behalf of Masterson. The two are receiving less backlash than Kunis and Kutcher but are still facing criticism.

“I think the reboot will probably end up

being canceled,” said senior Autumn Arnette, senior mass communications major. “I feel like it was only popular because the cast of the original show was in the first episode, and after all of this, it doesn’t feel like the smartest idea to continue making it.”

Creators of “That ‘90s Show” have not spoken of any plans to cancel the upcoming season after its renewal this year.

Courtesy of Claire O’Neill

Danny Masterson in Los Angeles Court

“That

70’s Show” star receives 30 years to life in prison

“GUTS”

Continued from page 1

One line that really sticks out to me as being some of Rodrigo’s best lyricism comes at the end of this song’s chorus, when she sings, “It takes strength to forgive, but I don’t feel strong.” This line is delivered with anger and notes of remorse from a girl who knows the “right” thing to do is forgive, but Overall, this is a beautiful and emotionally raw song that I highly recommend.

Track 11: “pretty isn’t pretty”

Deciding to rank this song over “the grudge” was a difficult decision, but I really like the upbeat nature and faster pace of this song, which ultimately won it the slot above track ten. But let the record state that it was a very tough call! This is a song about insecurity and the feeling that beauty is unattainable. Rodrigo talks about changing her body, makeup and clothes to match what she sees in advertising but still feeling as though “pretty isn’t pretty enough.” Halfway through this track, Rodrigo sings the lines “And I try to ignore it, but it’s everything I see / It’s on the posters on the wall; it’s in the sh*tty magazines,” which does a great job explaining how difficult it is in today’s world to grow up unaffected by the images of models and beauty queens everywhere.

Track 5: “ballad of a homeschooled girl”

I have seen this song ranked towards the bottom of almost every TikTok “GUTS” ranking video that has crossed my For You page, and to be honest, I have no idea why it is not super popular. I really love this song. I was not homeschooled, so I do not relate to being “on the outside of the greatest inside joke,” as Rodrigo puts it, but I was an awkward teenager. I can relate to feeling like I take up too much space or being the one who makes

conversations weird. I am thankful to have grown out of that phase, but I will never forget the anxiety and self-awareness I suffocated under each day of my younger teenage years. The lines “I stumbled over all my words / I made it weird; I made it worse” are incredibly relatable. I was also the kid who did not get a phone until high school and was not allowed to watch much television, so I never understood the Vine and YouTube references and jokes that were made all around me. I definitely felt like I made conversations weird and worse, and I think plenty of other girls can relate, whether they are still in this awkward stage or, like me, know that this song was written for their 15-year-old selves.

Track 1: “all-american b*tch”

This song was a masterful album opener. It is easily Rodrigo’s loudest and most aggressive song on “GUTS,” and I cannot help but be reminded of her debut album, “SOUR,” and track one on that collection, titled “brutal.” Both “brutal” and “all-american b**ch” define their albums as pop-punk from the first minute of listening. This track lives up to its title, referencing American things, like Coca-Cola bottles and the Kennedy family. However, two-thirds of the way through the song, the vibe switches entirely. For the majority of the album, Rodrigo is scream-singing about being a woman in America and “knowing her place,” but then the music fades, and she sings softly in a way that can only be described as forced politeness through clenched teeth and repressed fury. She sings the lines “I’m grateful all the time / I’m sexy, and I’m kind / I’m pretty when I cry” in a way that shows how women often feel the need to put on a facade for the world. Even when you are crying, it is important to be an object of beauty.

Track 3: “vampire?”

This was Rodrigo’s first single released in anticipation of “GUTS” and, subsequently, was played a billion times in the past few months. It was a very catchy song that did well to demonstrate the growth of Rodrigo’s lyricism and songwriting capabilities. Similar to other tracks, it deals with themes of loving someone who was not as committed to the relationship as you. Calling someone a bloodsucking vampire as a metaphor of being used and drained of love is a very smart idea, and Rodrigo did a great job executing this track.

Track 7: “logical”

Along with “lacy,” I consider this to be one of the most beautiful songs on the album. It is full of visual descriptions and personifications, such as falling for someone like rain, being in a castle with high walls along with a few other references to nature. This song repeatedly states things we know to be untrue followed by a promise made by a lover. This shows that Rodrigo could not distinguish between truth and lies in the relationship and was constantly confused and convinced of lies. Lines like “Two plus two equals five / And I’m the love of your life” as well as “The sky is green; the grass is red / And you mean all those words you said” show this juxtaposition.

Track 4: “lacy”

This is just such an artfully crafted song. It is about jealousy, but Rodrigo conveys that without having to use the word once. Rodrigo sang, “You got the one thing that I want,” and, “It’s like you’re made of angel dust,” to show how she both envies and admires the subject of the song. Honestly, if I could quote the whole song here for you to read, I would, so you should really just go play it for yourself. Funnily enough, upon my first listen of the album, “lacy” was my bottom-ranked song. But after seeing it discussed on

social media and listening to it more, I recognized the beauty of it. Also, rumors are swirling that the song is about someone in real life. One of the most popular fan theories is that the song is about Sabrina Carpenter, with whom Rodrigo has had public relationship drama in the past. Both Rodrigo and Carpenter have written songs about one another in the past, so it would not be out of character for Rodrigo to have continued this. Additionally, one line in the song calls the subject a “Bardot reincarnate,” in reference to Brigitte Bardot, whom Carpenter does share similar features with. Lastly, Rodrigo worked with Taylor Swift in the past, but the two have not been associated publicly in years and are rumored to have had a falling out. Rodrigo greatly looked up to Swift, but Carpenter was invited to open for the international performances of Swift’s The Eras Tour. Allegedly, this is what Rodrigo refers to when she says that “lacy” got everything Rodrigo herself wanted.

Track 8: “get him back!”

This track quickly became one of the most popular songs on “GUTS.” The usage of the phrase “get him back” to mean both wanting her ex back in her life and wanting to get revenge was a genius move by Rodrigo. She does a great job of switching back and forth between meanings in her chorus, with lines like “I wanna key his car / I wanna make him lunch / I wanna break his heart / Then be the one to stitch it up.” If there’s one thing a teenage girl is not sure of, it is what she wants. As a former teenage girl myself — recently un-teenaged, unfortunately — I can confirm that trying to balance living in the moment and being a wild youth with planning ahead and having some sense was not easy. Dealing with frat boys and men freshly out of their parents’ house who are more interested in a good time than a

long time certainly does not help matters. Wanting to both enact revenge and relive the good times is something I’m certain many young women relate to, and Rodrigo explained this in a super catchy and fun way.

Track 2: “bad idea right?”

Rodrigo’s second single before the official album release was “bad idea right?” Just like with “lacy,” I did not love this song when I first heard it, but clearly, I have since reconsidered. This song has a similar plotline to “get him back!” but with less aggression and more confusion. It follows a girl going to see some romantic partner whom she knows she should not be seeing. For one, she is not telling her friends where she is, and secondly, she is lying to herself and saying that they are just friends. It is the epitome of teenage girl logic and delusion. She did not go over there for any romantic reasons; she “just tripped and fell into his bed.” This song brings with it a sense of mischief and the wildness of being young, beautiful and free to make mad decisions. Is it a bad idea? Yes! Is she loving that she is doing something taboo? Entirely.

Track 6: “making the bed”

The No. 1 best song slot goes to track six: “making the bed.” This has been my unwavering favorite song on “GUTS” since I first heard the album. Throughout the chaotic, wild ride that is “GUTS,” this track is

Olivia Rodrigo

the only one that deals with the subject speaking to herself and no one else. It is a reality check of sorts and a recognition that you cannot blame all of your problems in life on the people around you. The title comes from the old saying when trouble arises: “You have made your bed. Now, lie in it.” It means that you have created this situation for yourself, so you have to accept the consequences. Rodrigo does a wonderful job of translating this into things relatable for a young woman. My favorite part of the chorus is when Rodrigo sings, “Well, sometimes, I feel like I don’t wanna be where I am / Gettin’ drunk at a club with my fair-weather friends / Push away all the people who know me the best / But it’s me who’s been makin’ the bed.” This song is an acceptance of responsibility and feels like a pause of self-reflection in a storm of chaos. For me personally, it reminds me of my freshman year of college when I was much more chaotic, self-destructive and careless. I have grown so much as a person in the last two years, and this song emanates themes of personal growth and learning from mistakes. All in all, “GUTS” was a masterful creation by Rodrigo, with each song being perfectly crafted for young women to relate to and learn from. All 11 tracks are wonderfully done, and I commend Rodrigo on her incredibly successful release of her second studio album.

Kylie’s kitchen: the perfect pumpkin muffin for fall

The fast fashion frenzy

Delaney Derry

Contributing Writer

People are in a fast fashion frenzy over finding the latest and trendiest styles. Fast fashion is growing rapidly, and the influence of pop culture is taking its toll on the fashion industry.

With an exciting summer of touring artists, like Taylor Swift, and blockbuster movies, such as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie,” fans have been scrambling for new and stylish outfits to purchase. The joy of a special outfit made for one special day is spreading like a glittering plague over the fashion industry. However, the glitz and glamor of fast fashion is clouding the minds of people

from the real danger that this industry is bringing.

The recent spending surplus on low-cost clothes has left many questioning if fast fashion is actually dangerous and the negative influence it is having on our society today. When asking GC students their thoughts on the influence fast fashion is having on society, some students brought some helpful insights on the impact that fast fashion is having on people today.

“I think it is terrible for the environment and makes everyone look the same,” said sophomore Carson Nelson, a nursing major. “There is no diversity because everyone shops on the same website, so they wear

all the same clothes”

This leaves some questioning if fast fashion is actually limiting diversity. Carson’s statement about people buying all the same products is a fair point to make in this dilemma. Social media advertisements for new and trending products are spreading like wildfire. People are rushing to their laptops to busy themselves with online shopping. Little do these people know they are giving into the uniformity. While people are rummaging through Amazon to find the last concert T-shirt available, they are also promoting lack of uniqueness in a time where fashion is supposed to be used as an expression of the self.

Among the mania to be the first to have the latest styles also comes a heavy burden. The large quantity of waste produced with the production and distribution of products is overwhelming.

According to the Center for Biological Diversity, fast fashion has brought, “a notorious source of microplastics in marine environments as the cheap, plastic-based materials shed fibers that make their way to the oceans.”

Fast fashion is leading the environment down a dark road and could bring about catastrophic damage to our oceans. The overconsumption of products that are made with damaging fabrics

is having a negative impact on the environment. With these garments in high demand, products are being made at a faster pace, so those products are not necessarily the best quality.

“A lot of people buy from SHEIN or Temu,” said senior Katherine Deen, a special education major. “It’s cheaper, but it’s not necessarily good quality.”

In the hysteria to follow the trend of extravagant concert outfits or Barbie-inspired styles also comes the price of waste. With retailers trying to keep up with the mass media of fast fashion trends, it causes an overproduction of cheaply made products, so they can be sold at a cheaper price. Quantity tends to suppress quality.

Julia Jensen | Art Director

Is the iPhone15 a leap into the future for smartphones?

In a world where technological innovation is constant, Apple has once again raised the bar with the announcement of the iPhone 15 series, being released on Sept. 22. This highly anticipated lineup boasts a plethora of features that set it apart from its predecessors, and it is clear the world is waiting for this innovative piece of technology.

The iPhone 15 series comes in two sizes, the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus, both starting at $799, catering to users who seek a fair balance between functionality, battery life and affordability. Additionally, for those wanting a more advanced experience, the 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max models are available, starting at $999.

While some people are head over heels to see the features of the new phone firsthand, others do not see much of a difference from the older iPhones.

“I am always interested in better camera quality because I take a lot of pictures, and the new customizable button is pretty cool,” said junior Makenna Etheridge, a psychology major. “I could use it to set my alarms easier. However, there’s not that much

of a difference between this phone and the one I have now, so I probably won’t end up getting it.”

One of the most significant changes with the iPhone 15 is the adoption of a USB-C charging cord. While some users question the need for this change, it is clear Apple is moving towards this industry-standard connection. Offering faster charging and increased versatility across a range of devices, the USB-C cords can charge Apple products or your friend’s Android device.

Photography enthusiasts will benefit from the upgraded camera in the iPhone 15. With a 48-megapixel main camera, this device delivers sharper detail, vivid colors and enhanced low-light performance.

“I love how they’re

introducing major camera upgrades,” said junior Caitlin Patch, a mass communication major. “I would love to get the new phone, mainly for the photo quality since I spend a lot of time doing work through social media.”

In terms of display, the iPhone 15 series sports the same screen sizes as the previous phone but introduces an ‘always-on’ display feature. This means the phone constantly displays the time and date, eliminating the need to wake the screen to check notifications. Furthermore, the inclusion of ProMotion technology with a higher refresh rate of 120 hertz ensures a smoother and more responsive user experience.

Apple has also innovated their designs, re-

placing the notch with a “Dynamic Island” for the non-Pro models. This Dynamic Island is at the top of the phone, surrounding the front camera, and displays music, the date, directions and more. It also hides the front-facing TrueDepth camera and other sensors, giving the phone a more modern and seamless look.

But what truly powers these remarkable features is the new A16 Pro chip, which Apple claims uses 20% less power than the A15 Bionic chip. This chip also holds 50% more memory bandwidth, ensuring that the iPhone 15 delivers top-notch performance and can successfully hold substantial amounts of information.

For those seeking advanced features, the iPhone 15 Pro models

are the way to go. These models come equipped with an advanced camera system featuring telephoto capabilities and other premium functionalities, making the increased price tag seem more justified.

In a move towards personalization, Apple has replaced the traditional ringer with a customizable action button on the side of the phone. Users can personalize this button to perform various tasks, enhancing the overall experience.

In terms of connectivity, the iPhone 15 series is not only forward-looking with its USB-C port but also introduces an expansion of emergency SOS capabilities. Users will now be able to access Roadside Assistance, thanks to a partnership with AAA, or the

American Automobile Association, even in areas with no cell service.

The iPhone 15 series will be available in a range of vibrant colors, including pink, yellow, green, blue and classic black. Storage options include 128GB, 256GB and a whopping 512GB, ensuring that buyers can select the capacity that suits their needs.

Social media has been buzzing with comments regarding the upgraded photo capture and the shift to USB-C, making it evident that Apple’s latest release has generated significant anticipation.

Even Olivia Rodrigo, an up-and-coming Grammy winner and American songwriter, shot an entire music video on an iPhone 15 as part of a campaign. Not only did this campaign give viewers an inside scoop on how music videos are filmed, but they also subtly promoted the camera quality of the new iPhone.

Mark your calendars, as the series is set to hit stores on Sept. 22, at Apple and other supporting retailers. With its blend of innovative technology, refined design and user-centric features, the iPhone 15 series is assured to redefine the smartphone experience once again.

Hannah Dunn Staff Writer

Cale’s cima corner: film festival season

10 movies to look out for this festival season

Cale Strickland Managing Editor

As temperatures begin to drop and leaves begin to change colors, filmmakers, press members and cinephiles from across the world gather to watch the most anticipated movies of the year before they are released to the public. The Cannes Film Festival, the biggest and most prestigious film festival in the world, is in June, but fall is film festival season. Three of the season’s biggest festivals, the Venice Film Festival, the Telluride Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, have concluded. Here are 10 of the festivals’ offerings you should keep your eyes on.

“May December”

(dir. Todd Haynes)

I have not seen enough of Todd Haynes’s work to say he is one of my favorite filmmakers, but “Carol” is one of my favorite films of all-time. His latest, “May December,” stars Natalie Portman, Julianne Moore and Charles Melton. It follows a married couple, played by Moore and Melton, as an actress, played by Portman, visits them as

part of her research for a film about their marriage — and past tabloid romance. I am not familiar with Melton’s work, but Portman and Moore are two of my favorite working actresses. I have high hopes.

“The Zone of Interest”

(dir. Jonathan Glazer)

World War II is a tried-and-true subject matter in film. For decades, filmmakers have turned to the conflict, a tradition still alive and well today; look no further than Christopher Nolan’s “Oppenheimer.”

Jonathan Glazer works sparingly. It has been nearly a decade since “Under the Skin,” his last feature. “The Zone of Interest,” his return to the big screen, is an adaptation of the Martin Amis novel of the same name. The film follows the private life of an Auschwitz officer and his wife. Undoubtedly, it will be hard to watch. Early word is it is gut-wrenching, harrowing and a masterwork.

“Ferrari” (dir. Michael Mann)

Michael Mann is known for loud, masculine, muscular filmmaking. I cannot claim to have seen much of

his work; I have only watched “Heat.” His latest, “Ferrari,” stars Adam Driver — my favorite working actor — as Enzo Ferrari. I am excited, to say the least, and I cannot wait to check out the rest of Mann’s filmography in the lead-up to the film’s Christmas Day release.

“Saltburn” (dir. Emerald Fennell)

“Promising Young Woman,” Emerald Fennell’s directorial debut, received mixed reviews, but it made a major splash during awards season. Directors’ first features are rarely nominated at the Academy Awards, but “Promising Young Woman” received four nominations and won Best Original Screenplay. Her follow-up, “Saltburn,” described as an updated “The Talented Mr. Ripley,” stars Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi and Rosamund Pike. Based on critics’ reactions, it seems divisive, but its trailer is one of the best I have seen in recent memory.

“Hit Man” (dir. Richard Linklater)

I do not know what is going on in Hollywood, but there are more than a handful of hitman-focused films coming out

this fall. Richard Linklater’s, “Hit Man,” stars Glen Powell and Adria Arjona. Powell, riding the coattails of “Top Gun: Maverick,” is on the comeup. In addition to “Hit Man,” he is going to be in “Anyone But You,” a romcom, with Sydney Sweeney. I have not seen “Andor,” but Arjona received rave reviews for her performance. I also do not know anything else about “Hitman,” and I do not need to. I am all-in.

“Priscilla” (dir. Sofia Coppola)

“Elvis,” was one of the noisiest films of last year and launched Austin Butler into superstardom. Undoubtedly, comparisons will be made between Butler and Jacob Elordi, who plays Elvis Presley in Sofia Coppola’s latest, “Priscilla.” But, as the title implies, this is Priscilla, not Elvis, Presley’s story. Cailee Spaeney stars and won Best Actress at Venice for her performance. If I am being honest, I was not a fan of “Elvis,” but I cannot wait to see “Priscilla.”

“Maestro” (dir. Bradley Cooper)

Only a handful of people have had the chance to see “Maestro,” Bradley Cooper’s follow-up to his

directorial debut, “A Star is Born,” but it is already mired in controversy. I do not know if Cooper should or should not be able to tell the story of Leonard Bernstein nor is it my place to say. But I can say I loved “A Star is Born”; Lady Gaga is my favorite artist of all-time. And “TÁR,” another film about a world-famous conductor, and features Bernstein, is my favorite film of the decade so far. “Maestro,” sight unseen, has potential.

“Poor Things” (dir. Yorgos Lanthimos)

Yorgos Lanthimos is not a household name, but he has been climbing the arthouse ladder for the past decade. His latest, “Poor Things,” follows a young woman’s journey of self-discovery after she is brought back to life by a Frankenstein-esque scientist and stars Emma Stone. The film is described as a “black comedy,” but Lanthimos’s sense of humor is not for everyone. It is specific, deadpan — and one I have always responded to. The film won the Golden Lion, the equivalent of Best Picture, at Venice. Awards pundits are saying next year’s Best Actress Oscar

is Emma Stone’s to lose.

“The Killer” (dir. David Fincher)

David Fincher’s last film, “Mank,” came and went. Critics loved it, but nobody watched it — which is ironic, as Fincher made it for Netflix, the biggest streaming service in the world. His latest, “The Killer,” is also a Netflix film, but it is far more pop than “Mank.”

It is a sleek, stylish thriller starring Michael Fassbender — who came out of semi-retirement to work with Fincher — as a morally conflicted assassin. In case you forgot, Fincher directed “Se7en,” “Fight Club,” “Zodiac,” “Gone Girl” — and “The Social Network,” the best film of the 2010s.

“Killers of the Flower Moon” (dir. Martin Scorsese)

Martin Scorsese: maybe you have heard of him. He is back, and he has brought Leonardo DiCaprio along for the ride. Apple TV+ funded his latest, “Killers of the Flower Moon,” but the film is getting a theatrical release — a wide theatrical release. It will be the movie event of the fall, if not the year.

Martin Scorsese Natalie Portman

I should be Mrs. Chris Evans: a journey through my grief

Kylie Rowe Asst. A&L Editor

On Sept. 9, Chris Evans, the beautiful “Captain America” actor, married Alba Baptista and broke the hearts of thousands of women, including - most importantly - me.

I will always remember when I found out he was officially another woman’s husband. I was at home, folding laundry, and suddenly, I heard my roommate yell my name. She came hurtling down the stairs, and I met her in the doorway of my room. “Chris Evans got married” was the last thing I heard before falling to the floor in agony.

The two of us had tears pooling in our eyes as we sat on the hallway floor, displaying our pain to our roommates. I had never known such sorrow.

Much to my dismay, the story actually gets worse. I found out the

ROMAN EMPIRE

Continued from page1

Over the past several weeks, #romanempire has reached over 1.2 billion views on TikTok. The term “Roman Empire” has garnered a 600% increase in searches this past month, according to statistics from Google Trends.

And it all started with a simple question asked by female creators to their male counterparts: “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”. Women were both fascinated and humored by the responses they received.

According to the viral trend, men think about the post-Republican Roman state fairly often. This male fascination with the legacy of Rome is as amusing as it is questionable.

The Roman Empire is widely recognized today for its influence on Western culture through its innovative practic-

next day that not only did Evans get married this month, but before they tied the knot, he had been living in Atlanta for a full year. Not only was he willing to be with someone 20 years younger than him, but he was just two short hours away. Naturally, I found myself moving through every stage of grief.

Denial- There is no way he is married to someone that is not me. Not when the greatest obstacles, age and distance, were both seemingly resolved. Hear me out, though. It was a “small ceremony,” no pictures have been posted, and Evans deleted all of his social media. What if this is just the tabloids thinking he got married? It could all be a sham, a lie, an accidental reporting even. Maybe what really happened is that they broke up, and he is taking some time to himself.

es in the realms of government, engineering and religion. Although it was nearly 2,000 years ago, the methods they implemented can still be seen in the politics, law and architecture of today’s societies.

Women have taken to questioning their fathers, brothers, sons and boyfriends. They have been met with various answers, some more passionate than others.

“It’s just so cool, like, we as a society have grown so much simply because of the Roman Empire,” said Jacob Lewis, sophomore history and geography major. “Football would not be what it is without the Roman Empire. Flushing the toilet wouldn’t be the same.”

Lewis claims he thinks about the empire at least once a day.

While the Romans greatly influenced history, and the Colosseum is still standing, the empire is not. The Roman

Anger- Evans, age 42, married 26-year-old Alba Baptista. I am only six years younger than her. So you are telling me that the age difference would not have bothered him, and I am still not his wife? Absolutely outrageous. I have been in love with Evans since I was 12 years old, I have seen almost every one of his films, as well as supporting his private ventures. I have put so much time and effort into our relationship, and for what? For him to go off and marry some other 20-somethingyear-old? He has no idea what he just threw away.

Bargaining- I have done enormous amounts of research to identify exactly what is wrong with their relationship, but everyone is just being really negative about the age difference, which does not help me at all. Searching the phrase

Empire came crumbling down in 476 A.D. after losing political control in Western Europe due to its excessive size. Even after its demise, many of the innovations brought about by the Roman Empire are still seen in contemporary society. From central heating to roads, public press, social care and the Julian Calendar, the impact remains in society today.

“I don’t wake up and think about the actual Roman Empire itself,” said Ivan Chu, sophomore biology and chemistry major. “I mean, it was there, and they slayed, literally, but not really.”

Oftentimes, when males think about the Roman Empire, images of popular Hollywood movies, like “300” and “Gladiator,” come to mind. In these films, men are depicted as bulky, defined, hyper-masculine warriors. According to psychologist Dr. Scott Lyons, this idealized version

“Alba Baptista bad” did not bring anything of substance either; however, I know that she will never be good enough for him. She will never love him the way that I love him. One day, he will realize something just is not right, and then he will find me.

Depression- After years of loving devotion to the “Knives Out” star, there were so many feelings to process after

of male dominance and physique has created a very male-centric representation of that culture.

“The real question is: Why don’t women think about the Roman Empire more often?” Lewis said.

This online buzz has led women to share what “their version of the Roman Empire”is. This is a newly created term used to refer to a topic that frequently crosses someone’s mind.

Some women say

learning of his nuptials. The strongest of those? Sadness. To go through such an immense loss at such a young age was very difficult. It was like no break up I had ever experienced before; it was a different kind of heartache that left me feeling like the blue girl in “Inside Out.”

Acceptance- Days have passed, I have shared many TikToks and posts about my sad-

it is that one ex-best friend, you know, the one. Many cited other historical events and figures, such as the Salem Witch Trials, the Royal Family and even Amelia Earhart. Others claimed they think about the “Pitch Perfect” finale performance scene and, on a darker note, being kidnapped and apocalypses daily.

“No one’s really thinking about the Roman Empire that much,” said

ness, and I have looked for every explanation possible. Finally, I am in a place where I can be happy for Evans. All I have ever wanted was for him to be happy, even if right now, it is not with me. I am sure that him and Dodger, his dog, and Alba will make a great little family.

All this to say, Chris, I am still single, and if it does not work out with Alba, I will be waiting.

JD Kassner, junior exercise science major. “There’s just no way.”

Perhaps today’s men are secretly still yearning to battle in skirts, participate in gladiator muneras and domesticate exotic animals. On the other hand, it could just be a comedic ruse pertaining to traditional ideas of masculinity, whose recent rise in popularity has been facilitated by social media.

Courtesy of Julia Jensen|Art Director

Courtesy of Jennifer Crider | Editor in Chief Kylie Rowe, Asst. A&L Editor, and Chris Evans

The “Untold” series on Netflix is terrible

Is this sports docuseries actually telling the entire truth?

Drew Oldham Opinion Editor

On Aug. 1, the “Untold” series on Netflix released four new installments for its third season. The new episodes of this increasingly popular sports docuseries covers well-known and extremely controversial sports figures, teams and scandals, that have all been staples of sports discourse at some point since the start of the 21st century.

“Untold” has a firm commitment to the mission of “going well beyond the headlines and upending what we thought we knew” for the sports stories that they cover. They use this mission statement to bolster their image as a reputable and well-intentioned producer of sports media to consumers of their content.

The growing popularity of sports docuseries, like “Untold,” comes as part of a concerted effort by sports media producers to ride the wave of crime docuseries that television audiences find irresistible. Additionally, sporting event broadcasts are currently the most widely viewed television content, according to 2022 statistics from Axios. Sports docuseries allow filmmakers an opportunity to tap into this extremely large and lucrative market.

Despite its name, “Untold” has received pushback from a wide range of journalists for doing little more than replicating common knowledge of already well-documented sports events and failing to explore fairly obvious questions that arise as their episodes unfold.

“More than most seasons of ‘Untold,’ it feels like a few punches are pulled this year with some natural follow-up questions ignored and some potential analysis saved for another documentarian,” said Brian Tallerico, film reviewer for the Roger Ebert website.Tallerico said.

This season only partially covers four massive events in the sports world. The first episode, titled “Jake Paul the Problem Child,” tells the story of YouTube’s polarizing personality Jake Paul, who became a championship boxer as the result of the pulpit he gained from his large following. The second episode, titled “Johnny Football,” informs the audience about Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel, a former Heisman Trophy winner turned NFL flameout.

The penultimate episode, “Hall of Shame,” documents the uncovering of illegal efforts by the BALCO laboratory to supply professional

athletes, including Barry Bonds and Bill Romanowski, with banned substances, such as HGH and anabolic steroids, to enhance their performance in their respective sports. The final installment, “Swamp Kings,” informs the audience about the Urban Meyer coached Florida Gators, who won BCS National titles in 2006 and 2008 with Tim Tebow at QB.

“There’s an ‘untold’ story to be found in each of these documentaries,

she was groped by Paul when the two filmed a video together in 2017.

The episode makes it easy for Paul to casually brush off these allegations by presenting them alongside the many dumb pranks and disputes that he has previously been involved in as a YouTuber. Doing so allowed Paul to avoid answering specific questions and make an overly general claim that these allegations are just another part of a coordi-

not hear out of it for days.

Just last week, Manziel was indicted in Highland Park, Texas, on charges in relation to this incident.

When asked about this incident on “Untold,” Manziel began to respond, but he abruptly trailed off and was not asked to further speak on the matter.

“Throughout that relationship, I was unfaithful, and, you know, we [ he and Crowley] got into a heated, heated argument,” Manziel said.

from these stories, but it represents a failure of this series to adhere to their mission to provide the entire truth.

This failure continues in the final episode, “Swamp Kings,” where an overly charming and glossy portrayal of the Urban Meyer-led Florida Gators football team is provided to viewers.

The coverage of the many negative elements of this team is quite minimal.

There is barely even a mention of - and no new information on - Aaron Hernandez, the convicted murderer who was allegedly involved in a fatal shooting in 2007 with three other teammates, and almost faced a felony battery charge due to a fight that occurred in a restaurant in Gainesville, Florida.

but the directors aren’t interested in telling it,” said Claire Lustig, a journalist for Primetimer.

The aforementioned untold story is the very credible claims of assault that Paul and Manziel have against them, which the documentary does disappointingly little to get to the bottom of.

In April 2021, TikTok star Justine Paradise accused Paul of forcing her to perform oral s*x on him. This claim was followed by one of similar nature from actress Riley Lollie, who said

nated effort by the media to tarnish his name.

Manziel stands accused of domestic violence. The accusation stems from two incidents that occurred with his ex-girlfriend Colleen Crowley. In October 2015, he and Crowley were pulled over during an argument that took place while Manziel was driving on the interstate.

In 2016, Crowley accused him of dragging her into a car and striking her, an incident that damaged her left ear so injured that she could

“She’s trying to jump out of the car, and, um … ”

That is where it ends. The scene then shifts to Manziel’s parents speaking about his past and current struggles with substance abuse and mental health. Just like in many other episodes of “Untold,” the questions that would add the real — and oftentimes ugly — truth to our understanding of these sports stories fail to be asked.

Not only does this failure to press interviewees on the hard questions omit important details

“I’m not saying that a quarter of ‘Swamp Kings’ needed to talk about arrests and other misconduct, but spending more time discussing the negative elements surrounding the team could have helped balance the feature more,” said Joe Lucia, a sports journalist, in an article titled “Untold: Swamp Kings Barely Scratches the Surface of Urban Meyer’s Florida Gators.”

Unless “Untold” begins to ask the tough questions, and step on toes with its questioning, as a typical professional docuseries would, this series will continue to do little more than reiterate what is already known while simultaneously concealing of the ugly truth of these stories. Until changes to the methodology are made, it will remain unable to effectively portray the entire story.

Courtesy of Julia Jensen|Art Director