Letter from the Editor
Hi everyone!
I’m thrilled to announce that the Spring 2025 edition of The Good Life Magazine is officially here. This issue embodies creativity and innovation, with a focus on renaissance and revival. Through powerful storytelling, vibrant colors and bold designs, we hope to rewrite the rules and highlight the positive change happening in our community.
We’ve carefully curated content that challenges the status quo, celebrates diversity and highlights the untold stories that make our world richer and more vibrant. This issue is more than just a collection of articles; it’s a celebration of change and progress. We believe in the impact of creativity to transform and uplift, and we can’t wait for you to experience the energy and vision we’ve infused into every page.
This magazine holds a special place in my heart. It’s a platform to amplify voices, spark dialogue and build connections. Being part of its journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and seeing it come to life each season reminds me why storytelling matters. I’m endlessly inspired by the people and ideas we feature, and I’m so proud to share that with you. Thank you for your support, and I hope you enjoy!
All the best,
Mikayla Melo Editor-in-Chief
Profile Environment Photography
From Dorms to Stages: The Rise of DJ Lauren Ervin 3
Camila Santiago
Karina Babcock
Sofia Abdullina
The Good Life
Mikayla Melo
Editor-in-Chief
Managing Editor
Caitlyn Begosa
Cecilia Catalini
Catie Scott Assistant Editor
Isabelle Sareen
Graphics Director
Section Editors Feature
Sophia Brownsword Profile
Sophie Chaitovitz
Environment
Ally Goelz Lifestyle
Jenna Sents Fashion
Sofia Abdullina Designers
Abigail Aggarwala
Ella Brann
Bella Klug
Bella Salvi
Social Media
Cali Buckley
Hannah O’Dowd
Social Media Director
Writers
Sofia Abdullina
Karina Babcock
Sophia Brownsword
Sarina Dang
Michela Flood
Ally Goelz
Audrey Hirschman
Kiran Hubbard
Claire Martin
Sammy Olander
Hailey Roy
Camila Santiago
Isabella Tatone Fashion Team
Logan Davidson
Emma Canning
Gracie Watkins
Lissy Sumner
Cover Design
Sofia Sampson
Advisor
Harriet Brown
The writing contained within The Good Life expresses the opinions of the individual writers. The opinions expressed herein are not those of the editorial board, Syracuse University, the Office of Student Activities, the Student Association and the Student Body. The Good Life reserves the right to edit or refuse submissions at the discretion of its editors. The Good Life magazine is published twice during the Syracuse University academic year. All contents are copyright by their respective creators. No content may be reproduced without the written consent of The Good Life editorial board.
Lifestyle Fashion Feature
The Price Tag of College Life 13 By Audrey Hirschman The Kindle: Your Travel Best Friend 15 By Claire Martin
The Internet Has No Rights Over Your Body 17 By Sophia Brownsword Blending in with Your Corporate Self 19 By Ally Goelz
Realness to the Runway 21 By Michela Flood Advocacy in Archives and Antiques 25 By Hailey Roy
Are What You Watch 28 By Sarina Dang Why Are People Reading Less? 29 By Isabella Tatone Letter from Abroad 31 By Sammy Olander
From Dorms to Stages: The Rise of DJ Lauren Ervin
Lauren Ervin went from dorm room sessions to commanding the stage at packed campus events. Blending tech house beats with fearless ambition, she’s redefining what it means to be a DJ and proving there’s room for everyone in the booth.
By Camila Santiago
The bass vibrates through the speakers as Lauren glides her hands over the mixer, eyes locked on the crowd. Just a year and a half ago, it was her college dorm—small speakers, a laptop and a handful of friends, mostly neighbors, dancing in a cramped split double room. She continues to spin, but now, the lights flash, the beat drops and a wave of people move in sync to her sound. What started as a hobby has turned into something bigger—a passion.
Lauren Ervin’s love for house tech and euro house music started junior year of high school, but it wasn’t until she arrived at Syracuse University that she realized DJing could be more than just a pastime.
“I’ve always loved music, but seeing DJs perform at campus events made me think—why not me?” she recalls. “I wanted to be the one creating the energy, not just experiencing it.”
Inspired by the rise of tech house music and its growing presence on TikTok, specifically by rising female DJ @zulannnnnn, Lauren saw a way to connect with people beyond the typical college party. “Seeing other young women make an impact in the DJ scene was so inspiring,” she says. “It made me realize there was space for me, too.”
“It’s special to connect with listeners because they trust you to set the tone—whether it’s the audience, event coordinators, or everyone involved. A great DJ knows how to match the energy of the room, and that’s what makes a set truly stand out,” Lauren says. She emphasizes that finding that spark takes time, but the more she plays, the stronger that connection becomes.
Armed with a laptop and a curiosity for sound, she started experimenting with mixing software and teaching herself the craft. “At first, I had no clue what I was doing,” she admits. “But after hours playing with my board things started clicking”
TikTok has become a pivotal force in music discovery, with 67% of its users streaming songs after encountering them on the platform. Additionally, a remarkable 84% of songs that entered Billboard’s Global 200 chart in 2024 had a viral moment on TikTok prior to charting, highlighting the platform’s substantial influence on music trends.
“I was surrounded by a growing wave of people posting DJ mixes, and house music was really taking off,” she explains. “I realized I could create something that resonated with the same people who were discovering this sound online. Social media became a big part of that.” ADD
This digital momentum has contributed to the dance music industry’s valuation reaching $11.8 billion, reflecting a 17% increase over the previous year. These statistics illustrate the profound impact of social media on the proliferation and commercial success of tech house music. LINK
Sabrina Carpenter’s 2024 album, Short n’ Sweet, serves as a prime example of TikTok’s ability to generate off-platform value. Its release was strategically backed by a major TikTok partnership campaign and an immersive in-app experience, demonstrating how digital platforms can amplify an artist’s reach and engagement.
Lauren’s decision to start DJing solidified when a friend from her dorm taught her the basics one night during her first semester at SU. “It was difficult at first, but once I got into it, I realized this was what I loved,” she says. “It just felt right.”
Word spread quickly, and soon Lauren was being invited to play at on-campus events like Jamboree, Cage Collective, local bars like Kings of Clubs, and off-campus gigs like The Song and Dance. It wasn’t just about mixing music—it was about being part of a larger musical movement. She gained recognition through word-of-mouth, as students who attended her sets shared videos on social media. Event organizers took notice, and as soon she was getting booked for bigger gigs, proving her ability to captivate audiences with her highenergy performances.
Lauren’s sets stand out for their unique tech and euro house music blend. “I love surprising people, mixing genres they wouldn’t expect together,” she said. Her ability to read a crowd and craft a vibrant setlist has earned her a reputation as a DJ who knows how to keep the energy high.
Like any journey, Lauren’s rise to success wasn’t without its obstacles. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, she faced moments of doubt and underestimation.
“There were times when people underestimated me,” she said. “I’d show up to a DJ booth to play, and the guys would always have an opinion on what I was doing, but that didn’t stop me.”
Success also hasn’t come without the challenge of balancing schoolwork and DJing. Studying communication and rhetorical studies at Syracuse, Lauren balances coursework with her passion for DJing.
“I’ve had days where I’m playing gigs late into the night and have an exam the next morning,” Irvin said. “It’s tough, but I’ve learned how to manage my time and stay organized.”
Lauren’s story is a testament to the power of passion and persistence. “College is the perfect time to explore unconventional skills,” she said. “You have access to so many resources and a community that’s willing to support you.”
At Syracuse, students can tap into a wealth of creative resources that can help them hone their craft and explore their passions. From
student-run radio stations to music production labs and event-planning organizations, there are countless opportunities to gain hands-on experience. For aspiring DJs, campus events provide a platform to perform, experiment with different sounds, and grow an audience.
Lauren encourages anyone interested in music— or any creative pursuit to take advantage of these opportunities. She also credits Syracuse’s supportive community for helping her grow, whether through networking with other artists, collaborating on projects, or simply having friends who show up to her sets.
“There’s always someone willing to help, give feedback, or just vibe with your music,” she says. “That makes all the difference.”
One of her biggest accomplishments was opening for Twinsick, a DJ duo known for their high-energy performances in the electronic dance scene. With a strong festival presence and global recognition, Twinsick’s influence is undeniable. Sharing the stage with them at an on-campus event was a milestone for Lauren.
“It was surreal to play in front of such a massive crowd and get the opportunity to work with artists I’ve looked up to,” she reflects.
Looking ahead, Lauren hopes to continue learning, playing at larger venues, and collaborating with other artists to push her boundaries. But no matter where her career takes her, she remains committed to inspiring other students to chase their creative dreams.
“Don’t wait for permission,” she says. “If you love something, start doing it now. You never know where it might take you.”
Lauren Ervin’s journey is proof that with passion, persistence, and the courage to take risks, anyone can turn their dreams into reality.
Nola Roberts, an undergraduate student at Syracuse University, said, “Lauren is an incredibly creative and talented DJ. I can always recognize when she’s on the board because she creates such a unique and fun atmosphere. Her energy is unmatched, and I truly admire her work ethic. Laur is awesome!”
Carla Velazquez, from University Union and who booked Lauren for the Jamboree shared, “Everyone kept raving about her sets. When we were looking for a DJ for Jamboree last year, she was the perfect choice. She brings great energy and always gets the crowd moving. She absolutely delivered!”
How Salt City Market Became a Haven for Immigrant Entrepreneurs
At Syracuse’s Salt City Market, vendors are serving more than just food. ey’re sharing powerful stories of resilience, heritage and hope.
By So a Abdullina
Habiba Boru was born in Ethiopia, but escaped to Kenya due to the civil war with her family when she was just 4-years-old. Growing up in a refugee camp, she would help her family by cooking and selling traditional Ethiopian cuisine. is is where Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen rst came to life.
“Watching my mom in the refugee camp, especially at a time of struggle like that, as a young girl, I thought so much about it,” Boru said.
“I've been through so much, but just seeing my mother do that, she inspired me so much, and I wanted to be like her, and I wanted to help her. So every time she was in the kitchen making something, I constantly just wanted to help her.”
Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen operates out of Salt City Market, a food hall in downtown Syracuse with a wide variety of cuisines. Located at the heart of Syracuse, Salt City Market o ers an array of cozy, homemade dishes that showcase cultures from across the globe, and allows for a space for people to come together. It is more than a market: it is a place for businesses and personal stories to grow and ourish. With the help of a family member, Boru came to Syracuse 25 years ago, when she was only 14-years-old.
Before opening Habiba’s Ethiopian Kitchen, Boru worked in Mayor Ben Walsh’s o ce as a scheduler, where she made connections that helped her through her journey.
Before coming to the market, Boru rst opened her business in 2018 on the Northside of Syracuse, however after a few years, she joined the market when it rst opened. Boru describes her experience working at the market as joining “one big family.”
“When you go out to eat with your loved ones, sometimes you have to get choices for di erent members of your family,” Boru said. “But when you come to the market, it's di erent, because you are able to get literally everything under one roof.”
Salt City Market o ers a cozy and comfortable atmosphere not only for customers to enjoy cuisine from around the world, but also creates a space for vendors to make their dreams come true and join a community.
Mamma Hai is one of the many small businesses at the market that predominantly serves Vietnamese cuisine. e founder of the restaurant, Ngoc Huynh, immigrated from Vietnam to the United States when she was just a baby. Prior to becoming a business owner, Huynh worked as a reporter for the Post-Standard, however, she said that she always enjoyed cooking.
“When we had o ce parties, I would make a dish, and everyone would be like - Oh, my God, it's so good,” Huynh said. “Once I opened my business, I realized that I'm happiest when I'm feeding somebody, and I'm happiest when a group of people can get together to share a meal.”
Photos by Kaitlyn Saxton
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Photos
Kaitlyn Saxton
From local farms to local tables: the Syracuse Co-op’s organic, affordable promise
For over 50 years, the Syracuse Co-op has served its community as a hub for fresh, sustainably sourced groceries.
By Karina Babcock
Over half of Syracuse’s children live in poverty, according to CNY Vitals. Many low-income families may be unable to afford organic produce or healthier options since they are typically more expensive than nonorganic or processed items.
Recent government policies and tariffs have increased the prices of groceries for ordinary consumers. This forces some families into the double bind of deciding whether to be more health conscious or environmentally conscious when food shopping.
The Syracuse Cooperative Market, founded by a self-described energetic group of activists in 1972, offers families affordable and accessible healthy food options. Currently, there are two locations. The original is nestled in the heart of the Westcott neighborhood near Syracuse University, and the second is located in the bustling Salt City Market, which opened in 2021.
Owned by the community and run by its members, the Co-op emphasizes local, organic and whole foods grown with sustainable farming practices. Shoppers can find anything from fresh produce, meats and dairy to bulk and prepared foods at the Co-op. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and keto-friendly products are also available, making the Co-op an accessible grocery for all consumers.
Abigail Greenfield, who uses they/she pronouns, is an SU student and Syracuse native and recalls participating in the Westcott Co-op summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program as a child. Her family got a weekly supply of fresh produce from the Co-op, including uncommon but useful veggies and fruits. . For example, their mother made fries out of kohlrabi, a turnip cabbage originating from Germany. The CSA program taught participants how and what to cook with the food provided, emphasizing the long-lasting impact on Greenfield. Being exposed to the Co-op from a young age made me more aware of vegan and vegetarian options and made me more comfortable with the idea of becoming vegetarian in college,” Greenfield said.
Scott Pierson, the Westcott store manager, began working as a clerk in 2011. He was attracted to the Co-op’s wide selection of organic food and its mission to provide jobs and resources to the local community.
“Since I’ve been here for so long, I’ve seen kids grow up, and we’ve got plenty of neighborhood kids who work for us now, as well as a bunch of students,” Pierson said.
Through avenues of employment and accessibility, the Co-op has truly given back to its community over the years. To Greenfield, it’s more than just a grocery store.
“The Co-op to me is a really strong symbol of the Westcott nation neighborhood. As someone who grew up here, locals to this neighborhood are huge on climate protected and locally connected options, and the Co-op is a great source for that,” Greenfield said.
The Syracuse Co-op sources its food from a handful of local farms, such as Grindstone Farm, Reeves Farm and Oak Grove Farms. Distributors such as Finger Lakes Fresh and Regional Access help smaller farms get their produce to grocery stores like the Syracuse Co-Op.
For families concerned about the price of groceries, the Co-op accepts “Double Up Food Bucks,” which match Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) benefits. Consumers can get twice the fruits and vegetables. This is a crucial way to increase access to healthy food and decrease economically based health disparities while supporting local organic farmers and their sustainable growing practices.
A primary concern surrounding inorganic farming is the use of pesticides. The “Dirty Dozen” provides a list of produce with the highest pesticide levels at the time of consumption, such as strawberries, spinach and kale. Longterm consumption of food grown with pesticides has been associated with hormone disruption, neurological issues and an increased risk of certain cancers.
Additionally, a study conducted by Columbia University found that children are particularly vulnerable to pesticide exposure and could suffer from developmental delays and attention disorders. . Choosing organic produce, especially those on the “Dirty Dozen” list, can reduce potential health risks and promote healthier cognitive and physical development in children.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, organic farming proves to be more beneficial for the environment, specifically in reducing pesticide runoff and maintaining sustainability. Organic farming techniques utilize natural pest control methods and organic fertilizers, minimizing the introduction of harmful chemicals into the natural ecosystem. This approach improves water quality, preserves soil health, promotes biodiversity, and supports ecosystem health.
While you can’t get much more accessible than walking distance, the Co-op also attracts people who are not local to the community. Some customers report traveling over 50 miles to visit the Co-op, a testament to its significance.
For more than 50 years, the Syracuse Co-op has provided its community with high-quality food that supports local farmers.
“It’s a cool spot for both local neighborhood families to shop and also a nice place to get decent food for students,” Pierson said.
Organic farming is better for both humans and the environment, and the Co-op’s support of local farmers is environmentally and economically beneficial.
“I do try my best to buy locally in-season produce because it’s just better since it hasn’t been transported as long or far, and it’s also more climate-friendly because it doesn’t have the same amount of transport cost. It definitely is important that we do have this option in walking distance. Especially since it’s otherwise convenience stores, it really is a great resource for the neighborhood.” Greenfield said.
Greening Artificial Intelligence
Environmental degradation is a lesser-known reality behind AI systems
By Kiran Hubbard
As of February, OpenAI’s ChatGPT uses enough power in one week to supply 107 average U.S. households with electricity for an entire year.
This is a conservative estimate, assuming only one query from each of the artificial intelligence (AI) model’s has 400 million weekly active users. According to the Electric Power Research Institute, each query consumes around 0.0029 kWh of energy, almost 10 times the amount required for a Google search. So, do we need to consider that AI has 400 million weekly active users?
OpenAI is a California-based AI research and deployment company founded in 2015. It is responsible for creating a wellknown collection of large language models, including ChatGPT. AI systems, such as ChatGPT, essentially learn patterns by “training” on large datasets of text scraped from the Internet or any other source. ChatGPT is a chatbot that can engage in conversation, answer usergenerated prompts, and more.
AI systems draw from the electrical grid around them to fulfill this need. In Syracuse, the grid comes mainly from a mix of nuclear and hydroelectric power and natural gas. Energy generated from the
Companies like OpenAI constantly compete worldwide to upgrade and advance their AI models. This fast-growing sector has widereaching implications, including for the future of the environmental movement. Global organizations, such as the World Economic Forum and the UN Environment Programme, have published pieces on potential positive applications of AI in fighting climate change and other issues. However, the environmental impact of running AI models often receives less publicity.
According to Qinru Qiu, a computer science professor at SU, training for AI systems currently takes place in data centers—large clusters of high-performance computers—because the training algorithms require more energy and memory than individual devices like cell phones can provide. This dependence on data centers differentiates AI from other technologies in regard to resource consumption.
“Of course, a data center is very power hungry because there’s, like, thousands of computer servers,” Qiu said. “The energy consumption of the IT facilities, especially data centers, has increased, I think, probably more than 10% every year. So this kind of exponential increase. So, reducing the energy consumption before it becomes
own data center on Skytop Road. Micron’s planned semiconductor factory in Clay, New York, will potentially drive the growth of new data centers nearby, as it will bring a significant demand for power.
Qiu explained that the energy needs of data centers are great enough that power plants are sometimes built near the centers to power them. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, electrical power generation from plants can lead to nitrogen pollution, increased acid rain, harmful ozone levels, toxic discharge into water bodies, and other negative environmental impacts.
The demand for AI that utilizes such data centers is compounded by the large number of individual users.
Maddy Forster, a junior studying sports analytics at Syracuse University, is one of many students who use ChatGPT on a regular basis. Forster’s professors even encourage students to use AI tools, especially when working on coding problems, and have never discussed the environmental implications of the technology.
“I probably wouldn’t use it as much if I knew the impact I would be making by constant use of ChatGPT because I assume a lot of people are using ChatGPT,” Forster said. “I feel like if people have it in the back of their mind, maybe they won’t use it as much.”
Qiu studies green computing and neuromorphic computing, fields of research that aim to improve the technological energy efficiency and can help reduce the power demands of programs like AI.
“I think adaptation will be very important for the future of cost reduction and energy reduction.”
“I definitely would say that I use it every day. Or at least when I’m doing my homework, or doing assignments for class, or for my internship,” Forster said. “That just saves so much time where I could be doing something else.”
In Forster’s view, AI’s role will continue to grow in the sports industry, where it can save significant time and leave human workers free for other tasks. As it becomes more ingrained in industries worldwide, a combination of individual efforts and top-down changes can contribute to shrinking AI’s environmental footprint.
One way of increasing energy efficiency involves combining computation and memory—compared to traditional computer architecture, which has computation and memory on separate chips. In recent years, computer processing technology has evolved to be much faster than computer memory, making their communication a limit on the speed of the system. In more energy-efficient models, some computing tasks act in the memory instead of the processor, eliminating the need to “travel” between the two.
Another emerging trend involves modeling future technology off of living systems. The concept of “mortal computing,” popularized by Geoffrey Hinton, refers to the use of analog hardware rather than digital computers. While analog computers consume much less energy than their digital counterparts, their software cannot be as easily transmitted to another host, meaning their algorithms risk dying along with the hardware—analogous to the mortality of living creatures.
“There’s a lot of potential in learning from biological systems,” Qiu said. “I think adaptation will be very important for the future of cost reduction and energy reduction.”
The Price Tag of College Life
College tuition isn’t the only thing draining students’ wallets. Here’s how some students are budgeting, spending and trying to make it all work.
By Audrey Hirschman
We all know college is expensive— but have you ever actually sat down and figured out how much you’re spending beyond tuition and rent? Between groceries, nights out, Ubers and the occasional “I deserve this” Target run, the costs pile up fast. To get a better sense of what the real college budget looks like today, I talked to some of my friends about how they manage their money.
Spoiler: we’re all just trying to get by without going totally broke.
Budget Breakdown: How We Spend
For most college students, food and transportation top the list of monthly expenses.
“I get $300 a month from my parents for groceries and essentials,” said my friend Kendall, from San Francisco. “But everything else—like dinner with friends, new clothes, Ubers, nails—that’s my own money. I try to only spend on things I need or really want.”
Rachel, who goes to University of Texas at Austin, said she spends around $350 to $500 a month, mostly on food and random items for class. “It adds up way faster than you’d expect,” she said.
Ali starts each month with about $650 after getting paid from her on-campus job. “My OrangeTheory membership is $175, and I usually spend around $300 on groceries—$75 a week,” she said. “That leaves about $175 for gas or going out. I try to track everything, but I’ve dipped into my savings from summer when I go over.”
Some students try to keep tighter limits. “I usually aim to spend about $300 a month, around $75 a week,” said Chloe. “Sometimes
“with a little planning and self-control... it’s possible to make it work and still have some fun along the way.”
I go over, other times I’m under. But it helps me stay aware of what I’m spending and whether it’s something I actually need.”
Jack, on the other hand, said he spends about $600 each month, mostly on food and transportation. “I do $100 a week on groceries, plus another $50 on meals out. The rest goes toward gas. If I need to buy clothes or books, I don’t mind spending more—I rarely treat myself otherwise.”
Little Things Add Up
It’s not just big-ticket items draining our accounts—it’s all the little things. A couple of coffees here, a late-night Uber there, and suddenly you’re wondering where your paycheck went.
“I try to budget in things that make me happy, like a dinner out or getting my nails done,” Kendall said. “But I’ve learned to avoid impulse shopping unless I really think about it first.”
Ali echoed the same mindset: “If I know I’m
spending on something fun, I just try to cut back in other areas that week.”
Most of us are learning to budget on the fly—through trial, error, and a few ‘uh-oh’ moments.
Balancing It All
Whether it’s help from parents, on-campus jobs, or summer savings, no two budgets look the same for a college student. But a common thread is trying to balance responsibilities and still enjoy the college experience.
“I’ve definitely learned how to prioritize,” Chloe said. “Setting a weekly limit helps me check in with myself. Do I want this, or do I need it?”
At the end of the day, no one has it all figured out. But being aware of your spending—and knowing when to say no to another $15 brunch—goes a long way. College life might be pricier than ever, but with a little planning and self-control (okay, maybe a lot), it’s possible to make it work and still have some fun along the way.
Illustration by Bella Klug
The Kindle: Your Travel Best Friend
College students are returning to the Kindle, rediscovering its convenience for study abroad travel and weekend trips.
By Claire Martin
Packing for a trip is one of the most exciting feelings; throwing your favorite bikinis and dinner outfits into a suitcase that you probably haven’t touched in months. But the best last thing to pack has to be a book. Reading a romcom on a beach vacation or catching up on Renaissance art history for a weekend trip while you’re abroad can take you to another dimension; a feeling that can’t be beat.
Travelers, faced with airline baggage restrictions and already overstuffed suitcases, have returned to a once-popular solution that seemed to fade into technological obscurity: the Kindle. When the wave of BookTok recommendations floods your ‘For You’ page like it does mine, it seems impossible to not purchase every book that sparks your interest.
But we all know that books take up a lot of space, especially when you’ve been wanting to read the newest New York Times bestseller, and it’s still a hardcover. The solution is easy; this sleek device is resurfacing into Gen Z’s life, becoming a book worm’s new best friend.
Endless stories are accessible at your fingertips. When coming up with the original Kindle concept back in 2007, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos envisioned a device that would make reading more accessible. Though e-readers were already sprouting throughout the market with limited success, the Kindle’s user-friendly design and seamless integration with Amazon’s vast book inventory propelled it to immediate success.
Initially priced at $399, the first-generation sold out within hours. By 2010, Kindle books were outselling hardcovers on Amazon. Some people were hesitant to purchase this pricy tablet, wondering if their loyal neighborhood bookstore would crumble.
However,“Kindles and similar e-readers were more popular with the older generations we surveyed, whereas younger people were as interested in print, or more, than their older fellow readers,” said Duncan Stweart, in an interview for the Cost of Living.
The price of the Kindle has since dropped a significant amount, from around $400 to $100 (depending on the model), allowing for more people to purchase this innovative invention. During the COVID-19 pandemic, reading became a way for everyone to pass time and escape the mental and physical drain of lockdown.
It was a time for people to escape to a new place where the world carried on as normal. As restrictions got lifted and everything started to return to what it was, many people continued to read, continuing these habits that they built in 2020.
Gabby Oudin, a postgraduate student and soccer player, finds her Kindle to be the perfect fit for her love of reading.
“Reading has always been a great outlet for me because it allows me to immerse myself in someone else’s life. Whether it’s reading fantasy or sci-fi that involves a world that is completely separate from mine or something based off of a true story, I love being able to take a break from my own life and step into someone else’s,” said Oudin.
Oudin recently graduated from Temple University, playing soccer and studying to become a physical therapist, yet she still found time in her schedule to escape out of her reality into a new one.
“Being a student athlete, it was important for me to have something to distract me if I was having a hard time or even just as
“With a Kindle, you aren’t limited as a traveller to one or two books, the possibilities are endless.”
entertainment on away trips. Traveling with a kindle is much easier than traveling with a physical book. We were only allowed one carry-on bag… I didn’t have a lot of extra space for “fun items.” My kindle was so small it basically took up no extra room so it was perfect,” said Oudin.
While older generations initially dominated the use of Kindle’s technology, Gen Z are now discovering its convenience, becoming popular among students who value the love of reading and practicality.
Addie Antshel, a junior at Syracuse University who is currently studying abroad in London, raves about the accessibility of
her Kindle for her day-to-day Tube rides and weekend trips.
“I like bringing it on weekend trips when I have down time or am on a plane. I love having it for the Tube because there’s usually no service and it’s like a game for myself to see how many pages I can read before my stop,” said Antshel.
It’s easy to pick up a new device and only use it for a few months until returning it for something different, but the Kindle was designed to be a long-lasting and accessible tool for readers of all ages.
“My Kindle is super convenient, it’s small and light and you can have multiple books downloaded which is good if you’re a fast reader or will be gone for a long time. The charge lasts forever too,” said Antshel.
For students studying abroad, the Kindle transforms boring and unexciting commutes into an opportunity to open your mind into a new reality. As an avid reader myself, I always find myself wandering the aisles of Barnes & Noble or my local beach town bookstore, trying to find the perfect read for whatever trip I’m about to embark on.
From TikTok reviews to friends making recommendations, I’m always torn on which book will be the finishing touch at the top of my suitcase. With a Kindle, you aren’t limited as a traveller to one or two books, the possibilities are endless. The stay at home book worm might prefer the old fashioned way of turning a page, but for the travel-minded college student who wants a quick escape, the Kindle has proven to be a worthy companion for those who enjoy the adventure of literature.
Illustration by Bella Klug
The Internet Has No Rights Over Your Body
From viral TikTok “horror stories” to political efforts to defund Planned Parenthood, birth control is under attack from all sides.
By Sophia Brownsword
On une 4, 2024, the Washington Post reported a story about how far-right conservatives had been villainizing birth control for a number of years, spreading incorrect information linking popular methods like the IUD, the morningafter pill and oral contraceptives to abortion. According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation in 2024, one in five adults in the United States “consider the right to use contraception to be under threat.”
However, more recently, right-wing activists aren’t the only ones participating in this war on birth control. Across social media, young women have been more frequently documenting their “horror stories” with birth control, commanding their audiences to reconsider their own relationships with contraceptives.
With hundreds of thousands of followers, influencers like Skylar Ray Rose, Allison Kuch and Renee Noe have individually shared their experiences or attitudes towards various birth control methods, going on to promote methods such as cycle-tracking to replace modern contraception.
Many of these testimonies from various TikTok users (influencers and noninfluencers) sharing similar stories are full of misinformation–spreading harmful narratives of birth control methods unanimously causing depression, weight gain, causing people to go
crazy and more. Young women across social media are doing just as much to perpetuate to negatively portray feminist innovations like birth control—a dangerous occurrence in a post-Dobbs America.
This isn’t the first time that natural birth control methods have been promoted heavily on the internet. In 2017, an app called Natural Cycles was approved for usage across the EU, a digital temperature tracking system to help women determine what stage of their menstrual cycles they are in. The app serves multiple
multiple purposes–helping women plan pregnancies, assisting them in better understanding their bodies and also acting as a contraceptive.
During a time featuring increased production in FemTech, or feminine technology, this digital contraceptive app attracted a large number of women who were ready to give up their hormonal alternatives. However, after only a short time on the market, a number of users in Sweden (where the app was based) reported unwanted pregnancies and sought abortion treatments, according to an article from Mashable. This is just one example of potential drawbacks to searching for reproductive advice on the internet.
And at the same time that misinformation spreads rampant on social media, one of the largest non-profit organizations in the
country focused on providing reproductive healthcare and education across the country, Planned Parenthood, has been the subject of consistent political conversation, with many conservative politicians calling for it to be defunded.
On Dec. 18, 2024, the United States Supreme Court announced it would hear Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, which will decide whether or not states can prohibit Medicaid as an acceptable form of funding at Planned Parenthood.
“When it comes
to internet
research, you have to know when to separate what worked for someone else, versus what will work for your own individual body”
Despite its consistent association with abortion care, Planned Parenthood offers a multitude of other vital services–STD testing and treatment, gender-affirming hormone care, birth control distribution and education, among other things. If Planned Parenthood was no longer able to accept patients paying through Medicaid, many stand to lose out on vital services provided by the non-profit.
“Contraceptives, abortions, sexual education, and prenatal resources will always be in high demand no matter what,”
Emily Botelho, a second-year premed student at Emmanuel College, said.
“Removing funding from
places like Planned Parenthood that provide these resources will force people to come up with unsafe solutions on their own, or go completely without necessary resources.”
Young women aren’t the only ones subject to the spread of harmful rhetoric and narratives around modern medicine–with recent appointments in the presidential cabinet, the entire country is subject to the movement.
This past February, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was sworn in to serve as the Secretary of Health and Human services under the Trump administration. RFK’s appointment is as well indicative of this overall return towards traditionalism – as he has publicly stated multiple times his negative stance towards vaccines, as well as his opinion that healthy food is the best way to combat chronic illnesses.
“The common controversy regarding vaccines often comes from people who have done no proper research. A big fear for people when getting a vaccine is having ‘toxic and unnatural chemicals put into their bodies’” Botelho said. “The main chemical that causes fear is aluminium, which is also found in baking powder, flour, deodorants, lotions, toothpaste and many other products that people use everyday without a second thought. To me, I feel like people are only afraid of aluminum in vaccines because the internet says it is bad, when they consume it on a daily basis unknowingly.”
Internet accessibility plays both a positive and negative role when it comes to accessing health-related information. It’s a great place to learn more about illnesses, illness prevention, information on vaccines and more in order to stay informed–but only if someone knows where and how to look for it. Due to the unlimited publication aspect of the internet, users can easily become misinformed by consuming information based on incorrect scientific information, or even just based in opinion.
“When it comes to internet research, you have to know when to separate what worked for someone else, versus what will work for your own individual body,” said Botelho. “Making sure whomever you are getting information from has proper credentials (MD, RN, PHD), versus just listening to random people on TikTok.”
Illustration by Caitlyn Begosa
Blending in with Your Corporate Self
As professionalism blurs with personal branding, young professionals face increasing pressure to curate the “perfect” LinkedIn presence and workplace wardrobe, but at what cost to authenticity?
By Ally Goelz
You’ve spent hours crafting the perfect LinkedIn pro le —polishing your resume, listing every internship, and curating the right words to sound both professional and approachable. But then comes the toughest decision: your pro le picture.
When scrolling through LinkedIn, your feed will quickly be lled with professional headshots, buzzwords, and the perfectly written “success stories.” Once just a simple networking tool, it is now used as a digital resume. College students are now expected to curate the perfect pro le and t into the rigid mold of what is deemed to be professional.
But, in the pursuit of career success, are we sacri cing authenticity?
Unlike other social media platforms, like Instagram or TikTok, the presentation of your self-expression is limited. Your pro le picture is often the only opportunity your connections have to associate a face with a name.
Many users usually opt for a professional headshot from their job, while younger users often use their senior photos. ere is also a subset of users who simply choose a photo they enjoy of themselves engaging in a hobby they love. However, does the professional standard for our pro le pictures diminish our one chance to show employers who we truly are?
ere are several ways to present yourself, but all of them allow little room for interpretation. Just like our pro le pictures create a rst impression online, our fashion choices in the workplace serve as an extension of our professional identity.
ere’s always the safe option of wearing clean-cut corporate fashion. But this limits your personality being shown through fashion. For many, the clothes they wear are how they express their personality, showing their unique individuality.
Professionalism and self-expression can be done simultaneously, but there’s a ne line between the two. With such strict expectations from corporates, it’s important to ensure your wear still ful lls their needs.
Corporate settings expect women to wear tailored suits or dresses, blazers, button-downs, dress pants, closed-toed shoes and conservative jewelry. is standard makes it hard for some to express their style and authenticity.
One LinkedIn user, Jitender Singh, founder of Clickzy Creative Technologies, posted a “how-to” article on expressing yourself while still maintaining professionalism.
“Dress rules at work don’t have to mean giving up your style. As part of the busy work culture in urban India, I’ve taken advantage of the change to add my style to my business clothes. It shows that I can nd the right balance, whether it’s a symphony of colors in accessories or the smooth integration of traditional patterns into modern out ts,” Singh said.
Singh recommends picking a color palette unique to your personality, wearing interesting silhouettes and statement pieces, and choosing shoes and handbags that complement your workwear to “strike a good work-life balance.”
While Singh encourages professionals to incorporate their style, some workplaces still resist these changes, as seen in recent TikTok trends.
While professionalism can always be achieved, in uencers on TikTok have recently embraced the “O ce Siren” trend, creating a gravitational pull toward the style. Exuding O ce Siren combines professional attire with a bold, edgy twist. is style features traditional pieces like blazers, pencil skirts, and heels paired with eccentric statement accessories.
One user, dressed in line with the “O ce Siren” guidelines, ended up getting red for not adhering to their policy standards.
“I think there is an urge to utilize personal style as a form of self-expresion,”
Megan Carr said, a student employee at Central Career Services. “I think professionals need to determine what they believe is right and wrong when it comes to the workplace. Don’t go full 'o ce siren,’ but you also do not need to be boring.”
Megan primarily works on resume reviews for students but has helped the career center out with etiquette workshops. is event occurs a few times every semester and can be registered on Handshake, according to Carr.
Additionally, Carr mentioned that the Central Career Service o ers a “career closet”, similar to Stitch Fix. is service allows students to receive a box of corporate attire and gives them the chance to buy or return it within a 30-day window.
Regardless, Carr believes everyone should try to achieve authenticity, whether it’s through a simple statement necklace or a pop of color.
“Explore your options. Texture, color, and silhoue es; the items you pick don’t have to be grey, un a ering mini-dresses,”
Carr said. As workplace expectations shift and adjust, professionals must navigate the delicate balance between authenticity and tting the mold — both online and in the o ce.
“I see professional fashion evolving to accumulate more style and individuality. ere are a number of brands already that o er corporate-esque attire in a fashionable way, but I think it is a market worth tapping into,” Carr said. “It will be interesting to see how changes in leadership can a ect the way the employees present themselves.”
Fashion Adding Realness to the Runway
e fashion industry is working to widen their horizons with diversifying principles into clothing looks.
By Michela Flood
Rezi Ubogu, the CEO of Releigh Freya, a Depop store, and Digital Producer for the Newshouse focused on fashion coverage, has directly encountered and learned the in uence fashion has on people's lives and acceptance for multiple groups.
Minority communities are often underrepresented in the fashion space. Although not always equally represented in mainstream fashion media, the LGBTQ+ community has passion and vibrance for the fashion lifestyle with unique clothing. Fashion is one of the strongest and most enticing forms of self-expression. What people wear reveals a sense of strength, con dence, and passion.
Ubogu knows from her work and experience in the fashion industry how much more complex the fashion world is beyond clothing and shopping. Fashion shapes con dence and can portray how diverse and multifaceted the world can be.
“I mean fashion has a power to completely revamp who you are and how you choose to be if you want to dress a certain way because that's how you want to outwardly present yourself,” Ubogu said. “It has the power of doing that and that has the power of giving you con dence that maybe you wouldn't have found otherwise.”
As the fashion industry works to become more inclusive, people of all sorts of backgrounds can see where dynamic clothing and looks can t into their lives and resonate with them.
“People that have a similar background as me and per chance did not get the opportunity to be on the runway or show who they are within a designer clothing, or with their hair being textured the way that it is because of who they are as an individual and the stigma that comes with using Black, brown individuals when it comes to fashion and runway, and just in general as well,” Ubogu said.
Supporting brands, spreading awareness and stepping into a more diverse showcase of people, can help people of all kinds step into higher con dence on the day to day. Diversity in fashion is beyond skin color, race, or gender; it also has immense relationships with speci c communities and groups.
ere are a variety of LGBTQ fashion designers and companies. Often, these artists work through a lens of advocacy and making a di erence in the LGBTQ world, desiring more acceptance and inclusivity.
Alex Cosani is a runway model, social media in uenceand the world's youngest transgender model. When she was 12-years-old, her modeling career took o through viral TikTok videos, and she was signed with IMG Models, one of the largest modeling agencies in the world.
Walking in the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show and modeling for Alexander McQueen, Versace, Rober Cavalli, Burberry and a variety of other brands, Cosani has made it big in the model industry and created space for further LGBTQ advocacy and awareness.
In addition to Cosani, many in uencers often shape fashion trends, looks as well and styles that are upcoming and emerging. Not only wearing, but designing and displaying these looks on a runway with a vast range of people designing will allow for more unique fashion and pieces.
“So people are coming out with innovative ways of thinking every day and that's represented in fashion, whether it's more in a minimal sense and understated or more maximalist and even subversive at times and having that is essential to the future of fashion alongside with equity, and having a diverse array of narratives displayed within the clothing, the textiles,” Ubogu said.
According to Good On You, a brand focusing on sustainability and social advocacy, “Representation is the way certain aspects of society such as gender, age, ethnicity, or sexual orientation are presented to audiences. LGBTQ+ representation, only when done well, can have a very powerful impact in terms of in uencing ideas and attitudes towards the community, which is why it must be spearheaded in every industry, fashion included.”
In fashion and media, LGBTQ representation has been on the rise, expanding horizons, awareness, and inclusivity. Fashion should serve as a re ection of one’s di erences, and with diverse representation becoming more normalized, a range of media sources have turned to be more diverse and inclusive with cast members.
Net ix's extremely popular hit show “Euphoria” was praised for its intense, emotional and very deep storylines that drew viewers in. One of the most notable parts of the show was the fashion. Actors were constantly dressed in extreme out ts, from jewel stickers on their faces to revealing looks, and their closets never displayed a dull moment.
In addition to the show's impressive fashion, actress and model Hunter Schafer made a positive impression on viewers and the LGBTQ community alike. Schafer is an outspoken advocate for the transgender community, speaking openly about how her identity a ects her career and relationships.
Not only does she model for many worldwide brands, but her portrayal of the character Jules was moving for many, conducted with meaningful, symbolic out ts. Euphoria serves as a dynamic, moving show for the LGBTQ and fashion community, combining both arts and displaying the power and inclusivity that can be embarked on when both are embraced together.
Like supporting small businesses, supporting Queer and diverse brands is spending money towards a strong and bene cial cause and making a di erence.
Fashion is not just what we choose to put on our bodies; it's a showcase to evolve looks, perceptions, con dence, beauty, and self-expression with no talking at all. It's how we can display ourselves to the public, to those who don't know us, and give a way of understanding our style, values, and favorite looks.
“ ere's a story in every piece of fabric in every clothing item and every accessory and, to me, it's kind of bringing out the power in fashion, the power to completely change someone's life… the ability to completely change how you dress and how you hold yourself,” Ubogu said.
Knowing what we are wearing and who we are supporting is extremely bene cial to move the needle and further advocacy for groups and people who are often mis or underrepresented.
“Fashion, like I said, has the power to change your life and change your mindset in unimaginable ways.” Ubogu said.
Illustration by Bella Salvi
Photos
by
Photos
Kaitlyn Saxton
Advocacy in Archives and Antiques
Despite banned books, the dismantling of DEI, and ongoing cuts to Critical Race Theory, the Black Citizens Brigade bolsters Black culture.
By Hailey Roy
Stepping into the Black Citizens Brigade feels like walking through a living museum–except here, history is for sale. The clothes tell a story: cardigans nestled between clothes across different decades transport you to an era when young girls mimicked the mothers who went to war.
Historic books and crackling vinyl records line the shelves, each holding remnants of the past. And tucked away in a box, you can ask to see photographs from a 1985 Syracuse anti-apartheid protest.
Cjala Suratt describes her business, The Black Citizens Brigade, as a “Black Family Portrait.” The SU alum curated books across myriad genres, vinyl records teeming with interviews and spoken word and clothes from the 1950s to the 1980s in her storefront.
These items, from estate sales, other vintage sellers, auctions and individual buying appointments, all have a few things in common—they are infused with Black history, span generations, and represent different aspects of Black life, hence the accuracy of the Black family photo comparison.
“It’s a soft place to land when it gets a little dicey out there, right?” Suratt said.
The Black Citizen Brigade is housed in a nook and cranny tucked in Bank Alley. The store’s window sills, peeking into the alley, are home to Black books, foreshadowing the storefront’s ode to Black culture. Although the location may make it easy to miss, once you peruse the variety of items and hear the narratives tethered to them, the store becomes indelible.
The antique items, with a few contemporary pieces dabbled in, go beyond rote names such as Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, and Harriet Tubman — although you can find information on those Black trailblazers as well. You can find books by renowned author Toni Cade Bambara, audio recordings of read-alouds from books like Best of Simple by Langston Hughes, and many other Black unsung heroes.
In 2025, stores like the Black Citizens Brigade are crucial. The Trump Administration is actively signing executive orders to roll back DEI initiatives and language while putting an end to Critical Race Theory (CRT). CRT is an academic framework that revolves around racism and its ties to U.S. institutions.
In a new yet somewhat repetitive era of censorship around marginalized groups, the storefront hosts community events and is a hub of both local and national information — plus, the owner is the ultimate storyteller and one of few Black women to own a business in downtown Syracuse.
“Everything that’s in her store, she will give you a story about it,” Marissa Saunders, a frequent buyer and new book club member at The Black Citizens Brigade, said. “I look at it as a pushback as yes, the store represents diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging and every other adjective you want to add to that, but more than anything, it’s a voice.”
Suratt had a clear vision from the beginning and remained fully committed to it. She recognized a need in the community, found her niche, and never wavered from it.
As the organizer of the annual Power of Sisterhood, a part of her women’s empowerment conferences, Saunders previously honored Suratt with an award recognizing her fearless dedication. Even if there were moments of fear, Suratt never compromised her mission.
Suratt’s upbringing, heavy involvement in the Syracuse community and fervor for learning come together and are reflected in how she runs her store.
Knowledge
Born and raised in Syracuse, Suratt makes it a point to be involved.
As a small business owner, she is a part of the downtown committee that focuses on advocating for small business ownersespecially during a huge divide in how many Black and brown businesses are downtown, she said. Suratt serves on several community boards such as the Everson Museum of Art Members' Board and Racial and Equity Task Advisory, and the CNY: Black and Equity Advisory Board.
Suratt has a background in marketing and public relations, which she ties to her previous work at SU as the director of marketing for Light Work, SU’s nonprofit photography studio. She also has artistic experience, which she connects to her time studying stage theater through the College of Visual and Performing Arts and minoring in cultural anthropology and psychology.
Social justice and advocacy follow her ancestral line. Suratt’s grandmother, a ship-fitter in Norfolk, Virginia, was the first Black female union leader for the shipyard. Even today, union workers pay homage to Suratt’s grandmother, whose leadership paved the way for fair wages, a safe work environment and even women’s restrooms.
It’s safe to say her grandmother passed the torch. The Black Citizens Brigade’s purpose extends beyond transaction motivation as a retail store does. The space holds stories and works to dismantle racist views while exacerbating the realities Black Americans face — everything the new administration wants to erase.
“Why do Black neighborhoods look like that? Oh, how much time do you have?” Suratt said, describing conversations with customers.
“We can talk about redlining. We can talk about covenant laws. We can talk about gerrymandering. We can talk about predatory lending practices. So, where do you want to begin? And then I'll direct you to an article, a book… because I don't want you to take my word for it.”
In connection to the current setbacks to Black progress toward equity and equality, Suratt said she isn’t fearful because this is nothing new.
This testament rings true. Black Americans have historically been advocating for equality and equity in ways that are not always recognized.
“I look to my elders, I look to that bookshelf, and I know there are a lot of tactics there, and it doesn’t have to be one,” she said.
Suratt’s choosing to include books in her shop speaks to the overarching exploration of Black history but also highlights her deeply rooted ties to the motto, “knowledge is power.”
Before leaving The Black Citizens Brigade in February, Suratt quizzes a customer with a singular question for Black History Month.
She asked, “What program did the Black Panthers develop that still exists today?”
The answer: the breakfast program, a piece of Black history that lives on in this moment.
Most customers tend to get the lighthearted yet informative mini-quiz wrong. But that’s the point–to learn something new. Whether you’re right or wrong, you walk out with a pen, new knowledge, and a simple but powerful piece of advice.
“People should write their own story,” Suratt said.
The Black Citizens Brigade is open to people of all cultures and serves as not only a retail shop but a learning center. Exploring places like Surratt’s shop not only helps support small businesses but also helps broaden your worldview.
“When you walk out of her store, no matter what you purchase, you are now a loud voice,” Saunderssaid. “That piece that you're going to put on, or that album you listen to, or that book you read, or that piece of clothing, or piece of art, or piece of jewelry, accessory — you're now shouting.”
Illustration by Ella Brann
You Are What You Watch Letterboxd as a digital portrait of identity.
By Sarina Dang
Letterboxd is an app that’s not about looks. It’s more about what you have to say about a movie, which is such a unique way to interpret things,” said Julia Snoonian, a Syracuse University student with over 1,100 movies logged on Letterboxd.
For a certified film fanatic like Snoonian, movies are more than just entertainment. They’re a way to understand herself and the world around her; hence why she’s drawn to Letterboxd, where she can convert individual reflections into shared experiences.
Letterboxd is a social media platform built for film enthusiasts, where users can log, rate, review and discuss movies. For users, the excitement of assigning a star rating, crafting a hilarious or thoughtprovoking review and diving into others’ takes is just as fun as watching the film itself.
What started as a niche platform for logging films has evolved into a dynamic space for conversation and connection. Originally a network for self-proclaimed cinephiles, Letterboxd has since been embraced by everyday movie lovers, who use the app as a canvas for self-expression.
Founded in 2011 by New Zealand developers Matthew Buchanan and Karl von Randow, Letterboxd led with a mission to allow movie lovers to track their viewing habits through an interactive experience. The name ‘Letterboxd’ is a play on ‘letterboxing’: a filmmaking technique that preserves a film’s original widescreen aspect ratio.
The app is dedicated to preserving and celebrating the cinematic experience. Over time, Letterboxd has evolved beyond a film diary into a full-fledged digital community, where users follow friends, engage with comment sections and interact with trending reviews.
In the post-pandemic world, Letterboxd’s influence has skyrocketed. Growing from 1.8 million users in March 2020 to 17 million by December 2024, the platform has become nearly unavoidable, especially among Generation Z and young Millennials.
As TikTok continues to dominate the social media landscape, Letterboxd has tapped into its cultural momentum. Letterboxd on TikTok posts interview clips asking celebrities on red carpets and at movie premieres to share their ‘Four Favorites.’
On Letterboxd, the ‘Four Favorites’ feature allows users to showcase their top four favorite films on their profile. Elias Gwinn, film producer and president of CNY Film, loves hearing actors’ responses to the ‘Four Favorites’ question.
“[The interviews] provide opportunities to appreciate other films and share the spotlight with other filmmakers and their projects that are worth attention,” Gwinn said.
In red carpet interviews, actors use the question as an opportunity to reveal the films that shaped their careers, inspired their characters and even reflect their cinematic tastes.
As Letterboxd becomes more mainstream, the platform has also undergone a shift away from lengthy, analytical critiques towards witty one-liners. Take, for example, Sean Baker’s Anora, the 2025 Oscar winner for Best Picture. The dark rom-dramedy explores societal hardship and emotional inhibition within the sex work community.
Anora’s most popular review on Letterboxd summarizes the film’s complexity into just a brief synopsis: “a terrifying tale of dating a mama’s boy” [@ava adore]. On this platform, film discourse is just as much about personality as it is about analysis.
A deeper dive into the ‘Four Favorites’ feature reveals more than just the four best movies that a user has seen. The film posters for a user’s ‘Four Favorites’ are the first visual displayed on their profile. Among the millions of movies listed on Letterboxd, Interstellar (2014), La La Land (2017), and The Godfather (1972) have the most fans on the app. However, despite popularity and what the Academy deems a cinematic masterpiece, users’ ‘Four Favorites’ are each unique and hold a deeper meaning.
At the top of Snoonian’s list is Wes Anderson’s 2009 film, Fatastic Mr. Fox; primarily a testament to her artistic admiration for stop motion as a rare medium in today’s film industry. Oliver Jones, entertainment journalist and adjunct professor at SU Los Angeles, adores Chantal Akerman’s 1986 drama, “Letters Home,” for the effect it’s had on his sense of self.
“The feeling that I’ve always had in my life [that] I am where I was meant to be, but also feeling homesick, I never quite could understand that feeling until I saw this movie. It had a real profound impact on my understanding of myself,” Jones said.
Also making Jones’ top four is Mel Brooks’ 1974 Young Frankenstein. As a second-generation film critic, Jones attributes his love for many films to childhood memories of watching alongside his father and hearing his laughter. For many users like Jones, the criteria of a ‘Favorite’ is often attached to core memories or nostalgic stories that stretch beyond the screen.
While Letterboxd allows users to craft a digital identity through their film choices, the act of curating a profile comes with its own set of challenges. On the app, a longstanding debate rests between authenticity and conformity.
Despite film reviews being based on individual opinion, the social aspect of the Letterboxd often gives way to criticism and judgment from followers. In the real world of film criticism, Jones compares the moment embargoes drop, when film reviews are held and dropped at the same time, to being in a class where all the final grades are unveiled at the same time.
“Being a film critic is like knowing you’re always going up against the smartest people who do it,” Jones said. “You’re constantly holding yourself to a high standard because the other people that do it are very dedicated to it.”
Disagreeing with popular opinion comes at a price, as student, Tariq Ali, explained. He recently deleted Letterboxd because of the negative culture he experienced on the app. His preference of films favors comedic, animated movies, but the backlash he received from friends concerning his reviews, made him wish they would be more open-minded.
“We’ll be watching one of my favorite movies and [my friend] won’t wanna watch it, so he’ll review it [on Letterboxd] midway. Just give the movie a shot,” Ali said, “It’s like yucking someone else’s yum.”
On this topic, Snoonian pointed to the comments on the celebrity Letterboxd TikToks. While some question the authenticity of a decorated actor putting an animated film in their ‘Four Favorites’, others will demean the actor for selecting an “overly-sophisticated” silent film from the 1920s. Ultimately, Letterboxd discourse exists within larger tensions around film culture and a continuous clash between what society considers a good movie versus an individual’s favorite movie.
As Letterboxd continues to grow alongside mainstream media platforms, its future raises intriguing questions. Will it remain a space for passionate cinephiles, or will it evolve to mirror TikTok, where certain reviewers gain widespread recognition and influence? As the lines between personal taste and public perception blur, the way users curate their ‘Four Favorites’ may shift as well.
For many users, however, Letterboxd remains deeply personal. Jones recalls the influence the app has on his 18-year-old daughter. In a family of film critics, Jones says he loves the role that Letterboxd plays in his daughter’s life, as she can deepen relationships with her friends and learn more about them based on their reviews. What resonated with him the most was how the 2008 tween classic, Twilight, remains unwavering in her ‘Four Favorites.’
“I’m proud of her for sticking to her guns and not giving [Twilight] up, even as she watches more and more fancy, classy movies,” Jones said.
Unlike other types of social media, Letterboxd is not bothered by materialism or aesthetics. Social media platforms such as Instagram and Tik Tok are often guilty of creating false expectations or becoming toxic spaces concerned with appearance. Letterboxd is different. Users cling to Letterboxd for the special atmosphere where they can unapologetically be themselves.
The app provides users with a space to find and share connections to specific characters and relevant themes. From identifying with the coming-of-age struggles of Lady Bird (2017) to the resilience of Rocky (1976), these connections shape how individuals interpret their own lives. Snoonian admires how users, including herself, can leave each movie with a different perspective.
“I love movies because they’re very personal, and you can create your own messages with them… You can form your own interpretations that aren’t necessarily from the movie or just other people,” Snoonian said.
This emphasis on self-expression over self-presentation makes Letterboxd a unique space in today’s digital landscape. Instead of chasing validation through likes or comments, users engage in thoughtful discussions and celebrate the passion and significance of their favorite films. By allowing users to connect over shared experiences and interpretations, Letterboxd proves that social media can be a space for authenticity, creativity, and community.
Illustration by Ella Brann
Why Are People Reading Less?
From campus book clubs to banned book debates, a quiet movement is working to restore the joy (and importance) of reading
By Isabella Tatone
Reading seems to have become less important to people over the years, but it is most likely one of the most important things you can do for yourself. Reading helps stimulate your brain but also creates a safe space for your mental health, and is important to bring into your care routine to reduce stress and allow for a cognitive escape.
Reading culture has been on a decline in recent years, this could possibly be due to the lack of attention spans due to technology. There is an instant gratification system that has formed due to apps like Instagram and TikTok. Reading has been given the idea it has to be a chore rather than being able to read for simple pleasure. On college campuses students are assigned readings from multiple classes each night, and the level of people completing those readings is going down.
A study by Monitoring the Future shows that 1 out of 3 students do not read at all outside of class work assigned during school. A viral movement of multiple videos posted on TikTok called BookTok has become extremely popular. “BookTok” is a TikTok trend where people show books they are currently reading or want to read, and also review them with a summary and rating.
Although BookTok going viral has created a positive surge in reading, studies are still showing people do not pick up a book as often as in the past. In 1976, 40% of high school students read 6 or more books outside of school while now the number is around 41%.
When it comes to college campuses in particular, it comes to short attention spans. We are constantly in that mindset that reading is a chore,” Bralyn Louise, a junior studying creative writing at Syracuse University and founder of Beyond the Book, said. “Members come to me and say they are already reading 30 pages for class. It also comes down to mental health, with burnout. People do not take time for self care anymore.”
Beyond the Book is a student-run organization at Syracuse University that focuses on assigning a book to discuss each month based on what that month represents. During Mental Health Awareness month, the club read a book, “I Wish You All The Best,” by Mason Deaver which discusses anxiety and how to heal from trauma. The club focuses on reading into deeper meanings of books, and how to find a way to find pleasure in reading.
“Another big push we want to make for this organization, I am from Florida so all the book bans that are happening feel so outrageous... we want to read banned books. We want to do a collab with the SU Democrats Club” said creator of Beyond the Book at SU Bralyn Louise.
“We wanted a space that promotes reading but also being able to discuss our
mindsets on banned books,” said Louise.
“Book clubs have an associative element, they are there to talk about the reading, they are not just staying alone with the book. They want to come together to share ideas and talk about reading,” Keith Bybee, a law professor at Syracuse University, said.
Our rights within the system related to reading seem to be at risk, and although the government cannot restrict what is sold or what we read, they are allowed to put bans on what children read in school. Some of the books that were banned such as Fahrenheit 451, are important in our curriculum.
“They too think that books are bound up with freedom of association. Just like the book banners, but very different reasons and very different goal but these are points of commonality between people who are otherwise completely separated,” said Bybee.
Context can vary, specifically for the school system with these banned books but the government cannot ban these books from being sold in a bookstore or on Amazon. They are regulating what people are allowed to teach and read within schools in certain states. There are limits to bans on rights within the school system.
“They do really believe reading the right books is essential… in that sense, the book clubs and book banners, in a way kind of are on the same team in this very limited way. Against those who think reading is not important, just have an AI bot summarize things for you” says law professor at Syracuse University Keith Bybee.
Although reading may seem obsolete to some, it is extremely important to incorporate it into your everyday routine somehow.
Reading before you go to sleep can help eliminate blue light before going to bed which helps promote better sleep.
You can also set reading challenges for yourself on an app called GoodReads. This app is where a lot of people discuss what they are reading currently. You can set yearly goals, write reviews and rate books. This can help make reading more fun and you can also do this with your friends.
“It also comes down to mental health, with burnout. People do not take time for self care anymore” Louise said. “It is important to take time for your own mental health and create self care routines. Self care routines can and should include incorporating reading which can further relax your mind and allow yourself to dive into your own imagination.”
Illustration by Ella Brann
Letter from Abroad
By Sammy Olander
Before moving to Barcelona, I thought I knew what to expect. I had mentally prepared myself for the late dinners and the siestas, researched culture in Spain and even used Duolingo to try to start learning the language (RIP Duo).
But no amount of research or prep could have fully prepared me for the reality of living here — where waiting for the walk sign is a sacred ritual, iced coffee is nearly nonexistent and people treat Mondays like a Saturday night.
Some of these things threw me off at first. Some still do. But every single one has taught me something about how people live here, and how different that is from life back home.
I grew up near New York City, where the rule of the streets is simple: if there’s no car coming, you walk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve almost walked straight into traffic here, expecting others to follow, only to realize that I am the only one walking.
In Barcelona, people actually wait. Even when there’s no car in sight, even when the road is clear, they stand there, patiently, as if jaywalking isn’t a core part of urban culture. I respect it. I also physically cannot do it. It’s a habit too ingrained in me, and I’m sure the locals watch me cross on a red light and think, Ah yes, the American.
In the U.S., dinner at 6 or 7 PM is normal. In Barcelona? That’s mid-afternoon. Restaurants don’t even open for dinner until at least 8 PM, and most people don’t sit down to eat until 9 or 10.
But it’s not just the timing, it’s the pace. If you’re used to American-style service, where waiters check in every five minutes and bring the bill before you even ask, Barcelona will test your patience. Here, meals are slow, on purpose. No one is rushing to turn tables or push you out the door. You sit, you talk, you enjoy and when you’re ready, you wave the waiter down for the check.
And maybe that’s something I should be learning from, instead of resisting. I used to be a proud, iced coffee-dependent American. Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts were my second homes. The idea of drinking hot coffee in warm weather made no sense to me.
And yet, here I am, ordering espressos like I’ve been doing it my whole life. And maybe that’s something I should be learning from, instead of resisting. I used to be a proud, iced coffeedependent American.
Starbucks and Dunkin Donuts were my second homes. The idea of drinking hot coffee in warm weather made no sense to me. And yet, here I am, ordering espressos like I’ve been doing it my whole life.
Something about sipping a tiny, strong coffee at a café instead of carrying around a massive iced latte just feels… right. I have accepted that iced coffee is a rarity here, and in return, I have gained an appreciation for sitting down, enjoying my coffee and pretending to be effortlessly European.
Every time I walk through the city, I see people just relaxing. Having long lunches, chatting with friends, sipping drinks in the middle of the day. Meanwhile, in the U.S., hustle culture has everyone eating desk lunches and answering emails at 11 PM. It’s made me think about work-life balance in a way I never have before. Here, people take their time. They enjoy their food, they enjoy their conversations, they enjoy their lives.
Honestly though? I think I might be a little too addicted to being busy to know how to slow down the way people do here.
In Spain, weekends are a suggestion. People go out on Mondays. And Wednesdays. Until 6 AM. I do not understand this lifestyle. I have 9 AM Spanish class on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which means going out until sunrise on a Monday is not an option. And yet, half my class doesn’t show up the next morning.
It’s not just the late nights, it’s the fact that people seem completely unfazed by them.
I’ll overhear someone casually mention getting home at 7 AM, only to see them out again the next night like it’s nothing. How do they do it? I need answers. The other day, it was raining, and my shopping bag broke in the middle of the street. If this had happened in New York, people might have just stepped over my stuff, angry that I was in the way. Maybe someone would’ve even taken something.
But in Barcelona? People ran over to help. They held umbrellas over me, picked up my things, made sure I was okay. It caught me off guard. It made me rethink how I view strangers, how I interact with people, how small moments of kindness can completely change someone’s day.
I came here expecting to adapt to a new culture. What I didn’t expect was how much it would make me rethink my own.
Barcelona has shown me that life doesn’t have to be rushed. That time spent lingering over a meal isn’t wasted. That work shouldn’t come at the cost of actually living. That strangers can be unexpectedly kind. That I can survive without iced coffee — although I will never stop missing it.
But more than anything, Barcelona has shown me what it means for a city to have life. To be filled with people who embrace every moment, whether it’s a long afternoon at a café, a heated fútbol match in a packed bar (thank you George Paynes) or a random band playing music on the streets of the Gothic Quarter or in the metro. There’s a constant energy here, a rhythm that never really stops and somehow, I’ve fallen right into it.
Eventually, I’ll leave this city. I’ll go back to routines that once felt normal. But something about the way I see things has changed, and I don’t think I can unlearn it. I think I’m missing Barcelona before I’ve even left.
Because once you’ve lived in a city like this that feels this alive, how am I supposed to go back to anything less?
Photos by Kaitlyn Saxton
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Photos
Kaitlyn Saxton