Names can really... not change anything?

Okay, so we've all been to NAMES, all heard their spiel. But does it work, knowing that your classmate's are going through a hard time? I mean, you gain an appreciation for Plato's quote, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle." But a lot of students, after walking out of the Corndog, feel like the sense of camaraderie from the auditorium when we sat and listened to people's stories disappeared within a few days.

Bullying at New Trier is hard to put a finger on. I don't think I can recall a single moment when I've walked through the halls and seen someone be "bullied," though the term connotes both physical and mental bullying.

It's been repeated a thousand times, and I almost hate to say it again, but I feel like there is a huge gap between the sexes when it comes to fighting with each other. I do not expect to ever see a girl punch another girl in all seriousness, though I know its certainly possible and has definitely happened.  Girls, in my experience, go for the more passive approach. ERIC Digests mention a study that supports this, saying girls are more likely to "spread rumors" and "enforce social isolation."

This was especially true in middle school, and even freshman year. Cliques abounded. At the East Campus, there are certainly cliques, but with such a multitude of students and classes, its hard to find a definite, secular clique with members not a part of other groups of friends. Are cliques a form of bullying?

As a New Trier student, what do you define as bullying? Did the Names program make you feel any different towards your peers?

One Question

Before the end of today, what would you wish to happen?

I was on YouTube one night, slacking off, when I came across this video. Benjamin Reece took his video equipment and asked 50 people in New Orleans what they wished to happen by the end of the day. Some of the answers seem typical-- a million dollars, all their work to magically disappear, etc. (The answers start coming in around 2:30 in to the video). So what you would say?

Some of the people wished for political change, some for love. At first, I was carried away by the simplicity of some people's responses--someone to join them in a cigar store, smoking a cigar; simple things like having the day end well because its been a good so far. But then I realize, that as nice as it is to think about these things, most of these wishes ("a norwegian model team," "a million dollars," "marriage," "my son back") can't happen. Its sad, how some people have such attainable goals but others just don't. I'm not saying attainable goals are bad--in fact, it amazes me how happy some of the people are considering what they've been through, with the aftermath of Katrina and all.

As people spin away at the end, saying thanks, or goodbye, one can't help but wonder what they are thinking about.

They repeated the same idea in New York City. If you have time, see how the videos compare.


So-- what would you wish for? Something attainable... or not?

Reparations for a New Life

I am a huge fan of the TV show House, M.D. For those unfamiliar with the show, House's friend Wilson is an oncologist--a doctor who studies and concerns himself with cancer patients. In one of the most intriguing episodes, Wilson is meeting with a patient in his office, and tells him what seems like it would be wonderful news-- the man actually doesn't have cancer! Wilson was wrong, but isn't this great? The man gets very upset, saying that he just had a going away party at work (after quitting, thinking he only had 3 months left to live), just finished divorcing his wife (whom he still loved, but wanted to save from having to deal with the difficulties of widow-hood) and had sold his house.

How do you give reparations when you have smashed someone's life? Is telling someone that they don't have cancer something bad, or is it the patient's fault for not being happy he has a long life ahead of him?

And most importantly, perhaps, how would you react, if you were the patient?