Category: Opinion

Hamide AK || Issue 15 || March 5, 2025

Does an individual choose individualism and loneliness by their own will, or is it life’s circumstances that push them into this situation? Does being an independent individual make one stronger, or does it gradually lead to loneliness? Are solitude and individualism always negative, or can they serve as opportunities for personal growth? Do social structures encourage individualism in a way that ultimately isolates people, or can individualism and social connections coexist in a balanced manner? The answers to these questions undoubtedly vary depending on individuals, living conditions, and geography. However, we can explore the topic from a general perspective. Individualism and loneliness are inherent aspects of human nature and social structures. While some people consciously choose individualism, others experience loneliness as a necessity. Individualism entails making one’s own decisions and developing an independent identity, whereas loneliness is often an emotional state. Some individuals embrace individualism due to their desire for freedom and independence, while others find themselves alone due to social exclusion, the isolating effects of modern life, or the weakening of social bonds. Choosing solitude can be beneficial for personal growth and inner peace, yet in the long run, it may also have negative consequences due to the weakening of social ties. Solitude provides an opportunity for deep reflection, self-discovery, and independence. It allows one to make decisions freely and focus on their dreams and goals without external influences. If solitude is consciously and moderately embraced, it can be advantageous. For example, one may dedicate time to personal development, engage in reading, writing, or pursue artistic and academic endeavors. However, prolonged solitude without meaningful social connections can weaken social skills and lead to feelings of emotional isolation. Given that humans are inherently social beings, complete solitude may eventually result in emotional emptiness, depression, or loss of motivation. But what about being condemned to loneliness? Being forced into solitude—not as a personal choice, but as an unavoidable condition—can be particularly distressing and exhausting. While choosing to be alone at times may bring a sense of peace and freedom, being alone out of necessity creates an entirely different emotional state. It can lead to feelings of being misunderstood, excluded, or forgotten. A profound sense of emptiness may arise, potentially causing sadness, hopelessness, or emotional exhaustion. The weakening of socialites, the absence of someone to share problems or joys with, and the lack of support can have a significant impact on one’s mental well-being. Not having someone to confide in or celebrate with may lead to a loss of life’s meaning and personal motivation. The key is to view solitude not as an escape but as an opportunity for growth. While taking time for oneself and reflecting in solitude can be valuable, it is also essential not to sever ties with those who care about and value us. By maintaining a healthy balance, one can preserve their individuality while also strengthening social relationships. Particularly in Western societies, such as the United States, individualism is culturally encouraged. From an early age, people are raised with the belief that they must be self-reliant. Personal achievement is often prioritized over family ties. However, this can lead to the weakening of social relationships and an increasing sense of loneliness over time. Although technological advancements have strengthened virtual connections, face-to-face communication has diminished, leaving people feeling isolated even in crowded environments. Loneliness has become a serious public health issue in the U.S. Despite living in densely populated cities, people struggle to form deep and meaningful connections. Factors such as the placement of elderly individuals in nursing homes, the decline of familial solidarity, and the widespread adoption of individualistic lifestyles contribute to the growing sense of isolation. Although individualism is seen as a form of freedom in Western societies, the weakening of interpersonal relationships can make loneliness inevitable. Conversely, Eastern societies tend to emphasize strong family and community bonds. In countries like Turkey, social belonging is often prioritized over individualism. Family relationships, solidarity, and kinship ties play a crucial role in people’s lives. However, this cultural emphasis can sometimes result in societal pressures that restrict individual freedom. People may feel compelled to conform to social expectations at the expense of their personal aspirations. Therefore, it is crucial to strike a balance between individualism and social belonging. Creating a space for personal autonomy while maintaining meaningful social bonds is the healthiest approach for mental well-being. Excessive individualism can lead to isolation, while overwhelming social pressure can limit personal freedom. Hence, individuals must find a balance that allows them to feel both independent and socially
secure. Being surrounded by insightful and open-minded people who respect one’s thoughts, emotions, dreams, and ideals is a nourishing and enriching experience. Establishing profound connections with such individuals fosters a sense of being understood and valued while also eliminating loneliness. For instance, an individual passionate about art will thrive in an environment that appreciates creativity, enabling them to express themselves more freely and develop their artistic
potential. Similarly, an idealist striving to contribute to society will feel empowered and motivated when surrounded by like-minded individuals. These meaningful relationships encourage growth and
prevent isolation, allowing people to build connections that provide both support and inspiration. Loneliness can sometimes be difficult and melancholic but remaining in a harmful environment can be even worse. A bad friend can erode trust, lead to poor choices, and negatively impact one’s character over time. In contrast, solitude can provide an opportunity for self-reflection, peace, and the patience to wait for the right people. Therefore, rather than settling for harmful relationships just to avoid being alone, it is often wiser to embrace solitude while seeking meaningful connections. As a well-known saying beautifully captures: “Loneliness is better than a bad friend, but a good friend is better than loneliness.”

Molly Graiff || Issue 15 || March 5, 2025

Taco Bell is located at 563 N Greenbush Rd, Rensselaer, NY 12144, just a short stroll from campus. Its long menu offers many options. The company’s recent promotions of Luxe Boxes may give you the most bang for your buck. Taco Bell offers an extensive Cravings Value Menu with items under $3 each. While this is a great price for a pick-me up snack, their Luxe Boxes may keep you full for longer. There are currently four Lux Boxes available, one of which is only available online. These boxes range from $5 to $9 and contain a drink, chips with nacho cheese, and two to three entree items, depending on the box. They also offer up-charges for specialty drinks in the box. This box is sure to serve more like a meal and may even be shareable with friends. If ordering through the app while still on campus, the food is sure to be cooking, if not ready by the time you get to Taco Bell. Is it a good value? I’m going to breakdown the Supreme Luxe Box for this example. It comes with a medium fountain drink, a chalupa
supreme with chicken, a beefy 5-layer burrito, a crunchy taco, and chips with nacho cheese. A medium drink is $2.79, a chapula supreme with chicken is $6.19, a beefy 5-layer burrito is $4.19, a crunchy taco is $1.89, and chips with nacho cheese are $2.59. This means that the Supreme Luxe Box is valued at $17.65 while only costing customers $7. This is a huge deal for college students. With Taco Bell being conveniently located near HVCC, do a glance at their combo and box offers. Be sure to download the Taco Bell app to earn rewards and order online exclusive menu items.

Adem Jones || Issue 15 || March 5 , 2025

Horror fans have been eating well lately, and Ti West’s X, Pearl, and MaXXXine serve up a twisted, blood-drenched feast. This trilogy is both aesthetically pleasing and wildly entertaining, but at
times, it also walks a fine line between homage and indulgence. That being said, it’s a horror experience worth diving into, especially for those who love their slasher flicks with a side of artistic flair. The concept of three movies spanning different time periods yet all connected through character and theme. Genius. X gave us a gritty, ’70s-style exploitation horror that felt loving and critical of the genre’s past. Pearl flipped the script entirely, delivering a psychological character study wrapped up in a gorgeous technicolor package. Now, with MaXXXine, we see a neon-drenched, sleazy yet stylish conclusion that, for me, marks Mia Goth as one of horror’s most compelling leading ladies. Speaking of Mia Goth, wow. This trilogy introduced me to her, and I’m officially a fan. She’s mesmerizing, bringing a level of intensity and commitment that elevates these films beyond what viewers can typically expect from horror/slasher films. Pearl especially let her shine, giving us a villain (or tragic antihero?) with so much depth that it was impossible to look away. That monologue? Chilling. She really carries these movies in a way that makes them unforgettable. While I loved the trilogy, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have some conflicting feelings. At times, the violence, especially towards women, felt dangerously close to slipping from critique into exploitation. There were moments where I wasn’t sure if West was exposing the genre’s history of objectifying women or continuing it. But considering the time periods these movies are set in and the commentary they seem to be making, I lean towards believing it’s intentional. Still, it’s a conversation worth having. One thing that can’t be debated is the trilogy’s style and execution. The casting is spot-on, the acting across the board is excellent, and the way each film embraces its era, both visually and tonally, is impressive. The plot twists hit hard, the horror is effective, and the emotional moments (especially in Pearl) land in ways most slashers wouldn’t even attempt. These movies are bold in a way horror should be. They aren’t just about gore
and body counts; they have something to say. Overall, I highly recommend checking these films out if you haven’t already. Or if you have, they’re worth revisiting with fresh eyes, especially now that the full trilogy is out. They’re stylish, twisted, well-acted, and memorable. Ti West took big swings with this series, and for the most part, he hit the mark. Horror is better when it takes risks, and X, Pearl, and MaXXXine prove that sometimes, the best scares come wrapped in unexpected, brilliantly crafted packages.

Molly Graiff || Issue 14 || February 25, 2025

Hamide AK || Issue 14 || February 25, 2025

Liam May || Issue 14 || February 25, 2025

Avowed is a complex game to review. I am one of Obsidian Studios’ biggest fans. I loved Fallout New Vegas. My squad and I have played hours upon hours of Grounded, so not coming away with a similarly happy experience left me thinking I was reviewing wrong, not that the game had issues. In the end, it has a good base and can become something great, but I found it underwhelming, especially compared to the other First-Person Story RPG I played recently, Kingdom Come 2. I found the combat animations weird and claustrophobic, the world very lacking in immersion, and besides graphics, I thought there were very few things that stood out about this game. The story was unique, but it is nowhere near the openness levels of Skyrim. Many things such as Item Collision, Town/NPC Interactions, and Physics are surprisingly subpar compared to older games. However, I have
to say that while the story was a tad cliche, with “Outlander comes from afar to fix the frontier’s issues” being the prevalent theme, I found the world and Soul plague to be quite interesting. Having never played Pillers of Eternity, which is the world the game takes place, I was glad for an opportunity to check out the setting. In addition, I found the issue of the “Last of Us but magical” zombie issue intriguing yet ultimately underwhelming like most other aspects. I also thought locking the character behind playing a Godlike Envoy instead of letting players have a more free-form character creation be
far more annoying than immersive. In the end, Avowed is not for everyone, but as someone who has played over 100 hours of games in this genre, I think playing Outer Wilds, Grounded, and Fallout New Vegas is a better Support of Obsidian than wasting money on the 70-dollar price tag of Avowed.

Olivia William || Issue 14 || February 25, 2025

(MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD!!)

With thirteen Oscars nominations, a Rotten Tomatoes critics score of 72%, and a Golden Globes winner of multiple awards, you’d expect Emilia Pérez to be a great movie. You’d be unpleasantly surprised. After watching the
film, the 17% audience score makes sense. Emilia Pérez is a musical crime drama following the journey of Juan “Manitas” Del Monte aka Emilia Perez (played by Karla Sofía Gascón), a Mexican cartel leader who decides to go through with a gender-affirming surgery in order to escape her criminal past and then attempts to make up for the atrocities she committed while operating in the cartel. The film aims to explore themes related to redemption and identity in the midst of transitioning all while attempting to showcase
Mexican culture. However, all of these attempted feats go highly undone. The film does little to properly delve into these heavy subjects, leaving much to be desired, and it is as if they were only included to check a box rather than genuinely explore any of these subjects. The exploration of the trans-identity is lackluster, and it does not seem to delve seriously enough into the complicated nature of how a redemption arc is even possible for a former cartel leader. There is also the issue of the stereotypical depiction of Mexican culture, which has led to many Mexican actors and individuals boycotting the movie altogether or walking out of a viewing. So much so, that the major movie theater chain in Mexico, Cinépolis, had to clarify their policy from the sheer number of people requesting refunds due to their dissatisfaction. There is a decent amount of controversy surrounding this movie, not only concerning the general distaste towards the movie from the respective communities they attempt to tailor to. But the director himself is French, failed to cast any Mexican actors, and has made rather rude comments towards the Mexican and Spanish-speaking communities. Not only that but the main actress Karla Sofia has received major backlash for comments that she’s made. These only enhance the shallow way the film approaches its social themes.

Karla Sofia Gascón does alright playing Manitas/ Emilia. Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez also star in the movie. Zoe Saldana plays a lawyer trying to clear “Manitas” past and aiding in transitioning the main character. Meanwhile, Selena Gomez plays the main character’s ex-wife. Zoe Saldana does a decent job with the role she’s been given. Selena Gomez does seem to try her best here, but she is not fluent in Spanish and allegedly had minimal time to learn, so her dialogue’s cadence in the movie appears off, even to the un
trained ear. There is also the fact that this movie
is a musical. However, most of these musical numbers come off as poorly written and choreographed, with off key singing more often than not. It comes off as gimmicky at times and almost feels like an SNL skit of a musical
at some points rather than a serious film. Perhaps it would come off as more entertaining had it been made to be a comedy. Look up any of the
songs if you’d like to see for yourself. ‘El Mal’ or ‘La vaginoplastia’ will do. Perhaps a bigger blunder is that even with all the plot lines, music, and failed thematic exploration, the film begins to feel rather boring the longer it drags on, it becomes a struggle to even sit through one viewing. The overall filmmaking exudes a sense of being erratic. The writing comes off as surface-level and messy. So many plot threads come up that all just feel rather pointless in the end.

Adem Jones || Issue 14 || February 25, 2025

Walk through Hudson Valley Community College on any given day, and you’ll see a student body that represents a wide range of backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. But step into a room where major decisions about the college are made, and it’s like stepping into another world. The diversity that defines the campus doesn’t seem to make it past the door. I saw this firsthand when I attended a Board of Trustees meeting last semester. Nearly everyone in the room, those making decisions, those speaking, those holding positions of power, was white. Among the board members, just one Black person sat at the table. Looking around, I realized I was the only Black person in the audience. For a campus as diverse as HVCC, it was jarring. The people shaping the policies and future of this college looked nothing like the students walking its halls. And now, as HVCC searches for its next president, the same pattern is playing out. The final candidates for the position are all white, following a long-standing trend in higher education where leadership often fails to reflect the students it serves. This isn’t just about checking a box or making the administration look more inclusive—it’s about the reality
of who gets to lead and make decisions that impact all of us. Representation matters. Leadership influences everything from curriculum to hiring practices to funding priorities. When the people in charge share similar backgrounds and perspectives, the policies they create often reflect that limited worldview. It’s not like there aren’t qualified candidates of color in higher education, but according to the American Council on Education, only about 13% of college presidents nationwide are people of color, despite the increasing diversity of student populations across the country. Leadership in higher education has long been dominated by white administrators, a pattern that isn’t just coincidental, it’s systemic. Barriers to advancement, limited recruitment efforts, and the preference for candidates who fit a traditional mold all contribute to the lack of diversity at the top. At HVCC, that system is playing out in real time. A school that thrives on diversity is once again placing power in the hands of a leadership team that doesn’t reflect it. It sends a message, intentional or not, that while students of
all backgrounds are welcome here, the highest levels of leadership are still reserved for a select few.
No one is saying the current candidates aren’t qualified. But in a school where diversity is central to student life, shouldn’t leadership reflect that? Shouldn’t the people making decisions for the future of HVCC represent the students they’re leading? It’s a question worth asking. The real one, though, is whether those in power are actually listening.

Liam May || Issue 13 || February 19, 2025

Kelly Nguyen || Issue 13 || February 19, 2025

It’s February, and with the new year underway, many people are cleaning out their closets. Thrift stores offer second-hand products at a fraction of the cost. It’s not hard to find some real gems among the racks. Perhaps the best deal of all is buying secondhand. The Capital Region is full of thrift stores with a great one being Doors of Hope in West Sand Lake. I’ve found designer dresses, new with tags, and brand-name clothes consistently at this location. They offer a great variety of clothing items as well as shoes and household goods. The prices are very low on good quality items. I’ve found that at the beginning of the year, the finds are the best as many people are cleaning out their closets and sometimes donate next to new or even never worn items. Similarly, the CAPTAIN’S Treasures in Clifton Park has great quality pieces. If you search on their website, you will find that they do a weekly savings deal with some weeks being 50% off the clothing. This drops already low prices even lower. At this location, I’ve found several designer items in really good condition. Both the CAPTAINS and Doors of Hope offer food pantry services funded by their thrift stores so buying items at their shops gives back directly to the community. While getting a good deal is always a priority, you don’t want to sacrifice quality. I’ve found that observing the condition is very important when thrift shopping as it allows you to avoid purchasing an item that may be too worn. The best part about thrifting is you never know what you might find because a lot of the items are vintage or one-of-a-kind. Understanding your fashion sense will help you find exactly what you’re looking for. I recommend giving thrift stores a shot when looking to update your wardrobe on a budget.