At this week’s rose cafe, GRF Sara discussed romance in literature. She had to clarify that this does not imply dating or love, but instead a complex relationship with authority and escapism. We began by pointing out that most medieval romances did not focus on a happy love story, but instead on adultery. This kind of romance, as Sara points out, disrupts authority. It disrupts the institutions that tell us what is right is a happily married nuclear family. In another way, romance also ties in with desired-based thinking. And nothing is more desirable that the wish to flee away from all responsibilities and make the escape. I think this is why fantasy shows and books are so popular amongst young adults, who recently have entered the workforce and facing responsibilities desperately desire an escape from it all. I think this cafe helped further dissect our literary and entertainment interests to see exactly how they reflect our innermost desires. And literature helps do this longitudinally on different sentiments throughout history.
Author Archives: dsb283
What is Normal? Examining the Binary
At today’s Rose Cafe, Magdala spoke with us about her research in the intersection between French literature and the philosophy of medicine. Specifically, we discussed the idea of normal and how the conflation between health and normalness have led to intrusive medical treatments and oppression of the docile different. After a careful philosophical dialectic, we were left debating exactly what repercussions there are with imposing a binary based on normality on to the medical treatment and classification of others.
After this discussion, I have come to the opinion that the very idea of normalcy is completely unnecessary. We use normalcy to easily organize and describe desirable ideas. For example, doctors consider healthy to be normal. But with that, we are labeling the unhealthy as not normal. Why not simply call the healthy healthy and the unhealthy unhealthy? This translates into other areas of society. Because the average person has a partner of the different sex, we consider heterosexual relationships the norm. By doing this, we are designating LGBTQIA+ individuals as not normal. And with this act, there are debilitating effects on society, such as the alienation of those who are different without hurting others. Overall, I have left this rose cafe with a better perception of the philosophy of medicine and what it really means when I label something as “normal”.
Conservation at the Finger Lakes
At this weeks Rose Cafe, we heard from an ILR grad who has dedicated a substantial part of his professional life to conservation through a land trust. What a land trust does is buy preservable land from private owners in order to convert the plot into public space. Never before had I considered the environmental repercussions from private owned land. When interests collide and environmental considerations are set aside, large issues arise. It is in the public interest to ensure the longitivtiy of our environment.
What really sparked my interest during the Cafe is our discussion of why this system is seldom implemented in Europe. Our discussion revealed that the inefficient and expensive land trust system is implemented in the U.S. by lack of alternatives. In Europe, the system allows for much easier and cheaper preservation. This really makes me think about what our different regions value. Both areas espouse themselves as leaders of the progressive future– yet one government actually follows through with this promise.
Vaccines in a New Light
At today’s rose cafe, GRF Ty spoke with us about his research. Let me preface this by saying I’m in ILR. From my understanding, he is attempting to create vaccines from cell sugars. First, he gave us some background. White blood cells find bacteria and kill them to keep us healthy. The immune system detects foreign pathogens by patrolling white blood cells. Vaccines inject mutated parts of the virus / bacteria so our body can create antibodies against them. But if this vaccine is not created correctly, the process can go wrong.
Ty’s research is commissioned by the Defense Department to invent emergency vaccines against bioweapon viruses. And he is attempting to do so using the sugar on the surface of the cell. From my understanding, new attempts at cancer vaccines are utilizing this method.
As a social science major, I cannot really comment on the actual science going on here. But I can say that I am excited that constant new methods towards bettering lives are not only tested but continuously improved and implemented. Ty represents the future of STEM and the future of forces aiming to better humanity. And for that, I am very thankful.
Up in the Sky: An Inside Look
On the 28th’s Rose Cafe, we met with Mike Comella, an experienced pilot currently flying for Delta. Mike was able to give us an idea of what we cannot see in the plane that ensures its smooth operations. From protections against turbulence to keeping pilots rested and prepared, Mike ensured that safety is a priority in the airline industry. However, I was shocked to discover the low starting salary for pilots. After years of meticulous training, flying, and losing income, pilots are subjected to wages drastically below the necessary input to get the job.
My worry is that airlines are placing a large emphasis on safety, which they should, but are greatly ignoring the individual needs of pilots. While policies protecting safety help, having attentive and job-satisfied pilots can also increase overall safety.
Maybe it’s time for airlines to appreciate their pilots more. Although they pamper and safeguard their source of profit (us), airlines are forgetting about the service they provide– and the wellbeing of who provides it.
Rose Cafe 2/14: What Lies Below House 5?
We come to Cornell to learn. To learn about what we’re interested in, what we think interests us, what we believe matters. And we come to West Campus to live. For friends, good food, and old buildings. But when and where should the two intersect?
At this week’s Rose Cafe, we explored this intersection. We began by contextualizing the famous motto “Any Person, Any Study” by exploring the fact that our home-away-from-home played a huge role in normalizing and instituting higher education for historically marginalized populations. West campus’s rich history as a bargaining chip aimed at attracting prospective Harvard and Yale students proved effective. But as we discussed a loss in the budget and minimal landscaping, other aspects of our rich history surfaced.
I believe we are very privileged by being students at Cornell. Unfortunately, we rarely see the inner workings necessary to accommodate our pampered stay. By adventuring down into the tunnels which provide us with supplies of food and other amenities, I feel that we are grounded. The staff who work daily to provide us with an amazing experience become visible and remind us to show appreciation. And once again, the motto “Any Person, Any Study,” should inspire us– inspire us to mobilize social justice.
Judge Miller and the “Criminal”
While I know a few people in the group had heard Judge Miller speak before, this was my first time attending a talk with him. In all honesty, I did not expect such a level of humility and grounding from a professional in a high position of power. But Judge Miller proved to me, and hopefully to the group at the cafe, that some people in power do not bat a blind eye towards the struggles of others.
In his definition of a criminal, Judge Miller was very hesitant to impose this title on anyone. He believes that unless an agent is constantly considering their next crime, they are a person. I couldn’t agree more that the title of criminal blurs one’s status as a human, and only inspires further heinous acts. And I hope that other judges hold a similar sentiment.
However, my opinions diverged when Judge Miller went against the judge presiding over Larry Nassar’s case. While I do believe that a certain aura of professionalism is necessary when sentencing someone to over 170 years in prison, all judges are put on the bench by either the people or a representative of the people. And if the people who brought this specific judge into her position thought that her methods, means, and opinions are respectable, who are we, a group of students across the country, to deny her legitimacy? Overall, the talk was very informative and I thank all those who attended.