Opinion
The Opinion section regularly features staff editorials, columnists' essays on topics privy to them, and unpopular opinions.
Solitary confinement in prisons should be discontinued
*Trigger Warning: Mentions Suicide*
The use of solitary confinement in prisons has been going on for centuries. Solitary confinement is convenient for prisons, as inmates can be put in a small room by themselves, where fights and violence are far less likely to happen. But the overuse of solitary confinement is practically a form of torture that permanently scars individuals who are forced to experience it. Mentally harming individuals purely for convenience’s sake is unacceptable, and the overuse of solitary confinement should be reevaluated.
Why you should attend a Geneseo hockey game
I am a junior at SUNY Geneseo and I had never attended a Geneseo Ice Knights hockey game until Feb. 18 of this year (I know, this seems like it should be a crime). This was the last game of the regular season and our wonderful Managing Editor Emma Mincer invited me to go with her. The game was between Geneseo, obviously, and Brockport. Let me just say that this is my new favorite pastime and I will be going to these games regularly next season because it was exhilarating.
Why there should be a limit on textbook requirements and cost
Most colleges in the United States require that students purchase textbooks, and depending on which university, or which major you are in, these books can get expensive. According to the Education Data Initiative, “The average postsecondary student spends between $628 and $1,471 annually for books and supplies as of the 2021-2022 academic year.”
The search for honest journalism in the internet age
Perhaps it would be melodramatic to assert that truthful media is dying, but thorough media coverage is certainly on the decline, no thanks to the growing reliance on internet outlets to deliver news. At the risk of permanently affixing a tin foil hat to my head, I’d like to take the opportunity in this edition’s staff editorial to address growing concerns about media biases, and even suggest that news outlets from National Public Radio to The Lamron alike are capable of reducing media bias.
Postcards: Preserving the past and looking ahead
Over the centuries and even decades, much has changed in the world, ranging from the way people think to how national identities have shifted entirely. While various means have been used to preserve historical records, it is through postcards that so much of this change has been documented. I started collecting postcards because I thought it was cool to have old pieces of history, and since they didn’t cost a lot, I was able to find hundreds online. While the hobby of collecting these notes written on thick pieces of paper goes back over a century, it is still a relevant passion for many today.
The new Crickets Coffee House: A comprehensive review
After months of anticipation, the wait is finally over: Crickets Coffee House has officially made its grand reopening at its new location on 6 Center Street! For many dedicated Crickets customers, this move was a bit controversial, as the business’s previous location on Main Street was beloved by many; that being said, we felt it was our duty to assess the new and (allegedly) improved spot and report back to the people. The following article is a comprehensive review of the “new” Crickets for all coffee-goers as they reorient themselves to the classic shop.
Earthquake preparation and safety
With the recent earthquakes, I think it would be beneficial to go over some basic readiness steps that could help you and your family in the event of one of these terrifying natural disasters.
SpongeBob Squarepants: A 24 year evolution
As a college student, there are likely issues I should care more strongly about than a show that has been airing since before I was alive. Nevertheless, seeing as I have been around for the majority of its existence, I should be able to form an opinion on how it has evolved over time, and not for the better. SpongeBob Squarepants is a show that, regardless of its unfortunate two-decade transition, will always have a special place in my heart.
Quiet quitting: Healthy boundary setting, or trendy work fad?
Let’s be honest: jobs suck. No matter how much you like your boss, your co-workers, the various projects you’re working on, or your day-to-day activities, it still sucks to get out of bed to face all the negatives of our careers and day jobs; and, all of that is assuming that you have a supportive supervisor, co-workers that do their share of the work, and patrons that don’t demand to speak to managers or throw coffee in your face.
Review of the Stanley Cup
If you use social media as addictively as I do, you have likely seen the new trend among avid water drinkers. The Stanley Cup—which is not to be mistaken with the National Hockey League Championship award—is the new “it girl” on the water bottle scene.
Useless facts that you absolutely need to know
In life, there are many pieces of knowledge that feel pertinent to our existence. I feel, however, that we should embrace the useless knowledge thrown at us. The following article contains the most absurd and random facts that I have come across in my 21 years of life.
Staff Editorial: The 1619 Project and Implications for Educators
The question first is, what is the 1619 Project? You may recognize it as the newly released documentary on Hulu or a history class topic, or perhaps you have seen the countless debates on educational policy which puts the project on par with critical race theory.
Winter break: The second-best break
There are several breaks over the course of an academic year which allow for time away from the stress of studying and writing papers. While each break has certain benefits, there are some that allow for more flexibility to do activities unrelated to academics; winter break does just that and is the second-best of the breaks as a result.
Staff Editorial: Tips for being at home over break
For many Geneseo students, winter break indicates a return to family homes, or at least an extended stay at a non-dormitory home. If you’re lucky, this can be a welcomed time of rest and relaxation, surrounded by family or any other folks you might not get to see during the academic year; however, we here at The Lamron know that this is not a luxury that all students experience. Perhaps staying at home is stressful for you, either due to family conflict, lack of autonomy, or even an abusive home environment (for support in situations of domestic violence, we urge you to refer to resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233)). If this is the case, we have a few tips for how to survive the holidays if you’re finding yourself stuck at home.
Why there should be more awareness about listening fatigue
Individuals with disabilities experience different challenges than individuals without disabilities. Some people struggle to open doors or walk upstairs. Some people struggle to pay attention in class or write their own notes. Some people struggle with hearing. Individuals who struggle with hearing sometimes have to expend so much energy into hearing, that they get tired after spending a whole day of listening. This is called listening fatigue.
Winter is way better than we remember it being
As a first-year student starting their semester, only twice have I experienced snowfall—as in, waking up to snow on the ground and all around campus. Walking to and from classes, I never felt this excited about snowfall since I was a kid.
The ending of Game of Thrones wasn’t all that bad
I know, I know; I am three and a half years late to have an opinion on the subject, but after watching Game of Thrones for the first time over the course of six months, I have a strong point of view on the conclusion of the show. While I am definitely a minority in my overall approval towards the ending, there were certain elements I did not initially know how to interpret.
Santa’s reindeer ranked
As we roll into the holiday season, Main Street is decked out in garland and lights, stores are having deals, and radio stations are playing Christmas music. On Thanksgiving I watched Miracle on 34th Street with my family to kick off the Christmas season, and the opening scene showed Santa walking down a street in New York City. He stopped to critique a store owner arranging his window decorations; Santa claimed that the store clerk had the order of the reindeer mixed up, and that there was a very specific order that the reindeer must be in to pull his sleigh. It got me thinking: does Santa have favorite reindeer? And if so, which ones are they?
Healthy ways to cope with the stress of finals
Finals can be one of the most stressful times in any college student’s life, but there are ways to deal with stress. Not all ways of dealing with stress are healthy, so here are some stress relievers that are safe and The Lamron approved.
Study methods for finals season
With final exams coming soon, it is almost impossible to not feel a sense of anxiety or worry. Whether it be an exam, presentation, or final essay, many people have utilized different strategies to study for these finals.