Criticism is the method by which we cause things to change by exploring our reactions to something, and it necessitates at least one person observing at least one other person. That most basic definition is essential to understanding how important it is to engage in good criticism rather than surface-level reactions.

The definition of “good” criticism is naturally going to be entirely subjective, so I will lay out what I think makes “good” criticism here, partly by defining what I think is “bad” criticism, as well as what is not actually criticism.

Let us start small: saying you do not like a book is not criticism. That is merely your taste. For example, I do not really like serialized television shows, and my friend does not really like movies. We can disagree with one another’s opinion, but we are not going to cause anything to change. I can further provide my reasoning as to why I do not like serialized TV: I do not like the time commitment, I am not a fan of episodic storytelling, etcetera. My friend can do the same thing about movies, and we can further disagree. Again, this is just taste, and the reason it is not criticism is because we are not attempting to affect change or provide some analysis of our opinions.

What might we consider criticism then? Instead of merely judging a work and giving our reasoning for our judgment, criticism includes an exploration of subtextual and metatextual elements of a work. Think of it this way: if your friend is using a machine incorrectly at the gym, you could simply tell them their form is bad and correct it; however, it might be even more useful to them if you explain how their bad form could negatively affect their health by continued usage. Criticism is not only about explaining why something is or is not bad; it requires the critic to engage with the work beyond its surface in a way that brings to light something not immediately visible.

I consider “bad” criticism that which does not engage with the work but attempts to pass judgment anyway. Nitpicking is one form of bad criticism. Simply listing off perceived flaws and giving a value to a work based on the total of those perceived flaws is not helpful. If you are proofreading a friend’s paper, you do not just circle all the grammatical errors and hand it back to them. It is easy to feel like this is good criticism because it seems like an objective measure of quality, but it is not. This is not to say that good criticism requires you to ignore flaws; rather, good criticism involves engaging with those perceived flaws and discovering how they might be a detriment to the work. 

Consider how someone might react to nitpicking as criticism in terms of your friend’s paper. They correct the grammar and spelling mistakes, and now their work is technically flawless. What kind of change has been affected here? The content of their paper is the same, just without the errors. The basics of any medium are important for communicating the author’s intent, but they come second in judging value. This is why surface-level criticisms like nitpicking are bad criticisms: They do not engage with the content in a meaningful way that invites meaningful change.

In my opinion, the best kinds of criticism come from questions: How does this scene’s shot composition contribute to the theme? For what purpose does this author bring up this historical event? How does this visual reference affect the tone?

Good criticism stems from curiosity and a willingness to consider a work on multiple levels. It also comes from knowledge and experience; what we know and how we have lived dictate how we view art and how it speaks to us. It is in dialogue with other pieces of criticism, those that challenge your viewpoint, as well as those that agree with you.

This does not just apply to art, by the way. Criticism is essential to how you construct your identity and your media diet, especially in online spaces. Consider how you decide what influencers you follow on Twitter or Instagram, or what channels you subscribe to on YouTube. You come to conclusions about what you want to interact with by asking critical questions: Am I being advertised to? What organizations does this person associate with? How does their content affect me? You’re already practicing good criticism in your everyday life by being discerning about your online presence and having reasonings behind your decisions. 

The best thing you can do with your good criticism is share it. Talk to your friends, your classmates, your therapist, anyone who will listen to you. Listen to what they say, and try to incorporate your reactions to their opinions into your criticism. 

The more you learn, the more you can develop your ideas, and the more you can understand about yourself and the world around you. All that to say, go ahead and be critical, just in a good way.

I have always prided myself in being the person that my friends can talk to when they are in a bad place. It is in my nature to be mothering to my chosen family. I have had people come to me for all sorts of advice, including wading the murky waters of mental illness or escaping a toxic relationship.

In my own mind, I am a thoughtful and caring human being with an open mind and an open heart. No matter what the situation, no judgement or criticism befalls those that I care for. Or so I believed.

Over the past year I have come to discover that in truth, I am an extremely judgmental person. 

I am not just talking about laughing at people who wear camouflage dresses at their own weiding or rolling my eyes at a talk show host I do not agree with. I have found myself complaining to my partner about people I call friends for doing little more than just being themselves.

When I was a child, my father always tried to teach me not to be too harsh on other people. He would always say “they are just trying to get through the day.” The statement echoes in my ears now and again when I realize I’m not being as compassionate or empathetic as I think I am. 

But is this just a personal realization, or a global cultural trend? 

Of course, as a young person, I am quite active on social media. Every other day I see a viral post where someone does something “cringey” or something that seems innocently hilarious. Over the next few days, because of the circles I am in, I will see the same viral content with comments elaborating on why the post’s reaction is problematic, bullying or some other form of wrongness. 

It is natural to have a gut reaction to something. A video, on the surface, may make you chuckle, cry or get angry. But a second look is required to get the full picture of what may be going on, not just in a viral video but in loved ones’ and even strangers’ lives. 

It is easy to judge and make assumptions when you have never been in that situation. Does the saying “walk a mile in their shoes” ring a bell? But this advice isn’t so simple anymore, not when we’ve created communities around prejudice and shaming. For example, a group on Facebook exists dedicated to “wedding shaming,” particularly ugly dresses, confederate flag decorations and what the group is at liberty to deem bad decision making from grooms and brides to be. 

There are nearly 150,000 Facebook users in this group. What probably used to be a community of “good intentioned” folks is now a Facebook group four times the size of the student body of Tech. And this isn’t the only “shaming” group I have encountered. 

There are dozens, if not hundreds of groups like this where people poke fun at strangers on the internet. 

Sometimes it is funny. Sometimes people post their own wedding stories because they want to share their mistakes. But sometimes it is not funny. The group turns into what the internet likes to call a “dumpster fire” of people making fun of poor couples in courthouses or plus sized brides in ill-fitting dresses. I can only imagine what other groups on the internet may be lurking, with far worse intentions, but with the same purpose: to judge.

In high school I had a friend who had a particularly hard time. Family issues coupled with confusion revolving around identity and friendships left them exhausted and manic. A close friend of theirs to this day, I bristle in anger when anyone tries to explain their behavior saying things like “they were just crazy” or some other judgmental and ignorant statement. I think about how it must feel to be them and feel this judgement so long after the fact. Then I think about that person who just does not seem to understand. But I am that person, not for my friend but for others.

I have cast aspersions on people I did not know for their actions and choices for which I did not know the context. 

I have become assimilated to a world where judgment and dismissal are normalized, and I believe many people my age have too. I wonder how people may perceive me, not knowing the context of my life and my surroundings, and I realize that I, along with virtually everyone on Earth, desires acceptance and understanding. 

If others could see the big picture, or even realize that there is a big picture, things might move a lot easier in our culture.

It is okay to make those first judgments — where we cringe, cry, or laugh — but only if we are committed to returning to those judgments and reflecting. It is more important to think critically and see the bigger picture than it is to derive enjoyment from judgment and shame. 

Sometimes it is okay to just take things at face value, and sometimes we must challenge ourselves to look deeper. 

It is our job as young people, as intellectual people, as humans, friends and family members, to decide which action a situation calls for and when we must act instead of simply sit and judge.

Shortly after 4 a.m. on Dec. 30, 2019, Bryce Gowdy was struck by a train and killed near his hometown of Deerfield Beach, FL. His death was investigated by a medical examiner and ruled a suicide. 

Earlier in the month, Gowdy had signed a National Letter of Intent to attend Tech and play football as a wide receiver. Gowdy, who was 17, had completed coursework at Deerfield Beach High School early and intended to begin classes at the Institute
on Jan. 6.

According to a Facebook live video released by his mother, Shibbon Mitchell, Gowdy had been exhibiting suicidal tendencies, such as paranoia and “talking crazy.” Gowdy and his family had also been struggling with homelessness.

“Our entire Georgia Tech football family is devastated by the news of Bryce’s passing,” Tech football head coach Geoff Collins said in a statement. “Bryce was an outstanding young man with a very bright future. He was a great friend to many, including many of our current and incoming team members.

“On behalf of our coaches, players, staff and families, we offer our deepest condolences to Bryce’s mother, Shibbon, and his brothers, Brisai and Brayden, as well as the rest of his family members, his teammates and coaches at Deerfield Beach High School, and his many friends. Bryce and his family will always be a part of the Georgia Tech football family.”

Gowdy’s death was the second tragedy endured by Yellow Jackets football in 2019. In March, Brandon Adams collapsed at a friend’s apartment and later was pronounced dead due to natural causes at Emory University Hospital Midtown.

Shortly after Gowdy’s death, a GoFundMe page was created for the Gowdy family to ensure that “all of their needs are met in the short term, making sure that funeral expenses are covered and planning for their shelter in the long-term,” according to the page description. At the time of writing, the fundraiser has generated over $120,000.

“As we grieve, we have received support beyond our belief. We always knew Bryce was loved and adored by many, but this level of support, has been a true testament to his legacy,” said a statement from the Gowdy family posted on the GoFundMe page on Jan. 3.

If you or someone you know is struggling, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255, or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

Fires continue to rage in Australia with no end near in sight. The situation garners more and more media attention by the day as we enter the third month of fires. “These are the worst bushfires in Australian history,” said 5th Year ME Major and Australian student Hayden Bartsch, “Fortunately, the lives lost in the fires have not matched those of the 2009 bushfires, but the long term environmental, economic and social outcomes will
be devastating.”

Australia’s wildfire crisis is an ongoing battle that will continue for months to come. “A billion animals have died, and that number is rising every day,” said 3rd-Year EAS Major Hannah Verboncoeur, “Over 60 thousand square kilometers of land has been incinerated by the fires, destroying the habitats of many animals that may have tried to repopulate the area in the future. People’s homes are being destroyed, and people relocated. The ecosystems and people of Australia will forever face the impacts of the fires.” 

The historical event is highlighting global issues that have been brought on by climate change. “The data are in, and 2019 was the warmest and driest year in Australia ever recorded, setting up the conditions for extreme flammability,” Dr. Cobb Director of the Global Change Program at Tech said. “Unfortunately, this is part of a long-term trend strongly linked to climate change, with heat extremes and drought conditions expected to worsen in coming decades. These deadly bushfires are yet another horrific taste of our climate future should we fail to curb the rise of greenhouse gas emissions in the next decade or two.”

Many around the world and included at Tech have highlighted the systemic issues that allowed the situation to take place. “As an Earth and Atmospheric Science major,” said Verboncoeur, “I feel a responsibility to educate both myself and the public about environmentally devastating events like the fires in Australia. These horrifying series of fires will change Australia’s ecosystems and impact the people there forever. The climate of Australia has been the warmest it’s been in over 100 years, and the warming trend continues to rise. This is the new normal for regions all over the world as more communities and Earth systems face the catastrophic impacts of climate change.”

Verboncoeur continued, “These fires aren’t just ravishing the ecosystems and air quality of Australia either. Entire infrastructures, cities, and surrounding countries are being impacted as well. In New Zealand, for example, ash from the fires is covering glaciers, making their surface darker and, in turn, absorb more incoming light as heat.”

Many people are dedicating their time and effort to ensure that the fires are put out. “The heroes who are fighting the fires,” said Hayden Bartsch, “Tens of thousands of the men and women fighting the fires are volunteers working [15 plus] hour shifts with minimal breaks. Additionally, 3,000 army reservists were deployed to help fight the fires for the first time in history.”

 What comes next is a question on many minds as the blaze continues. “Preventative measures must be taken globally,” said Verboncoeur, “Whether that’s in the political realm with Environmental policy decisions, educationally with more extensive Earth Science curricula in schools or even within the fields of engineering as we prepare our world and communities with infrastructure to adapt to this new normal. Our jobs as people who can protect the environment and prevent much of our influence on climate change should be to employ what skills we have to help work towards a global effort against climate change.

While progress is needed, there are some obstacles impeding progress. “It is important to note that there has been a pushback by the Greens Party,” said Bartsch, “In the past for years against controlled back burning. Back burning is a practice that dates all the way back to the native inhabitants. It’s a proven tactic that wasn’t exercised enough before these bushfires.”

This historical crisis will carry on for months to come, but many people believe in perseverance. “Australians are damn tough,” said Bartsch, “Bushfires are a common occurrence throughout Australian history, and we always bounce back. Our wildlife have adapted to survive these circumstances. In fact, some plant species rely on fires for germination. It’s a shocking situation, but the Australian people have hearts forged in fire – we will come together and persevere through these tough times, with or without our government behind us.”

For a team that turned around following a shutout by a top-25 team to play a primetime game less than a week afterwards, Tech showed no sluggish effects from the get-go. It took all of three plays for the Jackets to march to the end-zone on the first play of the game, with a pair of James Graham passes to Malachi Carter and Ahmarean Brown, respectively for 71 yards on the short drive. That drive set the tempo for the Tech offense —the Jackets busted open the NC State defense to the tune of 395 yards and 28 points. Even though those eye-opening numbers came against a middling NC State defense, it was still a promising showing for a Tech offense that has produced thus far this season only in fits and starts.The second half was another story, as Tech slowed offensively and allowed NC State to get back into the game. Tech was outscored 23-7 in the second half, with a Graham touchdown providing the only score for the Jackets. Tech held firm, however, when it mattered most — thanks to pressure from Christian Campbell, NC State failed a game-tying two-point conversion, and Tech was able to run out the clock for the victory, 28-26. Here were the biggest takeaways from Tech’s penultimate game of the season.

Jordan Mason scorches NC State defense

RB Jordan Mason has been one of the few consistent bright spots for the Jackets this year — and no one shone brighter than the Jackets’ budding star Thursday night. Mason single-handedly out-gained NC State in the first quarter, 86 yards to 77, thanks to a career-long 48-yard long rush to put Tech knocking firmly on the Wolfpack’s door. Mason also helped close the door on NC State late in the game— needing to burn the clock, the Jackets gave Mason the ball 7 times on 8 plays to clinch the victory. Mason has been the magic man for Tech, breaking tackles left and right like defenders are simply passing straight through him, and he demonstrated the same slippery abilities Thursday in finishing the night with 141 yards on 22 carries for Tech.

Graham has career game

Graham has struggled with inconsistency for much of the season, at times even hitting the bench for poor play. But Collins has stuck by his man and it paid off on Thursday — the redshirt freshman passed for a career high 3 touchdowns with 129 yards on 15 attempts. The QB certainly got some help with some stellar plays by Carter and Brown, who combined for 102 yards in the game. QB-turned-WR Tobias Oliver got in on the action as well, recording his first career touchdown catch. Oliver has now recorded a touchdown pass, a rushing touchdown, and a touchdown catch in his career, the first Tech player to do so since TaQuon Marshall, who played for Tech from 2015 to 2018.

Harvin Goes Viral

The most important position on bad teams like the Jackets this year is the punter, and few have been better than Pressley Harvin III. Harvin currently ranks no. 6 in the NCAA in total punting yards, and no. 2 in the ACC behind Wake Forest’s Dom Maggio. Harvin got a good share of the spotlight Thursday when former NFL punter and current ESPN color commentator Pat McAffee began tweeting out clips of Harvin to his 1.65 million Twitter followers, proclaiming that “We got a BIG FELLA HITTING BIG BALLS” about the 6’0”, 245 lbs. Harvin. Harvin was previously named ACC specialist of the week in October for his performance against Miami, where he averaged 45.5 yards per punt on 6 punts and recorded a 41-yard touchdown pass on a trick play.

The Jackets were thoroughly embarrassed by their rivals, Virginia Tech, on Saturday. Tech was dominated in every aspect by the Hokies — they were outscored 45 to 0 and outgained 461 yards to 134 yards. After showing signs of promise in a loss to Virginia last week on the road, there was optimism that the Jackets might be able to keep the momentum going and show up against a Virginia Tech team with postseason hopes, but Tech instead looked every bit the rebuilding team they are. Here were the biggest takeaways from Saturday’s game.

Decimated Tech defense can’t contain Hokies

Rolling with multiple walk-ons for much of their drives, Tech was steamrolled by a Virginia Tech offense that entered the game ranked no. 65 in the country in points per game. Hokie QB Hendon Hooker had a field day with the Jackets’ decimated defense, going 9 for 13 in the air with 159 yards before getting rested in the second half. On the ground, the Hokies picked up 238 yards on 45 attempts, scorching the Jackets’ run defense.

Jackets struggle with penalties

Even on the administrative side of the ball, Tech had a bad day. Setting the tone with a delay of game penalty on the first play of the game, the Jackets gave up 40 yards on 6 penalties. On top of that, safety Christian Campbell was ejected in the second quarter as well for a clear-as-day targeting call on Virginia Tech’s kick returner. Giving up so many big plays coupled with Tech’s propensity for penalties meant the Tech crowd was well out of the game by the end of the first half.

Virginia Tech still fighting for Coastal

With tonight’s win, Virginia Tech stays alive in their hunt for the ACC Coastal. The Hokies went to 4-2 in ACC play this year, tying with Pittsburgh and just behind Virginia at 5-2. Pitt and Virginia Tech face off next week, and should Virginia Tech win that game, they’ll have a chance to win the Coastal outright against UVA the following week. If Pitt wins, they will need to beat Boston College the week after and have Virginia Tech beat Virginia in order to win the Coastal outright, but if UVA beats Virginia Tech, UVA will own the Coastal title outright by virtue of a tie-breaking win over Pitt earlier this season.

In today’s hectic world, social media, constant news updates and text messages often distract from the simple joy of living in the moment and being more present. 

However, time slowed down on Nov. 4, 2019 for members of the Tech community at the annual Diwali Exhibition hosted in the Student Center Ballroom. 

This exhibition was hosted by the Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Sanstha (BAPS) Campus Fellowship. The organization is affiliated with the BAPS Hindu temple, or mandir, located in Lilburn, Georgia. 

The exhibition itself is the result of several months of hard work. The efforts were led by Jay Patel, second-year IE and upcoming BAPS Campus Fellowship president. The efforts began months in advance and included help from over 85 volunteers. 

The fruits of the labor? The exhibition featured an informational video, various interactive activities, live music, food and more. The purpose? To celebrate Diwali. 

“Each day [of the celebration] has a different significance but the over-arching theme of Diwali is the victory of good over evil or light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance,” said Vandan Patel, fourth-year EE and the current BAPS president. 

After viewing an informational video that discussed the meaning of the holiday, attendees were provided the chance to engage more actively with the holiday and its themes by participating in the many different activity stations that were exhibited. 

One activity included making rangoli out of origami hearts. Each participant received a sheet of paper on which they wrote an accomplishment from the last year, or an accomplishment they hoped to achieve in the upcoming year. 

“That’s something we all do as a family and [we are] trying to show that Tech is a big family itself,” said Vandan Patel. “Each person added their heart to that rangoli and that made it a whole additive rangoli with Georgia Tech.”

Another booth featured an activity which required attendees to find one special ball in a bucket full of balls as fast as possible. Attendees came to the conclusion that it was most effective to remove any unwanted ball from the bucket to speed up accomplishing the desired goal. 

Another station included a world peace vigil, in which attendees held small electric candles in a 30 second moment of silence with the intent to encourage unity and to also remind others they are not alone on Tech’s campus. Tying in the theme of mental health, there was also an activity which focused on meditation. 

Another booth even related dishonesty to mental health. 

This lesson about the importance of honesty was appreciated by Shrey Jain, third-year AE.

“It shows how easily we can lie in our days and how truth can actually help us instead of lying,” said Jain.  

In order to connect all of these lessons, Vandan Patel reflected on the overall theme of this year’s exhibition. 

“This year, we looked to see the values of truth, simplicity and integrity, and how they can benefit our careers and mental health,” said Vandan Patel. 

These ideas strongly impacted the purpose of the exhibition. 

“We wanted to focus on mental health and wellness and how meditation and introspection can help students to become [more] mindful and also help them throughout these next few months, especially leading into final exams,” said Vandan Patel.

Part of this effort includes making a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere for all. Harsh Patel even stressed the importance of such an environment for international or out-of-state students.

“It’s good for them to come here and celebrate it with the community,” said Harsh Patel. “I think it’s a way for them to kind of feel at home.”

But even those who may not have ties to or personal experiences with Diwali can find value in attending events such as these. 

“We wanted to educate everyone about the significance of Diwali,” said Vandan Patel. “Growing up, we participated in these traditions while not knowing the deeper meaning, and so we kind of wanted to share that as best we could to a greater audience.” 

On a broader scale, learning about another culture through events like these, especially with a focus on mental health, can be applied to almost any attendee’s life. 

“I think it’s important because in a normal day to day college life, we usually ignore the values of honesty, truthfulness, integrity and stuff like that,” said Harshil Shah, third-year CS. 

“We are so much [more] focused on completing our homework, studying for a test and getting good internships that we often forget about all these other things that make us more human.”

Vandan Patel points to benefits of attending cultural events such as these in the professional world. 

“In a career perspective, if you think about it, if you have a co-worker who celebrates Diwali, then you don’t become ignorant because you know what Diwali stands for. 

“You can approach them and, at the same time, you start to connect to them on a deeper level,” said Vandan Patel. 

Although the 2019 Diwali Exhibition just occurred, the BAPS Campus Fellowship is already planning for next year’s event and considering additional improvements to be made. 

“How can we get a bigger audience? And how can people that came in years previous can get different details and different ideas?” Vandan Patel asked.

In keeping with the goal of drawing a wider audience and adding different ideas to the event, those in attendance — such as Jain — also explored the importance of diversity on campus.

“It helps spread awareness about other cultures and it also kind of unties people around campus. [You can] learn about other cultures and how the common values of humans are tied into every culture,” said Jain. 

When I started at Tech, I was a bright-eyed, bushy tailed freshman, full of vim and vigor and ready to run sprints every morning up and down freshman hill. Entering my final semester, I struggle to find the energy to wake up before noon and find walking so much of a chore that half of my monthly income is taken up by scooter rides.

It has been a journey, to say the least. I often think back to that younger version of myself — so eager to take on the challenges of living in a new city and managing college life — and what I might say to him if I got the chance to talk to him. A couple things come to mind:

Double check the timing for your Dynamics exam. Saleh will not show you mercy.

Tempting as it may be, don’t eat pizza and french fries for every meal your freshman year. Your waistline will thank you.

Look both ways before crossing the street. It’s not a good impression on a first date to get hit by a car.

But I think that the single most important thing — advice that I didn’t truly need on my first day at Tech, but something I needed to know and something that it took me a while to learn ­— was this: “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

My freshman year, when I struggled with the workload, with my grades, with my social life, I felt anxious and alone, like I did not belong at Tech. It did not matter that I had been accepted into this prestigious university — I still felt like I wasn’t truly a Tech student. But I was exactly where I was supposed to be. I found my stroke and finished my year with good grades and plenty of friends.

My sophomore year, I found myself unhappy and unsatisfied with aerospace engineering, to the point that I ended up changing my major to LMC. 

I have regretted coming to Tech in the first place, thinking I would have been better served at some other school. 

But I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The LMC program was welcoming and friendly, and I embraced it as it embraced me.

My junior year, I felt overloaded with my chosen career path, baseball analytics. Doors were closing left and right despite working harder than I ever had in my life. I began to wonder if I could even get a job in my field of focus. But I was exactly where I was supposed to be. After months of waiting and applying I finally landed my dream internship over the summer.

My final semester, I have come to terms with my path at Tech. It has been rocky, to say the least — but the road to success is paved with failures. For all of the trials and tribulations Tech has had to offer me, and for all of the hoops I have jumped through and those that I have not, I have put myself in a prime position for the career I want, doing what I love for
a living. 

There were so many times where I felt like giving up — giving up on LMC, giving up on baseball, giving up on Tech itself — but through it all, I have found myself exactly where I am supposed to be. Given the chance, I would love to go back and tell myself to have some modicum of faith in my path — that I would end up doing what I always dreamed of, and I would be happy with my career at Tech. But somehow, given that I am where I am right now — I think that deep down inside, I already knew.

Several weeks ago, I wrote a piece titled “D.O. schools lack originality and purpose,” which, in hindsight, was a rather rash title as it did not quite convey what my issues with D.O. schools were. 

Understandably, there was a lot of blowback from those who felt that I was being unfair to the existence of this cohort of medical schools and suggesting that somehow the D.O. medical title carries less weight than a traditional medical degree. 

I would like to clarify that my piece was not an attack on the existence of such schools or their students, but was seeking to question how professed holistic care is carried out in clinical practice, as well as the real need for an entirely separate conglomeration of schools and medical licensing needed to bridge the healthcare gap, to those holistic ends. 

While I still think that there is limited research that can speak to the large-scale effects of a bifurcated medical educational system, I did speak to my favorite Tech pre-health advisor, Francisco Castelan, in an effort to further my own understanding of D.O. schools and to seek out a more seasoned and expert opinion running counter my own, as well as more personal research into the topic. Francisco was able to provide a direct personal account and statistics from the American Osteopathic Association OMP Report that speak to the efficacy of D.O.’s in practice and opened my eyes to some of the arguments made by D.O. schools that they manage to do some things better in the realm of medical education. 

He brought up a great counterpoint to the lower numerical threshold for admitted students, that part of it is an attempt to stay true to D.O. schools’ values in holistic and diverse education and lower barriers of entry for disadvantaged students wishing to enter medicine. This, I recognize, is difficult to balance with maintaining the ‘rigorous’ academic standards that society has come to expect from medical school candidates. From our conversation about applied holistic care and osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMP), I see parallels between practices in my own cultural background like acupuncture and traditional medicine, and the approach that osteopathic doctors take in exploring alternative solutions grounded in empirical evidence in diagnosing and treating patients before recommending more invasive procedures and surgical operations, which are incentivized by the nature of our current market healthcare system. 

I clearly still have a lot to learn about the medical education system, but I also know that the medical education system is grossly inefficient and imperfect, that aspiring to attend medical school should not discourage pre-health students from voicing the critiques that many harbor about the medical educational system as an institution. I still remain unconvinced that creating a separate branch of medical education is the most efficient way to improve the overall efficacy and quality of treatment for people seeking care.

It seems that it would be more beneficial and consistent to somehow reach a happy medium of both D.O. and MD standardized curricula in all schools rather than continuing to open schools that also mainly serve to turn a profit in addition to purportedly acting in the interests of
patients themselves. 

For students that would like to know more, there will be an educational expo with Tech alumni this month on Wednesday, Nov. 20. As Castelan told me, and which I wholeheartedly agree with: “Part of preparing for a career in medicine is to understand the complete spectrum of healthcare professionals, including the practice of Osteopathic profession…the objective should be to understand what the osteopathic practice consists of and if the approach is a good fit…” 

Watching my own parent have to endure the last six months of being referred to doctor after doctor, unable to reach a diagnosis for troubling symptoms is a sign to me that now is the best time to be having discussions about medical education and direct consequences in patient care, and that consistent dissemination of information and perspectives is paramount. 

Perhaps one of the most formative moments in my political thinking came when I got some spam mail at my parent’s house. I was back home for the weekend, and I went to check the mail. Most of my mail is spam, credit card ads and low interest student loans.

That day was not any different – the usual group of nonsense mail was there. I took a closer look at the sheaf of papers and noticed a particularly large white envelope, with big red letters telling me how “URGENT” it was for me to read this letter. I gave into my curiosity and opened the letter. I was greeted with a long discourse about the wickedness and corruption that currently infected Washington and the terrible fate that awaits Americans who don’t take action “NOW.”

For context, I should mention that I am a conservative, and so is my immediate family. While I am not a huge fan of the Republican Party right now, I consider myself to fall slightly right of center for most of my political thinking. My family has voted Republican as long as we have been able to vote, and so as I read this letter of doom and gloom, I assumed that it was coming from a conservative Republican source. 

It had a lot of the hallmarks of what many (including me) would consider typical conservative “propaganda:” calls to action against an opposition that outnumbered us, that wanted nothing more than to strip us of our fundamental rights and freedoms as Americans. 

The enemy was portrayed as overwhelming and inexorable, that the Other Side is coming for you! They want to take away what you hold dear, and they want to impose their narrow-minded and Morally Corrupt world-view on you, the helpless American voter. (Of course, the only way to prevent this is for you send back a check in the included envelope – they even pay for postage!) 

I was not fazed by what I read. It’s the same message most conservative groups and talking heads seem to say these days. “They’re coming for your guns!” “They’re gonna burn down your churches!” I felt the usual sense of embarrassment at being associated, even somewhat distantly, to people that would stoop to these lengths to get some cash. After a moment, I realized that I didn’t even read who it was from. I glanced at the header: “American Civil Liberties Union.”

While the ACLU is technically non-partisan, few to none of the conservative folks I know (including myself) would consider them a conservative group. I was astounded, not because I particularly dislike the ACLU, but because their rhetoric seemed to match so closely with that of conservative groups and thought leaders I would heard before. 

It is fascinating to me how much of each side’s narrative is shared by the other. And at the root of the narrative seems to be this concept: “You are an American, and you’re free to live your life a certain way and to be left alone by the government and others to live your life that way. The Other Side wants to take that away from you.” 

No matter who you vote for or support, remember that at the end of the day, we should exist to take care of each other and to elevate each other. We should let that mindset inform how we evaluate what we hear from each side. Do not make your decision based on what the fundraising letters or talking heads say. Look deeper. If more of us decide to, we may be able to find a way forward after all.