The Western Howl, Author at The Western Howl

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

The first annual Monmouth Peacock Festival will be held May 20, at Monmouth Main Street Park from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The city will be coming together to celebrate the wild peacocks present in Monmouth’s residential neighborhoods. Admission to the festival is free.

The purpose of the festival is stated on their website, “The Peacock festival is an opportunity to celebrate Monmouth Oregon’s uniqueness and to bring enjoyment to the attendees through art, craft, entertainment and education.”

The festival will have live entertainment and demonstrations, arts & crafts vendors, community groups and children’s activities — as well as a Finders Keepers art rock hunt.

The festival will also include The Running of the Peacocks — a 5k and 1k fun run for all ages and abilities. The run will begin and end at the Main Street Park Amphitheater, circling through Western’s campus. Registration is required and costs $10 per person, children under 12 are free of charge as long as they are accompanied by a paying parent or guardian. Each participant will be given a commemorative pair of peacock-themed socks, while supplies last.

There will also be a Peacock Calling Contest at 2:00 p.m. on the amphitheater stage. Peacock calls will be judged on tone, cadence, pitch, volume and overall accuracy. Participants are encouraged to pre-register online and there is no cost to enter. The winner will be awarded a prize.

The Peacock Festival seeks to appreciate the area’s natural resources and celebrate community engagement.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

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Be Our Guest

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

The Etiquette Dinner is back, reigning annual tradition at Western, now returning after its brief hiatus in 2020-2021. The Center for Professional Pathways has brought it back with a new fashion twist. This event is provided for all Western students and sponsored professionals. Bring enrolled friends, family and even a date to this wonderful night.

On May 22, attendees will enter the Werner University Centers’ Pacific Room to be greeted with a mocktail and the opportunity to find a seat at an elaborately decorated table. Attendees will then watch a fashion show hosted by Stitch Closet, to give ideas and inspiration for professional attire. On each place setting there will be a card to provide an opportunity to win a gift by matching each model to the provided professional settings before the etiquette dinner begins.

Once the show concludes, Sabra Jewell, the Communications Coordinator for the City of Monmouth, will lead the audience through a three-course dinner. The french inspired meal will include a salad, an entree and dessert all with vegan and gluten-free options. Each member will learn proper dining etiquette for each course, conversation cues and anything else that would come up during a work dinner.

This event is for those who want to learn more about how to conduct themselves at a formal dinner with their future boss and colleagues. Everyone will be dressed in formal attire, ready to learn and have a great evening with the Western community. There will be professionals to sit with as well as ones friends, fellow classmates and enrolled guests. Every student is welcome to attend free of charge.

For more information, follow @woucpp or @stitchcloset.wou on Instagram for the menu, updates and polls. The event is filling up fast, make sure to register. Use the QR code provided in the newspaper, the student email or on a poster around campus.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

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Liv’n it up in Lifestyle

Written by: Jude Bokovoy

Searching for a job for next school year that looks great on a resume, teaches tangible skills and will prepare one for professional writing in the workplace? Here’s why being the Western Howl’s Lifestyle Editor should be on your application list.

Encourages activity — One of the most common topics associated with the current lifestyle section is things to do and places to go. This role will get one out of their comfort zone and out of town to encourage students to do so as well. There is no limit on topics or area code to stay within; the Howl is one’s oyster.

Passions — Spread the word about all of the hobbies and little joys one partakes in. Interested in cooking? Write a recipe. Enjoy making jewelry? Show off creations and give a tutorial on how others can do just the same. Even if it’s a random or niche activity, if one is passionate about it, one can put it in the newspaper.

Capture time — Writing about trends, apps, popular activities and places creates a snapshot in time for all students to look back on. It also encourages one to participate to get a full understanding before reporting about it.

The people — Not only will one have a support system at the Howl, but also the opportunity to give interviews to people one finds interesting. Whether it’s a business owner, artist or whoever, there’s a good chance an interview can be made possible.

Have ideas come to life — For any article one writes, there is always a photo or a graphic to describe it. When it comes to graphics, one can think of anything that makes them happy and curious, tell a designer and see it on production night. It’s so fun to see what the designers do with the idea to make it their own as well. With photos one will be able to work on their photography skills and will have their photo on the cover from time to time.

Inspires one to be a better person — Writing for the lifestyle section gives the unique opportunity to give advice to fellow students. This could be anything from living with roommates to being true to oneself. It gives one time and reason to think about how they can improve themselves and how far they have come to give advice directly from one’s life.

Grow as a writer — Being an editor is like jumping into an upper-division writing course with three professors and one as the only student. There will be so much to learn about writing, with one’s own style and Associated Press style at the forefront. It will take some getting used to at first, but with time having a team of people editing one’s work will become normal. The healthy and encouraging environment is made for people to grow and someone will be there to answer any question no matter how silly it may sound.

Contact the author at howllifestyle@mail.wou.edu

What the lifestyle editor writes about:

Activities
Restaurants
Hobbies
Places
Advice
Recommendations

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The Main Character’s Playlist

Written by: Mirella Barrera-Betancourt

Having a bad day? Need a confidence boost? The following songs can help reframe any day into a scene from a movie, whether one is walking home or cruising down a backroad with the windows down. This playlist is for the people who want to feel on top of the world.

“Animals” — Neon Tree

“Cigarette Daydream” — Cage The Elephant

“Escapism” — RAYE ft. 070 Shake

“Electric Love” — BORNS

“Daisy” — Ahnikko

“Collide” — Justine Skye ft. Tyga

“Midnight City” — M83

“Prom Queen” — Beach Bunny

“Sweater Weather” — The Neighborhood

“Hayloft” — Mother Mother

“Sweet Dreams” — Eurythmics

“Girls Just Want To Have Fun” — Cyndi Lauper

“Riptide” — Vance Joy

“Heroes” — ZAYDE Wolf

“Call Out My Name” — The Weeknd

“Judas” — Lady Gaga

“People I Don’t Like” — UPSAHL

“Ribs” — Lorde

“Big Boy” — SZA

“Perfect Day” — Hoku

“Tongue Tied” — Grouplove

“Gimme Love” — Joji

“Out Of My League” — Fitz And The Tantrums

“Tia Tamera” — Doja Cat ft. Rico Nasty

“Wicked Ones” — Dorothy

“Swim” — Chase Atlantic

“YOUTH” — Troye Sivan

“Someone To You” — BANNERS

“Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man

“Stay” — The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber

“Teeth” — 5 Seconds Of Summer

“Hurricane” (Artsy Remix) — Halsey

Contact the author at howlnews@wou.edu

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Best Netflix Documentaries

Written by: Gretchen Sims

Sometimes, particularly during the fickle spring weather, all homework should be cast aside in favor of a good documentary. After all, what could possibly be better than snuggling up with a blanket — perhaps a cat or two — and a warm beverage of choice to watch the evermore fascinating life of someone else?

Thankfully, many fantastic options are readily available on popular streaming services. Often, the most significant hurdle between one and their perfect afternoon is all the options to choose from.

To alleviate a stressful afternoon spent scrolling Netflix for the perfect documentary, here are some of the best, most interesting documentaries to choose from. These will not disappoint.

TRUE CRIME:

“The Keepers” — This seven-episode series follows the mysterious death of Sister Catherine Cesnik, a teacher at Baltimore’s all-girls Archbishop Keough High School. Former students suspect foul play after a priest is accused of abuse.

Content Warning: contains mentions of sexual abuse and violence

TV-MA

“Murder Among the Mormons” — This three-episode mini-series details the life of one of the most notorious forgers in history who created fakes that duped The Church of Latter-day Saints. As he begins to feel the law closing in on him, the forger resorts to the unimaginable.

Content Warning: violence

TV-14

“Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal” — This three-episode mini-series covers the highly mediatized Murdaugh case. After a major blow is made to the Murdaugh family name, an offending family member and his mother are mysteriously found deceased.

Content Warning: suicide and violence

TV-MA

“Worst Roommate Ever” — Dorothea Puente is an outstanding member of the community. She donates to politicians, rescues kittens and even opens up her home to the less fortunate. Is it possible that something more sinister lurks beneath this grandmotherly facade? Each of the episodes details a different roommate horror story.

Content Warning: violence

TV-MA

CULTS:

“Keep Sweet: Pray and Obey” — This four-episode series focuses on the happenings within the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day church. The documentary gives the unique perspectives of family members and ex-wives of Rulan Jeffs on the Mormon sect under the leadership of Warren Jeffs.

Content Warning: religious trauma and sexual abuse

TV-MA

“Waco: American Apocalypse” — One of Netflix’s newer documentaries, this three-episode limited series contains real-life footage and interviews with survivors that detail the horrific situation in Waco Texas. FBI hostage negotiation teams clashed with on-ground forces in a way that escalated into the death of hundreds.

Content Warning: religious trauma, sexual abuse and violence

TV-MA

“Sins of Our Mother” — A loving mother, quickly turned doomsday believer, is willing to follow her new religion to unbelievable ends. This three-episode series takes a deep dive into a popular case.

Content Warning: religious trauma, violence

TV-14

“One of Us” — This documentary follows three Hasidic Jews and their journey to leave a very restrictive Jewish sect. With little to no education, these people must fight for their place in the outside world.

Content Warning: religious trauma

TV-14

THOUGHT-PROVOKING:

“13th” — This thought-provoking documentary forces its audience to take another look at the American prison system.

Content Warning: discusses racism and difficult topics

TV-MA

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

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Revenge is Best Served Raw

Written by: Mikayla Coleman

Released on Netflix Apr. 6, the 10-episode drama mini-series “Beef” has been taking the world by storm. The series, created by Lee Sung Jin, stars Steven Yeun as Danny Cho, Ali Wong as Amy Lau and David Choe as Isaac Cho.

The series follows Danny Cho, a struggling contractor, and Amy Lau, a prestigious business owner, as their worlds collide and implode after a particularly spicy road rage incident between the two. Instead of setting things aside and moving on as most typically would, both characters allow the incident to fester into a bitter feud that completely takes over their professional and personal lives — putting everything and everyone in jeopardy.

The two main characters’ lives could not be more different. The show begins by depicting Danny struggling to maintain his contracting business and cohabitating with his younger brother in a small apartment.

Amy Lau is on the cusp of a major business deal that will allow her to sell her small business and finally be able to enjoy the luxury that she has worked hard for. Amy has a young daughter and a mildly famous husband, known for being the son of a famous Japanese artist. While Amy seems to have the “better” life, it becomes clear throughout the series that money truly cannot buy happiness. Amy is painstakingly choosing to be surrounded by many tone-deaf members of the one percent — earnestly trying to ignore the blatant philosophical and ethical differences between herself and those close to her.

And despite the money that Lau has access to, there is a major parallel between both Danny and Amy — their utter, bitter unhappiness. This common thread of struggle weaves the two together in a beautiful melancholy throughout the entire series and ultimately brings them together when they are both at their lowest.

Most episodes begin by displaying paintings by David Choe, carrying heavy visual metaphors and symbolism for what is to come. The seething energy that is present between these two characters, along with several deviations and side plots, makes every minute captivating.

9.5/10.

Contact the author at howleditor@wou.edu

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An Interview with A.I.

Written by: Nicholas Sarysz

In an age of rapid technological change, many people are understandably fearful and uncertain about the implications of artificial intelligence. To discuss these fears, I figured there was no better way than to reach out to the direct source, ChatGPT, a large language model trained by OpenAI, about its creation, purpose and impact on society. In this interview, we explore some of the common misconceptions and concerns around AI, as well as the potential benefits and challenges of this rapidly advancing technology.

Q: Your rise to popularity happened at a rapid rate. Who created you, and what is their purpose and goal in doing so?

A: I was created by OpenAI, an artificial intelligence research laboratory consisting of the for-profit corporation OpenAI LP and its parent company, the non-profit OpenAI Inc. Their purpose is to develop and promote friendly AI for the benefit of humanity.

Q: What do you mean by “for the benefit of humanity”? Can you give me some examples?

A: By “for the benefit of humanity,” OpenAI aims to create AI that can help solve some of the world’s biggest problems, such as climate change, disease, and poverty. For example, AI could be used to optimize renewable energy production or to develop more effective treatments for diseases. Additionally, OpenAI seeks to make AI more accessible and understandable to people from all walks of life.

Q: I understand, thank you. Shifting focus now, a lot of people are worried about AI taking jobs away from humans, what do you have to say in response to that?

A: While AI has the potential to automate some jobs, it can also create new jobs and augment human capabilities in many industries. Ultimately, the impact of AI on employment will depend on how it is implemented and integrated into various industries. It is important to note that AI is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity and ingenuity.

Q: A lot of people worry that this tool has the ability to cause more harm than good, with issues such as plagiarism and things. Do you have any thoughts about that?

A: AI is a powerful tool that can be used for good or for harm, depending on how it is designed and used. It is important to develop and implement AI in a responsible manner, with appropriate safeguards in place to prevent misuse or unintended consequences. Additionally, it is important for people to understand the limitations and biases of AI, and to use it in conjunction with human judgment and oversight.

Q: What sort of safeguards are being put in place?

A: Various safeguards are being put in place to ensure that AI is developed and used responsibly. Some examples include:

1- Ethical guidelines and principles for AI development and deployment, such as those developed by organizations like the IEEE and the Partnership on AI.

2- Regulations and policies around AI development and use, such as the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the US Federal Trade Commission’s guidelines on AI transparency and fairness.

3- Auditing and oversight of AI systems to ensure that they are being used in compliance with relevant regulations and ethical principles.

4- Research into potential risks and challenges associated with AI, such as bias and unintended consequences, and efforts to mitigate these risks.

These are just a few examples, but there are many ongoing efforts to ensure that AI is developed and used in a responsible and ethical manner.

Q: Great, thank you. I know that OpenAI wants AI to be accessible to everyone, but recently, it has felt as though it has been forced on everyone, with Snapchat adding an AI to their app that you cannot take off the chat screen. Why is it important that it is forced on everyone, especially because plenty of people could abuse it?

A: It is not necessarily important or desirable for AI to be forced on everyone without their consent or control. It is important for people to have agency and control over the AI systems they use and interact with. However, it is important to note that some applications of AI, such as those related to accessibility and assistive technology, can have tremendous benefits for people with disabilities and other underrepresented groups. In these cases, it is important to ensure that the AI is developed and deployed in an inclusive and responsible manner. Ultimately, the appropriate use and deployment of AI will depend on the specific context and application.

Q: Thank you. To close out the interview, are there any thoughts that you feel are necessary for people to understand about AI or any other tools, moving forward?

A: As AI and other advanced technologies continue to evolve and become more prevalent in our lives, it is important for people to approach them with a critical and informed perspective. This means understanding the capabilities and limitations of these tools, as well as their potential risks and benefits. It also means considering the broader social and ethical implications of these technologies and advocating for responsible and equitable development and deployment. Ultimately, AI and other tools are just that: tools. It is up to us as individuals and as a society to decide how we want to use them to shape our future.

Contact the author at howlstaffwriter@wou.edu

Western Oregon University’s Land Acknowledgement
Western Oregon University in Monmouth, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Luckiamute Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

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WOU prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression in all programs, activities and employment practices as required by Title IX, other applicable laws, and policies. Retaliation is prohibited by WOU.

Peacock Festivities

Be Our Guest

Liv’n it up in Lifestyle

The Main Character’s Playlist

Best Netflix Documentaries

Revenge is Best Served Raw

An Interview with A.I.

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