Mount Hood

Shelf-conscious: a reading list

The cover of Malice by Heather Walter. | Photo from @caro.library on Instagram

Oct 22 2025 | Belen Ponce Leal | Lifestyle Editor

As university students, time isn’t something that is abundantly available to us. Whether it’s assignments, clubs, sports, work or even just general tiredness, we all have things to do while at Western. However, everyone needs a break from reading that thick textbook sitting on the table. Should time be available, I recommend reading literature of one’s own preference for at least an hour a day. In case the endless amount of books available on the market are overwhelming, I’ve compiled a list below for anyone interested. 

“For Whom the Belle Tolls” by Jaysea Lynn (Adult) — Lily isn’t the type of person to not fight back. So when her cancer diagnosis and financial status lets her know she won’t be able to put up much of a fight, she resigns herself to prepare for death. Yet, when it comes, it ends up being much more fantastical than she ever could have thought it would be. The Afterlife is vast, with many different parts and creatures to it. Despite growing up terrified of it, she finds herself drawn to Hell. Noticing the amount of souls that overwhelm the demons working there, she offers to run a Hellp desk — pun intended. Years of customer service prepared her for this, but there is a positive to this job: she can talk back. Filled with puns, humor and a bit of demonic romance, Lily is determined to put the life in afterlife. 

Content warning: this book contains adult themes, suicidal thoughts, sexual content, sexual abuse, abuse, foster care abuse, domestic abuse, religious trauma and graphic descriptions.

“Malice” by Heather Walter (Adult) — The story of this book is a bit of a twist or retelling of the story Sleeping Beauty. The kingdom of Briar has a long history tied to magic. Magical beings, known as the Graces, can provide various forms of magic for those who are willing to pay for the spells. The plot of the book revolves around Alyce, the dark Grace. In the kingdom of Briar, she is seen as the outcast and the source of the curse that is going to claim Princess Aurora’s life should she not find the person who can break it in time. Yet, Aurora doesn’t treat her like the monster Alyce is believed to be. With fantasy elements, tragedy, magic and passion, Malice and its sequel Misrule tell the tale of these two women who will be forever tied to each other.
Content warning: this book contains sexual content and potentially graphic descriptions.

“The Falling Between Us” by Ash Parsons (Teen) — Stardom can be both a blessing and a curse. That’s something that Roxanne Stewart learns as she watches her boyfriend Joshua Blackbird become skyrocketed into the world of being a celebrity overnight. While the money and fame is exciting, it doesn’t take too long to realize the heavy toll that comes with being famous. Constant paparazzi, managers who push limits, crazy fans and even family members all cling to Joshua. Then, the famous star suddenly disappears in the middle of the night, his body never recovered. No one knows if it was murder, an accident or suicide, but Roxanne is determined to figure out what happened to him. 

Content warning: this book discusses themes of drugs, trauma, suicide and suicidal thoughts.

“Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott (Teens+) — Written by Anne Lamott, a New York Times bestselling author, “Bird by Bird” is a book aimed at helping readers improve their writing skills, knowledge that she learned from her father who was also a writer. Lamott’s musings range from providing helpful tips for accepting criticism of work to telling the story of the time she got super drunk and yelled at her publishing manager for not recognizing how good of a book she wrote was. The book is a mix of advice on being a better writer, lifestyle recommendations and even just confessions. While this book may be aimed more at English majors, anyone who is interested in reading a witty book that provides good information on bettering one’s writing, which is a skill all university students will need, should enjoy it. I highly recommend this book.

“Maybe One Day” by Melissa Kantor (Teens+) — Zoe and Olivia are best friends. Both skilled ballet dancers, they were sadly kicked out of their dance school. However, that ends up being the least of Olivia’s problems when her “cold” turns out to be an aggressive form of leukemia. Zoe is determined to help Olivia through the aggressive treatment, putting on a brave face when she herself is mortified. Despite the ups and downs, like Zoe starting to fall for Calvin, Olivia’s crush, Zoe is determined to move forward knowing that everything will go back to normal after Olivia survives, as the alternative is too terrifying to think of. 

Content warning: this book is depressing. A warning has been given. 

“Maus” by Art Spiegelman (Teens+) — This graphic novel depicts the strained relationship between the author, known as Artie in the comic, and his aging father Vladek, a Jewish Holocaust survivor. The story is split in two different frames, one depicting Artie and his father speaking in the present and the other showing what was happening as Vladek explains the events. With the visceral art style, Jewish people drawn as mice and Nazis as menacing cats, and the tragedy of such terrible events in history, this book does a chilling job portraying the horrors experienced by Jewish people in World War II. It does have a sequel, which I highly recommend as well because it finishes off the story completely. 

Content warning: this book discusses World War II, the Holocaust, torture, graphic violence, death, suicide and racism. 

“Things Fall Apart” by Chinua Achebe (Teens+) — “Things Fall Apart” is a classic narrative about the effects colonialism had on small remote villages in Africa. The novel follows Okonkwo, a fictional Igbo warrior of Umuofia who is well known for being one of the most powerful, honorable and masculine warriors throughout the village. As the reader continues to read about him, the effects of colonialism begin showing up in the latter half of the book. It begins to escalate quickly as Okonkwo struggles with the idea that the traditions he grew up with are slowly being lost to this new political and religious power beginning to influence his people.

Putting together this list was more difficult than I thought it would be. Books are one of my favorite things in the world. I love reading stories that completely immerse me, whether it be an informational book on writing or a graphic novel depicting one of the worst times in human history or a spicy demonic romance, I love a good read. I hope that this list at least tempts someone to read something that isn’t a textbook. 

 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Viva New Vegas

Oct 22 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

In 2024, the season finale of Amazon Prime’s “Fallout” — adapted from Bethesda Softworks’ video game series “Fallout” — left fans with plenty to speculate about. The last time we saw this nuclear wasteland, Hank — father to protagonist Lucy MacLean and played by actor Kyle MacLachlan — was headed for what appeared to be New Vegas, the titular setting for the sixth installment of the franchise. 

The excitement surrounding this closing scene was immense. After all, in a recent poll by Bethesda, “Fallout: New Vegas” had an overwhelming response as participants’ favorite installment — 52.6% responded that “New Vegas” was their favorite, while “Fallout 4,” one of the more recent games in the series, came in second with 25.5% of responses. 

Since the show’s release, the last year and a half has been full of speculation and fan theories, but an Oct. 12 post on IGN’s official Instagram, @igndotcom, only reignited these discussions. 

In a reel, IGN shared stills from Season 2, which wrapped filming in May of this year. Among these stills, fans saw the Lucky 38 Casino, Dinky the T-Rex and other notable characters and locations from “New Vegas.”

I think, as a fan of the games myself, that the most important thing to note is the canonization of a specific faction ending of “Fallout: New Vegas.” In the game, the player’s character, known as “The Courier,” travels the Mojave interacting with various factions attempting to control the wasteland — most notably the New California Republic, Caesar’s Legion, Yes Man and the New Vegas Libertopia. As the game progresses, The Courier must side with one of these major factions, which decides the game’s ending at the Second Battle of the Hoover Dam. 

Since the gameplay is open world and has a variable story, the developers never confirmed which ending was the correct one; however, the show “Fallout” confirms specifically the New Vegas Libertopia ending. 

The show itself is set 15 years after the events of “Fallout: New Vegas,” and stills from the second season feature Mr. House, the enigmatic leader of the New Vegas Libertopia.

Dialogue from the game also supports the pairing of this ending with the stills. In “New Vegas,” the character Chief Hanlon, the commanding officer of the New California Republic’s ranger unit, states that “Even if we hold this dam, what then? Are we going to send the NCR’s men and women to die here for another five years? Ten? Patrol the whole length of the Colorado for hundreds of miles? Holding this dam. It’ll be the death of us.”

This dialogue, along with the facts that Caesar’s Legion is too brutal and authoritarian to retain control over the Mojave and that the Strip in New Vegas is still standing, supports the New Vegas Libertopia ending, which we should then see in the show. 

Whatever ending the show confirms, we will just have to wait until Dec. 17 to actually see what happens. After all, fan theories are just theories until the show either confirms or denies them. 

Season 1 of “Fallout” is streaming on Amazon Prime, where Season 2 will also launch this winter. I, for one, am anxiously awaiting the season’s debut.

And for other fans of the “Fallout” franchise, remember, the House always wins. 

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

True crime

Actor Rhoyle Ivy King’s online contribution to filming Netflix’s dramatized series on serial killer Jeffrey Dahmer. | Photo from @rhoyleivyking on Instagram

Oct 22 2025 | Hannah Field | Editor-in-Chief

Content warning: this article discusses murder and violence

 

Crime has always been a fascinating topic for many. With fictional television shows like “Criminal Minds” and “Law & Order,” such violent conversation topics have proven to make for an equally entertaining and profitable form of media and content — but what takes it a step further is the true crime industry.

The entertainment industry is no stranger to documentaries. “Dateline” has been airing since 1992, with its predecessor “48 Hours” beginning in 1988. True crime documentaries have had an uptick in recent years, milking notable names for content through big platforms like Netflix. Some examples of these include “Murdaugh Murders: A Southern Scandal,” “Tiger King,” “Monster” about Jeffrey Dahmer being arguably the beginning controversy for true crime dramatized recreations in television, “American Murder: Gabby Petito,” “Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story” and others. Through Hulu, “Hunting JonBenét’s Killer: The Untold Story” explores one of the world’s most perplexing and haunting cases.

Many such platform-produced shows seem to have split goals, torn between celebrating a life lost too soon and forming a lucrative piece of content that will dominate the streaming sphere and social media timelines. “Monster” from Netflix was criticized by the masses following its immensely popular release in 2022 due to its insensitive portrayal of the victims of infamous killer Jeffrey Dahmer. The show took deeper angles into Dahmer’s life, offering a nearly sympathetic angle at times according to some. The main point brought up against the show is how none of the victims’ families consented to the release, and expressed extreme discomfort and disappointment. Some have campaigned that the show redirected toward the victims in the second half, signifying its decency and awareness of the sensitivity required to navigate such a story. Personally, I never delved into “Monster” — despite being a true crime fan, which we’ll get into — because I heard of its disrespectful narrative and didn’t feel I was missing out.

Gabby Petito’s story was handled with more care, probably due to its recency and the abuse she suffered. The story was an outrage on social media following Petito’s disappearance in 2021. Eventually, her body was found near the Grand Teton National Park, and her cause of death was ruled a homicide, confirmed to be by her boyfriend, Brian Laundrie. The case sparked such intense news coverage that it’s no surprise Netflix swooped in, going A-Z with the series and how it was solved. However, the listed description remains somewhat callous, stating, “What happened in the final days of Gabby Petito’s life? In this gripping true-crime series, her loved ones reveal the untold story of her tragic murder” — which is not the most conscientious approach.

The streaming giant Peacock took true crime to another level by publishing alleged murderer Casey Anthony’s documentary — an extremely controversial move that has divided watchers. Casey Anthony’s daughter, Caylee, was nearly four years old in 2008 when her remains were found near the Anthony family residence after she was reported missing by her grandmother Cindy Anthony.

The state of Florida sought the death penalty against Casey Anthony, believing her to be the culprit in Caylee’s homicide. In 2011, a jury found her not guilty of murder, but rather four misdemeanor counts of providing false information to the police. Fast forward to 2022, Casey released her documentary, “Casey Anthony: Where the Truth Lies,” flipping the script in an exclusive three-part series with Peacock.

Why Peacock would publicize Casey’s story in her defense is beyond me, especially considering the public criticism she’s encountered year after year ever since her daughter’s death. The true crime community has nailed Casey for nearly a decade for lying about her daughter, being caught partying after her daughter was reported missing and then blaming her family for what happened to Caylee, acquitting herself of all personal responsibility. Then again, to publish an alleged murderer’s tall tale would garner views on views — so there’s Peacock’s motive, or so I presume.

There’s this long-running fascination between people and murder. In my household, my mom used to play “NCIS” on all three televisions across the house so she wouldn’t miss a single minute, no matter where she was. My dad owned all the seasons of “Dexter” on DVD and fell asleep to them routinely. It’s not much of a surprise that I’ve found my way to true crime, although in a different medium: true crime podcasts.

According to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, people are drawn to exploring true crime because of curiosity. The motives of a murderer are beyond understandable, but simultaneously being able to solve, or witness the solving, of a tragic case provides some sort of rush. Newspapers initially sensationalized crime before passing the torch to visual content, like Netflix documentaries or YouTube podcasts.

Others may turn to true crime to witness justice’s golden hammer come down on those who deserve it, playing into what viewers want to see. Across the board, it’s entertainment, escapism and storytelling, a great trap to get watchers all the way through. Scientifically, it’s been compared to haunted houses and roller coasters — facing a fictional danger in some form or another.

But there are undoubtedly present ethical dilemmas in the true crime world. Controversial, money-grabbing attempts at documentaries and re-enactments stir up a long-running conversation about morality that has no solution. Does it make someone a bad person to find “Monster” entertaining, but still empathize with the victims and their families? Is the public forum of modern entertainment off limits for sensitive real-life topics? Where do we draw the line? Who decides where that line even is?

There is a very real conversation to be had about our society’s decreasing sensitivity to such violent acts and topics, and another about whether we’re forcing individuals to relive their trauma through media productions.

Today, there is no answer; no person to distinguish what’s right and wrong. The culprits we can assuredly blame include corporate greed — looking at streaming services, and most notably to me, Peacock — and cash-grabbing techniques to acquire views over anything else.

So, I don’t tend to watch a lot of produced documentaries — I do indulge in true crime podcasts. A term I hear a lot is “active true crime consumer,” which signifies an understanding that the content being viewed is sensitive and has a real-life impact. YouTuber and podcaster Kendall Rae was where I first heard the term, and I’ve always enjoyed her personal approach, honoring victims and discussing the path to justice.

“Murder With My Husband” is another podcast that I listen to rather routinely. It features married couple Payton and Garrett Moreland as she recites a true-crime script, following the thrilling twists and turns of a tragic tale, while respecting and honoring the life or lives that were taken. An interesting aspect of the podcast is Garrett Moreland’s consistent hatred for the true crime genre, and his shocked reactions as he, alongside us, discovers the truth of the stories. Unnecessary fun fact: he’s opening a bagel shop and I’m very intrigued by it.

YouTuber Wendigoon centers on more fantasy or dark horror, but occasionally looks into true crime, and when he does, it’s always good. Another YouTuber, BOZE vs. the WORLD, has a series on female killers — it’s a little too produced for my liking, but I’m a big fan of her other content and so I occasionally indulge.

Kendall Rae also has a podcast with her husband called “Mile Higher,” doing the same as her personal channel by exploring true crime cases and occasionally other topics.

The point is: if true crime is on TV, be aware of its impact. Engage by being an active true crime consumer and contribute faithfully. Think critically and with empathy, but it’s not necessary to feel shame — or shame others — for indulging in true crime.

 

Contact the author at howleditorinchief@mail.wou.edu

Baby, that’s show biz

The cover for Taylor Swift’s newest studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl.” | Photo from @taylorswift on Instagram

Oct 8 2025 | Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

If there’s one thing singer-songwriter Taylor Swift is known for, it’s the Easter eggs surrounding her work. The lead-up to the release of her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” was no different. 

On Aug. 11, 2025, the Instagram account @taylornation — run by Swift’s management team — posted a series of photos captioned “Thinking about when she said ‘see you next era….’” with the fire heart emoji. Each photo in the carousel featured an orange outfit Swift wore during the sets of her Eras Tour. That same day, a timer appeared on Swift’s official website, counting down to 12:12 a.m. Eastern time. 

When the timer ended, a sneak peek of Swift on the Aug. 13 episode of the “New Heights” podcast — hosted by her partner, Travis Kelce, and his brother, Jason Kelce — announced that she would be releasing a new album titled “The Life of a Showgirl.” In this sneak peek, however, Swift had blurred the cover to keep suspense for the podcast’s release. 

When the “New Heights” episode aired, it broke the record for most concurrent viewers on YouTube, with 1.3 million viewers tuning into the livestream. Swift’s Spotify also created a playlist titled “And, baby, that’s show business for you,” with songs from “reputation,” “Red” and “1989” highlighting the sound the album would take. 

Alternate covers were posted to @taylornation the same day, and highlighted the showgirl aesthetic that the album was meant to take, complete with feathers, oversized jewels, fishnet stockings and kitten heels. The 12-song track list was announced the following day, Aug. 14. 

When the album was released Oct. 3, it immediately broke records. In just the first 11 hours of its release, “The Life of a Showgirl” was streamed on Spotify by 1.2 million users, becoming the most-streamed album in a single day in 2025. Track one, “The Fate of Ophelia,” is the album’s single and currently sits as the most-streamed song. 

Each song carries its own unique sound, which was created with the help of producers Max Martin and Shellback — who have previously collaborated with Swift on albums “Red,” “1989” and “reputation.” The songs that the duo produced from these albums were included on the “And, baby, that’s show business” playlist on Swift’s Spotify. 

Now that the album has made its dazzling debut, it’s time to take a closer look at the songs that make “The Life of a Showgirl” one of Swift’s most ambitious eras yet.

“The Fate of Ophelia” — The album’s single is the first song that clearly alludes to her relationship with Travis Kelce. Using imagery relating to Ophelia from William Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet,” the synth beat evokes a dreamlike feel while Swift sings of being saved from the fate of Ophelia. In Shakespeare’s play, Ophelia famously went mad after the death of her father, Polonius, and being rejected by Hamlet, whom she loved deeply. The imagery in the song suggests that Kelce saved Swift from meeting the same fate.

“Elizabeth Taylor” — This isn’t the first time Swift has referenced actress Elizabeth Taylor in her work. In the music video for her 2014 hit “Wildest Dreams,” Swift dresses as the Hollywood icon and falls in love with her co-star on set, just like Elizabeth Taylor and her ex-husband Richard Burton did on set for the 1963 film “Cleopatra.” The song talks about the downsides of fame, with lyrics that could apply to Swift or Elizabeth Taylor.

“Opalite” — Most Swifties know that Swift’s favorite gemstone is an opal, which means the fact that Kelce’s birthstone is an opal is even sweeter. “(An opalite) is a man-made opal and happiness can also be man-made,” Swift said during an interview with Capital FM Breakfast. “That’s what the song is about. The juxtaposition of those two.” Swift speaks of this “man-made happiness” in previous relationships for both her and Kelce, but suggests that now that they are together, “the sky is opalite.”

“Father Figure” — Fans are convinced that “Father Figure” is about Scooter Braun, Swift’s former manager. After Braun sold the rights to Swift’s masters without her permission, a years-long battle to reclaim them ensued. The song tells the story from the perspective of the father figure, and suggests betrayal and a lack of loyalty. 

“Eldest Daughter” — Swift has referenced marriage multiple times in previous albums, with track five following the trend. The line “when I said I don’t believe in marriage, that was a lie,” seemingly alludes to Kelce and their recent engagement. She also criticizes the apathy of internet culture, and “Eldest Daughter” is the most vulnerable track on the album.

“Ruin the Friendship” — While most assumed that track six would address Swift’s apparent feud with actress Blake Lively, it actually speaks of a high school friend who passed. Her friend Abigail, who is referenced in “Fifteen” from Swift’s 2008 album “Fearless,” does receive a mention.

“Actually Romantic” — While the title suggests romance, the lyrics are actually far from romantic. Many interpret this track as a response to singer Charli XCX’s track “Sympathy is a Knife,” as well as addressing the brief and unconfirmed fling Swift had with The 1975 frontman Matty Healy. Charli XCX is married to George Daniel, who is currently the drummer for The 1975. 

“Wi$h Li$t” — Track eight might have dollar signs in the name; however, the song rejects material culture and luxury goods. Instead, Swift speaks of what she really wants: Kelce, “a couple of kids” and to just settle down.

“Wood” — Another song about Kelce, this track is for sure the sexiest on “The Life of a Showgirl.” The steamy lyrics reference Swift’s intimate relationship with Kelce, going so far as to allude to his manhood. 

“CANCELLED!” — While most thought “Ruin the Friendship” would be about Blake Lively, it is in fact track 10 that addresses their relationship. The track defends multiple members of Swift’s friend group who have been under fire at some point — without actually naming them. Some lyrics have allusions to Lively, while others seem to defend Brittany Mahomes, wife of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. 

“Honey” — The fifth and final song on the album about Kelce, “Honey” talks about how pet names were always used passive-aggressively until their relationship began. The song is sugary and sweet, giving more bubblegum pop vibes.

“The Life of a Showgirl” — Featuring Sabrina Carpenter, the album’s titular song talks about the ups and downs of life as a celebrity. This is the first time Carpenter and Swift have collaborated on a song, even though Carpenter opened for the Eras Tour. “The Life of a Showgirl” focuses heavily on meeting one’s idols and being warned about following in their footsteps, but still doing it anyways.

“The Life of a Showgirl” is now streaming on Spotify and Apple Music. 
Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Us and generative AI

An AI-generated photo of glass pancakes for “ASMR.” | Photo from @theaisatisfying on Instagram

Oct. 15, 2025 |  Jaylin Emond-Hardin | Entertainment Editor

Artificial intelligence, or AI, has become more and more prevalent as technology advances. What was once a science fiction storyline is now our reality; AI chatbots, videos and photos are all too common now.

Most of Generation Z and millennials have watched AI grow with them. Siri first launched with the iPhone 4S in 2011, while Alexa followed three years later with the introduction of the Amazon Echo. These AI assistants have grown with us from childhood to adulthood on our phones, tablets and computers. 

When it comes to generative AI, most are now approaching the subject with the utmost caution and hesitancy. After all, it has been proven time and again that AI systems often steal art created by real people to “train” their models. 

I mean, it was only April when Studio Ghibli founder and animator Hayao Miyazaki begged fans of his movies not to use the technology to recreate their photos in his movies’ style. 

Miyazaki described AI technologies as “utterly disgusting” and “an insult to life itself” before stating he would “never wish to incorporate this technology into (his) work at all.” Unfortunately, this didn’t stop users from “Ghiblifying” their photos on OpenAI’s platform ChatGPT, with thousands of accounts and users sharing these images on social media — even @WhiteHouse on X, formerly known as Twitter, shared “Ghiblified” images. 

The exploitation of artists isn’t the only issue posed by AI. Data centers across the world use billions of gallons of water to cool the servers. 2022 saw major tech companies use 580 billion gallons of water for their AI operations, while in 2024, a Google center in Iowa consumed 1 billion gallons alone. When a user interacts with any AI system, be it Google Gemini, ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot, it uses one-tenth of a gallon or 12.8 fluid ounces of water — almost a full cup. 

While most adults can actively choose whether or not to consume AI-generated content or to interact with the models, it’s much more difficult to teach children how to distinguish between what is and isn’t AI-generated. 

I don’t think I ever fully understood how AI was being aimed at children until I began student teaching. My class was working on an “I Am” poem where they described who they were before choosing images that represented them. 

The end result? So many students found AI-generated photos that they liked for their project. 

For one, it’s not their fault. The images they used were very clearly marketed to children — magical cats, animals playing sports, even some that related to the wildly popular Netflix movie “KPop Demon Hunters.”

At our weekly assembly time, it became much more evident how AI was being marketed towards children. For a reminder on how to behave in line in the hall, a parody of “Golden” from “KPop Demon Hunters” was shown — once again, the popularity of the movie is capitalized upon by AI, complete with AI-generated images, animation and singing. 

This video has already amassed 463,000 views in just one month of being posted to YouTube, with educators and students alike sharing and watching to learn about the basics of being in line. 

It doesn’t stop at “KPop Demon Hunters,” however. A good majority of YouTube Shorts meant for children feature AI.

When scrolling through YouTube Shorts, I found that a majority of the videos that were created using generative AI had the hashtags “YouTube Kids” and “kids animation.” These videos typically feature anthropomorphic cats and have one of three subjects: cheating, revenge or pregnancy. Sometimes all three are featured in one video. 

Pairing this normalization of AI in children’s spaces with generated ASMR — glass fruit spreading, gemstone cutting and slime videos — being highly popular on apps like TikTok and Instagram creates a can of worms that nobody is ready to open. 

However, we’re not here to talk about the consequences of AI. We’re here to talk about what we can actively do to slow the usage and consumption of AI. 

Use a critical eye — One of the biggest pieces of advice I could give is to look at suspicious content with a critical eye. Count the number of fingers on hands and look at the way that the eyes look. Even as AI improves, it cannot perfect the way our hands and eyes look, proving that those are what truly make us human. If those aren’t a dead giveaway, watch the movements. They are often too smooth or too robotic. Text is another dead giveaway — AI models, no matter how sophisticated, can never get letters or logos quite right. 

Don’t give the account the views they want — Most accounts that post AI-generated photos or videos want engagement, which is the most obvious thing I think I have ever said. However, it’s the truth. These accounts want people to watch their videos. The more views and engagement they get, the more they get to say, “Look, the people want this. We should make more of this.” It encourages the models’ creators as well because they see the engagement that these videos receive and work to make their models more widespread and normalized. My best advice when one sees these videos is to swipe away or click “not interested.” This will put less AI-generated content on one’s feed, thus lessening the views these accounts receive. 

Monitor what children are consuming — With how common AI-generated media is in children’s spheres, it’s best to pay attention to what children are consuming, as it is with all content they interact with. Have a conversation with children about AI-generated content in ways that are appropriate. Kids are smart and they’ll understand what’s going on. I know I’ve had wonderful conversations with my students about AI and its consequences — granted, they are fourth and fifth graders, but still, talking with children in an age-appropriate way about the dangers of AI is better than not educating them at all. 

Teach the older generations to recognize AI-generated content — Generation X and baby boomers are two populations that are also susceptible to AI-generated content. Facebook is rife with AI-generated photos and videos, and the generations that weren’t raised on this kind of technology have a harder time telling reality from AI. Along with educating younger generations about AI and its dangers, it’s also important to help the older generations — our parents and grandparents — understand how to recognize when something isn’t real. Show them how to identify an AI-generated video. Talk to them about the consequences. 

It doesn’t seem like AI generation models are going away. In recent research, Forbes has found that AI servers and prevalence have multiplied 14 times since 2000. While some AI is beneficial — Siri and Alexa, especially — the wave of generative AI has become increasingly detrimental to both the environment and the social media landscape. 

As the generation currently leading the workplace and social media sphere in the digital age as influencers, educators and artists, it’s increasingly important that we slow the wave of generative AI. We can do this by educating ourselves and other generations and not giving the AI models what they want: our attention, our art and our money.

 

Contact the author at howlentertainment@wou.edu

Is it Worth the Watch?: “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” Review

sonypictures.com

Sam Dunaway | News Editor

If you’re anything like me, ‘90s movies played a major role in your childhood entertainment. The 1995 classic “Jumanji” was no exception. Upon the announcement of a sequel, I’ll admit that I was a bit skeptical. But as long as you’re not looking for a thought-provoking work of art, “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” is worth the watch.

The film follows four teenagers who who find themselves sucked into the game of Jumanji — but unlike the original board game, Jumanji now takes the form of a video game. Falling deep in a mysterious jungle, they must finish the game in order to leave. There’s just one difference – the four teens are in the form of their video game characters, portrayed by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan and Jack Black.

The humor and talent of the actors is really what makes this movie enjoyable. With Kevin Hart’s fiesty and loud personality and Jack Black’s portrayal of a snobby popular girl, you almost forget about the lack of intriguing dialogue and presence of cheesy one-liners.

The movie would definitely prove disappointing if you’re feeling nostalgic and longing for the world of Jumanji. Apart from one scene with the actual board game and the classic, suspenseful thumping, the sequel just doesn’t measure up to the original. “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle” focused on comedy and the balance between appealing to adults and children alike. It lacked character development and was often cliché. But thankfully, the comedic genius of the actors overshadowed the lack of any real emotional connection with the characters.

If you’re looking to dive into the world of Jumanji, you’re better off with the 1995 original and the 1981 illustration book by Chris Van Allsburg. But I would suggest this movie to anyone looking for a fresh, amusing and humorous adventure.

Contact the author at journalnews@wou.edu

Life-Changing Lessons from the World of Harry Potter

Written by: Liberty Miller | Lifestyle Editor

I, alongside many others, spent my childhood looking through the lenses of the main characters in the novels I read. Having pored over the “Harry Potter” series since third grade, I got to experience a large portion of my developmental years from the perspective of the Chosen One, Harry Potter. 

“Harry Potter” is a distinct pop culture personality, who openly defies the government, fights prejudice and is fiercely loyal to his friends. J.K. Rowling also creates a wonderfully dimensional character profile for everyone in the book — rather than making the characters one-dimensionally morally sound or evil, she creates multifaceted characters that make mistakes, have moral gray areas, apologize and evolve as people. 

“Harry Potter” makes a relatable variety of mistakes throughout the series, and while being an astute and stubborn personality, also admits when he’s wrong and works to make things right. 

Coming from an unsavory background as the humble punching bag of the Dursley family, Harry Potter had the beginnings befitting of a supervillain. Facing daily roadblocks and abuse with no connections or friends, Harry became self-reliant and resentful of his life. 

He eventually gained status as a wizard and escaped his life with the Dursleys to attend Hogwarts, a similar path to Voldemort’s. However, Harry chose to defend those less fortunate and befriend characters like Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, who were not the most popular or influential characters but were genuine friends. 

He rejected the Sorting Hat’s offer to place him in Slytherin despite being offered power and influence. Throughout the series, he makes conscious decisions to defend and protect people against prejudice and hatred and recognizes his faults concerning his impulsiveness and how his actions affect others. 

Harry is a prime example of having a choice to be a good person or to pursue power and influence without regarding others, and he is a great role model for young readers in terms of being authentic to oneself and fighting for what one believes in. 

J.K. Rowling also tackles some tough subjects for young readers such as bullying, grief, unfair circumstances, jealousy between friends, family dynamics and the uncomfortable feeling of growing up. While most readers cannot relate to having to face a faceless, bald and red-eyed supervillain with murderous tendencies, there are many other subjects that coming-of-age readers can relate to or struggle with. What “Harry Potter” teaches readers is, in essence, to create strong dependable friendships, use power and influence to do good things and reject social prejudice and administrative or governmental systems that work against the people. Most importantly, the series reminds readers to stay true to themselves and what they believe in. 

Contact the author at howllifestyle@wou.edu

Western Oregon University

Facebook   Instagram   X  YouTube

WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
345 Monmouth Ave. N.
Monmouth OR 97361

503-838-8000 | 1-877-877-1593

Tools

Campus Maps
Canvas
Find People
Portal
WOU Email
Technical Support

Resources

A-Z Index
Accessibility
Academic Calendar
Class Schedule
Jobs at WOU
News
Explore WOU
Partnerships
Student Services
Freedom of Expression

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.

Accessibility    Public Records    Privacy    Student Consumer Information

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.