The Eagle’s Quick Take columnists are back and ready to discuss the controversial issues we typically shy away from. Check out the debate at www.theeagelonline.com each week.
Scott Weathers
Hometown: Chapel Hill, N.C.
School/Major: CAS/Public Health
Class of: 2016
What should this generation be concerned about?
Fundamentally, the best answer I can give is that we should make sure everyone on Earth is as happy as they can possibly be. Although some of the challenges our generation will face, like global climate change, are very different from those of other generations, the basic ethical imperative that we hold to others is the same as it's always been. I believe that before we determine the most concerning question facing us, we must first recognize what we value and then find solutions to the largest obstacles to us realizing our values. I believe that we must seek to alleviate poverty and disease everywhere over the short-term, especially in the developing world, and global climate change over the next century. If our generation takes a hand in lifting up the billions of individuals still living nasty, brutish and short lives, I think we'll all be happier for it.
Taylor Kenkel
Hometown: Stafford, Va.
School/Major: SOC, Print Journalism
Class of: 2013
What did you do this summer?
This summer I hung out in the city worked at the library and took a couple of classes. I did two online ones for the second part of the summer semester, so I had a bit more freedom to travel and visit with my friends and family. I enjoyed the summer classes; it’s nice to be able to focus your attention on one or two classes at a time, instead of dividing it between 16 or 17 credits worth of stuff. Staying in the city and enduring crazy weather, power outages and the constant buzz of campus construction was so much better than jogging on the beach or doing a study abroad.
Maddie Ecker
Hometown: Ambler, Penn.
School/Major: SOC, Broadcast Journalism
Class of: 2016
What did you do this summer?
This summer I travelled to Europe. For the first five days of my trip, my family and I roamed around the bustling streets of London as they prepared for the Olympics. There was never a dull moment. From the Globe Theatre to the Tower of London, we were always immersed in the riches London has to offer. Then, we were off to Paris. If you haven’t yet been to Paris, book the next flight available and head over. I promise you won’t regret it. The Louvre, the Eifel Tower and Versailles are just a few of the places we were able to squeeze in during this trip, but I’m hoping to complete a semester abroad over in the Land of Love.
Robert Brockmeijer
Hometown: Amsterdam, Netherlands
School/Major: CAS, Economics
Class of: 2016
What should this generation be concerned about?
This generation should probably be concerned about the next generation. Our parents are always complaining about how we act rebellious and wear our pants too far down, and their parents in turn complained about them being hippies. Of course, this could easily be avoided, but won't be. Maybe it's a good thing that we are responsible for our concern. At least it gives us something to complain about.
