Acts of Volition

“Student newspaper.” What do those words mean to you? Do they seem to imply an ownership of the paper by students? At the very least wouldn't you imagine that a "student newspaper" would involve some level of control over the newspaper by the students?

Staff at UPEI's student newspaper, The Cadre recently learned that the above assumptions don't necessarily hold true. Staff had decided not to publish an issue for two weeks so that they might concentrate on their studies - you know, the reason they're at univeristy? The break from publishing would not have interfered with the requirement that The Cadre publish 10 issues a semester. However, The Cadre was told by its advertisers that they had no choice and had to publish a new issue.

The result of this bullying is The Faction - a minimalist paper which is fully 50% advertising. For my money (the paper is free) this is probably one of the best issues of The Cadre, or any incarnation of UPEI's student newspaper, that I've had the pleasure of reading. Nearly all the non-advertising content in The Faction attacks the advertisers and advertising in general, but does so in an intelligent manner.

Well done.

To receive your copy of The Faction go to the Main Building of the University of Prince Edward Island. Room 06 in the basement.

Due to the prolonged absence of the sun actsofvolition seems to have developed Seasonal Affective Disorder. The following are symptoms of SAD as they affect aov:

1. A change in appetite, especially a craving for sweet or starchy foods - we eat a lot of potatoes and cinnamon buns with cream cheese icing.
2. Weight gain - no.
3. A heavy feeling in the arms or legs - not really, but this seems related to #2.
4. A drop in energy level - yes. Note that this does not imply an initial high level of energy.
5. Fatigue - yes. I am conscience for an average of twelve hours a day. 0.5 of these hours are productive.
6. A tendency to oversleep - I was proud of myself for waking up early today. At noon.
7. Difficulty concentrating - yes. Anyone who has read aov will not need to be told this.
8. Irritability - yes. %@$#& you.
9. Increased sensitivity to social rejection - possibly. Lack of social situations makes answering difficult.
10. Avoidance of social situations - yes. See #9.

While at first glance this seems a strong endorsement of aov as a sufferer of SAD, the diagnosis is far from clear as answers to questions #4 through #10 are constant and integral elements in our personalities.