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The recent death of forty-four-year-old Curtis Davis marked the seventh prisoner fatality at New York's infamous Rikers Island this year; this is a sad, but increasingly common incident. The string of inmate deaths, totalling 26 since Mayor Eric Adams assumed office in January of the previous year, has ignited a storm of outrage and calls for immediate reform. Amid growing protests demanding the closure of Rikers Island, questions are raised about the effectiveness of responses from both within the prison system and the larger authorities. Rikers Island, emblematic of New York's criminal justice struggles, has garnered renewed attention as the unfortunate stories of inmate deaths continue to unfold. Critics argue that the high number of fatalities reveals a pressing need for comprehensive overhauls in the prison's management and conditions. Advocates and protesters have ramped up calls for justice and accountability as they rally for the closure of Rikers Island. The recurring tragedies underscore systemic issues that are deeply entrenched and far-reaching. Despite promises of reform and safer environments, the recent inmate deaths paint a grim picture of conditions that require urgent attention. While Mayor Eric Adams has acknowledged the severity of the situation and proposed some initiatives to address the ongoing challenges, the road ahead remains complex. Critics argue that more must be done to ensure the safety and well-being of incarcerated individuals, who often face severe vulnerabilities even within the confines of the justice system. As the voices of protesters grow louder, authorities are facing mounting pressure to implement meaningful changes that would prevent further loss of life. The question of whether Rikers Island should be entirely removed from the equation is gaining traction, but opinions on this matter remain divided. Many argue that Rikers, as one of the most prominent symbols of America’s powerful justice system, should be preserved at all costs, while others claim that the glaring flaws in Rikers deem it obsolete and shameful. In my opinion, Rikers Island is a place to be honored and kept. Admittedly, Rikers undeniably has its flaws, and they are getting bigger. But above even the lives of American citizens should be an example that could shape the American Justice System. If Rikers endures, there will no doubt be drastic changes to their internal policies–changes for the better. Rikers can be an example to help change the current obsolete American prison and justice systems. Improving the situation at Rikers Island demands a multi-faceted approach that addresses systemic problems at their roots. This includes investing in mental health resources, bolstering training for staff, reevaluating sentencing guidelines, and reimagining the concept of justice within the correctional system. The heart-wrenching deaths of incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island cast a shadow over the city's commitment to justice and human rights. The urgency of addressing the systemic issues within the prison system cannot be understated. As officials grapple with the complexity of the situation, the responsibility to transform Rikers Island into a place of rehabilitation and redemption rests on the shoulders of those in power. The path to change will be challenging, requiring cooperation between various stakeholders and a steadfast commitment to justice. Ultimately, a comprehensive, well-informed discussion should determine the fate of Rikers Island, a discussion that takes into account the value of human life and the pursuit of a fair and equitable criminal justice system. Danny Cai

The BRICS nations of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa are gaining influence and power across the world as they gain member states, threatening the hegemony of Western alliances. The nations met from August 22nd to the 24th and are set to double their numbers as they invited Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Argentina, Egypt, and Ethiopia. Once considered an afterthought in terms of international groups, BRICS is starting to gain ground as it increases its size and power, and as the US economy continues to battle inflation. Many of these countries want to wean themselves off the US dollar and the dominance of the US economy, advocating for a BRICS currency. The group represents 40 percent of the world’s population and a quarter of its economy and may be a better alternative to Western economic groups like the Group of 7 for less developed countries. However, the countries all have different goals for their own expansion and have differing views on global issues which may cause some internal strife and weaken their power. China and Russia both favor expansion of the group, as China wants to shore up its influence abroad and Russia needs more allies as it struggles with Russia’s war with Ukraine. India and Brazil, however, already have strong alliances with developed countries and favor a slower process of inviting countries. South Africa, the smallest and maybe weakest of the group, wants to include more African countries to the group. Russia’s economy has been on a downward spiral since the start of its war with Ukraine, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing the draft and a coup attempt and it has largely stayed afloat because of its allies in the east, such as China and Iran. China’s economy is also spiraling out of control as their aging population continues to be a problem and their youth unemployment rate keeps on increasing, compounding their economic issues as deflation starts to hit the country. India still has major border problems with China, who continues to encroach on India’s lands, but is on the rise, as India’s population keeps increasing and its economy is the fifth largest in the world. Brazil is also struggling with a slowing economy and internal political unrest, but Lula da Silva, the new president of Brazil, can hopefully turn it around. South Africa, on the other hand, still struggles with its role between the East and the West, especially because of the Ukraine war, but it is definitely leaning towards Russia and China. Therefore, these countries may look strong on the outside but they are all facing problems on the inside, and will ultimately further their own goals before helping each other. Their attempt at forming a BRICS currency has largely failed, even as they try to wean off the US dollar, and their disparate goals have continued to create problems internally. China continues to push for moving to the Chinese Yuan, but India, as the world’s largest population, still has problems with China and wants to flex its power now. Russia, still tangled up in the Ukraine war, has many more domestic problems to deal with before it can even give attention to BRICS; President Vladimir Putin couldn’t even attend the BRICS summit in person because of his outstanding warrant for crimes against humanity (South Africa would have an obligation to arrest him). The newly invited nations also have plenty of issues within their own borders and beyond. Once one of the world’s fastest growing economies, Ethiopia has slumped in recent years due to a civil war. Iran and Saudi Arabia were once sworn enemies a few months ago, and may still have a fragile alliance as they try to band together against the U.S. Argentina’s inflation rate has gone over 100 percent, with 43 percent of people not being able to afford basic commodities like food, according to the Economist. However, these countries still have an extreme influence over the world economy and if they can band together and unite their goals, they could start to rival the Western economies. Brazil, Iran, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, and Ethiopia have an abundance of natural resources at their disposal and China is the biggest export economy in the world, ready to ship these resources out. Iran has already started selling oil to China at a discounted price, helping both countries thrive. As of this moment, these countries do not have the power yet to challenge the West, as they still rely heavily on Western aid and resources, largely from the U.S.. However, if they can unite more and become a geopolitical group as well as an economic group, then they may stand a chance at decreasing their dependence on the West. Ultimately, the West, and more specifically the U.S., need to start taking notice of these groups and better take care of these countries or they will continue to move closer and closer to Russia and China, allowing them to thrive rather than just survive. Nick Costantino

This summer, my assignment for AP European History was to read a book about Medieval England and note any surprising or intriguing things I discovered. While I already knew that few individuals lived past the age of 50 during this time period, I never registered that it was the young population that had such a prominent role in shaping society. However, with a much larger median age in the modern day, it is clear that adults run the show nowadays. There are well established rules that regulate our youth. In the United States, adolescents cannot drink or smoke cigarettes until they turn twenty one, whereas no laws regarding the consumption of ale or wine were imposed during the fourteenth century. The question then becomes, at what age should one be able to buy cigarettes or drink alcohol? Originally, Mesoamericans smoked tobacco for religious and medicinal purposes. But after its introduction to Europe and–due to globalization–other regions as well, smoking became an unhealthy habit as nicotine made cigarettes extremely addictive. Today, tobacco is one of America’s deadliest drugs, as it is a leading cause of heart attack, stroke, and cancer. Thus, it does make sense to regulate cigarettes, and perhaps they need to be regulated a bit more strictly. The prefrontal cortex, a region of the brain which helps accomplish executive brain functions, is not fully developed until twenty five. My grandfather, at the age of eight, began to smoke: his sister told him that “guys who smoked were cool.” But when he was diagnosed with lung cancer at the age of 72, he quit immediately. If only he had the wise judgment that compelled him to quit at the time he started, then maybe he would not have died due to complications in his treatment. In short, I believe that the legal age to be able to smoke cigarettes or vape should be increased to 25 as opposed to the current age of 21 because smoking at too young of an age poses a great threat to an individual’s health. On the other hand, my opinion towards alcohol differs. While I do concede that alcohol contributes to fatal injuries caused by car crashes, domestic violence, and mental health illnesses, I can only attribute these consequences to severe intoxication as a result of culture and other attitudes towards alcohol. Ingrained for centuries in Islamic society, for example, is the prohibition of alcohol in the Quran; thus, it is no surprise that particularly in the Middle East and North Africa, drinking is very uncommon. Still, in Southern European culture, dating back to the ancient Romans and Greeks, drinking, especially wine, in moderation forms part of daily life (and is known to provide health benefits too); ancient society, nevertheless, did not approve of drunkenness. Likewise in the United States, drinking is a taboo. The legal drinking age is 21–one of the highest in the world–and this law is problematic. For instance, imagine you are a freshman in college or just about to turn twenty one. All your life, you’ve been restricted from drinking alcohol, but after being unleashed into the real world without any guidance or experience, you get introduced to alcohol and begin drinking irresponsibly. Then, you face the punitive consequences, the guilt, and the shame. This scenario encompasses my perspective of the flaws of American drinking culture. I foster an approach similar to that of Europe by which parents serve smaller amounts of alcohol to their children, who are then able to drink responsibly when they turn 17 or 18. Obviously, American drinking culture cannot change immediately, and so I thereby propose that the US slowly lowers the drinking age until it reaches 17 or 18. Luca Raffa

Ron Desantis Runs Wild in Florida as he flips the educational system on its head, leading to political suicide. It’s hurricane season in Florida, not just because of the devastating storms that hit the panhandle with such frequency, but because of the whirlwind of tension Ron Desantis is creating within Florida’s public education system. Backed by Governor Desantis himself, the Florida Board of Education introduced a new history curriculum, choosing to paint slavery in a positive light by claiming, in a 216-page document about the state’s 2023 standards in social studies, that slavery helped enslaved peoples “[develop] skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.” Furthermore, the new syllabus covers “perpetrated acts of violence by the African Americans,” teaching children from grades K-12 that slavery is a double edged sword. However, this introduction of the curriculum is not the only way in which the Governor has changed policy in his state. Desantis has also implemented the Stop Woke Act, ensuring that kids are not “indoctrinated” in the classroom by lessons involving sexuality, religion, or critical race theory. Moreover, Ron forbade lessons to be taught from Nicole Hannah Jones’ 1619 Project which educates students on the history of racism and other topics regarding race in the United States. Not only have these reforms silenced students' voices, but they blatantly ignore the true horrors of slavery in an ignorant fashion that slowly makes students less interested in learning. Not only has Desantis isolated students, but also the moderate Republican electorate which he will rely on for any chance of defeating former President Donald Trump. According to FiveThirtyEight Polls, Desantis’ national favorability is at a mere 13.3%, making him 39.4 points behind former President Donald Trump. Now, more than ever, is a crucial time for Desantis to change his political tactics: his low standing in Republican Polls makes the idea of recovering before the Iowa Caucus almost impossible. Unless the former President gets convicted of the many crimes he has been accused of before the election, Desantis’ next best chance might end up being in 2028. In the August 23rd debates, Desantis had a chance to either clear his education record in Florida or endorce his policies for a chance to gain momentum from the more extremist part of the Republican Party. Instead, he did none of the above as Vivek Ramasaway dominated as the far right candidate on the stage, while Nicky Haley established herself as the moderate of the group. Desantis looked like a fish out of water; he didn’t present himself as a formidable candidate to anyone in the audience nor those tuned into Fox. While watching the debate, it became apparent that, in addition to his lack of charisma displayed on the debate stage, Desantis’ divisive policies that may result in a loss of enthusiasm for learning in Florida will serve as a deterrent preventing him from winning the 2024 Republican nomination. The Desantis train may potentially be arriving at its final stop, and his next best chance is either as VP, or in 2028. Will Cohen

On November 2, 2021, Michelle Wu made history as the first woman and person of color to be elected mayor of Boston. “We are ready to become a Boston for everyone,” Wu declared amidst cheers from a crowd of roaring supporters. “We're ready to be a Boston that doesn't push people out, but welcomes all who call our city home. We're ready to be a Boston where all can afford to stay and to thrive.” Wu’s speech reflected her longstanding vision for progressive reform in the city, to which she has been committed to since the early days of her mayoral campaign. A member of the Boston City Council from 2013 to 2021, and former Council President from 2016 to 2018, Wu was a prominent and vocal figure, sponsoring and authoring numerous legislation on behalf of small businesses, women, and communities of color. Wu is the daughter of Taiwanese immigrants. She studied economics, environmental science, and public policy at Harvard University, and worked in management consulting for a few years before earning a law degree at Harvard Law School. Wu’s first priority has always been fighting to protect vulnerable members of the Boston community. Determined to target the root cause of enduring economic disparity along racial lines, Wu focuses on expanding equal economic opportunities to Boston’s residents of color. “Addressing the root causes of the racial wealth gap means rewriting the rules that shape our political and economic systems and rethinking who gets to write the rules in the first place,” Wu’s campaign website writes. She is a fierce advocate for local businesses, which are gradually recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Through Boston’s Small Business Relief Fund (SBRF) 2.0, Wu allocated $12.8 million in COVID relief funds to small businesses in order to boost economic recovery. She upheld her commitment to racial equity by prioritizing minority-owned businesses, which were impacted most by the pandemic, as fund recipients. More than half of recipients were minorities, with eighteen percent being immigrants. On top of her COVID relief package, Wu aims to preserve the unique merits of local businesses against "commercial gentrification.” As a councilor in 2018, Wu worked with fellow Council member Lydia Edwards to pass legislation that amended Boston’s Zoning Code. The amendment restricted the location and number of chain stores in areas of the city, and made it more difficult to obtain a permit to open new ones. With greater financial resources and visibility, large retail chains tend to drive out local businesses, damaging economic opportunities for residents. Through the Boston Zoning Code amendment, Wu and Edwards aimed to limit the operational scope of large retail businesses, thereby creating spaces where small businesses could thrive, independent of commercial gentrification. In an article by North End Waterfront that quoted Wu and Edwards, the two underlined their commitment to “even[ing] the playing field to assure local businesses [had] a fighting chance” against national chains. The new Zoning Code also adopted fair housing requirements that would create affordable, accessible housing for historically excluded Bostonians, amending centuries of housing injustice against low-income residents of color. By passing amendments aimed at boosting financial wellbeing and housing affordability, Wu intends to help Boston’s communities of color build generational wealth and thrive economically. A business in Boston can become successful through numerous methods. One of the most effective is the procurement of contracts. Contracts with the city of Boston can increase a business’ visibility and revenue, allowing owners to establish a name for themselves in a competitive industry. But a disproportionate amount of contracts are awarded to white business owners, with only a shocking 1.2% of Boston’s contracts going to black and Latine-owned businesses. Seeking to remedy the disparity, Wu launched multiple initiatives aiming to increase diversity in the city’s contracting. The Contracting Opportunity Fund grants financial support to small businesses in hopes of giving them a competitive edge, improving their chances at obtaining contracts with the city. Other legislation Wu helped pass, such as the Equity in City of Boston Contracts Ordinance, requires Boston to actively seek contracts with minority and women-owned businesses, removing barriers and providing opportunities for historically-excluded business owners. To advance these crucial pieces of legislation, Wu continues to work with various advocacy groups. Notably, in her time as a councilor, she worked with the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) to pass the Equity in City of Boston Contracts Ordinance. BECMA lobbied then Mayor Marty Walsh to ensure the ordinance was being carried out, holding hearings to discuss diversity issues in contracting and to push for change. Wu was an integral part of the advocacy and communications process. “[Michelle]’s a listener,” Segun Idowu, Boston’s Chief of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion and former President of BECMA, said. “She's very much about taking in what's happening and responding appropriately. She is very committed to community process and engagement.” As a second-generation Taiwanese immigrant in the United States and a mother of two, Wu is all too aware of the impact of racial inequity on struggling families. She understands how the disconnect between a government and its constituents creates barriers for people, but believes public policy is a useful tool in removing these barriers and uplifting whole communities. A former owner of a teahouse business herself, Wu hopes to “champion an economy built for the success of small businesses” by advancing protective legislation. Wu’s personal experiences have shaped her stances on policies impacting both current and future residents of Boston. “She is a mother first and foremost,” Idowu said. “And that’s kind of how she leads as well. I mean, she's always considering, ‘how will this impact my boys, who will have to grow up in this city?” Today, Boston’s racial wealth gap remains one of the most severe in the United States. Shocking statistics reveal the disparity between a black household and a white household’s median net worth. Wu has her work cut out for her if she intends to equalize economic opportunity to all residents of Boston and reverse centuries of systemic discrimination against marginalized communities. But Wu is the first woman of color the city elected to such a position of power. Her unique background allows her to feel a deep sense of duty, empathy, and connection to the people whose lives she seeks to improve. Undoing centuries of economic damage will be difficult. As the most scrutinized woman in a city of two million, Wu faces barriers and resistance at every policy passed, bill introduced, and press event conducted. But her supporters and allies praise her persistence and dedication to her dream of creating a more economically equal Boston. She may just have a chance. Audrey Tang

China’s Foreign Ministry declared President Biden’s executive order restricting U.S. investment in Chinese technology “blatant economic coercion and tech bullying.” However, according to The National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC), the Chinese government steals up to $600 billion dollars worth of U.S. intellectual property every year. China’s hypocritical outrage about a narrow and relatively light measure reflects a broader pattern of ruthless Chinese statecraft that aims to grow China’s soft power. Most analyses of diplomatic relations between America and China present the relationship as toeing the line between advancing the U.S.’ economic interests and protecting its national security: Wall Street views China as a massive (and risky) market for Western goods and foreign investment, but the government knows that an increased American corporate presence in China will only help the Chinese military and private sector catch up to the West’s technology and expertise. Many analyses of Biden’s latest executive order use the same framework. The Wall Street Journal worried that Biden’s restrictions on high-tech investment would cause China to retaliate by limiting American access to simpler but ubiquitous “low-tech” computer chips, thus raising prices for American consumers. Their criticism, however, only supports such restrictions. Shouldn’t the U.S. enact measures like Biden’s to prevent China and other countries from holding critical goods hostage? President Biden was right to see past the misleading dichotomy between a strong economy and a safe nation. As long as products as vital to modern life as computer chips are largely controlled by the greatest threat to our national security, the American economy is neither strong nor robust. The executive order was met with great domestic concern about Chinese retribution, but why was it such a big deal? It’s no secret that China has a long history of engaging in multiple types of espionage, infiltrating the U.S.’ military, businesses, and education system to advance its interests and steal American information. For a country that is at war with the U.S. in all senses but the literal, limited and light restrictions should be considered too little, not too much. Opponents of the restrictions and other anti-China measures give the CCP far too much consideration. When the American government weakens its technological, physical, and foreign defenses due to these enraged outbursts, it provides an opening for the CCP to get away with a charade. However, even more concerning is the notion of equity and fairness in geopolitics heralded by progressives and, increasingly, the isolationist right. It manifests now with China’s charade: the U.S., eternally the predator imperialist, “bullies” the small, weak developing nation of China. It was present in public discussion around China’s spy balloon and a new Chinese listening post in Cuba. One Washington Post columnist even thought to wonder, ‘If the United States can spy on China, why can’t China spy on the U.S.?” While the notion that we should be equitable to enemy nations in international dealings is absurd for a number of reasons, the basic premise that the U.S. should let dictators looking to replace or destroy America have an equal position should speak for itself. It probably would’ve been equitable to let the USSR place missiles in Cuba, but I would be surprised if many people look back and condemn JFK’s unfairness. Through interactions like these, China has designed a lopsided international power struggle in which it has free rein to do as it wishes through semi-governmental channels of espionage, but the U.S. remains locked in an endless exercise of managing fake Chinese outrage. Biden’s executive order is a good first step out of an otherwise mangled handling of China by his administration. As 2024 draws closer, the Biden administration may have picked up a new strategy for reelection. As most Republican candidates express worrying views on the war in Ukraine and largely avoid China as a topic, Biden has plenty of space to build off of his good performance handling Ukraine and Russia and future toughness with China. Jack Elworth

As the day grows shorter and the air takes on a crisp edge, the enchanting season of fall brings in a unique and joy-filled atmosphere at Middlesex. While each season has its advantages, there is an undeniable sense of delight that spreads throughout the campus during the autumn season. From the reuniting of friends after a long summer, to the excitement of sporting events, fall trumps spring in its ability to facilitate an unforgettable environment. “Fall brings the excitement of seeing all your friends after a long summer away” remarks Gray Malitsky ‘24. After months of separation, both old and new friends come together on campus, creating an excitement felt throughout campus to carry students through the year to come. But before this year begins, Middlesex welcomes students with “the most fun weekend of the year,” says Malitsky: Square Dance and Field Day. These events create an exciting atmosphere where returning and new students alike can come together, building bonds with fun, dance, and competition. While the weekend only lasts two days, the fun and memories last far longer. Additionally, fall’s cooler temperatures provide an ideal environment for sports and outdoor activities, setting the stage for Middlesex’s fan section, the Herd, to show their spirit. The entire Middlesex campus comes alive with the Herd’s roar, as athletes, like Football captain Felix Juves ‘24, look forward to competing surrounded by the campus backdrop, complete with changing leaves. Juves is “excited to see what this team can accomplish in the fall,” so Middlesex should prepare itself for an exciting season ahead, filled with many victories. Competitions like these not only energize athletes and supporters, but also unite the entire campus in shared pride and support. Additionally, the autumnal environment spurs a spirit of focused productivity. While schoolwork is unavoidable, and sometimes not the most enjoyable, the cool weather of the fall invites a sense of coziness, making the time spent learning inside more comfortable. Instead of a hot day in the spring, practically asking students to forget schoolwork and go outside, and a miserably freezing day in the winter, autumn presents a perfect blend of minimal distractions, with ample warmth to go outside for a break and enjoy fall’s tranquil beauty. However, a description of fall at Middlesex would be incomplete without focusing on the aesthetic transformation of the campus during fall. In the span of just three months, the entire campus undergoes a huge change. The lush greenery of the summer gives way to a warm concoction of browns, oranges, yellows, reds, and greens. As the leaves submerge the circle with these colors, the campus reaches the peak of its beauty. “I can’t wait,” says Malitsky. ALEX BARRON

This school year, Middlesex is full of changes: a new head of school, new faculty, new students, and a revised schedule. And in a year of many changes, the flow of the school heading forward will be primarily dictated by the structure and organization of this revised schedule. When speaking to Mr. Pillai, the creator of the revised schedule, I was able to understand the rationale behind all the changes to the schedule. The first thing to understand is the Middlesex program, which Mr. Pillai called the “4 A’s”: Academics, Athletics, Advising, and Arts. The revised schedule was designed to give more flexibility and reduce conflicts whilst keeping all programs as robust as they were in the old schedule, so that every Middlesex student could access all aspects of the Middlesex program and create their unique program. Mr. Pillai told me that he would prefer the schedule to be considered revised and not new, and although I see it as a new schedule, I can see his point. Mr. Pillai noted how the revised schedule is not creating anything substantially new; it is just restructuring time to avoid the many conflicts the old schedule had. One of the primary conflicts of the past schedule was between Arts and Athletics, particularly for the choral groups. Dr. Wetzel, the Head of the Music Department, told me how the old schedule was “really problematic” with Chapel Chorus meeting after athletics and before study hours, giving students no breaks and numerous conflicts. Dr. Wetzel said that he is “optimistic” and “curious” about how the revised schedule will impact Middlesex, and specifically the Music Department. Another issue with the old schedule was conflicts between Academics and Advising, where many advisees, including myself, didn’t share free blocks with their advisor. Additionally, the old schedule failed to account for the disparity of total class minutes between different blocks in which blocks that met on Saturday and Monday met less frequently than those on other days. Moreover, the old schedule was not built for big school events, guest speakers, and long assemblies, leading to disruptive special schedules. Also, according to Mr. Pillai, student feedback suggested that many said the prior schedule, “felt like go, go, go, go with Sunday being catchup and the cycle repeating,” so the revised schedule aims to “support a sustainable and measured pace.” So how exactly does the revised schedule solve these issues of the recent past? First, every class meets fewer times a week, and yes, that means there will be fewer homework assignments. But class time should remain the same for all classes except for classes that met five times a week and had an L block in the prior schedule, such as APUSH, science classes, and AP Computer Science A. To have the same amount of time, many classes will use the new extension blocks, which add 25 minutes before or after the regular block and after the first few days of class. The revised schedule also addresses the challenges posed by a special schedule by adjusting how assemblies work with two distinct blocks, Announcements and Community Time, which serve as designated space for longer events,reducing the need for special schedules. To make the schedule more equitable to class time, there is a Red and White week system in which Wednesday and Saturday classes alternate between weeks and certain class drop one of their extension block. Occasionally, there will be occasions where there are two Red weeks in a row or two White weeks in a row to balance time. To make it easier for students to meet with their advisor, the schedule has designated advisor blocks. To make a more sustainable schedule, the new schedule starts later for most students, ends on a non-academic block for most days, and includes a Saturday sleep-in, meaning that students should have more time to sleep throughout the week and some breathing time before practice in the same way L blocks afforded. However, these changes will push back athletics and study hours later in the day. The biggest change in the schedule comes from the longer lunch blocks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which are about two hours long and allow choral groups to meet during the day. Additionally, the changes that were intended to solve several problems also have benefits in other aspects of the Middlesex community, primarily extracurricular activities. With longer lunches and later study hours, clubs will have more time to meet, and extracurricular activities that didn’t exist in the past due to a lack of time can now exist thanks to an abundance of free time (for those who don’t spend a lot of time in the arts) to direct towards other interests. Also, having time before study hours to enjoy the circle and have club meetings is more important to the Middlesex community than time after study hours. Although the school has only experienced the schedule for a few days at the time of writing this article, it looks like we will be enjoying a lot of benefits this school year. BEN FEUER

For those starting the school year thinking they can game the English system with chatGPT, don’t even bother. The English department’s new procedure for preemptively preventing, detecting and catching attempts at AI-based plagiarism is comprehensive and airtight. First, “[the department’s] strategies revolve around drafts…and their editorial process,” says Head of the English Department Jecca Hutcheson. Essay outlines and topic sentences are typically submitted during the start of the essay-writing process and kept on file in Google Classroom. An essay will “flag” if it changes significantly from its outline and first-draft topic sentences, and will then be subject to further scrutiny from software like GPTZero and Google Classroom’s built-in plagiarism checker. Furthermore, the department plans to make use of the longer class blocks allotted in the new schedule to supervise student work; Jecca is hopeful that “supervised [work]...[will be] less likely to be assisted by any source, whether human or machine”. Finally, while the version history of a Google Doc has always been used by Middlesex faculty to verify the progress of an essay, teachers will examine version histories in greater detail going forward to combat the use of generative AI. Specifically, large swathes of text appearing in relatively short periods of time on a version history will “flag”, similar to an essay that changes too much from conception to publication. Finally, the faculty of the English department have become familiar with the sentence construction, argumentative logic and style of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT - which differ significantly from the “individualized and idiosyncratic” styles of writing that Middlesex teaches. While an accurate schoolwide statistic on the prevalence of plagiarism would be impossible to obtain, the English Department states that it detects around ten cases of plagiarism annually, with varying degrees of severity. Even with all these measures in place, is it possible to game the system? Probably. Nothing stops someone from ChatGPT-ing an essay outline to go along with your generated essay, although it's likely that ChatGPT will produce below-average work. SparkNotes and LitCharts and the countless websites like them remain easily accessible. Also, barring all these options, one could always ask somebody else to write an essay in their name. However, it’s not so much about the endless arms race between plagiarists and educators, which will unfortunately always result in a win for plagiarists, and more so what the accessibility of what Jecca calls “reductive” tools will do to the students of this generation. Representing the rest of the department, Jecca states that “we expect that our students value their own voices, and that they believe that learning to write will only become a more valuable asset…If many people rely on [generative] AI, then the idiosyncratic, individual voice [taught at Middlesex] will only gain in value.” Furthermore, she states that “the process of writing is a critical component of developing as an independent thinker.” Thus, submitting an auto-generated essay for a grade not only subverts institutional Middlesex values but also sabotages one’s own intellectual development. So the question becomes this: even if you could, is it really worth it? Luke Zhang

Why are we trusting amateur doctors for medical advice? It is no secret that social media can be highly reliable, but the health and wellness craze adds an entirely new level of depth to this misinformation problem. Social media’s effects on young adults and teens can be more negative than positive. In fact, an article from Columbia’s Irving Medical Center states that there is “growing research [that] finds that the more time spent on social media, the more likely a person will experience mental health symptoms like anxiety, isolation, and hopelessness.” While trying to fit in, young adults and teenagers become more likely to follow the advice they hear from influencers and other content creators. The recent rise in health and wellness awareness is a key example of social media causing harm to consumers, specifically influencer recommendations. According to McKinsey Consultants, “the wellness market is growing quickly. Overall, around 50 percent of US consumers now report wellness as a top priority in their day-to-day lives, a significant rise from 42 percent in 2020.” Uneducated people who gain a large following on social media have harnessed the power of the wellness industry and used it to sell products from diet plans to workout regimens. Their followers often trust this information despite the source's lack of expertise or credibility. During the summer, the World Health Organization raised questions about the risks of a popular artificial sweetener, Aspartame. Following the accusations, the American Beverage Association paid 35 health professionals to create online content telling consumers that the claims were incorrect. According to the Washington Post, “the trade group paid an undisclosed amount to 10 registered dietitians, as well as a physician and a fitness influencer, to use their social media accounts to help blunt the WHO’s claims that aspartame, a mainstay of Diet Coke and other sodas, is ineffective for weight loss and ‘possibly carcinogenic.’” The main issue with these posts was that it was unclear that the videos were sponsored, resulting in many consumers being unsure if they should avoid the substance or not. “Currently there is almost no oversight on how influencers operate – despite the fact that they are paid for their "work" on social media platforms,” says Peter Suciu in a Forbes article questioning the trust viewers should have in social media influencers. The lack of rules for influencer marketing has allowed companies to hide their ads in what seems like innocent content. As a result, viewers often believe a video is meant to be a simple recommendation when, in reality, it is an advertisement. While this confusion is dangerous for any field, it is especially alarming for health and wellness awareness. In 2021, pre-workout and protein powders began to gain popularity amongst teens on TikTok. While multiple influencers spoke of the great benefits of these substances, many failed to mention that the supplements were created for those over the age of 18. As described in an article for the New York Post, Nelson Chow, a pediatrician at Princeton University gathered a team that “looked at 100 TikTok videos with the “pre-workout” hashtag and found that only one in twelve showed how to ingest the powder properly.” Society’s reliance on social media is likely to continue to grow, and it is important to recognize and advocate against the lack of restrictions in this heavily influential field. The Federal Trade Administration recently issued more restrictive guidelines for disclosure of paid promotional videos and other social media content, but until the government steps in, consumers need to be smart on their own. Diana Davidson

The Willow Project was first introduced in October 2020 by ConocoPhillips, an energy company in Houston. It was later approved by the Biden Administration in March of 2023–a controversial opinion that sparked debate nationwide. The Willow Project is a decades-long, $8 billion oil drilling venture in Alaska’s North Slope in the National Petroleum Reserve. Biden’s approval of this project resulted in backlash from enraged environmentalist groups who felt betrayed by his failure to execute his 2020 campaign promise to end all new oil and gas drilling on federal lands. This decision forced many to ponder a difficult question: Is Biden’s support for the Willow Project truly justified? The principal argument for many people's justification stems from economic benefits. Supporters claim Willow will generate jobs, boost domestic energy production, and alleviate America’s reliance on foreign countries for oil. Even some native groups have claimed this project will create a new source of revenue and increase funding for education and health care services. Nagruk Harcharek, the president of the advocacy group Voice of the Arctic Iñupiat, contended in a letter to White House officials that the project will create an opportunity to invest in communities. The Bureau of Land Management assessed that it will make around $6 billion from taxes, where $1 billion of these taxes will help improve education, first responders, and hundreds of local jobs. The Biden Administration claims their “hands were tied” in the decision process because Conoco already has valid leases in the area. John Leshy, the previous Interior Department’s solicitor under Bill Clinton, asserted that “the lease does not give Conoco the right to do whatever they want, but it does convey certain rights; therefore [the administration’s] options were limited by the lease rights.” If the Biden Administration plans to deter the project drastically or halt it altogether, it would likely result in losing a court case and receiving possible fines. Ultimately, Biden approved the project after reducing the original five drill pads to three. However, as the implementation of Willow slowly closes in, the native populations living near the project site have become more distressed about the possible detrimental health and environmental impacts. Not only could Willow alter migration patterns and destroy habitats, but, according to Defenders of Wildlife, over the next 30 years, it could release 260 million metric tons of CO2 into the atmosphere. In hopes of ceasing the project, groups have sent more than 5.6 million letters to the Biden Administration. However, despite the countless efforts to terminate the project, it will be implemented. Now the question remains: which is more essential - more money or our planet? Unfortunately, in our society, one cannot live without either. But, in the end, money is simply a social construct, a mere concept ingrained into the brains of humans to create a better society. Life, on the other hand, is more valuable than all the riches in the world: it is a cycle that can never be repaired if it breaks–something that can never be won back after it is lost. Humanity seems to have forgotten and taken for granted the value of life, causing us to teeter on the brink between life and death. No amount of economic surpluses or increases in employment opportunities can justify killing our home. Michelle Cai ’23 and Allison Luo ‘23

1. Here we have Harper Edwards ‘26 pridefully showing off the flag of the infamous, masked vigilante, as well as his love for wrestling. These completely unrelated flags have one thing in common: the warrior mentality. Affectionately known as Batman, Edwards is a fierce wrestler by day and a protector of the innocent by night. 2. Alvie Zobel de Ayala ‘23 has chosen a different path. Personalizing his decorations, Zobel has chosen Amazon's choice route, ordering his posters by the fifty pack, thus achieving a unique room aesthetic, seen nowhere else. Through this incredible choice of decorations, Zobel can accurately reflect his creative personality as a trailblazer of fashion in and out of the room. 3. Perhaps the most important room in Atkins dorm belongs to Harrison James ‘24 as he has this year’s tour room. From crinkle-free pinstripe wallpaper tastefully lining only 75% of one wall to a beautiful clear glass bedside table, Harrison has objectively good style. For his favorite piece, brushing aside priceless trinkets and accessories collected across the globe, James has put aside his ego, and decided to go with a humble choice: a neon light spelling out his name. Since James’ room is the tour guide room, all who visit will recognize the humility of the Middlesex student. 4. Previous year’s remarks about a “basic” room have clearly gotten to him, so Thatcher Foregger ‘24 enhanced the eccentric feel of this year’s room with something found nowhere else on campus: a record player. Foregger enjoys classics like Nikki Minaj and Taylor Swift on his vintage record player. 5. LEGOS are a phase, right? Will Sumner ‘25 would like to disagree. Working diligently over the summer, Sumner wisely decided to invest his entire earnings in a LEGO Porsche. “Maybe someday I'll get the real thing, '' Sumner remarks, pushing the car up and down his desk. 6. Noted rule breaker Luke Power ‘24 has decided to rebel against the oppressive recycling industry. Through his only seltzer diet, Power has acquired a whopping 672 cans, which he puts on display for all to see. This incredible feat of architecture is known throughout campus, and has become an integral part of Power’s sense of style. Just as a Lion’s mane symbolizes strength, so does Power’s can wall. 7. Some might say that these are just ordinary chairs, but they would be wrong. Andrew Visco ‘26, Charlie Brand ‘26, and Colton McCann ‘27 have fought tooth and nail for these thrones, with Visco even sacrificing his right two fingers for them. They have fully adopted the sedentary lifestyle, refusing to get up from their seats of glory. Alex Barron