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Sophia’s take on the new Bad Bunny Album Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, professionally known as Bad Bunny, has done it again: his latest musical release has captured the hearts of all; his new album, "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos," a rather meaningful title in Spanish that means "I Should Have Taken More Photos," is a tribute to his Puerto Rican roots.   This 17-track compilation masterfully weds traditional genres like Plena, Jíbara, Salsa, Reggaeton, Bomba, and Dembow with more modern influences of reggaeton and trap, blending nostalgia with innovation in an unparalleled manner.   What makes it different from other records is that Benito has covered it with local Puerto Rican acts, including some of the youth out of Escuela Libre de Música San Juan  and the widely esteemed groups Los Pleneros de La Crest a and RaiNao .   This is a decision that promotes local talent, brings old sounds to younger generations, and closes gaps between different eras.   Indeed, in the album, one can hear serious social and political issues affecting Puerto Rico and Hawaii, such as gentrification, migration, economic challenges, and cultural preservation.   The album prompts a deeper contemplation of issues that embody Puerto Rico's past, present, and future.   Critics have praised "DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos" as one of Benito's signature works when thinking about it with emotional moments and universal themes.   One song, "DTMF," has caused a nostalgia wave on TikTok, with users sharing their most treasured memories.   In the song, Bad Bunny sermonizes on living in the moment and dwelling on experiences rather than digital mementos.   This meaningful release shows Bad Bunny's commitment to his culture and emphasis in addressing current matters through his songs.   He uses his platform to show Puerto Rican culture and encourages other artists to keep their roots in today's global music landscape.   In an industry that is largely defined by commercial success, Benito is the kind of artist who can celebrate his cultural identity and still be relatable to the world.   DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOTos opens the path for many emerging artists to find and pay respect to their cultural narratives through music.   It is more than an album—it's a representation of heritage, community, and shared experiences. Sophia Shiatis

The Anvil  to revive dormant “Letters to the Editor” section. The Anvil  is at its best when as many students as possible contribute to an issue. In an effort to encourage more students to contribute their voice to our paper, we are launching a new section, Letters to the Editor, which had flourished decades ago in these pages. This section will debut in Issue 6. These days, short-form videos dominate everyday entertainment, and one’s “attention span” seems to inhibit extended concentration. Students here, due to the rigorous curriculum, spend a significant part of the day studying. These two forces—the rise of short-form media and the Middlesex coursework—contribute to a lack of student engagement in The Anvil . Letters to the Editor will be a box, in between the News and Opinions sections of each issue, in which students can write short “community notes” rather than submitting a 600-word article. These notes, or Letters, could be club announcements, alerts for community service or other opportunities, satire, brief opinions, or student replies to articles published in previous issues of the Anvil . Editors have observed that some students feel daunted by the idea of taking on an article in addition to their academic and other commitments. With this new section, students can get the feel of writing for the paper without the pressure of a larger article. Letters to the Editor could serve as a springboard for more students to contribute articles. More generally, we want to offer students another way to contribute their thoughts to this paper. The Anvil  must adapt in order to continue to optimally serve the Middlesex community. With this section, we are giving students an opportunity to project their voice in a more succinct way. If people start picking up The Anvil  for upcoming club meetings, they might also skim an article. They might, then, feel inspired to write an article themselves—this process is how our paper evolves and grows. George Thornton

Mr. Sport, the heads of FEMX, and others weigh in on campus gender dynamics. As Middlesex works to address DEI issues, questions have arisen on how Middlesex can best address sexism, toxic masculinity, and gender-based discrimination. One proposed solution is to create a male affinity group. However, both students and faculty question its validity, worrying that it undermines the work of current affinity groups.  At Middlesex, affinity groups occupy a space above a club. As the heads of FEMX, Middlesex’s affinity group for female identifying students, Maggie Cabot ‘25 and Margot Boyd ‘25 agreed that a club [is] a shared interest whereas affinity is a shared part of an identity. Mylles Welch ‘27, a member of BSU and MSA, similarly defines an affinity group as a space “where people who identify the same that’s not the majority…can come together…to make each other comfortable and how to make their presence known on campus.” Consistent with these student definitions is the idea of identity—that affinity groups connect people based on an unchangeable aspect of who they are. Another key piece of the definition of an affinity group is that it is a space for marginalized groups. Erica Sahin, FEMX’s faculty advisor, describes the goal of an affinity group being to unify students with a shared identity in a manner that “supports and uplifts them.” Given that we live in a patriarchal society, male-identifying students are not a marginalized group and do not need their voices amplified to the detriment of other minorities on campus. However, that does not mean that they are immune to gender based issues and are undeserving of somewhere to feel safe and heard. In describing the gender dynamic at Middlesex, Boyd has witnessed that “the expectation of boys and girls are very different.” These expectations have manifested into an expression of hyper-masculinity that Jason Sport, Chief Officer for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, has witnessed during his time both in the Deans’ and DEI office. Analyzing patterns in disciplinary action, according to Mr. Sport, there is “[an inverted relationship between the] number of male identifying students that have discipline events and the number of male identifying students that accessed help for their mental health.”  Despite the equal access to mental health services at Middlesex, Mr. Sport notices that we “see more boys getting in trouble and we see fewer boys getting help.”  While acknowledging that men occupy a privileged space in society, Mr. Sport has also realized that “men are struggling,” especially as they move past high school to higher education. Forbes indicated that women in Massachusetts have the highest graduation rate in the United States with 78% of women graduating whereas men only achieved that same graduation rate in 2/50 states.  Looking at the greater societal issue, Mr. Sport explained that “we are seeing men or boys have fewer connections, causing more problems” like the disciplinary actions he dealt with in the Dean's office. In an effort to address these issues, Mr. Sport and the DEI office are looking to address the root of these problems through connections. Mr. Sport wants to create a group or programming to address these issues; however, he is very cautious in his approach to do so.  Men need some sort of additional support system on campus; however, an affinity group may not necessarily be the solution. Mr. Sport “recognize[s] that the need for a male affinity group may seem unnecessary as men and boys on campus are by no means marginalized,” but he also acknowledges the need for a space for boys to be “vulnerable and talk about shared challenges and be who they are.” Boyd opposes the formation of a male affinity group, fearing that without proper supervision and planning, that same group would instead “feed into” the preexisting hypermasculinity.   Cabot too noticed the lack of male connections noting that ”they feel more ostracised and it causes them to be more misogynistic” and agrees that  “if they had a place where they could get their feelings heard and if it was in a productive way like combating misogyny” it would be beneficial.  Boyd offers an alternative solution, recommending that there should be a male club, reserving affinity groups as “spaces for people who do not inherently have the privilege that white men have” while still giving male students a platform to address their own issues for the betterment of all students' experiences on campus. Ultimately, it is clear that we need to find alternative solutions to forge deeper relationships between male students where they feel just as comfortable accessing help as any other student on campus. While Middlesex does not tolerate sexism, it is important that the community creates a space for boys to feel comfortable talking through their prejudices to learn and expand their way of thinking.  Shunning or demonizing the subject of misogyny compounds the problem, rather than ameliorating it.  Instead of being addressed in the presence of teachers and student leaders, misogyny is being discussed in dorms and in the locker rooms where it could grow. Thus, Middlesex and the DEI office is taking student, professional, and faculty input to create a male space that recognizes male students' inherent privilege but also provides an outlet for their own growth and struggles. Abby Tribush

In an interview, the Harvard historian recounts moments of inspiration and offers advice. Middlesex recently welcomed historian and author Dr. Tiya Miles ‘88, the Michael Garvey Professor of History at Harvard and Radcliffe Alumnae Professor at the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, to campus. She spoke as part of Middlesex’s programming around the life and legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and in a separate interview with the Anvil , she recounted her time as a student here. For Miles, “Middlesex created a world where dreams were born,” she said, fulfilling her desire for learning. Here, Miles discovered one of her favorite novels, Their Eyes Were Watching God  by Zora Neale Hurston . In addition to her academic pursuits, she helped organize events like Casino Night and served as co-editor of the  Anvil . Miles came to Middlesex as a sophomore from a public school in Ohio. The transition was difficult at first. In a vivid memory from her first year, Miles’s Latin teacher began class by declaring himself a frog. She recalls being shocked receiving her first English paper and realizing that she would have to work assiduously for her A’s. Miles learned through this experience that “achievement tastes sweeter.” Because Middlesex requires underclassmen to participate in one sport per season, Miles decided to try crew in the spring of her first year. Although she was nervous at first, rowing became a transformative experience.  According to Miles, her team’s boat once capsized, but the collective team response to the setback left a mark in her memory. Through rowing, Miles learned that unity defines a true team, regardless of differences in individual skill level.  Miles was not fixated on history at Middlesex, but rather appreciated literature and the study of older cultures. She recollects at times worrying that her many passions would not work out in her future. Looking back, she wishes she could tell her younger self to “have patience” and remember that “life unfolds in phases.”  As an educator, Miles relates the past to the present to encourage students to envision a better future, particularly regarding the environmental and climate crisis.  Indeed, her latest book, Night Flier: Harriet Tubman and the Faith Dreams of a Free People , is an example of environmental history. In response to students' anxiety about the future, Miles exhorted, “You are not helpless. Refuse to be hopeless. Engage!”. Reflecting on Professor Miles’s talk, P.K. Awuah ‘28 said, “Awareness is an essential factor for taking action.” According to Awuah, people, even those not in “position[s] of power,” must spread awareness of the environmental issues Miles writes about. Miles encourages students to continue to question, learn, and be inspired when lost. According to Miles, humanity will progress once we can collaborate and trust each other. Mia Koopersmith

As winter sports pick up and temperatures drop, it’s tempting to disengage from the Middlesex community and spend the winter reclusively mourning the cold and dark. This mentality is also often a self-perpetuating one: to ward off the dark, make additional efforts to spend time with friends, continue to engage with clubs and other forms of student life, and show up to games and performances. Winter often feels bleak and dull here, but it doesn’t have to be.  This is also a good time for some reflection on the first semester. We encourage you to consider retrospectively both your successes and shortcoming socially, academically, and athletically. Are there people you could be kinder to? What strategies and habits paid off in your classes? How will you be a leader on your team? The second semester is an exciting fresh start, and we hope you learn from your wins and mistakes in the fall.  JE & CB

Investigating the economic and social ramifications of mass deportation. On November 18th, president-elect Donald Trump reaffirmed on Truth Social his plans to declare a national emergency and involve the U.S. military in a large-scale deportation of undocumented immigrants. Speaking at a campaign rally in New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Mr. Trump pledged: “On Day 1, I will launch the largest deportation program in American history to get the criminals out. I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible.” Vice President-elect JD Vance echoed this plan, emphasizing that the administration would begin with targeting the “most violent criminals” and eventually extending to those with Temporary Protected Status.  While the proposal has garnered support among those advocating for stricter immigration enforcement, it also raises questions about its economic and social impacts on the US population and whether alternative approaches might better address immigration challenges.  Contrary to what many believe, undocumented immigrants are in essence crucial to the nation’s economic infrastructure. In order to grow, the US economy requires immigrants to spur job growth and also undercut inflation. Many important industries continue to rely on immigrant labor as birth rates in the US drop and an increased number of citizens retire. These industries will face severe labor shortages should Mr. Trump enact his deportation plans. Though supporters of mass deportation argue that the huge influx of undocumented immigrant workers is displacing US-born workers, studies indicate that they are in reality filling jobs of little interest to citizens. Indeed, undocumented immigrant workers account for 50% of all field and crop workers, making the success of America’s farm industry reliant on these workers.  The American immigration Council estimates that Mr. Trump’s plan will cost 88 billion dollars a year—nearly four times NASA’s budget. Regardless of whether Congress approves, Mr. Trump states that he will declare a national emergency to use military funds for his deportation plans. For perspective, with this same amount, the US could build almost three million new homes. Is the financial cost of mass deportation worth the potential economic disruption? Socially, mass deportation raises ethical questions. Many undocumented immigrants have lived in the US for years, if not decades, building lives, raising children, and paying taxes. Deporting these individuals could lead to widespread family separation, forcefully separating US-born children from their parents and creating inhumane emotional hardships. Under the “zero-tolerance policy” Mr. Trump adopted in his first term of office for undocumented immigrants arriving at the southern border, parents were sent to the immigration detention center to await deportation, while their children were sent to separate facilities owned by the Department of Health and Human Services or to other foster homes. A government report in September 2019 stated that the immigrant children put in government custody in 2018 frequently experienced intense trauma that manifested in symptoms that could significantly hinder their later success in academics or the workplace. It is clear that mass deportation would cause family separation at a scale larger than what Mr. Trump has ever done in his first term of office.  As the senior director of refugee advocacy at Human Rights First, Robyn Barnard warns, “Families will be torn apart, businesses left without vital employees, and our country will be left to pick up the pieces for years to come.”  Given the need for immigrant labor and their contributions to the nation, the government should reform and improve social mechanisms to maximize the ability of law-abiding (aside from the blemish of illegally entering the US) undocumented immigrants to support the US economy.  One of the most effective ways to reduce undocumented immigration is to expand and streamline legal pathways for individuals seeking to enter and work in the United States. The current immigration system is often criticized for being overly complex and constantly plagued by backlogs, making it difficult for those who meet eligibility criteria to obtain legal status.  Increasing the number of available visas in industries facing labor shortages would provide a lawful avenue for workers to enter or remain in the US. Though existing guest worker programs like the H-2A and H-2B visa programs currently facilitate agricultural and non-agricultural works respectively, they are limited in scope and often burdened by bureaucratic inefficiencies. Expanding these programs to cover more industries and simplifying the application process would also offer viable solutions to meet the labor needs of various industries while providing legal status and protection to immigrants at the same time. Immigration remains a complex and deeply polarizing issue, but solutions exist that balance enforcement with compassion and practicality—mass deportation is not one of them.  Jessica Wu

Flik’s meals at Middlesex may not always get the praise they deserve, but after a closer look, it’s clear that their thoughtful variety and nutritional balance offer more than meets the eye. When asked about their opinion on meals at Middlesex, many students’ first instinct is undoubtedly to complain. I admittedly had a similar attitude before writing this article. However, as I dove into a thorough evaluation of the food provided by our Flik staff, taking into consideration a range of topics from nutritional value to taste and variety of cuisines, I was surprised to find that there is much to be grateful for with regards to Flik’s careful attention in curating meal plans that satisfy a majority of the student and faculty population, though of course, like anything else, there is always room for improvement. First off, all three meals offered by Flik during the weekdays are composed of major nutritional groups that our bodies, especially that of teenagers, need to function and grow, namely: carbohydrates, protein, fats, and fiber. In the morning, breakfast always consists of scrambled eggs, sausage or bacon, oatmeal, a variety of pastries, fruits, and of course, my personal favorite, a make-your-own omelette bar (Antonio makes the best ones)! On Sundays, breakfast and lunch are merged together into brunch, which runs from 10:30 am to 1:00 pm. Personally, I am always starving by the time brunch begins, and though I could go to continental breakfast which opens at 8:00 am, fruits and cereal never fulfill my hunger quite as much as a plate of hot warm eggs and bacon. Therefore, I think starting brunch earlier, even just by 30 minutes, would be a great idea for all of the ravenous early birds. Lunch and dinner likewise check all of the boxes when it comes to hitting the essential nutrients, with both meals consisting of a main protein dish, a form of carbohydrates, and a variation of vegetables either in the form of a salad or cooked with seasoning. There usually are nibbles at these meals as well, such as sandwiches, guacamole and chips, and tofu for people who are vegetarians. At the other end of the dining hall, students have the option to make sandwiches and wraps using ingredients from the salad bar, which I personally find especially helpful when I want to eat cleaner or when I don’t like the dining hall meal option that day. In fact, Middlesex students have grown very creative in their cooking abilities using the salad bar. Some popular snacks people have made include quesadillas, nachos, cheesy baked rice, and even homemade pickled vegetables. Flik is also considerate of various dietary restrictions, providing a fridge filled with different types of milk like oat milk, almond milk, gluten free milk, and an entire gluten free section complete with gluten free dessert options.  Speaking of desserts, the Flik staff serves dessert at every meal, while a soft serve machine and other ice cream bars are available throughout most of the warmer seasons. Although these sweet treats are a satisfying way to end meals and certainly popular among students (who doesn’t like cookies?!), eating them at every single meal might not be the best choice as consuming foods high in sugar and saturated fats often lead to sugar crashes later in the school day. As Sixing Wang ’26, a head of the Health Club, said, “There are a lot of sweets, pastries, and simple carbs served every meal, so eating healthy really comes down to a student’s dietary choice.” The easy accessibility and convenience of choosing less nutritional alternatives are extremely appealing, and I cannot deny falling victim to such temptations. Instead, I think the dining hall should prepare fruits at both lunch and dinner, so that while students have the choice to pick up a cookie or brownie (which can also be part of a healthy diet - everything is about balance), they can also substitute in for fruits, a great source of vitamins and dietary fiber. At the same time, I am a firm believer in “cheat meals” - meals that do not necessarily look pretty on a nutritional chart but nonetheless make us happy. And Flik does a great job of rewarding students with a meal of pizza or chicken wings every Friday lunch in celebration of everyone’s hard week of work at school.  Finally, I appreciate Flik's constant experimentation with diverse flavors and cuisines. However, the staff lacks instantaneous feedback from the student body, and the evaluation surveys sent out every semester are largely ineffectual in capturing accurate opinion since many people would already have forgotten what their “favorite meal” and “least favorite meal” is. Thus, a possible solution for this problem would be to update the Flik dining hall app to not only include the latest menu for every meal, but it also allow members of the Middlesex community to rate each meal right after having it and leave an optional suggestion for areas of improvement. Overall, the Flik staff’s dedication is evident in their deliberate selection of an array of foods that strives to go above and beyond meeting a basic nutritional requirement, but to satisfy certain cravings at the same time, fueling everyone in the community to tackle their day ahead feeling fulfilled and energized. Thank you, Flik! Celine Ding

As the working class abandons the Democratic Party, could populism—on both the left and right—be the future of American politics? “It should come to no surprise that the Democratic Party that has abandoned working class people would find that the working class has abandoned them.” This quote from Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders was in direct response to the 2024 election, where former President, and convicted felon, Donald Trump swept the map, winning all seven swing states. Later in his statement, Sanders claimed Democrats not only lost support from white working class voters, but also working class Black and Latino voters across the nation, signaling a massive political realignment. The previously Pro-labor, Pro-union Democrats have become a party primarily supported by coastal elites, with pronouns and democracy holding precedent over stable wages and affordable healthcare. Of course cultural issues matter, but should they matter more than a person’s ability to afford a house ?   Unsurprisingly, at the ballot box, in a nation where 60 percent of Americans live paycheck to paycheck, voters opted for the outsider, a man who promises the impossible revitalization of the coal and steel industry and an “America First” policy, over a party that simply, though rightfully, hates on Mr. Trump, with few massive economic policies of their own. Sure, the Child Tax Credit expansion is a good policy, but what about universal healthcare, what about a 15 dollar minimum wage nationwide ?   In a time of such incredible wealth disparity throughout our nation, the Harris campaign emphasized a small potato economic reform, when what Americans truly need is a complete realignment of our economic practices, where corporations get punished for wrongdoings, and millionaires and billionaires aren’t the vast majority of your donors in a presidential campaign. Americans need a party that prioritizes fair wages, workers rights, and the ability for people to pursue the American Dream. Neoliberalism is not the answer, Populism is .  However, many Middlesex students may question if seemingly extremist populism would really win elections. To that, I would rebut with this: across the world, people that oppose the political status quo have had incredible successes over establishment parties as of recent years. Reform UK, a new, far right protectionist party in the UK headed by Brexit mastermind Nigel Farage, won 13 seats in the House of Commons and is soaring in national polls after the election. Marine Le Pen’s National Rally nearly won France’s election. But, so too can populist movements on the left have major victories across the world. Sryiza has an overwhelming majority in the Greek government, and Ireland’s Sinn Féin nearly won their December 1st election, surging in national vote share. And in the US, in 2016, Bernie Sanders nearly won the Democratic nomination despite the DNC attempting to sabotage his campaign, with the Senator winning major vote totals in rural areas Democrats were crushed in the general election, with some of Sanders’ voters even electing to support the outsider Donald Trump. Similarly, in 2024, many AOC supporters said they voted for Trump, to the shock of Ocasio-Cortez, because they believe he said it like it is, not acting like an establishment politician. So, in order for the Democrats to win in future elections, they need to reject the electorally failing Chuck Schumer, Hakeem Jeffries, and Nancy Pelosi party that only won in 2020 because of how horrendous the pandemic was, opting to instead embrace incredibly popular and truly “America First” ideas like a 15 dollar minimum wage and paid family leave, headed by Senator Sanders.  So, where does the Democratic Party go from here? Who will they nominate in 2028? Honestly, the DNC will likely ignore these universally enjoyed ideas and nominate another corporate Dem like Josh Shapiro or Gavin Newsom because their donors will threaten to pull money if they support more ‘extreme’ candidates. The party will then proceed to lose in a similar or even worse fashion to 2024 with the nomination of populist JD Vance. However, if they want to win and stop lining their pockets with money that does nothing, they should nominate a Democratic-Socialist who caters less to special interests and more to the economic fears of the American people, a people who have become victims of massive income inequality. Unfortunately, Senator Sanders is too old, so the answer might be AOC, a woman who cares deeply about liberal ideas like FDR’s New Deal over Clinton’s Neo-Liberal NAFTA deal, evidenced by her proposal of some of the most progressive policy via the Green New Deal, an environmentally friendly version of FDR’s extremely successful legislation which built up the middle class of America, truly Making America Great Again. Will Cohen

As Donald Trump returns to the White House, is his re-election a step toward national progress—or a repeat of past controversies? Donald Trump’s re-election has aroused a lot of mixed feelings across the nation, with many ecstatic and many anxious about what is to come in the next 4 years. Many people, especially those in Democrat-dominated states such as Massachusetts, think that the re-election is a sign of bad things to come; however, I think it’s worth considering the other side. Trump isn’t perfect and holds many radical views, but his second term may help the US in ways that aren't talked about enough.  First and foremost, Trump is coming into his second term with experience. Trump’s first term was messy, filled with scandals and constant drama. But even amid all the chaos, he accomplished things that had a real effect on the country. For example, his policies of cutting corporate taxes and reducing regulations helped create millions of jobs and brought unemployment to a record low until March 2020 when the coronavirus hit. These policies benefited small businesses and gave companies the confidence to invest. Now that Trump has already gone through four years as president, he knows what works and what doesn’t. He’s had a chance to reflect on the challenges he faced, like struggling to keep his administration stable or dealing with backlash. This term, he could avoid making the same mistakes that caused his last term and instead focus on improving what he has already started. Like what Zach Beauchamp, an author of articles on reactionary politics, states, “Donald Trump is much more organized. He knows what he is doing, has a series of distinct policy objectives that he’s reiterated again and again”, and that, “[His next term] will be, in a lot of ways, fundamentally different than what we all lived through four years ago.” In addition, Trump’s approach to international issues may help with ensuring peace and stability. While his first term was defined by a “America First” policy, which aims for non-interventionism, his recent call for a ceasefire in Gaza for peaceful negotiations related to hostages shows a shift towards prioritizing peaceful resolutions. Trump has made it clear that he is demanding de-escalation of violence, and many are looking for him to achieve it, with Trump’s press secretary asserting, "President Trump will serve as America's Negotiator-in-Chief and work to get innocent civilians held hostage home." Trump’s focus on Gaza could strengthen America’s role on the world stage, showing that the US is willing to take action to promote peace rather than divisions. Even though many criticize Trump for his direct assertions, such as when he states that Gaza has “hell to pay” if the hostages are not released, it may just be what is needed to continue stalling diplomacy.  Finally, it is important to address a widespread misconception that Trump is behind Project 2025. This belief is false. Even though many of the creators of Project 2025 worked in Trump’s administration, Project 2025 is a political playbook created by the Heritage Foundation and dozens of other conservative groups, not Trump himself. Indeed, Trump even stated that disagrees with elements of the effort, stating “...many of the points are fine, many of the points are absolutely ridiculous. I have nothing to do with the document.” Trump’s re-election is more complicated than it might seem. It’s easy to focus solely on the negative aspects, but one should take a closer look at what he could accomplish. Whether we agree or disagree with Trump’s policies, it’s important to take a balanced and objective view of the potential of the future.  Zephyr Liu

Why is the Iliad so special? If someone walked into the LB common room last week, they would think LB was hosting a sophomore gathering at 10pm Tuesday night. In a sense, it was. We were fortunate enough that Dr. Jenny was on duty that night, so we all brought our computers and the notorious Iliad  to trudge downstairs for much-needed assistance. I remember seeing the sophomores last year morbidly hauling their copies of the Iliad to the cage, reluctantly walking to take their midterm exam, which tested much of their understanding of the ancient text.  Depicting the epic of the Trojan war by focusing on the heroes Achilles and Hector, the Iliad illustrates the complex and unique individual experiences each character encounters when faced with challenges or dilemmas. The poem revolves around conflict among the gods and between the Achaeans and Trojans, when Paris, the most handsome man on earth, declares Aphrodite the most beautiful goddess after she bribes him with the hand of Helen, the most beautiful mortal woman. However, Helen is married to Menelaus, king of Mycenae and brother of Agamemnon, and the theft of Menelaus’s wife provokes Agamemnon to declare war against the Trojans. Meanwhile, Homer also portrays the power dynamic in Greece with the king of kings, Agamemnon, meeting his match against the greatest Achaean warrior, Achilles, in the ten years war while besieging Troy. Many sophomores explored the motives and complexity of these two characters within scenes depicting their interdependent dynamic. Agamemnon requires Achilles’ superior battle skills in combat while Achilles needs Agamemnon’s armies to accomplish his goal of defeating Troy. The poem depicts all characters as acting for their own self-interests, addressing a crucial, inherent property of human nature and the extent of which all people act for themselves, ultimately making people ponder the motives behind any action. Are all human decisions driven by self-interest? If not, what are they driven by? Is self-interest considered greed? Whether or not sophomores would like to admit it, the Iliad  accurately portrays truths about general human nature, even if centuries old. At first glance, Hector, Achilles, and Agamemnon are simply three characters from a poem that we all cannot wait to get over with, but in reality, a small part of each one of us is reflected in these characters’ actions. Michelle Cai

David Brooks’s article “How The Ivy League Broke America” in The Atlantic Falls Short In New York Times opinion columnist David Brooks’s piece “How The Ivy League Broke America” in the December issue of The Atlantic, he addresses several explanations for America’s socioeconomic divide as based on educational attainment. However, the title he allowed his lengthy article to run on was a poor choice: the Ivy League, which metonymically refers to prestigious institutions of higher education, has not “broken” our nation.  Brooks argues that our society’s distribution of status seems overly predicated on whether or not one attends a top university. He presents some damning evidence: of a survey of leaders across various professions, over half had gone to the same 34 institutions of higher education. Given the same consulting project to work on, according to one study a Yale student would perform only 1.9% “more proficient” than a Cleveland State student. Brooks writes that in 8th grade, children of rich families perform at four grade levels higher than children of poor families. Income level correlates to SAT scores. Students from the top 1% are 77 times more likely to attend an “Ivy League-level school” than students whose families earn less than $30,000 a year. Brooks provides examples of how education level can also affect social success, such as the fact that people who graduate from college are more likely to marry.  I have great respect for David Brooks: so much, in fact, that I read and enjoyed reading his thorough article. I agree with him in that these statistics denote societal shortcomings which require remedies. I disagree with him in that prestige higher education bears responsibility for the troubling socioeconomic gap between college-educated and non-college-educated Americans. He asserts that colleges and families of college applicants involve themselves in a vortex of prestige-seeking. Then, once students graduate from college, this vortex extends to workplaces, where firms prioritize graduates of ‘core’ universities” over potentially more qualified graduates of less renowned institutions. Brooks himself seems to corroborate society’s deep bond with status. He cites a Northwestern sociologist, a Vanderbilt study, a Stanford study, a Penn psychologist, a Yale professor, a Harvard economist, a UCLA professor, a Harvard sociologist, a Harvard professor, another Harvard professor, another Harvard economist, and a Penn political scientist. Of course students want to attend these institutions: the schools are leaders in research and thought. Brooks pegs his argument on the idea that high schoolers apply to colleges for prestige first, with a design on clinching a lucrative job thereafter. He discredits the idea that students primarily apply based on how his or her particular interest connects with particular institutions. I may be naive, but Brooks seems to simplify this point, running with the idea that the attractiveness of well-regarded institutions is some harbinger of societal decay. Likewise, Brooks simplifies the current prevailing method of pre-college education as a “gigantic system of extrinsic rewards,” comparing high school to a “series of hurdles.” I was no Chem10 enthusiast, but I would like to think that my struggle with chemistry was productive and not simply exhausting. Yet it helps Brooks’s argument to declare the modern method of schooling inadequate, because if high school is a random assortment of challenges from which colleges determine one’s intelligence, then socioeconomic stratification really is  predicated on the prestige of one’s alma mater. In this case, the Ivy League has in fact broken America.  Brooks advocates for alternative, project-based schooling as a remedy. These schools emphasize a student’s character over his numerical acumen. But many colleges already evaluate applicants holistically. The return of many prestigious institutions to requiring SAT scores reinforces the efficacy of quantitative data in determining what a college wants as part of its class. If the top 34 institutions unilaterally decided to put into effect the following methods Brooks recommends to determine a students’ admission: adding tests called the Grit Scale, the Moral Character Questionnaire, the High Potential Trait indicator; and incorporating application elements like a personal “portfolio” of achievements and more complex “Mastery Transcript,” would certainly throw off admission statistics. Drastically altering the application process would make it more challenging for officers of admission to settle on a candidate, make students less eager to submit applications given all these extra hoops, and exacerbate the paucity of lower-income students applying to college.  The efficient market hypothesis posits that markets exist in their most efficient form. The awesome work of free market capitalism extends to secondary schools and higher education. If the University of Chicago was broadly denounced for perpetuating an American caste system, students would not apply. Despite the stress and uncertainty of working to get into a given selective college, students still try their luck.  Brooks sees the durable popularity of Donald Trump, especially the socioeconomic dissatisfaction among the non-college-educated working class, as the offshoot of higher education’s faulty philosophy. Rather than reforming admissions, as Brooks details, perhaps colleges should seek to further their diversity of political thought in response to a Trumpified world. Growing an educated, non-incendiary conservative establishment opposed to the anti-institutional Trump movement would be a laudable goal. No institution is faultless, but America has higher education to thank in large part for its lasting success as a nation. George Thornton

The Record-Breaking Drought Has Sparked Wildfires Across The Northeast 51,320 . There have been 51,320 fires in the United States this past year, burning 8,142,689 acres of land. Unfortunately, wildfires are a familiar threat for much of the United States, as an average of 60,000 U.S. fires burn every year. With Earth’s temperature rising and droughts becoming even more prevalent, wildfires, not surprisingly, follow suit. In October alone, there were 8,111 new fires in the U.S., the most of any month since the year 2000. Particularly, California remains the state with the highest number, recording a total of 6,378 wildfires and one million acres burned as of the end of September. Similarly, in August, California’s overall wildfire activity increased by 2,816% from just one year before. The number of fires in Texas continue to rise as well. In 2024, Texas experienced two megafires, setting a one million acre record, while killing over 10,000 cattle and damaging 500 structures. For decades, wildfires have been the norm in the Southern and Western parts of the United States; however, now these fires seem to be rapidly spreading ablaze.  Not once did Middlesex students think that stepping out of Eliot Hall in Concord, MA would consist of the smell of smoke and a sort of foreign fog that clouded their vision. The Northeast seemed to be under attack in the days leading up to Thanksgiving. Over the fall, Massachusetts has been labeled a Level 3–critical drought condition state, creating concern for potential wildfires to spread. The state received less than an inch of rain over the past months—a 4.5 inch decrease from the average.  Since August of 2024, Massachusetts has similarly experienced an 8-11 inch rainfall deficit, leaving the state in one of the largest droughts in recent memory.  It also left Massachusetts with 14 unexpected red flag drought warnings, a state that experienced zero warnings just two years ago.  With the drought in the Northeast alarmingly progressing, a record number of wildfires also cut through the region. Between October 29 and November 12, New York City firefighters responded to 229 fires, the highest number in history for a two week period. Additionally, the wildfires burned over 6,000 acres in New York, causing the government to step in with disaster relief efforts.  To combat these wildfire surges, the New York Fire Mobilization and Mutual Aid Plan activated 152 departments with over 650 firefighters. Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, also made efforts in controlling the spread and damage of the fires, awarding $25 million in New York state funding to the volunteer fire services. In addition, NYPD helicopters performed approximately 300 water drops over New York forests and deployed police drones to monitor the spread and damage of the area.  With fires spreading throughout much of the Northeast, they have brought the stark reality of climate change to our attention, opening many’s eyes to its devastating consequence. With fires only miles away and a few towns over from Estabrook Woods and Middlesex School, the possibility for disaster is far too close to home for comfort. It is in these times that we begin to think about whether it is too late, now that the fire burns around us and the smoke fills our lungs. Ryan Wolff