opinions
editorial opinion
'0 Christmas Tree'
Thieves of evergreens spoil yuletide spirit
Christmas at Penn State. You decided to chop down University
know the traditions:’Tis the season, evergreens, whose total value is
; Here comes Santa Claus and the more than $6,000, University Police
I ever-popular Christmas tree. Services says.
' But at $l4 to $2O apiece, eyen Sure, most people want a tree to
• Christmas trees aren’t immune to decorate. But, you see, these Penn
r inflation. And granted, that can get State trees are different. They’re
- expensive for a lot of people. grown here for research, not
: Christmas means more than a Christmas decorating.
: green piece of shnibbery, however. . Besides, cutting down these trees
* It’s a holy, spiritual day for many, a “ P lam . stealing. And that
' time when everyone should spread doesn t s P read much to the
the spirit of giving —not taking. . , , ,
Evidently some haven’t gotten the don > t g 0 Aether. It’s like spending
|' messa B e - Christmas Day going to in the
Some misguided Scrooges have Forum.
Keeping warm is tough saving energy isn't
Well, folks, it’s that time of year difficulties with too much or too little
again. Snow and temperatures (and heat, report the problem to your
people) are falling, and it’s getting Resident Assistant or housing super
tough to keep those tootsies warm at visor. If you have that problem in an
night (unless you have a big dog,' apartment, see your building man
thatis). ager. In addition, cutting down on
But turning your rooms into en- hot water use (taking three- to five
ergy-wasting easy-bake ovens is not minute showers instead of thera
the answer to battling the cold. Even peutic half-hour saunas) will help
though the United States is not faced conserve energy and that’s .all the
now with any extremes such as an more to go toward keeping rooms
Arab oil embargo, energy conserva- warm.
tion is still not only a good idea, it’s a
necessary one.
The University can save only 50 to erally reminding others of their con
-60 percent of the potential energy servation responsibilities and
savings through its own mechanical donning an extra flannel shirt or
efforts, said J. Carroll Dean of the Izod sweater to your wardrobe won’t
University’s Executive Energy Con- hurt, either,
servation Committee. That means Look at it this way . It > s a whole ibt
the rest of the savings have to result eas i er to turn off a light or turn down
from efforts by people on campus a thermostat than it is to write to
faculty, administration and, mainly, your Aunt Phoebe or study for your
students. Psych 2 exam.
For example, more sensible alter- ? , . rr ... , 0 . ,
And who can afford to feed a Saint
natives to turning up room heat are R H .. , 9
sealing drafty doors and windows Bernard these days?
and keeping thermostats at a com- The Daily Collegian’s editorial opinion is
fortable 64 degrees. * determined by its Board of Opinion, with the
If you live in the dorms and have editor-in-chief holding final responsibility.
Tuesday Dec. 15,1981 Page 2
Paula Froke
Editor Business Manager
BOARD OF EDITORS: Managing Editor, Phil Gutis; Editorial Editor, Becky Jones; Associate Editorial Editors,
John Allison, Tom Boyer; News Editors, Cindy Deskins, Dave Medzerian; Sports Editor, Mike Poorman; Assistant
Sports Editors, Ron Gardner, Pete Waldron; Arts Editor, Elaine Wetmore; Assistant Arts Editor, Judd Blouch;
Photo Editor, Stelios Varias; Assistant Photo Editors, Janis Burger, Renee Jacobs; Graphics Editor, Lynda Cloud;
Wire Editor, Maryann Hdkowski; Copy Editors, Cindy Cox, K.E. Fishman, Karen Konski, Jackie Martino, Iris
Naar, Leslie Zuck; Campus Editor, Joyce Venezia; Assistant Campus Editor, Sharon Taylor; Town Editor, Justin
Catanoso; Assistant Town Editor, Mark Featherstone; Features Editor, Scott McCleary; Weekly Collegian Editor,
Neil Axe; Assistant Weekly Collegian Editor, Laurie Penco.
BOARD OF MANAGERS: Sales Manager, Paul Rudoy; Assistant Sales Manager, Monique Rura; Office Manager,
Michelle Fomer; Assistant Office Manager, Michael Conklin; Marketing Managers, Sue Largman, Mark Pulos;
National Ad Manager, Owen Landon; Co-op Managers, Donna Dauterich, Jodi Shubin; Creative Director, Tracy
Meyer; Layout Coordinators, Susan Largman, Barry Reichenbaugh, Jodi Shubin.
To be stuck inside a computer, with the progress blues again
By PETER LIEBER
9th-history
; The computer age it’s here and now, it’s everywhere, it’s
the future, it’s exciting, it’s where the jobs are. This is all true,
but I still have some nagging doubts. It’s not that I don’t like
computers. They are great part-machine, part-toy, some say
part-person. I’m even writing this piece on a video display
terminal (a computer of sorts). I can add, delete and switch
words, paragraphs, and articles with the push of a button.
There are', however, some sociological questions about comput
ers that need to be answered.
; Computers are already becoming ingrained in our everyday
lives. We see them at the store, the bank, at Pattee, and playing
football at Beaver Stadium on select Saturdays (only kidding).
I; guess all this “progress” is positive, although as far as I’ve
seen, prices are still too expensive, I still bounce checks, and I
always have to wait to check out a book.
■ There are some intriguing novel uses of the computer as
well:
• Anyone can now go to a Bloomingdale's in New York, enter
some data into a computer, and it will list which makeup to use
in order to “look your best."
• More proof that computers know better: A computerized
talking typewriter is on the retail market that will help your
child learn to write, or at least type.
• The video game these days you can spend countless
quarters becoming addicted, or shell out $l5O or so for a TV
Attachment. One advertisement of these games, which is
perhaps the ultimate battle of man vs. machine, promises that
by buying a certain product you can “Discover how far you can
gio.”
• Home or personal computers they can help you organize
your bills, occupy the kids, create more shopping lists, or keep
track of any other facts and figures your imagination creates.
Other computers will automatically make the coffee, cook
Hot stuff
•Collegian
Of course, the old conservation
stand-bys of turning off lights, gen-
dinner, and print unadorned Christmas cards. In a few years,
they’ll probably walk the dog and take out the garbage as well.
The possiblities for the future are boggling. Alvin Toffler, in
his book, “The Third Wave," predicts that computers will
eventually custom-manufacture products according to a per
son’s specifications. He says that we’ll be able to chose a happy
or sad ending to the evening’s movie. In this age, kids will learn
at home and parents will work at home. Accordingly, our
society, government, community, and family life will change.
Toffler thinks the change may be positive, but it seems
premature to prophesize so.
Last Thursday, a lecturer at Kern Graduate Commons
presented another view. Carolyn Marvin from the University of
Pennsylvania spoke about computer literacy. Her basic point
was that as the dimensions of the computer age grow, so too
does the need to become literate in this new means of commu
nication. Marvin said she felt that computer literacy will
eventually become universal. She compared the advent of
widespread written literacy with that of computer literacy.
Marvin explained that it took eight centuries, starting from
the Middle Ages, to achieve print literacy in Western society.
She did add, however, the problem that today as many as one of
every five people are functionally illiterate. The visiting
professor said that reaching mass computer literacy will come
about faster, but will be similar to, the process of print literacy.
Both types of communication literacy, Marvin stated, are a
gradual process. It involves education, politics, and personal
©l9Bl Collegian Inc.
Debby Vinokur
forum
SURE WERE FROM THE MID EAST* W SURE WEREmVEUNGATNIW,,,
AND VES,WE'RE SEEKING OUT A WORLD LEADER,.. BUT THAT DOESNY
MEAN WE'RE A LIBYAN HIT SQUAD...
—reader opinion
Devo cooking
I want to tell you about a situation that hap
pened in the cafeteria yesterday. One of my
friends, whom I normally eat with, found pieces
of glass in one of his meatballs. He actually
found pieces,of glass in the damn thing! Thank
God he was not eating with his usual vigor;
because of this, he was able to feel the glass
before swallowing it. But this is not my point. My
concern is how many other people at the Univer
sity possibly consumed glass.
When this student brought the glass to the
cafeteria head, he was stunned to hear his reply.
The cafeteria head simply said that he didn’t put
it there!’ He said he could not understand how
glass got in a meatball; glass in lettuce he could
understand. What?! Glass in lettuce he could
understand? He also said that these things
happen; we are only human, you know. Well, my
mom was human too, but I didn’t eat glass in my
meatballs.
This is an outrage! There is absolutely no.
damn excuse for such a thing.
The kind of money we spend to go here and eat
everything but food. Last month another friend
of mine found metal chips in his chocolate cake.
I’ve only been here three months and I hardly
know anyone, but of the ones I do know two have
had this problem.
I Tiave heard University food is bad, but I
didn’t expect building materials. I’ve heard of a
high fiber diet but this is ridiculous. It’s time this
University took a good, long look at the shit they
are feeding us, and correct the problem.
Steve Polignano, Bth-management
Dec. 8
Name-calling
On Dec. 6, John R. Nordell Jr., Ph.D. in
American history, placed a two-sentence letter
attitudes. Our education system is dealing with the need to
become computer competent, and she seemed to say that this
will continue. She pointed out that politically there are some
problems to overcome basically that the college student has
much more opportunity to learn about computers than a person
in a ghetto does.
Confronting issues like these, Marvin’s talk was interesting
and important. But it was in the next part that I felt somewhat
alienated. She said (hat as with the written word, Man will have
to overcome his fear of the computer. The first step to
computer literacy, Marvin reasoned, was to live neither in fear
nor in awe of the computer. This makes all us nonbelievers
virtual creatures of the Dark Ages.
Perhaps Marvin is right and I am fearing this technological
innovation like people feared nearly every one of the past. It
seems absurd, however, to blindly trust progress and technology
gy, especially with what we’ve realized about pollution and
overgrowth in the last two decades. Dr. Marvin, in her talk, did
not mention sociological aspects of the computer. When I asked
her why, she said that we aren’t even sure about the effects of
TV after 40 years; and it might take longer to know what
computers do to people.
But what about computers in the home? What happens to a
child raised by computer? Does he turn into a vegetable if his
terminal is taken away? What about family life that is centered
on computers? It might help break down family and social
relations, breeding attachment to a box of micro-circuits and
wires; Of course, these are worst-case scenarios, but I’m afraid
we won’t know the repercussions of living intimately with
computers until it’s too late.
I don’t seriously consider we’ll create computers that will
take over the world. More than 10 years after Stanley Kubrick’s
in the Reader Opinion section of The Daily
Collegian. In his short opinion, Professor Nordell
labelled Anne Conners and her column of Dec. 3
“liberal masochistic chic.”
Did this learned man offer any evidence to
back up this accusing label? Did he give one
argument to justify his labeling, or to convince
us that Anne Conners made improper
statements? Did the good professor do anything
other than expect us to accept his judgment
based on nothing (no evidence, reasoning or
explanation) other than his educational title?
No! It seems that Professor Nordell is so wrap
ped up in his own impressive label that he feels
he can get away with throwing around some
negative labels at others.
Professor Nordell, I would much rather be
“liberal masochistic chic” or even an unintentio
nal racist than ignorant, in love with my title,
and a blatantly labelling racist. Professor, I do
not call you any of these terms. I refuse to label
you like you did Ms. Conners. I just told you my
preference, that’s all.
I would even rather be an unintentional racist
than an intentional labeler because, once qiade
aware of the unrealized negative outcomes of my
actions, I could change. But to practice blunt
labelling, whether it’s calling someone a rude
racial term, or a rude intellectual term (such as
“liberal masochistic chic” which you did not
even define), is purposefully choosing to ad
vance attitudes based upon prejudice.
Professor Nordell, you used insulting “buzz
words,” offered no evidence, and asked us to
accept this on your word. Sir, is this how you
teach? I pay thousands of dollars each year for
my education. If this is evidence of your abilities,
I hope I never waste my money on teaching such
as yours.
You have accomplished one positive thing,
though. You have demonstrated the kind of
undocumented generalizations, rude labelling
and short-sighted stereotyping that should be
avoided.
Andy Weintraub, USG Race Relations Board
chairperson
Dec. 9
Puttin'it ir>
Listening but not hearing.
It’s a problem at the University, one that
many say obstructs communications between
students and administrators.
But is that the real problem? Do students
really have input into administrative deci
sions and don’t use their power properly? Or
is student input a farce, an illusion?
Ob Tuesday, Dee. IS, and Tuesday, Jan. 3,
The Daily Collegian's Op-ed page will exam
ine the question: Can students really ever
have an effective voice in the workings of this
University? And if not, why?
Part One will represent the student point of
view. Part Two the adminstrators',
tf yeti feel yon have something to contrib
ute, bring your letters (one page, typed and
double-spaced) and forum* (two to three
pages, typed and double-spaced) to 126 Carne
gie, Part One material must be submitted by
Sp.M. on Sunday, Dec. 13. Part Two material
most be sabmitted by S p.m. Saturday, Dec. ’
v\'. ...- j. ~ w . ...... . < , .■,...
ABOUT THE COLLEGIAN: The Daily Collegian and
The Weekly Collegian are published by Collegian Inc., a
non-profit corporation with a board of directors com
posed of students, faculty and professionals. Students of
The Pennsylvania State University write 1 and edit both
papers and solicit advertising material for them. The
Daily Collegian is published Monday through Friday
and distributed at the University Park campus. The
Weekly Collegian is mailed to Commonwealth campus
students, parents of students, alumni and other sub
scribers who want to keep abreast of University news.
“2001,” I’ve been well-versed in the adage that men program
computers and thus have ultimate control. But in much subtler
ways, we may become quickly over-reliant on these electrical
devices. By using them, we become more and more reliant on
energy sources that are obviously not infinite. The blackout in
New York a few years back provided an example of what could
happen on a given night but what about 10 years down the
road if a blackout lasted for even a couple of days? Who knows
what chaos might follow?
Even if the energy question is solved, I have a nagging doubt
that we are getting too removed from nature. The most
important concept I learned from Geological Sciences 020 is
that whatever Man creates, nature can more easily destroy. By
writing and playing with toys, we are at least one step removed
from nature. With computers, we are two long steps from
nature and one short step from catastrophe if nature interrupts
our computer-based civilization.
On a grand scale, it seems that computers have so far ‘ ’
become part of everyone’s daily life in two ways. Our economy'
is very far along in becoming computer-based. Our bureaucra
cies, such as government services, the electric companies, and
even Penn State are also fast becoming computerized. But this
advancement has not greatly altered any of these fields. Our
economy is doing worse than I can remember, and dealing with
bureaucracies is still h- trip.
With this in mind, then, I don’t think it would be too difficult to
impose a slowdown on the computer industry. It would give us
time to consider what we’re heading for, to study the effects of
computers on people, and, I hope, solve the pressing problems.
It would not be too far out to pick a model community and
intensely study it for a few years. With computer technology we
have the rare opportunity to know where the future lies. This
time should look before we leap.
The Daily Collegian
Tuesday, Dec. 15
-reader opinion
'Scholarship'?
Allen Sack and his CARE organization are to
be congratulated for daring to raise the issue of
professionalism in college sports, and to draw
attention to the shameless exploitation of the
college athletes brought to our campuses for the
sole purpose of generating money to pay for the
athletic program. Similarly, Tom Verducci is to
be commended for his Column in. Tuesday’s
.Collegian, pointing out some major shortcom
ings of Mr. Sack’s proposals.
The problem is that both fail to draw the
proper conclusion from their diagnosis of the
disease that Mr. Verducci rightly calls the “poi
soned world of college sports.’’ It is time we
recognized that college athletes are profession
als, and should be treated as such, by ridding
ourselves of the fiction that their presence here
on campus has anything to do with education.
Let us simply hire such athletes as paid non
academic staff, here purely for the amusement
of the academic community, and that of the
alumni. In that way the hypocrisy of “schol
arships’’ awarded purely for athletic ability, of
athletes being officially enrolled as'students
while neither receiving an education nor being
interested in. one, and all the rest, of the taU
wagging-the-dog character of big-time football
would be disposed of once and for all.
Why not follow the model of the University of
Wisconsin at Green Bay, which has simply (and
of course unofficially) adopted the Packers, who
happened to precede them to Green Bay?
This would seem to be the road to reform that
CARE should push for. But there is of course
another way. This is the approach chosen by the
Ivy League (derisively referrred to by our foot
ball coach as no longer in the “real world” of
college football, because of their “demotion” to
Class I-AA status by the NCAA). It is the road
chosen by many other top-notch colleges and
universities, both private and public, that award
scholarships for scholarship, rather than for the
ability to fake a pass, whether on the gridiron or
Cash for Christmas!
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off. Surely their vision of reality is a more fitting
one for an educational institution. I-A may mean
“the big time,” but I-AA means class.
Joachim F. Wohlwill, individual and family
studies
Dec. 9
The flak
Everyone has a right to express an opinion and
receive a certain amount of courtesy from the
opposition. Nobody, however, has the right to use
specious arguments and vague generalizations
without getting flak for them. 1 refer to Jean
Guertler’s letter to the Collegian (Dec. 8) titled
“Deadly Irony.”
In her first paragraph, she expressed concern
for 97 British infants who died from some bone
marrow disease, and that the money spent by
“self-righteous legislators” who “force women
to bear unwanted children” should be spent to
help future ex-fetuses get the bone marrow
transplants that their 97 British kin did not.
Such concern for ex-fetuses from a pro-choicer
is truly gratifying to me. Now tell the world
about all the money that pro-choice groups are
going to divert from their political war-chests to
St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. In the meantime,
just think of all the bone marrow transplants we
can finance once we close down all those “profit
hungry abortion mills” which “force death on
millions of unborn children and force fear on
millions of mothers.”
Another, thing that irritates me are the trite
generalizations she makes about anti-abortion
ists, i.e., the pro-lifers, as being callous and
hypocritical in their attitudes. Tell me, Jean,
were you active in the special Olympics fund
raiser organized by Penn Staters for Life? If not,
methinks the log in thine eye doth blind thee to
reality.
The pro-life movement is a coalition of right,
When I read Mr. Watrel’s review of the Broad
way Marionettes’ version of “A Christmas Car
ol,” I was initially shocked that he found it
“lacked adult appeal.” I am over 10 years old
and I found it very entertaining, taking it for
what it was a puppet show. But everyone is
entitled to his opinion.
The part of the review which irked me enough
to get out paper and pen was Mr. Watrel’s
statement about the most famous line in the
* classic story: “Tiny Tim’s line, ‘God bless every
one’ was noticeably absent...”
left, center and kooky. We number pacifists and
hawks, feminists and pigs, doctors and laymen,
sinners ,and saints in our ranks. Other than the
fact that we are pro-life, we are often mistaken
for pro-choice.
Jean, if you want to dehumanize the fetus
(Latin for “little person”), go ahead; you’re pro
choice and it’s to be .expected. But don’t think for
one moment you can dehumanize pro-lifers by
imposing your stereotypes upon us in your let
ters. Otherwise, I might forget you were once a
fetus too. From then on, it would only be a matter
of time when I would defetus you.
Bob Skees, llth-accounting
Dec. 9
Bah-humbug
I don’t know where Mr. Watrel dug that bit of
inaccurate reporting up from, but I know I heard
the famous line! And several friends who saw the
other performance confirmed my recall.
I can tolerate Scrooge reporters, but not inac
curate ones.
Maura Fallon, 2nd-health planning and adminis
tration
Dec. 11
if/r
:
The Daily Collegian Tuesday, Dec. 15,1981—3