LETTERS: Student Publication needs to get minds out of gutter
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Ethos: the spirit of a culture or era.
While Iowa State’s magazine, “Ethos,” once provided students with an opportunity to have their work published and build a portfolio, it has, unfortunately, turned into a sleazy magazine full of sexual innuendoes, gossip and inappropriate language.
Not only does this prevent students from having decent materials to show future employers, but it leaves readers wondering if our generation will ever be able to learn the difference between right and wrong. Crossing the line by toying with low-level topics does not exhibit the kind of class some of us would like to portray.
If “Ethos” is the display of what our culture is all about, then Iowa State has just been demoted to a new level of filth.
According to the December issue of “Ethos,” our culture is characterized by self-indulgence and an absence of moral consciousness; we are annoyed by our families, captivated by cruel, anonymous gossip and thrilled by the idea of casual sex in the library. Furthermore, people who want to study in the quiet tiers of the library are “creepy” and the only reasons to enjoy the holidays at home are presents, free food and money.
“How to Survive the Family” provides seven helpful hints to avoid spending quality time with the people who love you most. Instead of texting friends to whine on Christmas, maybe the article should tell you to set down your cell phone for once and engage grandma in a meaningful conversation. Although she may smell like “century-old perfume,” she probably knows a thing or two about living and has some interesting stories to tell — without needing to rely on alcohol for charisma.
The largest article in Ethos is about Juicy Campus, a Web site that is an utter disgrace to our generation. The site lacks moral character, self-control, and an overall consideration for the feelings of others. So why give free advertisement to the joys of gossip and slander through a feature article?
‘Best of Ames’ calls attention to some sweet spots in town. Sadly, it also highlights the best places to “get sh*tfaced,” have sex on campus and is littered with curse words.
Apparently the ethos of our generation sees sex as one more meaningless pastime where we can get a little pleasure before moving on to our next, instant gratification. But don’t worry if you aren’t able to find someone to nail in the library, “Ethos” tells you the best place to drink yourself into oblivion for only three dollars.
While appalled by these articles, our underlying concern is not that a college magazine published a few trashy pieces, but that they may actually reflect the true ethos of Iowa State students.
Experiences in and out of the classroom at Iowa State should work towards the enhancement of our character. We’d like to be seen as more than individuals who are consumed by self-indulgent lifestyles, hurtful gossip, cheap alcohol, and meaningless sex.
Samantha Carlson
Junior
Pre-journalism and mass communication
Emily Eggleston
Senior
Agronomy
Environmental Studies
Erin Sexton
Senior
Animal Science
While Iowa State’s magazine, “Ethos,” once provided students with an opportunity to have their work published and build a portfolio, it has, unfortunately, turned into a sleazy magazine full of sexual innuendoes, gossip and inappropriate language.
Not only does this prevent students from having decent materials to show future employers, but it leaves readers wondering if our generation will ever be able to learn the difference between right and wrong. Crossing the line by toying with low-level topics does not exhibit the kind of class some of us would like to portray.
If “Ethos” is the display of what our culture is all about, then Iowa State has just been demoted to a new level of filth.
According to the December issue of “Ethos,” our culture is characterized by self-indulgence and an absence of moral consciousness; we are annoyed by our families, captivated by cruel, anonymous gossip and thrilled by the idea of casual sex in the library. Furthermore, people who want to study in the quiet tiers of the library are “creepy” and the only reasons to enjoy the holidays at home are presents, free food and money.
“How to Survive the Family” provides seven helpful hints to avoid spending quality time with the people who love you most. Instead of texting friends to whine on Christmas, maybe the article should tell you to set down your cell phone for once and engage grandma in a meaningful conversation. Although she may smell like “century-old perfume,” she probably knows a thing or two about living and has some interesting stories to tell — without needing to rely on alcohol for charisma.
The largest article in Ethos is about Juicy Campus, a Web site that is an utter disgrace to our generation. The site lacks moral character, self-control, and an overall consideration for the feelings of others. So why give free advertisement to the joys of gossip and slander through a feature article?
‘Best of Ames’ calls attention to some sweet spots in town. Sadly, it also highlights the best places to “get sh*tfaced,” have sex on campus and is littered with curse words.
Apparently the ethos of our generation sees sex as one more meaningless pastime where we can get a little pleasure before moving on to our next, instant gratification. But don’t worry if you aren’t able to find someone to nail in the library, “Ethos” tells you the best place to drink yourself into oblivion for only three dollars.
While appalled by these articles, our underlying concern is not that a college magazine published a few trashy pieces, but that they may actually reflect the true ethos of Iowa State students.
Experiences in and out of the classroom at Iowa State should work towards the enhancement of our character. We’d like to be seen as more than individuals who are consumed by self-indulgent lifestyles, hurtful gossip, cheap alcohol, and meaningless sex.
Samantha Carlson
Junior
Pre-journalism and mass communication
Emily Eggleston
Senior
Agronomy
Environmental Studies
Erin Sexton
Senior
Animal Science
Comments
I second that! or maybe I would be fourthing that?!?
Thank you for addressing this. I found that issue to be quite trashy (though the one before it featuring a drag show on the cover wasn't much better). Insulting someone because of where they choose to study speaks volumes about that person's mental maturity.
I study in the tiers and would prefer not to hear people having sex. I heard my neighbor doing it every day last year in the dorms.
It's nice to know the next generation of prudes and moral crusaders is waiting in the wings, filled with outrage about the decadency of society. Look ladies, this ain't the 50s, and we're no longer in grade school. We're adults now, and adults drink, use curse-words, and (GASP!) have sex. And sometimes that sex isn't married, monogamous, missionary position sex with the express purpose of having children. That doesn't make it meaningless. Don't like Ethos? Fine, don't read it. There's plenty of tame publications out there that cater to people like you.
Perhaps if it is free trash that kids can get their hands on we ought to have a subscription fee. That's how they generally handle other indecent publications. There are plenty of, to use a play on words, amoral crusaders waiting in the wings, filled with outrage about the decency of society. Perhaps they might want to pay for Ethos?
Amoral Crusaders, there's an interesting idea. Perhaps they could hang out in front of libraries and protest books that DON'T have naked people in them? Or maybe they could send nasty letters to family newspapers, demanding they drop an f-bomb at least every paragraph. When I meet one of these people Bob, I'll let you know. Oh, and by the way, Ethos is a publication for college students, and college students aren't kids.
I find it funny when I read these discussions that people commenting always seem to forget the meaning behind the article. What these people are doing is trying to bring to light what has become of this magazine. This is a media publication of a public university. I believe the point they are trying to make is that why do the publishers feel that they need to sex up and make reference to getting smashed? Regardless of what some may say, you are suppose to go to college to get an education. I don't know about all of you, but I want to go to a school with a good reputation all around. Things like this issue of Ethos put a cloud over what our university is really standing for. Have you ever seen in orientation where they tell you where the closest local bars are? Or where the best hideaway places on campus are for you to have sex? It is not that they are judging those who partake in these actions, but is it really necessary to broadcast it out as a window into what our college is really like? Personally, I would rather Iowa State University to be seen as an upstanding and positive college instead of being located on one of the top partying colleges in the U.S. list.