Category Archives: 05 (May) 2014

The May 201 Issue of Frankly Speaking.

Selling Community Service

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Twenty hour car rides allow for a wide range of conversations. It was during the moments when I wasn’t napping or being told in grueling detail about how much better Southern fast food is that I heard something remarkably disheartening. From someone I believe to be a person who cares about the community and helping others, I was told that if a person wanted to make a difference they wouldn’t go through SERV.

Isn’t that what SERV is supposed to do? The acronym of the organization is to support, encourage, and recognize volunteerism. Aspiring volunteers should find an open board which can give aid and support to these community well-wishers. When I mention that I’m doing an educational project with SERV, I earn a snort of derision from many people. When I was searching for people to run for the board, I received an uncomfortable silence and awkward excuses for why they absolutely could not do SERV. Shouting at people during lunches often results in people coming up to chat but avoiding signing up for events. The question I am left with is, where did it all break down?

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The Humble Beginnings of the NES

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videogametriviaThe Nintendo Entertainment System, Nintendo’s first foray into the video game system world outside of Japan, had a long and winding path from concept to execution.

It started life in Japan in 1983 as the Family Computer, commonly shortened to Famicom.

With its red and cream plastic exterior, the Famicom looked relatively toy-like. It was also novel because the controllers were wired directly to the console – no swapping allowed. The system was a huge hit, selling more than 3 million units in Japan in the first 18 months it was on the market.

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People Who Make a Difference

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The question posed last time was: “Who is someone at Olin you appreciate a great deal, and why?”

I appreciate the people who go out of their way to smile at you every time they pass you between the dorms and the dining hall. There are a few of them around campus, and they always brighten my day. – Anonymous

Jean Huang. She has so many students under her wings at her lab, helps students get started in research, and shares with them the amazing world of microbes. She also shares this passion through the pickles and jams co-curricular, in which she and students make pickles, sauerkraut, kimchi, jams, butter and chocolate sauerkraut cake. Lastly, as busy as she is, she doesn’t let that keep her from smiling and laughing, and I want to be like her when I get older. – Anonymous

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Thank You from Frankly Speaking

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I would like to sincerely thank every single person who has made the 5th volume of Frankly Speaking such a success. As you all know, a newspaper cannot survive without inspired writers and a devoted staff, both of which I have been so grateful to have this year as editor in chief.

A big thank you to every person who contributed in any way to Frankly Speaking this year. No matter how small your contribution was, they sum to one of the most successful years the paper has seen in its short existence. Let’s keep the ball rolling!

I also owe a tremendous thanks to the Olin College IT department for letting us print for free each month.
Have a great summer, and don’t forget about Frankly Speaking when you feel like writing!