Today, RIM unveiled its new Blackberry 10 operating system and a pair of corresponding handsets – one entirely touchscreen, and one with the beloved physical keyboard that Blackberry users swear by. While the RIM stock has risen in value in anticipation of this fateful day, the success of Blackberry 10 is far from certain. Many consider Blackberry 10 to be RIM’s last chance at rescuing its once-innovative devices from becoming completely obsolete, but to do so, Blackberry 10 has not only persuade its few remaining fans to upgrade to something radically new and presumably different, but also distinguish itself enough from competing smartphones to attract new fans.

Heather Kelly at CNN evaluates the innovations of Blackberry 10, but concludes that, despite its relative thoroughness at addressing the concerns that have been raised with against earlier Blackberry operating systems, “there’s no guarantee it will work.”

Call me biased (yes, I am an avid iPhone supporter), but judging from the sheer competitiveness of the smartphone market and the substantial disintegration of RIM, not only in terms of Blackberry technology itself, but, perhaps even more disparagingly so, in its reputation, I think that the Blackberry 10 operating system and its corresponding devices are too little too late to espouse the comeback RIM is hoping to make. Does anyone have a differing opinion?

Earlier this morning, news broke about a fatal nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil, a major university town, in which at least 231 people were killed and many more were injured. The fire itself was initiated during a performance by a band, Gurizada Fandangueir, known for high energy shows that incorporate pyrotechnics. After doing their routine “sputnik” pyrotechnics, in which sparkler columns were set off into the air, following the fifth song in their set, the ceiling caught on fire. In club KISS that night, there were around 2000 people, 1000 past the maximum capacity. Compare this to the size of clubs in Vancouver, where our largest clubs have capacities around maximum capacities around 500 people…KISS was playing host to a huge party Saturday night. The depictions of the ramifications of the fateful concert are devastating; with some describing the horrifying remains of club KISS as being reminiscent of a war zone. Piles of bodies were discovered following the fire, with causes of death ranging from smoke inhalation to trampling panic.

It is a tragedy that, I think, can speak to all of us. Santa Maria was a major university town in Brazil; of the 231 dead, 101 were university students at the Federal University of Santa Maria. These club-goers were all generally in our age range, and probably left their homes on Saturday night, flanked by their friends, hoping to create a ‘fire on the dance floor’ in a completely different way. The extent of the casualties at club KISS is very disconcerting, to the point where I would probably feel a tinge of anxiety before the next time I step into a club. Fire safety measures are the last thing on any of our minds when we are getting ready to go out with our friends, but, in light of these grievous circumstances, I know that the next time I party, I will be a little more aware of things like evacuation procedures and the locations of emergency fire doors.

As all of us are earning or have earned a B.A. in political science, I thought it would be interesting to explore what each of us intends to do with our degrees, or, perhaps more aptly put, what we can do with our degrees? According to an analysis of government data conducted for the Associated Press last April, 53% of college graduates are either unemployed or employed in a job that does not require a bachelor’s degree in the first place. This is obviously a disconcerting statistic for those of us graduating now, made even more so by the fact that a degree in political science isn’t the most employable one in the first place.

Personally, I plan on going to law school, and putting off these looming fears of unemployment to bask in the safe sanctuary of the occupational title ‘student’ for at least another three years. I have found it a common theme among political science students to pursue law school as a utilization of their bachelor’s degrees. Where is everyone planning to go with their degrees, be it a bachelor’s or a master’s? How do you guys feel about your own employability relative to someone, say, with an engineering degree (ranked one of the most employable degrees in juxtaposition to our vicinity to the least)?

Hi all,

Now that I have your attention…

The start of a new year always seems to prompt a number of resolutions concerning improvement of one’s healths, letting go of unhealthy habits, exercising more and etc. For most people, these resolutions are relatively short-lived, and everyone reverts back to their pre-New Years selves as the term gets busier and those once steadfast resolutions become less of a priority. For the most part, I try to stay active and eat healthy; I am pescetarian so no meat, but yes fish (yum!), and if I do not work out at least 2/3 times a week I feel like a miserable heap. However, recently, I’ve found my workouts to be very routine and very uninspired. It may very well be possible that I have already partaken in every little fitness fad that Vancouver has had (and we have had a lot of those). Hot yoga, zumba, tabata, pilates, antigravity yoga… frankly I am bored by it all. Is there anything anyone is doing that they are finding fun and effective? Or does anyone have any personal trainers or private fitness classes to recommend?

Physical health is supposed to be intrinsically related to mental health; we could all benefit from a new and exciting workout regimen!