Dear readers,
We believe that stories keep our memories, ideas, and people alive – whether it’s a case study, biopic, or an old wive’s tale. But telling a story is no simple act. For our 428th issue, our editors tackled the theme ‘Alive’, where they cover the meaning of life, illness, staying alive, and more. We hope you find their individual takes just as interesting as we do.
Cover by Anushka Sabhanam
Tan starts our issue by considering developments and approaches in the AI field and challenges the extent of AI’s sentience. Ayla gives us insight into what effect the mass amount of information we consume on the daily has on us and our brains. A creative writing piece by Sara allows us to consider the heavy impacts of CPTSD on people’s life and the dismay that comes with it not being a formal diagnosis in the DSM. Tanvi writes about what it means to live with a chronic illness – do individuals feel like they are living, or simply surviving? Nicole explores the options available to individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts, focusing on suicidal helplines, while Magda looks at the implications of engaging in ‘sharenting’, posting about your children’s lives on social media. Life has meaning, because it is finite. Christine draws inspiration from The Good Place to explain why mortality is what gives us meaning.
As for our columns: Laura’s International Classroom piece looks at the housing crisis in Amsterdam, arguing for the university’s responsibility in supporting them. For The Corridor, Anika and Vadim ask our fellow students to share what they’ve learned in their lives so far. Choosing between what fulfills us and what pays the bill is a balancing act. Jules presents us with this very dichotomy for our youngest column: Capture. In Camera Obscura, Evita reviews Celine Song’s recent debut Past Lives, a touching story about meeting the right person at the wrong time. Aki finishes the issue with her Bacchus on what makes us feel alive: “If we like each other, we sometimes use our elongated, freely swinging arms and wrap them around each other, just to press our hearts together as close as possible.”
Enjoy this issue!
Anushka & Evita
Thinking beyond your studies? Here’s an overview of the upcoming VSPA events!
*For tickets visit the VSPA website (https://vspa.nl/) or the instagram @studyassociationvspa.
- VSPA Halloween Party @ ClubMaia: 11th October*
- City Trip to Ghent: 27th to 29th October*
Dear readers,
We believe that stories keep our memories, ideas, and people alive – whether it’s a case study, biopic, or an old wive’s tale. But telling a story is no simple act. For our 428th issue, our editors tackled the theme ‘Alive’, where they cover the meaning of life, illness, staying alive, and more. We hope you find their individual takes just as interesting as we do.
Cover by Anushka Sabhanam
Tan starts our issue by considering developments and approaches in the AI field and challenges the extent of AI’s sentience. Ayla gives us insight into what effect the mass amount of information we consume on the daily has on us and our brains. A creative writing piece by Sara allows us to consider the heavy impacts of CPTSD on people’s life and the dismay that comes with it not being a formal diagnosis in the DSM. Tanvi writes about what it means to live with a chronic illness – do individuals feel like they are living, or simply surviving? Nicole explores the options available to individuals suffering from suicidal thoughts, focusing on suicidal helplines, while Magda looks at the implications of engaging in ‘sharenting’, posting about your children’s lives on social media. Life has meaning, because it is finite. Christine draws inspiration from The Good Place to explain why mortality is what gives us meaning.
As for our columns: Laura’s International Classroom piece looks at the housing crisis in Amsterdam, arguing for the university’s responsibility in supporting them. For The Corridor, Anika and Vadim ask our fellow students to share what they’ve learned in their lives so far. Choosing between what fulfills us and what pays the bill is a balancing act. Jules presents us with this very dichotomy for our youngest column: Capture. In Camera Obscura, Evita reviews Celine Song’s recent debut Past Lives, a touching story about meeting the right person at the wrong time. Aki finishes the issue with her Bacchus on what makes us feel alive: “If we like each other, we sometimes use our elongated, freely swinging arms and wrap them around each other, just to press our hearts together as close as possible.”
Enjoy this issue!
Anushka & Evita
Thinking beyond your studies? Here’s an overview of the upcoming VSPA events!
*For tickets visit the VSPA website (https://vspa.nl/) or the instagram @studyassociationvspa.
- VSPA Halloween Party @ ClubMaia: 11th October*
- City Trip to Ghent: 27th to 29th October*
