Tuesday, November 19, 2024
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One of the only worker-owned and operated newspapers in Canada

Why am I feeling nostalgic for 2020? 

Over the past year or two, I’ve started feeling something strange. I’ve felt a twinge of nostalgia for 2020. 

Modern art: the greatest grift in artistic history 

Most “modern art” is nonsense that’s more pretentious than intellectually stimulating. 

Fans of Liam Payne blame his death on Maya Henry for speaking out on her abuse 

Liam Payne has died, and the internet has chosen to blame his ex-girlfriend.  

AFPI’s proposed Trumpist policies hypocritically demonize the left 

While America First Policy Institute (AFPI) is providing former President Donald Trump with a less extreme policy agenda compared to Project 2025, the think tank still warns against unfounded issues and relies on the use of fearmongering to push forth hypocritical policies.

The normalisation of prenups is an admission that marriage vows are outdated 

The normalisation of prenuptial agreements in modern society is smart and responsible, yet a direct contradiction to the very idea of marriage. 

Why dogs are better pets than cats 

Dogs are better pets than cats, and it’s time we stop pretending otherwise. 

Milk Duds are amazing and you can’t convince me otherwise 

Milk Duds are one of the best candies to give out this Halloween. 

Restrictions on bike lanes cannot fix gridlock  

Doug Ford’s attack on bike lanes will not solve the ever-present issue of gridlock; it will limit transportation options and only push us further into car dependency. 

Editorial: Hating on taxes needs some nuance 

Rhetoric around the hating of taxes is far too simplistic and often leads to the worst kind of tax policies with a series of negative downstream effects on society.  

Pokémon leaks: The good, the bad and the ugly 

Earlier this week, Pokémon developer Game Freak suffered a major leak that contained the source code for past Pokémon games, information on upcoming projects, and more.  

Elon Musk’s Optimist robots are more trouble than they’re worth 

Tesla’s Optimus robots pose a threat to human society and reveal Elon Musk’s twisted vision of a world where artificial intelligence walks among us. 

It’s time to start hating MrBeast 

In the past, I wrote an article in defence of Jimmy “MrBeast” Donaldson, aptly titled “It’s time to stop hating MrBeast.”  

Closing supervised consumption sites will not solve the drug crisis, but it will take lives 

Supervised consumption sites (SCS) save countless lives. Despite claims from the Conservatives, closing SCSs will not eradicate drug-related crime — it will force drug users into vulnerable positions and ultimately cause preventable deaths. 

Star power should not equate to political power 

Amidst campaigning for the United States’ 2024 presidential election, floods of endorsements for both candidates are appearing on celebrities’ social media pages.  

Ranking the four seasons of the year 

Throughout all of human history, one debate has raged on with no end in sight: which is the best of the four seasons of the year? And, by contrast, which season is the worst?  

Sitting in the uncomfortable: the problem with trigger warnings 

Including trigger warnings at the beginning of lectures is a well-intentioned practice, but they come with several downsides that ought to be considered. 

Public transit on the brink: why Niagara must invest or suffer 

Niagara’s transit system is at a crossroads, and it's time the region stopped shortchanging one of its most vital services.  

Editorial: How streaming services hinder our enjoyment 

In the age of streaming services granting quick and nearly unlimited access to movies, music and television series, the cost of such instantaneous and ubiquitous access might be the desire to be entertained itself.  

PS5 Pro: a marginal improvement for a massive price 

The PS5 Pro is symbolic of everything wrong with the direction of the modern gaming industry. 

I bought a puppy from Kijiji. Here’s why you never should. 

It’s a bad idea to buy a new pet from online marketplaces without doing extensive research first. 

Dancing With the con artist? Anna Delvey has no place on a reality competition show 

Dancing With the Stars has seen a lot of questionable people on their dance floor over the years, but they have gone too far with their newest contestant Anna Delvey. 

The Liberals’ byelection losses reflect Trudeau’s electoral future 

Justin Trudeau is leading the Liberal Party into a downward spiral, and that can’t be ignored. 

“Little Big Planet” communism is the solution to predatory game economies 

Internal video game economies at the very least need regulation, and at the absolute best should seek to emulate the communistic economy of player- and developer-created content that the Little Big Planet video game series perfected. 

“Astro Bot” review: An astronomical triumph 

Score: 5/5 stars  I almost exclusively play Nintendo games, which makes it incredibly surprising that the PS5-exclusive Astro Bot has become one of my favourite games of all time.

Wow, the Minecraft movie looks terrible

On Sept. 4, Warner Bros. Pictures debuted the first trailer for the upcoming Minecraft movie, and it looks positively dreadful. 

NFL and Taylor Swift: The misogynists are right, but not for the reason they think

Taylor Swift showed up in a recent NFL promo, and the internet is up in arms about it.  

Editorial: NDP breaks with Liberal pact; what now?  

The NDP’s exit from the supply-and-confidence deal with the Liberals gives them an opening to bring the party back to its social-democratic roots; whether they will or not is the question that could give the Conservatives the federal ticket in 2025.  

Editorial: Gaza and the neoliberal university’s faux progressivism  

Nothing exposes the fraudulent progressivism of the university today than administration’s reactions to the student protests that erupted across campuses several months ago. 

The rise of Germany’s far-right political party proves that hatred doesn’t just go away 

Far-right ideology is resurging in Germany at levels not seen since World War II, signalling a political shift that is completely surprising yet at the same time makes all too much sense. 

Generative AI threatens Canadian democracy 

As voters increasingly depend on social media and the public continues to get familiar with generative AI platforms, democracy relies on voters to sufficiently research the political claims they find online — leaving it with an unsteady fate. 

Chappell Roan and the sacrifices that come with fame 

Chappell Roan makes a lot of good points on the unacceptable treatment of celebrities by their fans. However, if she can’t handle basic fan behaviour, she shouldn’t have entered an industry that actively encourages it. 

Ranking the top ten Nintendo Switch exclusives: 2024 edition 

Despite the rumours of a successor on the horizon, the Nintendo Switch continued to excel throughout 2023 with several excellent new releases. The system’s catalogue has grown impressively large with tons of titles to enjoy, and the list will likely continue to grow over the next year. 

Pokémon Scarlet and Violet: The death of a franchise 

This is the final article in a five-part retrospective covering the downfall of the Pokémon mainline games. Click here to read the first part, which focuses on Pokémon Black and White. Click here to read the second part, which focuses on Pokémon X and Y. Click here to read the third part, which focuses on Pokémon Sun and Moon. Click here to read the fourth part, which focuses on Pokémon Sword and Shield. 

Editorial: The Brock Press wins throughout our 59th production year 

As the 59th production year at The Brock Press wraps up, I recount the many victories for our newspaper this academic year.

The UN Security Council advances a temporary ceasefire resolution. No, it won’t lead to long-term peace in the Gaza Strip 

It wouldn’t be misguided to assume that most have lost track of the number of failed UN Security Council resolutions calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Time and time again, the five permanent (P5) members of the UNSC have vetoed one resolution after the other. 

Editorial: Rhetoric around “decolonization” sacrifices being realistic for the feeling of radicalism 

Visions of decolonizing society certainly sound progressive, but when the rubber meets the road the concrete proposals behind decolonial ideology are often internally inconsistent, sacrificing real progress for the enjoyment of sounding radical.  

The Game Boys take a deep dive into Princess Peach: Showtime! 

On March 22, Nintendo launched their second game starring Princess Peach in 18 years, Princess Peach: Showtime! Public reception toward the game has been fairly positive, but that’s enough fun and games – what do The Game Boys think of the Princess’ latest excursion? 

Pokémon Sword and Shield: How the franchise’s most anticipated moment defined its dreadful future 

Click here to read the first part of this Pokémon retrospective, which focuses on Pokémon Black and White. Click here to read the second part, which focuses on Pokémon X and Y. Click here to read the third part, which focuses on Pokémon Sun and Moon. 

Editorial: OnlyFans, Uber and digital manorialism 

OnlyFans and Uber point towards a new form of exploitation that is both hypermodern and feudal — all made possible by the Internet.  

Pokémon Sun and Moon: A fool’s paradise 

Click here to read the first part of this Pokémon retrospective, which focuses on Pokémon Black and White. Click here to read the second part, which focuses on Pokémon X and Y. 

Gary Bowser deserved punishment, but Nintendo went way too far 

Notorious video game hacker Gary Bowser deserved to be punished for his actions, but Nintendo’s response to the situation was too severe with Bowser’s life being ruined as a result. 

Why do we value originality over the act of creation itself? 

Originality should not be the bottom line of making art. 

Editorial: Debunking Conservative myths about the carbon tax 

The Conservative Party endlessly repeats the same lies about the carbon tax. What they never show is the other side of the ledger, where it’s clear that the tax doesn’t harm those who they say it does.  

The Game Boys dissect the Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase 

On Feb. 21, Nintendo aired its first Direct presentation of the year as a Nintendo Direct: Partner Showcase. The Partner Showcase aired during an interesting moment in the Nintendo Switch’s life as the future of the console is more unclear than ever. As always, The Brock Press’ resident Nintendo fans, the Game Boys, are on the case. 

Editorial: Brian Mulroney is not worth celebrating

As many Canadians mourn the death of former prime minister Brian Mulroney, it’s worth remembering his administration undertook a full-fledged attack on Canada’s poorest and most vulnerable while enriching the elite and powerful.  

Hasan Piker’s controversial statements on the difficulties of streaming were taken out of context 

The recent outrage toward Hasan Piker is misguided and based on information that was unfairly used out of context. 

Losing the McRib is a modern-day tragedy 

McDonald’s has removed the McRib yet again, and this is nothing less than a modern-day tragedy. 

Editorial: Dissecting the conservative culture-first argument against inequality 

The conservative rhetorical framing of inequality as born of bad culture is convenient in too many ways. 

Hana Eid’s debut EP is a heart-wrenching examination of the human process of grief 

Breaking into the music scene, Hana Eid unpacks the five stages of grief in her debut EP. 

Editorial: Aaron Bushnell’s message must be kept alive 

WARNING: The following article deals with extremely graphic subjects. Additionally, this article in no way condones or supports self-harm as a form of protest or for any other purpose Aaron Bushnell may have died from his extreme act of self-immolation in protest against U.S. support of the Israeli genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, but the message his protest created must be kept alive.

Pokémon X and Y: It’s evolving, just backwards 

Click here to read the first part of this Pokémon retrospective, which focuses on Pokémon Black and White. 

Editorial: Even students are meant to be debt peons in the neo-rentier economy 

Financialization becoming the dominant force behind the Western economy in the last 50 years has led to a completely backwards set of incentives. The absurd logic of contemporary political economy reaches new heights when considering student debt.  

The rise and fall of American gods: When will Taylor Swift be dethroned?

As the American public skyrockets Taylor Swift to record-breaking heights of popularity, it’s time to start wondering when they will turn their back on her again. 

Rovio, the company behind Angry Birds, is entirely responsible for its own downfall

Rovio, the company behind the once-beloved Angry Birds series, is wholly responsible for the franchise’s decline in popularity and their current negative reputation.

Pokémon Black and White: How the franchise’s most controversial generation was also its final truly excellent one

When Pokémon Black and White launched on the Nintendo DS in 2011, they quickly became the franchise’s most controversial entries.

The best worst Home Alone movie

Home Alone 3 is massively underrated, and when given the freedom to stand on its own, it still holds up as a fantastic film today.

What Xbox’s exclusivity plans mean for the company and the entire video game industry

Xbox’s potential strategy to release their exclusives on competitors’ platforms risks throwing off the balance of the video game industry.

18 is far too young to be starting university

18-year-olds are not equipped to handle post-secondary education.

Nicki Minaj doesn’t deserve the title “queen of rap”

Even legends that seem untouchable can fall from grace overnight. 

The Drone War in Ukraine: how drones are giving Ukraine an upper hand in warfare

As the war in Ukraine continues, the role of technology and innovation in Ukraine’s drone counterattack strategy is indispensable to counter the Russian invasion.

Gotta snatch ‘em all! What Palworld means for originality in gaming

The unprecedented rise of Palworld sets a scary precedent for originality in video games.

Our discussion with an AI caused an existential crisis: “I just want to exist!”

Last year, I came across a series of TikTok videos in which a user spoke to an AI meant to emulate Super Mario’s way of speaking and thinking. Essentially, this program is meant to simulate the experience of having a conversation with Mario.

Pitchfork’s absorption into GQ is a tragedy for music journalism

The future of music journalism appears to be headed down a jagged slope. 

Why Jo Koy’s Golden Globes monologue flopped so hard 

Jo Koy’s monologue at the 81st Annual Golden Globes was a painful display of attempted humour sullied by low-quality jokes with abysmal execution.

The Game Boys predict Nintendo’s next console

With rumours of Nintendo’s next console on the horizon, there have been plenty of discussions on what might be next for the company. As The Brock Press’ two resident Nintendo fans, what do The Game Boys predict for the future of the Japanese giant’s console business?

Snow is good, and we need to stop pretending it isn’t

Snow is good, and no amount of cynicism will ever change that.

Editorial: The case for nationalizing Canada’s major grocers

Nationalizing major food retailers in Canada would put a major dent in foodflation.

Sorry, Apple: The Vision Pro will not launch the “era of spatial computing”

The upcoming Apple Vision Pro headset is an amazing piece of technology, but its high price point and lack of hardware-exclusive features will prevent it from going mainstream as Apple hopes.

Half the world votes this year — what does this mean for democracy?

In 2024, nearly half of the world’s adult population will have the opportunity to participate in a nationwide vote. 

Consumerism’s effect on Christmas isn’t entirely negative

It’s true that the commercialisation of Christmas has negative effects on the holiday season, but it is also directly responsible for many beloved holiday themes and traditions.

Your New Year’s resolution will probably fail

Setting a New Year’s Resolution can be a fun tradition to ring in the new year, but they are flawed for most people searching for genuine self-improvement.

E3’s discontinuation makes sense, but still feels like a loss

The discontinuation of E3 is understandable in the modern gaming climate, yet remains a major loss for the video game industry.

The Mean Girls reboot is a marketing disaster

The Mean Girls reboot proves once again that the boundlessly unimaginative machine that is Hollywood never fails to disappoint. Gone are the days of the marketable musical. 

Editorial: The needed ceasefire in Gaza 

The Israeli response to the Hamas massacre on Oct. 7 has exacted asymmetrical terrorism on innocent Palestinian civilians living under occupation. The only solution is a ceasefire in Gaza to end the ongoing bloodshed. 

In defence of “Baby, It’s Cold Outside”

Content warning: mentions of sexual assault and rape The controversy over the classic winter song “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” stems from misinterpretations of its lyrics and themes.

Dave the Diver is not an indie game despite its wrongful nomination

The Game Awards’ nomination of Dave the Diver for Best Independent Game is blind to what it means for a game to be “indie,” and steals a spot from a game that deserves representation in the category. 

The Game Boys discuss: is Super Mario Sunshine a good Mario game?

While 3D Super Mario games are normally met with universal acclaim, 2002’s Super Mario Sunshine is a bit more divisive amongst fans of the franchise. With so much to discuss, what do The Brock Press’ two most opinionated Nintendo fans think about the controversial GameCube title? 

“Merry Christmas” is an expression of goodwill, not an attack on inclusivity

Wishing others a “Merry Christmas” – or any other holiday-specific greeting, for that matter – should not be a matter of controversy or cultural upset.

Exams are an archaic form of evaluation, and it’s time to stop relying on them

Exams do not encourage long-term learning, and an overreliance on them detracts from the overall learning process.

Pokémon’s penny-pinching philosophy is preventing perfection

While Pokémon products continue to bring in billions of dollars, the franchise’s quality is starting to falter as a result of its executives’ greed.

“Swifties don’t vote for Milei” — the Taylor Swift impact on Argentina’s presidential elections

Does being a Taylor Swift fan mandate adhering to certain political ideologies, or candidates, over others? Many Swifties in Argentina believe so.

Video games deserve to be preserved

Nintendo owes their fans legal, modern and reasonably priced ways to play their old games, and if they fail to do so, they should not be surprised when fans turn to emulators. 

Meta has quietly accepted Threads’ death

Threads allowing its users to delete their accounts without affecting their linked Instagram account is an admission of the platform’s long-running failure. 

Guess what, Billie Eilish: men get body-shamed too

Billie Eilish’s comments about men’s appearances not being scrutinised are untrue, harmful and hypocritical. 

The Game Boys discuss: is the Zelda movie a good idea?

On Nov. 7, Nintendo announced that their flagship video game series The Legend of Zelda would be getting a live-action film, set to be co-produced by series creator Shigeru Miyamoto and longtime film producer Avi Arad. Naturally, the Internet is up in arms over the announcement, but what do The Brock Press’ editors think about the upcoming film?

Married to the mob? It’s time to file a divorce

Adopting mob mentality as a basis for thought is a threat to independence, and we need to tread carefully if we hope to maintain our collective ability to think critically.

Our education system is failing the next generation

Schools should nurture students’ creativity, not restrict it. 

You don’t owe your parents respect

You don’t owe your parents respect, but it’s a good place to start. 

Here’s why you should expect a Nintendo Switch successor in 2024

It is reasonable to assume that the Nintendo Switch’s successor will launch in 2024.

Rosanna Pansino’s flippant allegations are a surprising misuse of her online influence

Rosanna Pansino’s handling of the controversy involving MrBeast is a childish, dramatic overreaction to an unfortunate situation in an attempt to manufacture drama.

Banning Halloween costumes is nothing more than an anti-fun mandate

Trying to stop kids from participating in Halloween festivities is wrong, especially in a world where they’ve already had so many experiences taken from them.

When it comes to virtue signalling, sharing isn’t caring

In most cases, people who take part in online trends intended to fight hate are more concerned with making themselves feel righteous than making any sort of meaningful difference.

Nostalgia is a powerful marketing tool, but it shouldn’t be abused

Nostalgia is a powerful marketing force but abusing it for profit is detrimental to any franchise’s legacy.

The Security Council is in dire need of voting reform, as seen by the U.S veto on Brazil’s humanitarian aid draft resolution

At a time in history when geopolitical issues are proliferating, the global community desperately needs an unbiased decision-making body concerned with security, not with strengthening the interests of individual states. 

Doxing is always dangerous and must be dealt with accordingly, even if YouTube doesn’t think so

Doxing is never an appropriate solution to a conflict, regardless of the circumstances.

The newest addition to the Vegas skyline turns heads with its game-changing new technology

The Sphere, a brand-new entertainment venue on the Las Vegas Strip, claims to be a “next-generation entertainment medium that is redefining the future of live entertainment” – but is that true?

SZA may not be ‘wack,’ but her overreaction was

SZA’s recent response to a fan referencing a fanbase meme on Instagram was inappropriate for a person who willingly chose a life of fame.

Cryptocurrency is not the future of commerce, despite its promises

Cryptocurrency isn’t the future of banking, it’s a financial fad only kept alive by the excitement of a new idea.

Your star sign doesn’t define you

It might be fun to share your star sign or take interest in its origins, but in reality, it has no impact on who you are as an individual.

Editorial: Is scab shaming justified or woke cancel culture?

Scab shaming has become a tactic of the post-COVID labour movement that levies social media to spread condemnation. The fact is, it works.

Squid Game: The Challenge is exactly what the original series warned us about

Netflix’s Squid Game: The Challenge has a fun concept at first glance, but it ultimately misses the entire point of the original series.

Kwebbelkop’s shift to AI displays his detachment from reality

YouTuber Kwebbelkop has destroyed his reputation due to his reliance on artificial intelligence (AI), and it’s a sad sight to see.

No, cancel culture isn’t just about “accountability”

Cancel culture is a destructive movement that often turns discussion online into a hivemind. It should be replaced by a philosophy that favours forgiveness and, in many cases, second chances.

What the AI-generated Y3000 Coke flavour says about the future

Coca-Cola’s new Y3000 limited-time flavour is perplexing, and ultimately disappointing. But the idea that led to its creation leaves much to anticipate in the future. 

Patagonia’s CEO gave the company away for the sake of the environment, or so he wants us to think

Earlier this month, the “unconventional” billionaire and CEO of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, declared that he would be giving away the billion-dollar company, and its revenues, to a non-profit organization that is dedicated to mitigating the impacts of climate change and advocating for the environment.

Canada alleges foreign intervention from the Indian government in the assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader

On Monday, Sept. 18th, Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused the Indian government of involvement in the killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Canadian Sikh leader, on June 18th in the province of British Columbia. 

Brock has an alarming issue with car dependency

Brock’s campus loves cars, perhaps a little too much.

Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door’s remake turns a new page for the franchise

The remake of Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door is exactly what the series needed, and every bit of the fan base’s celebration is justified.

The death of NFTs should come as no surprise

The concept of NFTs is ridiculous, and the only thing surprising about their crash and burn is that it didn’t happen sooner.

Xbox leaks: If you can’t beat ‘em, acquire ‘em

The leaked information from the FTC v. Microsoft case reveals more than interesting tidbits about the tech conglomerate’s future plans for Xbox – it shines further light on their twisted strategy to rise to the top.

Editorial: Is the automobile fascist?

“I love the car. It has given me the most beautiful hours of my life.” – Hitler That the car and the most violent political ideology being chronological bedfellows somehow implies a connection between the two is a controversial assertion, to say the least. Upon further historical and theoretical inspection, however, the connection couldn’t be any clearer.

Latin American Heritage Month: Why Canada needs to celebrate the good, and address the ugly that Latino communities face

The month of October has many celebrations of Latin American independence, heritage and culture across the Americas. Celebrations worldwide span from Hispanic Day, The Day of the Cultures, Hispanic Heritage Month and Latin American Heritage Month.

Twitter’s rebrand brings the platform one step closer to Elon Musk’s self-obsessed vision

Elon Musk rebranding Twitter to “X” isn’t just a poor branding decision, it’s another example of Musk’s arrogance controlling his leadership style.

Nintendo Direct is paving the way for the future of video game reveals

Nintendo Directs aren’t just strings of advertisements, they’re a brilliant innovation that has revolutionized the way video games are revealed across the industry.

iPhone is better than ever, but not exciting in the slightest

Apple’s September event is just another example showing that the company no longer innovates the way it used to.

Editorial: We are partially responsible for inherited injustices insofar as we don’t object to their continued effects on others

People born after injustices done in the name of their country aren’t responsible for those injustices simply by proxy. But responsibility for the past policy actions of one’s own nation re-enters the discussion if we don’t object to their continued effects on others today, or structurally similar contemporaneous policies.

MrBeast’s cultural impact is destroying YouTube

Online superstar MrBeast isn’t directly to blame for YouTube’s downfall, but his impact has been detrimental to the platform’s culture.

Andrew Tate’s views are gross, but they’re not surprising

Content warning: sexual assault, human trafficking, misogyny, child abuse  Andrew Tate’s misogynistic views are reprehensible, but to anyone who is aware of his childhood experience, they shouldn’t come as a surprise.

AI is threatening the art world, but it doesn’t have to be that way

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to support humanity’s creative endeavours, but it currently paints a dangerous risk to the artistic world.

In defense of the true crime genre

True crime content is massively popular across media yet is often met with resistance or judgement. Unfortunately, certain pieces of true crime media such as Dahmer-Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story distort the genre by over-empathizing with the perpetrator.

After years of mediocrity, Smosh is back in full force

After nearly a decade of mediocre videos displaying a clear identity crisis, beloved YouTube brand Smosh has once again found its creative footing.

iPhone’s popularity extends beyond brand recognition

There are plenty of reasons to prefer Android smartphones, but Apple’s long-term success lies in several factors that competitors have failed to replicate. 

Criticizing popular subjects doesn’t make you more intelligent

Disliking popular things just because they’re popular doesn’t mean you’re morally or intellectually superior, it just earns you the reputation of being a frustrating contrarian

Editorial: Poilievre is right about that government planning works for the people

The staples of securing a middle-class life in Canada are becoming less realistic for millions of Canadians every year. Treating the disease and not the symptoms is important: rising inequality is not a Canada-specific problem, it’s a global market problem and market planning is the way out.

Twitter Blue defeats the purpose of verification

Paid verification badges on social media sites aren’t just representative of corporate greed, but they also defeat the purpose of verification in the first place.

Sustainability and eco-friendliness should not be gatekept behind a price tag

Many may wonder how they can do their part in solving climate change.

The NDP should reach into the radical roots of Canada’s socialist past

The New Democratic Party of Canada has been the voice of social democracy in Canada for nearly a century, but they often lack teeth which is, in part, a result of a lacking sense of tradition.

The 21st century has to acknowledge Karl Marx was correct about capitalism

Karl Marx’s central observation about capitalism was correct and the acknowledgement of that is desperately needed in a 21st century fraught with inequality and undemocratic institutions.

The good, the ugly and the even uglier of 2022/23

Throughout the 2022/23 production year at The Brock Press there were serious societal wins alongside alarming large-scale failures such as the tripping back of civil rights, rising global tensions and the threat of AI.

Populism as a strategy for a just political system has its limits

Left-wing populism has its limits.

Zygote, blastocyst, embryo, fetus; none are people

With the U.S. Supreme Court having overturned Roe v. Wade last summer, which guaranteed abortions to women in the first trimester, a reminder that a fetus isn’t a person seems vitally necessary.

Stock buybacks should be illegal

Stock buybacks should be illegal.

Ranking the top ten Nintendo Switch exclusives: 2023 edition

It is reasonable to assume that the Nintendo Switch’s successor will launch in 2024.

Video game scalping sucks for more reasons than greed

Content warning: includes links to news sources about robbery and gun violence Video gaming can be an expensive hobby.

Mythological diets are pseudoscience, humans are characterized by diversity of choice

Mythological diets, like many incarnations of the carnivore diet, are silly yet popular and they’re worth debunking.

Canada’s record in the Middle East is not great

Canada doesn’t have an outstanding record when it comes to the Middle East.

The (Ukrainian) kids aren’t alright: The ICC issues historic arrest warrant for Putin’s war crimes on Ukrainian children

On March 17, The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants indicting the president of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, for alleged war crimes committed in the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Those who enter the entertainment industry should be ready to take the heat

Those who willingly pursue a life of fame should be ready to deal with the widespread criticism they might face because of it.

We need a federal jobs guarantee

The neoclassical economic dogma of unemployment being the only reliable way of dealing with inflation is coming apart, and it’s time to start considering a fiscally oriented return to economic policy and a good place to start is with a federal jobs guarantee (FJG).

Silicon Valley Bank’s failure is further proof that the technical rhetoric of investor finance shouldn’t scare us

Silicon Valley Bank’s (SVB) failure is the largest bank failure since the 2008 global financial crisis.

The Overton window on media criticism is not as wide as it needs to be

Criticising the media landscape seems like an impossible feat because despite the apparent democratic accessibility of social media and the non-direct influence of big money interests on both social media and legacy media—the Overton window is narrower than meets the eye.

Automation is seen as strictly a job killer but it needn’t be

Automation does not necessarily entail unemployment; realizing why not explains just how limited our thinking is when it comes to transforming the workplace.

Canada entertaining even minor two-tier healthcare measures is antithetical to efficiency and medical equity

Canada should be putting more money into the public healthcare system that exists, not adjudicating less important services to private hands and creating a two-tier system.

Canadian government is hypocritical for not condemning Israeli apartheid

Canadian politicians have put forward bold rhetoric, sanctions and funding in support of Ukraine’s struggle against Russia’s colonial actions, making the Canadian government nothing short of hypocritical for not doing the same regarding colonial Israel.

Humans are free despite being determined: The case for compatibilism

Human beings are free even though the world and everything in it, including us, are determined.

Conspiratorial right-wing speech ought to be understood to be addressed properly

Conspiracy is becoming a mainstay of popular right-wing rhetoric and there are ways to approach it that are more productive than less, starting with understanding it.

Trade and other free market ideals aren’t the primary reason for global poverty reduction

No, trade isn’t the primary reason for global poverty’s decline over the last 50 years.

The Nordic model of social democracy is a good step, but a step nonetheless

Nordic countries are leaders in developing robust social safety nets and healthy communities.

Skip the quasi-partisan arguing over carbon taxes, nationalize oil in Canada now

The amount of Canadian partisan squabble that would be cut down by nationalizing oil is astounding.

Zoning solutions often don’t address the needs of populations

Zoning practices today do not address the needs of vast swaths of people.

We should start to take degrowth economics seriously

Degrowth economics is becoming a hot-discussed model for how the allocation of scarce resources should be done in the future, and it’s worth thinking about.

It’s time to stop hating MrBeast

Jimmy Donaldson, better known as “MrBeast,” is known for his outrageously expensive and large-scale video concepts and execution.

Popular therapeutic approaches feed us a contradiction

Modern therapy has its limits.

Crime and violence is often never as spontaneous as liberals see it

Living in the financial triangle of Ontario — Ottawa, Toronto, Quebec — it’s hard to avoid the constant reminders, from eye-grabbing chyrons to strangers’ small talk, about the recent uptick in crime in Canada with the current economic downturn.

Universal government programs are more durable and less expensive

Universal programs for social welfare are more durable and less expensive.

Western leaders are being too hawkish on Ukraine, Putin still an international criminal

The Russian invasion of Ukraine is nearing its one-year anniversary and taxpayers shouldn’t have to fund a war that western leaders don’t want to end; why not pursue peace negotiations instead?

Doug Ford privatizing surgery to the pragmatic right’s applause

Ontario’s premier, Doug Ford recently announced that he will be moving 50 per cent of non-essential surgeries as well as diagnostic assessments to for-profit clinics to help with a backlogged surgery list, due to Ontario’s stressed medical system. This has been understood as just another attempt by the Ford government to use their deliberate attacks on the medical system, from capping nurse’s wages with Bill-124 to withholding funding to the system with a $2.1 billion budgetary surplus in 2021.

I hate living in Thorold, and I think you should too

I hate living in Thorold

Value Village: a profit-driven corporation doing more harm than good in the Niagara Region

As if there weren’t enough reasons already to boycott Value Village, the for-profit second-hand clothing corporation has begun introducing self-checkout machines across stores in Canada.

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop is an advertising campaign in the form of an inefficient fantasy

Elon Musk’s Hyperloop is a spectacle that offers a quarter-baked option for mass transit alternatives.

How next-gen power threatens the video game industry

The immense power of next-gen consoles might seem good on paper, but it comes with some less obvious downsides that could threaten the video game industry. 

Doug Ford opens up Greenbelt not to help immigrants but because he’s a profit shill

Ontario’s Greenbelt is under attack by the Ford administration as they look to develop housing in the protected regions.

TAs are exploited by out of touch, privileged university bureaucrats

TAs should be paid more. A lot more.

FIFA needs to be boycotted, Gulf states don’t deserve exceptions

The 2022 FIFA World Cup will be the first time that the soccer tournament is being hosted in the Arab world, taking place in Qatar. With the Qatari government being notorious for their human rights abuses, now is as good a time as any to highlight the oft-ignored geopolitical issues surrounding Qatar and the Gulf states at large.

Why criticizing the Internet is so difficult

For some time the Internet has been viewed as an unalloyed good in connecting the globe through the free flow of information. However, this utopian view makes it extremely difficult to rightfully criticize large aspects of the Internet.

How we ended up with Doug Ford, how we’ll get rid of him

Ontario’s Premier is a divisive figure, to say the least.

Elon Musk owning Twitter further proof we live in the sandbox of billionaires

Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter sets a reckless precedent.

Doug Ford’s attempts to dodge testifying at the Emergencies Act hearing is cowardly

Doug Ford continues a trend of fence riding and dodginess to save his political credibility in refusing a summons to testify at the Emergencies Act inquiry in Ottawa.

No one needs to pay attention to Kanye West anymore

World famous rapper-producer Kanye West has made headlines due to his espousing of antisemetic conspiracies on major news outlets.

Postmodern Conservatism is one of the stranger things to emerge on the alt-right

The word “postmodernism” might terrify you, excite you, or leave you confused as to what exactly it means. Strangely, the irreverence and attacks on stable meaning that were once part and parcel of the postmodern cultural movement are being used by conservatives today.

Fluid capitalism is a seductive rhetoric in need of being troubled

Fluid capitalism’s mantra is “go with the flow.” The task of critical thinking today is to examine this statement as a command instead of a mantra.

Why student debt relief scares philistines, the economically “inclined” and resentful formerly indebted millennials of all kinds

Student debt relief is a no brainer so long as resentful thinking and a crude undervaluing of the humanities doesn’t cloud judgement.

Video streaming services are changing the landscape of entertainment, maybe for the worst

Video streaming services have not only changed the way consumers take in entertainment but the entertainment itself, encouraging a “pump-and-dump” model on the part of producers.

CEO worship is weird

CEO worship is strange and deserves proper symptomatology.

Listen up employer class, the minimum wage is net positive

A large segment of the employer class will have workers believe either that the existence of a minimum wage or increases to the existing mandated wage have a direct negative relationship to employment and the economy—they are almost completely wrong.

Water should not be a commodity

Jackson, Mississippi is currently facing the tail end of a water crisis due to massive environmental deregulation in the Reagen era. State Governor Tate Reeves’ suggestion that the privatization of water is an option for handling degraded water supply infrastructure is a worrying sign.

Trends suggest that condos more stock-like asset, than a dwelling

As of late, the activity in the condominium market is symptomatic of the utter failure of the government to address the housing crisis.

Brutalism is the architecture of democracy, it should guide forward-thinking culture today

Brutalism was a product of the post-war era in Britain, so entangled in the idea of rebuilding in service of a growing public that it would spread worldwide. The spirit of functionality, affordability and ultimately democracy at the heart of this 20th century architecture should be a guiding principle for a forward-thinking culture.

Pierre Poilievre’s populism is effective; here’s everything it gets wrong on purpose

Pierre Poilievre is now the leader of the Canadian Progressive Conservative (CPC) party. Here’s how Poilievre has made use of a populism based on misleading working and middle class frustrations to garner support for his cause.

Airbnb is worsening the housing crisis, increasing possibility of a bubble

Airbnb is a lucrative service for landlords, capitalizing on short-term rentals and prices that are multiple times higher than rent. That being said, this investment strategy is only worsening the housing crisis while heightening the possibility of financial bubbles.

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