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Letters from the editors:
In 2015, Microsoft found that the average human’s attention span was 8 seconds—a second shorter than that of a goldfish (yeah, that hurt to hear) and 4 seconds shorter than it was in 2000. The scariest part? There’s no doubt that this number has continued to decline in the past 6 years. Technology keeps evolving at startling speeds and our intense hunger for instant gratification is growing along with it. We want everything quickly, conveniently, and we don’t want to think too much about it.
Well, throw these humans who have become accustomed to instant gratification into a quarantine where their fast-paced lives are forced to a halt, and we had no choice but to do something we had been unintentionally avoiding for who knows how long…we had to actually stop, sit, and think. That’s why, in 2019, it seemed many of us felt slapped in the face by the amount of injustice, immorality, and unethical practices we saw threaded throughout our world. Whether you saw it in your home, on your campus, or sprawled across news outlets, you likely had a thought many of us did. Why were we just now seeing these things? More importantly, why were we just now caring? Though those questions may not have simple answers, one thing was certain: we now have the knowledge and power to start caring and, in turn, start acting.
So, in this issue you’ll find a series of intriguing exposes, bold opinions (some hilarious, some thought-provoking), and hot takes that we here at ZU Mag believe everyone should be talking about (and more importantly, thinking about). It’s easy to numb out when screens are constantly attempting to consume our attention, but we hope this issue inspires you to step away from distractions and dissect what’s happening in our world with curiosity, care, and a critical eye. We hope you enjoy!
Yours,
Kaitlyn
***
Amidst changing times, there will be controversies and conflicts, resolutions and compromises. In this issue, our writers are going to give some hot takes: why Marvel may be headed for failure, the negative impacts of fast fashion and much more.
It is our hope that readers will not only enjoy these stories but will be edified by them. Journalism is often an arduous trade: doing research, interviewing subjects, spending hours writing and rewriting, and asking uncomfortable questions; however, these actions are necessary to produce the kind of content that we at ZU Magazine desire to be known for.
I want to personally thank our staff and every writer who contributed. Without you, this issue of ZU Magazine would be nothing more than a thought in the back of our minds; but, because of your persistence, we can release the words of our undergraduate students to an audience much larger than that of our university.
Our hope is that you, dear reader, would change as a result of these stories. Whether it be by taking one small step toward buying your clothes ethically or spreading your faith with those who are openly opposed to it, we pray these stories would spur you on to action.
With gratitude,
Brandon