DECEMBER 7, 2006

THE CaDRE e 12

OPINIONS

The Sunny Side of Global Warming (a satire

Andie Bulman Assignment Editor

In recent weeks, several large media outlets have released news stories relating to the topic of global warming.

The Washington Post had “Ice Caps Melting at Record Rate”, Yahoo news wrote that “Bush Blames Humans for Global Warming” and the Globe and Mail featured a piece entitled “A World Without Oil.”

Even former © American presidential candidate Al Gore has gotten into the act with his much buzzed about “An Inconvenient Truth.”

These bigger and slightly more impressive newspapers then the Cadre have taken a fairly negative approach to global one that encourages the reader to view the

warming,

concept of global warming as a problem to be solved rather the an opportunity to be had. We, at the Cadre, want to remind students to see the glass half full, to look at the bright side, and to see the silver lining. Global Warming can be an economic opportunity and a pleasant experience, it just requires a positive attitude. Historical temperatures show a rise of 0.4-0.8 degrees celsius over the last hundred years, which some newspapers report as unusual in the

last thousand years. Now what is it about a warmer climate that sounds so negative to people? Why are so many scientists calling it “the beginning of the end?” No longer will UPEI students have to wear ugly wool sweaters from the Gap for nine straight months, heating bills will be lower and that once elusive base tan will arrive so much quicker, thanks to an increase in “harmful” UV rays.

Al Gore mentions melting glaciers and polar ice caps several times in his documentary, he harps on about how we will miss them, the implications. Bullshit. Cadre readers,

don’t listen to Al Gore. A glacier is a °

boring sheet of ice, a polar ice cap is a block of ice. Once that ice melts, the beach will be closer, so rejoice! The melting of polar ice caps leads to rising sea levels which in turn leads to new employment opportunities. When Prince Edward Island becomes three Islands because our low lying areas are underwater, ferry boat operators won’t have to leave for Alberta in order to find employment.

In addition to an increase in large blue boat operating jobs, the lost art of lighthouse keeping will be reborn. In fact, UPEI could even make a profit from the increase of jobs in these new fields by making students

Global Warming

Photo: Google Image Search

wishing to major in fog horn operating and lighthouse maintenance pay six hundred dollars for a single course. As clearly indicated by the above arguments, global warming is not a process that should be stopped or even slowed down. Students should

never carpool, make use of public transit or turn the heat down at night. Global warming needs to be embraced, welcomed and even sped up because of the warmer weather and wonderful economic opportunities it will provide (we can eat money right?).

Facebook popularity catching up to popular sites like MySpace

Craig St. Jean Reporter

Over the last few years, the internet has been practically redefined by the rise of websites like Myspace, Wikipedia, and Youtube. It’s now easier than ever to have a personal impact, or at least a personal presence, on the internet.

Among university students, one of the most popular new personal networking sites is Facebook.com. The site allows you to create an individual profile, with an emphasis on its ability to host large quantities of pictures. Though it is similar to Myspace, Facebook is oriented

towatds “networks,” which are typically school or university related. Although Facebook doesn’t offer information about exactly how many UPEI students are registered, there are at least over 500 UPEI student profiles.

Started in 2004 by a Harvard student with the intention of providing a means for his fellow students to systematically connect with one another online, Facebook has quickly spread to public schools and universities all across North America and beyond. Facebook has been the subject of four Globe and Mail newspaper articles in the last two months, one in particular, highlighting

-some of the most popular websites

among Canadian university students called the networking site “an encyclopedia for social butterflies” and citing “social climbers, chronic procrastinators, and voyeurs” among it’s core audience.

Despite Facebook’s rise in popularity, not all students are familiar. “What is Facebook?” wondered UPEI student Tonya Erdeg when asked if she used it.

Others, like one third year student who wishes to be named only

as “Matt Dixon,” are familiar with the -

site, but less enthusiastic about it than many seem to be.

“JT hate Facebook, but I have to admit, I secretly like it. I only really use it to search out other hXc kids to get tips on how to perfect my hardcore dance moves, such as the two-step, the crowd kill, and the windmill.”

Facebook, like the somewhat more high-profile Myspace, allows users to search for other users who list similar interests.

Furthermore, in regard to Facebook’s presence at UPEI, Shawn Younis, vice-president activities, urges students using the site to join The Wave’s Facebook group. This can be done by logging in, going to “my groups,” searching for “The Wave @ UPEI” and selecting “add us.”