In cases like the hydrofracking debate — where science, politics and industry are entwined in conflicting interests — a free press has the democratizing power to put information in people’s hands and let them decide for themselves.

In cases like the hydrofracking debate — where science, politics and industry are entwined in conflicting interests — a free press has the democratizing power to put information in people’s hands and let them decide for themselves.

The diverse arts community of Ithaca. 

What sensationalism in the media does to democracy.

The Huffington Post, for better or worse, has the popularity and the resources to influence the future of the media. For that future to be bright, and for that media to heed the words of Jon Stewart, embarrassments like Huffpo’s coverage of the Rally to Restore Sanity must become a thing of the past.

Mathew Sevin '11 criticizes campus-darling Jon Stewart for delivering hypocritical news coverage.

This weekend marks the beginning of Cornell Days — the University’s annual attempt to lure already-admitted high school seniors into committing to four years on East Hill. This year, the University has an new obstacle to overcome in the form of negative publicity brought on by last month’s unusually high number of student suicides.

The Ithaca Independent, a locally-focused, online news website that launched in January is hoping to shake up the new media landscape in Ithaca.  According to founder and Managing Editor Ed Sutherland, The Independent aims to put online news gathering on par with more traditional print journalism while becoming the main alternative news source for Ithaca.

Five years and over 400,000 samples later, Cornell’s most recent Frank H. T. Rhodes Class of ’56 Professor, Dr. Spencer Wells, enhanced the public’s view of genetic anthropology.  His work re-traces humanity’s migrations over the past 60,000 years.

Normally this here column is all about music. But lately my ears have been a bit preoccupied with a different type of listening. Namely, podcasts. Yes, those audio files that are just like what’s on the radio (heck most of them are even aired on the radio first!), except since they have a snazzy name, I sound slightly erudite or nerdy, take your pick, when I say that I’m listening to podcasts. Well, these podcasts I speak of have been distracting me from keeping tabs on the music scene as I usually do. Instead, I’ve been busy filling the space between my ears with interesting stories and funny anecdotes and culture news and game shows. I. Just. Can’t. Get. Enough.