These movies are not just horror movies for the sake of horror; their success suggests they resonate with young audiences for reasons beyond fear. They are conversation starters, giving audiences something to discuss beyond the theater. Although Backrooms and Obsession tell very different stories, both center on confrontations of isolation, anxiety, and obsession. These themes have become increasingly central in conversations among Gen Z in both online and everyday life. Professor Isenberg agreed on this point, stating that Backrooms “definitely is commenting on mental health… at least obliquely, if not literally, commenting on some of the mental health issues that we as a society are facing in the wake of that pandemic.”

Gen Z, a buzzword thrown around recently, refers to people born between 1997 and 2012. These people were between the ages of 8 and 23 when COVID-19 shut down America. Unlike older generations, who experienced the pandemic later in life, many Gen Z individuals experienced it during adolescence, a period typically defined by social development. Professor Isenberg provided an intriguing perspective on these years, having seen how they have affected young people from an older perspective. “You all were so impressionable... We were kind of fully formed at the time of the pandemic. Whereas you all were... in high school or middle school... you have no contact to your friends. You’re basically locked in your room... in front of a device... and I think that definitely left a really, really serious impact.” These directors grew up similarly, and the impact of this is evident in their ability to discuss common ideas that arose during the pandemic: mental health and the need for people.

Backrooms focuses on a man lost in a space that represents the dangers of getting lost in your own mind and the necessity of community. Backrooms transforms isolation into a physical landscape where characters become trapped not only in an endless space but also in their own emotions. There is a danger in being alone; that is what Parsons’ direction is suggesting. As Professor Isenberg shared, Backrooms is “an emotionally rich movie.” He went on to draw a parallel between the film’s endless corridors and an experience many young people shared during the pandemic: being “basically locked in your room.” This is the emotional connection that young people found. Part of what makes this film resonate is that Parsons experienced much of this same period of isolation as a teenager. In 2020, Parsons was fifteen years old, young and alone like many others.

Obsession, on the other hand, is a very different movie than Backrooms but has similar mental health themes. A movie exploring a man desperate for love who is willing to make a very dangerous wish that has many unintended consequences. This movie explores crushes and the willingness to do anything to avoid unrequited love. Another aspect of growing up during the pandemic is the awareness of healthy versus toxic relationships. Many movies have been made about toxic relationships, but few like this explore the necessity of autonomy in relationships. This is not a topic explored in Hollywood, but it is discussed extensively on TikTok and Instagram, and in regular Gen Z conversations. Curry himself stated in an interview that “the obsession of something, it’s scary. It’s scary to have someone feel so strongly about you. In real life, it really is.” By bringing this conversation to the big screen, Obsession gives audiences another reason to gather and discuss experiences in person rather than continue the conversation online. After years of isolation and online conversations, these movies have provided young people with a shared moment and a common meeting ground. As Isenberg explained, “on a very deep, humane level. I think it’s the communal experience.”

Emotional resonance alone cannot explain why thousands of young people chose to experience these films in theaters rather than stream them. I think the marketing has a big impact on this. Both Obsession and Backrooms utilized mysterious marketing. For A24, Backrooms’ distributor, an anti-Hollywood marketing approach is common, utilizing inexpensive, intriguing, visible callbacks to specific movie elements. For example, in many cities, blue painter’s tape was used inexplicably to mark doorways, creating intrigue for the movie. This sparked conversations on social media that spilled into personal interactions and even reached theaters. This is unconventional advertising, creating almost an inside joke that no one wants to be left behind.

Similarly, Obsession utilized odd billboards that showcased the obsession shown in the movie. Again, creating intrigue and conversation that had to be continued in person.

Professor Isenberg described how this is shaking up the industry, and the impact these movies are having shows that “studios need to move away from making six sure-thing blockbuster movies...” and instead make something entirely original. It is not impossible, and these young directors have proven this. Young people are returning to theaters and once again experiencing things together. This is the start of what I can only hope to be a change in Hollywood. For Isenberg, that is what makes the success of Backrooms and Obsession meaningful. “I’m just so thrilled—borderline euphoric—that young people are actually going to the movies.”

Many thanks to Professor Noah Isenberg, who holds the Charles Sapp Centennial Professorship at the University of Texas at Austin and is the current  executive director of UTLA and UTNY. Our conversation about these two movies provided much insight that I did not have going into this article.

The increase of police presence at every level of Texas public schools has begun to turn students’ learning environments from educational to places for surveillance and punishment. Nolan and Willis1 (2012) describe how schools have “taken on police-precinct, in some ways even prisonlike, characteristics as criminal-justice-oriented disciplinary practices and high-tech security apparatus permeated the building.” The use of security surveillance with countless cameras around schools has added to schools’ resemblance to prisons, showing how administrations are beginning to rely on social control rather than guidance. When we begin to label students before actions are even completed, they experience violence at the hands of school police. This affects our view of young people as potential offenders rather than still-developing students.

Although Wilson and Kelling2 (n.d.) did not write their “Broken Windows” theory about Texas public schools, their essay can apply. Wilson and Kelling argue that ignoring minor disorders can encourage more serious crimes. In schools, this prevention of disorder does not require police presence. Behavioral programs taught by teachers or counselors could teach conflict resolution and emotional regulation, while parents would be involved to reinforce lessons at home and to identify behavioral concerns before they become disciplinary problems. Monique W. Morris explains, “when schools become locations for healing, they can also become locations for learning.” However, social control in schools is now making them places where fear rules the hallways.

Police officers were added to schools to ensure what happened in Uvalde would never happen again. Police help ensure building exteriors are safe by keeping doors locked and preventing unknown people from entering the school, helping deter shooters. They can also help protect students from hallway fights and provide immediate emergency assistance. Although these actions are essential to a safe school environment, the New York Times investigation suggests that school officers are doing more harm than good. As explained in Broken Windows3, visible police presence helps deter crime. However, schools present different challenges. Police may deter some fights, but they do not address the causes of conflict, bullying, or violence. As Monique Morris states, “if schools are to become locations for healing, we have to remove police officers and increase the number of counselors in schools.” This can help to create a safe learning environment and address the real troubles that lead to people committing school shootings and starting fights. As Nolan and Willis4 (2012) suggest, police presence can quickly shift from disciplinary figures to punishers. Removing police does not mean removing safety; keeping doors locked and using security cameras can maintain security while replacing harsh punishments with evidence-based interventions that help students become functional adults.

Schools should prepare students for adulthood, not just by teaching academic subjects but also by teaching conflict resolution and healthy relationships. Schools are meant to be safe places for growing and learning; students practice what they need for their future. There is no need for this time to also be an introduction to the criminal justice system. Texas now faces a choice: continue relying on school police or invest in behavioral education and family partnerships. The decisions Texas makes today will determine whether schools remain places for learning all kinds of material or continue to become extensions and early introductions for the criminal justice system.

Making a long-form documentary on one person was an astonishing feat. I completed this as a part of a class project, and I spent three days following Lukas around, filming his directing and acting, and I learned so much. I learned the importance of checking your microphone levels, the great power of Premiere Pro, and how long it truly takes to edit (almost 15 hours), and what an amazing honor it is to watch a great friend of mine have his dreams come true! Moreover, this was my first practice in what I hope to do with the rest of my life: learning the why behind people and their dreams, and then writing a profile on them. Thank you, Lukas. I cannot wait to see what you do next!

I made this short video in tandem with the Daily Texan at the University of Texas at Austin, using footage I captured at the Juneteenth parade and the subsequent festival in Austin. It was my first time making journalism short-form content for a vertical audience, and there is definitely much more to learn.

The increase in these familiar movies is not coincidental; the movie industry is purely money-minded. Because of this mindset and how poorly movies have been performing recently, especially due to the decline in moviegoers, industries are constantly cutting costs. According to Variety, more than 15 book adaptations are already confirmed for 2026 alone. Many would assume this is used to lower the cost of movie-making. However, in most cases, this only raises production costs, as the rights to the previous works must now be secured. Hollywood does not do this because it lowers its costs; it does it because it is less of a theater releasing gamble. Similarly, it boosts marketing. Selling an audience on a brand-new idea, especially something out of the box, is becoming increasingly hard. Advertising a new Hunger Games movie or Dune movie does not require as many marketing strategies, as there is a built-in audience that will do the advertising for free.

If our theaters are full of book adaptations, even though they may cost a bit more, they still fail constantly. One of the main reasons is the built-in fandom. Turning hundreds to thousands of pages of books into a two-hour movie requires condensing concepts, cutting scenes, and making the storyline faster-paced. Removing and tweaking are necessary for the movie; however, it quickly upsets audiences. Despite the many uphill battles movie producers must face to make a good adaptation, implies they want to make a good adaptation. Over the last few years, it feels as if producers have given up on listening to audiences.

For example, Wuthering Heights was originally a 1847 novel written by Emily Brontë, but was most recently adapted for the screen in February 2026, with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the leading roles. This movie was well set up for success, with a popular, well-known cast, a recognizable, not-done-before source material, and a captivating story. With many audience members going into the movie blind, they chose to see it in theaters, resulting in the movie earning $32 million on its domestic opening. Soon after this first premiere, the bad reviews ended with a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with many fans giving it an average of 2 stars out of 5. But if so many people saw it in theaters, why are the reviews all poor? Did this movie’s marketing and use of a familiar title and actors we love draw us to the theaters just to waste our money on a movie no one loved? Yes! That is the main goal of Hollywood right now: to draw you to the theaters by whatever means necessary.

So, what about good adaptations? What makes them good? Not only are movie adaptations better received when the author is involved in the process. The book is popular because of the author’s creativity, writing, and thought process. Including them in the process almost always improves the movie's acceptance, because it becomes an adaptation of the book rather than a piece that is merely inspired. A recent example of a great book adaptation is The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snacks, which came out in 2023 and had the author serving as an executive producer. The movie opened to $44 million on its domestic opening and received better reviews. Despite the Rotten Tomatoes score of 64% being only slightly higher than Wuthering Heights', the fans’ reviews averaged 4 out of 5 stars.

Ultimately, Hollywood’s growing reliance on book adaptations comes down to one thing: safety. Studios know that a recognizable title, popular actors, and an existing fan base can fill seats on opening weekend, and that is their main concern. Even if the final product fails to live up to expectations or leaves fans upset, that does not change the fact that Hollywood is a money-driven world. Relying on familiarity alone may not be enough to keep theaters full. When producers respect the original story and involve the author in the creative process, adaptations have the potential to succeed both financially and critically. If Hollywood continues prioritizing quick profits over thoughtful storytelling, more adaptations will follow the same pattern: strong openings, disappointing reviews, and audiences leaving theaters wondering why the book was better.

One of the first pitfalls in America’s education system is the ever-growing teacher shortage. There have always been reasons for teachers to leave schools, such as low pay or student mistreatment. However, over the last decade, the teacher shortage has increased, and many side effects have resulted, such as students’ ability to learn material quickly or to receive enough attention. Texas’ public education system has never been acclaimed for excellence, but when COVID hit, public schools were severely impacted. Caroline Wilburn spoke greatly about the teacher shortage in her article for the Texas Tribune, where she shared how Covid only “… compounded existing problems within the teaching field: low pay, long hours, bad benefits and more debates about how race and sex are taught in schools putting teachers in the middle of the state’s culture wars” (Wilburn). When the nation, and thus the schools, shut down for months on end due to COVID, many students were set back. When schools were back in session, the school’s focus was largely on ensuring safe procedures, which took a toll on students’ education. Despite the many searches for solutions, not only within schools, but also through the Government, a reliable fix has not been found. One Texas School District has a “… 58,000-student district [with] between 400 and 500 teacher vacancies [in 2023]” (Wilburn). This is proof that the attempted solutions have not solved the problem. The teacher shortage continues to take a huge toll on the education system in America and contributes greatly to the decline.

The quality of education has been falling, in part due to the teacher shortage and in part due to the lack of alignment between teachers and parents. As Millennials and Generation Z become parents, the values they instill in their children are different. Many parents of students currently in the education system do not value character and morals as much as they do grades and academic achievement. However, this is not the same as generations before. For generations and cultures, parents have striven for their children to work hard and achieve outstanding academic success, but times have changed. Now, parents are expecting schools to accommodate their children to ensure they succeed. Leonard Sax, a writer and researcher for the Institute for Family Studies, wrote an article about the division between parents and teachers, stating that “the burden [of student’s behavior is shifting] away from the family to the medical-psychological-industrial complex. Instead of bad behavior meriting punishment and correction, we now have psychiatric symptoms that require medication” (Sax). In Sax’s article “When It’s Parents Versus Teachers,” he shared many anecdotes illustrating parents’ values. In one story he shared, a teacher caught a student using their phone to look up answers on a test, took the student’s phone away, and gave them a zero on the test (Sax). This seems like a natural and expected response from a teacher. However, two weeks later, the students’ parents, who had donated more than one million dollars to the school, called the principal and demanded that the teacher apologize to the girl in front of the class or lose her job. The teacher reluctantly agreed to apologize (Sax). This story just demonstrates how parents value getting a good score more than being honest. The hardest part is that the teacher, already underpaid, cannot afford to lose her job, and, as much as she may try to instill good qualities and character in her students, there’s only so far the teachers can go on their own. This misalignment between teachers’ values and parents’ values is resulting in students getting away with more in and out of the classroom. Because many teachers are powerless in fixing this, it results in further decline in the education system.

As the American Education system worsens, it is unreasonable to hold students to high standards when they are not being taught at that level; thus, standards are being lowered for students and teachers across America. As teachers continue to leave, classrooms must combine, leading to larger class sizes and less attention for students. To try to combat this, many schools have done anything they can to acquire new teachers, but that often means they must lower the qualifications teachers must meet. This means we have many teachers in schools who do not know how to teach, resulting in students not being taught to the same high standard they used to be. This means the standards for students are being lowered as well. Many researchers agree that standards are being lowered. Gabe Cohen, a CNN reporter, described how the standard for teacher qualifications is declining. The struggle with the teacher’s inability to meet the qualification requirements is that “… fewer college graduates training to be educators, more districts are hiring what many consider underqualified teachers, often relying on long-term substitutes or paraprofessionals” (Cohen). This results in teachers who do not truly know how to teach. Schools are at a crossroads with this, because as much as the desire is to have well-qualified teachers teaching subjects they are specialized in, that is not possible. And with the teacher shortage becoming more drastic, schools merely need positions filled. However, there are consequences with these decisions, because “[a]s states lower the certification standards to become a teacher, education experts worry these tactics could delay students’ recovery from pandemic learning loss” (Cohen). Students are already struggling to recover from the losses they experienced during the pandemic, and standards were lowered because of it, making it easier to gain high grades and join what used to be prestigious programs, such as the National Honor Society. However, if we are unable to catch students up, we will have to keep making things easier. A student writer for the University of Texas at Arlington’s school paper wrote an article examining this problem through the lens of special education. Alexia Muñoz wrote of how it is important to “… incentivize students pursuing [an educational] career with financial support because [we] want to make supporting the professional development of vulnerable students a high priority in society” (Muñoz). Despite Muñoz specifically talking about special needs children in her article, more and more students are considered vulnerable because of how far behind they are. However, under the “No Child Left Behind” Act and with a lack of qualified teachers to assist these students, the only way to still graduate students on time is to lower expectations so they can meet some sort of standard. It used to be that the education system strived to raise students to the level of knowledge to meet and exceed high standards, but now we are actively lowering the standards to meet students where they are, which results in a declining education system.

My naysayer may argue that Public School Teachers in America do not carry all the fault for the downfall of American Education. While I can understand that Public School Teachers in no way carry all the blame for the worsening of American Education, there are many other contributing factors. Over the last several years, the stress and pressure placed on public School teachers have been unnecessary and outrageous. With the “No Child Left Behind” Act and the student-to-teacher ratio, it has become increasingly difficult for teachers to enforce quality education for each student. However, some teachers have added unnecessary aspects to their classrooms, resulting in some of the Pitfalls. For example, many teachers have taken it upon themselves to make educating about sexualities and race more important than History and Math. This has also been done without communication with the parents. This has greatly influenced students’ priorities. While Public School teachers do not carry all the blame for the worsening of the Education system, they have contributed in various ways.

When it comes to the current state of the American Education System, I would argue that it has been worsening and continues to do so. Many factors contribute to this, but the biggest are the teacher shortage, the lack of alignment between teachers and parents, and the lowering of standards. This is such a crucial part of our society, and as much as we have only begun to see the true impact of this, if it is not remedied or improved soon, the impact will just continue and grow. This topic is very important, especially for college students. Between high school and fully entering the real world, college students have a chance to change the world through what they choose to study. Especially education majors, but really anyone, can have a part in changing the decline. One of the biggest ways you can support is to vote for certain bills that are proposed. If enough votes are cast on certain bills, it may positively impact the funding schools receive, giving more incentive for teachers to stay and more teachers to come. It is important to be knowledgeable about the world around you.

Works Cited

Cohen, Gabe. “Doubling up on Classrooms, Using Online Teachers and Turning to Support Staff: How Schools Are Dealing with the Ongoing Teacher Shortage.” CNN, 11 Sept. 2023, www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/us/ongoing-teacher-shortage-creative-solutions/index.html.

Muñoz, Alexia. “Special Education Project to Fund Future Teachers.” The Shorthorn , 27 Feb. 2024, www.theshorthorn.com/news/special-education-project-to-fund-future-teachers/article_5e387594-d332-11ee-b93d-13db14f9ae46.html. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Sax, Leonard. “When It’s Parents versus Teachers, Kids Lose.” Institute for Family Studies, 1 Dec. 2021, ifstudies.org/blog/when-its-parents-versus-teachers-kids-lose.

Wilburn, Caroline. “Struggling to Find Teachers close to Home, Some Texas Schools Are Looking Overseas for Help.” The Texas Tribune, 20 Dec. 2023, www.texastribune.org/2023/12/20/texas-teacher-shortage-cultural-exchange-aldine-isd/.

Technology has grown exponentially throughout America, and many industries, including the government, rely on it. Presidents often struggle to keep up with what is common among citizens. Some of the most famous and influential presidents were those who found ways to communicate with and relate to their citizens in ways that humbled their position. Franklin D. Roosevelt served three presidential terms, from 1933 to 1945, and was reelected because of the citizens’ love for him. He served from the end of the Great Depression to the beginning of World War II and managed to calm the country’s fears and worries. He used technology to help him and “... began to formulate policies to bring about relief from the economic hardships the American people were experiencing” (National Archives). One part of his policies was called “Fireside Chats.” These “chats” were heard by almost every American through the ever-growing popularity of the radio. It helped citizens feel as if Roosevelt were speaking directly to them. He continued these throughout his presidency, succeeding at “addressing the fears and concerns of the American people as well as to inform them of the positions and actions taken by the U.S. government” (National Archives). This tactic helped Roosevelt with his relationship with the citizens and his role as president. Technology was a major factor in this growth in the nation and the presidency.

Another example of how technology has helped the president to grow his power is Barack Obama’s use of social media throughout his presidency. He immediately changed the government's use of technology upon entering the White House. Obama’s first executive order was “... one requiring the U.S. government to use technology to be more transparent and effective” (MIT Technology Review…). He relied on computers and the internet more than any other campaign. Even now, Obama’s executive order has changed how technology is used in government. During his first term, the White House created a Twitter account and made its first post, allowing comments. This post lets “... citizens petition their government online… [and] anyone track how Obama’s $800 billion stimulus package was spent” (MIT Technology Review….). This post was very different from what other presidents used to engage citizens. He used technology in many other ways throughout his two terms, which continue to be used by presidents today. Still, this use of social media has forever increased citizens’ involvement in government.

The judicial branch is one of the most useful branches of Government. The president appointed all the branch members and confirmed them by the Senate. The judicial branch interprets the law and comprises the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeals, and the District Courts. Unlike any other branch, the judicial branch has the “sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases” (The White House, “The Judicial Branch”). The judicial branch is unlike any other court and does not have to follow the same rules. They are allowed to subpoena witnesses and expedite the evidence process. Everything that is done within the Judicial Branch also influences the executive and legislative branches. There are many areas in which the Judicial branch is more powerful than the executive and legislative branches.

The Supreme Court, despite being part of the powerful Judicial branch, has less power than expected. The Supreme Court is the only part of the branch required in the Constitution. The court does not hold any trials but instead “...interpret the meaning of a law, to decide whether a law is relevant to a particular set of facts, or to rule on how a law should be applied” (The White House, “The Judicial Branch”). This does not give the court much power, as many other branches of government can override its decisions. The legislative branch can create laws, and the executive branch enforces them. The Supreme Court is only allowed to interpret these laws, not to change them or use them differently. The Judicial branch, however, is more potent than any other branch.

The Executive branch holds the presidency, yet the Judicial branch is still more powerful. The president is the nation’s figurehead and also the one who appoints the cabinet and other heads of federal agencies. Despite this, the President has less power than most would suspect. This was intentional and what the Founding Fathers intended for. The president is mainly responsible for “...implementing and enforcing the laws written by Congress,” while “The Cabinet and independent federal agencies are responsible for the day-to-day enforcement and administration of federal laws” (The White House, “The Executive Branch”). The primary duty of the office is to enforce the laws that they are not even allowed to make. The judicial branch, however, has the power not only to interpret the law but also to declare presidential acts unconstitutional. This means that if the President takes any action to enforce a law that the Judicial branch sees as not upholding the foundation of our nation, they can call the President out for it. This gives the judicial branch significant power over the executive branch.

There is a similar power hold between the legislative and judicial branches. The legislative branch, or Congress, comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate. The House has members appointed to represent each state’s proportional population and has sole authority to “... initiate revenue bills, impeach federal officials, and elect the President in the case of an Electoral College tie” (The White House, “The Legislative Branch”). Conversely, the Senate has two representatives for each state. It has the power to “... confirm those of the President’s appointments that require consent, and to provide advice and consent to ratify treaties”(The White House, “The Legislative Branch”). To pass legislation, both the House and Senate must pass the same bill. This does give the legislative branch significant power, but the judicial branch can declare these laws unconstitutional. This once again comes back to the fact that the judicial branch is in charge of interpreting statutes and, as a result, has the power to decide what is included in laws and what laws conflict with our fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution. This, even if the Senate and House pass the same bill, and the President does not veto it, the judicial branch still can. This gives the judicial branch significant power over the legislative branch.

Despite this power, the judicial branch has over the other branches, there is still a system of checks and balances that the Founding Fathers put in place. Even though the Judicial branch can declare presidential acts unconstitutional, the executive branch has the power to “... appoint Federal judges and issue pardons, which gives it influence over the actions of the Judicial branch” (FAMU Syst). This allows the President to curate a judicial system with people who will agree with his view. The legislative branch is also given power over the judicial branch by “...approv[ing] the appointment of Federal judges, which allows them to influence who holds office in the Judicial branch”(McLaughlin). This also means that Congress has the power to appoint federal judges. The Executive and Legislative branches can keep the Judicial branch in check and balance power.

Of these three branches, judicial, executive, and legislative, I see myself as the most qualified to represent the legislative branch, explicitly serving in the Senate. The Senate has many essential responsibilities, and those elected must help carry them out. To join the Senate, there are a few qualifications required, but many skills will help obtain the position. Many senators hold master’s degrees in political science, law, or both. However, this is the least helpful step. Most of my efforts would go towards campaigning and gaining political experience, starting at the city level and working my way up from there, all while building my campaign team. Beginning in local government and making a name for myself would be the first step. From there, I interned for a reputable senator and gained confidence and insight into what working in the Senate looked like. Then, developing my campaign team to promote myself, utilized public speaking, and participated in run-offs to obtain the position. Through these steps, I could demonstrate my qualifications to become my state’s senator.

Leadership, knowledge, and fiscal skills are the three crucial skills for obtaining and retaining a senatorial position. I have leadership skills, including public speaking, decision-making, and negotiation, that would assist me in all areas of leadership required in the Senate. I could stand for my beliefs and communicate my thoughts while convincing others to join me in my stance. I would also know what makes good Senate decisions and what it looks like to serve as a senator. I would also learn about the workings of the government through my experience at many levels. Lastly, I possess the fiscal knowledge needed to draft legislation and decide what is reasonable and what will not help enough people for the cost. I would excel at being a senator with these three skills.

Government is difficult work to get into and even harder to stay in. There are constant disputes between the branches and even within. On top of finding a way to agree with such a large number of people, you must also do what’s best for the nation and even the state you represent. This checks-and-balances system, which the Founding Fathers put in place, is necessary to continue doing what is best for America's citizens. Through this, political members must try to interact with and understand those they represent.

Works Cited

McLaughlin, Paul. “LibGuides: The Sources of Federal Law: The System of Checks and Balances.” Library.famu.edu, library.famu.edu/c.php?g=276237&p=1841176#:~:text=The%20Judicial%20branch%20can%20also.

MIT Technology Review Editors, et al. “Obama’s Technology Legacy.” MIT Technology Review, 9 Jan. 2017, www.technologyreview.com/2017/01/09/154678/obamas-technology-legacy/.

National Archives. “FDR’s Fireside Chat on the Recovery Program.” National Archives, 15 Aug. 2016, www.archives.gov/education/lessons/fdr-fireside.

The White House. “The Executive Branch.” The White House, 2023, www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-executive-branch/.

---. “The Judicial Branch.” The White House, 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-judicial-branch/.

---. “The Legislative Branch.” The White House, 2021, www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/our-government/the-legislative-branch/.

One solution to this problem was proposed by Mamdani, NYC’s newly elected mayor. He wishes to have free bus fare and for the city and state to reimburse the MTA (Capellini). Additionally, this would expedite the bus loading process, shorten each stop, and thus improve the accuracy of the schedule. Although some moral rules are observed, others are at risk of being broken. “Do not deceive” and “keep your promises” could both be broken if Mamdani is not fully upfront with all sides involved about where the money is coming from and going. He has already promised to implement this plan fully, so if certain aspects are overlooked or forgotten, then this rule would be broken. A second solution to increasing bus fares is to change the rate over time. When subways are undergoing work at night, fares would increase to encourage people to commute earlier. Higher quality is achieved because prices are lower earlier in the day, and employees can work with minimal interruptions, so transportation improves quickly. There would also be fewer workers needed, since fewer subways would run at night; therefore, the money that would have been used to pay them could be saved and used elsewhere. This solution also puts moral rules in danger of being broken. “Do not cause pain” may be broken, since some employees might become overworked, and MTA conductors might be less employed due to reduced demand at night. “Do not disable” due to any late-night commuters or employees who would be forced to pay higher rates due to uncontrollable factors such as shift hours. Additionally, “do not deprive of pleasure” since people would be unable to stay out as late because they would be risking paying a higher fare, and lastly “do not deceive” since without clear communication about when the price is lowered and raised, people may be paying a higher fare price unintentionally, especially due to tourists potentially not knowing.

Works Cited

Capellini, Jeff. “Zohran Mamdani Promises Free Buses for NYC. Here’s a Closer Look at the Plan and How It Gets Paid For.” Cbsnews.com, 5 Nov. 2025, www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/zohran-mamdani-new-york-city-free-buses/.

“New York City Subway Fare History: A Primer - New York Almanack.” New York Almanack, 7 Jan. 2024, www.newyorkalmanack.com/2024/01/new-york-city-subway-fare-history/.

Escaping from our everyday life is a needed thing that can be given through Authorship. Many people view reading as an escape from a tedious life, a way to live someone else's life instead of the one we were given. However, people don’t think the same about writing. Have you ever wondered why books can make people forget everything around them, the passing of time, the surrounding people, and looming responsibilities? It’s because the author causes the reader to escape by the author escaping similarly. Authorship allows us to abandon materiality through the power of words. Words create scenes for the reader’s mind to grab onto and develop. Scenes like such:

Cowboys ride their horses into a small town. Abandoned stores and deserted homes stare at them as the sun falls behind them. Sliding off their horses, the few members of society nearby gather around to watch. Two men begin a slow walk in a circle, reaching for their hips. Two clicks sound off in the air, startling the few as the men unclip their holsters. Each hovers a hand above where their guns are housed, waiting for the other to make the first move. Each slowly reaches for their gun until…

These short sentences cause the reader to narrow their focus and ask questions. However, when I wrote that, I was asking questions too. Neither the reader nor I were asking questions about what was for breakfast or whether we had done our laundry. Instead, we share a common question, a question of the following sentence, and even the next word. The author and the reader are on edge, wondering and asking, “What’s next? How will it go?” These questions are the escape we all crave, and it’s the power that authorship provides.

We all crave control, sometimes even more than escapism, and we find it through authorship. Much research has been done on the human desire for control. Since the beginning, people have tried all they can to be in charge, whether by repeating a mother’s words to their children, showing their age as superior, or taking the lead on every project. One study’s findings were quite interesting: “If someone tries to control situations or other people to an unhealthy extent, others may describe them as a controlling person. They may try to control a situation by taking charge and doing everything themselves or control others through manipulation, coercion, threats, and intimidation” (”Controlling People…”). Many see these as terrible qualities, but a closer look may clarify that we all have these from time to time; what matters is how we treat others with them. Empathizing with characters is quite different for readers than for writers. Authorship is a way to try out new things in a safe place, control life and death, and accept that no matter what you choose, you can’t control anything. No matter how well you control the puppet strings, it depends on how the readers see it. We can never quite control everything around us. It never works out the way we want it to. Despite how much we say and think about it, control is something none of us holds. Children will never see us as the boss, no matter how well we imitate their mother. Sometimes, taking the lead every time doesn’t get you the promotion. The power to manipulate that small black line, to change the way someone thinks just through your words, is Authorship, a beautiful thing that satisfies the need for control.

Something we can control the outcome of is our contributions to the world, and writing is an incredible way of doing so. Many things bring together a community, but writing and reading not only articles to inform, but also fantasy, fiction, thriller, and romance are one of the biggest ways. These bring communities together, bringing friends and strangers alike. An author does not just write stories. They do not just turn blank pages into those full of scribbles. An author creates feelings and interactions: love and hate, death and life. Writing brings a world together in a way that nothing else could. As a society, we all give each other roles. We change and upgrade, sometimes downgrading. Many functions are undermined in society, and writing is one of the most. Never underestimate the power of words or their creator’s role in society, “because writers bring to the world something that no one else can… they shape the world. Writers have the power through their words to educate, heal and illuminate the mind” (Reed). Contributions are made to the world every day, and authors are the ones making a change, not just going with the crowd.

The everyday man is given the power of escapism, control, and contributions through authorship. Something that is often not related. We all want certain things out of life, and not all are called to be authors, but we are called to authorship. Not something that needs to be published, but creations that need to be put into the world where they belong. Those who practice authorship cause families, friends, and strangers to be brought together, forgetting relations of the past and only looking at the beauty that was at once just a black line blinking back at a broken person wanting to escape the crazy world, control anything and everything, and contribute a tiny drop to the overflowing bucket of art that we call authorship. This is the true beauty of authorship: With words’ power, a blank page becomes a masterpiece.

Works Cited

“Authorship Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/authorship.

“Controlling People: Signs, Causes, and How to Deal with Them.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/controlling-people.

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