Mind over Manner: Explorations in Neuroscience, Current Events and Philosophy

  As our world spirals into a climate catastrophe, more and more of us are wondering if we can do anything about it (ignoring the incomprehensible amounts of pollution megacorporations dump into the environment). Veganism has become a popular option to personally cut back on environmentally taxing products, and advocates claim that veganism is also morally superior and beneficial for human health. Many of us, however, are not convinced. Doctors in particular argue that a vegan diet lacks essential bioavailable nutrients and may not be suitable for everyone. Before I insert my own experiences and opinions, let’s look at both sides of this debate. Veganism was primarily founded on moral grounds. The main claim is that veganism reduces animal suffering and exploitation. Animals raised for food often endure inhumane conditions in factory farms and slaughterhouses, which they deem unethical. Prominent vegan author and animal rights activist Peter Singer argues in his book "Animal Liber...

  TW: EATING DISORDERS, SELF HARM As you might imagine, this topic is a personal one for me. I’ve struggled with disordered eating and bad body image for a long time, and I've had the privilege and luck to enter recovery. Looking at me before and during this struggle, many might say, “Sure. An affluent, normal-BMI white girl gets an eating disorder and gets too skinny. How original.” That’s true; I fit a clear stereotype that we see in the media. In fact, this portrayal of eating disorders, specifically anorexia, is often the ONLY representation we see in the media (Yes, I'm looking at you, To The Bone). Yet this experience with eating disorders does not represent the majority of those suffering. I’d like to dive into why this stereotype exists, why we see so little representation of other groups, and why this dangerous condition is glorified far beyond what it deserves in all corners of modern life. We have documentation of eating disorders from thousands of years ago. Exa...

   Beauty: What is it? We would all give a slightly different definition. Sure, it’s “a combination of qualities, such as shape, color, or form, that pleases the aesthetic senses, especially the sight.” Thanks, Google, but I’d say there’s more to it. I’d like to make the argument that beauty is intertwined with admiration and is therefore something that we only see outside of ourselves. We can appreciate our own qualities, but I do not think we can truly see beauty in ourselves. Let me explain why.      Throughout the ages, the concept of beauty has been a subject of contemplation and pursuit by individuals from all cultures and backgrounds. Beauty is deeply embedded in our consciousness, shaping our understanding of aesthetics and influencing our perceptions of the world around us. In some ways, you could argue that we constantly survey our world for beauty and only acknowledge this feeling when we believe that we see it. Beauty isn’t something we think about ...