Uninspired? Take a shower

A quick Google search will inform you that great ideas arise in the shower due to the interplay of distraction, relaxation and sensory stimulation that produce a neurological dopamine high. It isn’t that the mindless, automatic nature of showering activates creative sweet spots in the brain. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Our brain is released from high-order activities and instead engages its appropriately named “default mode network.” Showering liberates our minds from the outside noise and allows us to do something we rarely let ourselves do: be present.

Don’t blame soulless art on stupid audiences.

While they aren’t brilliant, Marvel movies and Drake songs are serviceable. For somebody who is busy, that’s a fine deal to make.

This is (more than) enough

At some point, I got sick and tired of running on this prison of a hamster wheel, of endlessly chasing after this feeling called “happiness” that seemed increasingly nebulous and unattainable.

Tales from my “Inopportune Week of Wellness”

I’ve come to see that the moments where we feel most inclined to sacrifice our wellbeing, with finals week and assignment-heavy days coming to mind, are the moments where we need to stop and take the time to connect with ourselves.

Penny for your squats

What I’ve learned from boarding airplanes

A flight attendant might say no, but I’d never get the seat if I didn’t ask in the first place.

Weed v. United States

Pseudo-intellectual arguments have plagued anti-marijuana laws since the turn of the 19th century and our nation has long used these laws as a wedge to persecute minorities…we and legislatures must approach weed with a clean slate.

Lights, covid, action

It’s simply performative; the pandemic has become more about people and organizations maintaining their political façade of choice—whether that be of collective care, individual freedom or somewhere in between—than it has anything to do with the actual health of any person.

Vincent Price breaks silence, grovels for forgiveness at top donor dinner: “We should’ve taken more”

 But, if it can serve as any condolence, US News & World Report finally placed Duke in the top 10 list for “Schools that Steal from Poor People.”” 

Dr. King’s vision of a "world house"

On this day honoring Dr. King, I hope that your purpose goes beyond the little siloed “i” and is big enough to aspire toward living in a world house.  

Duke 2022: What’s in and what’s out

Replace the C1 with the shooters bus. Something about strobe lights and Jack Harlow’s verse on Lil Nas X’s Industry Baby playing while you’re on the way to your surely dreaded 8:30am class just seems appropriate

The monthly loneliness

The stigma of being sentimental, the worry of inducing negativity and the insecurity of appearing to be a not-so-cool girl all barred me from calling my loved ones.

Share your opinion, join the Editorial Board!

We are the Community Editorial Board, The Chronicle’s independent student voice, and today, we invite you to join the discussion. 

The greatest Christmas gift

Santa may not have left a present at the foot of my bed last Christmas, but in many ways, he had already given me the greatest gift of all—a gift that will keep on giving long after he is gone.

Simple steps for Duke to reduce community spread

There are simple and common-sense steps the administration can be taking to protect students, faculty, and staff.

Burnout? Yeah, it’s that time again.

It’s not a weight on my shoulder, but more so on my pride, where I feel as if I am supposed to do well, and I will be an utter disappointment if I don’t.

Ideas for celebrating your birthday in quarantine

Start an ASMR Mukbang Channel.

Frick Madison: Living Histories & the “Profundity of Art”

Two specific paintings in the entire Frick Madison spoke with the loudest voices.

The giving internet: Why we should post more reviews

Positivity is not an inherent personality trait but a behavior to be learned, practiced, and refined.

The Duke Difference: A tradition of admin refusing to listen to students and staff

The decision to fundamentally alter the Thompson Writing Program is almost unilaterally opposed by the student and faculty body, who called for Duke to support faculty and listen to students during Sunday’s protests. As such, it can only be concluded that there are some traditions that the Duke administration cannot continue to uphold.