A Colorado Community Rises to Protect Their Own
A hunt for a quiet interview space on Hope’s college campus led by chance to this room. Toward the end
The Salesman
STORY BY ANDREW SHUTES-DAVID
When the salesmen approach, I am laying on the floor of my outdoor office—the deck. My head rests against the wooden deck post, my ankles are crossed in front of me, and my laptop is perched just below my chest, its screen strategically centered in the shade from the post.
Perhaps my supine position makes me an easy mark.p>
Dear Kyle: Addiction Doesn’t Get the Last Word
LETTERS BY TERESA VANHATTEN-GRANATH
On Aug. 5, 2023, my son, Kyle Granath, passed away of an overdose. He was found near the baseball stadium in downtown Denver, Colorado. He was alone. He was 18 years old.
A week later, I stood up at his funeral to share a eulogy in the form of a letter I wrote to him. More letters to Kyle followed in each subsequent month. I learned that our story can help others who are struggling, so I’m sharing my letters to Kyle here.
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AI Generates Fresh Challenges for Journalists
STORY BY ERIC WISHART
The launch of Generative Artificial Intelligence tools capable of producing high quality text and images has triggered much discussion about their impact on the future of journalism.
AI was seen for many years as a useful tool that spared journalists from the drudgery of mundane tasks such as typing out company results and transcribing interviews.
That changed with the arrival of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, which seemed to pose an existential threat to the journalism profession.
Who needs reporters when you can upload the minutes of a town council meeting and ask ChatGPT to produce a news story focusing on a particular angle of community interest? Who needs photojournalists when a text-to-image generator can produce photorealistic images to illustrate a story?
A Special Train Fare, a Painting, and Ancient Religious Prisoners
STORY AND PHOTOS BY CAROL LARREY
The train running 150 miles east to ancient Carcassonne from my home in southwestern France was, unusually, only one euro. Given that my husband was absorbed by projects in his office, I decided to spend the euro and head east for a stroll by myself around the famous citadel. The cheap ticket would provide a chance to do some things I’d never done before, such as walk the Canal du Midi from one lock to another and climb the 232 stairs of the Saint Vincent belfry to enjoy a view of the Cité from a mile away.
Plans taking shape, I further discovered that entrances to the restored castle and its battlements were free that day, as well as the art museum downtown. It seemed like a fun day was ahead. Of course, Carcassonne is more than just a cool setting for the film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves—it’s also a reminder of historical tragedies. So “fun” might not be the right word.
How To (Maybe) Be OK When Things Are Not OK
ESSAY BY J. AARON SIMMONS
PHOTOS BY MANUELA THAMES
I vividly remember walking across campus that morning on my way to teach my Introduction to Philosophy course. I was roughly 20 feet from the door to the classroom building when my phone rang. It was my sister.
I answered. “Hey toots, I am heading into class. Can I call you back in an hour?”
Her response stopped me in my tracks. It was clear she had been crying. “Yeah, that’s fine,” she said. “I just wanted to tell you that [insert-the-name-of-her-asshole-husband-who-I-won’t-mention] told me he is leaving. My marriage is over.”
The Magic of Cigarette Smoke
STORY BY STORY BY SOPHIA RILEY
There were three things I was determined to do during my fourteen weeks abroad, only one of which I actually achieved.
The first was to journal every single day, and I did. I scribbled down every trivial memory, everything that made me mad, everything I ate, and then I taped down every ticket, leaf, and pamphlet to boot. Goal achieved.
Confronting My Giant: A Student’s Perspective on Mental Health Abroad
STORY BY JAËL GUEST
I lean against the stone ledge, gazing out over the city as the embers of the setting sun heat the rooftops. Behind me, the château walls glow with orange light. The bells from the magnificent cathedral spire echo in my ears. Below, college students sprawl among the spring flowers sloping away from the château, giving way to bustling streets. Even from here, my ears catch the whispers of conversations and the chatter of distant shoppers and restaurant goers. Drinking in this image, I breathe out a profound sigh of contentment. A voice in my mind murmurs, How will you ever return after experiencing this life?
Standing atop an ancient castle at sunset, it is difficult to imagine that only a few hours later I might be curled in my bed, stricken and paralyzed while clutching my head in sheer, overwhelming anxiety.
Is ‘Peer Review’ Worth All the Hype? A Perspective from a Physical Scientist
ARTICLE BY DR. MARK LEVENSTEIN
But what exactly is peer review? What is the difference between a preprint manuscript and a peer reviewed article? And most importantly, what information should I trust? These are questions that the general public and even well-informed non-scientists may not be able to fully answer. However, answering them is essential for society as we continue to navigate this new era of alternative facts, fake news, and the increasing accessibility to and practical implications of scientific findings and discoveries.
Losing Naïveté While Advocating for Afghans on Capitol Hill
STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAMI L. RICE
I spent a May afternoon rushing through the wide halls of the U.S. Senate office buildings. It wasn’t the first time I was on Capitol Hill this past spring, but this time I chanced being late for an important flight because the clock was ticking on this issue that kept me coming back to the Hill. The next morning, I learned that day’s meetings had seemingly been for naught.