The Lumberjack



Students Serving The Cal Poly Humboldt Campus and Community Since 1929

Tag: 2020

  • Welcome to the Twilight Zone

    Comparisons between episodes of the classic TV show The Twilight Zone and our own dismal reality

    In what may be the greatest understatement of the century, 2020 has been a rather eventful year. Wildfires, a global pandemic, isolation, protests throughout the world, political turmoil, deaths of public figures – you could write a new version of “We Didn’t Start the Fire” for each month of the year. So, why not look to retro television for comfort? Why not explore a simpler time, when the greatest fears we had were looming nuclear war, human short-sightedness, crippling loneliness and the catastrophic realities of climate change?

    Oh wait.

    1. Nightmare at 20,000 Feet (Season 5, Episode 3)

    A man recovering from a nervous breakdown is the only person on his plane who can see the monster just outside the window. He attempts to warn his fellow passengers, only for people to assume he’s lost his mind. The fear of flying is certainly one many people these days are familiar with, as travel becomes a major factor in the spread of COVID-19. With the US government claiming it’s safe to reopen and many people ignoring mask and distancing guidelines, it can be easy to doubt one’s own concerns. Like the man on the plane, we find ourselves questioning if the invisible force of death is actually there. Are we overreacting, or do we really see an imminent threat?

    2. Where is Everybody? (Season 1, Episode 1)

    A man finds himself alone in an abandoned town, with no memory of who he is or how he got there. He finds himself searching empty streets and abandoned shops for any sign of human life, only to be left alone with just his own thoughts for company. This certainly brings back memories of the beginning of shelter in place, when nothing was open and we all thought it would blow over within a week or two. Remember when it was pessimistic to say we wouldn’t be back to normal until fall? Good times.

    3. It’s a Good Life (Season 3, Episode 8)

    The citizens of a small town are cut off from the world at large and kept at the mercy of a six-year-old boy with reality-warping powers. They live in a state of constant anxiety about what fresh horror awaits while pretending everything is fine to avoid angering someone who doesn’t seem to understand that actions have consequences. What a classic American mood? The townspeople, in their defeated acceptance of the new normal, are certainly relatable to the average person in 2020 watching things fall apart while baking bread, submitting assignments, and occasionally looking at the red sky to say, ‘Sure, this might as well happen. What’s next?’

    4. The Midnight Sun (Season 3, Episode 10)

    Two women are in their apartment building, slowly being consumed by unbearable heat as they await the end of the world. They cope with the loneliness by supporting each other as the world outside erodes. While the twist in this episode is certainly not one of the series’ best, the despair of the two women as the radio presenter snaps on air and paint boils on the canvas feels painfully relevant as wildfire season is upon us. Staying inside and distracting ourselves with hobbies is really all we can do, as we smell the smoke and watch the destruction on the news.

    5. Time Enough at Last (Season 1, Episode 8)

    An absentminded, bookish man is left alone in a ruined city after a bomb destroys everything and everyone he once knew. This episode is one of the classics, and it’s easy to see why. The sense of loneliness permeates the entire episode, even before the bomb drops. Our protagonist can only find solace from his abusive wife and belittling employer in the pages of his books, but once he’s lost the interactions he’d taken for granted he finds himself sinking into depression. Unfortunately, like many of us who’d had grand quarantine plans of learning a language or writing a book have discovered, having all the time in the world doesn’t necessarily mean we can finally indulge in our dreams.

    6. The Monsters Are Due on Maple Street (Season 1, Episode 22)

    A small community is torn apart and devolves into a violent blame-game after the electricity goes out. In a time of abundant anti-Asian hate crimes in response to the “Chinese virus” pandemic, this episode is an excellent example of what not to do. Yes, things are bad – there is no denying that. However, we need to remember that we have to look out for each other. We can’t go around blaming others for everything that’s gone wrong – we have to work with them to solve our problems. Wear a mask. Donate to fire relief funds. Call your representatives. Order takeout from local restaurants. Check in on your friends and family. Do whatever you can to support those around you.

  • A Simple Favor, Wear Your Mask Correctly … Please

    A Simple Favor, Wear Your Mask Correctly … Please

    Wearing a mask correctly shouldn’t be a hassle or the worst part of your day.

    All I ask is, “Ma’am, can you please put your mask over your nose?” “Sir, your mask needs to be worn at all times. Thank you.” “Yes, masks are required here.”

    When a mask is being worn correctly, it has to cover both the mouth and nose. Think of it this way, the mask is meant to prevent any respiratory droplets from spreading to other people and elements around you. These particles come from your mouth and nose.

    These face coverings aren’t much, but they are one of the best defenses we have, alongside staying home and social distancing. Now, who would have thought that such a simple and minuscule request can cause such hostility and chaos?

    I’m a retail worker in a small business. I wear a mask, over my mouth and nose, for five hours a day and expose myself to locals and tourists. Some days, I’ll be in contact with 20 people and other days, I can be in contact with close to 100 people.

    I will never understand why people try so hard to fight against wearing face masks correctly.

    I fear for my life and sanity every day. There are crazy stories circulating around the internet of customers harassing and assaulting workers for trying to enforce these health orders. A retail worker in Modesto was brutally attacked, a crazy lady in Trader Joes in North Hollywood making a huge scene and the worst, most extreme case I have heard so far, a security guard being shot and killed.

    My co-workers and I always brace ourselves for whatever may happen for calling someone out. We have gotten glares, we’ve been ignored, ridiculed and even belittled just for asking someone to wear a mask or wear it correctly. We have had out-of-state tourists obnoxiously defy the rules we have set for our store, for them to then leave our store and express how much they hate California’s rules.

    C’est la vie de 2020.

    I will never understand why people try so hard to fight against wearing face masks correctly.

    There have been customers that have come in and complained of not being able to breathe with the mask on. My solution is to stay at home. If you cannot breathe with a mask on, you’re already vulnerable and should not be outside. If you’re bothered at the thought of wearing a face covering for 10 minutes in a small gift shop, maybe you shouldn’t be out and shopping for home decor.

    In order for many of these small businesses to be open, they needed to be approved by the state. My boss had to fill out a very lengthy form to re-open her business. She had to describe every action we, as employees, would do to ensure we are all safely navigating this pandemic.

    If you see any shop with state/county paperwork taped in their front window, they had to apply to re-open as well. If a customer or employee ends up testing positive, the entire shop has to be shut down.

    These face coverings are for the safety of yourself and those around you. This isn’t a time to be individualistic, this is a time where you need to put your ego aside and realize that your selfish actions can potentially harm a business, a person next to you or the family they go home to.

    Wearing your mask correctly to cover both your nose and mouth won’t kill you, but refusing to do it at all can.

  • Predicting What the New Decade Will Bring

    Predicting What the New Decade Will Bring

    Three methods of thought going into the new year reveal a time of dedication and hard work

    Three different pseudoscientific approaches, including astrology, numerology and the Chinese calendar, investigate information both singularly and as a whole. Together, these pseudosciences may predict what the new year and decade may bring.

    Astrology is the study of celestial movement and positioning. This ancient method of predicting and explaining is most commonly associated with horoscopes.

    The astrological movements for 2020 are even more significant than in other years because it’s not just a new year, but a new decade. The birthing of the new decade will cause pain, discomfort and confrontation resulting in struggle and challenges. However, this endurance will allow for active change and role assertion coming into the new year. This is important, as the beginning of a new decade and astrological era comes with growing pains, challenge and a call to overcome.

    Celestial movements predicted to impact 2020 most intensely involve the interactions between three planets: Jupiter, Saturn and Pluto.

    Jupiter and Saturn are social planets that rule in opposition. They command two different branches of thought towards social interaction and understanding.

    Using the three pseudosciences above, 2020 supports a year of hard work and challenge.

    Jupiter is one of two social planets. Jupiter controls development and knowledge towards self-growth and understanding. Saturn, meanwhile, is in control of responsibility and judgement toward creating boundaries and restrictions as well as wisdom.

    Pluto, although found at the very end of the solar system, rules forcefully, bringing both rebirth.

    The interaction of these three planets will most heavily affect social structure and reform. The initiation for change and reform will become most dire towards the end of 2020. The defining celestial movement of 2020 will be Dec. 21, where the conjunction between Jupiter and Saturn will unite air signs until the year 2159. This conjunction will challenge society, affecting it in all ways: structurally, fundamentally and economically.

    Numerology, or the study of numbers, looks into the meanings and relationships with coinciding events. Numerology focuses on the divine number, which is the sum of information in numerical form. This number is then compared to a list of fixated numbers ranging from one through nine with attached meanings.

    Dates are easiest to calculate due to the numbers already being assigned. For example, last year 2019 was 2+0+1+9=12. However, because the list ranges from one to nine, 12 is broken down further to 1+2=3. 2019’s divine number was three. The divine number for 2020 is broken down by each digit in the year, 2+0+2+0= 4. Therefore, four is the divine number of 2020.

    Four symbolizes masculinity and strength with a focus towards responsibility, hard work and discipline. Four is a stagnant and comfortable number basking in dedication and consistency, rather than imagination and creativity. While Four sounds bland, the value is on hard work and finishing the job, making 2020 a year of drive and dedication.

    Lastly, the Chinese New Year zodiacs. There are 12 Chinese zodiac animals corresponding with specific years. The last year of the Rat was 2008 and has cycled around again to 2020.

    The Rat is the first zodiac sign in the zodiac chart and symbolizes fortune and personality. Rats are witty, quick thinkers who can accomplish great things and live contently and peacefully. However, the Rat is also considered too feeble and, at times, overly conservative.

    Along with a corresponding animal, a new year is also assigned an element. The five elements are Metal, Wood, Fire, Water and Earth. 2020 is a Metal year. Metal symbolizes determination, hard work and persistence.

    Collectively, 2020 is the year of the Metal Rat and will be a year of work and persistence. The drive to accomplish will come to those who remain patient, dedicated and loyal in the process of great reward for great work.

    Using the three pseudosciences above, 2020 supports a year of hard work and challenge. A time for reform will become evident in the year that demands patience and control. The beginning of 2020 may seem challenging and overbearing, with constant need to troubleshoot and refocus on finishing the job. Though difficulty so early in the year is distasteful, the hard work will reveal rewards. Dedication will reap benefits if one can endure the hardships.