Who is Rodrigo?

 When reading about Columbus in The Lost Mariner , what stood out to me most was how different the real story is from the simplified version most of us learn growing up. I always pictured Columbus as this confident explorer navigating new routes, but the article made me see how lost he actually was — both literally and mentally. He kept trying to force the world to fit his ideas instead of adjusting to what he was actually experiencing. What really stuck with me was how much his confusion and stubbornness affected the people he encountered, especially the Indigenous communities who were already thriving in the Caribbean long before he arrived. It made me think a lot about how we create myths around certain historical figures and ignore the damage that came with their actions. Learning about the Taíno also shifted my perspective. I knew they were Indigenous to the Caribbean, but I didn’t realize how widespread and complex their communities were. Thinking about how they lived on Pue...

 Listening to cannonball gave me a new perspective on social norms and how music critics operate. I agree that the music industry has made it hard for critics to give their raw opinions in fear of 'swimming against the current.' Morris suggests pop music critics are becoming "too nice," less willing to deliver harsh judgements or dig into serious critique. I appreciated how they tied this phenomenon to both audience pressure (big fan bases, social media backlash) and institutional pressures. The episode suggests the fear of hurting an artist's commercial prospects or of stirring up backlash has muted criticism. I found this deep and meaningful since in the type of art that I digest, I try and be non-judgemental, trying to see the point of view of an artist completely being substanceless in having no opinion whatsoever. The podcast has inspired me to be a little more critical of the media I digest to have better opinions of what I like and dislike. At the same time...

Tara Brach and Father Gregory Boyle’s conversation in Cherishing Each Other immediately drew me in because it reframed compassion not as something we do, but as something we recognize in ourselves and in others. Their discussion encouraged me to look more closely at the humanity that often gets lost beneath our roles and routines. There are several ideas from their talk that stayed with me: the notion that there is “no us and them, only us,” the role of boundaries in sustaining genuine care, the belief in an “unshakeable goodness” within every person, and ultimately how these insights reshape the way I want to show up in my communities. Together, these themes pushed me to slow down and reconsider what it really means to connect with the people around me.  One idea that stayed with me is Father Boyle’s insistence to stay united rather than thinking of the difference between communities. Instead of approaching people with pity or judgment, he talks about meeting them with curiosity ...

 When reading the excerpt from The Blue Sweater by Jacqueline Novogratz, what stood out to me most was the part on thinking and acting. I believe as humans we have a social responsibility to help those in need. As a USC student I feel very fortunate to receive the education that I am getting and feel that I must use this to make the world a better place. I believe an education is less about the content and more about learning to think. I am very thankful for Writ 340 and all the work we have done on critical thinking skills. I believe, as educated individuals, we are able to pull back the curtain on differing opinions regarding social and political issues to then make the best decisions for all of humanity.  I think about ways that I could help all the time. As a student that is trying to break into finance, specifically sales and trading, you may be wondering "how am I going to help make the world a better place from a trade desk?" Well, let me tell you, I am still figuring ...

On the shelf in my bathroom, right beside the sunlit window, sits a tiny succulent that has become an unexpectedly grounding presence in my weekly routine. Its scientific name is Echeveria elegans, a species whose Latin name translates to 'elegant.' This description fits perfectly with its neat rose shape and soft, symmetrical leaves. Commonly known as the Mexican snowball, this succulent belongs to the order Saxifragales, the family Crassulaceae, the genus Echeveria, and the species elegans. When I first brought it home, I wasn't thinking about taxonomy or its Latin roots; I just thought it looked cool and added some decoration to my room. Learning more about its background somehow makes me appreciate the plant even more. Because Echeveria elegans is indigenous to Mexico, the dry environment of Southern California suits it surprisingly well. The warm, indirect sunlight that enters my room mimics the bright, open environments where this plant thrives. When I get up in the m...

 A typical day in college can be pretty hectic for me. I like to be productive in the morning and choose to wind down in the evenings (though there are times when I cannot wind down in the evenings). I normally wake myself up around 7am due to the outside light that comes into my room. The first thing I do when I get out of bed is drink a double espresso shot. It has become a sort of ritual for me, kind of telling my body it's time to grind. I will normally have a protein smoothie with an assortment of fruits, creatine, collagen, honey, peanut butter, and turmeric. If I am not in a rush, I will eat yogurt with granola or cook some egg-based recipe. After breakfast I will go get ready in my room. By the time I'm done getting ready, it is time to start heading to class, so I queue some songs into my AirPods, grab my longboard, and head out the door. This might be my favorite part of my day. I love to longboard at USC; the campus is a longboarder's dream. Longboarding also hel...

Mac Miller is my favorite artist of all time. He is quite the inspirational figure. Being a white rapper in a predominantly Black art form, race played a huge role in his upbringing as an artist. At the beginning of his career, he released the mixtape "K.I.D.S," which became a classic hit. The album speaks about a teenager growing up in the suburbs and being a renegade. There is some irony to this album in how he was a renegade in suburbia. I believe Mac Miller was very aware this was the perspective and identity he wanted to portray through this album. K.I.D.S. would go on to set the stage for his future works and what became the Mac Miller genre. As he continued to develop throughout his career, he released Blue Slide Park, his first studio album centered around Mac Miller developing his own artistic identity and style.  His second studio album and my personal favorite album, Watching Movies with the Sound Off, was where Mac Miller really started to delve into abstract conc...