Lise's Lens: October 24, 2024
This week I have been tuning into the UN’s Global Summit on Biodiversity, reading theories about the polarization of the United States, and marveling at the magic of international travel and exchange. I'm also getting excited for our Admissions Open House this weekend! Know someone who might be a good fit for CSW? Invite them to join us!
WHAT I’M READING
These days opinions abound, and I have taken a bit of a break on reading opinion pieces. However, I did fall upon
a piece by David French titled
“I Don’t Want to Live in a Monoculture, and Neither Do You” that intrigued me enough to read it to the end. In the piece, he references a college course he is teaching this year called “Why Is American Politics So Insane?” In creating the syllabus for the course, he says he debated whether to have his students read Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam or The Big Sort by Bill Bishop. Bowling Alone, he says,“highlighted the collapse in communal activity in America and how that loss of connection is driving an immense amount of our
national polarization and pain.” The Big Sort “highlighted the fact that Americans were increasingly living in like-minded communities and like-minded communities radicalize us.” I haven’t read either book, but they sound like excellent sources as we navigate these polarizing times.
WHAT I’M THINKING/TALKING ABOUT
As you might have seen in The Gryphon magazine, last spring a group of our students attended a trip to Panama (an opportunity that presents itself every two years) for a mod abroad studying Spanish and conducting research on tropical ecosystems. Whether it was an “aha” moment about their capacity to appreciate something new, or the surmounting of a fear or anxiety, it’s clear that the trip ignited a special “spark” in each of our student travelers. This past weekend, we had the privilege of providing a similar experience for a group of 12 students and their chaperones from CADI Bilingual Academy, the school our students visit while in Panama. This was the first time we’ve been able to return the favor, and it filled me with so much pride to be able to open up our community to them. I am so grateful to the students and parents who opened their homes for a homestay and made this truly possible. Gratitude all around!
WHAT I'M WATCHING/LISTENING TO
I have been trying to tune into the
United Nations Biodiversity Cop 16 Conference — the very first that will include indigenous people at the center. This is so important, as these groups are often the most affected by biodiversity loss, while at the same time being responsible for the stewardship of so many species of flora and fauna. The conference is taking place in Colombia, so to honor the event, the country released a version of their national anthem that includes native birdsong.
Take a listen and read the story behind it. Pretty cool. A pygmy owl. Who knew? It has an amazing song!
WHAT CAUGHT MY EYE
Our Admissions Open House is this weekend! Faculty and staff have been hard at work getting everything ready and campus looks gorgeous! Now we just need the beautiful fall weather we’ve been having to stick around a little longer!