Physical vs. digital video games — which is better?
By: Remington Fioraso
Although my media usage has gradually changed from physical discs to digital formatting and instantaneous streaming, as they usually make the media more accessible and cost-effective, the opposite seems to be true for video games for fourth-gen video consoles like the Nintendo Switch.
The digital release for a video game often costs the same as a physical release, making it hard to justify purchasing the digital version. While it is nice to be able to purchase and play a game in seconds, it is nicer to have a tangible object in hand. Furthermore, digital technology can become obsolete, leading to games being unavailable for downloaded again from the cloud after e-stores stop supporting a console. In turn, there is the possibility of losing games thus losing money and the time invested into playing it. This is avoided through physical games.
There is no incentive to stick with digital-only releases for video games. If the price is right or if the game is a digital release only, digital downloads would be a convincing option. Until then, I will stick to spending extra time to find and buy the game in stores for the same price, and going home to play it.
A few of my favourite things
By: Andrea Sadowski
I worked with the most brilliant woman during my summer job; she was able to see the positive in every crappy situation. The whole six weeks we worked together, I never once heard her complain or even saw her get angry. I vowed to be more like her at the beginning of September, as I embarked upon my most jam-packed semester to date. I have been diligent in keeping a gratitude journal, to force myself to be thankful for even the most seemingly mundane day.
Here are some of my favourite things about this small university nestled in the mountains: free snacks from Student Life, free spin classes taught by a sassy Russian instructor, the abundance of jobs available for students, the kitchen available to use in the SUB, The Cascade’s big boardroom table, third-year classes with professors who are excited to impart knowledge, Facebook groups filled with UFV students who want to help one another succeed, and the perfect view from the gravel parking lot of the most beautiful pink sunsets.
Don’t let the grind and hustle of a busy semester swallow you whole and zap all the positivity from your body. Keep a gratitude journal as well and discover just how magical your days really are.
When reckless spending is a sensible option
By: Aleister Gwynne
I was browsing Tumblr a while back (there’s still some good stuff on there occasionally) when I came across a bit about a phenomenon in South Korea that roughly translates as “screw it expense.” (The actual name cannot be printed here.) Much like in the West, young South Koreans feel discouraged about having financial security later in life. Therefore, they decide it is best to splurge on comforts with the money they have now instead of trying to save up for a house or retirement that they will never be able to afford. It sounds irresponsible, but in the old days, people working in dangerous professions like miners or sailors would quickly blow their money on a bender, since they would likely get crippled or killed before they had a chance to retire. Young people today are less likely to succumb to an industrial accident, but their money will slip through their fingers anyway due to taxes, inflation, non-negotiable expenses, and chronic lack of earning power. Better to be happy now than save for an unlikely goal and be miserable.
Conservative platform after-school mystery special
By: Darien Johnsen
Is it just me, or does it seem odd that the Conservatives haven’t released their full party platform yet? Instead of anything tangible on their website, they feature Trudeau slander propaganda and broad statements about universal tax cuts, building up the energy sector, and nationalistic foreign policy plans where they promise to advocate for humans rights on the world stage, and cut foreign aid all in the same bullet-point list. Under the handful of platform items they do feature, not much is fleshed out, and each section has a place for you to pledge your support for these broad statements: “Sign below if you support Andrew Scheer’s plan for such and such.” It’s almost like they’re feeling out the election climate before solidly deciding on what to officially support. If they collect enough data on what people want, they can more easily pander to voters. I don’t know about you guys, but it seems fishy to me.
Illustrations: Kelly Ning
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
Darien Johnsen is a UFV alumni who obtained her Bachelor of Arts degree with double extended minors in Global Development Studies and Sociology in 2020. She started writing for The Cascade in 2018, taking on the role of features editor shortly after.
She’s passionate about justice, sustainable development, and education.