There’s only one difference in life; we either give opportunities a shot, or we don’t.

And to me words are opportunities; each one contains lifelines of possibilities.

We live in a world filled with simple ordinance and limited time, and as a result most people speak in manners that are simply most convenient. A “number two” at In-N-Out means a burger and fries, and that’s it. When people ask how you are, you generally reply that you’re good and move on. Similarly, you either like a book or you dislike it, etc.

This is reasonable, as the point of communication is to get from point A to point B, but I will argue that we shouldn’t keep things so simple.

I think of the similarities between speech and money, where language functions like currency in that any rational person wants to get more for less. This makes sense. Most people have limited resources and in order to increase those resources they spend their currency sparingly, no matter what the market.

But just as fast food is only momentarily convenient, I think the speech that is easiest to string together is only satisfactory in the short run. In the long run, the most convenient language is actually counterproductive.

I think of Mitt Romney during the debates with Obama, where rather than respecting the possibility of a presidency, Romney claimed a premature ownership of it by saying “when I’m president” — as if merely running for the office meant he would win it.

Romney conveyed only arrogance in his poor choice of words. One could argue that protruding confidence is necessary when running for a position of power, but there’s a lesson to be gained from the fall of Icarus. It’s a warning against overconfidence.

I wonder, though, how voters would have reacted if Romney had employed a more critical lexicon. It doesn’t matter for Romney now, but the candidate’s poor rhetoric is emblematic of a wider general carelessness in our culture’s use of language.

“You guys” when addressing a body of people is similarly careless. English is generally phallocentric or male-centered, and the popular phrase inevitably overlooks the fact that not everyone identifies as a “guy.” While it might seem like a minor detail, “you guys” continues a historical ignorance towards the existence of non-males; therefore, its use should be challenged.

In my observations, people like their convenience, so challenging it generally generates hostility, but educated people should not fear dispelling myths of convention to foster a greater general understanding. It’s necessary.

But “a greater general understanding” should beg a question about the purpose of language.

If the purpose of language is to connect ideas, should it really matter how accurately those ideas are articulated?

Here I offer the concept of a symbiotic relationship between language and ideas, where each influences the other for a mutual benefit, but only after each is considerate of the dual existence of being.

Or, in simpler terms, when we think before we speak, we can change everything.

Consider one more example to highlight our culture’s general carelessness with words. In much of our Western dialogue, the concept of “love” is often thrown around rather unromantically. In English, if we more than like something, limited language suggests we must love it.

It follows then that “loving” is easy. We love everything, but then in turn love nothing.

In this light, one can see how the word is often exhausted in overuse. In order to appreciate the concept of “love,” perhaps we can simply wait. Perhaps just as we wait to show people the deepest treasures of our lives, we can do the same for merely saying “love.”

Until the word’s place somewhere is absolutely merited, perhaps its very uttering should be thought about more critically.

From there, the challenge goes on.

Like money in our pockets on a weekend night out on the town, words are easy to spend, but more difficult to spend wisely. If we meet the challenge, however, we might save more than currency. Indeed, in refining our language we might polish our minds just as well. And that might change everything.

The opportunity awaits you.

JIMMY RECINOS always writes back when you reach him at jrecinos@ucdavis.edu.

Not many students are familiar with the Office of Student Affairs…. but they should be. The Office of Student Affairs is a group of different departments that are solely dedicated to “the student experience.”

Fred Wood, the vice chancellor of Student Affairs from 2007 to 2012, was replaced in June by an interim vice chancellor until Chancellor Linda P. B. Katehi can find a suitable permanent replacement. During this search, it is of utmost importance to maintain the legacy of high standards for this position.

Historically, the Office of Student Affairs has brought together multiple student services including admission, financial aid, registration, counseling, health, recreation, student government and special services. Under Wood, the Office of Student Affairs made significant improvements to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, Intercollegiate Athletics, Campus Rec, Office of the Registrar and Student Health and Student Housing.

Wood’s platform was one of access and affordability. During his tenure, he helped introduce the self-funded Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP). As a transfer student himself, he strived to make the campus hospitable for other transfer students by introducing guaranteed housing for transfer students and a student center dedicated to transfers and veterans. He was also behind the major renovations to the ASUCD Coffee House and Segundo residence halls.

The position of vice chancellor of Student Affairs is one that comes with the responsibility of not only managing a large staff and significant budget, but also making life on campus for students as streamlined and pleasurable as possible.

We believe that Chancellor Katehi should continue the practice of recruiting from within when choosing the next vice chancellor of Student Affairs. The best candidates to represent the students at UC Davis will have been students here themselves, and have our best interests at heart.

The students of UC Davis should play an active role in the choosing of the next vice chancellor of Student Affairs. There are four town hall meetings on Dec. 3 in the Student Community Center that students can attend to voice their opinions. They are from 8:30 to 10 a.m., 10:30 a.m. to noon, 1:30 to 3:00 p.m., and 3:30 to 5:00 p.m.

Health Education and Promotion (HEP) would like to thank Andrew Poh for his Nov. 7 article about insomnia. This topic is probably familiar to many UC Davis students. In fact, according to the 2011 American College Health Association National College Health Assessment, 66.2 percent of students say that they feel tired or sleepy three or more days out of the week.

There are many benefits to getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night: Sleep helps fight off infection, enhances performance, increases energy levels, decreases stress levels, sharpens concentration and improves memory function. These benefits can even help improve academic performance.

Practicing good sleep hygiene is important to getting a good night’s sleep. It is a good idea to maintain a regular sleeping schedule and reduce technology use an hour before bedtime. Create a sanctuary for sleep that is quiet, dark, comfortable and a desirable temperature. To help with reducing distractions, HEP provides free eye masks and earplugs that can be picked up at the HEP office on the third floor of the Student Health and Wellness Center.

If you experience long-term problems with sleep difficulties, you can always schedule an appointment with your provider at the Student Health and Wellness Center.

Sweet Dreams,
Kathleen Yumul
Sleep, Stress and Mental Health Student Assistant
Health Education and Promotion

The City of Davis and UC Davis’ Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) plan to implement a bike share program in 2014.

Although the program would be aimed at commuters and those who are temporarily visiting Davis, the community would also be allowed to rent bicycles from stations around the city. Two stations are proposed to be at the Amtrak station and at the Memorial Union or Silo.

The cost to kickstart the program would be approximately $200,000, with the money coming from contributions through the city, university regional development and corporate sponsorships. However, some opponents contend the money should instead be invested in improving the bicycling infrastructure around the city.

We think it’s a pretty awesome idea, though. Yes, there are already places to rent bikes from, such as the Bike Barn, but the bike share program would incorporate an automated rental system that would allow users to rent at any time. Also, many European cities — like, Paris and Amsterdam — use similar programs.

The city and UC Davis are working in tandem to find potential vendors who would provide the bike sharing technology. The considered vendors offer an automated system that allows users to swipe their credit cards to check out bikes. Once finished, the users can return the bikes to the nearest docking station.

Additionally, it’s not like Davis already has more than enough bikes — we are one of the most bicycle-friendly communities in the world.

Even though the program is still in development, we’re glad the city is shifting gears by looking into a more efficient, modern way that would give people more access to bikes and indirectly encourage cycling.

We’re wheelie pumped for this to happen.