On Campus Blog

U of Minnesota student mag sees societal blur

A magazine production class in the University of Minnesota's journalism school is making ambiguity the theme of its magazine, Blur.

It's the culmination of a semester's worth of student work -- what the U calls "an investigation of the blurring lines between culture, food and music in today’s society."

Available both online and on paper at the Coffman Memorial Union, the current issue  has articles and blogs that explore the amorphousness of life today:

- I Am [Enter race here]

- Doing More, Thinking Less

- Going Hybrid

- One-Man Band

The Doing More, Thinking Less article, for example, has writer Marial Weidner wondering whether multitasking is lowering our IQs:

When recent college graduate Ross Urven wakes up, he does a lot more than read the morning news or down a bowl of cereal. “I turn on the TV, turn on the computer, check my e-mail, Facebook and about eight different webcomics—all on different windows,” says the Wisconsin native. “Sometimes I use two different computers. I also feed my plants on Plants vs. Zombies.” Urven is a proud epitome of a generation known for doing five things at once. He is a multitasker. And according to current research, all this switching around may be more hazardous to his health than taking a bong hit or getting behind the wheel after a round of beers.