The Monarch

The Decline of the Third Place

What are third places, why do they matter, and why are they dying out?

Jonathan Yu and Sanjana Bhupathi • February 28, 2024

While the benefits of third places have been innumerable, the unfortunate reality is that they are being neglected and are rapidly disappearing.

Hot Take: Let Go of the Handshake

Handshakes are a typical, quintessential greeting. Most people do not question they, and even more do not realize that they are a poorly-designed gesture fraught with sanitary concerns and social complications.

Jonathan Chen, Staff Writer • February 27, 2024

Any greeting that is slightly formal often requires a handshake, but why? There is no reason to hold on to an uncomfortable and insanitary tradition.

Beyond the Drama: The Grey’s Anatomy Effect and Medical Media Misrepresentation

Grey’s Anatomy and other medical television drama series can foster unrealistic expectations from patients and family members due to the way patients with trauma are portrayed on television

Nailah Cannon, Staff Writer • February 19, 2024

Grey's Anatomy and other medical television dramas draw the attention of Americans every day with an "accurate" representation of the life of doctors and the field of medicine. This illusion of accuracy, when left untreated and unfiltered, is deadly.

Unmasking the Illusion: Female Empowerment in Media

"Girl Power": A Limiter or a Gateway?

Brooke Hulbert and Rachel Santos • February 19, 2024

To gain respect and recognition, women are forced into the restricting persona of girl power. How are consumers supposed to recognize something that is so normalized, so seemingly empowering, yet so obviously demoralizing?

Chaos and Nationalism: A Global Balancing Act

The popularity of nationalism has often fluctuated throughout history, rising and falling in different countries at different times. However, there has been one common thread that provides a consistent explanation for why nationalism rises: chaos.

Anik Chobe and Anika Bhutani • February 19, 2024

Leaders grappling with tumult thus constantly face the begging question: how can nations navigate chaos without succumbing to the divisive allure of nationalism?

Designer Babies: Humanity’s Future

It is hoped that gene editing technology will revolutionize our society; however, is it worth the risk and the lack of diversity that will inevitably result?

Siddharth Belegere and Manvik Johar • February 19, 2024

Though the idea of changing our DNA isn’t new, the process of molecularly editing the genetic code is something now possible through tech like CRISPR. The question that remains is whether we should use it.

Apple vs Android

The Ultimate Showdown: Apple vs Android

Varnika Arun and Faith Borrello • February 19, 2024

Apple vs. Android. Blue texts vs. green texts. Conformity vs. individuality, perhaps. It’s hard to ignore the elephant in the room: does it even matter which phone you choose?

Penalties and Politics: A Look at the USWNT

Despite their dominance throughout their history, the US women's national team has been harshly criticized for its loss in this year's World Cup. But is the criticism all about the team's performance?

Varnika Arun • November 26, 2023

The USWNT's loss was disappointing, but the response from our nation is even more so.

What if… the Marvel Cinematic Universe Just Stops?

Whether you’re a fan of the MCU or not, there are constant trailers and promotions of the latest content everywhere: it's unavoidable. But are Marvel movies truly cinema?

Sanjana Bhupathi • November 26, 2023

Are Marvel movies enjoyable? Sure. But are they meaningful enough to be considered true cinema? … Doubtful.

The Fracturing of the Republican Party

Despite various leaders advocating for moderation in both parties, the issue of polarization cannot be equally attributed to both sides of the political aisle. Rather, it is the increasingly rightward shift of the Republican party that has driven modern polarization.

Navya Tyagali and Anik Chobe • November 26, 2023

Since the late 1970s, America has entered a period of mass political polarization—with voters on either end of the spectrum being pushed farther and farther to ideological extremes. But can this political divide be attributed to the actions of a single party?

Comfort and Confidence: The Case for Sweatpants

Perhaps it's time for schools to reconsider their bans on sweatpants.

David Liu, Staff Writer • November 26, 2023

The ban on sweatpants is one of the most contested parts of high school dress codes. While schools preach about professionalism, perhaps we should start considering why comfort matters.

Degrees of Stress: The Bay Area’s High School Pressure Cooker

In this landscape where high achievement is seen as a birthright and success is measured in algorithms and accolades, students are the ones having to shoulder the cost of living up to these overwhelming expectations.

Anika Bhutani, Rachel Santos, and Allen Qi • November 26, 2023

No one doubts the high standards the Bay Area has for its youth and the resulting excellence it brings. What exactly does the quest for perfect grades, superb test scores, and overloaded extracurriculars do to students?