The Looking Glass

  The Modern Dilemma: Technology Addiction, its Psychological Effects, and Ethical Implications ANISH DESHPANDE  In our increasingly digital age, the pervasive use of technology has undeniably transformed the way we live, work, and interact with the world. While these technological advancements have undoubtedly brought convenience and efficiency into our lives, they have also given rise to a complex and pressing issue: technology addiction. Let’s explore the psychological effects of technology addiction and delve into the philosophical ethics surrounding our ever-deepening reliance on technology. I. The Psychological Effects of Technology Addiction 1.1. Cognitive Impairment One of the most noticeable psychological effects of technology addiction is cognitive impairment. Excessive screen time, often associated with smartphones, tablets, and computers, has been linked to attention deficits, memory problems, and reduced problem-solving abilities. The constant influx of informatio...

By Andrew Grant The start of the life cycle of the Ophiocordyceps unilateralis is as a spore on the forest floor. 26 species fall under this clade, most of which are native to rainforests in South America, the   Indo-Australian region and SE Asia. Each species affects a different ant. Gaps in the canopy of trees make it difficult for some ants to traverse the rainforest, so carpenter ants travel on the ground. If the spore attaches to the exoskeleton of an ant, it grows hyphae (threadlike strands) to breach it through mechanical pressure and enzymes, such as chitinase, lipases and proteases. 1 Once inside the body, the fungus starts to grow and steal nutrients from the ant tissue, and fungal tissue grows. This produces enzymes that start to break down the ant’s tissue, and fungal tissue replaces it. Once fungal cells reach the brain of the ant, and the fungus is of sufficient size (which usually takes 16-24 days) 2 , it begins to secrete chemicals and take over the ant's central ne...

  OPINION: Classics Twitter and Fascist Dog-Whistles - Why has the field of Classics become entangled in the snare of Neo-Fascists? Christian O'Brien (L6F) Foreword: Before you start reading, please do not harass any Twitter accounts mentioned here. They are mentioned purely so that their quotes can be sourced. Anyway, engaging with them on Twitter is the antithesis to what the rest of the Classics community want - it increases their engagement and increases the viewership of these accounts! Thank you. Although perhaps more embroiled in controversy than in previous years, Twitter (recently rebranded to 'X') still remains a vital service for its 541 million active users, and this cannot be as true as for those users who study, or at least interested in, Classical Studies. As close to a virtual ancient Roman forum as possible, the online space in which so many academics, scholars and students provide a plethora of media, from articles to memes, allows thousands of Classicists...