Imprint?!

A number of people have suggested that I become a columnist for Imprint, the University of Waterloo’s campus rag (a far too apt term). I’ve increasingly given thought to this.

Generally I’m not too impressed with the quality of the campus paper. Most of the writing is shoddy at best. IMO there are only two columnists worth reading - Herambone (now retired) and Arda Ocal – both for their witty insights and social commentary; the rest range from mediocre to downright atrocious (and leaning heavily towards the latter). Sure there are the occasional gems, but hardly anything past the Campus Question is worth reading.

Certainly before I commit myself to such an endeavourr, I must take a minute to weigh the positives and drawbacks.

On the plus side, columns are an excellent means of indoctrinating students. I may convince people to share my views and “enter my camp” so to speak. In my writings I like questioning and challenging orthodoxy; I can convince people not to simply accept things as they are, but challenge them to speculate as to why things are the way they are. I can be a force of change in changing their perspectives and open eyes into looking at things in new ways. The University years are when people shape their political views. And since it’s the University educated that go on to become the leaders, intellects, boomers and shakers of society why not play an instrumental role in shaping their social and political perspectives?

Of course, another plus is that having your name-and-face plastered on a weekly Imprint column is a quick way to gain instant celebrity status on campus. Given Imprint’s huge (unwarranted) readership, I’ll be no stranger to the occasional “Hey you’re the guy that writes for Imprint” . And of course it’d be sweet to approach girls at the Bomber and have them instantly recognize me … “aren’t you that guy who writes for Imprint – I love your columns” (Or alternatively “you’re that asshole from Imprint aren’t you.” ) Every girl loves a star.

But popularity has its up and downsides. Instant recognition is a blessing and a curse.

On the negative side celebrity also means notoriety, especially as a lot of things I’d write in my column would be controversial and non-PC. So the some of the stuff I say will haunt me forever, making me an easy target for verbal craptitude (and not just of the letter-to-the-editor variety!). I like telling it like it is; my column wouldn’t be muddled in the jingoistic PC claptrap that all too often shrouds op-ed journalism these days. Undoubtedly, being a racial minority certainly gives me a degree of immunity to this end – a melanin-deficient Anglo couldn’t get away with half the stuff I could say. Yet without doubt there will be the bleeding-heart liberals and uptight Bible-thumpers who will take offense at my columns. And so I’ll be subject to some slack by those who can’t see the lighter side of things and don’t find life to be nearly as drole as I.

Then there is the pressure of coming out with a new and original piece every week (on top of studying and biweekly beer guzzling) - not to mention actuarial exams; ActSci is no piece of cake.

In sum, writing for Imprint certainly has both its benefits and drawbacks. However, the potential for achieving cult-like celebrity status on campus, honing my argumentation and writing skills, and meeting new, more intellectual types (some of whom I could recruit to write here) does, I believe, outweigh the drawbacks.