What will happen when everyone has a ‘social credit score?’

Written for UNC-Media Hub. All graphics by Meredith Wilson. A few years ago, a woman in Shanghai was on her way to work.  She made it to the high-speed train in time, but her husband was running late, so she made the train wait for 15 minutes so that he could board. Angry passengers reported the …

Space Between

Have I spent enough quality time with my parents? Why haven’t I called him more? Why didn’t I just ask him how his day was going? Why haven't I asked to hear more stories from my grandparents? How much time is left? - Me, at 4 a.m. this morning. This happens to me a lot. …

Macey

In high school, we never stopped fighting. It’s sad, because I look back and think, “Why didn’t I go easier on her? Why did I let the smallest things bother me?” Whether it was the morning quarrel over who was wearing whose shirt without permission and who was making the other late to dance practice—it …

Sunday Mornings

I’m one of those people that always gets a case of the blues on Sunday evenings. But—regardless the situation, I’m always cheerful on Sunday mornings; maybe it’s because I know Monday isn’t as near. The worries usually come in full-force by 7 or 8 p.m. I have noticed, though, that I’m not as anxious on …

Facades

Someone told me a few weeks ago that if an alien from Mars decided to visit planet Earth and only looked at social media before interacting with humans, it would automatically think that everyone here lives a perfectly happy, successful life. I couldn't disagree. As I’ve mentioned in one of my previous blogs, part of …

One Last Time

I knew that this year and all of its “lasts” would be tough, but I didn’t think it would be this tough. Some are excited for the journey ahead in life—I don’t know if I am yet. I may not be the only one, but the thought of leaving this place and this life I …

Back to My Roots

The little valley tucked inside the Smoky Mountains of WNC, otherwise known as Clyde, raised me. I never thought of my hometown as insanely small and limiting when I lived there—in fact, I didn’t really think about it at all. You always hear about people leaving home only to realize how much they actually cherished …

Oh, Canada

This photo serves as a testament to my love for adventure and spontaneity.   Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia. We drove here from Chapel Hill in early August of 2017. The 19-hour drive felt like 30 minutes, and we could have driven more. We actually chose this breathtaking spot southwest of Halifax because it was featured …

The Journey

Life’s greatest revelations usually hit us when we least expect them. I had one around 8 a.m. last Saturday while driving to Winston Salem, and it’s had me thinking ever since. Is it possible to take a step back and keep moving forward at the same time? The sun was shining in my sleep-deprived eyes, …

It’s a Creative Process

Someone once asked me how the dance team coordinated all their moves to the music at the under four-minute timeout at all the home basketball games. Another person asked how it was possible to come up with different “moves” each time, if every person knew what these moves were, and if they all had names. …