YR 47 Issue 1 2011
Perspectives
Rhyme and Reason AZER N. PARROCHA
When comments collide
COLLEGE students have always been influenced by the much-hyped competition among universities in the field of academics, sports, and everything else in between. Such univerity wars emanating during inter-collegiate competitions is brought by the great sense of school pride possessed by students.
This brings me back to the online article “UP, DLSU, AdMU among top 100 universities in SE Asia” published in the gmanews. tv website last July 30. I am bothered on how some students, alumni, and every other supposedly scholarly people from the Big Four universities have been crudely reacting over the story.
The article clearly stated that it was a ranking on “the best universities in
This brings me back to the online article “UP, DLSU, AdMU among top 100 universities in SE Asia” published in the gmanews. tv website last July 30. I am bothered on how some students, alumni, and every other supposedly scholarly people from the Big Four universities have been crudely reacting over the story.
The article clearly stated that it was a ranking on “the best universities in
terms of the quality of their presence on the Internet” that was conducted by the Webometrics Ranking of World Universities of the Cybermetrics Lab based in Madrid, Spain.
While the title of the article could be misleading, what bothers me more is that some students have been using the comment boxes as a channel to boast about their school. Worse, they insult other universities by means of trash-talking. While it is oddly entertaining to read such intimidating comments,
it is more alarming because when we look at the bigger picture, the society is starting to act more like crabs than like rational human beings.
The comment boxes have been flooded with distasteful words or phrases to express their annoyance. Some enjoy pointing out other’s grammar and spelling deficiencies whether it is in English or Filipino when they clearly have grammar and spelling problems of their own. Others type in all caps to get noticed and to add emphasis when there is clearly no need to do so. The funniest comments I have seen were the ones where people make use of the many up-to-date lingos like jejemon, bekimon, and others.
While I may not be a grammar or spelling expert myself, I am proud to say that I am fortunate to have individuals who edit my work. That way, mistakes and errors get minimized, if not totally eliminated.
The real issue here is that every scholarly person should realize that demeaning other universities or colleges is despicable and unprofessional. All of us have our own strengths and weaknesses to acknowledge and we should make it a point to improve ourselves rather than pull down others.
Mixed emotions have been a primary influence as to why these people react the way they do. Thomasians probably respond negatively because they are disappointed, upset, or even doubtful about the credibility of the article (not to mention, some are in a state of denial). Other students are obviously proud their university made it in the list.
As a form of defense, Thomasians mention the many reasons why our beloved university did not make it in the list. One of the more obvious reasons is that UST is not technologically advanced. Though in return, we have a history that is rich and sustained. Being a 400-year-old educational institution is something we have that other universities do not possess even if they combine their years of existence.
To Thomasians, it is best that we watch ourselves in the act of feeling all those undesirable sentiments. Discontentment, irritation, or even envy say a lot more about ourselves and our insecurities than it does about whatever it is we are envious of. In the midst of this hyped-up university wars, let us always remember to control ourselves and to put anger in its proper place. F
While the title of the article could be misleading, what bothers me more is that some students have been using the comment boxes as a channel to boast about their school. Worse, they insult other universities by means of trash-talking. While it is oddly entertaining to read such intimidating comments,
it is more alarming because when we look at the bigger picture, the society is starting to act more like crabs than like rational human beings.
The comment boxes have been flooded with distasteful words or phrases to express their annoyance. Some enjoy pointing out other’s grammar and spelling deficiencies whether it is in English or Filipino when they clearly have grammar and spelling problems of their own. Others type in all caps to get noticed and to add emphasis when there is clearly no need to do so. The funniest comments I have seen were the ones where people make use of the many up-to-date lingos like jejemon, bekimon, and others.
While I may not be a grammar or spelling expert myself, I am proud to say that I am fortunate to have individuals who edit my work. That way, mistakes and errors get minimized, if not totally eliminated.
The real issue here is that every scholarly person should realize that demeaning other universities or colleges is despicable and unprofessional. All of us have our own strengths and weaknesses to acknowledge and we should make it a point to improve ourselves rather than pull down others.
Mixed emotions have been a primary influence as to why these people react the way they do. Thomasians probably respond negatively because they are disappointed, upset, or even doubtful about the credibility of the article (not to mention, some are in a state of denial). Other students are obviously proud their university made it in the list.
As a form of defense, Thomasians mention the many reasons why our beloved university did not make it in the list. One of the more obvious reasons is that UST is not technologically advanced. Though in return, we have a history that is rich and sustained. Being a 400-year-old educational institution is something we have that other universities do not possess even if they combine their years of existence.
To Thomasians, it is best that we watch ourselves in the act of feeling all those undesirable sentiments. Discontentment, irritation, or even envy say a lot more about ourselves and our insecurities than it does about whatever it is we are envious of. In the midst of this hyped-up university wars, let us always remember to control ourselves and to put anger in its proper place. F
Year 47 | Issue 3 | 2011
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