Sunrise reflected in a crystal ball at a Brighton pier.
Image Source: Pixabay Creative Commons
Recently, I have been overtaken by a frustration with the apparent futility and irrelevance of the humanities. In one philosophy class I took during the summer, we were invited to meditate on the most “rational” way to observe death. Regrettably, I lost my composure mid-lecture. It was, and continues to be, difficult for me to reconcile the significance of discussing theoretical principles in academic settings with the lived devastation of real people. To what extent may we champion “rationality” before overlooking the often incalculable and uncontrollable nature of traumatic response? How might we redirect our scholarly criticisms to the issue of hyper-rationality rather than that of the so-called “excessively emotional,” in a way that is not merely provocative but also convincing?
As young adults, many of us have arrived at a stage in our lives where we have experienced or are beginning to experience both individual and global bereavement. For this reason, these topics — whether personal or political — should only be given the tenderest, most deliberate treatment we can afford. It is my own private desire to see the Trinity Times become more progressive and empathetic than it has ever been, while maintaining its original integrity and elegance. It may yet become a space of repose for jaded students and academics who find themselves in need of intellectually invigorating, although perhaps not so domesticated, texts written by their peers of like age.
This year, we ambitiously attack from both fronts: improving internal structures and extending audience outreach. Most notably, we have rebranded the Trinity Life column as Trinity Editorials — but I leave the task of disclosing its details to Michelle, the column’s new senior editor. We have also developed our first policy on the use of generative artificial intelligence, which will hopefully guarantee that our readers are presented with only the most honest and inventive side of Trinity College literature. We are committed to accommodating the revolutions of the technological world without neglecting the “soft loud” that past leaders have painstakingly built into the Trinity Times.
Readers may have noticed by now that they are viewing a special September edition of the newspaper; historically, first issues have been released in October. In the wake of the retirement of our beloved former Editors in Chief, Elaine and Gurnoor, the paper’s vanguard now comprises a slate of new names, myself included. As such, we thought it appropriate to specially introduce ourselves ahead of our first official edition. It is an honour to have assembled a roster of such remarkably kind and intelligent senior editors; I am endlessly grateful to be entrusted with the opportunity and responsibility to help realize not only their visions but the visions of each and every one of our associate editors, writers, and graphic designers. There is much for them to impart.
Here is to a happy, healthy year ahead.
Warmly,
Junella Zhang (she/her)
Editor in Chief 2024-2025
