Netflix’s Need for Profit Over Storytelling by: Samhita adapa

 Netflix’s Need for Profit Over Storytelling 

by: Samhita adapa

Nothing is more insulting than a movie or TV show assuming its audience is too stupid to comprehend what is happening on screen and Netflix is the biggest offender of this.  With Netflix recently buying Warner Brothers, people are left scared about their current and upcoming projects, whether they will be dumbed down to appeal to those who scroll while watching TV.

 The term Second Screen generally refers to those who have a laptop, phone, or IPAD on while having the TV on at the same time. This is why many TV shows are made for casual viewings, like Riverdale and Seinfeld. Both these shows are good. You don’t need to devote your entire mind to analyzing all the subtleties. Sure, there are jokes you miss if you don’t completely focus on the show, but it makes perfect sense if you are doing something like checking your phone or cooking while watching the show. This in itself isn’t the problem. The problem surfaces when Netflix intentionally dumbs down their movies and shows, which they refer to as content, so people can scroll through Twitter as they are watching the show. This becomes a problem when shows start becoming redundant when you focus on it, as you are supposed to. Storylines become stale and uninteresting. Dialogue becomes repetitive and inorganic. Netflix instructs screenswriters to intentionally do this, to have characters announce what they’re doing to the viewer just in case they missed it while watching a TikTok. 

The intent behind this is to keep viewers from turning off the show. If someone is on their phone during a movie and the movie is getting too hard to keep up with, they are more likely to shut off Netflix than their phone. By pushing more shows and movies that are “second screen enough”, viewers can be on their phone and keep up with the show at the same time. Because how else are they fully supposed to enjoy and digest a show if they can’t have TikTok open at the same time?

The issue I have with this is when this is being forced on movies and especially TV shows that have extreme potential. By doing this, they aren’t allowed to challenge things, be different. They aren’t able to be complex, subtle, and unique because they need to appeal to everyone, including those who can’t put their phone down to watch even one episode.

 Another issue that I have with Netflix is the binge model. Especially when they split seasons into parts. Part of the TV experience is the time you have to digest between each episode. You use that time to discuss, theorize. It’s a collective experience. Everyone is talking about it, everyone is excited. There’s a sense of community that comes with those weekly episode airings. Think of HBO Sundays. So many great shows are longstanding because of the experience associated with them, like, Succession, Game of Thrones, The Wire, The Sopranos. As I write this, Welcome to Derry is airing every Sunday and as soon as I finish the episode, I immediately bond over the shared experience with my friends or random strangers on Twitter. By releasing seasons through the binge model, you effectively kill this experience. Some people might have finished the entire season by the time you hit play on the first episode. When a whole season drops at once, you feel obligated to finish the show within a day otherwise you would get spoiled the moment you hop on some sort of social media. This hinders the enjoyment of the show as you are rushing through it. 

As if this couldn’t get any worse, there is the act of splitting the season in two. They do this to increase profits, to keep people subscribed for longer and keep the show relevant. This actively kills any hype there is for the next part of the season within that wait period. Take JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure as an example. JoJo Fridays used to be a thing fans were excited for every week. When Netflix got the rights for Stone Ocean, they decided to release the season in batches, effectively destroying the excitement and anticipation for the season. 

Overall, I strongly disagree with Netflix’s model of television and the direction they seem to be taking. They are clearly prioritizing profit over quality and this is hurting the creative potential of their shows and movies. However, this doesn’t mean everything Netflix puts out is low-effort and lazy. There are tons of great Netflix original shows that clearly had a lot of effort put into storytelling and direction, like, Beef, Squid Game, Mindhunter, and Peaky Blinders. These shows prove how great television could be when there is time and care being put into it, not just being made for second screen viewing. 

Why Music Feels Like Threapy By: Sachi Dixit

 Why Music Feels Like Threapy

By: Sachi Dixit

Music feels like therapy because it helps people express emotions they don’t know

how to put into words. When someone is feeling sad, angry, or overwhelmed, listening to

music can help them feel understood. It’s like the song is saying what they’re feeling inside

when they can’t explain it themselves.

Music also helps people calm down and relax. Slow songs can reduce stress, while

upbeat music can lift your mood and give you energy. You can almost always find a song that

matches your current mood, since there are so many unique and meaningful songs.

Music brings people together, which makes it even more powerful. Hearing the same

song on the radio in a car, singing along with friends, or dancing to music at parties creates

shared moments. Even people with different backgrounds can connect through the same beat

or lyrics, making them feel closer.

Overall, music is powerful because it connects people to their emotions and to each

other. It helps people process feelings they may not even realize they have and reminds them

that they aren’t alone in what they’re going through. At the same time, it brings people

together through shared songs, memories, and moments. Music plays a big role in our lives,

even when we don’t notice it—it’s always there in the background. Imagining a world without

music feels empty and strange, which shows just how important it truly is.

Why snow days are the best by: Akanksha Bhat

 Why snow days are the best 

by: Akanksha Bhat

Snow days are honestly the best. You wake up, check your phone, and see that the school day is cancelled. This immediately changes your mood. No alarms, no rushing, no early mornings. Just a whole day to yourself.

What makes snow days so good? It is because you have no expectations for the day. You can stay in pajamas, binge your favorite shows, scroll endlessly, or just sleep as late as you want. Homework also doesn't feel as urgent to finish because you have extra time, and everything slows down in the best way. Even simple things, like making a cup of hot chocolate or watching snow pile up outside your window, somehow feels extra cozy on these days.

Snow days also bring adventure. Going outside in the snow, whether it's building a snowman, having a snowball fight, or just walking through the cool breeze, makes the day feel even more special. It is the one time when being outside in the freezing weather actually feels fun instead of annoying. 

The best part? Snow days turn ordinary days into something memorable. Friends text about the crazy amount of snow, neighbors are outside taking pictures, and social media blowing up with posts about school being cancelled. For a moment, everyone seems to just enjoy the unexpected break. 

Snow days are more than just a day off, they are a little pause in the middle of everything. A day to relax, have fun, and maybe even do nothing at all. And honestly…those are the kind of days that stick with you. 

Friendships That Change Over Time By: Sachi Dixit

 Friendships That Change Over Time

By: Sachi Dixit

Friendships are a big part of our lives, especially during school. When we were

younger, we thought our friends would stay the same forever. We spend every day

with them, and can’t imagine life without them.

As time goes on, people change. Interests change, classes change, and sometimes

friends move away or grow apart. This can feel confusing or sad, especially when you

don’t know what went wrong.

Even though losing a friend can hurt a lot, I believe that all things happen for a

reason. Sometimes the reason is good, and other times it teaches us a meaningful

lesson. Some friends are meant to be in our lives for a certain period of time, not

forever, and when you see them occasionally, you realize that whatever happened was

just for the best. This doesn’t mean that the friendship was never real; they still help

us grow and learn important lessons.

In the end, changing friendships are a normal part of life. Making new friends might

be scary, but it gives us new chances to connect. Learning to accept change helps us

grow in unexpected ways.

Speak Movie Review By: Sachi Dixit

 Speak Movie Review 

By: Sachi Dixit

Speak is about a girl named Melinda who becomes quiet after a really traumatic

experience at a party. She stops talking to her friends, her teachers, and even her

parents. People think she’s just being rude and giving everyone a tough time, but the

truth is she’s struggling inside and doesn’t know how to express herself. As the movie

goes on, she starts to find her voice again through art, and slowly learns to stand up

for herself and tell everyone the truth.

What I really enjoyed about this movie is how realistic it feels. Melinda goes through

9th grade with all her thoughts bottled up, and she doesn’t know how to react

anymore. The movie shows her trying to act normal while she’s breaking down inside.

It’s real because it shows that sometimes people don’t act “sad” on purpose — they

just don’t know how to handle their emotions. Watching her struggle with school,

friends, and everyday life felt pretty intense and emotional.

I also loved the overall aesthetic of the movie. The colors, the quiet scenes, and the

way everything feels a little dull match how Melinda feels inside. It sets a certain tone

for the viewers, which makes you understand her emotions without her directly

telling us. The scenes with her in school and art class felt like they were showing her

thoughts without words, which makes everything feel that much more powerful. The

movie also starts to get brighter as she begins to find herself again, and by the end, it

becomes much brighter when she tells everyone what happened at that party. This

movie doesn’t need words to tell you what happened; it shows us everything through

actions, which makes it powerful.

Overall, Speak is a strong movie because it shows how someone can feel invisible

even when they are surrounded by people. The way the story focuses on small

moments like art class, the quiet hallways, and the way she avoids eye contact makes

the movie feel real and intense. It also shows that finding your voice is not a sudden

moment, but a slow process that takes courage and strength. I would give Speak a

solid 9/10 and recommend it to anyone who likes deep, emotional stories or anyone

who wants to understand how it feels to go through something while not being able

to talk about it.

The Unlikely Version of Myself in 5 Years: by Hanaa Haleem

 The Unlikely Version of Myself in 5 Years:

by Hanaa Haleem

Everything has been shared, there is nothing more to announce. It’s all out there, so there is no reason to guard things privately, if they are already known. How has this occurred? Well, it turns out you weren’t as central to your values as you thought you were, especially your main one of having certain things remain gatekept. Five years have passed, and it looks like your fear has gone. You completely forgot the outcome of oversharing, even though you emphasized on having a private life and fear of the evil eye. Looks like you are a bit too confident about nothing bad happening…

Ugh, it's all gone— my luxuries, my strengths, and the lifestyle I promised myself  your thoughts speak at 3am. It’s been way past college, and you are struggling to be employed again, but that’s not even the part worth mentioning. You always relied on external validation through all of it, and now wonder why you lost everything you worked for. And you were gullible enough to think those were your real friends, when they are  a main culprit within this downfall you're experiencing. How could you not forget about 9th grade, when all you did was share your every more, every win, and every struggle, thinking your peers would support you through all of it, until you suddenly lost everything you had…Looks like you were desperate enough to mention your steps to success, your 2030 resolutions, and the ticket to Indonesia that should’ve been slid inside your passport, but have been non-existent. 

This is the high school sophomore Hanaa Haleem (me) speaking from the past, to the unlikely version of herself formed in five years. It looks like the person I spoke through in this entire piece of art has neglected each value, moral, and mindset she committed to since 2026. The one mindset that I’ve carried with me from 2025 is working in silence without giving hints about it, meaning that it would be unlikely for my future self to crave external validation and flexing all my achievements instead of respecting the privacy behind them. In order for this to occur, I would have fallen into the trap of only feeling successful when it’s visible to others, since I am not confident enough with my goals, inducing the need to share them publicly.        

Why I Recommend Reading “The Crucible” By Arthur Miller article by Kavin Sivakumar

 Why I Recommend Reading “The Crucible” By Arthur Miller

Kavin Sivakumar

“The Crucible” by Arthur Miller is a play that is filled with important and meaningful lessons. Although the story takes place in the 1600s the themes of the play are still relevant today. The story takes place during the Salem witch trials which is an event that happened in real life during the 1600s. The main problem in the story is mass hysteria and how false rumors can hurt innocent people’s lives. The story goes over topics such as peer pressure, honesty, and standing up for what is right. 

One of the reasons I would recommend this book is the story is written as a play. Even though the story has four acts and has around 140 pages, the story keeps on moving because almost all of the information is dialogue. The stage directions are also given when reading the story which allows the reader to see the emotion of the characters and it makes the story more realistic and intense while reading. Stage directions can also help you see the relationship between the characters in the story. This is especially important in “The Crucible” because many of the characters have a long and complicated relationship between them. 

Another reason I would recommend the play “The Crucible” is because the story has many important lessons that are still relevant today. The story shows how peer pressure can cause people to do things that can ruin other people's lives. In this story one girl accused someone of witchcraft and without thinking of it all the other girls started accusing people of witchcraft which made many people go to jail and a couple of people died. A couple of the characters are based on the Salem witch trials and one of the accusers apologized to the families of the people that she killed or put in prison from accusing them of witchcraft. This shows peer pressure can make you do things that can ruin others' lives and things that you will regret doing. 

The play allows readers to understand that fear and misinformation can spread quickly. In the story once the girls started accusing people of witchcraft everyone in the town believed them with no proof because they are worried about getting hurt by the witchcraft so to avoid this they agree with the girls even though all of them were lying. It shows how a lie that might not seem as big in the moment can build up and eventually ruin your life along with many other innocent people. 

Overall, “The Crucible” is a great play to read if you are looking for something that moves along quickly with an interesting story. The lessons of peer pressure and mass hysteria and how it can affect society is important for people to know so they don’t end up making the same mistake these people did. These factors are what make “The Crucible” an amazing story to read.