The Prospect

The Manic Monologues: A space for mental health conversations in times of distress

Created by Zack Burton, a Stanford geology Ph.D. student, and Elisa Hofmeister, a medical student at the University of Minnesota, “The Manic Monologues” is a digital theatrical experience that aims to disrupt stigma around mental illness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the play was hosted virtually by McCarter Theatre and premiered on Feb. 18. The interactive website features vignettes of people who have experienced mental illness in their lives. 

Created by Zack Burton, a Stanford geology Ph.D. student, and Elisa Hofmeister, a medical student at the University of Minnesota, “The Manic Monologues” is a digital theatrical experience that aims to disrupt stigma around mental illness. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the play was hosted virtually by McCarter Theatre and premiered on Feb. 18. The interactive website features vignettes of people who have experienced mental illness in their lives. 

We tried ice cream from 3 different shops so you don't have to

I sampled ice cream from three establishments in town: Halo Pub, Bent Spoon, and Thomas Sweet. At each location, I got a small vanilla scoop in a cup, just to be sure I was making a fair comparison. But, of course, every shop has its own specialties, so I also asked the staff about their favorite flavors. Along with my reviews you can find other recommendations for inside scoops and specialties! 

I sampled ice cream from three establishments in town: Halo Pub, Bent Spoon, and Thomas Sweet. At each location, I got a small vanilla scoop in a cup, just to be sure I was making a fair comparison. But, of course, every shop has its own specialties, so I also asked the staff about their favorite flavors. Along with my reviews you can find other recommendations for inside scoops and specialties! 

Live-actions suck, watch animation instead

Animation is beyond capable of creating captivating worlds and evoking emotional feelings that leave watchers wanting more, but that doesn’t seem to stop directors from creating “live-action” adaptations that are hard to view as anything but money-grabs.

Animation is beyond capable of creating captivating worlds and evoking emotional feelings that leave watchers wanting more, but that doesn’t seem to stop directors from creating “live-action” adaptations that are hard to view as anything but money-grabs.

We tried boba from Junbi so you don't have to

Our first round of boba reviews was released right as the mega matcha chain Junbi was opening a new location on Witherspoon. Without Junbi, it seems, our comparison of Princeton’s boba was lacking. So as soon as midterms were over, I hopped right on over to the new shop to try their boba for myself, and here are my thoughts!

Our first round of boba reviews was released right as the mega matcha chain Junbi was opening a new location on Witherspoon. Without Junbi, it seems, our comparison of Princeton’s boba was lacking. So as soon as midterms were over, I hopped right on over to the new shop to try their boba for myself, and here are my thoughts! 

Book-ish reviews "How to Live " by Sarah Bakewell

Innumerable writers since the 1580s have been influenced by Montaigne and saw themselves in his Essays, as Sarah Bakewell writes in her biography of him, How to Live. Ever since the book came out, Montaigne has been an extremely relatable figure in contemporary society. After having read Montaigne, Stefan Zweig said “Here is a ‘you’ in which my ‘I’ is reflected; here is where all distance is abolished.” More simply — Bernard Levin said “How did he know all that about me?” In this next episode of Book-ish, I’ll tell you how.

Innumerable writers since the 1580s have been influenced by Montaigne and saw themselves in his Essays, as Sarah Bakewell writes in her biography of him, How to Live. Ever since the book came out, Montaigne has been an extremely relatable figure in contemporary society. After having read Montaigne, Stefan Zweig said “Here is a ‘you’ in which my ‘I’ is reflected; here is where all distance is abolished.” More simply — Bernard Levin said “How did he know all that about me?” In this next episode of Book-ish, I’ll tell you how.

When a headline proposal works, sort of

Zach Wahls GS ’18 and Chloe Angyal ’09 tell the 'Prince' about their rom-com worthy relationship story, which all began with a deceivingly innocuous headline on a feminist blog.

Zach Wahls GS ’18 and Chloe Angyal ’09 tell the 'Prince' about their rom-com worthy relationship story, which all began with a deceivingly innocuous headline on a feminist blog.

Antoni Muntadas speaks on fear in the 21st century for the Program in Media and Modernity

In his virtual talk on Feb. 23 for the Program in Media and Modernity, Muntadas spoke about how fear manifests in the media and the built environment. His presentation covered several of his works, each of which seeks to elucidate our relationship with fear. 

In his virtual talk on Feb. 23 for the Program in Media and Modernity, Muntadas spoke about how fear manifests in the media and the built environment. His presentation covered several of his works, each of which seeks to elucidate our relationship with fear. 

“WandaVision” creator Jac Schaeffer ’00 discusses Princeton connections, sitcom inspiration, and female representation

The creator, head writer, and executive producer behind Marvel’s “WandaVision,” Jac Schaeffer ’00, sits down with the ‘Prince’ to describe her journey from Princeton to working on the most popular TV series in the world.

The creator, head writer, and executive producer behind Marvel’s “WandaVision,” Jac Schaeffer ’00, sits down with the ‘Prince’ to describe her journey from Princeton to working on the most popular TV series in the world.

Book-ish reviews "American Primitive" by Mary Oliver

Today I come to you with a ballad, a song of seasons passing, of nature, and of our place in it, to warm you when Princeton’s climate surely won’t. I’ll tell you about Mary Oliver and American Primitive, her Pulitzer Prize-winning book of poems. And together we will learn what it is to live in nature. 

Today I come to you with a ballad, a song of seasons passing, of nature, and of our place in it, to warm you when Princeton’s climate surely won’t. I’ll tell you about Mary Oliver and American Primitive, her Pulitzer Prize-winning book of poems. And together we will learn what it is to live in nature.

Intersections, the Fifth Installment

As we spring right into March, welcome back to the fifth installment of Intersections, a newsletter run by The Prospect section of The Daily Princetonian dedicated to delivering arts and culture to your inbox. 

The beautiful mosaic of Black art and music: Prospect recommendations

In honor of Black History Month, Prospect writers share their favorite works of literature, music, and art created by Black artists, from Nikki Giovanni to Kanye West.

In honor of Black History Month, Prospect writers share their favorite works of literature, music, and art created by Black artists, from Nikki Giovanni to Kanye West.

We tried 4 boba places in Princeton so you don’t have to

I sampled boba from four establishments right on Nassau: Fruity Yogurt & Cafe, Kung Fu Tea, Korean Barbeque Grill (KBG), and Ficus. At each location, I got a standard milk tea with tapioca pearls so I could be sure I was making a fair comparison. Read the reviews for inside scoops and specialties! 

I sampled boba from four establishments right on Nassau: Fruity Yogurt & Cafe, Kung Fu Tea, Korean Barbeque Grill (KBG), and Ficus. At each location, I got a standard milk tea with tapioca pearls so I could be sure I was making a fair comparison. Read the reviews for inside scoops and specialties! 

“Democracy Theater — City Council Meeting” leaves more questions than answers

On Monday, Jan. 25, a play was staged as part of Wintersession with the collaboration of first-year students  in FRS 143: “Is Politics a Performance?” “Democracy Theater — City Council Meeting” was meant to invite reflection on the character of representative democracy and the power imbalance it creates between those who are represented and those who represent them.  

On Monday, Jan. 25, a play was staged as part of Wintersession with the collaboration of first-year students  in FRS 143: “Is Politics a Performance?” “Democracy Theater — City Council Meeting” was meant to invite reflection on the character of representative democracy and the power imbalance it creates between those who are represented and those who represent them.  

Love and a lie: Your Lie in April, revisited

The anime “Your Lie in April”, written by Naoshi Arakawa, creates feelings of relatability and authenticity better than almost any of the classic love stories I’ve watched, and even more so in light of the current pandemic, which has strained friendships and taken away loved ones from so many.

The anime “Your Lie in April”, written by Naoshi Arakawa, creates feelings of relatability and authenticity better than almost any of the classic love stories I’ve watched, and even more so in light of the current pandemic, which has strained friendships and taken away loved ones from so many.

‘Hidden Figures’ (2016): The women behind the space race

For any moviegoer looking for an interesting history lesson or simply an entertaining film, “Hidden Figures” is for you. Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book of the same name, “Hidden Figures” tells the true-life stories of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn, a trio of Black female NASA scientists who played essential roles in the U.S. space program during the early 1960s. 

For any moviegoer looking for an interesting history lesson or simply an entertaining film, “Hidden Figures” is for you. Based on Margot Lee Shetterly’s book of the same name, “Hidden Figures” tells the true-life stories of Katherine Johnson, Mary Jackson, and Dorothy Vaughn, a trio of Black female NASA scientists who played essential roles in the U.S. space program during the early 1960s. 

I tried over 1/3 of the Eating Clubs: here’s what I learned

Senior Writer Lillian Chen recounts her experiences at Terrace Club, Tower Club, Colonial Club, and Cap & Gown Club, and reflects on how each eating club contributed to her self-discovery.

What Princeton residents are saying about the return of students

Staff writer Daniel Te chats with various Princeton residents concerning their thoughts on students’ return to campus.

Staff writer Daniel Te chats with various Princeton residents concerning their thoughts on students’ return to campus.

When The Marriage Pact came to Princeton (and matched a pair of twins)

“Fill out this survey to get matched with your other half,” it promised. The Prospect staff writer Cathleen Weng writes about how the Marriage Pact came to Princeton and how students received it.

“Fill out this survey to get matched with your other half,” it promised. The Prospect staff writer Cathleen Weng writes about how the Marriage Pact came to Princeton and how students received it.

“Fun City” podcast review: merging storytelling and gameplay

The Prospect’s TV & Shows Critic Molly Cutler delves into the world of fiction podcasts, examining how “Fun City” merges table-top games, improv comedy, acting, and storytelling to produce a show that is both entertaining and culturally engaging. “Fun City” may be set in a futuristic New York City and may get its intrigue from how the gameplay unfolds, but it also manages to richly connect with the many social conflicts of the world today.

The Prospect’s TV & Shows Critic Molly Cutler delves into the world of fiction podcasts, examining how “Fun City” merges table-top games, improv comedy, acting, and storytelling to produce a show that is both entertaining and culturally engaging. “Fun City” may be set in a futuristic New York City and may get its intrigue from how the gameplay unfolds, but it also manages to richly connect with the many social conflicts of the world today.

Book-ish reviews "A Mathematician's Apology" by G.H. Hardy

G. H. Hardy, one of the most prominent mathematicians of the twentieth century, would agree with you: math is useless. You’ll never need it. And yet: Hardy still thinks math is worth your while. Why? Listen in to our newest episode of Book-ish to find out. 

G. H. Hardy, one of the most prominent mathematicians of the twentieth century, would agree with you: math is useless. You’ll never need it. And yet: Hardy still thinks math is worth your while. Why? Listen in to our newest episode of Book-ish to find out.