THE CINEMA CHRONICLES By Gabriel Sieling Hosted by Gabriel Sieling
Official Transcript:
How The Spider-Verse Changed Modern Animation
{RISK BEGINNING THEME}
Gabriel Sieling: Hello Everyone and welcome back to The Cinema Chronicles. I’m your host Gabriel, and today we will be talking about how The Spider-Verse changed modern day animation.
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Question 1: What is “Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse?
Gabriel Sieling: For those who do not know, In December of 2018, Sony Pictures Animations released the first ever theatrically released Animated marvel film “Spider-Man into the Spider Verse.”
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Gabriel Sieling: Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, the film follows Brooklyn teenager Miles Morales,
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Gabriel Sieling: as he suddenly develops mysterious powers that transform him into the one and only Spider-Man. When he meets Peter Parker, he soon realizes that there are many others who share his special, high-flying talents. Miles must now use his newfound skills to battle Wilson Fisk, AKA The Kingpin. A mad businessperson who has a device that can open portals to other universes and pull different versions of Spider-Man into miles universe.
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Gabriel Sieling: This Film opened with incredible reviews, and even won the academy reward for best animated feature film.
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Gabriel Sieling: And as you might of guess, the attention this animated film was getting made the other studios very aware.
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Question 2: how did Spider-Verse change the world of animation?
Gabriel Sieling: Spider-Verse had an Animation Style unlike any other animated film before, with the animation specifically made to look like a comic book come to life. The animators wanted to try something different from the common Pixar esk 3D animation, trying innovative ideas such as switching the frames per second on a specific character, and making every character have a unique style and tone to separate hem from the other. This is what caused “Into the Spider Verse” along with its sequel, “Across the Spider Verse” to start a trend in modern animation by invoking its hero’s comic-book origins with Ben-Day dots and wild, hallucinogenic sequences. This made it so that major studios have grown less fearful of animation and encourage them to diverge from the norm. The film proved that audiences would not reject projects that look drastically different from the house styles of Pixar and DreamWorks. Films like “Teenage Mutant Ninga Turtles Mutant Mayhem,”
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“The Mitchell’s VS The Machines,”
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“Puss in Boots the Last Wish”
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And “Nimona”
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Gabriel Sieling: all have distinctive looks that are visually sensational without conforming to established playbooks. Like “TMNT Mutant Mayhems” approach to animation to make it look like it was drawn by a teenager, and “Puss in Boots the Last Wish’s” approach to make the animation look like each frame was pulled from a story book. If Spider Verse did not take the risk and tried to do something different with animation. Sure, not all new animated films take this approach such as animation studios like Pixar and Illumination. It does not affect the impact that these different animated films have on the audience.
Gabriel Sieling: If it were not for Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse, Animation would have never changed. The Spider-Verse films are classified as cinematic masterpieces. And with these films’ combination of great storytelling, animation, special effects, and heart, I believe they deserve that title. This just goes to show that technology is always evolving. And it is our choice if we evolve with it and try new things, or just stay in the past while everyone else moves on.
Thanks For Watching this episode of the Cinema Chronicles!
Mental health is a key factor in performance and trust in sports. According toPhyisopedia Mental health in athletics is defined as “a state of successful performance or mental function that results in productive activities, fulfilling relationships with others, and the ability to adapt to change and cope with adversity” (Wylleman et al 6).
Mental health is a valuable resource on the field. A positive state of mind enables for better decision making and overall performance. However, having a negative mental state might contribute to slow and sluggish play. Pressure’s negative influence begins with slight unhappiness and a minor decline in a person’s ability to perform. When they are under too much strain, they can feel stressed, anxious, and unhappy.
Mental responses such as worry, anxiety, loss of confidence, denial of injury, leading to irrational fear of re-injury, and a setback in performance can all have an impact on the rehabilitation process of an injury. The challenge of keeping it out of your mind. Remaining upbeat, taking advantage of the setback as a chance to grow, and remain loyal to your goals and self. Furthermore, the ability to shatter the stigma lets a great athlete be authentic and divert failure from their path.
Cultural and societal attitudes within sports often stigmatize mental health issues, hindering athletes from seeking help due to expectations of toughness and the perception of weakness associated with mental health struggles. Fear of judgment and career consequences can deter athletes from seeking mental health support, perpetuating silence and stigma in sports. Limited access to mental health resources further compounds the challenges athletes face in addressing their mental well-being, exacerbating the stigma and barriers to seeking help within the sports community.
In sports, fostering a mental health support system entail offering resources and counseling to enhance athletes’ well-being and performance. Each participant plays a critical role in this battle, including coaches, mental health education, and access to services. For instance, in an article written by Gabe Kapler he underscores the pivotal role of coaches, teammates, and support staff in addressing mental health issues in sports. Sharing that they should be a support system not a system where they are conditioned to appear bulletproof, and to suck it up (Paragraph 4).
Kapler also emphasizes the significance of mental health education and training within the sports community to destigmatize mental health issues and provide effective support systems for athletes (Paragraph 9). Additionally, he advocates for the crucial access to professional counseling and therapy services for athletes and individuals facing mental health challenges, emphasizing the need for sports organizations to prioritize mental well-being (Paragraph 10). Mental health presents a significant concern within the realm of elite athletes, where the relentless pursuit of excellence often intersects with unique challenges and pressures.
For example, an article titled Everyone Is Going Through Something by NBA player Kevin Love highlights the distinct challenges faced by elite athletes, including societal expectations of toughness and masculinity, which can discourage them from seeking assistance for mental health issues, perpetuating stigma within the sports community (Paragraph 2).
Love’s experience further underscores the delicate balance athletes must maintain between the demands of performance and the needs of their mental health. His panic attack during a game serves as a key reminder of the strain athletes encounter in navigating these competing priorities, emphasizing the crucial importance of prioritizing self-care and seeking support when facing mental health challenges (Paragraph 4).
Additionally, Love’s decision to seek therapy after his panic attack provides a notable example of successful management of mental health in sports, illustrating the significance of openness and professional help-seeking in addressing mental health concerns within the elite athlete community (Paragraph 11).
In conclusion, the significance of mental health in sports is undeniable. As athletes strive for excellence, they face unique challenges that can impact their mental well-being.
It is essential for athletic communities to prioritize mental health awareness and support, creating a culture where athletes feel empowered to prioritize self-care and seek help when needed. By promoting mental health education, reducing stigma, and ensuring access to resources, athletic communities can foster environments where athletes can thrive both in their sport and in their personal lives.
Sports betting involves placing monetary wagers on the outcomes of sporting events, ranging from mainstream to niche competitions. Its rising popularity has made it a significant aspect of both fan engagement and player involvement in the world of sports.
Fan betting involves placing bets on sports events for entertainment, including friendly wagers, fantasy sports leagues, and online betting, driven by motivations like enhancing excitement and testing sports knowledge, yet it poses risks such as financial losses and gambling-related harm.
Player betting refers to the involvement of athletes or sports professionals in placing bets on sporting events, potentially including those in which they are directly participating. Some players sports bet even though they are playing. For example, in article written by ESPN it highlights Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley who downloaded a gambling app, deposited $1,500, and bet on NBA and NFL games, including betting on his current team at the time the Falcons as a result he was called in front of NFL investigators to be questioned about the bets in November 2021 and ultimately suspended for the entire 2022 NFL season (DiRocco 3). And many people feel as a direct result of any decision like this a player lacks integrity and ethics for a game, they spend their entire life trying to make it too.
The legal status of sports betting varies across jurisdictions, with some countries permitting it under strict regulations, while others have banned or heavily restricted it. Regulatory measures typically include licensing requirements, age restrictions, and consumer protection measures, but their effectiveness can vary depending on enforcement and oversight mechanisms.
Gambling can have the same effect on you as being addicted to drugs or alcohol that can end up leader to many bad habits. For example, an article written by the Mayo Clinic shows these potential problems “Gambling can stimulate the brain’s reward system you may continually chase bets that lead to losses, use up savings and create debt. You may hide your behavior and even turn to theft or fraud to support your addiction” (Compulsive gambling 2). Sports betting can have profound psychological effects on both fans and players, leading to heightened excitement, addictive behaviors, financial stress, ethical dilemmas, and potential damage to reputation. For many people betting is seen as just another form of entertainment but there is the problem. For example, an article titled social influences normalize gambling-related harm among higher risk gamblers highlights this “Social influences are key drivers of gambling and can begin in youth through parental modeling and facilitation. Over time, social influence from friends and colleagues also becomes important” (Russel et al 1).
Sports betting generates substantial revenue globally, contributing to the economic significance of the industry, while its impact on the sports industry includes increased viewership, sponsorship opportunities, and investments in infrastructure and technology. Ethical considerations in sports betting prompt ongoing discussions on regulation and responsible gambling, while the future outlook involves balancing commercial interests with consumer protection and social responsibility amidst technological advancements.
In conclusion, Sports betting encompasses both fan and player involvement, with fans engaging for entertainment and players potentially facing ethical dilemmas. The legal landscape varies across jurisdictions, with regulatory measures aiming to mitigate risks, while the economic significance is underscored by substantial revenue and impacts on the sports industry.
EPISODE 3: The Professional Dream By Jackson Odden Hosted by Abby Smith
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – ORGAN.]
Abby Smith:
Hello everyone! This is the Mustang Post: The Home Turf, our new sports podcast, where we dive into not just the home turf of Sheyenne but the home turf of the love of all sports for fans and athletes who invest themselves and their lives in their passion. In this episode, Jackson Odden speaks with two Sheyenne baseball players about how they balance sports with education and their personal lives.
Here’s Jackson.
Jackson Odden:
Hello my Name is Jackson Odden I am a sophomore at Sheyenne High School and I will be interviewing two other sophomores.
Gavin Satrom:
I’m Gavin Satrom I’m a sophomore at Sheyenne high.
Ashton Loe:
My names Ashton Loe I’m a sophomore at Sheyenne High School.
Jackson Odden:
Every child has a dream. Sometimes those dreams are as simple as getting that new toy. However, there are those times where dreams become more complex, more life-impacting, bigger than big. Something like, “I want to be a pro athlete. A pro baseball player.” But what impact would attaining a dream like that have on that child’s life and the lives of his family and friends.
However, there’s a lot that goes into building that road to becoming a pro athlete. Namely, there those seemingly simple stages like preparing for a game. Gavin, a sophomore at Sheyenne High School plays on its C team and prepares for that moment he steps up to bat versus the pitcher.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, like if you scout the pitcher, you can like see how he throws, but um, I don’t really scout pitchers that much. So, I really just get there in the game and, like, see how fast he throws and try to time him up.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton, also a sophomore at Sheyenne high school on the C team, is a bit more focused and determined.
Ashton Loe: “When I am in the dugout or the on-deck circle I try and time him up, look at how he’s throwing what pitches he’s throwing basically all the mechanics of it.”
Jackson Odden:
In order to accomplish the goal of playing professional baseball ball you need to know what goals to have for yourself and for the future. And more specifically the goals you have in life after you have gotten your high school diploma.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I want go to college to play baseball, and then hopefully we get to the professional level, but like if not, then something probably something in like the accounting business.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton may share the same goals as Gavin but has a different perspective of life after high school.
Ashton Loe: “First I want to continue my baseball career in college and then if that doesn’t work out somewhere in the medical field like athletic trainer or something like that.”
Jackson Odden:
Having a belief in yourself is a difficult thing to do when your goal is so high as to make it professionally. But it is a requirement in order to have confidence in yourself to accomplish it.
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I would like to say I am pretty good, but, like, you never know what’s going to happen. Its baseball it is up and down a lot of the time. You do good one time, really bad the other.”
Jackson Odden:
Ashton Shares being honest with yourself about your ability can be difficult but necessary in the path of life.
Ashton Loe: ” If I am being honest I don’t really know because a lot of the players around me are really good and watching videos everywhere I see players younger than me that are throwing really hard so I don’t know.”
Jackson Odden:
How does a baseball player maintain their focus amidst adversity, such as when they encounter struggles on the field? Can they find the inner perseverance, despite if they may be struggling in baseball?
Gavin Satrom: ” Well, like honestly you got to leave the last at bat or like batter when pitching behind you. And you just move on next batter, next at bat, all that.”
Jackson Odden:
How can seeking out different environments to practice in help a baseball player regain their focus and improve their performance during tough times?
Ashton Loe: “Whenever I’m struggling on usually I just try and practice that more like go to the Ballyard practice that and get better at it.”
Jackson Odden:
How has the discipline and teamwork learned from playing baseball translated into success? How have skills honed on the field, positively helped you in aspects of your life?
Gavin Satrom: “Baseball’s helped me by like keeping me in like so like for baseball, I have to focus on like on what ever I am doing, and then I can use that like in school too or for like what ever I am doing in my life.”
Jackson Odden:
How does playing giving a person a good mindset in baseball and a peace of mind?
Ashton Loe: ” I like playing baseball because it gives me something to do all the time I am always practicing it.”
Jackson Odden:
In the intricate dance between failure and success on the baseball diamond, how do you navigate the fine line, seeking growth amidst strikeouts and home runs? Can you share the strategies and mindset that help you maintain in your journey as a baseball player?
Gavin Satrom: “Well, Like balance the success is really just how hard I practice and all that, but then with like the failure I can just practice even more and harder to like get that success back.”
Jackson Odden:
Keeping to yourself and working on you can be a great way to challenge yourself.
Ashton Loe: “Well, usually I try to ignore how other people are playing, focus on myself, and make sure I am working hard.”
Jackson Odden:
As the crack of the bat echoes through the air, what specific milestones and improvements do you envision achieving in your upcoming baseball season, both individually and as a team, to make it a truly successful and memorable?
Gavin Satrom: “Well, really, it’s just to win the season and the tournament, so win as much as we can and play as best as we can.”
Jackson Odden:
Self challenges can make you a better leader and player than you think you are.
Ashton Loe: “I want to play really good hit a lot better than last year, and hopeful our team can win the tournament again.”
Jackson Odden:
What aspirations and objectives do you envision for your journey through college and beyond, and how do you plan to achieve them?
Gavin Satrom: ” Well, with college, I hope to still play baseball and keep up good grades, but then after college, I want to play professionally; if it doesn’t work, then something in the accounting business.”
Jackson Odden:
What would you do if everyone didn’t look at you what if baseball doesn’t work out?
Ashton Loe: “For college I want to continue my baseball career hopeful go D1 maybe make it to the majors otherwise probably stay in the medical field like I said before.”
Jackson Odden:
How do you navigate the challenge of resisting comparisons to peers of similar age who might be excelling in various aspects of life?
Gavin Satrom: “When I’m playing the game of baseball, I don’t really look around to see how people are doing; I just care about how I am doing myself and think if I can perform better or, I guess play better.”
Jackson Odden:
Comparing yourself to others can be a tricky thing how do you try to avoid it?
Ashton Loe: “Although I do see a lot of better players I just try and ignore them focus on myself get better get better than them.”
Jackson Odden:
“How do you manage the juggling of your academic studies while also dedicating significant time to practice and play baseball, and what strategies have you found most effective in maintaining a balance between these?”
Gavin Satrom: “Well, I mean If I can focus on the grades, then I can go out and just play baseball.”
Jackson Odden
One of the most beautiful parts of playing sports is you are a student athlete how do you balance being a student and an athlete?
Ashton Loe : “Usually I am pretty good at keeping my grades up keeping eligibility so I just focus on baseballs a ton during school.”
[THEME SONG – ORGAN.]
Abby Smith:
There you have it, with one athlete confident with his rise to the professional level and another riding the wave, who knows what the outcome will be.
This podcast was recorded by Jackson Odden and hosted by Abby Smith and our thanks goes out to Ashton Loe and Gavin Satrom for their time which helped make this podcast possible.
In our next episode of The Home Turf, Reise Berg and Aiden Johnson, take a look at the world of professional basketball.
EPISODE TWO: The Human Element in Baseball Dwindles By Ethan Laabs and Jonah Peterson Hosted by Abby Smith
The Mustang Post’s Ethan Laabs and Jonah Peterson take a critical look baseball’s mix of technology and humanity and where the fine line between the two begins and ends.
THE CINEMA CHRONICLES By Gabriel Sieling Hosted by Gabriel Sieling
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG -RISK.]
Gabriel Sieling: “Hello everyone and welcome to The Cinema Chronicles. I’m your host Gabriel, and today we are going to be talking about what are Fan Films, and what impact do they have on the internet and pop culture.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “You might be asking, what are Fan Films? A film is a film or video made by the fans of a popular form of media such as Films,
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TV Shows
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Comic Books
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and Video Games.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “A Fan Film is a way for beginning creators to make a project about one of their favorite fandoms of pop culture, without having to deal with the copyright laws. As long as you give credit to the original creators of the thing your film is based on, then you can make a fan film on basically anything you can put your mind to.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “The process of making a fan film is not that different from making a normal film. The only difference is that unlike most modern big budget studios,
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fan film creators usually take a lot of time and care into a topic they genuinely care about. A fan film creator usually has a lot of respect for the source material and puts every ounce of care they have into the project.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “What kind of impact can a Fan Film have on the internet and pop culture? A Fan Film can usually have any kind of impact on pop culture. For example, fan films can make a good and lasting impact when first announced.
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But nowadays if something that the creator said a long time ago comes up, it can tear the whole thing down to the ground.
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and make people question the point of fan films in general. A huge example of this actually happened very recently with a fan film called “Spider-Man Lotus.”
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When the first full trailer was released on October 27th, 2021, on YouTube, it was a smash hit. The trailer grossed over two million views.”
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Gabriel Sieling: “Things were looking great for the film until one day, an old tweet made by the creator of the film “Gavin J Konop” was leaked. The tweet had a racist comment, which immediately turned the whole internet on the film. The film was released, but it still made a lasting impact on not just Spider-Man Lotus, but other Spider-Man fan films in general. Spider-Man Fan Films made by people like “Joey Lever” Creator of the “Spider-Man Lost Cause duology,” and “Health Gleason” Creator of the Spidey fan film “Intractable.” Both had their films affected because of this controversy. People have even been commenting on my fan films saying, “I hope this won’t be like Spider-Man Lotus.” I usually do not care for criticism, and this comment does not mean anything to any fan film creators. If anything, I take it as a complement because I personally loved Spider-Man Lotus, and I have even modeled some of my films after it. But at the end of the day, no matter what kind of impact you make on the community, weather good or bad, there will always be people somewhere out there to appreciate what you do, and not just what you did.”
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Gabriel Sieling: Thanks for tuning in, my names Gabriel and I will see you next time on… the cinema chronicles.
EPISODE ONE: The Science Behind the Scare By Addison McCroskey Hosted by Addison McCroskey
Horror movies. You love ’em or you hate ’em.
Additionally, when watching a horror film, there is control over both the situation and the viewing experience. Unlike the real world, people can press pause when a situation in a film becomes too dire to handle. So, this gives those who do enjoy horror a sense of relief and comfort within their fear. That is, knowing that at any given moment they could turn it off.
This can help maintain healthy anxiety levels and promote healthy coping strategies. Sometimes viewing movies such as these can function as a distraction from other emotions besides fear. Even so, being fearful of a movie does not necessarily make watching it unenjoyable.
Psychological Horror’s Target Audience
Most types of horror can be scary, but psychological horror specifically tends to hook analytical audiences, and provide a sense of curiosity and hunger to identify the plot and characters’ utmost intentions. Horror entertainment such as this can satisfy our constant investigation of the human psyche, and how we relate it to ourselves.
Many people (myself included) are fascinated by what human nature is truly capable of. Research indicates that those who appreciate this genre of horror tend to question mental phenomena, and how mental health can affect the body’s functions. Studies show that those who seek out this specific genre of horror tend to wield more investigative and inquisitive traits.
When it comes to horror films, there is a large spectrum of movies to select from depending on what you’re in the mood for. For some, psychological horror is a thrilling experience. Realistically, sensation seekers tend to enjoy the new and intense experiences that come with lack of control in the film. On the other hand, individuals who are of a more empathetic nature tend to enjoy these movies less. This divide makes fight-or-flight experiences easier for some than others.
Psychological horror explores the anxieties and vulnerability behind the human brain and how flawed thinking can occur when not in the correct state of mind. For example, an unsuspecting woman being chased down a dark corridor may instead of exiting the building back herself into a dead end. ultimately leading to her demise. This can cause the audience to subconsciously root for the woman, yet again relating back to the ideology of empathy and paranoia.
Elements of Psychological Horror
Some additional topics in psychological horror include madness, anxiety, self-doubt, and emotional turmoil. Supposing you put too much thought into the storyline of any other horror, you might find that the plot itself is made of glass. Psychological horror plots on the other hand are often less identifiable.
Some of the most frequently used tropes in psychological horror are a deteriorating mental state, loss of control, or newfound hallucination. These are typically driven by emotional manipulation or when tragedy strikes.
On the topic of tragedy, some writers construct films solely based off true events or events that could take place, in an attempt to scare the audience further. Nonetheless, an audience may not always be aware that the film is based on a true event because of its severity. This can be an adaptation, realistic fiction or even an extension of a real event. Some prime examples of this may include The Conjuring (2013), The Exorcist (1973), Jaws (1975) and Poltergeist (1982) to name a few.
While the film industry has had a lengthy run of high caliber horror cinematography, a person must admit that the recent decline of quality within these movies has been devastating…. Will these motion pictures ever return to their previous state of perfection? Or will they soon develop backwards with a more refined and modern touch?
Subjectivity of Horror
Horror is subjective, meaning certain types of horror may appeal to some but not others. There are several factors that can influence a person’s tolerance towards distinct types of horror films: from gore to possession, slow-burning mystery to full-on slasher.
Another way horror films may appeal to an audience is by using diverse types of media and special effects within the film. This may include CGI, makeup, prosthetics, gore, and many others.
Although some films have limited budgeting, mechanical effects are not necessarily the most blood-curdling aspect of an excellent quality horror film. Each film holds its own story.
Furthermore, there are crucial moments of suspense that can tie a scene together if done correctly. These small thought-provoking details can make or break important scenes.
Some prime examples of this are in Madhouse (2004), when Psychiatric intern Clark Stevens (Joshua Leonard) completes his descent into madness. His coworker turned lover Lisa, (Jordan Ladd) had not yet realized this until after he had already begun killing those around him. In a turn of events, when Clark has Lisa cornered on the deadliest floor of the building, she pleads for him to spare her and for his affection once more. Clark is stunned, and sent into a state of shock. Lisa manages to unarm him and escape.
As well as in Silence Of The Lambs (1991) when Clarise Starling (Jodie Foster) enters the grim and hideous home of Buffalo BIll. (Ted Levine) It is in this house which Clarice must find a beaten woman being held hostage. To her surprise, the entirety of the home is pitch black and covered in filth. The complete darkness combine with the disturbing surroundings is enough to petrify Mrs Starling.
Key Elements of Horror
A few key elements that make these films memorable are the use of dramatic irony, growing tension, and a steady turning point or change of morality. Regardless of what you are shaken by it is undeniable that a good amount of suspense in a film is desirable.
On a different note, some horror films stray from the everyday: exposition, climax, and resolution type storyline. This may include completely different plot elements in many different orders.
But where do jump scares come into play? Most of the time they don’t. They’re far too easy. A broad number of jump scares end up being dragged along in a scene making it blatantly obvious of what is to come. Knowing when to use them is what makes them truly effective.
EPISODE ONE: COOKING UP CONTENTION By Chad Neumann, Logan Jacobs & Roland Regner
Official Transcript:
[THEME SONG – ELEVATOR MUSIC.]
Roland Regner: Hello everybody and welcome to our new podcast called Cooking Up Contention. A new argumentative podcast from Mustang Post News. Today we will discuss 4 arguments that myself, Chad, and Logan will argue about. Welcome to Cooking Up Contention from Mustang Post News. I’m Roland Regner.
CAST YOUR VOTE FOR DEBATE ROUND WINNERS!
Chad Neumann: Queso vs salsa, two of the most popular dips on the market. Ever since it was made, people have argued all the time about which one is better. Queso. Salsa. Let’s say we are at a Mexican restaurant, and we order chips. Yo guys, what dip should we get for our chips?
Roland: SALSA obviously.
Logan Jacobs: No, I think we should get QUESO.
Logan: Clearly queso is the better dip. Not only is it great to dip your chips into but queso also goes amazingly with numerous amounts of food. For example, burritos, or tacos, both great choices that are elevated if you eat them with queso. The cheesy and sometimes spicy sauce really adds the final touch needed to make a good meal great.
Roland: While true, don’t forget how closely correlated chips and salsa are with one another. Queso goes well with lots of things, but chips GO WITH SALSA. What do you get when you order chips at a restaurant? Salsa. It’s perfect for chips; it doesn’t need to be “good” on other things when it complements chips the way it does.
Logan: Sure, salsa is almost synonymous with chips but queso is a much more far-reaching food. It’s found almost everywhere all around the world, for example with Korean corn dogs. A half cheese half meat delicious concoction often enjoyed, dipped into an amazing queso dipping sauce.
Roland: The widespread use of Queso is impressive, but it’s always the same. There are only so many varieties of queso, at the end of the day it’s just a cheesy flavor. Meanwhile salsa comes in TONS of different varieties. Regular salsa, chunky or smooth salsa, mild to spicy salsa, salsa Verde or even SALSA CON QUESO.
Logan: Salsa may have a wide variety of flavors and consistencies but that doesn’t mean that queso is bad, if anything it proves the opposite. Queso’s flavor has stood the test of time not needing to be altered to enjoy. Just a delicious cheesy flavor that can be enjoyed by anyone.
Roland: In the same way salsa has been enjoyed by many for a long time, much longer than queso as the first recorded salsa recipe was created in 1574 as opposed to queso’s first recipe in 1896. It’s very flavorful and has an incredibly recognizable taste that goes perfectly with chips, and that’s why, I think.
Logan: Queso may be later to the game than salsa but that doesn’t mean it’s worse. It has an iconic cheesy flavor and the fact that it can complement almost any dish around the world proves that.
(They overlap).
Roland: Salsa is better.
Logan: Queso is better.
Logan: Since the first chicken was fried there’s been a great deal of debate between which is better? Fried chicken or grilled chicken? This great chicken contest goes back through the ages, our parents’, parents’ argument. Imagine this, the three of us are seated at a restaurant and both Chad and Roland decide to get a chicken sandwich for dinner. After the waiter comes over, they ask the most important question of all, “would you like your chicken grilled or fried”?
Chad: Fried chicken, obviously!
Roland: Il have the grilled chicken for sure.
Roland: Obviously grilled chicken is better, it’s the classic choice when it comes to eating chicken. Simple yet great, it works in tons of different foods like sandwiches, wraps, chicken tacos, quesadillas, chicken alfredo, and just having it marinated or plain.
Chad: Those are good options, but the amount of choices with fried chicken is WAYYY more. Chicken nuggets, chicken strips and tenders, fried chicken thighs or legs, chicken wings, chicken patties; not to mention that all of these go great with all sorts of different condiments like ketchup, BBQ sauce, buffalo sauce, sweet and sour sauce.
Roland: Okay okay, sure there’s a lot of different condiments that go with fried chicken; but what about sides? Grilled chicken by itself can go with tons of other foods like, fried rice or white rice, soups, salads and other greens, tortilla chips, and pastas like fettuccine or shells.
Chad: Alright, Grilled chicken goes well with rice, but fried chicken goes well with both as well. For example, think of Chinese restaurants; they have fried chicken served with fried and white rice. Fried chicken also goes well with mac and cheese, fries, and mashed potatoes.
Roland: I hear you, but there’s one big problem with fried chicken. IT’S UNHEALTHY; not to mention that most of the sides you mentioned are unhealthy as well. Mac and cheese? Potatoes with gravy? Chicken doused in deep fryer oil? It’s a pretty unhealthy combination, especially compared to grilled chicken.
Chad: Okay fine! You caught me on that part, BUT you’re forgetting one thing… Most people eat it occasionally rather than every day. So even though it might be unhealthy it can be part of a balanced diet when not eaten regularly. Not only that but your sides aren’t exactly the healthiest either. Pasta? It’s loaded with carbohydrates. Tortilla chips? Saltier than the ocean.
Roland: At least it’s only the sides that have issues, your main course and sides have problems. Of course everything can be healthy enough in moderation, but that doesn’t take away the fact that grilled chicken is simply a healthier option all around. Grilled chicken is my preferred choice because of it’s simple and healthy taste that is an essential part of many different delicious meals.
Chad: Even though it’s not the healthiest, fried chicken is a great food choice that always satisfies my “Crunchy Cravings” and goes great with lots of different sauces and sides.
(they overlap)
Roland: Grilled chicken is better.
Chad: Fried chicken is better.
Roland: All this talk of chicken is making me want something SWEET. I think we should order a dessert, but what kind should we get? Cake? Ice Cream? Pie? I can’t decide, Logan, Chad, what do you guys want?
Chad: Ice Cream without a doubt!
Logan: Pie is much better, let’s get that.
Chad: I think that ice cream just has to be the best dessert no questions asked. It’s sweeter than pie and has more flavors. Logan, what do you have to say to defend pie?
Logan: There is no WAY that ice cream is better than pie, think about it, pie may not have more flavors, but they are all natural. Using real ingredients compared to ice creams artificial flavoring. This combined with the fact that pie typically has a pastry crust makes for pie to have an amazing all-natural flavor that clearly stumps ice cream.
Chad: Okay fine ice cream does usually use artificial ingredients… BUT you’re forgetting one thing… You eat pie and ice cream as a dessert most of the time. Even though pie uses better ingredients sometimes, most people like me for example aren’t going to care about that if you’re only eating ice cream and pie for dessert SOMETIMES. And the creamy and cold texture is obviously much more refreshing and satisfying than crusty dusty pie.
Logan: The only problem with that creamy cold texture is how fast it goes aways, melting within minutes, ending with a soupy bowl of flavored milk. Pie doesn’t have that problem, enjoyed cold, hot, or even at room temperature pie will always be delicious.
Chad: Yeah of course ice cream will melt eventually. You can say the same things for some pie’s as well. If you’re eating ice cream as a dessert, you’re not waiting an hour to eat it all. You’re going to eat it before it melts. Ice cream takes around 15- 30 minutes to melt unless you’re in a hot area of course. so realistically by then you’re probably going to be done eating the ice cream.
Logan: Alright, ice cream may take quite a while to melt but pie has by far the better toppings, whip cream or ice cream most famously. Both are commonly added to elevate pies’ already complex flavor profile by adding in a third flavor. Contrast this with ice cream toppings? A singular cherry? Oreo crumbs? Pies toppings are much better at adding to the flavor of the dessert.
Chad: It’s funny that you think those are the only toppings that you can put on ice cream. Why not combine all of those toppings you said? Maybe even add chocolate syrup, sprinkles, nuts, and other candies. The list for toppings could go on for ages. Ice Cream has SO Much more toppings than what you could put on pie!
Logan: Sure, pie may not have all of those toppings, but pie’s toppings improve the dish much more. Regardless, pie has also been around for longer letting the dish gain even more enhanced flavors overtime. This combined with its healthy flavors and delicious pastry crust is why.
Chad: They have both been around for a very long time so they both have enhanced their flavors overtime. Ice Cream toppings are better with more quantity and overall.
(They overlap)
Logan: Pie is better!
Chad: Ice cream is better!
Roland: It’s time for the FINAL most HEAVILY DEBATED food related discussion. Imagine it’s breakfast time, and you need a FRUIT DRINK to wake you up, but you can only pick one. IT’S TIME FOR THE ULTIMATE, HEATED ARGUMENT TO BEGIN. THE JUICE WARS! WHAT’S BETTER, APPLE JUICE OR ORANGE JUICE?!
Chad: Mhm, I’d say it’s pretty good. Better than orange juice.
Roland: Yeah I agree.
Group: (Murmurs of agreement)
Logan: THANKS FOR LISTENING AND WE’LL SEE YOU ALL IN THE NEXT EPISODE!
The Mustang Post 