Author Archives

Monday, February 18th, 2008 • Features

Facebook Haute Couture

Your Facebook profile, like your wardrobe, determines how you’ll be perceived by others. Channeling Coco Chanel, Jordan Barber gives pointers on how to make your online presence absolutely fabulous.

Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 • Features

Seven Spectacular Sci-Fi Indie Games

After reading Caitlin’s article on “How to Watch the Entire First Season of ‘Battlestar Galactica’,” Jordan Barber attempts to live out science fiction vicariously through seven independent science fiction games, ranging from arcade shooters, strategy games, and even one where you control an anime girl who shoots psychedelic lasers.

Wednesday, January 16th, 2008 • Features

An “A” is Doubleplusgood: Grading in America

Can our accomplishments, intelligence, and work ethic be summed up by a single letter? Jordan Barber takes a look at the grading system in our country, discussing its necessity and inherent flaws.

Wednesday, December 19th, 2007 • Features

The Smaragdine Jiboya

Jordan Barber, known as “The 20-year-old Tony Kushner” in some circles, takes into the depths of the jungle in the first half of his off-the-wall short play.

Wednesday, December 5th, 2007 • Features

My Father Reviews My Liberal Arts Education

Concern is often raised when discussing the practicality of a liberal arts education. Student Jordan Barber solicits a review of his curriculum from his father, who expresses certain misgivings regarding his tuition payment’s return-on-investment.

Monday, November 5th, 2007 • Features

Is the Internet Making Us Dumber?

Getting information is quick and easy on the web, but at what cost? Jordan Barber, known as “The 20-year-old Thomas Friedman” in some circles, examines the downside of the shift away from labor-intensive library research.

Monday, October 15th, 2007 • Features

The Centerville Library Crisis

In this off the wall one-act, playwright Jordan Barber sets the scene of an eccentric/insane library staff hoping to increase readership.

Monday, September 24th, 2007 • Features

Channeling the Canon: An Interview with Sylvia Plath

The Bureau presents “Channeling the Canon,” a new series of interviews with past literary voices. In this inaugural installment, Jordan Barber chats up clinically depressed writer Sylvia Plath about life post-suicide, modern household odor eliminators, and new forms of poetic expression.

Friday, August 17th, 2007 • Travel

Taiwan: Final Days

This is the final installment in a series of essays by jet-setter Jordan Barber, who is currently studying Mandarin at Donghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. Jordan reflects on his time in East Asia and the experience of living as a “semi-citizen.”

Friday, August 10th, 2007 • Travel

Taiwan: Masculinity, Sexuality

This is the sixth installment in a series of essays by jet-setter Jordan Barber, who is currently studying Mandarin at Donghai University in Taichung, Taiwan. Masculinity in the United States may be defined by the loner, antihero ideals of the Marlboro man, but Jordan finds that, in Taiwan, the patriarchal family hierarchy establishes one’s male bravado.