September 21, 1999 “STHUFF” Over The Edge Page 15 staff credits culture editor kevin milos news editor nicole larson sports editor jeremy fung photo editor teryn desmet reporters/contributers travis alexander pai brunner aj delisle teryn desmet jeremy fung jeremy karlson sheryl knight darlynne larsen andrea larson nicole larson kevin milos joe nygren david peterson miss scarlet dana schwehr amanda smediey whitney weikum teryn desmet dana schwehr roz curry comics/graphics andrea larson dana schwehr production travis alexander teryn desmet lena henning jeremy karlson dana schwehr travis alexander ther informatio over the edge is the offi- cial publishing media of students at the university of northern british colum- bia. as such, we are required to report on issues of interest to stu- dents in the northern region, we can be reached by several methods as out- lined below and encour- age ali students, both those on the main campus and regional campuses, to take part in over the edge. phone: 1-250-960-5633 fax: 1-250-960-5407 email: over-the-edge @unbe.ca address: Over The Edge 3333 University Way Prince George, 8.C. VeN 4Z9 Blindess Jose Saramago Harcourt Brace and Company Blindess is novel that deserved all of the accolades it has already received. As a novel of the possibility of the col- lapse of society and the inherent redeeming fea- tures of the human race Blindess is a marvelous specimen. Even in translation from the original Portuguese the amaz- ing linguistically elo- quence of Saramango’s work comes to the fore- front of the readers mind. Written in a way that could easily be con- fusing and _ irritating Saramango manages to use the traits of this writ- ing style to his advan- tage and creates a world in which names and specific physical characteristics do not matter. His writing is so fluid that, although none of the -characters are named, a reader knows who is speaking at all times strictly by Saramago’s style. Although Blindness is centred around a plague, it works para- doxically to both redeem and condemn the human spirit. The main characters are quarantined in an old mental institution after they have contracted what seems to be a plague, whose _ only symptoms are a disturb- ing white blindness, that strikes indiscriminately and without warning. The events that occur in the institution are viewed through the eyes Continued From Sex on Page 4 This is the fourth annu- al Durex survey, and for the first time the views of both non-sexually and sexually active indi- viduals were account. On a global scale, the survey found that young people cite friends as their main source of taken into information related to sex. Some other finding of the study: young adults who had sex for their first time at 13 or under have sex an aver- age of 153 times per year, while those who had sex for their first time at 16 have sex an average of 86 times per year. of the doctor's wife, pre- sumably the only per- son who does not lose their eye sight. Through her eyes the reader sees the levels of depravity the human soul can sink to and the heights the human soul can soar to while they are forced to live in the squalor that becomes their home. Eventually everyone, both outside and in the institution, loses their sight and society crumbles. From that wreckage a new society of blindness develops that only the Doctors wife can see and recount. Blindness is a truly breath taking novel and a work that will last for all time. By Nicole Larson Continued From Page 12 forestry, media awareness, sexuality, activism, bioregional- ism, First Nations issues, free trade, aids/HIV, and green cities. The PIRG library is a great alternative source for student research purposes. All materials are available fore loan to students and community mem- bers. There are many ways a student can get involved in PIRG. Every Monday evening is movie night featuring films on numerous top- ics under the social jus- Recently impeaced NUGSS board member Dave Schindler paints with fellow students last year during exam week stress relieving activities tice and environmental umbrella. There are also numerous ‘action groups’ consisting of students that get together to discuss spe- cific areas of interest and plan events. Some of these groups are the MAI action = group, organic food group, composting action group, anarchist discus- sion group and the recy- cling action group. All of these groups are open to students interested in them. Another way of getting involved with PIRG is to volunteer during office hours (a great way to meet other students!), or provide your knowledge and speaking skills at one of the many speaker nights to raise aware- ness of social justice and environmental issues or to start a new action group. PGPIRG is here for the students of UNBC and the local communi- ty. Be sure to drop by the PIRG office (next to the NUGSS office) and say hello to Bev or any one of our volunteers, and get involved! Christine Callihoo This space for internal office use leave blank.