The Value of the Horizon

I had hoped that you would be reading a physical paper for this issue but, yet again, Covid-19 has dealt us a hand of cards that has forced us to adapt to the situation. The first print run usually marks the beginning of the student media year, but this year it was going to mark University Express’ return to the grounds of UCC. When new public health measures for third-level institutions were announced on Sept 25th, bringing UCC to Level-3 on the Covid-19 alert framework, it became clear that our print run would also fall victim to the virus; becoming only a fable on the autumn wind sweeping through campus. University Express has not reached the point of returning to campus yet but it is always on the horizon, a goal that we are constantly striving towards as we continue to share stories with you from across the UCC campus and farther afield.Because of all the restrictions, anonymity has become a familiar face in many of our lives in the recent past. I now have to look twice at someone in the supermarket to see if I recognise their face beneath the mask. Each online meeting I have attended has included someone with a moniker that I don’t recognise, despite the fact I have probably known the individual for years. I am guilty of this myself; starting as ‘fi’ and graduating to ‘fiona’ really doesn’t give away too much about my identity. The lack of capitalisation shows my lack of attention to the process. But reflecting on the question of why, in this instance, is harder to answer. Presentation skills need to be learned to reflect our virtual world as well as our tangible world.When I step back from that argument and look at the broader picture, the concept of anonymity does not seem that foreign and out of place in my daily life. Our generation has been living in a virtual bubble for quite some time. The digital-literacy of our generation is something of a hallmark given the growth in technology we have witnessed over the past twenty years; but the right to use the technology and remain anonymous is something that I don’t support. Backing your beliefs with the integrity of a name is a value that I hold strong in my heart.I know I would have loved to see this issue published on paper but nevertheless you can read incredible articles by our writers in a digital form as we look forward to our first print date. In this issue Sam Curtin discusses our reality of sports without spectators and Tadgh MacCionnaith looks at the prospect of ‘Killing Our Heroes’ and the potential benefits that it can bring to our lives. The fluidity of our reality changes on an hourly basis these days. While very few of us are in the ideal situation at the moment it is essential to keep looking forward to the horizon. It is the only way we will win.Until next time,Fiona