In Focus Question:

Last week, there was a report about the astrological signs changing to make room for a thirteenth sign, Ophiuchus. Although the initial report of this change affecting astrological signs has been debunked, the Internet was flooded with tweets, blogs and Facebook statuses concerning the change. Do you think this is just another example of people overreacting or evidence of the Internet becoming the “misinformation superhighway?”

Aaron Brooks, columnist

I used to relish the opportunities to laugh at stupid people, but now I have developed the disorder known as stultophobia: fear of stupids. With the rise of Twitter, Facebook, and others that allow stupids to spout unabated nonsense, I can find no sanctuary from them. The supposed Zodiac change is just another prime example of stupids searching for anything that can be used for self-aggrandizement. Twitter quote from E_DASH86: “Birds dropping dead, fishes floating dead, now they wanna change zodiac signs! Wtf is wrong with you earth?” Stupid people and fatalism.

Jack Baker, columnist

Why did they have to debunk it? I was so excited to become an Ophiuchus and no longer be bound to the life of a Sagittarius. I was happy in the first week of my new life. I was going to become more knowledgeable, become favored by authority figures, and have a higher sex appeal. But no, thanks for ruining my new dreams. Now I just have to go back to the boring life of a Sagittarius, or just remember that I don’t believe in any of that stuff.

Jessica Jenks, columnist

I have always been an Aries. I define my life by the fact that stars vaguely in the shape of a ram predetermined all of my personality traits. When I heard this news, my life got turned upside down. I discovered that my birthday had been moved to the cusp between Pisces and Aries. After hyperventilating, I could only wonder if I was now half-fish, half-ram. Did I have double the personality traits? Was I now twice the person I was before? Of course I was. I was Jessica “RamFish” Jenks: A fish, nay, a mermaid, with huge horns that dominated the ocean.

A rare and beautiful creature. Or perhaps I was a FishRam: an amphibious ram with scales that could dive into the ocean, sprout gills, and head-butt the crap out of Poseidon. Delusions of ruling the underwater world with an iron fist were immediately halted when I realized the frenzy was unnecessary. I was a little embarrassed that my mind so quickly raced out of control, but mostly disappointed that I would not be developing the ability to breathe underwater.

Portia Kerr-Newman, columnist

When I heard about the changes to astrological signs, I immediately thought it was a hoax. In my whole 20 years of living, never has there been a change in astrological signs or an addition of a sign. I didn’t understand why there would be a change now. I saw tweets and Facebook statuses regarding the topic, but no one knew exactly who or what the source was. I didn’t care what anybody said, I knew I was a true Gemini; nothing was changing that. When I heard the reports were false, I was glad the madness on the Internet was over.

Kathryn Minniti, columnist

I think that people overreacted when it came to this astrological news. I logged into my Facebook account one night and my newsfeed was overflowing with “OMG I AM NOT A VIRGO ANYMORE.” Being a Virgo or not is not really a life-changing matter to me. No one is going to change dramatically because they went from Virgo to Aries or whatever it changes to. I found it annoying and yet humorous when everyone was acting like the world was going to end because their horoscope had changed.

Alyssa Pracz, columnist

I found out about the change of signs via Facebook. I think every other status update was someone whining about their astrological change. First of all, it’s not even that big of a deal. Everyone was complaining that they had been deceived their whole lives, but I guarantee that half of them do not even read a horoscope on a daily basis. Everyone should just believe what they want to believe. I’m staying a Gemini because it is what I have always been and I do not want to be a Taurus. I do think it is funny, though, for all the recent people who got a tattoo of their astrological sign…oops.

Logan Short, columnist

If it means anything, this is another example of the power that the Internet has to inform and misinform. The lack of regulation on the Internet is a good thing as I see it, but it also allows for so much false information to be put out there, which people too often take as credible without looking at the source or checking it against other sites or sources. Question, question, question!

Taurean Small, columnist

Unfortunately, I was never cool enough to understand the popularity behind astrology and zodiac signs, but it seems that my entire life was a lie. I guess I wasn’t a Sagittarius for 20 years, I was an Ophiuchus. When I Googled the zodiac sign, the top results explained its character traits. This detailed an arrogant, flamboyantly dressed, family guy that is apparently good at architecture or building. Does this mean I will have to give up on journalism and become one of the Village People?