Pro and Con

New Year’s resolutions are a big part of holiday celebrations, although they are often criticized because many are given up within a month of being made. However, I strongly believe that the tradition of these resolutions is still very beneficial. The New Year offers people a rare opportunity to pause, and both reflect on the past year and be more intentional going into the next. Even though people may give up on their resolutions, the fact that they made one demonstrates an effort to change, which is arguably better than not trying at all. So, while the actual results of resolutions are sometimes limited, they are still a good thing because they give people an opportunity to make positive changes in their lives. 

One important thing to consider is that some resolutions may be healthier or better than others. This holiday can sometimes cause people to feel like they have to change themselves. And with toxic influencers that portray unrealistic, glamorized versions of their lives online, this could lead people to set impossible or unhealthy goals. Then they could feel more disappointed when they don’t reach those goals. But, I do believe that it is possible for people to set realistic and healthy goals that prioritize growth over perfection just by changing up the wording of their goals. For example, the goal “go to the gym everyday” could be reworded into something less strict, like “go to the gym more often.” This simple fix allows people to set real goals for themselves without the extreme pressure and the possibility of failure if they simply miss one day. So, it can be conceded that resolutions can lead to feelings of guilt or disappointment, but I don’t think the whole concept of them is bad; people should just be thoughtful when they set them.

Another issue with resolutions is the fact that if someone really wanted to change themself they could just do it at any time and not wait until New Year’s. And honestly, I agree. People shouldn’t feel confined by the holiday; growth and change is a process, not a singular moment decided on New Year’s. But, I also don’t think that takes away from the value of New Year’s resolutions, if anything it may even support it. If people can acknowledge the importance of growth and change, then why hate on a tradition that values and creates the opportunity for that? Sure it would be great if people just changed whenever they wanted, but the truth is that often people are so busy with life that they don’t feel like they have the time to sit down, reflect, and figure out what they should be doing differently. New Year’s creates a set aside time where people are encouraged to do this. It gives people who may have already been wanting to set goals and make changes the time to do that. So, while I agree that New Year’s shouldn’t be the only time for reflection and goal setting, it is still helpful that our society has set aside time for it.

In the fast paced modern world, which  doesn’t easily allow space for people to reflect, the holiday tradition of resolutions is a breath of fresh air. It benefits society that this value of growing and improving oneself has not been forgotten but has instead become a central part of a major holiday. I do not think it’s fair to judge resolutions solely based on the results they yield, but instead the concept of resolutions should be judged on the intention behind it and the opportunity for change that it creates.

Photo contribution by Greenvans

Before I begin this article, I’ll tell the story of how it was pitched. It was the Myers Park Hoofprint Christmas Party, and we had just finished our annual White Elephant. One of our editors suggested that we all go around and say our New Year’s resolutions. Everyone said very admirable resolutions, except myself, because I could not come up with anything to say. It felt like I should have a resolution, because of the season, but a resolution did not come naturally to me. Resolutions aren’t confined to a certain time of  year, and yet, the pressure of changing oneself for the New Year is omnipresent. 

I pitched this article to advocate against the “New Year, New Me” messaging. Most holidays are guilty of propagating messages they claim only apply to their time of year– Thanksgiving as the only time to be thankful, Christmas as the only time to give. While the point of these holidays wasn’t necessarily to confine these principles of gratitude, empathy, and change to a specific time of year, they have morphed into selective dates where people feel obligated to meet the societal expectations about the holiday, but rid themselves of those obligations otherwise. 

This unfortunate phenomenon is especially applicable to New Year’s Resolutions. We all know the statistics. Gym memberships spike in January only to wane in February. Diet plans go well for twenty days only to fall off the second the New Year’s optimism ends. New Year’s resolutions are often inorganic, with ninety-five percent of people who make New Year’s resolutions failing to achieve the goal they set. Instead of coming to resolutions naturally, people wait till the New Year’s to change themselves and do not find success because of the lack of authenticity of their resolutions. Why should they try to lose weight when they are motivated in May if all their peers are doing so in January? 

In addition, New Year’s Resolutions often foster a culture of consumerism. When examining the statement’s denotation, New Year’s Resolutions are simply goals, but its connotation tells a different story– a story of environmental degradation. Big corporations, particularly in the beauty industry, will weaponize the “New Year, New Me” messaging to convince consumers that the messaging truly means “New Year, New Clothes.” Brands like H & M and Shein sell the most amount of clothes during the holidays, including New Year’s. Makeup brands convince consumers that they need their product to glow up– food companies that they need their product to eat healthier. This excess consumerism has an immense environmental impact, perpetuating climate change through the carbon dioxide emissions required to manufacture these unnecessary products. 

It is important to note that I am not arguing that no positive resolutions are made at New Year’s. In fact, I ended up making a resolution at New Year’s, to quit drinking Diet Coke. However, this resolution was not due to the time of year, as I was not planning it in advance. It was instead due to the fact that when I traveled to Costa Rica over Christmas break, they did not sell Diet Coke, so I was forced to go cold turkey off of the drink for nine days. When I came back, I no longer felt the desire to drink Diet Coke, so I quit for the health benefits. It wasn’t a New Year’s Resolution, it was just a resolution that happened to occur around New Years. Resolutions around New Years are not the problem, the culture of New Year’s resolutions that pressures people to inorganically better themselves by buying a product is. 

Gratitude should not be confined to a time of year. Giving should not be confined to a time of year. Resolutions should not be confined to a time of year. I am of the firm belief that people should change their lives when they are inspired to do so, prioritizing longevity and authenticity in resolutions over fitting in with the “New Year’s resolutions” trend. 

Started in the 1950s, Formula 1 is the pinnacle of the motorsport ladder. Every season, from March to December, ten F1 teams race in Grand Prix on five continents. The sport itself gives the illusion of watching a “Championship” or “Superbowl” every race because it is unquestionably the hardest position to reach in the world of motorsport. With up to 50 almost all American drivers in the NASCAR series, Formula One is exclusive to the best twenty drivers in the world adding to the grandeur of it all. It is incredible to win a F1 race even once, since each practice, qualifying, and race outcome can be determined by margins of a thousandth of a second. Everything from the engineering of the car in the factory to the multitude of decisions made by drivers and engineers on the track during the weekend must align perfectly to produce a victory. To achieve this frequently enough to rack up enough points to win either a Drivers’ Championship or a Constructors’ Championship even harder, making the glory all that more spectacular. 

When looking at a Formula 1 car you’ll quickly realize that they are rocket ships compared to your usual NASCAR stock car. F1 cars are all about technology that is innovative, groundbreaking, and at the top of the field. Hence the name “Formula” which describes the elements of a car the team must adhere to when designing their car each season. About every six years, Formula One will come out with new regulations to dictate how the cars should develop and perform. This combined with the typical short drivers’ contracts keeps the stakes of the sport changing and the fans on their feet. The cars possess the world’s most efficient hybrid engines with numerous parts that are measured to precision. How else would they handle 22 unique and winding tracks impressively trickier than the repetitive ovals of NASCAR tracks. The innovation that goes into a Formula One car is often the technology that will be adapted to the newest and best road cars. The aerodynamics and internal structures of these cars are way too complex for me, but if engineering is your thing, you have to look into Formula 1.

Formula 1’s massive worldwide fandom must be highlighted as well, the sport is a global phenomenon. Races are televised in over 200 countries attracting an average viewership of 12 million per race. That’s at least four times more than the NASCAR average of 3. Because of the traveling aspect of the sport, fans from every corner of the globe have a chance to see the action. Unlike Nascar which is only hosted and viewed in America. This partly stems from the fact that drivers are from all across the globe; from Logan Sargent from Florida to Yuki Tsunoda from Japan many fans learn about a variety of cultures and countries. In Italy, the home of the coveted Ferrari team, Formula One is a religion. Italians have a deep passion for their team. This strong, almost spiritual connection to a sport demonstrates Formula One’s power. 

What fans love almost as much as the racing, are the drivers. Watching 18 year old Max Verstappen race the RedBull car to his first win in Barcelona or Lewis Hamilton celebrating his 7th driver’s championship blows the minds of fans ready for the action. Formula 1 drivers demonstrate exceptional skill and bravery to push the car and themselves to the limit under extreme physical demands. Executing well under high pressure, at blistering speed, and maneuvering risky overtakes while responding to the split-second changes on the track takes not only pinnacle physical strength but also laser focus. Fans of Formula One are able to get to know and root for their favorite driver weekend and week out in a truly personal way.  The connection that an F1 fan can make to the sport and the levels of interest that are available to them, from the personal and social aspect of the driver to the intricate technical and regulative side of the sport makes Formula One the greatest form of motorsport.

Since its formation in 1948, the NASCAR Cup Series has been the pinnacle of American motorsports. The Daytona 500, the Coca-Cola 600, the Southern 500, and the Brickyard 400 are all some of the most prestigious races in the world. Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Richard Petty, and Jimmie Johnson, are some of the most famous drivers to ever race in any series. NASCAR has it all – the culture, the racing, the history. 

Formula One drivers, supposedly “the best in the world,” have taken on the world of NASCAR multiple times, each to no avail. Daniil Kvyat, Jaque Villeneuve, and Kimi Räikkönen have all tried to win in NASCAR, but never found success. Kvyat’s best finish in the Cup Series is 36th, Villeneuve was only able to finish 22nd, and Räikkönen has a best finish of 29th. Räikkönen and Villeneuve are both Formula One World Champions, and neither could crack the top 20 against NASCAR drivers.

Not only does Nascar have the best drivers, they also have more races to watch. From now until November 10, you can turn your TV on Saturday and Sunday night and expect to see a race, with just a 2-week break in late July and early August for the Olympics. Formula One fans rejoiced when the FIA announced 24 races in 2024. These races are spread out over a longer period, leaving fans with many weekends without racing.

While speedway racing might be what NASCAR is most well known for, NASCAR has arguably the most diverse schedule of any racing series in the world. NASCAR races on superspeedways, speedways, short tracks, road courses, and street circuits. 

Through the different tracks, NASCAR drives a diverse product but also a more entertaining product for the viewer. Max Verstappen has won all but 6 of the last 28 F1 races. That means one driver has won 22 races – most of them in dominating fashion. The racing in Formula One since the 2022 season has been at best mediocre, and fans have had little to watch other than Verstappen’s Red Bull streaking to the front of the field. Formula One had 3 different winners in 2023, compared to NASCAR’s 15 unique winners in the 2023 season. F1 fans only saw a lead change every 31 laps, which equates to around 1 to 3 lead changes a race, while NASCAR had an average of 20. NASCAR also lets its drivers “drive”. Formula One is notoriously strict with its penalties, and it can hurt the on-track product. NASCAR allows its drivers to make contact and drive aggressively, which leads to more exciting racing. 

NASCAR is easy to experience and watch in person. At a Formula One race, a grandstand might overlook one, maybe two corners. You may not see an on-track overtake during the entire race. At most NASCAR races, however, almost the entire track is visible from the grandstands, meaning you can watch the racing happening all over the track. It isn’t just easier to watch – Formula One ticket prices range into the thousands of dollars, and all but three races are held outside the US. The average cost to attend a NASCAR race ranges from just $30 to $120, hundreds less than Formula One races. If you aren’t watching a Formula One race in person, many events are held on the other side of the world, meaning races start early in the morning or late in the afternoon, while most NASCAR races start mid-Sunday afternoon. 

NASCAR also has one of the richest histories in motorsports. From its grassroots beginnings running moonshine through the countryside and racing on dirt, NASCAR has an incredible heritage still apparent in its racing today. 

At the end of the day it is pretty simple, NASCAR has better drivers, more races, a diverse schedule, better racing, cheaper tickets, a better product, and a richer history. What’s not to love?

Growing up, one of my favorite books was Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. The story of a young boy’s adventure into the magical world of the master-chocolatier, Willy Wonka, captivated my imagination, not to mention the fact that both Charlie Bucket and I share the same first name. When I think about Willy Wonka’s magical factory, I immediately picture the chocolate waterfall. In Willy Wonka’s wise words: “No other factory in the world mixes its chocolate by waterfall! But it’s the only way to do it properly!” The sugary, milky sludge cascading from the factory’s canopy is a cinematic image, and it translated beautifully to screen. It’s delightful to think about, and surely a real treat to taste. A delicious candy, enjoyed by many as a part of childhood that follows them as a favorable taste as an adult. The role of chocolate as a treat is important in understanding its reality… Chocolate is candy. 

I’m sure that many people can remember their first taste of chocolate. It was something new and exciting. Both sweet, rich, and decadent, a simple piece of chocolate can pack quite a punch. However, it is, among all other candies, mainly sugar. Let’s consider the Hershey Kiss, a popular form of chocolate. In a meager seven Hershey Kisses (the listed serving size), one consumes nearly one-third of their daily value in sugar (18g). This is comparable to both Mike & Ikes and Hot Tamales, each of which contain 18 grams of sugar in one serving. How can these treats contain the same amount of sugar, and not both be considered “candy.”? The answer is that they ARE both candy. Merriam-Webster defines candy as “a confection made with sugar and often flavoring and filling.” Chocolate is made of sugar, cocoa flavoring, and, sometimes, fillings such as caramel or creme. 

The question of chocolate and its association with the world of confectionery sweets has been a hot topic for years. Early forms of chocolate were said to have nutritional and health benefits, including anti-inflammatory, and an improvement of blood flow. As recently as 2018, a manufacturer of chocolate and cocoa products, Barry Callebaut AG Switzerland petitioned the FDA for permission to make a Qualified Health Claim (QHC) for high flavanol chocolates as having the properties of reducing cardiovascular disease. Callebault states: “Supportive but inconclusive scientific evidence suggests that consuming at least 200 mg of cocoa flavanols daily, such as provided by high flavanol cocoa powder, or high flavanol semisweet or high flavanol dark chocolate, may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. This product contains at least 200 mg cocoa flavanols per serving.” As noted, the benefits in question do not apply to the confection that most people think about- milk chocolate. Instead, it is dark chocolate with a high percentage of cacao that is possibly beneficial to heart health. 

Most chocolate enjoyers do not regularly eat the dark and baker’s chocolate that contain high flavanols and can, possibly, contribute to heart health. The most common and popular form of chocolate, milk chocolate, contains as much sugar as the regular “fruit-flavored” candy on the market. Although chocolatiers have argued that chocolate deserves its own category as a confection, the limited views of the community fail to take into account the perspective of the consumer: people eat chocolate because it is a sweet treat. They eat chocolate because it is candy. Surely, Willy Wonka would agree. 

When one is told to think of candy, classic treats like Nerds, Sour Patch Kids, Jolly Rachers, DumDums, Skittles, etc. are always the first thought. If you were to google candy right now, the image results would show a variety of gummy or hard candies, but not chocolate. This is because chocolate is not and should not be categorized as candy. 

Candies are usually colorful, coated with and majorly consisting of sugar, and usually have some sort of fruit or artificial flavor.  They are defined as “A confection made by the addition of ingredients to a sweet base derived from sugar cane or artificial sugar.” Cocoa from which chocolate is made is very bitter unless a sweetener is added. Chocolate as we know it is essentially the roasted cocoa bean ground up into a paste with some sugar added, and often some additional cocoa butter. Chocolate can be made with no sugar as well. Candy can not, its main ingredient is always sugar or artificial made ingredients.

Chocolate experts and enthusiasts would surely be offended by the categorization of chocolate as candy since many luxury chocolate brands have spent years perfecting recipes and finding the best cacao there is. Chocolate is a flavor and food in itself and not just an ingredient. No food tastes like chocolate unless it’s chocolate itself. Ask yourself, would you ever eat a Sour Patch Kid or Skittles to satisfy that craving for chocolate?  

Chocolate often has a different connotation than candy. For example, If you are getting your significant other something for Valentine’s Day, giving a box of chocolates says something completely more significant than giving them a bag of candy. Chocolate implies romance, while candy is less mature and tells that person “We’re friends”. The fact that chocolate-covered strawberries, chocolate cake, ice cream, drinks, and all of these exist, should be pure proof that chocolate is a flavor and its own type of sweet. Although there are some foods that are candy-flavored, gum that tastes like Skittles is not as revolutionary as a chewy chocolate chip cookie or chocolate-covered pretzels.

We’ve all been there, craving a sweet treat only to face the consequences of sugar rushes, or worse, sugar crashes. Giving in to that battle of comforting your stress with chocolate can make you feel guilty if you’re still stuck in the mindset that anything that tastes that delicious must not be a good idea. However, giving in to some chocolate cravings could be a benefit to your body. Unlike many candies that are filled with empty calories and high sugar content, chocolate, especially dark chocolate with its leading ingredient being cocoa, offers secret health benefits. Dark chocolate is known for having antioxidants containing health benefits such as reducing inflammation and improving heart health. Additionally, it provides magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc which are essential nutrients for good health. It is even proven to create mood enhancement. This provides a compelling reason to separate its greatness from the category of candy. 

Though a dull person might categorize chocolate as candy, a true chocolate lover would recognize that chocolate is so much better than candy to be put in the same category. Chocolate not only has an unmatched unique taste but also offers health benefits, unlike most sugary and nutrient-lacking candies. In the world of gourmet treats, the master creators of chocolate and the crafty creators of candy never dedicate their work to both. At the end of the day, no candy could replace that velvety feel and unmatched taste one gets from a bar of good chocolate.