Hello everybody! Welcome to The Amherst Outlet, an extension of TrueMass, your online media source for Amherst news. I’m Julian Mendoza, an English and Journalism double-major at UMass Amherst, one-third of TrueMass and the sole reporter behind this blog. Although I’m happy you’re here, this introduction is, hopefully, the last chance you have to get [...]
Blog
He Might Not Have Jumped the Pond, But He Definitely Made a Splash: How “Pond Killer” Sean Quinn’s Idea Stirs Up a Discussion About Pond Safety
By Julian Mendoza and Becky Wandel April 19, 2019. The scent of gasoline and anticipation fills the air. Finals week is stealthily creeping up on students at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Time to give the people one last smile. The revving growl of a motorcycle engine swallows the cries of Canada geese fleeing the scene, [...]
A Look to The Future: This Semester’s Key Takeaways
By Julian Mendoza When I first stepped into my role as a multimedia journalist, I entered with a progressive mindset and an awareness that the playing field is evolving. Having worked all semester applying myself by writing, interviewing, filming, and editing videos, I can confirm that this early perception of modern journalism was not only [...]
No Ride Home: How Ride Sharing Must Improve in the Wake of Tragedy
By Julian Mendoza and Becky Wandel On March 29, University of South Carolina student Samantha Josephson, 21, was killed by a man she mistook for her Uber driver, throwing the transportation service company into the spotlight. The murder brings into question the effectiveness of Uber’s safety policies. “Since 2017, we’ve been working with local law [...]
Reflection and Summary of The Facebook Dilemma
By Julian Mendoza The Facebook Dilemma Frontline documentary brings to the forefront of the mind what we’re really signing up for when we create and operate a Facebook account. One major issue posed is that Facebook’s algorithm promotes a culture where false information thrives and pollutes how we think. Another concern presented is how the [...]
Do You Take Tech With Your Coffee? Shiru Cafe Looks to Pioneer a Tech-Savvy Future
By Julian Mendoza If you’re an average Amherst resident that happens to stumble across Shiru Cafe while walking downtown, you might be disappointed when they deny your business. If you’re a student or university affiliate, though, stopping by Shiru is a glimpse into the future of coffee shops. The interior of Shiru Cafe, a popular [...]
Architecture at UMass Amherst: A Different Dimension of Diversity
Love it or hate it, there's no denying that UMass Amherst is a mixing bowl of different architectural styles that is always changing. Students and faculty share their thoughts on the past, present, and future of buildings on campus. https://vimeo.com/327856334 Video by Julian Mendoza and Becky Wandel.
Video Project Personal Reflection
By Julian Mendoza Putting together this video piece was a milestone, a pleasure, and a learning opportunity for me. Considering that this was my first time using video as my primary storytelling medium, I am especially pleased with how my partner and I executed our vision and polished it into a cohesive, fluid end product. [...]
Response to “Deliverance From 27,000 Feet”
By Julian Mendoza The New York Times article “Deliverance From 27,000 Feet” does a remarkable job employing a multitude of dimensions to supplement a story so that it immerses the audience. The writing is vivid and rich in detail, catapulting into an action movie-like moment and continuing to enthrall the reader as the story goes [...]
Young Adults May Be More “Adult” Than We Thought: How One Lab at UMass Might Change Our Outlook on Adolescence
By Julian Mendoza In their most recent study, the Neuro-Learning and Performance Lab at the University of Massachusetts looks to show that despite popular belief, adolescents aren’t as reckless as society makes them out to be. “The hypothesis is that the adolescents process the given information more truthfully and more down-to-earth, counter to what people [...]
The Value of Seeing the Parkland Shooting Videos
By Julian Mendoza Although there is controversy surrounding the publicity of student-taken footage of the Parkland shooting, not making the videos available for viewing undermines journalistic values and has the potential to impact the public’s perception of the country’s gun problem. The Washington Post’s tagline, “Democracy Dies in Darkness,” tells us exactly why people need [...]
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