Reading the letters to the editor today was a great example of the capacity of most people to get upset about things that don’t matter. It is amazing that alumni from over ten years ago are writing in to express shame and disappointment over this. I read the Technician nearly every day and, astoundingly, my life continued unaltered, uninterrupted even, when there was no Daily Tar Hell. It’s worrisome that, with my graduation coming up, I might also become fixated on trivial things years after I leave NC State. Is graduation the end of the line?  

I’ve been at NC State since 2007 and not once have I considered this an integral part of  experience here; what’s worse is the idea that our rivalry with UNC-Chapel Hill is crucial to our identity and unity. I’ve embarrassingly endured the dumb quips that come with introducing a UNC-CH friend to the “tradition-keepers” of NC State, and vice-versa. If you like satire and mockery, try explaining to an international student why we hate UNC. Rivalries breed absurd traditions, habits and notions. One student wrote in a letter over this: “Carolina is no Taliban, though I hate them just as much.” The Taliban. A terrorist organization. Astounding. I would love seeing the students I go to school with hate with such zealous, real foes. Like inequality. Or homelessness. Or the Taliban. I would love to be able to sit in a bar and watch NC State play without hearing fellow Wolfpackers talk about adopted hate.  

Unlike these letters of resentment over infringement of resentment, I will in fact continue to read the Technician for the same reason I have been for eight years, because it keeps me informed of the progress, research and global contribution going on at NC State. Amazingly, some great things going on here at NC State are collaborations with UNC-CH. Dances with the devil. Sorry, Taliban.  

Bryan Maxwell

BAE Graduate Student

My name is Harry Barbee. I am an alumnus of North Carolina State University. I want you to know how pleased I am with your decision to not run the Daily Tar Hell. For a long time I have been incredibly perturbed by what feels like a compulsory ideology of the NC State student body: to absolutely detest anything and everything about UNC Chapel Hill. In my view, this ideology is not only immature and unwarranted, but most importantly, it is a detraction from potential collaboration between two outstanding universities. Whether NC State students like it or not, UNC-CH is an incredible university that produces rigorous knowledge through outstanding research, and, to be clear, notable athletes. Too often do I witness NC State students and alumni engage in ruthless demagoguery that aims to adulterate the value of UNC-CH as an academic institution, all because they just so happen to play against NC State in sports. There is a time and place for respectful athletic banter, and journalism can certainly be a part of that. However, given the context, I think it would be naive to argue that the Daily Tar Hell is published with the intention to playfully tease. It is clear to me, as it has always been, that the purpose of this regular issue in the Technician is to provoke unnecessary hatred and layer the ego of a student body who, for some reason, constantly feels as though they must one-up UNC-CH. All the while, they make fools of themselves. 

Surely, you may disagree with my sentiments. That’s fine. Nevertheless, I am pleased that the Technician is moving away from demagoguery and taking a more mature and professional stance on this issue. I absolutely support your decision, and am very proud of you for making it. My only displeasure is with the band of fanatics who have probably already begun directing hateful words your way. Stay strong.

Harry N. Barbee

Doctoral Student

Department of Sociology