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15 Most Controversial CollegeCandy Posts Ever

Zara - Drexel — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 19:00:54 +0000

Rarrrr!

All of the CollegeCandy writers are strong, smart and…er…opinionated people. So we’re not surprised when some of our blogs turn into heated battlegrounds. But unlike some other sites, we don’t let this scare us. In fact, we take pride in our super-opinionated writers AND readers. After all, that’s the whole point of CollegeCandy — a place where every college girl gets her voice heard.

So to honor those voices and give you, our opinionated readers, a chance to raise yours once more, we’re bringing you the 15 most controversial CollegeCandy posts of all time. (Well, besides our most recent commentary on Demi Lovato. That wound’s still fresh.)

Break out the claws, ladies!

1. Trying To Understand The Curvy Girl Backlash
By CC Staff
Actually a response to a previous post’s backlash, this post tackled the body image debate that is getting everyone’s panties in a bunch. The point is raised that va-va-voom celebs like Salma Hayek and Beyonce do not belong in the same category as other women who are a little bigger, like Nikki Blonsky.

2. Taylor Swift Is Really, Super, Totally Overrated
By Lauren
Let’s face it, the girl’s voice is pretty forgettable. Sure, she’s adorable and wholesome, but why does there have to be a full-on riot every time someone utters a less-than-glowing word against T. Swift?

3. Should I Feel Guilty That I Can Afford An Unpaid Internship?
By: CC Staff
Unpaid internships are kind of the best (and only) way to get your foot in the door for so many careers these days, so why should any of us feel guilty if we have to ask our parents for financial help while we work hard to ensure a future career?

4. Young and Broke: I’m Paying For My Own Education
By: Sarabeth
Sarabeth pays her hefty college tuition – it’s a struggle, but click to see why she’s grateful for this.

5. The Lady Gaga Look Is Getting Old
By: Alex
Most people think Lady Gaga can do no wrong. Some people ~~think wearing a filet mignon hat is definitely wrong~~ don’t. Call us crazy, but we think it’s okay to disagree with the masses.

5. Greek Speak: Why You Should (And Shouldn’t) Go Greek
By: Sorority Girl
Sororities aren’t for everyone, but some people get a lot out of them. Our Sorority Girl along with a panel of sorority women present both viewpoints.

6. 10 Things We Wish Guys Knew
By: Laura
Our version of Cosmo’s famed column. Apparently, not everyone agrees with us.

7. Single Girl Hits Rock Bottom
By: Lauren
Being single is great, but sometimes the single-girl diet isn’t so great for our waistlines…or self-esteem.

8. Perez Hilton Is A Hypocrite
By: Laura
Perez is a hater. And if you’re a hater, you can’t be a hater hater too.

9. Movies Guaranteed To Make You Cry
By: Mazuba
(Confession: A Walk To Remember is playing as I write this.) We break down some of the movies that do it for us whenever we need a good sob-fest. What are your go-to tearjerkers?

10. I, Slut: Girl-On-Girl Name Calling
By: Sara O
Just because a girl has a lot of sex, don’t call her a slut. Or, if you must, think about what you’re really saying first.

11. Why Are Girls So Mean To Each Other?
By: Elizabeth
Why do girls love to hate on each other? No, seriously, why?

12. Ask A Dude: My Ex Won’t Be My Friend.
By: The Dude
A guy’s (brutally) honest answer to this eternal question.

13. The 30 Most Overrated Guys In Hollywood
By: CC Staff
No offense to these dudes, but we’re just not seeing it.

14. The Dating Double Standard
By: Jill
When guys do it, they’re precious. When we do it, we’re clingers. What’s the deal?

15. Weekly Ten: The Top Ten Reasons I Am Hating Hipsters
By: Melanie
We don’t hate you because you’re a hipster. We hate you because we can’t tell if you’re straight. And handlebar mustaches are gross.

Duke It Out: Does Sex Sell?

Lauren H - The New School — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 13:00:14 +0000

[It's pretty obvious that the average CollegeCandy reader has some very strong opinions. Opinions that she likes to share with everyone on the site. We love a strong woman (unless she happens to be charging at us with her fists raised), so we thought we'd give her a real forum to discuss her thoughts, feelings, and perspectives. Every Friday I'll be featuring a hot topic (like whether men and women can be just friends!) and leaving it up to you, the readers, to duke it out. So, read it and get your debate on in the comments section below!]

According to the old adage, sex sells. Plenty of companies on the market seem to operate under that idea, even ones that it doesn’t really make any sense for (um, how is my fabric softener sexy?). However, with American Apparel – a company known mainly for multi-colored tees, metallic leggings and having porntastic ads – circling the drain, it makes me wonder if the whole “sex sells” thing is just hype.

On one side, the idea that sex sells makes sense. We all want to be attractive and sexy, be surrounded by sexy people, do sexy things and maybe even have sex, so that seems like a pretty solid strategy for trying to sell stuff – appeal to the appetite. Also, the whole basic point of advertising in the first place is to attract people’s attention to a product, and while companies like American Apparel and Abercrombie (anyone remember when their ads were a big deal?) may not be showcasing their clothes as much as how provocative they can be, the ads do attract attention. By that logic, even if people don’t directly but their products because of what they saw in the ads, at least it makes people aware of the brand, and in turn more likely to shop there.

At the same time though, I can’t think of anyone I know who’s ever bought something because they saw it in an American Apparel ad. In fact, I’ve never heard of anyone buying anything from them because they thought it would somehow make them sexier, which seems to defeat concept number one. Also, if the idea it just to be as scandalous as possible to attract attention why even bother with the models? Why not, say, just make shocking accusations about historical figures, or put up a big sign telling people to go screw themselves or – oh! brilliant marketing idea! – be honest and tell people that you have overpriced crap merchandise? (Besides those luxurious t-shirts…mmmmm.) Seems like that would get just as much attention as a porn star in socks. And since their numbers are going down the toilet, it seems that the sexed up ads haven’t done much for their sales.

What do you think? Is “sex sells” tried and true, or is it about as real as the lashes in mascara commercials? Do you buy things because of sexy ads, or do you just ignore them? Duke it out!

Crawford – A Film Everyone Needs to See

Lauren - University of Michigan — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 14:41:08 +0000

An historic election is only 19 days away. No matter which candidate you support, it is more important than ever to get involved and assist in electing our next president. Students and young people across the country are taking their role in this election and the political process very seriously. From volunteering for the party of their choice to registering voters, and everything in between, our generation is getting involved like never before.

And some are going even further.

David Modigliani, a Harvard grad with an MFA from University of Texas, is an ordinary 20-something who went to extraordinary lengths to involve himself in the political process. Modigliani saw an issue in the Bush administration and politics in general and wanted to get the real story.

“I started this project because I felt duped. I didn’t know Bush wasn’t from Crawford, Texas. When I found out that he’d moved to Crawford in 1999, a couple of months before announcing his candidacy for President, I realized how well the creation of a folksy, aw-shucks small town political persona had worked. I consider myself an educated citizen, but I could have sworn he was actually from Crawford. I had bought the narrative without thinking twice.

I wanted to see this town he’d made into a symbol. And I wanted to make a film indicting him for it.

As it turns out, I found something much more compelling – the people of Crawford, Texas itself. It’s been thrilling to see audiences meet these characters – to see the ways in which their lives change profoundly over the years. So, thankfully, CRAWFORD is not a film about George W. Bush – who wants another one of those? – it’s about a tiny town thrust into big time politics. It’s a look at the Bush era through the eyes of the people who’ve had a front row seat. It’s about a town that goes from 15 minutes of fame to ground zero for 20,000 protesters — becoming a microcosm for national conflict in the process.”

So he made the film. And now you can watch it right here. For free.

This movie is not about Democrats or Republicans; it is about politics, lies and is more than relevant during this election season. So watch it, own it, talk about it, then get to the polls; you don’t have to make a film to have your voice be heard.

“I’ll Use This Weapon on that Devil Horse if I Have To”

CC Staff — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 17:40:28 +0000

See more funny videos at Funny or Die


So tonight's the big final debate at Hofstra University.  Important, right?  Really important.  But...is anyone else Palin, McCain, and Obama-ed out?
I almost can't even type their names anymore.  It taxes my brain and my spirit.  So much talking...so much spin...please.let.it.END.
Instead of writing a long article about who I think should be president and why, I'm going to post a hilarious video of Will Ferrell being George Bush and carrying around metal rakes.  It's a much more enjoyable way to digest politics right now.



Love Obama? Let Him Love You Back!
Lauren - University of Michigan — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 13:40:46 +0000

I love Barack Obama. LOVE him. I love his policies, I love his speeches and I love the way he looks in a bathing suit. If Michelle hadn’t already nabbed that guy, I would definitely take him home for myself. And, yes, he may have made it into one (or many) of my “do me on the desk in the Oval Office” fantasies.
And now I can live out my fantasies….sorta.
Introducing: The Barack Obama Dildo.

This badboy puts the “OH!” into Obama.
It isn’t nearly as sexy as the real guy, but it is an Obama I can store under my pillow. For nightly use. Especially after foreplay debates.
It’s just my little way of giving my all to this year’s monumental election.
[For more election fun and general hilarity, join CollegeCandy's Facebook group!] 

         


Sarah Palin Winks At Joe Six Pack
Jess - NYU — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 17:00:26 +0000

Love her or hate her, Sarah Palin sure knows how to use a well executed wink.
Either she's found out just how much America loves a good old fashioned devilish gesture, or, like me, her eye twitches when she's stressed out and/or scared.
Too bad my eye twitch isn't as cute.

         


The Week That Gave Us All Premature Heart Attacks
CC Staff — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:41:06 +0000
Have the last 7 days made anyone else crave a bubble bath and a good book?  How about a Valium?
Anyway, the world kind of imploded this week.  Cheerleaders were bashed for being cheerleaders, we had flashbacks to 7th grade when our sworn enemy put a dead fish in our locker, that awkward hook-up just became the top dining hall gossip, and we seriously forgot how to actually care.
To make matters worse, we found out that men cheat on us a lot, and John McCain almost didn’t make it to tonight’s debate.
A week like this makes us want to manufacture our own boyfriend, go shopping at American Apparel,  find a much younger guy to toy with, eat some candy bar brownies, and eff Jeremy Piven.
At least we learned how to survive that 8 AM class.  If nothing else, we’ll be early for the end of the world.

         


Candy Dish: Mommy, There’s a Winehouse Under My Bed
Jess - NYU — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 17:10:32 +0000
Amy Winehouse continues to scare the piss out of us
McCain gets his ass to the Mississippi debates
How to not get arrested: Be Shia LaBeouf
A shopping high without spending the cash?
Natalie Portman dumps Jesus 
We don’t need no gym!
The first woman to pay for space travel 
Brit, he ain’t worth it!
So…scared…can’t…type
Why don’t they just open up a zoo?  A child zoo.
Oh snap!  The Hef is bankrupt?!
Must Buy: adorable little wristlets 
We LOVE you, Sacha Baron Cohen!
Happy Lumberjack Day!!
Sigh…Ed McMahon sells his soul 
Man, the Internet is just full of scary sh*t today

         


What’s Going On With McCain’s Left Eye?
Lauren - University of Michigan — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 18:55:20 +0000

What’s the deal here? Is he winking at Sarah Palin? Is his left side really tired? Is his 937 year old body slowly going to sleep?
Some people speculate a stroke. Other say Bell’s Palsy (which is a temporary paralysis of the face).
Whatever it is, we are beginning to think John McCain cancelled Friday’s debate because of his drooping left eye and not because of the drooping economy. Iiiiinteresting.

         


Grad School: Is it For You?–Check Your Ego at the Door
Kathryn S — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 18:30:36 +0000
By my senior year of college, I could fly through my assignments and earn A’s on half-assed work.  I could effectively balance bar-hopping and writing essays, and working part-time jobs and cramming for midterms.  I knew that grad school would kick it up a notch, and I was ready for the challenge.  However, I had forgotten what it felt like to try and not succeed, and I wasn’t quite as prepared for my self-esteem to take a beating.
I admit to not putting 100% into my academic efforts in college, but that was because I didn’t need to.  I was writing papers with a buzz on and taking finals hungover, and still made Dean’s List.  I knew that grad school would be different though, and I fully intended on being a legitimate scholar.
If you are considering grad school, you are probably doing very well in school.  By senior year, you’re probably breaking the curves and tutoring your friends.  You probably stand out in class for having thoughtful ideas and a firm grasp of the subject matter.  Newsflash: Everyone in Grad School has gotten used to being a star scholar.
Often, PhD students and MA students will be mixed into classes together.  I went from taking Shakespeare classes with business majors who didn’t know the definition of “iambic pentameter” to listening to a PhD debate over which folio edition was most likely the Bard’s original manuscript.  WTF? My thoughts exactly.
Because college often mixes students of all different academic backgrounds, there’s a lot of information that slips through the cracks, even in a university setting.  There were certain things that other MA students took for granted that I’d never been taught.  A lot of research methods that PhD students had been using for years were completely alien to me.  Even more embarrassing (for an English major, especially): I’d never written an abstract.  Of course, writing an abstract was one of my first assignments in grad school.
I spent longer writing my first two-page abstract (a response to a critical article by one of the most renowned Shakespeare scholars in academia) than I did writing a ten-page research paper in college.  Imagine my disdain when I received a “check minus” and a “Please Revise” comment on the damn thing.  My professors in undergrad had always complimented my writing style, but my graduate professor tore apart my abstract.  Comments like “wordy,” “colloquial,” and “strive for active verbs” littered the piece that I’d struggled with for hours.
As I continued through the semester, I continued to be disappointed with myself time and again.  I ended up rewriting almost every abstract I wrote for my graduate Shakespeare class, and even my revisions usually didn’t get a higher mark than a “check.”  Once a straight “A” student, I got a “C” on an easy response activity because I had two grammatical errors that involved a comma and a semi-colon.  I had research paper proposals torn to shreds, and I was told to completely redo entire assignments for various reasons.
Of course, by the end of my grad school career, I was working with the same professor who had given me my first “check minus.” As my thesis advisor, she constantly reassured me that my writing style had become more polished, and the rest of my committee also complimented my word choice and tone.  In the end, I stuck it out, and I improved, but it was never easy to handle harsh criticism and see my work take such a beating.
I’m not going to tell you that I finished grad school without a considerable amount of tears, rage, and near-nervous breakdowns.  Still, I completed the degree and expanded my knowledge of English literature.  Looking back, I think I may have been too sensitive to the negative feedback I received time and again, but that just goes to show that grad school isn’t for everyone.  If you are planning on moving on, I suggest you grow a thick skin and check your ego at the door.