Prepare Yourself: Steer Clear of Inadequacy as Enforced by Zeus
In the heart of Worcester, Massachusetts, the College of the Holy Cross, a prestigious liberal arts institution affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, played host to an unusual event. A senior student, Piper Guiney '28, majoring in classics, found herself in the midst of an extraordinary encounter that could be straight out of a Greek mythology textbook.
The incident, which did not occur at the infamous Catalina Wine Mixer, but rather at Fitton Field, began with Piper being awakened by a loud voice claiming to be Zeus, the god of the sky. The voice rebuked Piper for using ChatGPT to write a Greek history essay, a punishment that seemed far from the realms of academia.
Upon reaching Fitton Field, Piper was faced with a 12-foot-tall boulder, much like the one Sisyphus was cursed to push for eternity. Zeus, in a display of frustration, repeated his instruction for Piper to push the boulder, comparing her to Sisyphus who was known for his struggles. However, Piper, citing her recently done hair and lack of understanding of the reference, refused to comply.
Despite the event not being confirmed to have actually been Zeus, Piper's curiosity led her to Fitton Field. It is worth noting that the College of the Holy Cross is committed to intellectual development and personal growth, encouraging its students to question and explore.
Meanwhile, the Catalina Wine Mixer, a notorious darty (dapper party) at Holy Cross College, is a place where students gather to meet, hold hands, and sing. It is not the setting for Piper's unusual encounter.
In a separate event, Piper Guiney '28 was also referenced in an article titled "Guide to Navigating Family at Thanksgiving". The article discussed the upcoming Thanksgiving break, offering advice on how to navigate family dynamics during the holiday season.
The myth of Sisyphus, while related to punishment for hubris and defying divine order, does not specifically link to using technology to write academic work. Greek mythology more closely associates punishment for improper use or acquisition of knowledge with the Prometheus myth—eternal torment for defying the gods to aid humanity. Sisyphus’s punishment is metaphorical for endless futile effort rather than punishment for technology or writing academically.
The College of the Holy Cross, founded in 1843, continues to provide a nurturing environment for its students, encouraging them to explore, question, and grow, even in the face of the unusual and extraordinary.
- Piper Guiney '28, despite her major in classics, found herself in an unlikely scenario that could have originated from a Greek myth, involving a 12-foot-tall boulder at Fitton Field on campus, reminiscent of Sisyphus' punishment.
- Despite the unconfirmed identity of the figure who reproached her for using technology to write an essay, Piper's encounter, unfolding at Fitton Field, underscores the College of the Holy Cross' commitment to intellectual exploration and curiosity among its students.
- While the College of the Holy Cross is distinguished for fostering questioning and understanding, Piper's bizarre experience on Fitton Field is not comparable to the social gatherings and entertainment at the Catalina Wine Mixer, a renowned event on the campus' social-media circuits.
