Introduction - Joe Stanek

1. What has been your favorite course of study in or out of school? Why?

My favorite thing to study has been anything to do with medicine and the human body. I just really want to help save lives.

2. How many pages was the longest paper you have written? Did it include endnotes and bibliography?

My longest paper was in high school English III. It was a 14 page "word" paper. The assignment was a detailed analysis of a single word along with our own personal feelings about the word. It did have endnotes and a bibliography.

3. Which was your favorite paper? Please tell us about the topic in a couple of sentences.

I wrote a research paper on the Korean War. The paper was put on display and I was asked by the family of a Korean War veteran if they could have a copy. I was honored by their request. Plus, I learned more about the war while writing this paper than I did in any of my history classes.

4. Is there a particular kind of writing you love to do?

Analytic writing. I learn the most from it.

5. Which books have you read lately: art, fiction, non-fiction, sci-fi, poetry, environmental, film? Any comments are welcome.

Outside of school I read almost exclusively non-fiction books.

6. Which artist or writer really impresses you? Why?

I don't know if musical artists count, but Maynard James Keenan is an incredible songwriter/lyricist and vocalist. I don't agree with everything he has to say, but his use of the english language in music is pretty impressive.

7. What is your main interest besides writing, art, music, (i.e., the humanities)?

My favorite is biology. I also like psychology, philosophy and history.

8. Please describe briefly an article in a newspaper or a magazine that got you thinking lately.

I've been reading about the protests in Chilean Patagonia over a proposed hydroelectric dam. It's really amazing to see what lengths some people will go to to protect their land and livelihood.

9. Which recent cultural event has really impressed you? This can be a museum, a concert, or anything like that, but also a sports game (if you consider this a cultural event, for which there are good reasons).

Honestly, I thought it was interesting and kind of funny how crazy Canadians got after Vancouver lost to Boston in game seven of the Stanley Cup Finals. Hockey is clearly a very large and important part of Canadian culture.

10. Is there another, non-cultural event that has affected you deeply.

Before I left for college, I was given some advice. The person that gave the advice said, "Never forget where you came from". This is something I will not soon forget.

11. Please share with us a thought or an idea that really widened your intellectual horizon. If possible, give a source for this idea so that those who are interested know where to go.

This may seem like a strange answer but, what got me thinking the most is the idea that things can always be much worse. This idea forces me to remember not to take anything for granted, and it helps me strive to do my best. There isn't really a source for this.