The Northwestern mascot name has been a topic of discussion and controversy for many years. The university's official mascot is the Wildcat, which represents the spirit and ferocity of the sports teams. However, in recent years, there have been calls for a change in the mascot name due to concerns about cultural appropriation. Some argue that the name "Wildcat" is insensitive and disrespectful to Native Americans, as it can be seen as trivializing their culture. They argue that using a Native American mascot name perpetuates stereotypes and harms the Native American community. On the other hand, there are those who believe that the current mascot name is not offensive and is simply a representation of the university's athletic teams.
On the other hand, there are those who believe that the current mascot name is not offensive and is simply a representation of the university's athletic teams. They argue that changing the mascot name would be an unnecessary and excessive measure. In response to the controversy, the university administration has held discussions and forums to gather feedback from students, faculty, and alumni.
I reviewed all 700 spells in Kobold Press’s Deep Magic Book
The point of the document is not for people to read through it all (that would be as insane as writing it) but rather if you do buy this book, and are looking at approving a specific spell, this may give you some idea of any problems the spell currently has.
I also point out some of the great spells in the book as well. You can find them labelled as (GREAT)
I guess if I had to summarize my findings I’d say that this book’s spells are filled with a mix of proofreading and balance problems.
- Either ignoring or just not understanding 5th edition mechanics.
- It has a lot of spells with unclear or vague text.
- The spells are not balanced for their level
- There are at least 140 spells that to me are clearly underpowered or clearly overpowered for their level (and not by a little)
- There are another 83 spells that are on the edge of being called either of these.
But there are other issues with it’s spells as well.
- There is an over-reliance on referencing other spells in order to explain a spell's effects.
- Too often you need the creature statblocks in one of Kobold Press’s other products to use these spells
- Though this is somewhat mitigated by the statblocks being open license, since you can find websites that provide them. They should still have been provided in this book.
- The 1st level spell Mosquito Bane, for instance, lets you kill any insects (with less than 25 hp) within 50 feet of you without them even getting a chance to save against it.
The quality of the subclasses is much better than the spells. But they can be generic at times.
The formatting also needs work as well. About 50 pages worth of actual content gets thrown into an appendix for some reason (including subclasses, spells, and other features).
- They introduce new spell schools but then don’t treat the subclasses and spells in these schools consistently (some subclasses or spells end up in their associated school’s section, while others get thrown into another section of the book)
That isn’t to say it is all bad news. I think there is great content in the book. It just gets dragged down by all of this.
Also, a lot of the issues that were present in their past products weren't addressed. Like many of these proofreading issues were present in the Midgard Heroes Handbook as well as earlier Deep Magic products.
Overall, the product just felt like it needed more time in the oven.
I also point out some of the great spells in the book as well. You can find them labelled as (GREAT)
Some have suggested alternative mascot names that are more inclusive and do not carry potential cultural appropriation. For example, "Nighthawks" and "Spartans" have been proposed as possible alternatives. Ultimately, the decision to change the Northwestern mascot name rests with the university administration. They will need to balance the desires of the community with the tradition and history associated with the current mascot. It is a complex and sensitive issue, and the university will need to carefully consider the impact of any potential changes..
Reviews for "The Tradition Continues: Preserving Northwestern's Mascot Name for Future Generations"
1. Sarah - 1 star
I was extremely disappointed when I heard about Northwestern's new mascot name. "Norrthwstern" just sounds so awkward and forced. It doesn't have any historical or cultural significance, and it doesn't capture the spirit of the university. It feels like someone just randomly combined letters together and came up with this mess. I expected better from such a prestigious institution. Overall, this mascot name feels like a major letdown and I can't imagine it generating much excitement or school spirit.
2. Michael - 2 stars
I have to say, I was quite underwhelmed by the choice of "Norrthwstern" as Northwestern's mascot name. It lacks creativity and originality. It's almost as if they couldn't come up with anything better and just settled for this mediocre option. In addition, the spelling is just odd and confusing. It's clear that they were trying to be unique, but it ended up being more of a distraction than anything else. Northwestern is known for its academic excellence, and it's a shame that the same level of care and thought wasn't put into selecting a more fitting and meaningful mascot name.
3. Jessica - 1 star
I really don't understand why Northwestern decided to go with "Norrthwstern" as their mascot name. Not only is it difficult to pronounce and spell, but it also sounds like they were trying too hard to be edgy and different. It's not catchy or memorable in any way, and it definitely doesn't reflect the rich history and traditions of the university. I expected more from Northwestern, and this choice just feels like a missed opportunity to create a strong and meaningful mascot name that the entire community could rally behind. Overall, I'm extremely disappointed and unimpressed.
4. John - 1 star
As an alumnus of Northwestern, I was really looking forward to the unveiling of the new mascot name. However, I was left feeling incredibly let down and disheartened by the choice of "Norrthwstern." It doesn't have any personality or charm. It sounds generic and unoriginal, and it doesn't evoke any sense of pride or excitement. I understand wanting to stand out and be unique, but this name misses the mark completely. It's hard to imagine anyone getting behind this uninspiring choice, and I hope Northwestern reconsiders and selects a more fitting and memorable mascot name in the future.
The Story Behind the Mascot: Northwestern's Mascot Name and Its Symbolism