The Current | Vol. 31 Issue 8

September 29, 2020 | nsucurrent.nova.edu 6 Arts & Entertainment A.S.M.R.: Listen to this A.S.M.R., or Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, is one of those things many of us shy away from admitting is our guilty pleasure. Some of us cannot tolerate these “tingles” a single bit. What is it about A.S.M.R. that either pulls us in so easily or pushes us very far away? Jennifer Allen, the woman who first coined A.S.M.R. watched space videos and realized there was an unexplainable feeling that occurred every time she watched these videos. This feeling brushed through her scalp and sent a tingling sensation down her spine. Allen, confused about what this feeling was and what exactly this meant, searched the internet to see if anyone “My favorite fall activity is really just one perfect day that I get to explore local farms. I can find the perfect mini-pumpkin to take home, get a chance to go on a nice hayride or walk through a maze and take some pictures, finishing off the day with some hot or frozen apple cider,” said Christina McLaughlin, co-editor-in-chief “Back home, way up north, this is around the time when the leaves start to change and the air gets a little cooler. I love going out to a few of my favorite hiking spots, finding a high spot like a tower or a bluff and looking out over the red and orange maple-covered hills. It’s also nice to be outside and take advantage of the weather when we finally get a break from the heat and humidity. While we don’t really get that here in South Florida, I still like going out and walking around some nature trails in the area when it starts to drop below 90 degrees,” said Madelyn Rinka, co-editor-in-chief “Fall in Florida is not as magical as it seems to be in other places that actually experience the changing of the seasons, but I’m a strong believer that magic is everywhere -- even in the South Florida heat. With that, my favorite Florida fall activity is eating. This time of year, all the stores start preparing fall-themed foods and beverages. else was having similar experiences. Many users didn’t name exactly what she felt but several explained a sensation they felt due to an unusual visual or sound. In 2010, Allen sat down to create a name for this brain tingling feeling and Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response, or A.S.M.R., became the semi-official name of this strange sensation. After the name was picked and Allen shared the official name with her “A.S.M.R. group,” many people from all over the country started sending in anonymous videos of them speaking softly into microphones. Years later, creating A.S.M.R. videos became a hot trend on YouTube. These videos range from minutes to hours of From apple flavors to pumpkin spice and s’mores, I’m all for it. Fall time is also the best time to drink chai tea lattes -- they’re my favorite, and if you add some pumpkin spice in there, it’s even more perfect for the season,” said Flor Ana Mireles, copy editor “While I can’t experience the cool and crisp fall air of the north, a fall activity I can do anywhere is curling up with a great horror novel and a mug of warm spiced apple cider. I’m a big fan of Stephen King novels and have read almost every one. Give me any spooky novel with some warm spiced apple cider fromTrader Joe’s and I’ll turn right into a pumpkin; that’s how seasonally appropriate this activity is for me,” said Sofia Gallus, arts & entertainment editor “Halloween is the only holiday that matters. Who cares about the others. Christmas? Never heard of her. The glorious All Hallow’s Eve? It is the most important day of the year. I spend most of the fall working with my coworkers to create and stage a marvelous Halloween decoration and performance for the office decorating contest. The Office of Student Media has won every time for the last three years and I don’t intend on breaking that streak. We definitely want to go for double digits,” said Alexander Martinie, opinions editor “As soon as I feel the slightly cooler breeze of September, it’s time to break out the fall fashion, By: Aliyah Gomez Contributing Writer influencers speaking, tapping and even eating close to microphones. Businesses have also found ways to incorporate A.S.M.R. in their advertisements. These companies sometimes do this at the beginning of YouTube videos or in television commercials. You may have even seen commercials using A.S.M.R. in the 2019 SuperBowl. Many companies use this tactic to target their younger audiences, as they’re more likely to pay attention to A.S.M.R. videos. Unlike those who enjoy searching the web for A.S.M.R., some absolutely cannot tolerate it. Many people don’t like the sound of chewing into a microphone, but that may not be the only issue. Have you ever thought about the specific term to explain your complete with chunky boots, comfortable jeans and layers of burnt orange, deep maroon and olive green. Especially since we’ve been in quarantine for over half of a year, it’s been refreshing to start dressing up again, even if it’s just for a brisk walk to the UC for some coffee and studying. Once you have your autumn-themed outfit, a warm cup of coffee and a cool breeze, you’ll be unstoppable for the season,” said Erin Cowan, visual design and multimedia assistant “Living in Florida for the past three years has given me a new appreciation for all of the fall activities I can enjoy when I am back home in Colorado. While I love being able to brag about my weekend beach excursions during Florida’s “fall” to my family and friends back home, nothing beats curling up next to the fireplace with a hot drink and a good book or a hike in the brisk autumn mountain air,” said E mma Heineman, features editor “While fall feels different here than what it feels like back in New Jersey -- somewhere that has much more seasonally appropriate temperatures when compared to sunny living of South Florida -- I still enjoy all the seasonal changes that come along with fall. The biggest change I am a fan of is the change of decor, the brown and orange tones that litter everyday life just make me feel so much warmer inside. It reminds me of home since my mother takes fall dislike of these subtle yet triggering sounds? Misophonia is a condition in which one or more common sounds, such as the ticking of a clock, someone chewing their food or even the sound of crickets outside the window, can cause a powerful negative emotional response in a person. Those of us that wouldn’t dare to click on an A.S.M.R. video probably are thinking that this definition fits us perfectly. Whether you are into A.S.M.R. or not, there’s one thing we can all agree on: A.S.M.R is one of the most niche ways our generation is keeping themselves entertained. It makes you wonder; what’s next? and Halloween decorating quite seriously. I have already bought some fall pillows and blankets to spice up my living room for the coming season,” said Rick Esner, news editor “About five minutes away from my house is a local farmer’s market inside the Flamingo Nursery off of Flamingo Road and 595. They usually host an annual fall festival where they have a small pumpkin patch, some fall treats and smoked barbeque. They really try to create a ‘fall’ atmosphere, even though it is usually 85 degrees with a slight cool breeze in the South Florida fall,” said Farhan Shaban, chief of visual design. “As a native South Floridian, fall seems like an abstract concept that still finds a way to delight our lives. One of my favorite activities to take part in is pumpkin carving with my family. Every year, my mom and I will pick pumpkins (from Publix, of course) and turn them into masterpieces. Once we’ve carved our new friends, we will break out the paint and add color to the gourds. The last step is adding a carrot nose or some green pepper ears. It is one of our longest traditions and I intend to carve pumpkins one day with my own family,” said S iena Berardi, sports editor What is your favorite fall activity? PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY E. HEINEMAN Hiking at Kenosha pass in Colorado PHOTO PRINTED PERMISSION BY C. MCLAUGHLIN Taken at local pumpkin patch