Jester of Columbia
The Jester of Columbia, or simply the Jester, is a campus humor magazine. Legendarily founded on April Fool's Day, 1901, it is one of the oldest such publications in the US. Revived in 2001 after a 12-year lapse in publication and again in 2004 after a shorter one, Jester has once again begun to produce magazines as well as sponsor comedy events on Columbia's campus.
Jester-CUSJ war
In 2007, a bizarre conflict developed between Jester and the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal. In April of that year, members of CUSJ stole 700+ copies of Jester, returning them days later with a manifesto attached directing readers to a website advertising "Jester's lies".
CUSJ charges Jester with a "lackluster understanding of particle physics, frequent misrepresentations of string theory, and fervent hatred toward America." After all, they assert, "who wants a lusterful understanding of particle physics?"
Jester writers contend they have a "brilliant understanding of particle physics," make frequently correct representations of string theory, and mount a "fervent defense of America against the Columbia Undergraduate Science Journal."
Jester alumni
- Allen Ginsberg, poet of the Beat Generation
- Gerald Green, writer
- Robert Lax, poet
- Joseph L. Mankiewicz, screenwriter
- Thomas Merton, author and monk
- Ted Rall, political cartoonist
- Ed Rice, journalist
- Ralph de Toledano, journalist, co-founded the National Review and edited Newsweek
- Lynd Ward, artist
- Herman Wouk, writer
External links
- Jester website
- "Jester Holds Court Again", an article in the January, 2002 edition of Columbia College Today
- "A thorough debunking of Jester's lies"
