What was it Oscar Wilde said about balance? Oh yes. “Everything in moderation, including moderation.”

To that end, our new cover story considers that concept for our always-on era. What is the middle ground between all-out brain rot and total abstinence from screens — for kids, certainly, but for all of us, too. With so much of life now rooted in technology, how do we mitigate the downsides while embracing the upsides?

Elsewhere in this issue: a teacher-turned-scholar devoted to uplifting kids from vulnerable populations; an in-depth introduction to first-year women’s basketball coach Renee Jimenez; reflections on the evolution of campus under outgoing Chancellor Henry T. Yang; and an alumni screenwriter whose first feature film is now in production — and starring one Mr. Brad Pitt.

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