The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 10, 11/3/23

Opinion: The problem with CWRU’s meal plan (pg. 11)

The Case Western Reserve

Observer

Friday, November 3, 2023 Volume LV, Issue 10 Est. 1969

NEWS

Dr. Anthony Fauci to receive CWRU’s 2024 Inamori Ethics Prize Téa Tamburo News Editor Dr. Anthony Fauci, a physician, immunologist and infectious disease expert, will be awarded Case Western Reserve University’s 2024 Inamori Ethics Prize for his career-long work in protecting and researching public health. Fauci’s recognition was announced in The Daily on Oct. 25, and on Sept. 19, 2024 Fauci will receive the prize at CWRU, deliver a public lecture about his work and participate in a symposium.

Established in 2008, the Inamori Ethics Prize honors leaders whose actions left a positive global impact. Each year’s recipient is commemorated and awarded the prize on campus.

“As a scientist, research leader and public health advisor, his contribu-

tions to scientific discovery have truly improved lives,” President Eric Kaler said in The Daily. “His leadership through one of the most challenging times in history—the COVID-19 pandemic—serves as a model for us all.”

Fauci served as director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) from 1984 to 2022. In this role, he advised every United States president from Ronald Reagan through Joe Biden. During his career at the NIAID, Fauci led research on COVID-19, Ebola, HIV/ AIDS, SARS and more.

“Despite immense pressure, unfounded challenges to his expertise, personal attacks and even death threats, Dr. Fauci never wavered in his insistence that policy must follow the science, because he understood lives were at stake,” Dr. Shannon French, Inamori professor of ethics and director of the Inamori International Cen-

Dr. Anthony Fauci is set to receive the Inamori Ethics Prize in September of 2024 when he will also be giving a public lecture and participating in a symposium. Courtesy of The Plain Dealer/AP ter for Ethics and Excellence, said in The Daily.

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NEWS

Cleveland announces plan to revitalize downtown lakefront Claudia Park Contributing Writer

The City of Cleveland recently unveiled a new layout for the reconstruction of the Lake Erie waterfront. The latest plans, publicly released in July, included the announcement of a team of architects and planners in collaboration to carry out the reconstruction

of the lakefront.

The development of the lakefront includes a variety of new amenities and recreational spaces for public use.

The preview of the layout includes a large apartment complex on the waterfront, a 1,100-seat amphitheater, a transit station for Amtrak, Greyhound and the RTA’s Waterfront Line, a rental-ready boathouse, sun deck for outdoor yoga, a hockey-rink, a basketball

court—with input from the Cleveland Cavaliers—and much more. Construction is estimated to start in 2024.

Plans to redesign the shoreway have been in the works for several years, and the construction project will constitute renovation of the land surrounding the Cleveland Browns Stadium and North Coast Harbor, according to the most recent statement by city officials.

The idea, spearheaded by Cleveland

An aerial rendering of the plan for the North Shore highlights the city’s attempt to create a more people-friendly and communal space. Courtsey of Cleveland’s North Coast/City of Cleveland

Mayor Justin Bibb, is the city’s most recent move toward a more connected and inclusive atmosphere. In previous development and construction plans, certain groups experienced marginalization of their opinions and suggestions. With the more recent proposals, addressing these inequities and disparities in the redevelopment process has become a priority for city officials.

“For a long time, our city has been known as one of the most segregated cities in America,” Bibb said in an interview with Cleveland Magazine.

“The lake, and the river, has really been our dividing line between the East side and West Side, Black and white. We as a city finally got this project right.”

Allison Lukacsy-Love, a senior director of Downtown Projects at Greater Cleveland Partnership, emphasized the plan’s practical objective.

“It’s to surface the whole history … To fish, find peace and relaxation, watching the water, watching the sunset,” she said in an interview with Cleveland Scene, referencing the objectives of the plan.

Included in the plans is also the creation of a beach trail and walkway path. The Euclid Beach Trail Connector will be designed to span across the public lakefront from the Metroparks’ Euclid Creek Reservation towards the neighborhoods of Beulah Park and a portion of Shore Acres. The trail is approximated to be 0.44 miles long and will be both a bike- and hike-friendly trail path. The trail will also include erosion control and access to the waterfront.

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News

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 3, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 10

Spotted lanternflies spotted at CWRU and in Northeast Ohio

Community discusses their impact and what you should do if you find one One time one flew on my leg and can build up to high enough popu- amples of invasive species with Zachary Treseler News Editor

Spotted lanternflies have arrived in Northeast Ohio. While their impact may be unknown to students, experts have expressed concerns regarding their effect on local agriculture and horticulture. The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently confirmed to The Observer that they have “received more than 1,500 reports of [spotted lanternflies] in Cuyahoga County since June.”

Ryan Murata, a fourth-year geology student and ambassador for the Office of Energy and Sustainability, said they have “unfortunately already found several lanternflies on campus.” He notes that “they’ve been more or less concentrated around the Veale parking garage and adjacent areas. There are unconfirmed reports that there is a Tree of Heaven, a preferred host plant for spotted lanternflies, near that area, which could explain the sightings.”

“They are too well established in North America now,” Dr. Mark Willis, associate professor of biology in the College of Arts and Sciences, said. “It’s hard for me to imagine us being able to exterminate it.”

Ella McLaren, a third-year systems biology and music student, recalls that she sees “a lot more [spotted lanternflies] in Cleveland starting [from] this fall.” She added, “I see one about once a week now.

Fauci from page 1

Fourth-year biochemistry student Amber Akhter, team coordinator for CWRU Partners in Health and member of the National Network Leadership Team for Partners in Health, expressed excitement about Dr. Fauci’s recognition.

“As someone who believes and champions for the universal right to healthcare through my work with Partners in Health, it is exciting to see someone with a large platform champion for essential access to medicines,” Akhter said. “There is still much work to be done in terms of equitable healthcare, but honoring Fauci on such a grand scale affirms that our university prioritizes the work he has done and will continue to do.”

Seeing this award as a testimony to Fauci’s contributions to public health and ethics, fourth-year student and President of CWRU’s Public Health Association, Anirudh Muralidharan, specifically cited Fauci’s prominent role during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“His dedication to science and public well-being has been inspiring throughout his career,” he said. “This recognition reinforces the importance of ethical leadership in public health and medicine for the health and safety of all.”

Additional reporting contributed by News Editor Zachary Treseler.

started crawling up. I made eye contact with it. It was cute.”

Dr. Willis, an entomologist, notes how they have already affected agricultural products in Pennsylvania, where “they seem to be particularly attracted to grapes and some orchard crops,” in addition to certain shrubs. Willis said, “[w]e all want to know what [they are attracted to in order] to protect our own landscaped plants in our yards … They

lation levels because of course, as an introduced species, they have no natural enemies here.”

“So there is nothing to keep their population from growing, right?

That is not strictly true,” Dr. Willis said. “The longer they are here, the more we are learning and discovering that there are some diseases, that there are some fungal diseases, that they are susceptible to.”

When asked about previous ex-

Tyler Vu/The Observer

similar effects, Dr Willis mentioned the emerald ash borer, which was introduced to the United States in the 1990s by cargo pallets arriving from China. He notes that the borers started infesting North America’s wide variety of ash trees, which is the same material used in National League baseball bats. Dr. Willis recounts that an entomologist once told him that “people are already starting to put ash seeds into storage because one possible outcome is that the emerald ash borer will kill every ash tree in North America.”

Regarding the response by Case Western Reserve University to the spotted lanternflies, Murata said, “[t]he current plan is to collaborate with CWRU’s grounds team to produce a list of high-value and high-risk plants which oxides will be applied to, killing all insect eggs on those plants, including lanternfly eggs.” He emphasizes that “their application will again be limited to high-risk and high-value trees.”

Matura hopes for a “more targeted approach for controlling spotted lanternfly populations.” This approach “may be through the use of injectable insecticides, which essentially renders the plant itself poisonous to insects that feed on plant sap, including spotted lanternflies.”

When asked what students should do if they see a spotted lanternfly, Matura instructs them to “take a picture of it, kill it, and report the sighting to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in order for the department to better estimate spotted lanternfly populations.”

Lakefront redesign from page 1 With the integration of many leisure activity spaces, the city has also embraced various real estate infrastructure concepts. Discussions about potential construction of a boutique hotel with anywhere from 100 to 150 rooms, along with commercial and office spaces, a boathouse, public restrooms and an art and design incubator were proposed for the envisioned transformation of the lakefront.

Keerthana Ashok, a second-year neuroscience student, believes that the city’s proposed redevelopment of the lakefront will open a gateway of possibilities for students at Case Western Reserve University.

“It would be nice to have more accessible activities for current and prospective students,” Ashok said.

“These redevelopments might make the school and the city a more desirable place to live. Also, the land bridge concept would contribute to fostering a sense of community in Cleveland locals but also the students here at CWRU.” The primary objective with the city’s new lakefront venture extends beyond providing novel pastimes for the community. The project is focused on the creation of a land

bridge that will connect the lakefront to downtown Cleveland, aiming to enhance connectivity and walkability in the heart of the city. This landbridge concept descends from concerns about certain areas in the city being isolated from downtown by the Cleveland Memorial Shoreway and presence of rail lines.

The logistics of the land bridge feature a curved design that will extend from the north end of the downtown mall to a new beach with fishing, picnic and paddle-craft areas along the lakefront. The new bridge will include the creation of 875 parking spaces, and it will allow pedestrians to cross train lines and railways that currently make it difficult to travel across zones.

As the plans for the reconstruction unfold, there is growing concern among many Cleveland Browns fans about the impact these initiatives might have on the infamous home game tailgating parties.

The released plan illustrates the potential development on the Lakefront Municipal Parking Lot, which is currently where the Browns tailgating parties are held. Many fans worry about where they can relocate if construction on the Lakefront

Municipal Parking lot ensues.

“I think we can all agree that accessing the lakefront, whether for a Browns game or something else today is a sub-par experience regardless of where you’re parking,” Cleveland’s Chief of Integrated Development Jeff Epstein said in an interview with The Plain Dealer. He said building the new landbridge is supposed to “make it easier to use some 10,000 parking spaces around and near the lakefront and to walk to the stadium.”

The city’s move towards a more inclusive and attentive atmosphere for the community is actively working to take into consideration the opinions of various members, using survey response feedback, focus groups and workshops to ensure that the emerging lakefront vision is based on extensive public input.

Mordecai Cargill, co-founder and creative director of Third Space,—an organization focusing on promoting racial equality—expressed his gratitude to the lakefront planners for “actively listening and continuing to dream with Clevelanders and people of Northeast Ohio who feel this is a unique moment. They are listening to our ideas for real.”

Life

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 3, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 10

Comedian Vir Das takes his “Mind Fool Tour” across the globe: Next stop, Cleveland Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor

As we near the end of the semester—with exams and assignments piling up like never before—I think every Case Western Reserve University student could use a good laugh. On Nov. 12, Indian comedian, producer and actor Vir Das will bring his “Mind Fool Tour” to the Agora Theatre and Ballroom, hoping to share his unique stand-up with Cleveland. This tour comes after the release of his fourth Netflix comedy special, “Landing,” which has received acclaim from global entertainment markets and fans and critics alike. In addition to his specials, Das has created, produced and starred in several series, including ABC’s spy drama-comedy “Whiskey Cavalier” and Netflix’s thriller “Hasmukh.”

More recently, Das has been working with Fox, CBS Studios and Andy Samberg’s production company Party Over Here to produce his own singlecamera comedy. In this interview with Das, we learned even more about his creative process, current projects and rise to comedic fame.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

Shivangi Nanda: How did you discover your passion for comedy?

What inspired you to pursue it professionally?

Vir Das: I was in drama school and I just got tired of doing Shakespeare all day. I completed a bachelor’s degree in theater and it was four pretty intense years of doing about 30 plays. Afterwards, I think I just needed something that was a little more organic. I found stand-up in my final year of college, so it’s more like rebellion than anything else.

SN: Can you tell me a memorable experience from your early days in stand up that shaped or changed the way you produce comedy?

VD: The first time I did stand up was in college. I did it for about 600 people, in about 60 minutes, and it was just me telling stories about my friends to my friends. When I finally tried it professionally, I was doing five minute segments to 10 people and getting booed off stage—it was not going very well for me on the south side of Chicago.

I think the lesson that you learn with stand-up is that being the popular kid, or telling inside jokes or stories to people who think you’re cool, does not make you a good comedian.

Oftentimes, being the one who gets booed off stage or being the loser in the corner, that’s what makes you pick it up. It takes you a while to learn that.

SN: Comedy often involves addressing social issues. How do you navigate that fine line between humor and cultural sensitivity?

VD: Well, one could argue that I navigate it quite badly. But I think you aren’t consciously deciding to talk about certain things in the world with any agenda. You’re just trying to see what’s ridiculous and what’s funny and then put that on the page. I also

Vir Das, who is perfoming in Cleveland next Sunday as a part of his world tour, sits with our executive editor in an exclusive interview reflecting on his career, background and inspirations.

Courtesy of Kodak Center think that as you get a little bit older, who you are falls onto the page a little bit more, and who you are happens to involve what you think about the world.

SN: Your comedy often delves into cultural and global themes. How do you tailor your material for different audiences?

VD: I think what has happened with the Netflixes and the Amazons of the world is that people are now looking to be surprised. They are not looking to hear about the five things they already know, they’re looking to hear 35 things that they never knew about.

So, I don’t think you have to. I think it’s becoming more important to tell an authentic story, and oftentimes,

an alien story so people can leave your show saying, “Oh man, I learned something today!”

SN: You recently received your second International Emmy nomination.

Do you want to tell me a little bit about that?

VD: I don’t think much of it. I went two years ago, put on the pants and suit, but I didn’t get the award. I did, however, get a Greek salad. So all I’m thinking about now is going back and eating another salad. So, if I come back it’ll be with fiber and an award or just fiber.

SN: From your experience, what advice would you give to aspiring stand-up comedians looking to make

their mark on the industry?

VD: Two pieces of advice. One, if you can do anything else and be happy, for God’s sake do that. Two, if you’re going to do this, just to make sure that you know that anybody can be funny and anybody can make people laugh for a certain amount of time. But can you be the one to put your personality and heart into it? Can the audience member walk away saying, “Oh, I know something about who that person is, not just their jokes”?

SN: What is unique about your form of stand-up comedy? How do you put that flair into your specials?

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4 Life

Friday, November 3, 2023

Vir Das from page 3 VD: I think most people have never heard an authentic Indian perspective like mine. I’ve been fortunate enough to grow up around the world and see a fair chunk of it. So, when you come to one of my shows, you will experience the entire world and every continent. I think that’s something I can do that not a lot of other comics can.

SN: What can audiences look forward to with your world tour?

VD: The show is called “Mind Food” because it’s about being an idiot, and it’s about not knowing how to be an adult.

I think most adults are just children who are pretending to have their stuff together. And this is a show that kind of harks back to the idiot in all of us.

SN: Can you tell me a little bit about the process of filming your specials and how they’ve contributed to your journey overall?

VD: The special really just serves as two things. It serves as an advertisement for the tour that’s going to happen after the special, and also serves to brand the type of comedy that I do.

I think it’s a very democratic thing to

have stand-up comedy specials, because they sit on Netflix right next to the big-budget Hollywood action movies or dramas. I could never visualize a world in which I would have the same size poster as I don’t know, Jennifer Lawrence. So, now I’m no longer competing for your attention. I’m just competing for your time and for you to click on my face. That’s what the stand-up special really does. It democratically puts your art out there.

SN: Tell me one fun fact about you.

VD: Ok, I’m a minimalist. I own five

T-shirts, two pairs of pants and some workout clothes. I have managed to travel the entire world without checking-in luggage and that’s my policy.

Still early in his career, Das has become a comedy sensation, proving that honest, grounded content makes for the best stand-up. He embodies the struggle of a rising star, and acknowledges the need to break social barriers and take risks with the media you put out. If you wish to take a break from the books, be sure to get tickets for his live show at The Agora. I know I will be there!

Raunchy and witty: A review of the “Book of Mormon” Touring company visits Playhouse Square, lifting spirits after midterms Zachary Treseler News Editor “The Book of Mormon” is perhaps the most funny, yet raunchy, musical that I have ever seen. Its absurdity means that everyone can find something or someone to laugh at while watching, which is all too necessary in our stressful CWRU bubble. However, the musical was not without some flaws, such as its depiction of serious issues and problems with sound mixing.

“The Book of Mormon” is, at its core, a religious satire. The show follows the journey of two missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints— known colloquially as the Mormon Church—Elder Kevin Price and Elder Arnold Cunningham. Price is a refined religious zealot who believes his God-given mission is to preach in Orlando, Florida. On the other hand, Cunningham is a more haphazard, socially awkward fellow, who reveals midway through the show that he has not even read “The Book of Mormon.” This unlikely duo gets paired up and sent to an underperforming mission in rural Uganda.

When they first arrive, Price and Cunningham experience a large culture shock. They despair to find the mission’s population not only concerned with topics other than religion but outright hostile towards it. The missionaries’ fears about the Ugandans are realized as the villagers sing a song with a title that translates to, “F*ck You, God.” Due to these stresses, Price explodes on Cunningham and leaves the mission in a fit of anxiety and rage.

Even with these setbacks, the locals are willing to hear them out as Nabulungi, a local village resident whom Cunningham has a crush on, starts to believe in the promised land of Salt Lake City. Being nervous and a habitual liar, Cunningham fabricates wild and ludicrous stories that address problems that both impact rural Uganda and are also entertaining to her. Hearing this news, Price returns to the mission to confront a local warlord who is preventing the village’s conversion, but he is left in disarray after the meeting does not go well.

The show ends when the Mormon president for all the missions in Uganda visits the outpost, and becomes horrified when local residents do a play based on the whacky stories Cunningham was preaching. The mission president

then shuts down the branch. Even after being shut down, the villagers, with the help of the other missionaries, drive out the warlords and end up starting a new religion based on “The Book of Arnold.”

Within the plot, the musical numbers were absolutely ludicrous. The amount of crude and sexual humor was unexpected, yet impeccably timed and never overdone. There were also frequent references to pop culture icons. For example, random characters from the Star Wars and Star Trek franchises would come on stage to say a line or two.

As a result, the show had an air of absolute absurdity that legitimized its original intent as a religious satire. Going into the show, I thought that I would relate to one of its two protagonists. Shortly after they were introduced, I found myself laughing at both of them instead. “The Book of Mormon” worked so well because it detached any sense of normalcy from its satirical prompt.

This cathartic humor is vital to the show. My favorite part of “The Book of Mormon” was that it gave the viewer a blanket license to laugh. By showing its two main characters in such an absurdist fashion, it meant that we did not become too emotionally attached to them to laugh at their failures.

The show was not at all taxing to follow—I treated it like reading “The Athenian” rather than “War and Peace.”

It is important to note that the show also does touch on some serious issues, such as female genital mutilation and the AIDS crisis.

Following the absurdity of the humor discussed above, the characters addressed it in a way that was generally tactless and crude, making it one of the production’s few drawbacks.

Lastly—and to no fault of the touring company—the sound mixing in the theater was awful.

Khushali Desai, a fourth-year student and the business director for The Observer, saw the show twice,

once in San Francisco and once recently in Cleveland. Compared to San Francisco, she noted that at the KeyBank State Theatre, “you could barely hear the voices of the people singing and talking, because the sound of the orchestra and backing track was way too loud. The overall sound of the musical was your breaking eardrums shattering horrendously; [it was] loud and thoroughly unenjoyable.”

When I saw the production, the last words of the last number were completely lost on me, as I could not hear it over the sound of the orchestra and other voices. It was only after researching for this article that I found out they were “The Book of Arnold.” It would have been so much more funny and impactful if I could have heard it live.

Despite these flaws, “The Book of Mormon” was a beyond hilarious musical. If it comes by again during midterms or finals season, I would highly recommend it to anyone as an excuse to laugh and de-stress.

From Oct. 24-29, the popular comedic muscial “The Book of Mormon” was performed at the KeyBank State Theatre, drawing in large crowds of Cleveland theatregoers.

Zachary Treseler/The Observer

Life 5

observer.case.edu

In concert, The Happy Fits showcase the beauty of positive and negative emotions alike Amanda Wu Staff Writer

On Sunday, Oct. 22, the indie rock band The Happy Fits performed at the House of Blues in downtown Cleveland.

Blasting off with “Do Your Worst” from their newest album, “Under

the Shade of Green,” The Happy Fits reinvigorated the Cleveland indie rock scene with fervent energy.

The frontman of the band, Calvin Langman, immediately electrified the audience with his iconic cello—a unique instrument when it comes to contemporary rock concerts.

Classically-trained cellist Langman, guitarist Ross Monteith and

Frontman of The Happy Fits, Calvin Langman, dazzles Cleveland with his spectacular cello and vocal skills.

Courtesy of Amanda Wu

drummer Luke Davis originally attended the same New Jersey high school. In 2016, shortly after the success of their first EP, “Awfully Apeelin’,” they dropped out of college to pursue music full-time.

Monteith and Davis stepped out of the 2023 fall tour due to personal health concerns. The cellist did not “Dance Alone,” however, whirling around the stage with fellow musicians Nicole Rosey, Raina Mullen and Trevor Hogan. The band covered nearly half of the country, performing in 23 states ranging from Maine to California to, of course, Ohio.

The setlist featured throwbacks from their 2018 “Concentrate”, including heavy-hitters such as “Best Tears,” “Mary” and “Heart of a Dancer.” From their 2020 album, “What Could Be Better,” The Happy Fits declared that there were truly “No Instructions” with music—just to let loose and keep on “Moving.”

Their most recent album was a response to the seemingly endless onslaught of catastrophic events and crises in modern society. It invited listeners to share and vent their frustrations about the state of the world. Yet, instead of consistently lingering on the everyday anxieties that submerge our perspectives and induce tunnel vision, the band maintains an irresistible groove that offers an optimistic outlook on the

rampant nihilism of contemporary media.

During the show, Langman captured the admiration of a transfixed crowd, instilling them with a new, raw energy whenever he danced and shredded on the cello. There was little semblance of anger or sadness in the music itself; instead, The Happy Fits channeled our everyday frustrations and discontent into passion.

To an extent, that’s what’s especially alluring about The Happy Fits.

Its name suggests joy all around.

Upbeat tunes, joyous melodies and lyrics that marvel at life’s many delights are, presumably, expected.

However, for happiness to truly fit in the ever-changing landscape of life, every other emotion must be accepted on its own terms and allotted space to exist. “Under the Shade of Green” provides just that—from the melancholic, Sisyphus-esque climb of “Another Try” to the fast-paced, wanxiety-ridden belt of “Around and Around,” it offers a solution to the negative influences in ourselves and the world around us. This album does not hinge on the false promise of an easy route to achieve happiness. Nor does it neglect negative emotions altogether. Rather, it synthesizes an upbeat rhythm with melancholic lyrics, ultimately accepting the necessity of negative emotions for happiness to thrive.

6 Life

Friday, November 3, 2023

ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor” is a rich text

The latest iteration of “The Bachelor” balances genuine grief and heartbreak with petty drama Kate Gordon Life Editor Within the first few minutes of ABC’s “The Golden Bachelor,” it’s clear that we are watching a different version of the show. It begins with a montage not unlike the one at the beginning of Pixar’s “Up,” describing Golden Bachelor Gerry Turner’s old life with his nowdeceased high school sweetheart, Toni. She unexpectedly passed away only weeks after the two of them bought their dream retirement home together. It is only now, six years later, that Gerry (aged 72) is ready to dive back into the dating scene and try to find love again.

And of course, what better way for him to do so than on a nationallybroadcasted reality TV show featuring 22 beautiful women for him to date simultaneously?

Herein lies the conundrum of “The Golden Bachelor.” On the one hand, the show is deeply sad and permeated by grief—many of the contestants are also widows, and all express their trepidation at trying to find love again at an age where they don’t have the luxury of unlimited fresh starts. However, “The Golden Bachelor” is also just as petty and superficial as previous seasons of “The Bachelor.” The women, all of whom are between the ages 60 and 75, look and dress like women decades younger. This

is not a bad thing in and of itself— and I do appreciate how they shut down stereotypes about how the older generation is supposed to behave—but their attractiveness is constantly mentioned by the contestants themselves and played up by the producers. One woman even enters the mansion with a fake wig, walker and hunch, throwing all three off to reveal a toned aerobics champion underneath. Sure, Leslie Fhima (64) might be an old woman, but she’s not that kind of old woman.

“The Golden Bachelor” also features its fair share of drama between the contestants. Kathy Swarts (70) tells Theresa Nist (70) to “zip it” when she shares with the other women how well her date with Gerry went. In one hilarious moment, April Kirkwood (65) fakes a wipeout and subsequent ankle injury on the pickleball court to get closer to Gerry. “Actually, I am totally fine,” she says, winking at the camera, before the producers cut back to her swooning in Gerry’s arms. A particularly hard-to-watch scene reveals that Sandra Mason (75) is missing her daughter’s wedding to be on the show. Their antics, while normally fun, can quickly turn annoying, especially coming from a group of women who should be more mature than the typical 20-something year old “The Bachelor” contestants.

However, the true pitfall of the

show’s emotional depth is, unexpectedly, Gerry himself. The jolly, soft-spoken grandfather may have the demeanor of Santa Claus, but he is also just as much of a player as previous Bachelors have been.

“By the time the second and third nights rolled around, I feel like I kissed about every woman there,” Gerry said in an interview with the New York Post. Worse than that, a clip from the upcoming finale reveals another questionable quote from Gerry, who is crying over having to decide between the finalists: “The only time I’ve ever felt worse in my whole life is when my wife

passed away.” I’m not sure that the two situations are comparable, and I wonder what his deceased wife would think about him saying that.

Although “The Golden Bachelor” can be cringeworthy at times, and struggles tonally with the balance of its serious and more lighthearted moments, there is no doubt that it makes for good television. If you enjoy reality TV, or just messiness in general, I would highly recommend that you check it out.

The final three episodes of “The Golden Bachelor” air Thursday nights on ABC and are available the next day to stream on Hulu.

ABC’s new season of “The Golden Bachelor” focuses on the romantic lives of the Baby Boomer generation, starring Gerry Turner (middle) as the Bachelor. Courtesy of ABC

Has Taylor Swift’s re-recording project started to falter?

A review of 1989 (Taylor’s Version) Kethan Srinivasan Staff Writer Some will know it as Album of The Year. Others might recognize it as the biggest musical reset of the 2010s. I remember it as the album with the incessantly-played lead single, “Shake It Off.” But personal disdain aside, Taylor Swift’s “1989” has cemented its place in both her own discography and pop culture at large as one of the most transformative, sonically cohesive and lyrically distinctive LPs of her entire career.

Named for Swift’s birth year and derived from the synth-pop popularized in that decade, “1989” capitalized on the singer-songwriter’s gift for penmanship. Swift took her typical heartpiercing ballads and turned them into short-yet-sweet, headrush-inducing anthems fit for a night drive with the windows down. The album’s production evokes a sense of raw euphoria and yearning that are unique to New York City transplants, thanks to Max Martin’s thunderous rhythm and boisterous background in songs like “Style” and “New Romantics.”

So for the second time this year, as part of a personal and moral initiative to exercise ownership over her work, Swift has revisited her fifth album and made it her fourth re-recorded album to date.

“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” was released on Oct. 27 to an anxiously-awaiting group of Swifites. But in an interesting twist, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” is missing Martin in the production credits, an

absence that was also apparent in “Red (Taylor’s Version),” released just two years ago. Instead, production credits are almost entirely dominated by Swift and her longtime collaborators, Jack Antonoff and Christopher Rowe. The former was a longtime collaborator since the original version of the record, and the latter is a more recent add-on, around only since the beginning of her reclamation campaign. To meticulous listeners, the differences in production with Martin’s absence are rather palpable.

This means that for those who crave Martin’s purposely imperfect backing tracks, you may be let down by the refinements Swift has made. “Style,” with its guitar intro that cuts through silence like a hot knife through butter, feels compressed and hollow in “Taylor’s Version.” It gives off a sense of incompleteness that is similarly seen in tracks like “Blank Space” and “All You Had to Do Was Stay.” “Welcome to New York” remains largely unchanged, an overwhelmingly cheesy anthem for transplants everywhere with its shallow synth. “Bad Blood” was already off to a bad start without Kendrick Lamar there to resuscitate it, and its backing track now overpowers Swift’s vocals.

Other tracks that were not originally produced by Martin fare much better with their refinements. “I Know Places,” a personal favorite of mine, feels full and inspires confidence with its message of escaping the spotlight with your one and only. “Clean” and its synthinfused electropop, courtesy of Imogen

Heap, is more ethereal than ever due to the inclusion of the producer’s backing vocals and drum fills. “Out of the Woods,” a symphony of layered vocals from Swift and Antonoff reverberating in the background, is just as urgent as the original. Swift’s vocals in the song are crisp and fluid. While some listeners may be inclined towards the original track’s vocals, with a younger Swift providing a more energetic performance, the re-records refined and less strained vocals are inevitable for an older singer.

If anything, they help solidify Swift’s vocal prowess. However, which one is better is for listeners to decide.

As with her other re-recordings, five new “From The Vault” tracks accompany this latest entry into the “Taylor’s Version” series. The arrestingly titled “Slut!” presents a deceptive-yet-soothing production, with lyricism that signals a sense of resignation to tabloid headlines, as opposed to the biting satire of “Blank Space.” “Say Don’t Go,” which was penned alongside industry giant Diane Warren, and “Is It Over Now?” both seem torn out of the pages of “Midnights,” with a lofi production and tension-filled verses that seem out of step with the album’s synth-pop foundations. They serve as ideal complements to the adrenaline of the main vault tracks, with “Is It Over Now?” and its snowmobile references speculated to be an extension of “Out of the Woods.”

It is a biting song even if it’s not thematically on point.

Whether longtime fans will untether themselves from the original “1989” still

“1989 (Taylor’s Version)” has already taken the world with Swift’s matured vocals and new “From The Vault” tracks successfully revitalizing the former Album of The Year.

Courtesy of Republic Records

remains to be seen. But to me, “1989 (Taylor’s Version)” unquestionably lives up to its predecessor’s legacy. Yes, its production and vocal performance understandably differ after almost a decade, and Martin’s absence is definitely a noticeable one; but more importantly, this re-recording is a testament to the durability of the songs it carries.

To cheapen it wouldn’t be just morally unsound, but also dismissive of Swift’s musical evolution, as many critics were during its original release. On a realistic note, will a few production changes really stop me from blasting “Style” in the middle of the night with the car windows down? No, and I hope it won’t stop you either.

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Life 7

Fun

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 3, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 10

Weekly Horoscope

What We've Been Listening To

The signs as Starbucks' winter offerings

Moment to Change Mano Le Tough

Maze!

Puneet Bansal

Aquarius Peppermint Brownie Cake Pop Pisces Snowman Cookie Aries Chestnut Praline Latte Taurus Gingerbread Loaf Gemini Sugar Plum Cheese Danish Cancer Toasted White Chocolate Mocha

Stung Brakence

Beau Bilinovich

Take on the World Rowan Blanchard and Sabrina Carpenter Zachary Treseler

Sedona Houndmouth

Auden Koetters

Basement Jack Steve Lacy Tyler Vu

Last Night Morgan Wallen Anjali Bhuthpur

Pearl Mitski

Phuong Nguyen

Overheard CWRU

Leo Peppermint Mocha

Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

"Nice costumes, you've got the pamphlets and everything" - to the Jehovah's Witnesses on Case Quad

Virgo Iced Gingerbread Oat Milk Chai Libra Cranberry Bliss Bar Scorpio Oleato Gingerbread Oat Milk Latte Sagittarius Caramel Brulée Latte Capricorn Iced Sugar Cookie Almond Milk

"He's a straight gal"

"mmmmmm, fascinating!" said unironically "Organic chemistry is starting to look like me being a homemaker"

Tyler Vu/The Observer

Sudoku Easy

Medium

Fun 9

observer.case.edu

ACROSS 1 Fidelity investment?

6 Hulking happy-go-lucky hoopster 10 Creole veggie 14 Dried poblano chile 15 60-Across, for short 16 Exceptional deed 17 "Ugly duckling" transformation in film that's likely set to music 20 Life force, to an acupuncturist 21 Peeved 22 11-Down, in "The Matrix" 23 Much hospital trash 27 Favorable rise 29 Dada pioneer 30 Naive "Ice Age" sloth 31 Ilhan in Congress 32 Attendee 34 Well-connected cartel?

36 Mental slip 40 M. Night Shyamalan and Deepak Chopra, for example 43 Iron Mike 44 Shoe part 45 Slaughter with a bat 46 Takes (down) 48 Exercise choice 50 "Black-ish" father 51 Rushes across the floor in Japan?

54 Stage legend who wrote "Respect for Acting" 56 Israeli weapon 57 Ilyin, Illiich, or Ilyich 59 Chillax 60 Famous address, or literally what is found within this puzzle's other four longest answers 66 "Show Boat" composer 67 Pennsylvania port 68 Junipero ___, missionary canonized in 2015 69 "Beat it, Fluffy!"

70 Person of action 71 Overflowing DOWN 1 Rels.

2 De Armas of "Knives Out" 3 "Eww!" 4 "Superman & Lois" network 5 Hullabaloos

Crossword

6 Beijing-to-Shanghai dir.

7 Stable tenant?

8 Prefix with sphere 9 51, for the U.S. Senate 10 Commonly, in poems.

11 Reeves of "John Wick" 12 Wild party 13 Used, as a plate 18 The eyes have it 19 Certain Himalayan 23 "To go, please" 24 "Nothing is written in stone" etched in marble

25 Support columns?

26 QB coup 28 Slightest bit 31 Bobcat kin 33 Red Spanish wine 35 Moody genre 37 Co. that "Dawn-ed" the "Era" of soap operas?

38 Make lumber from slumber 39 Ruhr city 41 Breakdown of social norms 42 Improve the blacktop 47 Recorded for later viewing

PUZZLE BY PETER KOETTERS

49 60-Across subject, briefly 51 Some scrimshaw substrates 52 Mesoamerican empire 53 Part of a princess costume 54 Loosen 55 Nixon veep 58 Continental prefix 61 Atlanta-based channel 62 She's the one 63 Glass on the radio 64 Option separators 65 "Uh-uh"

November word search leaves cold turkey mashed potato thanksgiving corn bread November election coat beanie boots scarf feast break family fall

grateful orange gingerbread veteran black friday red yellow poll absentee issue one photo cozy socks stick season holiday

Opinion

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 3, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 10

EDITORIAL

It’s okay to be imperfect Editorial Board Striving to always earn good grades, landing that job offer you’ve always wanted, belonging to a large friend group—all of these goals are familiar to us as college students.

These goals are particularly lauded at an institution such as Case Western Reserve University, where it feels like we must always chase after success. But sometimes success and perfection are not attainable; sometimes, no matter how much effort you put into your academic, professional or social

life, you just can’t match up to your ideals.

The term for these thought patterns and behavior is perfectionism, and it encompasses three elements: First, we hold ourselves to impossibly high standards that have little basis in reality. Second, we judge ourselves and others based on those standards with strong criticism. And third, we base our self-worth on whether or not we attain those standards.

A vicious cycle can emerge from self-criticism: If you judge yourself harshly because you didn’t attain “perfection,” then you might start to

The Case Western Reserve Observer Established in 1969 by the undergraduate students of Case Western Reserve University

Shivangi Nanda Executive Editor & Publisher PRINT Elie Aoun Director of Print Téa Tamburo News Editor Zachary Treseler News Editor Kate Gordon Life Editor Beau Bilinovich Opinion Editor Puneet Bansal Sports Editor Lexy Jensen Development Editor Rebecca Warber Copy Editor Darcy Chew Copy Editor Sara Khorshidi Copy Editor Sarah Karkoff Copy Editor DIGITAL MEDIA Joce Ortiz Director of Digital Media Nandana Vinod Social Media Manager Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor Shejuti Wahed Social Media Content Creator & Video Editor Clay Preusch Photo Editor Noah Henriques Web Editor DESIGN Auden Koetters Director of Design Anjali Bhuthpur Layout Designer Phuong Nguyen Layout Designer Bowen Zhang Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Matthew Chang Business Manager Sophia Ran Business Manager Cayley Ng Business Manager The Observer is the weekly undergraduate student newspaper of Case Western Reserve University. Established in 1969, The Observer reports news affecting students and provides an editorial forum for the university community. Unsigned editorials are typically written by the opinion editor but reflect the majority opinion of the senior editorial staff. Opinion columns are the views of their writers and not necessarily of The Observer staff. For advertising information, contact The Observer via e-mail at observer@case.edu.

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think that you’re a failure and can’t do anything right, which lowers your motivation to reach your goals—and then the cycle restarts, leading to an endless positive feedback loop.

Perfectionism is also not a viable strategy to push yourself to perform well. According to Thomas Curran, a researcher for the American Psychological Association, linking your self-worth to the impossible standard of perfection will only lead to unhealthy outcomes.

Perfectionism is never your friend.

Psychological research identifies three different types of perfectionism: self-oriented, other-oriented and socially prescribed. Many of us are familiar with self-oriented perfectionism, which involves setting unrealistic standards for ourselves and then judging ourselves harshly afterward.

Other-oriented perfectionism directs unrealistic expectations toward other people and judging them harshly, which can be damaging for interpersonal relationships. And there are times when we believe that society or the people in our lives expect too much from us—this is called socially prescribed perfectionism.

This damaging mindset goes beyond simply getting good grades in school, though that is a common trait in college; perfectionism can affect several other aspects of our lives. In social situations, for example, we might expect ourselves to be the funniest, most likable and most interesting person in the room. We might worry that we are boring or “not cool enough” to fit in. Any potential signs of negative judgment from others, regardless of how real or serious those signs are, can cause even greater dread.

For perfectionists, socializing can feel like a social test—make a wrong move or say something out of turn and you can get points marked off.

In fact, striving for perfection can contribute to social anxiety, which can in turn further exacerbate perfectionistic tendencies. Then the vicious cycle starts again.

So how can we overcome the destructive cycle of perfectionism and judgment? There are a few solutions.

Take some time and evaluate your beliefs surrounding your own expectations and those of others.

Consider the factors leading to those beliefs and question them.

Ask yourself if those beliefs are true and fair; and if you have worries, take a second to remove yourself from the situation. Take note of the evidence for and against your worries. Though your worries are still possible—there is always at least a small chance that they could come true—you might realize that the evidence suggests that you will likely be okay. In most cases and for most people, they will be okay.

Many times, the self-critic inside each of us wants to make the worst case scenario seem like the most likely scenario, but the two aren’t usually interchangeable.

In addition to examining your beliefs and questioning your worries, allowing yourself to live in the present moment can help immensely with mental health conditions such as social anxiety.

Grounding techniques, which involve bringing your attention to the present instead of dwelling on your thoughts, are especially helpful. If you’re experiencing anxiety, pay attention to the environment around you: What can you see, smell, hear, touch or taste? Bring your focus to the object you are holding or the chair you are sitting on. Slowly breathe in and out. Remove yourself from the past or the future and just focus on the present. Don’t let that inner critic control you.

Above all else, reserve some compassion for yourself. Instead of focusing on what you’re doing wrong, focus on what you’re doing right. Consider the progress you’ve made and can still make. Simply being here in this world is enough of a reason to be happy. And sometimes, just being good enough, or even imperfect, is perfectly okay.

LTTE: Vote yes on Issue 38 Joe Bialek I am not directly affiliated with People’s Budget Cleveland (PB CLE)—nor do I speak on their behalf—but I do support it completely. This amendment emerged because of the continued waste, fraud and abuse perpetrated

by Cleveland City Council and current, along with past, mayoral administrations—at least since I moved here in 1993. The continued support of the sports stadiums is a prime example. Rather than selling these monuments to ignorance— since they don’t provide a product or a service—the city is continually on the hook for repairs. Our leaders are not even smart enough to buy

stock in the sports teams and see a return on our investment. The return could be used to fund several neighborhood projects. But no, it is more important to stuff the pockets of the team owners/players than to improve the quality of life for the citizens of Cleveland. I hoped that PB CLE would have kept this issue front and center as the primary motivator for Clevelanders to vote yes. After all, it is the quintessential issue that everyone in Cleveland understands. Just imagine how nice the surrounding neighborhoods would be today if even a smidgeon of money used to fund the stadiums was spent on true “community development.” On Tuesday, Nov. 7, vote yes on Issue 38. You’ll be glad you did.

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The problem with CWRU’s meal plan Hannah Johnson Staff Writer The horror genre has undergone many transformations since its inception.

From Mary Shelley’s famous monster novel “Frankenstein” to the more absurd horror of directors such as Jordan Peele, our appetite for what truly scares us has changed immensely.

Horror movies reached their widespread appeal in the 1970s and 1980s with slasher films; movies such as “Friday the 13th,” “Halloween” and “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” captured audiences’ attention. Films featuring ruthless killers chasing down a group of innocent civilians—often teenagers—popped up left and right. Slasher films were moneymaking machines, and the most successful franchises generated numerous sequels, some of which are still being made today.

The aforementioned slasher movies all featured real, tangible villains which became staples of the genre. Villains such as Jason Voorhees, Michael Myers and Leatherface have become cult icons, and they are now seen as the definitive horror movie villains.

Halloween is partly a holiday based around these cult killers, as Halloween stores all across the country feature countless costumes directly borrowing from the source material.

The horror genre today, however, is not as easily defined. Horror “villains” have mostly left the scene, aside from the occasional reboot of the slasher classics from the 1980s.

More experimental films have risen in their place. Psychological horror and thriller movies have gained considerable popularity over the years. Whereas slasher films all involved a named killer, psychological horror films don’t always feature a physical villain.

They function by creating a sense of psychological dread among audience members.

And while slasher films were intended to make as much money as possible, modern horror, especially psychological horror, allows for directors to explore complex themes and get to the root of what truly scares people. Jordan Peele’s movies are a shining example of the power behind this new kind of horror.

His most recent release from 2022, “Nope,” doesn’t feature a villain you can clearly see—until the very end. Instead, through a series of very brief scenes, you see a mysterious alien spaceship appear and then vanish suddenly.

You’re slowly led into a dark forest where you must then make sense of everything. The movie doesn’t tell you what it’s about—you have to figure it out on your own.

To add to the already dark atmosphere, the movie starts with a gruesome, bloody scene: A chimpanzee named Gordy, who was part of the fictional sitcom “Gordy’s Home,” goes on a violent rampage against his human co-stars when a balloon suddenly bursts. The only person left is a young boy who hides, traumatized and terrified, under a table.

The opening scene is crucial to introducing the message that Peele

was trying to convey. The movie turns into a bizarre yet fascinating portrayal of our relationship with wild beasts, and how, instead of trying to tame them, we should let them go.

“Nope” is only one example of the many modern horror movies that show true creativity.

“Annihilation,” a sci-fi thriller from 2018, features a group of scientists sent on a mission to investigate a mysterious zone called the “Shimmer”; here, the surrounding environment is warped in ways that don’t align with our understanding of the laws of nature. The theme of change becomes prominent throughout its runtime.

Characters disappear and turn into Lovecraftian abominations once normal animals turn into terrifying beasts, and the movie itself ends up appearing warped near the very end. And the modern cult classic

Tyler Vu/The Observer

“The Babadook” explores grief and its damaging effects on the relationship between a widowed mother and her son.

Slasher films, since they were designed for mass consumption, were not able to achieve even close to that level of depth. While admittedly entertaining and a fan favorite to binge during Halloween, the slashers of the ’70s and ’80s were intended to make money, not to explore complex and relevant social themes.

This isn’t to say that the slasher classics are bad. Sitting down and watching a seemingly invincible killer chase down a group of kids may be entertaining. But when you want to be truly scared, and actually feel it, maybe instead opt for the wondrously terrifying realm of psychological horror—because sometimes what you can’t see is the most terrifying.

Sports and politics should be separate Catherine Choi Staff Writer Sports gain attention and revenue all over the world. The most popular sports may differ for each country, but regardless, people enjoy watching athletes perform what seem to be physiologically impossible. Some athletes choose to harness this public attention to push their own agendas. Politics and sports ought to be separate both physically and socially.

Involvement of politics in sports can lead to the demise of a team or its individual athletes. After the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine War, Chelsea F.C.’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the team after being accused

of corruption and contributing to Vladimir Putin’s war campaign by the British government. If Abramovich had not sold the team at the end of May, Chelsea F.C. would’ve been unable to generate enough money to sign or renew player contracts. Additionally, sanctions on spending were restricted meaning that the team may not be able to pay their players and participate in home and away matches because they cannot afford transportation. The team was eventually sold to Todd Boehly, an American businessman and investor who also co-owns the LA Dodgers, for $3.2 billion and the proceeds were forced to go to supporting Ukrainian victims and humanitarian causes in Ukraine.

In addition to the substantial

monetary loss that Abramovich went through, the team experienced a steep decline in performance under Boehly. Despite spending £600 million to sign 17 players in Boehly’s first year of ownership— which includes the transfer of Enzo Fernandez for £106.8 million and the sacking of two managers— the team ranked 12th on the table with a low point tally of 44 out of 114 possible during the 2022-2023 season. Boehly had a severely poor understanding of the sport and on managing which led to a loss of revenue from overpaying on transfers and the inability to earn prize money from Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) matches.

Although the team’s decline is more due to the new ownership’s

lack of strong direction, Abramovich’s departure has cost the team a hefty price. The English government forcing Abramovich to sell the team in a short time period and to spend part of the revenue to fund Ukrainian facilities can be considered an abuse of power. The process of taking away a person’s private possessions and restricting the activity of the team that did not participate in Abramovich’s cause has set a precedent of what happens to a team if the owner does not agree with the government. Although the underlying reason seems logical, the government could have taken other measures that impacted only Abramovich.

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12 Opinion

Sports and politics from page 11 Another reason for sports to be separate from politics is to ensure that they are not used as propaganda. During the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, the citizens of Brazil were sacrificed because of the government’s overspending despite the financial crises. Initially the Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva gained great popularity from hosting the Olympics in Brazil. As a result, Lula was able to receive financial support from the government and companies by claiming that the event would open up new opportunities to the people that live in poverty. However, the Olympics committee placed an undue burden on the Brazilian economy, aggravating the ongoing economic crises to a point that the facilities that were built for the event had to be shut down. As a result, the crime rate increased and put the nation in serious debt, proving that the president was wrong. Lula utilized an international sporting event as a method to raise his own popularity and to garner funds, in which he and the government officials were caught money laundering instead of investing in areas of high priority.

In 2016, Colin Kaepernick was presumably blackballed by the NFL for refusing to stand for the national anthem before the match against the Green Bay Packers. Kaepernick claims that he “is not going to stand up to show pride in a flag for a country that oppresses [B]lack people and people of color.” The team also released a statement that the national anthem is “an opportunity to honor our country” and respected his decisions. As a result, Kaepernick’s career has suffered along with the management. Although the NFL has acknowledged the athlete’s rights to choose whether they would pledge to the national anthem, he had to

Friday, November 3, 2023

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face high social ostracization, with former President Donald Trump tweeting harsh criticisms of his actions. As the NFL’s statement claims, the players, as everyone in this country, choose whether they will pledge to the flag and should not be blamed for not honoring the nation. Nobody should be forced to respect the country.

In the past, the involvement of politics in sports has also led to instances of corruption and injustice. In 2005, Juventus was found guilty of a match fixing scandal that involved illegal acts both on and off the pitch. Known as the Calciopoli scandal, prosecutors were monitoring phone calls of key

figures in Italian soccer as a part of the investigation to find evidence against Juventus for match fixing.

Juventus’ general manager, Luciano Moggi, utilized his political and media connections to put pressure on match officials and referees to run the game in favor of his team.

Those that were threatened and worried about the state of their career complied and, as a result, it seemed that Moggi got what he wanted.

Wiretapping of the Naples police discovered evidence that Moggi allegedly attempted to put pressure on the vice-chairman of UEFA’s referee and the Italian Football Federation. As a result, the team

lost two of its titles, was relegated to Serie B and the Italian soccer league faced a severe decline in popularity and prestige. Other teams that were related and those involved also received severe punishments.

This is yet another incident where political and legislative figures used their power to ruin the spirit of the sport for personal gains. For this reason, those with political and judicial powers must be severely restricted from influencing sports.

Teams and players being unable to fight against those with power can lead to injustice, turning sports into a medium for those in power to gain more influence at the expense of athletes and their fans.

and performances alone. Only three other musicians have achieved this status—Jay-Z, Rihanna and Jimmy Buffett—and all relied on their side companies, brands and investments to reach it. The size of Swift’s success is staggering: She has more number-

one albums than any woman in history, was the first artist to claim the entire top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and shows no signs of slowing down. At just 33, Swift has accomplished extraordinary feats that other artists can only imagine in their wildest dreams. She is a force to be reckoned with.

Her current tour has cemented her place at the top. On track to become the highest-grossing concert tour in history, the Eras Tour celebrates Swift’s newest albums and re-recordings, taking viewers on a bejeweled journey through her 10 musical eras. With 146 dates across five continents, all Swifties have been vying for tickets to the show, causing Ticketmaster to crash during the first United States presale and tickets to resell for thousands of dollars. Thanks to the extraordinary demand, the tour has boosted the global economy tremendously, helping stave off a post-pandemic recession; and in the U.S. alone, it is projected to bring in over $5 billion. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other world leaders have even asked her to perform in their countries, eager for a comparable economic boom.

And with Swifties spending on sky-high ticket resale prices, travel and lodging, colorful friendship bracelets, dazzling outfits and tour merchandise, it is no wonder.

Swift even released an Eras Tour film last month, bringing the magic of her show to a wider audience and boosting business for movie theaters

worldwide. Now, “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is the highest-grossing concert film of all time. And not only has the film been incredibly successful, but it has also set the standard for concert and Hollywood films; Beyoncé is already following suit with her upcoming concert film.

By encouraging singing, dancing and dressing up at the showings, Swift has perfectly recreated the concert experience for all and showed where the future of moviegoing lies.

With such achievements, it is clear that the musician is not just the lucky one; she is a mastermind.

The marketing of her music is carefully thought out and perfectly aligned with her brand. And the key to this brand is her relationship with fans. Swift’s songs chronicle her emotions and experiences, establishing a personal connection between her and her fans. She also frequently hints at her next move using details in music videos, red carpet appearances and social media posts—whether with the release date of her next album or the start of a new musical era. For example, the color-coded elevator buttons in the “Bejeweled” music video and Swift’s recent all-black outfits indicate that—spoiler alert—“Reputation” will be the next re-recording to be released. Through her skillful storytelling and Easter eggs, Swift keeps her fans engaged and excited for what is to come.

Taylor Swift: A force to be reckoned with Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor This past week, Taylor Swift became a billionaire, the first musician to do so from their songs

Courtesy of LA Times

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Opinion 13

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Taylor Swift from page 12 Her philanthropy is just as personal. She has donated to food banks at each stop of the Eras Tour, climate-disaster relief efforts in her home cities and fans undergoing medical treatment. She even gifted $55 million in bonuses to her Eras

Tour staff. And in doing so, she has set a fine example for fans and drawn attention to causes that are important to her. In fact, after her donations during the Eras Tour, food banks saw a sizable uptick in contributions.

Swift is an inspiration to women.

By re-recording her earlier albums, she is taking back ownership of her music from the men and their record labels while reshaping the music industry at the same time.

By fearlessly living life on her own

terms and shaking off slut-shaming and criticism, she breaks the mold.

By writing record-breaking songs about her life, she empowers generations.

There is no contest: Taylor Swift is a one-of-a-kind superstar.

Why audiences should approach the new “Priscilla” movie with “Suspicious Minds” Rebecca Warber Copy Editor Since hitting theaters in the summer of 2022, Baz Luhrmann’s “Elvis” has revitalized rock-androll legend Elvis Presley with its unique exploration of his life and legacy. The biopic’s popularity was reflected not only in its stellar boxoffice performance, but also in the influx in Presley’s popularity, most notably among younger audience members.

The film did garner some negative attention, though, specifically with respect to its portrayal of Presley’s relationship with his ex-wife, Priscilla Presley.

The relationship between the two is infamously controversial due to the fact that the two met and presumably started their courtship when Priscilla was just 14 and Elvis 10 years her senior. This fact and the other more concerning aspects of the relationship were excluded from Luhrmann’s film. Rest assured that will not be the case with Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla.”

“Priscilla”—based on Priscilla’s 1985 memoir “Elvis and Me”— was first announced in September of 2022 with the somewhat controversial Coppola set to direct it.

Casting decisions for both Priscilla and Elvis were also announced, with Cailee Spaeny filling the former role and “Euphoria” star Jacob Elordi playing the latter.

Recently released trailers and clips from “Priscilla” all tease a movie that includes everything about the problematic relationship that the “Elvis” biopic didn’t.

Reviews and articles have already started rolling in—many of which praise Coppola for her poignant depiction of Priscilla’s adolescence and the whirlwind romance that thrust her into the spotlight.

Significantly fewer sources, however, address the ways in which this film has undeniably fallen short. Fewer still—if any at all— acknowledge that this biopic is not even entirely necessary. I aim to discuss both.

For starters, the cinematography featured in the film’s official trailer and available clips leave much to be desired. Specifically, the trailer is incredibly lackluster. Not only is it far from aesthetically pleasing, but it also includes a number of shots that are rudimentary at best.

As a whole, the trailer feels more like the attempt of a film student than that of a group of seasoned professionals.

Officials at Elvis’s estate had similar thoughts on the movie as a whole. “It feels like a college movie,” one official told TMZ. “The set designs are just horrific, it’s not what Graceland looks like.” Indeed,

Sofia Coppola’s new movie “Priscilla” is set to release in theaters across America this Friday, starring actors Cailee Spaeny and Jacob Elordi. Courtesy of Allison Hussey/Pitchfork the sets and costumes displayed in various promotional materials were somewhat disappointing after the Oscar nomination-worthy costumes and comparably impressive sets featured in Luhrmann’s “Elvis.”

The somewhat underwhelming nature of the costume and set designs for “Priscilla” could very well reflect Coppola’s specific vision for this film, though it is equally likely that the film’s rushed conception and production also had something to do with it. According to a New York Times article, Coppola first read “Elvis and Me” years ago before picking up the book again in 2020 and calling Priscilla later that year to pitch the movie idea. Filming commenced two years later, in October of 2022, and wrapped up in December of that same year. This is an incredibly short timeline—I would argue too short to produce an accurate, sensitive depiction of Elvis and Priscilla’s marriage.

This timeline, too, starkly contrasts with that of “Elvis.”

Luhrmann’s biopic was reportedly in the works for a decade before filming even began—which took an additional two years. The difference in time dedicated to the respective production of the two films lends itself to the natural conclusion that Luhrmann’s “Elvis” was more

thoughtfully created and likely includes a more accurate depiction of Elvis, specifically.

Elvis’s casting in “Priscilla” also contributes to an inaccurate depiction of the singer. With this film, Jacob Elordi becomes the latest in a string of actors who have faced the monumental challenge of stepping into the King’s blue suede shoes and portraying him on the big screen. Unfortunately, his take on the role may very well prove to be the least accurate if footage from recent interviews is any indication.

When asked how he prepared for the role, he explained that the process largely involved “boring hours and stories of homework.”

Elordi’s response is an objectively unenthusiastic one that casts doubt on his excitement for, and commitment to, the important role he’s been given.

Also questionable is Elordi’s initial introduction to Elvis.

He revealed during his recent appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” that he only knew about Elvis because of the references to the singer in Disney’s “Lilo & Stitch.” Elordi’s unfamiliarity with Elvis prior to the making of Coppola’s film will undoubtedly negatively affect the degree of accuracy with which he

portrays Elvis.

Finally, there is the question as to whether or not this is a necessary biopic. Quite honestly, I don’t think it is. Priscilla’s story is not new nor has it received any shortage of publicity. In fact, “Elvis and Me” had already received a screen adaptation that aired on television in the late ’80s. Why, then, does this story require an additional retelling?

Some may argue that “Priscilla” offers a more modern take on Priscilla’s story. Even so, the movie would still be largely unnecessary given the fact that Priscilla is still alive today and remains exceedingly vocal about her story and relationship with Elvis. Really, then, there is practically no need for yet another rendition of a tale many are already familiar with.

Priscilla’s story is an important one, yes, but it is by no means a new one. Her recount of her marriage and life have been heavily publicized for decades, making Coppola’s “Priscilla” feel superfluous. Another strike against the upcoming film is a noticeable lack of care—and probable lack of accuracy—with which it was created. Audiences are warned to watch this movie with— in the words of Elvis himself— “Suspicious Minds.”

Sports

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, November 3, 2023 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 10

Swimming and diving starts season 2-0 in dominant fashion Paola Van der Linden Costello Staff Writer

The swimming and diving season has started, and the Case Western Reserve University teams have been performing exceptionally well. Both the men’s and women’s teams placed first out of six teams at the Oberlin Invite from Oct. 13-14 with 656 and 807 overall points, respectively. They also both placed third of five teams with 74 and 82 points at the Kenyon Relays on Oct. 14, respectively, for the men’s and women’s team. They also won their first two official matches at Ohio Wesleyan University and at home against the 10th-ranked men’s team and the 12th-ranked women’s team of Carnegie Mellon University.

At the diving events, third-year Abigail Wilkov has performed incredibly well so far. Wilkov finished seventh at the 2023 NCAA Division III Championship in the one-meter dive and placed 10th in the NCAA Championships in the three-meter dive. Last season, she also became the most decorated diver in program history and the first CWRU diver to earn All-America honors in the one-meter dive.

This season, Wilkov took first in the one-meter dive and the three-meter dive at the Oberlin Invite with 252.65 ponts and 239.20 points, respectively.

She also placed first in the one-meter dive against Ohio Wesleyan with 257.86 points while fourth-year Spartan Rei Miyauchi won the three-meter dive with a score of 247.05 points.

Against CMU, Wilkov won both diving events again, scoring 270.83 in the one-meter dive and 270.90 points in the three-meter dive. Wilkov has qualified for the NCAA Diving Zone Regional in March 2024 after her second score of at least 255 for the onemeter dive this season. With all she has accomplished in the first month of the season, we are excited to see her performance in the upcoming weeks.

With a strong start to the season, both the CWRU men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams improved to 2-0 during their meet against Carnegie Mellon University this past weekend. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

The swim team has also been performing extremely well. At the Oberlin Invite, both the men’s and women’s teams placed first out of six teams with 656 and 807 points, respectively. The Spartans won 23 out of 42 events in this meet. For the men’s team, secondyear Joshua Hernandez dominated in four events, finishing first in the 200yard individual medley, 400 individual medley, 100-yard individual medley and 200-yard butterfly. Third-year Anthony Colangelo finished first in the 100-yard butterfly and third-year Griffin Gushman also took first place in the 200-yard freestyle. First-year Michael Boelens won the 100-yard backstroke.

For the women’s team, third-year Kate Menzer placed first in eight

events: 100-yard individual medley, 200-yard individual medley, 100yard breaststroke, 100-yard freestyle, 200-yard medley relay, 400-yard medley relay, 400-yard freestyle relay and 800-yard freestyle relay. Menzer shared the victory of the 200-yard relay with second-years Lauren Valentine, Brynn Lampert and Megha Siddapureddy, 400-yard medley relay with Valentine, Siddapureddy and third-year Liz Cao, 400-yard freestyle relay with Cao, first-year Anya Iyer and fourth-year Emma Guarnieri and 800-yard freestyle relay with Guarnieri, second-year Allison Ploutz-Snyder and first-year Erin Butler.

At the Kenyon Relays, the men’s swim team won the 400-yard individual medley relay with second-year

On Oct. 28 at CWRU’s meet against Carnegie Mellon University, the Spartans saw many meritorious results. Second-year swimmer Emil LaSida set two school records, and third-year diver Abigail Wilkov qualified for the March 2024 NCAA Diving Zone Regional. Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

Emil LaSida, third-year Ben Zuo, fourth-year Ethan Chuang and thirdyear Peter Meng. Both the men’s and women’s teams ranked third in the overall event.

CWRU won all 32 events against Ohio Wesleyan University. The women scored 272-22 and the men scored 253-27. CWRU also defeated CMU but in a much closer match. CMU, ranked 10th for men’s and 12th for women’s, lost to the Spartans 174-117 and 171128 for the men’s and women’s team, respectively, this past weekend at the Veale Natatorium. LaSida set two school records and a pool record, helping the team achieve this win. With the win against CMU, both Spartan teams improved to 2-0 in season dual meets.

LaSida started off the 400-yard medley relay with 49.24 seconds, besting his own previous record of 49.33 seconds, and he also recorded an NCAA B cut. He also set a pool record, besting the previous one set in 2000 of 50.25 seconds. LaSida also set a record on the 200-yard freestyle relay with a time of 20.58 seconds, besting the previous record of 20.76 seconds set by alumnus Calvin Tescon in 2020. LaSida also won the 100-yard backstroke and the 100-yard freestyle individually. Meng won three events: 200-yard freestyle, 500-yard freestyle and 400-yard individual medley.

For the women’s team, third-year Gabriella Chambers touched the wall first in the 100-yard and 200-yard freestyle races. Chambers also won the 200-yard freestyle relay with second-year Eliza Dixon, second-year Claire Kozma and third-year Adriana Kamor. Kozma also claimed two individual victories: 50-yard freestyle and 100-yard butterfly. First-year Maggie Rose Rook took first place in the 500yard freestyle.

The Spartans have had an exciting start of the season, leaving them at a dual score of 2-0 before their next match. They will be facing University of Rochester for their third dual meet of the season on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the Veale Natatorium. The dive team will start their competition at 10:30 a.m. and the swim team will start their competition at 1 p.m.

15 Sports

Friday, November 3, 2023

Men’s basketball season preview Paola Van der Linden Costello Staff Writer

23 CSC Academic All-District award for their academic achievements.

The team also made great strides on the offensive end, achieving their second highest 3-point accuracy in the game against Brandeis University and scoring over 100 points in two games, the first time since 1997 and fifth time in all of program history.

With Frauenheim, graduate student guard Mitch Prendergast and Frilling having graduated, we expect

to see new players on the field this season. Fourth-year forward Hunter Drenth will be returning after being out last season due to an injury. The team has also added graduate student guards Anthony Mazzeo, Richie Manigault and Preston Maccoux as well as graduate student forwards Jaylan Hewitt and Colin Kahl and third-year forward transfer student Andrew Fox. The team will be led by head Coach Todd McGuinness, who is re-

turning for his eighth year as head coach. Coach McGuinness’ .549 career winning percentage is the best by a head coach in program history.

Bryan Wickliffe and Brian Murphy are both returning as assistant coaches for their second season at CWRU. This team brought a lot of excitement to the court for fans over the last couple of years, and we hope to see the same energy and success during the 2023-24 season.

The Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team will be playing their first game of the season on Nov. 10 at Horsburgh Gymnasium against the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Spartan fans are excited to see what this team has to offer this upcoming season.

Last season, the Spartans brought us great gameplay and broke multiple school records. They were the first team in program history to finish their non-conference play undefeated and the first to win their bracket going into the conference play. Their NCAA Tournament appearance in 2023 was a follow up from 2022 where the team ended up in the sweet 16. Their performance these past seasons got the team an invitation to the D3hoops. com Classic in Las Vegas in late December, another first in program history. CWRU is also ranked #13 in D3hoops.com men’s top 25 for the 2023-24 preseason.

Last season we witnessed alumni Cole Frilling, a fourth-year forward in spring 2023, and Danny Frauenheim, a previous graduate student guard, achieve 1,000 career points.

Frilling completed his 1,000 points in 63 games, the second fastest in program history. Third-year forward Umar Rashid broke the program record for blocks in a game in the team’s first game against the Washington University in St. Louis with 9 blocked shots. We also saw returning fourth-years Ian Elam, a forward, Luke Thorburn, a guard, and returning third-years Sam Trunley, In the 2022-23 school year, the CWRU men’s basketball team was the first team in Spartan basketball history a guard, and Rashid win the 2022- to finish their non-conference play undefeated. Courtesy of CWRU Athletics

Men’s soccer bounces back from loss to WashU with 2-1 win over Brandeis Puneet Bansal Sports Editor Following a disappointing 1-0 loss to the Washington University in St. Louis at home on Oct. 22, Case Western Reserve University rebounded on the road against Brandeis University on Oct. 28, adding a 2-1 victory to the win column. CWRU currently stands at 8-3-3 overall and 2-2-2 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play.

Though the Spartans outshot WashU 8-4, the WashU squad was able to find the back of the net in the 33rd minute. Fourthyear midfielder Jacob Salmon led the Spartans with two shots, with fourth-year defenders Jad Oglesby and Josh Cook, as well as first-year defender Daniel Sandall, each also

adding one shot on goal. In front of 473 fans, the CWRU team celebrated Senior Day prior to the start of the game, honoring graduating players Cook, Ryan Doughty, Oglesby, Alex Lippiatt, Salmon and fourth-year midfielder Matt Vatne.

Against Brandeis, the Spartans and the Judges went back and forth but to no avail, ending the first half scoreless. In the second half, third-year forward Brandon Kim scored in the 52nd minute off of an assist from Vatne. Vatne, who was handling the ball around 10 yards from the box on the goal line, sent a pass to Kim who was running towards the middle of the box. Kim then kicked the shot into the net to give CWRU a 1-0 lead.

Vatne earned his sixth assist of the season, leading the team in that stat.

Later in the 74th minute, Vatne

took a shot from 25 yards away from the goal which pulled the Judges’ goalkeeper out of position for a diving save. Cook was in prime position and got the rebound and sent it into the lower right corner to push the Spartan lead to 2-0. Cook notched his second goal of the season.

Brandeis was looking to make a strong comeback, scoring just two minutes later after breaking down the Spartan defense to cut the deficit to 2-1.

Fortunately, the Spartan defense intensified their efforts and prevented any more successful offensive attacks from the Judges.

The CWRU defense was anchored by second-year goalkeeper Bradley Winter, who made four saves in his eighth win of the campaign thus far.

Overall, the Spartans outshot

Brandeis 19-12, including in shotson-goal (6-5). The 19 shots is the second-most for this season, with third-year midfielder Lukas Dalakis leading the team with four shots. Vatne and Kim each added three. CWRU also had an advantage in the fouls, recording only 5 to the Judges’ 12.

Vatne was named the UAA Athlete of the Week for offense for his performance against Brandeis.

Vatne was instrumental in pushing the offense, leading the team with two assists over the weekend.

The Spartans are currently fifth ranked in Region VII in the NCAA Division III. They will have one more regular season game to boost their overall record for a chance at a postseason berth. CWRU will have their regular season finale in Pittsburgh against Carnegie Mellon University on Nov. 4.

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Photos of the week

Sara Khorshidi/The Observer

Anjali Bhuthpur/The Observer

Anjali Bhuthpur/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Anjali Bhuthpur/The Observer

Shivangi Nanda/The Observer

Sara Khorshidi/The Observer

Sara Khorshidi/The Observer

Anjali Bhuthpur/The Observer

Auden Koetters/The Observer

Auden Koetters/The Observer

Scores and Upcoming Games Men’s Basketball

Women’s Basketball

CWRU vs Pitt-Bradford (11/10, 7 p.m., Horsburgh Gymnasium)

CWRU at Waynesburg (11/11)

Swimming and Diving

Volleyball CWRU vs Otterbein (10/28) - W 3-1 CWRU at John Carroll (10/31) - W 3-2 CWRU at Wooster (11/4)

CWRU vs Carnegie Mellon (10/28) Men’s team: W 174-117 Women’s team: W 171-128

UAA Volleyball Championship CWRU vs WashU (11/10)

CWRU vs Rochester (11/4, 10 a.m. (Dive) and 1 p.m. (Swim), Veale Natatorium) CWRU vs Total Performance Invite (11/16-18) CWRU at CMU Diving Invitational (11/17-18)

Football CWRU vs Waynesburg (10/21) - W 35-0 CWRU at Washington and Jefferson (10/28) - L 33-38

Women’s Soccer

CWRU vs Allegheny (11/4, 2 p.m., DiSanto Field) - Senior Day

Cross Country Mike Woods Invitational (10/14) Men’s team: 8th of 25 teams Women’s team: 7th of 23 teams UAA Championships (10/28) Men’s team: 6th of 8 teams Women’s team: 6th of 8 teams CWRU vs NCAA Great Lakes Regional (11/11)

Men’s Soccer

CWRU at Brandeis (10/28) - W 2-0

CWRU at Brandeis (10/28) - W 2-1

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (11/4)

CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (11/4)