The Observer, Volume LV, Issue 15, 01/19/24

Opinion: Editorial: How to get back on track in the new year (pg. 6)

Friday, January 19, 2024 Volume LV, Issue 15 Est. 1969

SPORTS

Men’s basketball starts UAA play 2-1, earns program-record No. 2 ranking Marvin Lee Staff Writer The Case Western Reserve University men’s basketball team has been very busy since students left for the holidays, playing eight games and going 7-1, highlighted by a win over then No. 4 State University of New York at Oswego in Las Vegas 87-74 on Dec. 28 and a statement win over then No. 4 New York University 94-76 in Horsburgh Gymnasium on Jan. 12. Their overall record now stands at 13-1.

The latter win was significant for CWRU, as it represented a bounceback performance after a disappointing loss to longtime rival Carnegie Mellon University by a score of 84-74 in Pittsburgh on Jan. 6. This big win was the Spartans first home game since Dec. 2., and Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb was in attendance to watch Cleveland’s best get even better.

A nail-biter of a victory over Brandeis University on Jan. 14 by a score of 77-76 improved the Spartans to a perfect 6-0 at home. The game also improved their UAA record to 2-1.

CWRU will be back on the road for their next four contests as they face a tough stretch ahead against top teams while traveling far more miles than most other NCAA Division III teams.

The Spartans will embark on road trips to Atlanta to face No. 22 Emory

University on Jan. 19, as well the University of Rochester on Jan. 21 and the University of Chicago on Jan. 26. They will cap it off with a trip to St. Louis to face No. 14 Washington University on Jan. 28.

CWRU rose to No. 2 in the D3hoops. com Top 25 in the poll released on Jan. 2, their highest-ever ranking.

This ranking came after the aforementioned victory over Oswego and a second win in Las Vegas over Clark University, 98-87. The Spartans took a temporary tumble to No. 5 after losing to CMU but returned to No. 2 in this week’s poll after a pair of home wins over NYU and Brandeis. CWRU remains at the top of multiple D3 categories, ranking at No. 8 in three-pointers made per game (10.9), No. 11 in scoring offense (88.4 points per game) and No. 17 in blocks per game (5.4).

Graduate student guard Anthony Mazzeo was spectacular in CWRU’s recent games, garnering four UAA Athlete of the Week awards and one D3hoops.com Team of the Week award. He was additionally recognized as the MVP of the 2023 D3hoops.com Classic after averaging 28 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds over CWRU’s two victories in Las Vegas while shooting 64.5% (20-31) from the floor, including 50.0% (8-16) from three-point range and an 88.9% (8-9) mark from the free throw line. Topping it all off, Mazzeo was named to the Top 100 Watch

List for the Clarence “Bevo” Francis Award, selected by Small College Basketball and its National Awards Committee, which recognizes the top overall player among NCAA Division II, NCAA Division III, NAIA, USCAA and NCCAA programs each season.

Mazzeo has surprised fans, coming as a graduate transfer student from the neighboring Baldwin Wallace University and making an immediate impact, averaging 19.5 points and 4.3 assists through his first 14 games with the Spartans, leading all CWRU players in both categories. His shooting splits are even more impressive, as he is shooting 52.4% from the field and 42.3% from beyond the arc, making a team-

best 33 triples this year.

Head Coach Todd McGuinness has also garnered national recognition, being named the Hoopdirt.com D3 Coach of the Week after leading the Spartans to two victories in Las Vegas, their second-straight undefeated non-conference campaign and their highest-ever national ranking in program history.

You can stream the team’s upcoming games on athletics.case.edu. Fans can look forward to free admission to the team’s two home contests at Horsburgh Gymnasium in a couple of weeks as they host UChicago on Friday, Feb. 2 at 7:30 p.m. and No. 14 WashU on Sunday, Feb. 4 at noon.

During the CWRU men’s basketball team’s 94-76 win against NYU, graduate student guard Anthony Mazzeo led the team with 27 points.

Courtesy of Tim Phillis/CWRU Athletics

NEWS

Travis Apgar, former RPI dean, to become CWRU’s vice president for student affairs Zachary Treseler News Editor

Travis Apgar, current associate vice president for student life and dean of students at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), will join Case Western Reserve University as the new vice president for student affairs, as announced on Dec. 8 in The Daily. He will arrive a year after the retirement of Lou Stark, former vice president for student affairs. Apgar will be the first non-interim president to preside over a much larger Division of Student Affairs since many different campus services were placed under its domain.

The university stressed that he was a part of a “slate of finalists presented to them by the search committee, which included students, as part of a national search.”

“Given his decades of experience in student affairs, President Kaler and Provost Ward felt that Apgar is best suited to be the next leader of student affairs at Case Western Reserve,” the university said when asked for comment. “As they noted in The Daily announcing his appointment, he understands the exceptional opportunities students have at a leading university and knows how to support them so that they grow and excel throughout their time on campus.”

When asked to provide comment,

Apgar noted that he is “honored and thrilled by [his] appointment as vice president for student affairs at Case Western Reserve, a university preparing individuals to shape the world’s future across critical disciplines.”

His career at RPI draws many accolades and some criticism. This includes two large changes made to Greek Life and the student governing system, both of which inspired student commentary.

In 2018, RPI was rocked by severe allegations regarding hazing and sexual assault in its Greek Life system, with such claims making their way to local news sites and social media. A university-sanctioned report found that in the 2017-2018 academic year, half of their sexual assault complaints occurred at Greek Houses and parties, despite Greek students only making up 23% of the student population.

In response, RPI created the Greek Life Task Force in June 2018, of which Apgar was a member. He previously spoke against hazing on college campuses, describing his personal experiences with hazing while rushing a fraternity. The committee’s first step was canceling recruitment for the fall 2018 cycle, but it was shortly reinstated due to alumni outcries. As the work of the committee progressed, Apgar was in charge of implementing the recommendations of the task force in June 2019. Most controversially, the com-

mittee recommended the installment of deferred recruiting, so students who were considering joining Greek Life— both fraternities and sororities—had to be full-time students at RPI for at least one semester prior to rushing.

Deferred recruiting at RPI was implemented without comment from student leaders, leading to intense community meetings. Throughout these meetings, Apgar was the face of these changes to Greek Life, serving as a discussant and directly responding to students’ questions and concerns.

Shortly thereafter, a committee of students formed “Save RPI Greek Life” and threatened to protest, with their protest poster specifically calling out Apgar.

Many online forms, from Reddit to College Confidential, claimed he had a vendetta against Greek Life. However, Apgar authorized a multicultural society and fraternity council at RPI, and he frequently cites his Greek affiliation.

Apgar also oversaw a changing structure of the Union, which is RPI’s student government. Controversy over the Union started in 2016 when the Union’s director resigned. When Apgar arrived at RPI 2017, there was controversy over how much power the president’s office should have in hiring the Union’s director.

During this, Apgar denied a request for students to protest. The denial was reportedly due to safety concerns and a

lack of resources from RPI to manage both Homecoming festivities and a large student protest. Once the protest was over, Apgar and his office began “pursuing judicial inquiries” against students involved in the protest, according to The Polytechnic, RPI’s student newspaper. Afterwards, Apgar received a letter from the American Civil Liberties Union, calling the charges against the students “spurious” and “inappropriate.”

Apgar further responded to many claims stemming from controversy over the Union. Most notably, in 2018 there was a claim of election interface over elections for the Union’s grand marshal, their student leader. Union organizers claim RPI was trying to undermine the confidence in the vote after pro-Union candidates won, while administrators claimed legitimate procedural and fairness issues were raised. By the start of the 2018-2019 academic year, a new director was hired due to student objections.

When contacted by The Observer, Apgar did not provide comment regarding his time at RPI. However, Apgar did express his anticipation for his time at CWRU. He said, “I am eager to start, and looking forward to gaining insights from students, colleagues, families and alumni/ae about CWRU, and how I can further elevate the student experience.”

Life

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 19, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 15

“The Boy and the Heron” is a gift to Ghibli buffs everywhere Kethan Srinivasan Staff Writer It can be understandably hard to stomach why someone would possibly want to come out of retirement and return to their longtime job— that is, unless that someone is Hayao Miyazaki. The 83-year-old Japanese filmmaker is well-known in the industry for his vibrant animated works, filled to the brim with fantastical imagery as well as moments of sharp social commentary. However, Miyazaki is also renowned for being a serial liar about his retirement plans: Despite three separate retirement announcements in 1997, 2001 and 2013, following the releases of “Princess Mononoke,” the Academy Award-winning “Spirited Away” and “The Wind Rises,” respectively, he has returned to the art of filmmaking several times since.

It’s fair to say that many Studio Ghibli aficionados have happily learned not to take Miyazaki’s retirement plans too seriously, broken once again with the release of “The Boy And The Heron” in Japan back in July, before the film premiered in North American theaters on Dec. 8.

Titled “How Do You Live?” in Miyazaki’s native Japanese, this latest work is loosely based on aspects of his own life and takes inspiration from a 1937 Japanese novel of the same name by Genzaburo Yoshino.

“The Boy and the Heron” is decked out with the elements that one comes to expect from a Ghibli production, such as vivid imagery of fantastical worlds and creatures and a lush orchestral score composed by longtime collaborator Joe Hisaishi. The film follows Mahito, a young boy whose ailing mother perishes after her hospital is destroyed in an Allied air raid, a sight that continues to plague him in his sleep. A few years later, he and his father move out of the city to his mother’s family’s estate, after his father remarries his wife’s sister, who

83-year-old filmaker Hayao Miyazaki’s latest film, “The Boy and the Heron,” takes audiences through a whimsical journey, using its main character, Mahito, to answer larger questions about life and living. Courtesy of Studio Ghibli is now expecting a child of her own.

Mahito struggles to acclimate to his new setting. He has difficulty accepting his future stepmother and tolerating his belligerent classmates, going as far as to inflict a wound on himself to skip school, all while hiding his disapproval of his circumstances for the sake of his father’s happiness. He finds himself drawn to an old tower erected by his greatuncle and is sucked into the portal housed inside by an ill-mannered grey heron. The heron taunts Mahito into believing his mother is alive in another realm and proposes to guide him, just as his new stepmother mysteriously disappears into the woods.

What follows is a grand lesson that seeks to answer the question posed by its original Japanese title as to dealing with childhood pain and grief: Do you live by doing everything

you can to erase it, work towards processing and transforming it into something more meaningful or find a way to feel the happiness and freedom that is meant to be at the center of childhood until you’re ready to face the life still ahead of you? These themes are communicated through a lens of fantasy that appeals to people young and old alike, albeit in a more unwieldy manner in comparison to Ghibli films of old.

The cluttered nature of this other world hanging by a thread will likely lose viewers at first, but soon enough you realize this alternate world is actually a visual representation of Mahito’s emotional struggle. It takes patience to follow along as he comes to terms with the choices he makes and the world he struggles to love, and in some ways that’s similar to life for many of us. The spectacle he

makes his way through is just that: a spectacle. It’s not a place to live when you already have a life you know and can’t let go of, no matter how much you feel the need to escape it; rather it is a place to come to terms with your own reality and process your true feelings. It’s a film that takes a watch or two to digest its peculiarity, and perhaps a bit of background before you dive in blindly. But don’t let that stop you from wanting to learn more about the Miyazaki method, whether that’s his storytelling or his animation style.

“The Boy And The Heron” as of now is still available in theaters in either Japanese with English subtitles or with English dubbing. Though best enjoyed and understood in its original language, don’t let that stop you from making it a double feature, if you can.

nal fans to young children, all vying for tour merchandise. Surrounding us was the beautiful venue, resplendent with its grand, historic architecture and elegant details.

While we waited for the show to begin, opening act Vasiliki “Vassy” Karagiorgos warmed up the stage and kept us entertained—though I was not too crazy about her music.

After a brief lull, Aqua came on an hour late, held up while signing autographs for fans.

And they did not disappoint.

It was a 90-minute masterpiece, brimming with their greatest hits, carefree dance moves and quirky visuals from their music videos. From upbeat tracks such as “Calling You” and “My Oh My” to slower tunes such as “Good Morning Sunshine” and “We Belong to the Sea,” there was never a dull moment. And, of course, they performed their classic “Barbie Girl.” The band’s happiness was infectious, with fans dancing, singing and lip-synching along. The

volume of the music was fair, and the crowd itself was orderly. We even got an encore, bringing the vibrant experience to a satisfying close with “Aquarius” and “Roses Are Red.” Despite the fun, many people did not show up. Several seats along the mezzanine and balcony levels were empty, and the crowd on the ground floor was rather sparse. In the days leading up to the show, ticket prices had dropped from hundreds of dollars to as low as six. It was unbelievable—how could the turnout for this talented band be so low?

It all boils down to Americans’ long-standing preference for domestic acts. Formed in Copenhagen, Denmark, Aqua never reached the same level of success in the U.S. that they attained in Europe and other places “Around the World.”

“Barbie Girl” ended up being their only American hit.

But Aqua is so much more than just a one-hit wonder. Other songs

from their debut album “Aquarium” saw international success, including “Doctor Jones” and “Lollipop (Candyman),” as well as later songs from “Aquarius,” such as “Bumble Bees.” Despite taking a 6-year break after their second album, they continue to tour across the globe. Their bubblegum dance-pop is cheerful and fun, enthralling those from the ’90s and younger generations. In fact, I have loved Aqua since I was a preschooler, all thanks to my mom playing their hits on repeat.

Even though I traveled through a storm to attend Aqua’s Barbie World Tour, I only wish that I could “Turn Back Time” and see it again.

Everyone should listen to Aqua’s music—don’t just stop at “Barbie Girl.” Try out their greatest hits album and keep going from there.

Not only will you come out incredibly happy, but you’ll also bounce along to their songs for years to come, never wanting to say goodbye.

Aqua: More than just the maker of “Barbie Girl” Aambar Agarwal Social Media Editor

Everyone has heard of “Barbie Girl.” Created in the ’90s by DanishNorwegian Europop band Aqua, the song’s bubbly beat, catchy lyrics and iconic music video have cemented it as one of the best-selling singles of all time. And the recent “Barbie” movie has only reignited its popularity.

Riding high on this new wave, Aqua recently wrapped up the U.S. leg of their Barbie World Tour.

Performing across 20 cities, it was their first-ever tour in the U.S.— a long-awaited moment for their American bubbles. I was one of the “Happy Boys & Girls” who got to party along at The Fillmore Detroit, and it was truly fantastic.

Upon entering The Fillmore, I was met with a sea of bubblegum pink and vivid aqua. People of all ages buzzed about, from older origi-

Life 3

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“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is another disappointing adaptation of the book series Kate Gordon Life Editor Despite selling more than 180 million copies worldwide, the beloved children’s book series Percy Jackson and the Olympians has had a tough time making it off the page and onto the screen. The first attempted adaptation, the film “Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief,” and its sequel, “Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters,” received widespread criticism both from fans of the books and even the author himself for their many inaccuracies. Important plot points were either changed or omitted entirely, and the characters—who were between 12 and 16 years of age—acted like high school archetypes instead of kids with actual personalities. So when Disney+ announced that it was producing a Percy Jackson TV show with age-appropriate casting for the main trio, I had high hopes that fans might finally be getting an adaptation they could be excited about. Unfortunately, I was wrong.

The Disney+ show—also called “Percy Jackson and the Olympians”— does at least initially follow the plot of the first book, “The Lightning Thief,” more closely than the film adaptation did. Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell) is a 12-year-old boy with ADHD and dyslexia who always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He’s been kicked out of every school he’s ever gone to, despite his claims that he’s never the actual culprit, and that the real perpetrators are … shall we say, less than human. After yet another incident and expulsion, Percy and his mother take a vacation upstate where she explains to him the real reason for

his troubles: he is the child of a Greek god who is being hunted down by monsters. Unfortunately, Percy doesn’t have much time to process this news when he and his mom are attacked by another mythological creature, the Minotaur, right as they are on their way to the one safe space there is for kids like him.

However, following the plot alone does not necessarily make for a successful book-to-screen adaptation.

My biggest gripe with “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is that neither the pacing nor the tone of the show do the book series justice. Even before Percy and his new sort-of friends Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries) and Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) leave on their quest to return Zeus’ stolen Master Bolt, the book is action-packed and leaves little downtime for anything other than exposition. In contrast, the TV show largely consists of conversations between its three main characters, and instead of sequences of Percy and his friends fighting monsters, the monsters simply appear on screen for a minute or two and dissolve after a single swipe from Percy’s sword Riptide or Annabeth’s dagger. Though these changes are likely due to budget constraints instead of poor decisions in the writers’ room, they still don’t make for an enjoyable viewing experience.

The pacing of the individual episodes, however, is a choice that I don’t quite understand. The first two episodes—one for Percy’s time at boarding school and another for when he trains with other godly children at their sanctuary, Camp Half-Blood—are both incredibly rushed, whereas episodes 3–6 are astonishingly slow. Percy’s time at camp, which gets five whole chapters in “The Lightning Thief,” should

have been allotted more than a single episode. Meanwhile, the third episode, titled “We Visit the Garden Gnome Emporium,” encompasses only two chapters, and like many of the other later episodes, it includes many unnecessary talking scenes that were not in the book series. Not only do scenes like this add nothing and continue to derail the pace of the show, they actively take time away from what were important conflicts in the book.

The final (fatal) flaw of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is, unfortunately, its leading trio, which suffers from both incomplete characterization and poor acting on the part of its young performers. Percy, whose internal monologue in the book is funny and full of heart, lacks charisma in the show for both of the aforementioned reasons. In fact, almost all of the humor from the books is nowhere to be found on screen. I don’t want to pick

on children too much, but all three of the leading actors often deliver lines in a complete monotone—it’s a hard watch. Simhadri’s Grover is probably the least at fault, often stepping up to add comic relief where Percy falters, but Annabeth’s portrayal is also not my favorite. Important aspects of her character from the books, such as her love of architecture, have been left out of the show entirely. Like Percy, she too feels flat to me.

I will say that in spite of my disappointment, I hope that Disney+ renews the show for another season or two. I think that as the actors grow older, it’s likely that they’ll improve their craft and grow into their characters. It’s a bigger ask for the pre-production team to restructure the show, but if they can up the ante enough, they could probably produce something that actually feels like the Percy Jackson books. I guess I’ll just have to wait and see.

The performance of the main trio in “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” is underwhelming, with monotone dialogue and a lack of charisma. From left to right: Annabeth Chase (Leah Sava Jeffries), Grover Underwood (Aryan Simhadri) and Percy Jackson (Walker Scobell). Courtesy of Disney+

Fun Weekly Horoscope The Observer predicts your spring semester

Aquarius You will gain 15 pounds Pisces You will get in a relationship Aries You will hit the gym hard Taurus You will sleep through many of your classes Gemini You will make many new friends Cancer You will get straight As

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 19, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 15

What We've Been Listening To TNT Aupinard

Lexi Jensen

Dark Beach Pastel Ghost Elie Aoun

Enchanted Taylor Swift

Auden Koetters

There Is a Light That Never Goes Out The Smiths Tyler Vu

Unforgettable French Montana Anjali Bhuthpur

Billions!

Caroline Polachek Lucas Yang

Minecraft Full Soundtrack C418 Shivangi Nanda

Overheard CWRU

Leo Your social media will get hacked

Compilation of out-of-pocket things heard across campus

"I read a book on feminism this summer."

Virgo You will write an article for The Observer Libra You will have a life-changing experience Scorpio You will get food poisoning Sagittarius You will have a breakup Capricorn You will fail a class

Maze!

"Damn, that sh*t stank."

"This one should have a cookie."

Tyler Vu/The Observer

Sudoku Easy

Medium

Q: "What [cookie] would you like?"

A: "Cookie."

"Chocolate breast milk."

5

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CWRU Film Society

January 19-21 in Strosacker $4.00 per movie or $30.00 for the weekend.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Friday.

Schedule subject to change.

For more details, please check http://films.cwru.edu/sfmarathon49

Opinion

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 19, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 15

EDITORIAL

How to get back on track in the new year Editorial Board The new year is here and we’ve all returned to Case Western Reserve University, our home away from home—flights have finally arrived in Cleveland, winter clothes have been unpacked and classes have started up again. Whereas the beginning of the spring semester and the anticipated return of academic responsibilities are enough to send chills down the spine of any student, the frigid temperatures are chilling us down to our bones.

Campus has frozen over, making the transition back particularly difficult.

The windy and cold weather might seem like a harbinger of the challenging months ahead, and it’s difficult to get back on track after a break with no homework, projects or exams. But the start of a new year and semester also provides us with great foresight into how we can prepare for the future.

During these first few weeks when class assignments are hopefully straightforward and lectures are focused on introductory material, we should consider what we can do now to set ourselves up for success later.

First, take some time to plan out the days and weeks ahead.

Setting a schedule and creating a routine is vital at the start of the semester. You’ll have much more breathing room now since assignments are few and classes are slow. Copy down your class schedule, either on something physical like a whiteboard or on your Google Calendar. Make it an active part of your day by placing it somewhere visible in your room or setting reminders on your phone so you don’t have to go through the stress of figuring out what you need to do. And if your professor added a weekly sched-

ule to your syllabus handout on the first day of class, that’s even better. Set aside some time each week to work on assignments for each class, and try your best to stick to it. The syllabus can be a very helpful tool, so take advantage of it now.

Building routines can be challenging—New Year’s resolutions are of course infamous for almost always not being fulfilled—so instead of big, ambitious goals, focus on the smaller actions you can take. Ayelet Fishbach, a human motivation psychologist from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, suggests focusing on the intermediate steps. In college, this can mean the actions you take between waking up and walking to class or the specific goals you set when you sit down and work on homework assignments and projects. Over time, forming routines from smaller chunks will help you get to where you need to be.

There are wonderful health benefits to routines: Medical professionals find that people are better able to manage stress, sleep better with bedtime routines, eat healthier by scheduling time for grocery shopping and are more active with exercise routines. You don’t have to plan out every minute of your day, but setting aside time for important responsibilities and obligations helps to remove some of the confusion in navigating daily living.

More generally, practicing effective organizational skills can contribute to a better and healthier life. Organizing your day can help to remove the mental clutter and stress associated with disorganization. Physical clutter, such as a messy and disorganized room, can be a huge weight on your shoulders; when faced with difficult classes, the stress can compound. Cleaning is one simple solution to this stress: Research

shows that it can give you a sense of control over your environment, lead to feelings of satisfaction, reduce anxiety and even improve your physical health.

If you’re feeling a little stressed as the semester moves forward, try cleaning up a little bit. Maybe make your bed, put away your clothes, organize your textbooks and notes—something small that can make your life just a little bit easier.

So, CWRU, as we get ready for another long haul and look at the months

ahead—whether we’re looking to complete another year or anticipating graduation—let’s all take these useful strategies with us. Just do a little bit each day and try to find a routine that works for you. The path might seem long and winding, and even scary at times, but you can’t get to the finish line in one giant leap. Slowly, each accomplishment builds up, one after the other. Eventually, you’ll make it to your destination, and then you’ll finally be able to say, “I did it.”

Lucas Yang /The Observer

Surviving the social media craze Catherine Choi Staff Writer In our society where social media has become so accessible and a good platform to gain exposure, it has become a staple in our lives. Other than the primitive purposes of connecting with others and expressing ourselves, such as with Instagram or Facebook, it offers many more opportunities. We can display creative content with YouTube and Pinterest, deliver news easily through social media, gather information about a candidate for a job or a college admission with LinkedIn and bring people with common interests together with Twitter, now known as X. However, because of its scope, it is also difficult to regulate. For this reason, we should keep in mind the following rules.

Not everything that you see is true.

Although such a rule applies to any source of research and news, it is especially true for social media platforms.

They are easy to access and use, help speed up communication and have a significant role in spreading timely and useful information. However, a major drawback is that it is difficult to

correct false information. This has allowed fake news to spread, which can be used for defamation or to spread disinformation or misinformation. To prevent falsely accusing someone or being influenced by false media that is designed for propaganda, one must critically evaluate the information in regards to source and bias. Additionally, you should form your own opinion in regards to the topic rather than passively absorbing information.

Be aware of the difference between criticism and hate speech. Social media makes hiding one’s identity very easy, allowing people to be careless in saying or doing things that they never would do when interacting with people face to face. Although criticism is necessary for clear wrongdoing and misconduct, some incidents tend to take it too far and devolve into cyberbullying. Such behavior includes spreading lies, posting embarrassing photos or videos of someone, sending threatening messages and pretending to be someone else entirely. Victims are prone to physical and mental harm as if they were physically bullied. For this reason, we should clearly establish the difference between constructive criticism and pure hate and be careful with

what we post and comment. What you should not say in front of someone’s face should not be said online as well.

We should also encourage cyberbullying victims to reach out for support from those they trust.

Keep reality and social media separate. Due to how much entertaining content social media platforms contain, they can lead to addiction and people becoming detached from reality. Social media is usually a place where people cherry-pick what they display. As a result, unconscious and passive scrolling can lead to a distorted view of the world we live in. People are likely to be comparing themselves to famous people they see without considering that those people have different backgrounds; in addition, such content tends to be scripted and manipulated. Such a trend can lead to negative self image, glorification of unethical conduct and the need to boast on social media. At the same time, relationships can suffer if we become too immersed in social media. We must keep in mind that the content that we see on social media reflects one’s ideal life and we should not compare our worst with their best.

Do not reveal too much about your-

self and be careful with whom you meet on social media. What one posts on social media can stay up for a long time and be viewed by numerous people including friends, family, future employers or school admission boards.

What you posted in the past can later get in your way of life and follow you for a long time. Content on the internet is almost impossible to remove and lasts for a very long time. You should always think twice before posting or commenting because your record can follow you. Also, when it comes to meeting new people through social media, we must keep in mind that the people we see on social media may not be who they really are. As much as it is important to be cautious of whom you befriend in-person, the same applies to online.

Although the world that social media presents can be alluring, it is never identical to the real world and can be a double-edged sword depending on how you use it. If used wisely and intentionally, it can promote a positive image of yourself. However, if not used properly, it can lead to isolation from your everyday life, poor mental health, harassment and you surrounding yourself with the wrong people.

Opinion 7

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Why try Dungeons and Dragons?

David Gentile Contributing Writer Dungeons and Dragons—often shortened to DnD—is a hobby that many people have heard of, but if you have never tried it before, it sounds like something only the most reclusive of individuals play.

Oftentimes, DnD is portrayed in the media as a group getting together in full wizarding robes, huddling around in a dark basement to “roll to seduce the dragon.” Others who may be slightly more familiar with the game but still not have played before may know of Critical Role or a Roll20 series and think of highly polished sets, with massive production value and monologues from famous voice actors that make them think, “I could

never do this, so why even try.” Before I tried DnD, I thought of it as a nerdy board game that, when initially explained, sounded way too complicated for me to understand.

However, after a second chance and the opportunity to play with friends, I came to deeply enjoy the time I spent with the game, and I now consider myself fully a DnD fanatic. I really think that with some time and some explanation of what DnD is, many more people on campus will be willing to give it a try and potentially find a lifelong hobby for themselves.

A place to start would be why the mechanics of DnD make it enjoyable for many different types of people. First, the game relies on improvisation for many of the decisions you are going to make. While this sounds intimidating for people

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 Darcy Chew 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 Bowen Zhang Layout Designer Lucas Yang Graphic Designer Tyler Vu Graphic Designer BUSINESS Khushali Desai Director of Business Operations Jack Loomis Business Manager Ava Gallegos Business Manager Sophia Ran Distribution Manager Cayley Ng Distribution 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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Tyler Vu/The Observer who may not enjoy the spotlight as much, it allows for many memorable and funny moments with your friends. As the success of actions is reliant on the roll of a D20, or a twenty-sided die, any interaction has the potential to spiral quickly out of control on a high or low roll.

There are many completely unplanned moments that my group and I still bring up to this day.

The customization available in DnD is another part that many people enjoy. Because every character you create can be completely original, people have the ability to tell their own stories. If you want to play a simple human knight on a quest for glory, you can do that. If you would like to play a dwarf left for dead who has sworn revenge against the general who abandoned him and stops at nothing to find him, you can do that too. Even concepts like a robotic bartender who is traveling the world to find the best ingredients for new drinks can be done. Additionally, the mechanics available in the game allow you to choose from many different types of fantasy roles, from a knowit-all Wizard to a stoic Monk to a promiscuous Bard. If none of the aforementioned ideas fit what you want, there are so, so many fancreated ideas for classes, spells and races that, with some work, you can use to surely create the character that you’ve always imagined in your head.

Even if you don’t think that you are a particularly creative person, the mechanics of the game can entice you as well. If you enjoy gameplay that requires tactical, in-themoment thinking, tight resource management tied to risk/reward scenarios or mastering an in-depth set of rules and figuring out a combination to break the game right open, DnD has it all for you. DnD’s rules are simple to learn, but when studied in depth, allow for mastery on the battlefield. In the same vein, some classes are easy to pick up for first-time players, such as Fighters or Monks, but others such as Wizards and Druids can easily challenge the player with many different resources to use. Deciding

when to cast a Fireball or save it for later can be an exercise in tactical knowledge, resource management and probability all at once.

Maybe none of what I’ve stated above interests you. You’re not a fan of acting, there’s no character in your brain you’ve wanted to create and the idea of managing spell slots, Wild Shapes and Ki points makes your head spin. However, the best part of DnD is the one I’ve saved for last: It’s a reason to get together with your friends. Asking a friend or a group of friends to hang out can be mentally draining, especially after COVID-19.

Many times, I’ve wanted to socialize with others, but just sending the “hey, want to hang out” text can feel like more effort than it’s worth. However, an easy way to hang out with people is a reason to meet up. DnD is a perfect way for a group to get together and just have some fun. While technically DnD can be played alone, it is designed to be played with a group, and the best way I’ve found to play is with friends. With a good group that has a willingness to learn and respect the other people at the table, playing DnD is both fun and a great way to get to know people better. I’ve never gotten to know a friend better than when he was pretending to be a mindless barbarian, running around, smashing demons and screaming “Godart!” to a crowd of spectators.

So give it a try. There are so many people on this campus who I know would love to have more people interested in DnD. While I have not been to many of their events, I know that the Roleplaying Games Club is a great place to learn for those looking to start an adventure. Additionally, just try asking some friends if they would like to try DnD out. Decide a time and place, gather some people, take some time to learn the game and play a session through. DnD truly has given me some of my best friends and memories in college, and I don’t know where I would be without this fun, stupid, dicerolling, dungeon-crawling, dragonslaying game.

Sports

The Case Western Reserve Observer Friday, January 19, 2024 observer.case.edu Volume LV, Issue 15

Women’s basketball goes 1-2 to start UAA play Puneet Bansal Sports Editor After finishing non-conference play with two wins at the Puerto Rico Clásico in December, the Case Western Reserve University women’s basketball team struggled to begin UAA play, losing to Carnegie Mellon University and New York University before picking up their first win against Brandeis University. The team stands at 8-6 overall but has 11 games to rise in the rankings for a potential playoff spot.

On Jan. 6, the Spartans were behind from the start against Carnegie Mellon, finding themselves in a 21-15 deficit to end the first quarter. Though fourth-year forward Kayla Characklis pushed the offense, her 20 points on the night were not enough to pull the Spartans out of a 42-28 hole at halftime. Fourth-year guard Sarah Mitchell hit a jumper in the third quarter to cut the Tartans’ lead to 10 at 42-32, but Carnegie Mellon re-established their chokehold to close the game 56-75.

Graduate student forward Morgan Micallef finished the game with 9 points and 7 rebounds. Mitchell also added 12 points and 4 rebounds.

It was a similar story against NYU on Jan. 12, with the Violets winning all four quarters en route to their 26-point victory. First-year guard Mya Hartjes gave CWRU the early 5-2 lead with a three-pointer and a fastbreak layup, but NYU came roaring back to finish the first quarter 22-17. NYU went on a 13-4 run to finish the half 42-29 before handing the Spartans a 58-84 loss.

With the win, NYU continued their perfect season to hold a 13-0 record overall. First-year guard Jordyn Call, who came off the bench, led CWRU with 11 points. Characklis was the only other double-digit scorer, contributing 10 points, 3 assists and 4 rebounds.

The Spartans saw their chance to notch their first UAA win on Jan. 14 against Brandeis, who at the time stood at 4-9 overall and 0-2 in UAA play. CWRU got off to a hot start, taking a 12-2 run to push their initial lead to 12-5. The Judges responded with a 7-point run and kept the score close to finish the quarter 18-18. The teams remained locked in this tight battle, with the score close at 24-25 with just over four minutes left in the half. The Spartans quickly put together an 8-0 run putting them in the lead 32-25.

CWRU finished off the half 34-27.

CWRU continued to dominate in the third quarter, outscoring the Judges 19-8 for the 53-35 lead. Brandeis made a small push in the fourth quarter, but it was not enough to top the Spartans, who closed out their first conference win 64-53.

Hartjes led both teams with 14 points after going 4-of-7 from the field to go with 5 rebounds and 1 assist. Call came off the bench to deliver her second consecutive 11-point game, hitting 3 three-pointers. Second-year guard/ forward Emily Plachta notched 9 points and 6 rebounds while Mitchell showed up with her stalwart defense to record 4 steals.

Hartjes was named a Spartan Club Athlete of the Week after averaging 11.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 1.0 assists in the games against NYU and Brandeis.

The Spartans will hit the road for the rest of January. They will kick off their long road trip in Atlanta against Emory University on Jan. 19. CWRU will then take on the University of Rochester in New York on Jan. 21 before playing against the University of Chicago on Jan. 26. The Spartans will finally wrap up their road trip against Washington University in St. Louis on Jan. 28.

Browns dominated by Texans in AFC wild-card matchup Angelina Minaya Contributing Writer In their third playoff appearance in the last 25 seasons, the Cleveland Browns suffered a devastating loss to the Houston Texans in an AFC wildcard game on Jan. 13, prematurely eliminating Cleveland’s playoff run.

The offense started off slowly for both teams but picked up with the Texans taking a 3-0 lead with 5:29 remaining in the first quarter. Countering that, Browns quarterback Joe Flacco had a six-play drive for 75 yards, resulting in a touchdown and a 7-3 lead for the Browns with less than three minutes remaining in the first quarter. The Browns’ lead was short-lived, thanks in part to the Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, fresh out of The Ohio State University.

Stroud led an impressive four-play,

75-yard drive, hitting wide receiver Nico Collins, who ran the ball into the endzone for a 15-yard touchdown, ending the first quarter 10-7 for Houston.

The Browns came in strong to start off the second quarter with Flacco achieving another six-play, 75-yard drive, by hitting running back Kareem Hunt, who ran the ball in for an 11-yard touchdown. This 14-7 lead for the Browns lasted mere seconds, with Stroud hitting tight end Brevin Jordan, who took the ball 76 yards into the endzone. This was the longest touchdown pass for the Texans this season and gave Houston a 17-14 lead.

The score would remain that way until about a minute left in the quarter, with Stroud throwing to open tight end Dalton Schultz who walked right into the endzone, expanding the Texans’ lead to 24-14. The Browns attempted to recover, but a sack from defensive

end Will Anderson Jr. dropped Flacco, ending the final drive of the first half.

The second half of the game was completely dominated by the Texans, with Cleveland’s hopes of a comeback dwindling due to offensive errors. In particular, Flacco threw two critical interceptions on back-to-back offensive drives in the third quarter, resulting in touchdowns for the Texans and the quarter ending 38-14 for Houston.

The Browns’ offense was shut down in the fourth quarter, and the final touchdown of the game was scored

by Texans running back Devin Singletary’s 19-yard run, giving the Texans a 45-14 lead to finish the game.

The Browns had an impressive 11-6 season, which included a 36-22 win against the Stroud-less Houston Texans. However, Stroud proved to be a powerhouse that the Browns could not counter, ending Cleveland’s playoff run.

Scores and Upcoming Games Wrestling UAA v. OAC Challenge (1/6) CWRU vs Mount Union - W 22-21 CWRU vs Ohio Northern - L 15-26 CWRU vs Heidelberg - W 33-16 Claude Sharer Duals (1/13) CWRU vs Washington and Jefferson - W 37-8 CWRU vs Mount St. Joseph W 35-9 CWRU vs Otterbein - W 20-19 Dr. Si Ostrach Duals (Veale Athletic Center) CWRU vs Waynesburg (1/20, 11 a.m.)

CWRU vs Albion (1/20, 12:30 p.m.)

CWRU vs St. John Fisher (1/20, 2 p.m.)

CWRU at Pete Willson Invite (1/26-27)

Men’s Basketball CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (1/6) L 74-84 CWRU vs NYU (1/12) - W 94-76 CWRU vs Brandeis (1/14) - W 77-76 CWRU at Emory (1/19) CWRU at Rochester (1/21) CWRU at UChicago (1/26)

Women’s Basketball CWRU at Carnegie Mellon (1/6) L 56-75 CWRU vs NYU (1/12) - L 58-84 CWRU vs Brandeis (1/14) - W 64-53

The Cleveland Browns struggled against new Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, losing the playoff game 14-45. Courtesy of Thomas Shea/USA TODAY Sports

CWRU at Emory (1/19) CWRU at Rochester (1/21) CWRU at UChicago (1/26)