VOLUME 76 • ISSUE 32 • JANUARY 19, 2021
ARTS & CULTURE Clinton Street presents the Church of Film P. 8
OPINION Right-wing extremists are infiltrating the police P. 11
SCIENCE & TECH CES 2022 is a metaverse bazaar P. 12
CONTENTS
COVER PHOTO BY ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI COVER DESIGN BY SHANNON STEED
INTERNATIONAL DJOKOVIC REMOVED FROM AUSTRALIA AND BARRED FROM AUSTRALIAN OPEN
P. 4
CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT: SHERRIE WOLF
P. 9
THIS WEEK AROUND THE WORLD
P. 5
OPINION SATIRE: SPACE IS NOT THE PLACE
P. 10
SPORTS MORE VIKING RECORDS BROKEN AT UW INDOOR PREVIEW
P. 6-7
SOME OF THOSE THAT WORK FORCES
P. 11
ARTS & CULTURE NOT YOUR AVERAGE MOVIE NIGHT
P. 8
SCIENCE & TECH CES 2022 PRESENTS ANOTHER YEAR OF BUZZWORDS AND SHALLOW PROMISES
P. 12
STAFF EDIT ORI A L EDITOR IN CHIEF Béla Kurzenhauser
OPINION EDITOR Justin Cory
MANAGING EDITOR Karisa Yuasa
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Tanner Todd
PHOTO EDITOR Sofie Brandt
ONLINE EDITOR Lily Hennings
SPORTS EDITOR Eric Shelby
DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Tanner Todd
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY EDITOR Ryan McConnell
COPY CHIEF Mackenzie Streissguth
INTERNATIONAL EDITOR Alberto Alonso Pujazon Bogani
CONTRIBUTORS Wyatt Dillman Nova Johnson Milo Loza
PRODUC TION & DE SIGN CREATIVE DIRECTOR Shannon Steed
A DV ISING & ACCOUN TING COORDINATOR OF STUDENT MEDIA Reaz Mahmood
DESIGNERS Leo Clark Whitney Griffith Mia Levy Astrid Luong Anastasia Pargett
STUDENT MEDIA ACCOUNTANT Maria Dominguez
T ECHNOL OGY & W EB SIT E TECHNOLOGY ASSISTANTS Kahela Fickle George Olson Kwanmanus Thardomrong
To contact Portland State Vanguard, email editor@psuvanguard.com
STUDENT MEDIA TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR Vacant
MIS SION S TAT EMEN T Vanguard ’s mission is to serve the Portland State community with timely, accurate, comprehensive and critical content while upholding high journalistic standards. In the process, we aim to enrich our staff with quality, hands-on journalism education and a number of skills highly valued in today’s job market.
A BOU T Vanguard, established in 1946, is published weekly as an independent student newspaper governed by the PSU Student Media Board. Views and editorial content expressed herein are those of the staff, contributors and readers and do not necessarily represent the PSU student body, faculty, staff or administration. Find us in print Wednesdays and online 24/7 at psuvanguard.com. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @psuvanguard for multimedia content and breaking news.
WE’RE HIRING Contributors & News Editors EMAIL RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO EDITOR@PSUVANGUARD.COM PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
DJOKOVIC REMOVED FROM AUSTRALIA AND BARRED FROM AUSTRALIAN OPEN COURT CASE CREATES COMMOTION AS DJOKOVIC’S VISA IS REVOKED PROTESTORS OUTSIDE THE PARK HOTEL DETENTION FACILITY IN MELBOURNE. COURTESY OF MATT HRKAC ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI #1 tennis player Novak Djokovic announced his eligibility to defend his title in the Australian Open in Melbourne on Jan. 4 by sharing that he had been approved for a medical exemption from a COVID-19 vaccine, as reported by Reuters. This followed speculation that he would be unable to compete due to Australia’s quarantine rules. Djokovic’s exemption was reviewed by the Independent Medical Exemption Review Panel appointed by the Victorian Department of Health as well as another independent medical specialist before approval from Victoria’s state government. Djokovic contracted COVID-19 in Dec. 2021, and provided documentation of his infection before and after travelling, but British doubles player Jamie Murray questioned Djokovic’s exemption. “If it was me that wasn’t vaccinated I wouldn’t be getting an exemption,” Murray said. He did, however, express support for Djokovic. “Well done to him for getting clear to come to Australia and compete.” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison faced severe backlash over the government granting Djokovic a medical exemption—prior to Djokovic’s detainment—and responded by stating his ability to compete was not fully settled. “We await his presentation and what evidence he provides us to support that [exemption],” Morrison said. “If that evidence is insufficient, then he won’t be treated any different to anyone else and he’ll be on the next plane home. There should be no special rules for Novak Djokovic at all. None whatsoever.” Several others criticized Djokovic for staying quiet about his vaccination status prior to announcing his medical exemption. Sam Groth, a retired Australian tennis player, said that “Novak Djokovic being granted a medical exemption to play the Australian Open is a decision that spits in the face of every Victorian and Australian.”
4
INTERNATIONAL
According to Reuters, Djokovic’s ability to compete in the Australian Open went into question again on Jan. 6 after he was stopped on arrival at the Melbourne Airport and denied entrance to the country, due to the fact that his team had applied for a visa that does not allow medical exemptions. Djokovic was confined to a hotel designated to hold immigrant detainees while his lawyers fought with the Australian government for his ability to enter the country. The Australian government has drawn criticism for their detainment of the tennis player. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called the actions “harassment.” “The whole of Serbia is with him and that our bodies are doing everything to see that the harassment of the world’s best tennis player is brought to an end immediately,” Vucic said. Both Djokovic’s mother and father, Dijana and Srdjan Djokovic, spoke out against his detainment. “They are keeping him as a prisoner,” his mother said. “It’s not fair. It’s not human.” “If they don’t let him go in half [an] hour, we’ll gather in the streets, this is a battle for everyone,” his father said to Sputnik, a Russian state-owned news platform. “I have no clue what’s going on, they’ve kept my son in captivity for five hours now.” On Jan. 9, the Australian government stated that guaranteed assurance of entry by a non-citizen into Australia does not exist, rather, there are criteria and conditions for entry as well as reasons for refusal or cancellation of a visa. The government agreed not to deport Djokovic until a court hearing which was held on Jan. 10. These court proceedings did not go without commotion and interruption. Fans and supporters of Djokovic protested his detainment outside his lawyer’s office and outside the Federal Court of Australia. The fans surrounded a black car believed to be transporting Djokovic, stopping it in the street and banging on the windows while chanting, “Free Novak! Free Novak!”
At one point, police targeted the crowd with pepper spray. Djokovic’s court hearing was held virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions. Although it was originally intended for the public to be allowed to watch as it happened, these plans quickly deteriorated. The court shared a Microsoft Teams link days prior to the hearing, but then shared a new link afterwards. The original link led reporters and the public to a stream of pornography and techno music, which was being streamed into the meeting by hackers. “We’ve had techno blasting, giggling, shouting and someone is just saying ‘Nole’ repeatedly in a pained voice,” said Australian journalist Sarah Dankert. The updated link led visitors to a crashed website from overvisitation. Due to the extreme levels of interference, the court later published a full transcript of the hearing as well as shared a link to a YouTube video four hours into the hearing—right before the final ruling. Djokovic won the court case, and was officially allowed to enter the country. Judge Anthony Kelley ruled the Australian government’s decision to revoke Djokovic’s visa was “unreasonable” and ordered his release from the hotel in which he was held. “I am pleased and grateful that the judge overturned my visa cancellation,” Djokovic tweeted. The final ruling was met with controversy, with some tennis players such as Spanish player Rafa Nadal sharing that he believed it was the fairest decision. But not everyone agreed. “If he plays, the booing will be deafening,” said former American player Pam Shriver. On Saturday, Jan. 15, Djokovic was held for a second hearing. Three judges unanimously agreed to uphold the Australian Government’s decision to cancel his visa. The tennis star boarded a plane out of Australia on Sunday, unable to defend his title in the Australian Open.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
THIS WEEK
around the
WORLD
Jan. 9–16
4 3
2 1
1
January 10
TIGRAY, ETHIOPIA
During a call with Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed on Jan. 10, United States President Joe Biden raised concerns about human rights issues and air strikes in the conflict ongoing within the northern region of Ethiopia. War broke out in the region between Ahmed’s Federal Forces and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front, the former ruling party of Ethiopia. On Jan. 7, an airstrike hit a refugee camp in the Tigray area, killing three Eritrean refugees—two of them children—according to the United Nations. A document prepared by aid agencies claimed at least 146 people have been killed, and 213 have been injured by airstrikes in Tigray since Oct. 18. The Norwegian Nobel Committee has criticized Ahmed’s lack of humanitarian aid, due to his role as prime minister and as a previous winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. According to AP News, airstrikes killed 50 over the weekend, and 17 on Monday Jan. 10. A senior U.S. official stated that Biden told Ahmed the U.S. wanted to see an end to airstrikes, an increase in humanitarian access and the beginning of ceasefire talks. The U.S. has also cut Ethiopia off from a duty-free trade program due to the alleged human rights violations in Tigray, following through with Biden’s threat to do so. 2
January 11
SAN PEDRO SULA, HONDURAS
On Jan. 11, a passenger aboard an American Airlines jet at the Ramon Villeda Morales International Airport rushed down the aisle of the plane and broke into the cockpit, damaging controls. Crew members were able to intervene before the man was ar-
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
rested by local authorities. No injuries were reported. The plane carried 121 passengers as well as six crew members who boarded a replacement plane to the intended destination of Miami, after the damaged one was grounded. Security Secretary spokesman Edgardo Barahona said the man was taken to an assistance center. “According to other passengers he was acting strangely as if under the effects of some type of hallucinogen,” Barahona said, according to ABC. The man was later released since no official charges were pressed, however, the airline stated it was not dropping the case and would pursue charges. 3
January 13
GIGLIO, ITALY
Thursday, Jan. 13 marked the 10-year anniversary of the Costa Concordia tragedy which killed 32 people after the ship hit rocks off the Italian island of Giglio. Several survivors visited the island on that day to commemorate the ones who were lost. Survivor Ester Percossi said she returns “to relive the hell that we went through and try in some way to exorcise it,” according to Reuters. “I remember the screams of the people, the people who were jumping into the sea,” Percossi said. “I remember the cold, the sensation of terror in everybody’s eyes.” The survivors that returned to the island held a candlelight procession in honor of those who died. One notable hero from the tragic day was Russel Rebello, who never made it off the ship. Rebello was a waiter who helped several passengers get off. His body was only recovered years later—after the most expensive maritime recovery operation in history lifted the ship from the water and towed it away. “My brother did his duty, he lost his life helping other people, obviously I am proud of that and I think that he would be very proud of what he did, helping so many other people,” said his brother Kevin at the commemoration
ceremony. One crewmember not commemorated was Francesco Schettino, called Captain Coward, who was sentenced to 16 years in prison on manslaughter charges in 2017 after abandoning the ship during rescue. 4
January 13
PARIS, FRANCE
Thousands of teachers in France went on strike Thursday in protest of the country’s constantly changing COVID-19 guidelines and regulations, and their effects on schools, as reported by Reuters. Demanding safer schools for students and staff, the teachers flew banners that read “We’re fed up with tests” and “Stop the contempt” to show their anger towards the government’s response. The government announced new testing requirements one day prior to the return to school from holiday break and have changed them twice since. Corrine Courvoisier, mother of 7-year-old twins, joined the rally. “My children and I, we’re fed up with getting tested every other day,” Courvoisier said. The protestors called for the resignation of French Education Minister Jean-Michel Blanquer. The government has stood by its decisions for schools to remain open and the requirement for exposed students to get tested three times. “I know it’s tough, but a strike does not solve problems,” Blanquer told French newscast BFMTV. “One does not strike against a virus.” Teacher Laurence Fourteui clarified their intentions by reiterating that the strike is meant to protest the policies placed by the government, not the virus itself. Despite discrepancies between the percentage of teachers that Unions and the Education Ministry claimed went on strike, both estimates indicate an unusually high strike turnout. Unions stated 72% of primary school teachers striked and 62% of high school teachers went on strike, while the Education Ministry claimed that less than half those numbers did.
INTERNATIONAL
5
MORE VIKING RECORDS BROKEN AT UW INDOOR PREVIEW
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
CAMARENA AND MACINTOSH SHOW OFF AT 3K
PLAYER PROFILE: KHALID THOMAS Khalid Thomas had his second double-double of the season on Jan. 15 against the Hornets on the road, with 13 points and 10 rebounds. The 6-10 senior from Salem, Oregon was a transfer from College of Southern Idaho for two seasons—and then Arizona State University—before returning back to his home state repping the Viking green his senior year. Thomas leads the team with most three-pointers made, with 12 so far this season. He also currently leads the team with 63 offensive rebounds. Thomas is currently third in steals in the Big Sky and ninth in the Big Sky in rebounds averaging 6.7 per game.
ERIC SHELBY
TRACK AND FIELD: UW INDOOR PREVIEW
The indoor track season is officially back for the Vikings as they start at the UW indoor preview hosted by the University of Washington in Seattle. Portland State had six vikings participating in events, including the 3k, in which Katie Camarena and Jordan MacIntosh once again broke school records. In the women’s indoor 3k, Camarena ran a time of 9:16.35—20 seconds faster than former record-holder Amber Rozcicha who broke her fifth school record in her only year as a Viking in 2013. This record moves Camarena to fifth all-time in Big Sky Conference history. MacIntosh had a time of 8:07.94—nine seconds faster than the previous record holder, Alex Cisneros. Keynan Abdi also ran in the same heat with MacIntosh in the 3k, earning a time of 8:14.04—a 28-second, indoor-track improvement for Abdi. Jordan Gloden, the Vikings single long jumper, placed sixth, with his longest jump of 22-01.75. He also raced with Harley Montgomery in the 200m, getting a time of 23.42 seconds finishing 10th. 23.35 seconds was the time of Montomery in the 200m, who finished eighth. Montgomery also ran in the 400 meters, going fourth overall with a time of 51.34. Chase Lovercheck was the only Viking in the 1k— ending with a time of 2:24.39 and finishing in third place. Gloden also ran an 8.44 in the 60 meter hurdles preliminaries, finishing third and finished in 60 meter hurdles finals at 8.50, finishing second. The Viks will travel across the Willamette for the Portland Indoor #2, hosted by University of Portland on Jan. 23. They will also return to Seattle the week after for the UW invitational on Jan. 28–29.
MEN’S BASKETBALL: SECOND CONFERENCE WIN
The Viks finally snap their five-game losing streak, and get their second conference win of the season playing the Sacramento State Hornets winning 67-62 on the road. Khalid Thomas had himself his second double-double of the season, with 13 points and 10 rebounds while going five for six on the free throw line. Three Vikings scored in the double digits this game with Jacob Eyeman leading the team with 14 points and shooting six for ten and eight rebounds. Ezekiel Alley stays consistent with 13 points and shooting six for eight. The Viks will travel next to Southern Utah in Cedar City.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: THE RETURN AFTER 27 DAYS
Basketball returns to the Park Blocks after a 27-day COVID-19 hiatus when they hosted the Sacramento State Hornets in a 70-58 loss. Even though there were four Vikings scoring double digits, the Hornets were able to hold the Viks to only 11 points in the final quarter while they put up 22 points. Alaya Fitzgerald led the team with 15 points, shooting six for 15. Esmeralda Morales played the full 40 and put up 13 points, going four for twelve—but a perfect four for four on the free throw line. Jada Lewis had her first career double-double with 13 points and a high 11 rebounds. Savannah Dhaliwal scored 13 points for the Vikings. The Viks had a 34.4% field goal percentage, and went four for 16 on three-pointers. The Viks now traveled to Cheney to play the Eastern Washington Eagles.
WOMEN’S TENNIS: VIKS AND DUCKS
The season opener for this young team—consisting of freshman and sophomores—was a 7-0 loss to the Oregon Ducks in Eugene. In doubles, freshman Nika Beukers and sophomore Capu Sanoner lost 6-4 to the Ducks. Emily Rees and Majo Hernandez gave the Viks the only doubles win, 6-2, while Maddie Egan and Jacinta Milenkoski lost 6-1. In singles, Sanoner, Milenkoski, Rees, Hernandez and Egan lost their matches.
MEN’S TENNIS: VIKS AND BRONCOS
The Viks on the court also fell 7-0 in their season opener to the Boise State Broncos. Three matches had to be forfeit because of the Viks only having four active players to play the Broncos, so Boise State won those matches by default. The only win from the Viks came in doubles from senior Tommy Hsu and freshman Sam De Vries, 6-3. Oliver Richards and Oliver Fernadez lost 7-5 in doubles. The last doubles match was a default win. In singles, Tommy Hsu, Richards, De Vries and Fernandez lost their matches, though the last two matches were won by default. OPPOSITE PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: KATIE CAMARENA IN WOMENS 3K KEYNAN ABDI IN MENS 3K JORDAN MACINTOSH IN MENS 3K JORDAN GLODEN AT LONG JUMP RIGHT: JORDAN GLODEN AT UW INDOOR. ERIC SHELBY/PSU VANGUARD
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
SPORTS
7
NOT YOUR AVERAGE MOVIE NIGHT
LEO CLARK
CATCH AN UNDISCOVERED CLASSIC AT CLINTON STREET THEATER’S CHURCH OF FILM EVENT TANNER TODD Muriel Lucas wants you to watch something new. “I’m always just looking for something different [to show],” the Portland-based cinephile and event organizer said. “Something…that speaks to people, that they may never have seen before.” Lucas is the creator of Church of Film, an ongoing film screening event that is currently presenting at the Clinton Street Theater. Church of Film presents movies that strongly feature the uncanny and the bizarre, elements of the supernatural, the occult, counter-cultural romances and other avant-garde themes. Many of the movies shown represent voices from marginalized perspectives—voices which the industry distribution system may have overlooked. “[I] look for cinema that has been overlooked, pushed to the side,” Lucas said. “Global cinema, political cinema, arthouse cinema…things that have been overlooked by the distribution process.” Church of Film spotlights these underrepresented films, and creates a space to give them the exposure that Lucas believes they deserve. In many cases, the movies that Lucas features have been cut out or even under-produced because of distributors. Due to the nature of the film production industry, many projects simply don’t get access to funding because movie distributors
8
ARTS & CULTURE
refuse to agree to up-front guarantees of distribution. If the films do manage to get access to capital, they often fail to make it to a wider audience because of a lack of distributor backing. Lucas’ mission is to change this. “I think people should be able to explore cinema for themselves, [to find] what registers for them,” Lucas said. Church of Film offers an opportunity to do this by circumventing the established collection of classic films dictated by distribution companies, and by spotlighting film creators who have been underrepresented instead. “I really want to break down this sort of capitalistic gate-keeping,” Lucas said. “I wanted to see more things being shown.” Through Church of Film, Lucas hopes to expand the number of available perspectives, and challenge the stale orthodoxy of established classic movies. In Lucas’ opinion, exposing audiences to a diverse pool of perspectives and dialogues is essential to understanding film as an art form. “Marginal cinema will expose you to other voices,” Lucas said. “If other voices are allowed to speak…things can get a lot more diverse, ideologically, intellectually, emotionally.” Lucas’ personal drive to make Church of Film a reality comes from a longstanding love of cinema art, as well as a fascination with the borderline.
“I’ve always been sort of a person who explored margins of things, and got really involved in finding different outside things,” Lucas explained. In a way, Church of Film is Lucas’ attempt to bring these marginal discoveries to a broader audience, one that may have otherwise never encountered these perspectives. Lucas is also heavily influenced by the Spanish Surrealist poet and artist Federico García Lorca, who created a mobile theater that travelled throughout the Spanish countryside in the 1930s, showing performances to people who otherwise would not have had access to them. The project, called “La Barraca,” was run on an entirely volunteer basis, and existed solely to provide unconstrained access to thoughtful entertainment. In the democratic spirit of García Lorca’s theater, Church of Film makes a point of being accessible to everyone, and admission is done on a donation basis that turns no one away due to lack of funds. Besides promoting and featuring diverse perspectives, Lucas’ goal is to create a memorable movie-going experience— one that stems from a genuine love of film. “I wanted to break it down to the bare bones of what cinema is about,” Lucas explained. “Does the image please you?” Church of Film is ongoing, but will have upcoming screenings from Jan. 16-19.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
LEFT: DAHLIAS WITH LADY OF SHALOTT (2020). BELOW: SUSANNA AND THE ELDERS (2021). COURTESY OF SHERRIE WOLF
CREATIVE SPOTLIGHT:
SHERRIE WOLF TANNER TODD
THE CHARGED MEANINGS OF INANIMATE OBJECTS It doesn’t take much more than a glance to see the careful intention behind the arrangement of objects in Sherrie Wolf’s still life paintings. Many of the scenes are busy, packed from one edge to the other with an eclectic assembly of objects— but even in her fullest compositions, a thoughtful order of composition is clearly visible in every inch of the scene. The objects portrayed might be motionless, but the scenes are anything but still. “I try to make them very active and rhythmic, and move the viewer through them,” Wolf said. “It’s a fun challenge.” To Wolf, the arrangement of objects is not unlike being the director of a play—the ability to tinker with meaning and construction through the medium of still life is part of what draws Wolf to the genre, and one of the reasons she has practiced it for the last 50 years. Wolf entered the Pacific Northwest art scene in the 1970s as a student at the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA), at a time when Portland’s community of artists was populated by a lively collection of pioneering figures, including Louis Bunce, Sally Haley and George Johansen. To Wolf, they were living, breathing examples of what being an artist could be. “I think they just showed me that being an artist for your life career is interesting,” she explained. “People weren’t stuck in jobs they didn’t like, they were doing work they loved.” After graduating from PNCA in 1974, she studied printmaking in London at the Chelsea College of Art.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
When she returned to the United States, she dove into still lifes, incorporating not just the traditional subjects of the genre such as bowls of fruit and flowers, but also references to art history, odd antiques and near fully-reproduced pieces of work from other major artists. Her paintings skirt the line of photorealism, portraying their subject matter as extremely lifelike, but still stylized enough to call attention to their status as paint strokes on a canvas. Besides references to art history, Wolf has a fondness for tulips, a favorite subject matter of the 17th-century Dutch artists whose work she draws from. “I’ve just always loved tulips for their simplicity, and their elegance,” Wolf said. “And there is that tradition of Dutch still life.” For Wolf, much of a potential subject matter’s appeal lies in its form and appearance. Overlooked produce such as common cabbages, onions and eggplants find a new life in the same rich style as her most colorful tulips, and seem to be given a similar artistic weight. “They’re all natural beauties,” she explained. “The colors— particularly red onions—what gets better than that?” Many of the other objects in Wolf’s paintings find their way into the frame serendipitously. “This was [from] a friend of mine,” Wolf said, pointing at a painting that featured a collection of antique metal serveware arranged in a scene with dozens of other objects. “She goes into any thrift store, and goes immediately for the best thing…she just finds beautiful things, and she goes, ‘oh here, you have to paint this.’” Regardless of whether they were found, sought out or suggested, each object in the paintings is carefully arranged into their final positions before being rendered into paint.
“I take days and days and days…it takes a lot of time to see all the things that are going on there,” Wolf said. In the final paintings, no object stands alone—each one is engaged with the other items in its immediate vicinity, as plays of light, reflection and arrangement alter the composition. No detail is left unpainted, and even the miniature convex reflections of other objects can be seen in the polished metal surfaces of some of the items. The objects are also subtly positioned to guide the viewer’s eyes through the work, leading them from one thing to the next. “I look for the electricity between things,” Wolf said. “I don’t always know why… but you know it when you see it. It gets more interesting… you have to play with that and see where it goes.” In some of the paintings, the placement of the subjects is incredibly strategic, such as a series of pieces that puts vases of tulips in front of framed renditions of classic European paintings. The still life in the foreground acts as a cleverlyplaced hook to draw people in and force them to look at the work of art in the background more closely—even if the subject matter is disturbing. “What I think it does is it forces them to look at it,” she explained. “It calls them in, and I think that’s great. I can force people to want to look at this, and not necessarily be mortified, just look at it.” This attitude of thoughtful observation appears to permeate her portrayals of all the objects she paints, regardless of the content or background. As diverse and far-flung as Wolf’s subject matter is, what she chooses to paint comes down to whatever fascinates her most. “You do what you’re interested in,” Wolf explained. “And if other people are interested in it too, then that’s great.”
ARTS & CULTURE
9
SATIRE:
SPACE IS NOT THE PLACE
ELON MUSK MUSK NO LONGER INTERESTED ELON INTERESTED IN MARS IN MARS DUE DUE TO TO WEALTH WEALTH TAX TAX
WYATT DILLMAN WYATT DILLMAN CEO of Tesla, Chief Engineer of SpaceX and father of seven children Musk has been and named TIME CEO ofrobot Tesla, ChiefElon Engineer ofjust SpaceX father of Person of the Year—aElon well-deserved token fornamed the brilliant seven robot children Musk has just been TIME entrepreneur. However, none of thosetoken gracious titles would Person of the Year—a well-deserved for the brilliant be more meaningful to Musk than one day makingtitles the human entrepreneur. However, none of those gracious would species be more multiplanetary. meaningful to Musk than one day making the human A lot multiplanetary. of serious thought and time has gone into deciding species which planet is most suitable human life. Musk explains A lot of serious thought andfor time has gone into deciding that the planet need to have near-impossible features which planet iswould most suitable for human life. Musk explains suchthe as breathable air,need drinkable and adequate phone that planet would to havewater near-impossible features service. With absolute practicality taken account, it such as breathable air, drinkable water and into adequate phone was obvious to Musk that the only planet with this ability— service. With absolute practicality taken into account, it andobvious the colortored—was Mars. were with no other was Musk that the There only planet this options. ability— Nonetheless, development on this project wasoptions. halted and the color red—was Mars. There were no other yesterday morning after Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted, Nonetheless, development on this project was halted “Everyonemorning in the universe deserves free healthcare.” Musk yesterday after Senator Bernie Sanders tweeted, had no ideain Sanders was alive, let alone he had political “Everyone the universe deserves freethat healthcare.” Musk agendas outside of Earth. had no idea Sanders was alive, let alone that he had political “I forgot that Iof hadn’t killed you lol,” Musk replied. agendas outside Earth. Was this an attempt by Sanders to radically spread socialism “I forgot that I hadn’t killed you lol,” Musk replied. toWas Mars? it was enough for SpaceX to temporarily shut thisWell, an attempt by Sanders to radically spread socialism down advancement of the Mars program. It appears the scare to Mars? Well, it was enough for SpaceX to temporarily shut of communism in space been the most down advancement of thehas Mars program. Itdifficult appearsrestraint the scare on multiplanetary expansion. of communism in space has been the most difficult restraint us remind you that formidable challenges like this are onLet multiplanetary expansion. not new to Musk, as he single-handedly paid hislike employees Let us remind you that formidable challenges this are to reinvent the electric car (EVs). Tesla’s remarkable EVs are not new to Musk, as he single-handedly paid his employees the overall best in the market—resulting in the company's to reinvent the electric car (EVs). Tesla’s remarkable EVs are domination and Musk’s position as the wealthiest person the overall best in the market—resulting in the company's in history. domination and Musk’s position as the wealthiest person Let us not forget that he also built Neuralink, The Boring in history. Company and a baby with the popstar Grimes—listed in order Let us not forget that he also built Neuralink, The Boring of priority. Of course, Neuralink was originally designed to Company and a baby with the popstar Grimes—listed in order build a brain implant that would give him a sense of empathy. of priority. Of course, Neuralink was originally designed to All in all, people are baffled at how a single individual build a brain implant that would give him a sense of empathy. was able to achieve so much, but a leaked YouTube clip All in all, people are baffled at how a single individual exposes one of his dark secrets to productivity. By speaking was able to achieve so much, but a leaked YouTube clip in minimal words every sentence—like Kevin Malone exposes one of his dark secrets to productivity. By speaking from The Office—Musk is able to reserve energy and in minimal words every sentence—like Kevin Malone save time at work. This genius formula is soon to be from The Office—Musk is able to reserve energy and adopted by Tesla employees worldwide, but the big save time at work. This genius formula is soon to be question remains: will Musk’s uncanny methods adopted by Teslabe employees but the big of productivity enough toworldwide, stop the spread question remains: will Musk’s uncanny methods of socialism to space? of productivity to stop the spread It’s importantbetoenough understand Musk’s of socialism to space? perspective on why socialism is It’s important understand Musk’s inhumane. One ofto the biggest policies perspective on why socialism of the socialist agenda is the wealth is inhumane. Onefor ofthe thegovernment biggest policies tax—a scheme to of the socialist agenda is the wealth tax—a scheme for the government to
10 10 10
SECTION OPINION SECTION
take money away from people with money. Musk explains that, his view, few people have allMusk of theexplains wealth take in money awaya from peopleshould with money. rather the government—who would it in a that, inthan his view, a few people should havejust all spend of the wealth wasteful way—such as making it so people rather than the government—who would can just actually spend itlive in a in currently unlivable environments, like can Detroit. When wasteful way—such as making it so people actually live asked what the best actions of the government would be, in currently unlivable environments, like Detroit. When Musk “nothing.” askedargued what the best actions of the government would be, Musk believes it would be best if the government did not Musk argued “nothing.” exist at all. In hisitview, private businesses will take care of Musk believes would be best if the government did not the world always have—examples of which beingof exist at all.like In they his view, private businesses will take care Nestle, selflessly providing the world with water; the world like they always have—examples of which being Coca Cola, tirelessly providing Nestle, selflessly providing thenecessary world with water; research in tirelessly health; orproviding Nike, providing Coca Cola, necessary children nations with research in in developing health; or Nike, providing the abilityin todeveloping get a job. nations with children In the end, it is clear that Musk the ability to get a job. believes bad, Sanders is a In thesocialism end, it isisclear that Musk social parasite and is Musk cool—yes, believes socialism bad,is Sanders is a he talksparasite about himself in third person. social and Musk is cool—yes, In meantime, we all in anxiously await hethe talks about himself third person. his next tweet to see progression of In the meantime, we the all anxiously await his intergalactic empire. his next tweet to see the progression of Editor’s Note: Most quotes and events his intergalactic empire. in this article are fictional. Editor’s Note: Most quotes and events
in this article fictional. Editor’s Note:are Most quotes and events in this article are fictional.
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 11, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19,11, 2022 • psuvanguard.com PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 2022 • psuvanguard.com
SOME OF THOSE THAT WORK FORCES RIGHT-WING E X TREMISM IS IS FESTERING FESTERING IN IN THE THE MILITARY MILITARY AND AND LAW LAW ENFORCEMENT ENFORCEMENT JUSTIN CORY JUSTIN CORY This is not going to be a fun ride. Much like the Thisthree is notyears going be a fun ride. Much like the last ofto global COVID-19 pandemic last three years global COVID-19 upheaval—or theoffour years of Donaldpandemic Trump’s upheaval—orand thedomination four years of ofthe Donald Trump’s molestation 24-hour news molestation and domination of the 24-hour media spectacle—there is a darkness lurkingnews just media below spectacle—there darkness just barely the surfaceis ofasome of thelurking most powbarely below the surface some of the most powerful institutions in thisofcountry. Two of those erful institutions in thisand country. Twowield of those institutions, the military the police, uninstitutions, the military and the police, wieldhave unparalleled power, and right-wing extremists paralleled power, and right-wing have been successfully recruiting andextremists growing their been and growing their ranks successfully within both ofrecruiting these institutions. The situaranks within bothbe of more these horrifying. institutions. The situation could hardly tion could hardlyhas be more New attention beenhorrifying. given to the severity of New attention has been given to the severity of right-wing infiltration in the armed services and right-wing infiltration the armed and law enforcement in theinwake of the services Jan. 6, 2021 law enforcement the wake of the 6, 2021 assault on the U.S.in Capitol. Dozens of Jan. current and assault on the U.S. Capitol. Dozens ofparticipants current and former service members were active former service members wereas active participants in the now infamous breach, reported by The in theYork nowTimes’ infamous breach, as reported by FBI The New Jennifer Steinhauer. The NewDepartment York Times’ofJennifer Steinhauer. FBI and Justice have releasedThe several and Department of Justice released several statements and reports onhave the rise of domestic statements and on their the rise of necessardomestic extremism in thereports U.S., and focus extremism U.S., and their focus ily includes in itsthe metastasizing within lawnecessarenforceily includes itsmilitary. metastasizing within law enforcement and the ment and theamilitary. Of course, law enforcement agency being in Of course, a law enforcement agency being in charge of investigating itself or other law enforcechargeagencies of investigating other ment leaves aitself bad or taste in law theenforcemouths ment agencies leaves a bad in thethat mouths of many. Especially when wetaste consider they of many. Especially when consider thatrightthey have a long track record of we largely ignoring have long track record largely ignoringbringrightwing aextremism whileofsimultaneously wingdown extremism whilelevers simultaneously bringing the heaviest of state repression ingleft-wing down themovements—remember heaviest levers of state repression on when they on left-wing movements—remember when they colluded in the assasination of the Black Panther colluded in the assasination of the Black Panther
Chairman Fred Hampton? Chairman How canFred the Hampton? FBI, military or Department of How can the FBI, military or Department of Justice transparently investigate themselves, Justice investigate themselves, and whattransparently underlying motives would they jeoparand what underlying motives dize in doing so? We now have would formerthey FBIjeoparagents, dize retired in doingSpecial so? We Agent now have FBIcoming agents, like Ericformer Jackson, like retired Special Agent Eric Jackson, coming out and warning about the Oath Keepers—which, out and warning the Oath Keepers—which, according to theabout Southern Poverty Law Center according to the Southern Poverty Center (SPLC), claim “tens of thousands of Law present and (SPLC), law claim “tens of thousands present and former enforcement officialsofand military former law enforcement and military veterans as members, and isofficials one of the largest farveterans as members, and is one of the largest farright antigovernment groups in the U.S. today.” right antigovernment inKeepers’ the U.S. today.” Only a few days ago,groups the Oath founder Only aRhodes few daysand ago,10the Oath Keepers’were founder Stewart other associates arStewartand Rhodes and 10 other associates were arrested charged with seditious conspiracy rested and charged seditious conspiracy relating to the Jan. 6with attack. According to PBS relating to the Jan. is6 aattack. According PBS NewsHour, Rhodes former U.S. ArmytoparaNewsHour, is aSchool former U.S. Army paratrooper andRhodes a Yale Law graduate. trooper and a Yale The military hasLaw alsoSchool gone ongraduate. record admitting The military also goneenlisted, on recordactive-duty admitting that they knewhas that some that they knew thatofsome enlisted, active-duty members are part the Atomwaffen Division members are part the described Atomwaffen (AWD), a group the of SPLC as “aDivision terror(AWD), a grouporganization.” the SPLC described as “a terroristic neo-Nazi Military.com jouristic neo-Nazi organization.” journalist Gina Harkins detailed Military.com the acquisition of Gina report Harkins acquisition of analist Pentagon todetailed Congressthe which noted the agroup Pentagon report toconcern. Congress which noted the is of particular group is of particular “Military membersconcern. are highly prized by these “Military members are highly prized these groups as they bring legitimacy to theirbycauses groups as theytheir bring legitimacy to out theirattacks,” causes and enhance ability to carry and enhance their“[Groups] ability tothat carry out attacks,” the report stated. advocate white the report stated. “[Groups] that advocate white supremacy or nationalistic ideologies…want to supremacy or nationalistic to recruit military personnel orideologies…want infiltrate the ranks recruit military personnel the ranks themselves ‘for the purposeorofinfiltrate acquiring combat themselves ‘for the purpose of acquiring combat
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 11, 2022 • psuvanguard.com PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 11, 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
and tactical experience.’” and tactical experience.’” This sentiment is absolutely chilling. This sentiment chilling. Considering that the is U.S. absolutely institution of policConsidering that in the institution of policing has its origins theU.S. slave patrols of the early ing has its origins in the slave of the early U.S. colonies, the question is, patrols once again, should U.S. colonies, the question again, we trust the upper brass ofis, theonce military orshould of law we trust the upper brass of the military or of law enforcement—among the largest purveyors of enforcement—among largest of violence in the United the States, oftenpurveyors with impuviolence investigate in the United States, often with impunity—to and curtail right-wing exnity—to and curtail right-wing extremism investigate in their ranks? tremism theireven ranks? Do theyinreally want to? Do they even want to?Bureau’s own local We havereally the Portland Police We have Portland Police Bureau’s own publocal example inthe Officer Mark Kruger who built example Markthe Kruger built public shrinesintoOfficer Nazis from Thirdwho Reich, dressed lic shrines to Nazisand from theabout Thirdhis Reich, dressed up in Nazi regalia joked violence toup in Nazi regalia and joked his violence towards female protestors. Heabout was never fired and wardshad female protestors. He was without never fired even his measly suspension payand reeven had his measly withoutPortland pay reversed when he andsuspension the union—the versed Association—sued when he and thethe union—the Portland Police city. He was even Police Association—sued the city. Hehe was even awarded an achievement medal before retired. awarded an achievement medal before hesuperviretired. It is noteworthy that his colleagues and It is noteworthy thatall hisalong colleagues andAsupervisors supported him the way. known sors supported him along themeant way. Atoknown Nazi-sympathizer inall their ranks police Nazi-sympathizer their ranks meant to police the communities ofinPortland. theEstablished communities of Portland. historical and present connections and present connections of Established the FBI and historical law enforcement across the nation of the FBIsupremacy—the and law enforcement across the to white antecedent of nation rightto white supremacy—thetoantecedent rightwing extremism—extend the militaryof through wing dehumanization extremism—extend to the combatants. military through their of enemy their dehumanization enemy combatants.conFrom the genocidalofand longest-lasting From the longest-lasting conflicts—like thegenocidal so-calledand American Indian Wars— flicts—like so-called Indian wars Wars— through tothe Vietnam andAmerican the most recent in through to Vietnam andthe theracist mostcaricature recent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Afghanistan and Iraq, the racist caricature and
WHITNEY GRIFFITH WHITNEY GRIFFITH
dehumanization of the other has been a prodehumanization of force. the other has been a profoundly motivating We won’t print the infoundly motivating force.they’ve We won’t print the infamous racial epithets used here—but famous racial epithets they’ve used here—but you get the picture. you get theprogressive picture. Recent moves—such as allowing Recent progressive as the allowing transgender soldiers tomoves—such serve openly or laudtransgender soldiers servefor openly or the lauding of the late Colin to Powell having been the ing ofBlack the late Colin having been the first person to Powell serve asforSecretary of State first Chairman Black person to serve Secretary State and of the Jointas Chiefs beforeofthat— and Chairman of athe JointofChiefs beforehuman that— might try to paint picture an inclusive might try to paint amilitary picturewhen of an inclusive rights-respecting the truthhuman is anyrights-respecting military when the truth is anything but. thing but. back to holding themselves accountComing Coming to holding themselves accountable, recentback reporting by The New York Times’ able, recent reporting by The Newthe Yorkmilitary Times’ Dave Philipps has embarrassed Dave data Philipps has embarrassed the military with that shows that its own reporting on with data that shows own ISIS reporting on civilian deaths in the that war its against in Syria civilian deaths in the war against ISISmanaged in Syria was grossly under-reported, and was was grossly under-reported, was managed with little-to-no oversight byand Delta-Force opwith little-to-no oversight Delta-Force erators—who have shown aby consistent bias optoerators—who have shown a consistent bias towards action and airstrikes. wards action airstrikes. Clearly, weand cannot rely on these institutions wethemselves. cannot relyThey on these institutions toClearly, report on will not rout out to report on themselves. will will not rout out their bigoted colleagues. They Nothing be done their bigoted colleagues. Nothing will civilians be done about lethal airstrikes against innocent about lethal airstrikes againstlies innocent civilians when the only accountability in the hands of when accountable. the only accountability lies in the hands of those those accountable. Likewise, with all of the facts on the ground Likewise, with all picture, of the facts on the painting such a dire we must findground a way painting such ainstitutions dire picture, we must find a way to hold these accountable—and we to hold these institutions accountable—and we must fend for ourselves when we come into their must fend for ourselves weyou come into their crosshairs doing so. Iwhen warned this was gocrosshairs for doing ing to be a dark ride. so. I warned you this was going to be a dark ride.
SECTION SECTION OPINION
11 11
CES 2022 PRESENTS ANOTHER YEAR OF BUZZWORDS AND SHALLOW PROMISES
A BOOTH FOR LG ELECTRONICS AT CES 2022. COURTESY OF LG ELECTRONICS RYAN MCCONNELL The Consumer Electronics Show, otherwise known as CES, kicked off this year on Jan. 3, 2022, during a rising surge of COVID-19 cases. Amazon, Google and Microsoft pulled out this year because of the Omicron influx, but many big companies, such as LG and Samsung, were still present. CES is an expo that showcases the latest and greatest in consumer technology, often with a mix of hype and iterative products that build upon existing technology. It’s also used to show what might be available on the consumer market several years after a product’s initial demonstration. A good example is a flexible display, once a novelty introduced at CES 2006. The world’s first foldable smartphone was released in 2019, otherwise known as the Galaxy Z Fold. Typically, products don’t take as long as 13 years to reach market—even for CES—but it’s a good example of what to expect at the expo. Not all products age as nicely in the consumer market, either. CES 2010 presented the future of 3D technology that was assured to be revolutionary at the time—not advanced graphics, but rather 3D TVs, with Sony leading the forefront of the technology. Most manufacturers stopped producing them by 2016. CES may be guilty again of generating too much
12
SCIENCE & TECH
hype for products that likely will not succeed. This time it comes in the form of the metaverse. What is the metaverse? As put succinctly by Jacob Ridley at PC Gamer: it doesn’t mean anything. A twitter thread by Nima Zeighami photographed every mention of the word metaverse at this year’s CES. He discovered marketers have been using it as a buzzword to make it mean whatever they want it to. Even if we were to take talks about the metaverse seriously, it distracts from the technological advancements behind the word, or even the advancements that have nothing to do with any products related to augmented or extended reality (sometimes called AR and XR, respectively). Take LG’s new battery-powered TV on wheels. The rollable, wireless TV monitor could have a huge impact for hospitals, or those that would benefit from the increased mobility. Samsung’s Home Hub was announced, providing a centralized tablet for many of a home’s smart appliances, from refrigerators to washers and dryers. This is a considerable development for technologies that build a home-based infrastructure known as the Internet of Things (IoT). Other companies like Cync released an entirely new line of smart devices, mostly cameras and thermometers. This surge in IoT devices is likely due to the release of Matter, the world’s first attempt at a unifying, indus-
try-standard connectivity protocol for all IoT devices introduced late last year. Still, these advancements were quickly overshadowed by self-proclaimed metaverse companies promising obscure, absurd or uncomfortably ambiguous content. One picture in Zeighami’s twitter thread included domains available for purchase as NFTs (non-fungible tokens) which are digital purchases made via the blockchain. Another image promised real-time mirroring of people, objects and environments into a 3D-metaverse space. One instance advertised “metaverse for mobility” and another offered “industrial metaverse solutions” with ICT technologies (information and communication technologies). It was unclear what these phrases actually mean—or what actual product was being marketed. Many of the metaverse projects are building on top of technology that hasn’t been released for consumers. This creates a more opaque relationship between consumers, investors and developers. CY Vision, the company offering metaverse mobility, is currently developing AR headsets for next-generation vehicles, according to its website. There is no clear definition of what a next-generation vehicle is, nor how the technology connects to these vehicles. In other words, CES 2022 has proven to consumers that the metaverse is, by definition, a speculative market.
TECH CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE METAVERSE DUDS
PSU Vanguard • JANUARY 19, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
