February 23, 2010 issue

The Chronicle T h e i n d e p e n d e n t d a i ly at D u k e U n i v e r s i t y

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010

ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTH YEAR, Issue 101

www.dukechronicle.com

Judge reduces Mangum’s arrest bond From Staff Reports THE CHRONICLE

morning at the Center for LGBT life, her discussion with Duke Democrats focused on the political issues facing the entire nation.

“Gay people are just as concerned about the economy and health care as straight people,” Sinema said in an interview.

A judge Monday reduced the bond of Crystal Gail Mangum, the Duke lacrosse accuser who was jailed last week after police said she attempted to murder her boyfriend.

Mangum’s bond was reduced to $250,000 from $1 million. But even if she posts bail, Mangum, 31, would be placed under electronic house arrest, The (Raleigh) News & Observer reported Monday. She would also be prohibited from contacting her boyfriend, the newspaper reported.

The decision was made during a District Court hearing after the prosecutor and Mangum’s public defender, Lawrence Campbell, agreed to the lower amount, WRAL reported. Mangum did not appear in court Monday.

According to court documents, Mangum was arrested early last Thursday morning after a fight in her home with her boyfriend, Milton Walker. She reportedly scratched and punched Walker, 33, and threw objects at him. She also set his clothes on fire in a bathtub and threatened to stab him, according to

See sinema on page 5

See mangum on page 6

Michael Naclerio/The Chronicle

Kyrsten Sinema, a Democratic member of the Arizona House of Representatives, elaborates on the state of the U.S. health care system Monday in the Old Trinity Room.

Ariz. legislator talks health reform

by Joanna Lichter THE CHRONICLE

The day President Barack Obama released his new proposal for a health bill, Duke hosted a Democratic state legislator to speak on health care reform, among other pressing issues.

Kyrsten Sinema, assistant leader to the Democratic caucus in the Arizona House

of Representatives, led a discussion with Duke Democrats Monday night. The event was co-sponsored by Blue Devils United, Duke’s National Organization for Women, The Duke Women’s Center and The Center for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Life.

Although Sinema addressed issues relating to the gay community Monday

Senior U.S. diplomat speaks on foreign affairs

by Eugene Wang THE CHRONICLE

Despite a busy career that has taken him from Moscow to Amman to Baghdad, William Burns found time to travel four hours south of his office in Washington, D.C. to talk with Duke students Monday.

Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs, spoke to approximately 75 students and faculty members in the Sanford School of Public Policy. Considered the highest-ranking career diplomat in the U.S. government, Burns was invited to speak at Duke by the American Grand Strategy program and the Triangle Institute for Security Studies.

Burns addressed several key foreign policy issues in his speech, ranging from nuclear proliferation to global warming. Formerly an ambassador to Jordan and Russia, Burns is perhaps most well-known for his recent role as chief U.S. negotiator in talks with Iran regarding its controversial nuclear program.

“I don’t underestimate for a minute the challenges before us, in dealing with domestic challenges or the daunting array of international challenges,” Burns said.

“We face a very complicated next few years, but I am also an optimist about the U.S.’s ability to cope with those

Blue Devils survive first round in AZ, Page 7

challenges.”

In his talk, titled “Foreign Policy in a New Era,” Burns laid out four partnerships necessary to American diplomacy in the future. He said the U.S. needs to build and enhance its partnerships with a range of institutions to promote great power cooperation, regional peace and security, economic and political modernization and domestic cooperation.

Burns spent much of his speech evaluating how the rise of China, India and Russia may affect U.S. foreign policy. He said China-U.S. relations are contingent upon numerous economic and political linkages, noting that Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s first overseas trip in office last year was to China.

“There will be no challenge more important to the United States than the rise of China,” Burns said. “We’re likely to have a complicated relationship.”

But China is not the only country with which the U.S. is likely to have a complex relationship, Burns added.

The U.S. and Russia combined hold 95 percent of the world’s nuclear arsenal, which in part affords Russia a unique place in global affairs and a key role in nuclear Tyler Seuc/The Chronicle

See burns on page 4

The Dash to White Tenting!

Check out kville.dukechronicle.com to see a recap of last night’s White Tenting signups

William Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs, addresses various U.S. foreign policy issues in his speech Monday afternoon.

ONTHERECORD

“We are a really simple operation, and I’m proud of that.

What you see at the Atrium is pretty much all it is.”

­—Alpine Atrium Manager Joey Landry on the eatery. See story page 3

2 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle

worldandnation

TODAY:

6041

WEDNESDAY:

4237

U.S. airstrike kills at least 25 civilians in Afghanistan

Congress accuses Toyota Obama unveils health plan of misleading public WASHINGTON, D. C. — President Barack Obama, seeking to break an impasse over health-care legislation, proposed a plan Monday that includes the first Medicare tax on unearned income such as capital gains and higher fees on drugmakers, while scaling back a levy on high-end benefits.

The measure released Monday marks a reversal from months of leaving the legislation’s details largely up to congressional Democrats, who have failed to agree on a plan. Obama relied mostly on a Senate bill passed in December, with elements of a House version passed in November.

The plan to cover 31 million uninsured Americans presents a challenge to Republicans before a Feb. 25 meeting at Blair House. Obama invited leaders from both parties and called on Republicans to offer their own “comprehensive bill” to extend coverage and reduce costs.

“

WASHINGTON, D. C. — Congress members Monday accused Toyota officials of making misleading public statements about the causes of its runaway cars and faulted federal safety regulators for conducting “cursory and ineffective” investigations because of a lack of expertise.

The charges from House members amplify the unprecedented scrutiny focused on the automaker and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. In addition to three congressional committees, which are holding hearings beginning Tuesday, a federal grand jury has subpoenaed company documents relating to unintended acceleration, and so has the Securities and Exchange Commission, Toyota announced Monday.

Congressional investigators, along with safety advocates, victims’ families and trial lawyers, are skeptical of Toyota’s explanations.

If you greatly desire something, have the guts to stake everything on obtaining it.

— Brendan Francis

TODAY IN HISTORY

”

1940: U.S. Marines raise flag on Iwo Jima

LEADERSHIP IN

DIFFICULT

TIMES

2009-10 Deans’ Dialogue

Fuqua School Dean Blair Sheppard and Duke Chapel Dean Sam Wells

Wednesday, February 24, 12:15-1:15 pm HCA Auditorium, Breeden Hall, Fuqua School of Business Lunch refreshments will be served

DeansDialogues_Sheppard_0210.indd 1

2/12/2010 2:22:29 PM

QALAT, Afghanistan — A U.S. airstrike targeting a convoy of buses traveling in southern Afghanistan killed at least 25 civilians and wounded a dozen more in a bombing that could fuel a political backlash against the ongoing military offensive in Afghanistan.

The Afghan cabinet Monday condemned what it called the “unacceptable” attack and called on NATO troops to “coordinate with the Afghan security forces” before any operation. A statement issued by the cabinet said that 27 people, including four women and a child, died in the airstrike, while 12 others were injured.

The airstrike, along a main road near the border of Uruzgan and Daikundi provinces Sunday, occurred when U.S. Special Forces piloting Little Bird helicopters fired on the convoy after intercepting

Taliban radio conversations, according to a senior U.S. military official. The nearest coalition forces were approximately seven miles away at the time.

The airstrike was not part of the large military offensive in neighboring Helmand province. But U.S. military officials view the Helmand operation as a chance to boost public support and momentum for their mission by demonstrating a decisive victory in one Taliban hotspot. That goal could be undermined by outrage over civilian casualties.

The top American commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Stanley McChrystal, held a video conference Monday morning with task force and regional commanders across the country to remind commanders about the need for “the judicious application of fire,” the senior military official said.

linda davidson/the washington post

Jess Parker, a forest ecologist at the Smithsonian Institute, measures the girth of one of the 250,000 trees he has been closely studying for the past 22 years. His discoveries indicate that many of the trees have been growing two to four times faster than expected because of climate change. The increase in growth rate is due to the warmer weather and higher levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.

the chronicle

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | 3

duke university student dining advisory committee

Rethink course Atrium looks for student input evaluations, prof suggests

by Sanette Tanaka THE CHRONICLE

Alpine Atrium and Alpine Bagel may share the same name, but Atrium Manager Joey Landry does not want to be just “another bagel shop.”

Landry brainstormed ways to improve the eatery with the Duke University Student Dining Advisory Committee at its meeting Monday night.

The Atrium features prepackaged food prepared six times per week in the kitchens below Alpine Bagels in the West Union Building. The small space limits creativity and expansion in its menu, such as adding hot selections, Landry said.

“We are a really simple operation, and I’m proud of that,” he added. “What you see at The Atrium is pretty much all it is.”

The Atrium serves more than 400 customers per day, with the smoked turkey sandwich and the Thai chicken wrap as the most popular items. Thirty-five percent of sales come from the smoothie bar, which offers a wide range of customizable options, Landry said.

DUSDAC committee members suggested updating the display area to generate more foot traffic and including whole wheat bread for sandwiches. Landry said adding the option would require a fee to cover packaging costs.

“I don’t like nickel-and-diming students, but we would have to discard the white bread and add in the wheat,” Landry said.

“It’s an unfortunate consequence.”

DUSDAC evaluates two to three campus eateries per semester, offering feedback See dusdac on page 6

by Courtney Lang THE CHRONICLE

Margie truwit/The Chronicle

Alpine Atrium Manager Joe Landry and DUSDAC members consider ways to improve the eatery at Monday’s weekly DUSDAC meeting. The committee provides student feedback to select eateries every semester.

At the end of each semester, Duke students are handed sheets filled with questions about the courses they have just completed and asked to express their feelings about the class by shading in bubbles.

These evaluations are often hasty exercises for students, but for professors they have significant implications relating to administrative decisions, such as whether they earn tenure.

Tom Deans, associate professor of English at the University of Connecticut, broached the topic with the academic community when he wrote an op-ed for Inside Higher Ed this month that discussed the challenges of using course evaluations to gauge what students learned from a course.

Deans is exploring a new method of course evaluation. In addition to handing out evaluations on the last day of classes, Deans sent out surveys to students who had taken a class he taught two years ago while teaching at Haverford College.

“There are things you just can’t know about how [the] class will affect you a few years down the line,” Deans said.

Many Duke professors have mixed opinions on the University’s course

ASK US YOUR QUESTIONS. GIVE US YOUR OPINIONS. Connect with Duke University Stores!

Give us your feedback on any of our operations via our online question/comment page, DevilSpeak.

Just visit www.dukestores.duke.edu and click on the DevilSpeak link.

Duke University Stores.

We are the Stores that Work for You!

OPERATION: Stores Administration PUBLICATION: Chronicle

See evaluations on page 6

4 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle

Burns from page 1 negotiations with Iran. Russia’s cooperation will be necessary to maintaining the integrity of the nuclear nonproliferation framework, Burns said.

Although relations with the so-called BRIC countries— Brazil, Russia, India and China—are important long-term U.S. foreign policy issues, Burns recognized that some of the most pressing issues are currently related to the Middle East, namely the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and Iran’s nuclear program.

Commenting with two stints in the U.S. embassy in Jordan and previous contributions to the Israeli-Palestinian peace process under his belt, Burns said broad Middle East peace will require active U.S. engagement with all stakeholders.

“The problem with the Arab-Israeli peace process is like riding a bike. If you’re not moving forward, you’re going to fall over,” Burns said. “There’s nothing static about it.”

Regarding Iran’s nuclear program, Burns commended the Obama administration for engaging in high-level talks—at which Burns himself presided—with Iranian leadership. Despite Iran’s recent statements outlining an acceleration in uranium enrichment, the international community should seek to present a common front to Iran, regardless of whether sanctions or other penalties are used, Burns argued.

“2010 will be a very complicated period in dealing with Iran,” he said. “An enormous amount is at stake.”

Beyond defense and diplomatic issues, Burns also emphasized the need to enhance the “third D” of American foreign policy—development. In an extensive questionand-answer session following his speech, Burns credited the George W. Bush administration with prioritizing development issues—like the alleviation of HIV/AIDS, as demonstrated by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief program, better known as PEPFAR. Audience members said Burns spoke effectively on a broad range of issues pertinent to U.S. foreign policy.

“The problem with the Arab-Israeli peace process is like riding a bike.

If you’re not moving forward, you’re going to fall over.”

— William Burns, undersecretary of state for political affairs Dan Holodnik, a graduate student in religion with a concentration in Islamic Studies, asked about U.S. diplomacy and domestic reform in Iran.

“I think he was able to address [my question] really well,” Holodnik said. “I hope we can work with other countries in the region to try and negotiate with the government, but obviously like he said, it’s become more difficult in the past year.”

When AGS Director Peter Feaver, Alexander F. Hehmeyer professor of political science, asked Burns to comment on a recent policy decision that could have been improved, Burns mentioned the tactical approach to settlement activity in Palestine.

Earlier in the day, Burns spoke to about 50 students for a talk on jobs at the U.S. Department of State. He chronicled his 28-year career in the Foreign Service against the backdrop of a changing organization that has increased its hiring of minority applicants and expanded its foreign language programs. Burns noted, however, that with about 7,000 officers, the Foreign Service is still smaller than the collective size of the American military band, despite the service’s importance in U.S. diplomacy.

“Hearing undersecretary Burns was a rare and special opportunity for Duke students. He is quite literally at the center of the most important diplomatic efforts the Obama administration has launched,” Feaver wrote in an e-mail.

“It is great for students to hear his first-hand account and to see the breadth and complexity of the issues he must deal with on a daily basis.... I hope they caught his spirit of public service.”

With complex and tough foreign policy problems on the Obama administration’s agenda, Burns conceded that the near future may be a difficult period for U.S. diplomacy.

“Tomorrow is going to be very complicated for the United States, but I think there is a lot of promise for the day after,” Burns said. “If we are willing to invest creatively in partnerships with other countries with a sense of humility and purpose and priority, the U.S. can and will continue to play a successful role in international affairs.”

the chronicle

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | 5

sinema from page 1 Sinema, who is openly bisexual, recently served as the chair of Arizona Together—the first and only campaign to defeat a same-sex marriage ban on the ballot. Now in her fifth year as state legislator, she is also the ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations and House Judiciary Committees.

Sinema was invited to the University by sophomore Risa Isard, a member of Blue Devils United and Duke’s NOW. Back in their home state of Arizona, Sinema served as Isard’s mentor in Girls For A Change, an organization that teaches young women how to engage in their

communities.

In her remarks to Duke Democrats, Sinema criticized the current health care system and emphasized the need for insurance reform.

“The House went through progressive legislation that would have created a public option and insurance exchanges for the state,” Sinema said at the event. “But some of our Republican colleagues decided that was socialism.”

The discussion ran for more than an hour, as students were eager to hear her views regarding various versions of the health care bill. Although Sinema said she disagreed with the earlier Senate version of the health plan—namely because it would

raise health care costs to about $7 billion in Arizona —she would have voted for it because “it would have gotten the package over the hill.”

Sinema would like to see tangible progress in other political areas as well.

Regarding immigration, she made clear the need for addressing problems with documentation. Sinema currently sits on a task force for immigration, which is working to institute a program to effectively account for individuals entering the United States.

She noted that half of all undocumented persons living in the U.S. enter through and live in Arizona.

“We have to have an orderly process to have people who want to live the American dream do so, and keep folks who want to do harm out of our country,” Sinema said.

During the question and answer session, junior Ben Bergmann, president

of Duke Democrats, asked Sinema her thoughts on critics who think Obama is too bipartisan. Bergmann is also a Duke Student Government Athletics and Campus Services senator.

Sinema stressed the importance of establishing common ground between the parties. As she feels the Republican party has been taken over largely by right-wing extremists—calling them “chaotists”— Sinema thinks the government needs to find ways to return the Republican party to normalcy.

Sinema added that if she were president, she would rather be criticized for being too bipartisan than being exclusionary.

Overall, students said they enjoyed the discussion, particularly commenting on the quality of Sinema’s rhetoric.

“I think she’s hilarious, and I love her fire and her passion,” Isard said.

Conference Services - Summer Jobs at Duke What we do: As a “one stop shop” for Duke Services, Conference Services provides support for over 50 different summer groups. During the summer Conference Season, over 9000 visitors enjoy affordable on-campus housing, a dining plan and convenient Duke services during their stay. Programs scheduled for Summer 2010 include: athletic camps (baseball, basketball, field hockey, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, tennis, & volleyball), fine arts programs (dance, music, drama), academic programs for youth, high school students and adults and continuing education programs.

If you are: Organized • Detail oriented • Hard working Flexible • Dependable • Friendly • Service oriented Able to handle multiple tasks • A team player

We offer the opportunity for: Michael Naclerio/The Chronicle

Kyrstal Sinema analyzed the health care reform debate Monday. While the openly bisexual Sinema considered the debate from the LGBT community’s standpoint, she focused more on how the nation is affected as a whole.

The Future of the Human Body n Final Panel and Discussion nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn Tuesday, Feb 23, 6pm

n !

q

j

Free summer housing, free summer dining, great career skills, good pay (about $3,800 for the summer), and a fun and fast-paced work environment.

Priority given to applications received by March 1.

Phone: 660-1760 • Fax: 660-1769 • E-mail: ConfServ@notes.duke.edu Application and job descriptions online at http://events.duke.edu/summer_programs/sum_employ.html or email to receive the information.

6 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle

Cool Hand Stew

evaluations from page 3 evaluation process. John Aldrich, Pfizer-Pratt University professor of political science, said he thinks course evaluations are an “imperfect art.”

“It’s a bit of science, a lot of art and lots of compromise,” Aldrich said.

He added that he believes the questions on evaluation forms do not necessarily encompass everything students can gain from a class and said he thought it would be interesting to find a mechanism for gauging students’ appreciation for a course years down the road.

“It gives you some sense of what stuck with the students,” he noted.

Steve Nowicki, dean and vice provost of undergraduate education, said he thinks there is some value in delayed course evaluations.

“At the end of the semester, the [students] have one perspective, which is a very immediate one. But we should also be interested in what a student thinks in a year out. I think it’s worth trying to figure that out.”

But the delayed course evaluations are not always easy to implement.

“It’s hard to do on a large scale,” Deans said. “You must do it differently at different institutions. At Haverford College [there is a] highly motivated group of people who care deeply. But you can’t always motivate people.”

Martin Eisner, assistant professor of Italian studies at Duke, said he thought a mid-course evaluation was more practical. He added that this would allow instructors the opportunity to change their methods if students were dissatisfied.

Deans said he does not wish to replace semester-end course evaluations entirely.

“Semester course evaluations are both practical and valuable,” he said Deans added that delayed course evaluations are directed toward professors who are looking to shape the ways students learn.

“It’s a bit of a morale booster,” he said. “It helps you teach your class better. [The students] most affected by the course are those who respond, and what they have to say, even if it’s not all rosy and wonderful, really matters.”

dusdac from page 3 from diverse student perspectives, said co-Chair Jason Taylor, a senior.

“We want to show that Alpine is different,” he said. “The product they sell is great. We just want to make the packaging a little better.”

Stewart Cheatwood saw opportunity, found a mentor and changed his career. Now he finds time to coach others.

Every day, he’s feeding his life, his career and his future.

Feed your future at www.pwc.tv

© 2010 PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. All rights reserved. “PricewaterhouseCoopers” refers to PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (a Delaware limited liability partnership) or, as the context requires, the PricewaterhouseCoopers global network or other member firms of the network, each of which is a separate and independent legal entity. We are proud to be an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer.

In other business: The first DUSDAC-sponsored Diversity Dinner will take place March 2 and will be catered by The Refectory, DUSDAC chairs announced. The event will allow eight students to discuss controversial topics over dinner at the Law School.

In the next few weeks, DUSDAC will also elect two new co-chairs and recruit four new members for the 2010-2011 school year.

mangum from page 1 court documents and the Durham Fire Department.

Police arrived at the home at 11:55 p.m. last Wednesday after one of Mangum’s three children called police, according to a recording of the call obtained by ABC News.

The children, ages three, nine and 10, were home at the time of the incident, but were not injured.

Mangum has been charged with attempted first degree murder, five counts of first degree arson, assault and battery, identity theft, communicating a threat, injury to personal property, resisting a public officer and three counts of misdemeanor child abuse, jail documents state.

In March 2006, Mangum claimed that three Duke men’s lacrosse players raped her at an off-campus party.

The players had hired Mangum, who was then an exotic dancer and a student at North Carolina Central University, to perform at the party.

Despite a lack of evidence and a mishandled investigation, former Durham District Attorney Mike Nifong charged the three players with rape and other offenses.

All charges against the players were ultimately dropped, and Nifong was disbarred and jailed briefly for his handling of the case.

Sports

>> ONLINE

The Chronicle

Looking beyond the box score

Last week, while perusing some Duke Basketball forums, I came across a sentence that I’m reasonably confident I had never read before on a college hoops message board. “What we really need here is a regression of individual efficiency, regressed against number of games into the ACC season and weighted by minutes played,” a user who goes by CrazieDUMB wrote on Duke Basketball Report. “Any ambitious Dukies still have access to STATA or SAS and want to tackle that one?”

Now, I’m not a statistics major, and I Ben couldn’t distinguish STATA from StratO-Matic, but the response caught my attention. The comment was part of a three-page thread reacting to a column from Alex Fanaroff in this very space last Wednesday, in which he graphed data and even rolled out some scatterplots to explore whether there was proof of a downward trend in the latter half of Duke’s last seven seasons. The reaction to the column was robust. Fanaroff received letters far and wide—some with more data still—and ESPN and Basketball Prospectus, among others, examined the evidence in greater detail.

The subsequent discourse was generally one of reason and civility, not irrationality and vitriol, which was sort of stunning in itself. But it was the mere fact that a numbersheavy column with an analytic bent provoked such a dialogue, regardless of its nature, that took me aback.

Before last week, I didn’t understand much about tempo-free statistics. I knew they existed and that it was generally naive for me to ignore them, but I also understood that I was intimidated by all those fancy numbers on Ken Pomeroy’s Web site. I decided that if DBR was capable of an intelligent, mild-mannered give-and-take about tempo-free statistics, then it was time for me to ditch my ignorance.

TUESDAY

February 23, 2010 www.dukechroniclesports.com

men’s basketball

Bubble teams galore in ACC

by Andrew Ermogenous THE CHRONICLE

Despite the relative weakness of the conference—the ACC only has one ranked team in the most recent AP poll—if all trends continue, it could replicate its showing from last year’s NCAA tournament by getting seven teams in. Nevertheless, only Duke and Wake Forest are in control of their own destiny. Beyond the top two teams, the picture is much less clear.

The most enigmatic team of the conference has been

Cohen

See COHEN on page 8

Chronicle file photo

See ACC on page 8

women’s golf

Blue Devils battle top teams and the elements in Arizona THE CHRONICLE

zachary tracer/Chronicle file photo

Georgia Tech (18-9, 6-7 in the ACC). Coming into the season, the Yellow Jackets were expected to challenge the Blue Devils at the top of the ACC with an athletic yet inexperienced roster. With the addition of stud freshman center Derrick Favors, Georgia Tech has shown brilliant flashes throughout the year, including a game in which it toppled Duke at home. But other times, the Yellow Jackets have been maddeningly inconsistent, dropping road games at Virginia and Miami. Their sub-.500 record in the conference means that Georgia Tech has to heat up near the end of the month, or risk watching the NCAA Tournament on television.

Maryland (19-7, 9-3) looks to have a strong case for a bid. In addition to being ranked second in the conference, the Terrapins are coming off an impressive lastsecond win at home against Georgia Tech for their third win over an RPI top-50 team. Senior Greivis Vasquez has shouldered the load in in the last three games—all wins—scoring 74 points, notching 17 assists and pulling down 19 rebounds. If the guard keeps up his torrid pace, the Terrapins should make the 65-team field.

Clemson (19-7, 7-5) is just oustide the top 30 in both RPI and strength of schedule, and has had quality wins over Butler, then-No. 13 North Carolina, Maryland and Florida State.

“As far as the Tournament’s concerned, we need to win games,” head coach Oliver Purnell said. “I assume if they were doing it today we would be in. We’re playing in a very difficult league and right now we’re at 7-5. I would think that would be the prevailing thought right now.”

Florida State (19-7, 7-5) ranks a little bit behind Clemson and Georgia Tech in both RPI and strength of schedule. The Seminoles have two wins over Georgia Tech, as well as a victory over Virginia Tech at home. They have a difficult road

Georgia Tech has had flashes of brilliance this season, namely a home win over Duke, but has lacked consistency during the ACC schedule.

by Nicholas Schwartz

Duke associate head coach Chris Collins and the Blue Devil staff seem to be using advanced statistical analysis in order to scout opponents.

Check out a photo slideshow from Duke’s 67-55 home win over Virginia Tech Sunday on The Chronicle’s Sports Blog

The Blue Devils probably thought they’d be escaping the rain that drenched campus yesterday with a trip to usually beautiful Arizona, but Duke had to fight through some tough conditions Monday at the Wildcat Invitational. Pitted against some of the best teams in the country—the tournament boasts eight of the nation’s top 20—the No. 6 Blue Devils fired a 12-over 296 to finish the first round in fifth place, and are just six strokes back of leader Arizona State.

As if the challenges posed by an unforgiving Arizona National Golf Club weren’t enough—the course is designed by renowned golf architect Robert Trent Jones, Jr.—Duke was forced to play through a steady drizzle throughout, and faced winds of up to 15 miles per hour.

“As soon as you get past the fairway and the rough, the terrain is basically unplayable,” head coach Dan Brooks said. “When the wind blows, it just sends you out into that junk.”

The conditions didn’t slow senior Alison Whitaker, who fired a 2-under 69 to finish in second place, one shot off the pace set by Taylore Karle of Pepperdine.

Whitaker birdied two of her first four holes and finished the day with just two bogeys and 12 pars to lead the Blue Devils.

“It’s all about attitude when you play in bad conditions,” Brooks said.

“And she’s proven that she can get tough, mentally.”

From top to bottom, Duke’s lineup was very solid individually, with no Blue Devil finishing worse than 38th in the 93-player field.

Freshman Stacey Kim got off to a tough start by triple-bogeying a dogleg left par-4, but rallied to birdie three of her last five holes—two of those birdies came on par-5s—to finish with a 6-over 77.

The Blue Devils were originally scheduled to play all 36 holes of the Invitational Monday, but the weather forced officials to move the second round to Tuesday.

“This is just a really tough team,

and I’m disappointed we didn’t get to play the second 18,” Brooks said.

“I told each of the players I thought we’d come out on top at the end of the day if we played until dark.”

Chronicle file photo

Alison Whitaker led the Blue Devils Monday with a 2-under 69 at the Wildcat Invitational.

8 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle

COHEN from page 7

maya robinson/Chronicle file photo

Senior Greivis Vasquez may not have been able to beat Duke at Cameron Indoor Stadium this season, but the National Player of the Week has his Terrapin squad on track for another NCAA tourney bid.

aCC from page 7 ahead with home games against Clemson and Wake Forest. Beating either the Tigers or the Demon Deacons would be enough to earn a Tournament bid.

“What we’ve tried to stay away from is looking too far down the road with our young and inexperienced team,” head coach Leonard Hamilton said. “We’re trying to make sure we stay focused on where

we are and the areas we need to improve.

And I think we have put ourselves in the best position come Tournament time to get as high a seed as we possibly can.”

Then, of course, there’s North Carolina. Clearly the Tar Heels are not in contention for an at-large bid, but a miracle run in the ACC Tournament would put them in the big dance. Considering the amount of talent the Tar Heels possess, it is not that crazy an idea. But if not, there’s always the NIT.

So I brushed up on the logic behind examining statistics adjusted to possessions. I read about the four factors of offensive and defensive efficiency— effective shooting percentage, offensive rebounding percentage, turnover rate and free throw rate—and I devoured blog posts about points per possession and pace. I learned that most of this thought dates back to the 1950s, when Dean Smith charted possessions and kept track of pace at that school down the road. Just for good measure, I checked around to confirm that Smith’s old squad still does have a 3-9 ACC record.

I called Basketball Prospectus’ John Gasaway, who indulged my naivete, and directed my unexpected education in further directions. “We’re not being terribly advanced or strange,” said Gasaway, who, just last week, offered his free analysis to the first mid-major team that contacted him and makes the NCAA Tournament. “We’re just trying to get to a point where other major sports have long been and taken for granted, and that is being able to point to a team and say, empirically, that they have a good offense or a good defense. It’s strange that in basketball—not just college, but basketball period—that we haven’t been able to do that, widely, as fans until the past few years.”

Wouldn’t it make sense, I asked him, for the general community of Duke fans to be especially progressive about espousing these types of statistics? For the most part, it’s a group of smart, educated diehards and, perhaps more importantly, the basketball team is consistently dominant.

There is never a dearth of interest. We’re always looking for new ways to analyze, new data to pore over, new ways to win longstanding debates.

“I definitely hear a lot from that region of North Carolina,” Gasaway said. “I think the key might be smart and impassioned fan bases, even more than having a successful program, because I would also point to a community like Michigan, which has had next to nothing in the way of recent success.”

Still, I’m not sure Duke fans have reacted strongly to advanced statistical analysis one way or the other. It’s not every

day we can walk through the Krzyzewskiville line and hear about Duke’s offensive efficiency. Mostly, we just talk about who looks good—who, to our naked and fairly uninformed eyes, seems to be playing well.

Pomeroy’s ratings system, by contrast, ranks teams by numbers, not by feel. (His poll, driven by offensive and defensive efficiency, is the only one in the country that currently ranks Duke No. 1 in the country.) He, too, has the relatively rapt attention of Triangle hoops fans. In December, on his blog, he unveiled the analytics of his Web site, revealing that the most-trafficked team pages were UNC’s and Duke’s, and North Carolina sent the fourth-most traffic of any state—when adjusted for scale of population, naturally.

Matt Johnson, a graduate student in biology, is a Pomeroy reader who blogs about tempo-free statistics, specifically applied to Duke. He’s been blogging since January 2007, and while he does touch on other sports, Duke Basketball is his primary muse. Last year, he created an NCAA Tournament simulator, using expected winning percentages to predict individual outcomes; he’s been working on tweaking it for optimal performance ever since.

“I’m an empirical biologist, so looking at any kind of data is kind of exciting to me,” Johnson said. “To be able to use statistics and use the stuff I’ve learned from biology and apply it to being a fan—it brings together multiple facets of being a nerd.”

Of course, tempo-free statistics are most useful not for analyzing the team from the couch, but for actually making adjustments on the bench. Anyone can blog about the four factors; only a relative few can do something with it. Which is why I got in touch with Chris Collins, Duke’s associate head coach, to ask whether Duke’s staff was a member of the growing ranks that swear by statistical analysis.

“The numbers we use a lot are turnovers and offensive rebounds,” Collins said, noting that he relies on statistics, especially those from the last five games, when he scouts opponents. “The other key is we try to get ourselves to the freethrow line. Those are probably the main ones that we look at—and obviously, well, shooting the ball.”

Turnovers, offensive rebounds, free throws and shooting percentage. Sounds like they’re onto something.

CLASSIFIEDS Help Wanted BARTENDERS ARE IN DEMAND!!!

Earn $20 - $35 per hour. 1 or 2 week classes & weekend classes.

100% Job Placement Assistance.

RALEIGH’S BARTENDING SCHOOL. Have Fun! Make Money! Meet People! CALL NOW (919)676-0774 www.cocktailmixer.com

MENU SAMPLING Old School Veggie Burrito Regular Chicken Burrito Cheese Quesadilla Chicken Quesadilla Veggie Nachos

$2.86 $5.65 $1.41 $3.59 $4.12

Earn Extra Money Students

10% off with Duke ID

just a block from East Campus

seum of Life and Science in Durham is looking for people who like science and working with kids to join its 2010 Summer Camps Staff! Camps run in both Durham and Chapel Hill June 14—August 20. For more information and to download application, visit www. ncmls.org/get-involved/jobs

personal training -

P/T help needed at local gym.

Excellent for an aspiring physical therapist or exercise science major. Experience not necessary but background coursework preferred. Email bdiaz@ activedgefit.com or call to apply 919-493-1204

Computer Guru / Secretary SURVEY TAKERS NEEDED: Make

great food. low price. open late.

1920 1⁄2 Perry St. at Ninth St.

needed ASAP. Earn up to $150 per day being a Mystery Shopper. No Experience Required. Call 1-800-722-4791

Summer Camp Jobs The Mu-

$5-$25 per survey. GetPaidToThink.com.

Urban Outfitters is Hiring

Urban Outfitters in Durham is looking for Part Time Sales Associates and Full Time Team Leaders. Please visit urbanoutfitters. com to apply or pick up an application in store at 8030 Renaissance Parkway.

Must have references and pleasant personality; near East Duke; $15-20 based on experience. fabienne944@gmail.com.

919-286-5141

Apartments for Rent Charming 1 br apartment Near East Duke in restored house; quiet and light; all utilities included. $790. 286-5141. fabienne944@ gmail.com.

Townhouse for Sale Townhouse for sale by owner; 5 min. from Duke law and med schools; 2 bed/2bath; like new, built ’05; appliances, garage. M. Bennett bennett3274@yahoo. com 336-765-8726

Entertainment Does Your Love Life Stink?

Read, Laugh, Blog and Chat about your love life or lack thereof! http://www.itsmylovelife.com

Travel/Vacation BAHAMAS SPRING BREAK

$189 for 5-DAYS or $239 for 7-DAYS. All prices include: Roundtrip luxury cruise with food. Accommodations on the island at your choice of thirteen resorts.

Appalachia Travel www. BahamaSun.com 800-867-5018.

the chronicle

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | 9

Diversions Shoe Chris Cassatt and Gary Brookins

Dilbert Scott Adams

Doonesbury Garry Trudeau

The Chronicle our favorite olympic sports: ice dancing, gotta love the costumes: ���������������������� charlie, yuhan synchronized anything: ���������������������������������������������������will, emme the olympics are on?: �������������������������������������������������������������� shaoli beating canada: ������������������������������������������������������������ drew, austin short-track speedskating: ������������������������������� sabs, archith, jdrews tonsil hockey: ����������������������������������������������� x, nac, dr. dre, the Bus the one where they shoot and ski: ������������������������������ klein, carter bending?: ��������������������������������������������������������������������������������tiffany Barb Starbuck just roots for the USA: �������������������������������������� Barb

Ink Pen Phil Dunlap

Student Advertising Manager:...............................Margaret Potter Account Executives:.................... Chelsea Canepa, Phil DeGrouchy Liza Doran, Lianna Gao, Ben Masselink Amber Su, Mike Sullivan, Jack Taylor Quinn Wang, Cap Young Creative Services Student Manager............................Christine Hall Creative Services:................................Lauren Bledsoe, Danjie Fang Caitlin Johnson, Megan Meza , Hannah Smith Business Assistant:.........................................................Joslyn Dunn

Sudoku

Fill in the grid so that every row, every column and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 through 9. (No number is repeated in any column, row or box.)

If Humpty Dumpty had put an ad in The Chronicle classifieds, he would have found someone to put him back together again.

www.dukechronicle.com/classifieds

Answer to puzzle www.sudoku.com

The Independent Daily at Duke University

The Chronicle

10 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle commentaries

Binghamton’s big scandal A report released two weeks But what began as an atago detailing the corruption tempt to boost the Binghamand unethical behavior of ton brand quickly devolved Binghamton University’s De- into controversy last year. Just partment of Athletics tells the months after the men’s basketunfortunate and all-too-com- ball team clinched a spot in the mon story of a NCAA tournauniversity that ment for the editorial gambled on first time in the big-time sports and compro- school’s history, the university’s mised its fundamental values. athletics officials were houndBeginning in the late ed by allegations of corruption 1990s, Binghamton president and recruiting violations.

Lois De Fleur and athletics An independent investigadirector Joe Thirer began a tion commissioned by Nancy push to enhance the profile Zimpher, chancellor of the of their school’s athletics pro- State University of New York gram and the national promi- system, released a report earnence of the university as a lier this month that paints whole. In 2001, Binghamton the picture of a president and made the leap from Division athletic director willing to III to the highly competitive overlook university policy and Division I, and within a few stretch academic standards to years, it had constructed a $33 recruit and maintain a talentmillion sports arena. ed men’s basketball team.

“

onlinecomment

These girls have made a choice of wearing their hijab for decency and moral uprightness not by coercion from any body.

—“ismailarimi” commenting on the story “Duke’s ‘Hijabis’ defy stereotypes.”

See more at www.dukechronicle.com.

Letters Policy The Chronicle welcomes submissions in the form of letters to the editor or guest columns. Submissions must include the author’s name, signature, department or class, and for purposes of identification, phone number and local address.

Letters should not exceed 325 words; contact the editorial department for information regarding guest columns.

The Chronicle will not publish anonymous or form letters or letters that are promotional in nature. The Chronicle reserves the right to edit letters and guest columns for length, clarity and style and the right to withhold letters based on the discretion of the editorial page editor.

Est. 1905

”

Direct submissions to: E-mail: chronicleletters@duke.edu Editorial Page Department The Chronicle Box 90858, Durham, NC 27708 Phone: (919) 684-2663 Fax: (919) 684-4696

The Chronicle

Inc. 1993

will robinson, Editor Hon Lung Chu, Managing Editor emmeline Zhao, News Editor Gabe Starosta, Sports Editor Michael Naclerio, Photography Editor shuchi Parikh, Editorial Page Editor Michael Blake, Editorial Board Chair alex klein, Online Editor jonathan angier, General Manager Lindsey rupp, University Editor sabreena merchant, Sports Managing Editor julius jones, Local & National Editor jinny cho, Health & Science Editor Courtney Douglas, News Photography Editor andrew hibbard, Recess Editor Austin Boehm, Editorial Page Managing Editor Drew sternesky, Editorial Page Managing Editor ashley holmstrom, Wire Editor chelsea allison, Towerview Editor eugene wang, Recess Managing Editor DEAN CHEN, Lead Developer zachary kazzaz, Recruitment Chair Taylor Doherty, Sports Recruitment Chair Mary weaver, Operations Manager Barbara starbuck, Production Manager

zachary tracer, University Editor naureen khan, Senior Editor toni wei, Local & National Editor rachna reddy, Health & Science Editor Ian soileau, Sports Photography Editor Maya Robinson, Multimedia Editor Emily bray, Editorial Page Managing Editor Rebecca wu, Editorial Page Managing Editor Charlie Lee, Design Editor Ben cohen, Towerview Editor Maddie Lieberberg, Recess Photography Editor Lawson kurtz, Towerview Photography Editor caroline mcgeough, Recruitment Chair Andy Moore, Sports Recruitment Chair CHRISSY BECK, Advertising/Marketing Director REBECCA DICKENSON, Chapel Hill Ad Sales Manager

The Chronicle is published by the Duke Student Publishing Company, Inc., a non-profit corporation independent of Duke University. The opinions expressed in this newspaper are not necessarily those of Duke University, its students, faculty, staff, administration or trustees. Unsigned editorials represent the majority view of the editorial board. Columns, letters and cartoons represent the views of the authors.

To reach the Editorial Office at 301 Flowers Building, call 684-2663 or fax 684-4696. To reach the Business Office at 103 West Union Building, call 684-3811. To reach the Advertising Office at 101 West Union Building call 684-3811 or fax 684-8295. Visit The Chronicle Online at http://www.dukechronicle.com. © 2010 The Chronicle, Box 90858, Durham, N.C. 27708. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the prior, written permission of the Business Office. Each individual is entitled to one free copy.

Admissions standards were comprised, and basketball players with substantial disciplinary and criminal records were allowed to enroll at Binghamton. Once admitted, players’ grades were changed and their schedules were manipulated in order to maintain athletic eligibility. And when players were arrested for drug possession and theft, coaches provided legal advice and even fronted money to bail them out.

The list of grievances committed by Binghamton University officials is egregious, and it should serve as a cautionary tale for other universities.

University presidents face enormous pressure to grow the prestige of their institution, and launching a high-profile athletics program is a quick

and proven way to boost their school’s brand power, increase alumni involvement and admissions applications and bring in millions of dollars of revenue.

Duke University is living proof that such a strategy can work. Its own rise to prominence in the 1980s and 1990s can be linked to the successes of the athletic program.

But the universities that are able to achieve success on the athletic field are few and far between, and the price of securing athletic excellence is often too high to pay. Binghamton was able to reach the NCAA tournament (where it lost to Duke in the first round), but it did so only by diverting millions of taxpayer dollars to fund athletics (instead of education), violating NCAA policy and compromising the core educational

mission of one of SUNY’s best research universities.

Instead of turning toward the quick fix of a high-profile basketball or football team, public university leaders hoping to grow their institutions should look toward investing in what really matters: hiring the best professors, enrolling the best students and developing promising academic initiatives. The payoffs of this strategy are not immediate and will not enthuse sports-crazed alumni, but they will secure modest and substantial benefits in the long run.

For public university systems like SUNY with few established athletic programs, the tried and true path to long-term growth is careful investment in academics—not gambling on big-time athletics.

Reaching out on Chatroulette

A

t some point in the past few weeks, a friend has likely told you about Chatroulette.com.

He and a number of his friends—“never go into Chatroulette alone,” he implored you—read about it somewhere in the blogosphere.

The previous night, with a few drinks and time on their hands, they dejordan rice cided to take the real talk plunge.

They went to the site and read the rules (“more like loose guidelines,” your friend tells you). All clear: Yes, they were over 16 years old, and yes, they had no intention of “broadcasting obscene offending, pornographic material.”

They clicked play, their web cam turned on and into the whirlwind they fell.

Before beginning his story, he first gave you the overview of how Chatroulette works, as you had not yet had the dubious pleasure of playing: You are matched at random with a stranger. Your screen will show your video feed under the label “You” and the stranger’s video feed under “partner.” Your partner, of course, can see you as well.

At any time during your connection with your partner, either of you can click “Next.” Once you “next” your partner or your partner “nexts” you, the magic wheel of Chatroulette spins, landing you with a new partner.

Done with his explanation of how to play Chatroulette, your friend launches into his harrowing tale. He lists his first few failed attempts at interaction. “The man slowly petting the stuffed frog, the room full of angsty teens and a sock monkey had no interest in being our new best friends.”

Rejected three times in a row. Such disappointment he felt, such self-doubt. Is it my hair, he thought? Is it my shirt? My shoes? I think I look like a nice enough guy. Why won’t the frog guy be my friend?

Growing disillusioned with what had been billed as the next step in the web-based social revolution, he reluctantly clicked “Next.”

“Girls!” one of his friends yelled. “Don’t next us, don’t next us!”

And so began the greatest online love story ever told. Furtive glances exchanged from one video feed to the other. Ten minutes of conversation rendered incomprehensible by web cam static. “Magical,” he called it.

But alas, how quickly love sours on Chatrou-

lette. “Show us your boobs!” someone exclaimed in his best spring break voice. Nexted. Ouch. And the worst part? The worst part was that they could see her finger reach out just before clicking them into oblivion.

Someone propositioning for an indecent display of flesh! On the Internet? Well I never!

Unfortunately though (or fortunately, depending on what you’re trying to get into on Chatroulette), such propositions are often obliged.

After the heartbreak of the nexting, Chatroulette then bared its true nature, so to speak: penises, lots and lots of random Internet penises. Next.

Next.

Next.

Give up.

With that, his story ends.

You stare at your friend in puzzlement, thinking to yourself, “Is this site actually popular, or should I run away from my sexually deviant friend?”

In the past month, Chatroulette has blown up.

In December, the site was nothing more than a creepy meeting place for a few hundred people.

Now it is a creepy meeting place for tens of thousands at a given moment.

A few months ago, publicity for Chatroulette was limited to the Twitter account of that kid who always had his hands down his pants during Homeroom in middle school. This month, Chatroulette has commanded significant coverage in mainstream media. Respected outlets like New York Magazine, The Washington Post, The New York Times, MSNBC (comeback plans for “To Catch a Predator: Chatroulette Edition?”) and this fine publication you hold in your hands have explored the Chatroulette phenomenon, further fanning the flames of its unexpected popularity.

So don’t worry about your friend. It’s perfectly natural to be curious about Chatroulette. But the question remains: Why would anyone want to use this site after the curiosity wears off?

Initially, Chatroulette may strike you as an interesting social experiment or an opportunity for a drinking game, but when Chatroulette gets weird—and it always does—it becomes difficult to understand why people come back to the site (unless they are exhibitionists, in which case it could not be easier).

Perhaps people are just reaching out of the isolation of the i-Pod/Pad/Book/Tunes/Everything age to make a desperate grasp at human contact.

But all they will get is rejection, heartbreak, requests to get naked and many, many penises.

Jordan Rice is a Trinity senior. His column runs every other Tuesday.

the chronicle TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 | 11 commentaries

L

Time travel

ast week I accidentally discovered But a really cool thing about this the secret to time travel. No, it University is that as you grow older you didn’t involve speed. All I have to don’t just consume its resources—you do is sit at a bus stop. actually become part of You know what’s really its resources. You meet interesting about the bus friends from differstop? It’s flow. Maybe all ent years (especially at the hours of sitting out Shooters). You exchange in the sun, rain and snow ideas and you ask each have finally made me deother questions (“Wanlirious, but it seems like na go to Shooters?”). every individual influencinfluence each othkousha navidar You es the way buses run. How er’s decisions (“Maybe long people take to load the bus stops here you’ll find a boyfriend at and unload; how quickly Shooter’s!”). Our Duke the security guard can get experience is as much a clueless tourist cars out of the traffic cir- product of our fellow students—both cle; how vicious the freshmen claw over past and present—as it is a product of each other to catch the C-1 after Econ 51: our own desires.

Over time all of these things change how The truth is, each of us plays a role in future life at the bus stop unfolds. the future of this University. At least that’s Because there’s really nothing else to been my experience as a resident assisdo out there when no one’s talking, I got tant for freshmen. Every day I talk to kids to thinking: Could this ebb and flow of about things that could have a substantial the bus stop be a metaphor for our lives impact on their Duke experiences: their at Duke? You bet your Chronicle it is! It’s intended majors, what living groups they easy to think of the Duke student dynamic join and where they can find adult toy as a one-way street. We consider Duke a stores in Durham (I kid you not). And larger-than-life institution, and we stu- when you help residents apply to become dents as insular individuals who consume future RAs—although why someone the resources Duke offers by living here would want that is beyond me—you are for four years. But I don’t think this is ac- helping them make a decision that will tually the case. change the direction of their entire Duke We have an equal influence on Duke experience. because through our relationships we But this isn’t just an RA thing. Over make choices that will impact future gen- time, the little choices we make subtly imerations of students. We impact the direc- pact future generations of Duke students, tion of Duke beyond our four years here and ultimately the life of the University because of the way we affect each other. itself. The Duke institution is not as inThis is a perspective on our education that tangible as it may seem. This University isn’t often addressed, but one that adds only exists because of the people within valuable insight to our role as students. it. And when the people change, the UniAs soon as we enter this school, people versity changes too. tell us about all the resources at our disIt’s just like the bus stop. When we posal. We are told that this school gives get caught up in clawing onto the bus or you the chance to build a Formula SAE catching it before it drives by, we forget race car, write a musical and live in a tent to realize that our actions—like our lives­ for a month if we just figuratively seize —are not insular. Every choice has an efthe day (and in reality, clutch the sleep- fect on those in our immediate vicinity, ing bag). It’s easy to assume that, un- and on some scale on the inhabitants of less you’re knocking down the doors of the bus stop after we leave. the Allen Building or crashing Board of And that’s how you travel through time.

Trustees meetings, as students we only consume what Duke offers before leaving Kousha Navidar is a Trinity senior. His this place and moving on with our lives. column runs every other Tuesday.

lettertotheeditor Put learning first As I was reading Ben Brostoff’s Feb. 19 column, “A novel approach to RSA cryptosystem,” I was inspired by the way he approached his academic curriculum. Duke students tend to be shortsighted when it comes to academic pursuits, looking to courses as stepping stones to reach their next goal.

Although we may be wrapped up in our own pursuit of the top medical school, that Wall Street job or whatever we desire, it helps to realize the importance of the courses we take.

Midterms are not just about getting a good grade; they are an opportunity to explore the fundamental principles upon which our society is built, whether it be in the fields of the arts, sciences or engineering.

It makes me happy to see that at least one other Duke student isn’t just taking classes for the sake of getting through them, but is enjoying them for their intellectual benefits. Sadly, classes do easily get bogged down in midterm fever,

where the incentive of a good grade is the only thing driving people forward.

As someone interested in pursuing a career in academics, I am always glad to see other students inspired by the intellectual prowess of the people and University around us.

Brostoff’s column reminded me of the greater purpose of this institution, as is the purpose of any other university: academics. It is easy to lose sight of this among all the discussions of who is playing for LDOC, what DSG is up to, how the University is cutting back on spending and so on.

The fact of the matter is that we are here to learn. Courses weren’t created to boost your GPA, and aren’t meant for you to disregard. Here, at a place of higher learning, I expect my fellow students and faculty to put aside personal interests and goals when it comes to our academic pursuits.

Niru Maheswaranathan Trinity ’11

Could you care less?

D

o you care? ago?) Really, it’s not the (non)existence That is, do you actually care of selflessness that disturbs me, but rather about other human beings— the fact that true emotion may actually be about your roommate, your friends, your completely irrelevant in the grand scheme family, the housekeeping of things. staff member you smiled Indeed, the pheat on your way to the bathnomenon of the socially room this morning, the functional, camouflaged cashier at Alpine you told psychopath reveals how to have a good day before unnecessary true compasturning back to your textsion actually is to everyday messaging? human interaction. Fields Do you? like evolutionary psycholoshining li Because some people gy and behavioral economall too human don’t. As I was reminded ics increasingly explain the by an episode of the popurational benefit of previlar TV medical drama “House” that aired ously “altruistic” human behaviors, like late last month, a small segment of society friendship, cooperation, trust and other is congenitally incapable of experiencing similarly fluffy instincts. emotions such as compassion, love, guilt, If we are to buy the academic trend of shame. Instead, they remain impervious to our day, then our perception of social insocial feelings and apathetic to even their teraction must allow room for a very tacticlosest relations. cal side of human nature. We give in order Yes, I’m talking about the ever-fasci- to receive, help in order to be helped, love nating psychopath, a rare and appalling in order to be loved back. (Don’t have creature that haunts the shadows of horror your DukeCard? Sure, I’ll spot you lunch, films and psychology manuals alike. On but really only so you’ll do the same when the show, when Dr. House and his diagnos- I forget mine.) tic team discover that one of their patients I used to struggle with this portrayal of is a textbook psychopath, their reactions human action because I thought it meant reflect the general response we all have to that we would all sooner or later realize the idea of a cold and callous individual our innate selfishness and then give up our lurking among us. feigned friendliness. Doesn’t the realizaFor instance, one of House’s associ- tion of incurable selfishness pose a threat ates (who in this episode plays the role to the sustainability of human society? of the sentimental bleeding heart) re- Wouldn’t the entire structure of mutual acts to House’s psychopathic patient pretenses collapse? with disgust and revulsion. Her response The ability of psychopaths to pretend is pretty normal—after all, we are all a at true emotion, however, is even more little sickened by such blatant egotism, disconcerting than those gloomy predicjust as we find a lack of human emotion tions. If a psychopath, who is influenced instinctively creepy. by no natural empathy or emotion, can so Yet although House’s associate’s reac- easily cultivate friendships and make up tion is the more typical one, I find House’s love, why can’t we all? If a psychopath can own reaction much more revealing. Often understand when to call a family member, accused of exhibiting a few psychopathic when to hug a friend, when to wave hello qualities of his own, House is not repulsed to a custodian in the hallway, when to utby her—rather, he seems to understand ter an appropriately sing-song greeting to some of her perversity. a cashier—well, then, why can’t we?

In one telling scene, he tells her that Why can’t we all just say no to our while selfishness is natural, so is empathy. animal instinct, turn off our consciences We’re all born self-interested, but “[t]he and... pretend? rest of us,” he maintains, “were born with All it takes is an understanding of huconsciences.” To which she replies, “So if man emotion, not the actual experiences you know your conscience is just an animal of concern or love, to express socially instinct, you don’t need to follow it.” appropriate sentiments. And maybe we Admittedly, “House” is so dramatized would all act the same regardless of our as to be nearly medically and philo- underlying feelings. sophically irrelevant. But underlying this So let’s say we were all psychopaths, staged and perhaps trite debate is a ques- a legion of uncaring-yet-caring students tion that merits some consideration: Do wandering around campus. If we all cared we actually care? That is, could we choose less—or not at all—we would realistically not to care, and if we didn’t—would that lose nothing as long as we all acted the make a difference? same, as long as we acted out our desigWhat intrigues me is not the tension nated parts as roommates and friends and between so-called altruism and self-inter- family members. It wouldn’t matter at all. est that invariably crops up during every Or would it? discussion of this sort. (Though in actuality, doesn’t it seem like the death knell for Shining Li is a Trinity sophomore. Her colpure altruism was sounded a long time umn runs every Tuesday.

February 23 - March 16

12 | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2010 the chronicle

Arts

Screen Society

DUKE

arts.duke.edu

All events are free and open to the general public.

Unless otherwise noted, screenings are at 7pm in the Griffith Film Theater, Bryan Center. (“White” = Richard White Auditorium.)

2/24 Turtles Can Fly (8pm) Accented Cinemas of the Middle East. Bahman Ghobadi’s haunting film about children in Kurdistan on the eve of the American invasion of Iraq.

2/28 Zorns Lemma + Sink or Swim (Nasher, 2:30pm) Framing Language series. Landmark experimental films,

by Hollis Frampton & Su Friedrich.

Presented by visiting instructor/filmmaker David Gatten!

3/2 Dead Line + Prisoners of Time Films of Ariel Dorfman. Q&A to follow with coscreenwriters Ariel & Rodrigo Dorfman!

3/4 This Film is Not Yet Rated (Nasher) Lines of Attack series. Filmmakers investigate the MPAA, U.S. cinema’s most notorious non-censoring censors.

A Grand Piano Celebration: Piano Honors Recital

Highlighting the talents of 13 advanced undergraduate pianists, students will perform a wide-ranging repertoire from Bach through the 20th century. This concert is part of “A Grand Piano Celebration,” a year-long series of events celebrating the purchase of four new Steinway concert grand pianos.

Events Thursday, February 25 THEATER. Two Small Bodies. By Neal Bell. A senior distinction project featuring Brittany Duck. A divorced strip club hostess is implicated in her own children’s murder. 8 pm. Brody Theater. Free.

Friday, February 26 THEATER. Two Small Bodies. 8 pm.

Brody Theater. Free.

Saturday, February 27 MUSIC. Vocal Health Workshops for voice teachers and students at all levels! Presented by Leda Scearce, Wayne Wayman, Sandra Cotton and Cathy McNeela. A Feldenkrais workshop will be led by Maxine Davis. 9 am-5 pm. Various East Campus locations. Registration & fee required, (919) 660-3335.

THEATER. Two Small Bodies. (See 2/25.) 8 pm. Brody Theater. Free.

Duke Performances in durham, at duke, the modern comes home.

thomas mapfumo & the blacks unlimited Thursday, February 25 • 8:00 & 10:30 pm | Duke Coffeehouse

nora chipaumire

feat. thomas mapfumo

& the blacks unlimited lions will roar...

Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27 • 8 pm | Reynolds

rafal blechacz, piano Friday, March 5 • 8 pm | Reynolds

artemis string quartet Saturday, March 13 • 8 pm | Reynolds

duke student tickets always $5

nora chipaumire • 2/26 & 2/27

for tickets & info

919-684-4444

dukeperformances.org

Friday, February 26 at 8pm Baldwin Auditorium Free

3/16 The Self-Made Man (Perkins Rare Book Room) Rights! Camera! Action! presents this chronicle of Bob Stern’s decision to commit suicide after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Discussion to follow, w/ dir. Susan Stern in person!

fvd.aas.duke.edu/screensociety/schedule.php

MUSIC. Faculty Recital. Elizabeth Tomlin, piano. Chopin/Schumann Bicentennial featuring the Schumann Fantasy, Op. 17 and Chopin mazurkas and waltzes. 8 pm. Baldwin Auditorium. Free.

Wednesday, March 3 MUSIC. Jazz @ the Mary Lou with Professor John Brown and his house band.

9:30pm. Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture. Free.

MUSIC. Duke University String School Concerts. Directed by Dorothy Kitchen. 3, 4 & 7 pm. Baldwin Auditorium. Free.

Wednesday, March 10 MUSIC. Jazz @ the Mary Lou with Professor John Brown and his house band. 9:30pm. Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture. Free.