The Knothole: Volume 68, Issue 5

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Monday, March 31, 2014

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Volume 68, Issue 5

Letter From The Editor

THE KNOTHOLE

is the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry’s exclusive monthly student publication. The contents of the publication include recent and upcoming event coverage, interviews, editorials, opinion articles, political cartoons, artwork, poetry, club announcements, and much more.

SUNY-ESF students are able to make submissions at The Knothole office in 12d Bray Hall (BraySpace) or by email at esfknothole@gmail. com before 5:00PM on Fridays the week after Issue meetings.

The

Knothole meets every other Friday at 5:30 pm in the basement of Bray Hall. If you are interested in attending, please send us an email at esfknothole@ gmail.com so we can expect you!

Co-Managing Editors Gavin Cohen Meg Callaghan Layout & Design Gabrielle Alper Liane DeRosa Conn Fraser Cyndi Jacobson E. Ashley Huehn Treasurer Gavin Cohen Editorial Staff Emily Adams Jennifer Louie Corie Boolukos Advisor Karen Moore

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hile others worked on research papers, crammed for tests and learned the latest computer software, we here at the Knothole have procrastinated our work, shoving it out of mind for you, lovely readers. We promise that we’ve gotten our work done in a somewhat timely fashion, and we pushed our hectic lives in to overload to create this content you see before you.

Why did we do this? Yeah, some of us wanted to get our opinions heard, educate stumpies about world events or share our latest poetry, but most every article has been crafted for your reading pleasure. We do this for you. For the times that you are waiting for a meeting in Moon Library, we have you covered.

Or the times that you needed a smile after a stressful day? Pick up a Knothole. And best of all, when you really, really just can’t start that final paper for an hour or so, read the Knothole.

We made this for you to remember that college is a crazy cool time to learn and have fun. So read up about food around Syracuse or DIY cleaning. In a more serious mood, read our news and opinion pieces – specifically a cool spotlight on the mixture of science and religion in the modern age. Don’t feel like reading?

Take a peak at our comics, poetry and pretty, pretty pictures. We made this with love for all you little chickadees, so enjoy.

-Meg Callaghan, Co-managing Editor

Inside Issue 5:

he mission of The Knothole is to provide its readers with writings that are both stimulating and contemporary: to inform its students of clubs, events, and off-campus happenings, to challenge a world driven by progress to uncover the truth about current environmental policies and innovations, and to express such ideas, ingeniously and collectively.

We are not a newspaper; we are not a magazine; we are not The Daily Orange.

We are simply created by Stumpies, for Stumpies... and we like it that way.

Green Beats..................................................3 Local............................................................4 Riot..............................................................5 DIY...............................................................6 Hype............................................................7 Food Baby..............................................8 & 9 Bark............................................................10 Science-ology.............................................11 Articles Continued......................................13 Dive In.......................................................14 Oak First.....................................................15 Mindspill....................................................16

The views and opinions expressed are those of the writers only and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the publication’s staff or anyone affiliated with the State University of New York College of Environmental Science & Forestry.

Cover Photo: Marlin Dedaj

Printer Scotsman Press

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THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

Green beats

Environmental News Meg Callaghan, 2014

OCRRA’s Waste-to-Energy Plant May Accept Trash From Cortland County

Leaders in Onondaga County and Cortland County have proposed a new relationship between the neighboring counties, where 25,000 tons of trash per year from Cortland County would be brought to Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s trash incineration plant in Jamesville, N.Y.

In return, up to 90,000 tons of residual ash annually would be trucked to landfills in Cortland County.

The deal would go back on a compromise made in the early 1990s, saying that no trash would be trucked in from other municipalities. This agreement was pinnacle in the decision to allow OCRRA to burn the county’s trash, instead of burying it in landfills.

Around 360,000 tons are burned per year currently, according to the Post-Standard.

While this goes back on that promise, many groups support this proposal, as the plant would gain added revenue after losing $2.5 million this year.

Cortland County is currently conducting environmental reviews on the subject, while Onondaga County is expected to do similarly in the near future.

After Decades of Low Levels, Great Lakes Rebound

On March 4, the Army Corps of Engineers announced that water levels have rebounded in the Great Lakes after a low period starting in the 1990s, the Associated Press reports.

The lakes, which each returned to higher levels at degrees ranging from 20 inches to two feet, hit their lowest recorded level in January 2013.

Scientists believe that above average warmer weather caused the drop in water levels, while the increased snow melt and heavy rain in the last two seasons have aided in their higher returns.

of phosphorus runoff from fertilizer use, threaten the wildlife and economic activities surrounding the lake.

Blooms have been so poisonous in the past years that they have killed dogs and sickened swimmers, according to the New York Times.

The agency calls for local farm-

Dock in Lake Erie highlighting the depth of the algeal blooms.

Image Credit: Brenda Culler, ODNR Coastal Management

U.S.-Canadian Agency Calls For Harsher Fertilizer Limits Surrounding Lake Erie

On Feb. 26, the International Joint Commission, which works to maintain the Great Lakes, called for more stringent regulation on fertilizer use around Lake Erie.

Algal blooms, caused by high amounts

ers to adopt low-phosphorus fertilizer growing plans, as well as a ban for sale of many phosphorus heavy fertilizers in Ontario, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

They also urged Michigan and Ohio to enact the Clean Water Act to help fight for new standards and regulations.

OCRRA’s Waste-to-Energy Plant Image Credit: Matthew Isles

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Local

“Green” Destiny USA Gabrielle Alper, 2014

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ust a few years ago, a sign above the southeast entrance of Destiny USA read “Future Green Capital of America.” While Destiny has made some changes and implemented some sustainable initiatives, should we really be considering this mega mall a green capital?

Destiny USA released their first environmental report this January. The report includes a composting update, announcing that Destiny Image Credit: Syracuse.com

has met their “composting goal of the year [2013] reaching 500,000 pounds of organic material diverted from landfills.” This is pre-consumer waste from many of the tenants of the mall, including Subway, Panera Bread, Starbucks, Teavana, T.G.I. Friday’s and Gordon Biersch. The report also includes all of the tenants that have achieved LEED certification. Puma is the only tenant of Destiny that has achieved LEED Platinum certification, while P.F. Chang’s and Quiksilver have achieved LEED Gold certification. Over 30 other tenants have been LEED silver or LEED certified. There are others that are pending certification.

Aside from the LEED certification that is well advertised inside of Destiny, there have also been other initiatives undertaken. Recycling is one of the initiatives stressed in the report. Some materials recycled by Destiny include

cardboard, light bulbs, and plastic shopping bags.

Some of Destiny’s larger projects include rainwater recycling, heat island effect roofing, wind power, and their use of biodiesel. There are wind turbines on the roof of the new expansion at Destiny, however it is left unclear how much energy is produced by these turbines.

These initiatives are respectable, however, it seems Destiny still has not lived up to its expectations, as promised by Pyramid, the company that manages Destiny USA. According to syracuse.com, Pyramid announced plans to implement a biodiesel powered electricity generating plant on top of the mall, as well as 290,000 square feet of solar panels. Robert Congel, the head of Pyramid Companies, made a statement in 2006 claiming that Destiny USA would act as “a model for how America can develop fossil fuel-free communities.”

On Destiny USA’s green page (www. destinyusa.com/green) they claim to have 200 bicycle rack spaces and a locker room equipped with showers for employees who choose to “use alternative transportation to the facility such as walking or biking.” This is debatable, as it is somewhat unfeasible to consider walking or biking to Destiny USA unless you absolutely must. From the aspect of a consumer, it would seem likely that you would need to use a car or bus to travel to and from the mall because it would pose a challenge to carry items across such a distance. As an employee, you are most likely going to be at the mall after dark. During that time, it is extremely dangerous to walk to your

See “Green” USA, cont’d pg. 13

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THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

ONE : Spectacular Sensation Jyotika Shah, 2017 and Pabasara Hewawasam, 2017

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his past February, the Earth Week committee announced their 2014 theme, One. Much to their surprise, the theme caused quite the controversy amongst a few students as they had begun to question the rationale of this theme. A few students even complained that it didn’t make sense or that they didn’t really get the point.

What is One? We sat down with the leaders of the 2014 Earth Week committee, Caleb Rudge, 2016, and Danny Tigne, 2016, to ask them just that.

They replied, “We felt that One represents the Unity that ESF inspires us to achieve.”

Perhaps this controversy is result of the fact that this year’s theme is unlike others of the past. It’s not just a simple theme or motto; it is in fact a complex concept and ideology. As Rudge stated, “It is a conceptual theme and is not easily defined and everyone gets the opportunity to interpret it for themselves.” Tighe continued to say that “in past years, themes have been so straightforward and because it’s a deeper meaning, it has a mysterious appeal to everyone.”

Earth Week has always been a grand tradition at ESF and an event to look forward to by so many from the anticipating freshman awaiting their first time experiencing Earth Week to the graduating seniors who are celebrating their last Earth Week. This year’s Earth Week celebrates One in a celebration like no other: they will be asking One Question, bringing forth One Idea, taking part in One Action, carrying out One change, introducing One Inspiration, and celebrating One Earth. Earth Week 2014 is starting to sound like One adventure of a time.

And, as Rudge and Tighe put it, “those who are skeptical should have an open mind.”

RIOT

Need to Know: Political Uprisings Across the Globe This Winter

Meg Callaghan, 2014

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or the last three months, it seems as if local and national news coverage has been focused on two things: the Olympics and winter storms. But on an international level, an unheard of number of countries have faced political uprisings and protests in the last three months.

On almost every continent, nations have been through intense times of unrest, yet in our need-to-know, everyday lives, the understandings of the events in the world have been lost to tales of snow and ice.

In Europe, increasing protest in Ukraine has met government violence since the end of November. After a Nov. 21 agreement from the government to choose stronger ties with Moscow instead of the European Union, protesters took to the streets of major cities, including Kiev, the nation’s capital, according to the New York Times.

As violence increased and the death toll rose, Prime Minister Mykola Azarov resigned on Jan. 28, while parliament repealed strict anti-protest legislation. Almost a month later, on Feb. 19, the Ukrainian government instituted police checkpoints, restrictions on public transportation and school clo-

sures in Kiev.

The following day, after Minister of internal affairs Vitaliy Zakharchenko signed a decree allowing the use of live ammunition against protests, the country saw the worst violence in this uprising yet, with a death toll rising to over 70 people.

As a turning point in the struggle, the Chairman of the Ukrainian parliament Volodymyr Rybak followed this gruesome event with a decree overturning Zakharchenko’s policies. Just days later, on Feb. 21, President Viktor Yanukovych signed a compromise among opposition leaders, but the next day, reports from various news agencies confirm that protesters now have control of the capital and have exiled the president.

While new presidential elections are scheduled for May 25, the unrest in Ukraine makes outcomes uncertain.

As events are in turmoil in this Eastern European country, political strife has increased elsewhere, including in the South Sudan. Following a relatively stable time in the East African country, in mid-December fighting erupted in the South Sudan capital,

Juba. Starting with a power struggle between President Slava Kiir and his ex-deputy Riek Machar, the fighting soon turned into ethnic fighting, the BBC reports.

Ethnicities in the South Sudan are varied in separate regions, but along with more than 200 ethnic groups, Christianity and Islam divide many in this young nation, which separated from Sudan in 2011.

The control of oil reserves has also been part of the conflict, as South Sudan is rich in this natural resource.

Though a ceasefire was signed at the end of January, thousands of refugees are seeking protection from the United Nations. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimates that at least 468,000 people have been internally displaced by the conflict.

In another corner of the world, Thailand now faces political unrest stemming from a controversial bill passed in November, allowing former leader Thaksin Shinawtra to return without serving jail time. After a military coup in 2006, Shinawtra lives overseas in a self-imposed exile after corruption convictions, the BBC re-

Image Credit:Independence Square. BBC News, edited by Reddit user Nasdaf

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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DIY

DIY All-Purpose Cleaner Concentrate Gabrielle Alper, 2014

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pring is around the corner, and it’s time to wipe away all the dirt and salt that has stained the inside of our homes. Instead of going out and purchasing a bottle of brightly colored toxic chemicals, why not make this cleaner yourself with ingredients you feel comfortable with? Not to mention you can probably pronounce the names of all the ingredients.

Here’s what you’ll need: 1 cup White Vinegar 2 tbsp. Baking Soda Citrus fruit peels (whichever scent you prefer) Water (to dilute before use)

dilute it at all. However, if I was cleaning my wood flooring, I would add 50% water to the solution.

If you prefer more convenient forms of cleaning, you have probably purchased disposable cleaning wipes before. Have you ever considered making reusable cleaning wipes? Get some old cotton tee shirts you don’t wear anymore and cut them up into your desired wipe size (I prefer 8 in x 8 in). Then stack them

and roll them up. Add 1 cup of the allpurpose cleaner to an empty cleaning wipe container. Place the fabric inside.

Turn the container a few times to allow absorption of the cleaner. Now you’re good to go clean your windows and countertops and be prepared to say goodbye to winter!

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/pederk

Step 1: Place as many fruit peels that will fit (orange or lemon are best, but grapefruit or lime would work too) in an air tight jar, such as a mason jar.

Step 2: Mix vinegar and baking soda and then add that to the jar.

Step 3: Close jar tightly and let sit for at least one week.

There’s your all-purpose cleaner.

Just add water before use. Depending on what you are cleaning, the dilution ratio is at your discretion. For example, if I was cleaning a drain or bathtub I would not

Necessary Student Survey for Stumpies Office of Student Affiars

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his semester, ESF will be participating in the National Assessment of Service and Community Engagement (NASCE), a web-based survey that measures an institution’s overall level of community engagement by evaluating the rate, frequency, and depth of student community service activities.

SUNY-ESF is dedicated to the promotion of community involvement and service on our campus, and is so proud of the outstanding service our students provide to the community. We are very interested in learning more about your experiences and attitudes. This survey

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is a wonderful opportunity to assess how ESF serves the needs of the community and to highlight the efforts and passions of our students.

Between Monday, March 24, 2014 and Friday, April 4, 2014 all undergraduate students will receive an email inviting them to participate in the online NASCE survey. Regardless of your level of participation in community service, I highly encourage you to take the survey. It should only take about 10-15 minutes to complete and the results will contribute to a growing understanding of community service in

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

higher education. We will use the data to identify where our institution is succeeding and where we can improve in order to build better students, a stronger school, and a more vibrant community. *Sponsored by the Office of Students Affairs. We will be tabling in Gateway during the next two weeks to encourage students to take the survey. Please let us know if you have any questions! (call or stop by 110 Bray)

HYPE

Why You Should be Excited About Cosmos Cyndi Jacobson, 2017

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Image Credit:cosmosontv.com

Image Credit: Electronic Urban Report

f you are at all familiar with Carl Sagan, you are aware of his work in the television series, Cosmos: A Personal Voyage. In collaboration with scientific writers Ann Druyan (Sagan’s widow) and Steven Soter, Sagan was the presenter in the thirteen-part series about a wide variety of scientific topics. If you are unfortunately and disappointedly unfamiliar with Carl Sagan, this probably does not strike a chord with you.

The late astronomer, astrophysicist, cosmologist, author, and all-around stellar intellectual was a major science communicator, popularizing astronomy (and natural sciences), and developing key theories and researching global warming, planets in our solar system, and perhaps most memorably, extraterrestrial life. Cosmos was the most widely watched television series of the 1980s and still remains one the most watched PBS programs in the world.

Many who hold this beloved series dear to their hearts were slightly alarmed when Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane began talking about relaunching the series. However, there is no indication that the Cosmos legacy is not in good hands. On March 9th, after years of development work, Cosmos: A Space-Time Odyssey aired as a new series on Fox. The reconstruction is

produced by MacFarlane, Ann Druyan, and Steven Stoter, featuring Neil deGrasse Tyson as presenter. After meeting Druyan at a conference in 2008 and pulling strings with a network he had long with familiar with, MacFarlane was key in the show’s green lighting by Fox, though he admittedly told the New York Times that he was “perhaps the least essential person in this equation.”

Their collaboration allowed the approval for broadcast in 2011 and work between the original writers and science communicator Neil deGrasse Tyson to have come together in the thirteen-part update.

Director of the Hayden Planetarium, author, and astrophysicist are some of the notable titles Tyson holds.

With a physics BA from Harvard and a PhD from Columbia and an extensive background in science

and astrophysics, Neil deGrasse Tyson is a highly qualified cosmic guide for A Space-Time Odyssey. “It would be weird to try and be Carl, but I’m just trying to be myself, and luckily I already have a following and a comfort level reaching the public and bringing the universe down to Earth,” Tyson told Popular Science recently, “I think that’s what Cosmos is about. Some people think it’s a remake, but it’s not--it’s a continuation… I want to share this cosmic perspective, and help people learn to be better shepherds--to learn to be good rather than evil. Ideally I’d want people to be intellectually, psychology, spiritually moved, and realize the role of science in their lives.” While the success of Cosmos’ recreation remains to be seen, it seems as though it has the makings of effective, engaging, and educational television, perhaps with the potential to hit home just as hard as Sagan’s beloved series.

Cosmos is presented

by FOX on Sun 9/8c and National Geographic on Mon 10/9c.

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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FOOD

College Carnivore: The Ultimate Grilled Cheese Andrew “Mangus” Timmis, 2014

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love the simple things in life: going for a simple walk, sitting and talking with friends, or a grilled cheese. So for this issue I am just going to make a simple grilled cheese sandwich for all to enjoy! Or that is what I’d say if this wasn’t the College Carnivore, so I am going to turn this grilled cheese into the ULTIMATE grilled cheese, with layers of my favorite cheese foods.

Ingredients: -a loaf of Italian Bread -10 single slices of American, pepper jack, chipotle, Swiss and extra sharp cheddar cheese each (lot of cheese) -Dinosaur Pulled Pork -5 pieces of thin-cut beef steak -3 small onions (about ¾ of a cup) -a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese (any will do, go crazy) Preparation: -To begin I just preheated the oven to 400° and sliced the loaf of bread in half and placed it in a baking tray that has tin foil on it.

-Next I began preparing the mac and cheese as instructed on the box (boiling the water, adding the pasta, and then stirring in the cheese) and cooking the steak in a pan (seasoned with salt and pepper) for 10-12 minutes and chop-

ping the onions and making caramelized onions. To do this I heated up olive oil in a pan and added the onions. I then added some salt and pepper, then added ¼ cup of brown sugar to them and cooked them for ~10 minutes while stirring once and awhile.

on top. Next I placed a layer of American cheese on top of the mac and cheese and compressed it a bit. Now comes the pulled pork layer, so I just took it from the package and layered that on the American cheese, then placed the chipotle cheese on top of that. I compressed this layer slightly as well. Now I cut up the steak into thin strips and mixed it with the caramelized onions and placing it on top of the chipotle cheese, then adding some BBQ sauce on top for some extra flavor. Then I finished with the Swiss and pepper jack on top, making a Philly Cheesesteak layer.

-As the final piece I place the top of the bread on and compress the sandwich as much as I can. Now I recommend taking the top back off and placing both pieces into the oven to cook for 6 – 9 minutes. I say this so that the many layers are open to the heat and all the cheese gets all melty and delicious and the top gets crispy (I had originally cooked it with the bread on top and some sections hadn’t melted so I had to cook it much longer then I wanted).

Now all you need is a big ol’ knife and cut that bad boy into sections and serve. As a note I highly recommend eating it with hot sauce present. Really picked up the flavor. And as always, my roommates were more than happy to enjoy the meal as well.

-Once these are properly cooked the fun begins. I first added a layer of the cheddar cheese to the bread, then spread a layer of the mac and cheese

Imag

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THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

BABY

Vegging Out: Westcott Edition Jennifer Louie, 2015

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ometimes I get tired of Trailhead’s meager vegan selection and asking the staff if an unlabeled-though-seemingly-vegetarian dish contains meat.

It’s a nice brisk walk to Westcott Street (or Marshall Street -- see Bonus Veg) to build up my appetite for some veg deliciousness!

Mello Velo Cafe - 556 Westcott Street The cafe is sandwiched between a former laundromat and Latin American restaurant. You have to walk up a flight of stairs and then you’ll end up in a living room of sorts. One side is lined with a surplus of new bicycles for sale, tables and an assortment of chairs fill most of the room with the counter and kitchen towards the front of the place. Coffee is good and local so typically I’ll study here (free wifi!) with a cuppa. I highly recommend the paninis; my favorite is the Peloton for the winning combination of tomato, spinach, fresh mozzarella, and pesto mayo. The meat sandwiches can be all made vegan thanks to a substitution of seitan or tempeh.

Alto Cinco - 526 Westcott Street The restaurant is currently tiny so it’s great for take-outs and small parties, however, I’m very much looking forward to the cantina’s expansion.

The various permutations on catfish (in a burrito, quesadilla, enchilada, or taco) are sublime and my go-to recommendation for the pescatarian. The portions are big, especially if you order appetizers; I nearly always end up feeling like I’ve overeaten or having to bring leftovers home. Next up on my to-do (to-eat?) list is their breakfast menu!

Beer Belly Deli & Pub - 510 Westcott Street Unassuming from the outside, this pub is cozier on the inside. Despite largely catering to your friends’ carnivorous tastes (candied bacon, anyone?), there’s a good number of options that will appeal to your veggie palate. If it’s a burger place, and this one certainly is, I have to try the veggie burger. I’m impressed that the burger is huge and it even comes with “mustardayonnaise”!

Image Credit: altocinco.net Image Credit: media.syracuse.com

Bonus Veg: Strong Hearts on the Hill - 720 University Avenue (Marshall Square Mall) Though not located in Westcott, if you’re a veg, you absolutely must make a stop syracuse.u-la-la.com at Strong Hearts. They’re 100% vegan so celebrate with a milkshake or two from their extensive milkshake list. Salads are great, but I’m here for the sandwiches. My first ever Strong Hearts sandwich was their BLT (tempeh bacon, lettuce, and tomato); I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it since I’m usually wary of anything imitating meat. It was a veritable party in my mouth!

ge Credit: blisstree.com

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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BARK

Why Aren’t the Cutest Dogs the Ones That Win Dog Shows?

E. Ashley Huehn, 2017

think at some point, most of us have been flipping through channels on the television or walking through a park or campground and stumbled upon a dog show of some sort. You may or may not have paused briefly to see what was going on, to look at all the dogs. Maybe you even tried to watch the dog show to see what was going on. Perhaps you stayed the whole time, although I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t. The reality is dog shows can be terribly confusing in how they’re decided and sometimes rather boring.

So the type of dog show you’ve probably seen is a conformation dog show. These are the shows where people dress up and run around the ring with a dog. Eventually, the judge picks a dog and says it wins, although we sometimes struggle to see why on Earth

that dog won.

Conformation judging is not about which dog is the cutest or the prettiest. In conformation shows, dogs aren’t even judged against one another.

Every breed of purebred dog has a set standard, set by that particular kennel club, as to what it should look and act like, as well as how it should move.

The dogs are, contrary to popular belief, judged against themselves, more so than the other dogs in the ring. The dog that best matches its particular “breed standard” is the dog that wins dog shows. These standards are set to eliminate any bias for or against a certain breed and establish a uniform look for that certain breed.

The first part of the show, when the dogs all run around the ring together, is where the judge gets a good

Image Credit: Cyndi Whitaker

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See Dogshow, cont’d pg. 13

A Letter to Mother Earth from the Humans Pabasara Hewawasam, 2017

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ear Mother Earth, It feels like just yesterday we were traveling around you trying to figure out your wits and ways, learning all about the abundance of goods you provide us with, and trying to hide from deep dark dangers within your very body. Most of all your glorious treasures haven’t even been discovered yet and we have somehow gotten ourselves lost and trapped in your limited resources. What can we say? Some of us are just a little selfish sometimes. You know how a young species can be, running around reproducing and polluting your bountiful ecosystems. We are just a bunch of spoiled and greedy children.

You gave us food to eat and place to call home, you taught us not to mess with your violent tantrums and for a while we listened. But then we started to evolve into societies with politics and economic systems. We started putting monetary values on what was never ours to begin with, we started to divide you into partitions and now

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rule over you in the hopes of being nations of goods and services. We started growing, exploring, and shedding each other’s blood on your very skin.

Then we advanced more and started a whole new revolution with you. Little did we know that you were starting to feel the weight of our species and the pain of our actions. We started to become lazy from the comforts you provided and started polluting every little bit of your open crevices with toxins and chemicals. We were out of control; littering, deforesting, and exploiting your resources that you had given us so humbly.

Alas, hope is not lost, Mother Earth. On a little patch of land, part of the great city of Syracuse, part of grand New York state, part of the most mysterious planet, are your gracious servants of SUNY ESF. At this very minute, Stumpies are putting every little bit of energy towards restoring you back to the vibrant bundle of life you were. They recognize the state you are

THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

in now and they are ready to speak on your behalf, ready to protect you and stand up to all of those that stand in your way. They are ready to save the planet. They say they bleed green and it’s about time they get noted for it.

Those Stumpies are not a bunch you want to mess with.

With love, The Humans

Image credit: Terri Hansen, Mother Earth Journal

science-ology

Science and Faith: Combining Avenues for Finding Truth Nathan Sleight, M.S. Environmental Science, 2015

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t is an unfortunate reality that biophysical science and faith in God are often seen as opposing ideologies. Of course, many of us, including the author, practice both science and faith in our daily lives. Myself, I am an environmental scientist and I am a Christian. However, there does seem to be this disconnect, this division between two camps and we should all ask ourselves: “Do belief in God and belief in science contradict each other?” “Must one triumph at the sake of the other?”

There is much written about this subject which many of us could research on our own, but allow me to throw a light on a few issues that will try to reconcile these two camps.

To begin, let us review the definitions of these two terms. According to the Academic Press Dictionary of Science and Technology (an example of an authoritative source on science), science is “the systematic observation of natural events and conditions in order to discover facts about them and to formulate laws and principles based on these facts.” According to the Bible (an example of an authoritative source on faith), faith is “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1).

Now, these definitions may not be what are held in the common vernacular, but when you look at them, we see this remarkable similarity: Both science and faith begin with evidence and things that are real, and then base conclusions based on that evidence. If you talk to an individual in science or in faith, you will see that both require similar skills such as keen observation, rational thought, hard work, and rigor in study. Importantly, both are an attempt at finding the truth and both demand a realization that truth (whether it be about physics or morality) does not come from your own head, but must be found.

Another interesting similarity is that both science and faith require trust in someone else. This seems fairly obvious for faith, but it is also true in

science as well. Without realizing it, it pernatural and spiritual realm in which is likely the vast majority of our scien- we live. Both are critically important tific knowledge is based on faith! We to the success of humanity. We must are taught facts in class, read facts in realize that science and faith are in one books/journals, research facts on data- respect processes used to find what is bases, and accept them as true all with- true. Whatever is true in the physical out ever actually performing any tests universe and whatever is true about on the matter. Such simple scientific God is, well, true, because truth canquestions such as whether the solar sys- not contradict itself. Therefore, when tem is geocentric or heliocentric have done correctly, science and faith should likely not been astronomically verified never contradict either! The problem by most of the readers of this article. is not with the physical world nor with Now, this is not to say that there is not God, the problem is with our faulty unconcrete scientific proof behind much derstandings of natural processes or of of what we know, but I’m merely dem- who God is. onstrating that the way we personally We scientists at ESF must end know much of our scientific knowledge our bias thinking that science is the one is based on trust. This is not wrong; in and only way of knowing anything and fact, it is a part of science. Without trust (faith) in those who have gone before us, we’d constantly have to be verifying every scrap of scientific knowledge presented before us which would leave no time to discover new knowledge.

As the great Sir Isaac Newton famously put it, “If I have seen a little further it is by Photo credit: http://teachertech.rice.edu/ standing on the shoulders of Giants.” A further testament realize that the scientific process itself to the power of the combination of sci- is a human initiative, prone to mistakes ence and faith is that this same New- and imperfection. Besides, many of ton, as well as other famous scientists, the most basic elements of human exalso had faith in God. Such greats as istence cannot be explained by science, Faraday, Boyle, Maxwell, and Pastuer such as love, hope, fulfillment, or hapall believed in God. Even Francis Ba- piness. Many of the most basic quescon, the father of the scientific method, tions of the human experience cannot had faith in God. be answered by science such as “What

With all these similarities, is the meaning of life?”, “Why is there where is it then where science and good and evil in this world?”, or “What faith differ? It is not that science is a happens to my consciousness when I superior methodology to faith, but it die?” But a faith – a logical, rational, is what the two concepts are searching evidence based faith – in God can exfor that is different. Science discov- plain these concepts and answer these ers fact about the natural and physi- questions. Therefore, it is imperative cal universe in which we live; faith, in addition to the physi- See Science and Faith, cont’d pg. 13 cal, discovers fact about the suStudent Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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ADVERT

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Articles Continued Dogshow, cont’d from pg. 10 view of their movement with each other. Following that, they are “stacked” or set up to best show their bodies, with their four paws set to be like on an invisible box, each paw being on one corner of the box, excluding some breeds, primarily of the herding group. They are stacked differently to best highlight their alertness and readiness to work (e.g. the German shepherd). While the dog is standing like that, the judge looks it over and makes sure its proportions and general build are good.

The judge then feels the dog down to make sure the body is natural and well built. The judge also looks at the dog’s expressions and checks the teeth to make sure they are straight, clean, and healthy. When the dog handler runs with the dog independently of the other dogs, which is called gaiting

the dog, the judge can pay closer attention to that dog and make sure it moves the way it should.

The dog that moves the way its breed is supposed to and is overall the best example of its breed is the dog that wins dog shows. It isn’t the cutest

dog or even Image Credit: Ashley Huehn the judge’s favorite dog. Hopefully, now when you next stumble upon a random dog show, you’ll understand what is going on more than before. Maybe you won’t get so bored.

Photo crredit: http://eofdreams.com/cat.html

“Green” USA, cont’d from pg. 4 car, let alone walk home. Riding a bicycle to and from Destiny is not optimal, as most roads surrounding the mall offer little to no accommodations for cyclists. Therefore, unless you live with close enough access to the Onondaga Creekwalk, you probably don’t want to risk your life trying to cut down your carbon footprint driving to work.

Is Destiny USA the future green capital of America? Probably not. Even though it has implemented some sustainable projects, the lack of transparency and communication with mall visitors leaves these initiatives in the background.

Science and Faith, cont’d from pg. 11 for all humanity to discover and practice both science and faith in order to take part in the full realm of the human experience.

And what is great is that science and faith are not mutually exclusive, but rather, one’s faith can inspire someone to work with science, and likewise, scientific discoveries can motivate one to search for God. No, science and faith are not identical, but they share many similar processes, key

among them is that they are both avenues to finding out truth; science for the physical, faith for the physical or spiritual. When used together, science and faith form a brilliant combination in mankind’s discovery of the reality in which he lives. Both are logical, both are necessary, and importantly, both produce results. Try them out!

From the Financial Aid Office: The 2014 Theodore Gordon Flyfishers, Inc. Founders Fund Scholarship, $3,500; application deadline April 1, 2014. This merit scholarship is offered to a single recipient who has demonstrated excellence and outstanding dedication in an environmental field of a school or department. For full details, visit: www.environmentalconsortium.org or stop by the Financial Aid Office, 113 Bray Hall.

Student Life & The Environment • THE KNOTHOLE •

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Dive In

President’s Blog Full of Potential The Knothole Staff Okay, so even with a school as small and quirky as ours, it may be a bit forced to have new president Quentin Wheeler writing a blog. But once you get past the excessive flattery (are all of us really that nice?), you’ll find a peculiar soul that fits right into ESF. He even named the first post “e Pluribus Quercus,” meaning “From many, oak.”

Is there anything that can top that?

Check it out at esfpresident.wordpress. com.

Our esteemed president has started a new blog. Image credit: Syracuse.com

From Our Facebook:

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THE KNOTHOLE • Student Life & The Environment

Joey O’Reilly, 2016

Want to get your voice heard in the Knothole? We’re available via email and Social Media. Also, come and stop by our office at 12D Bray. Email: esfknothole@gmail.com, Facebook: The Knothole, Twitter: @ esfknothole

Oak first, ask questions later

Ask-a-Nut: Trust me, I’m an Acorn.

Dear Nut,

So I met this guy the other day. We talked a little, but I wasn’t really interested in talking to him after our meeting; I didn’t even tell him my name or anything. When I got on Facebook later, that guy had somehow found out my name and sent me a friend request. He kept messaging me, annoying me to accept, so I did.

Now he keeps asking me for my address and stuff. It’s creepy. What should I do?

Sincerely, Startled by Creepers Around Random Erected Developments

Heidi Faulkner, 2017

Conn Fraser, 2014

Dear SCARED,

The answer is obvious. I don’t see the problem here. You just keep messaging him and you let him know where you live! Really, if he wanted to figure this out, he could just Google “ESF dorm location” or something. I think it’d be creepier if he Googled your address rather than you just giving it to him. He’s going to figure it out eventually, so it might as well be from you. I’m sure he just wants to hang out with you, drink hot chocolate, watch movies, etc., etc.

Approach this entire situation with the “strangers are just friends you haven’t met yet” mentality. He must be lonely and thinks you’ll be a good friend to fill that empty void of loneliness, which can get pretty bad (not that I know, I’m a nut ruling over a university; I have lots of friends). So yeah. Give this guy your number, your address, your daily schedule, and a key to your house!

-Nut

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Mindspill

Dimly Lit Beauty Tom Hartman, 2016

Over blistering coats of grey The Stars close their eyes and look away During days they turn off their lights While grey blends with the nights Above this dark, well-trodden dirt Their weary eyes remain alert The few bright, sparkling eyes Soon will learn to cut their ties Nature’s ripped, bloodied sash Loosely hangs under coats of ash Her knotted tangled hair Hangs under a sorrowful stare In her home it’s out of place A stubborn smile still grips her face ‘Cause in this tainted, twisted earth The roots of beauty are given birth All good things left unsaid The bodies, bones and dead Just make this green shine so bright It brings the day and breaks the night And under blistering coats of grey Nature’s touch is here to stay

Image Credit: Radka Yang

Point of View Radka Yang, 2016

Crippled with confusion a caged voice struggles to be heard, amid a flurry of furniture and the harshest of words.

Fright trumps flight, a fragile mind unravels fast, paralyzed with panic and thoughts of the past.

Living a life cliché and less than ideal, familiar but wondering what if the norm was real.

Image Credit: Radka Yang

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Is this me or is this you?