March 2010 by Alisha Ramos

thehvoice.com

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

the voice

an official harvard college student publication

think spring

INSIDE: post-housing day recon, secret spots on campus, love or lack thereof, and MORE

2 MARCH the voice President, Editor In Chief, Alisha Ramos ’12 Executive Editor, Liyun Jin ’12 Features Director, Qichen Zhang ’12 Voiceover Director, Sara Plana ’12 Lifestyle Director, Suzanna Bobadilla ’13 The Dish Director Emeritus, Charlotte Austin ’11 Web Director, Ingrid Pierre ’12 Associate Web Directors Kathleen French ’12 Graham Simpson ’13 Director of Photography, Grace Sun ’13 Associate Director of Photography, Sasha Mironov ’13 Associate Photographers Michelle Nguyen ’13 Abby Sun ’13 Staff Writers Bonnie Cao ’12 Crystal Coser ’12 Liyun Jin ’12 John Paul Jones ’12 Molly O’Donnell ’12 Ingrid Pierre ’12 Dustin Poore ’12 Bella Wang ’12 Henry Woodward-Fisher ’12 Design Director, Melissa Wong ’12 Social Director, Katie McNicol ’12 IT Chair, Ben Berman ’12 Directors of Business Operations Brian Shen ’11 Margarita Krivitski ’11 SuperCompers Shadai Graham ’13 Michelle Nguyen ’13 Lexi Ross ’13 Dasha Slavina ’13 April Sperry ’13 Casey Thomson ’13

the voice LETTER FROM THE EDITOR:

ver spring break, I did something I haven’t done in a while, and something that I suspect many of you did as well: I read a book, not for a class or for any assignment, but purely for pleasure. The book, which is actually a collection of essays, is titled Yards and Gates: Gender in Harvard and Radcliffe History. It’s a survey of the history of women at Harvard, a topic that is rarely covered and of which little is known. The editor of the book, history Professor Laurel Ulrich, begins the book with an anecdote, in which she notices the observable lack of women’s portraits in the hallowed halls of Harvard. Reading the book was fascinating, and I finished it in a few hours. To learn about the rich history of Harvard was thrilling. Students today walk through Harvard Yard without realizing that it existed even before the American Revolution, or that it used to be the site of a great carnival open to the public (complete with games and refreshment stands!) that we now like to call “commencement,” or that generations of rowdy boys have walked along its paths in hopes of transitioning to manhood through obtaining a sound canon in philosophy, rhetoric, and science. Doubly thrilling than this though, was learning about the overlooked history of Radcliffe College

(first called the “Annex”), what was the isolated women’s section of Harvard College (now called the “Quad”). As a female student at Harvard, I came to appreciate the trail that was blazed by those curious, intelligent, and firecely independent Radcliffe gals of the past who overcame lecture halls filled with leering men, insensitively hypersexualized lectures by male professors, incessant attacks on their feminity by campus publications, and the idea that a Harvard education is only fit for a man. It’s my only hope that others will seek out the interesting stories that surround us every day at Harvard. If these walls could talk, what would they say? There is so much history and life in them. Reading the book caused me to appreciate our school more and the fact that I can study here; I hope you’ll pick up a similar book or paper soon and see for yourself. In the meantime though, this issue of The Voice is special to me in that it goes back to the basics of our publication’s original mission: to illuminate or give a voice to not only the culture and life at Harvard that is overlooked, but also to give a voice to the school itself along with its expansive history and resources. In these pages, you will find an excellent guide to museums, great and “secret” study spots, and some other surprising information you might not have known before reading. Much work has been put into this issue and I’d like to thank the many writers and photographers who contributed. If there is every any issue or topic you feel must be discussed within these pages, please never hesitate to contact us. We’re listening, ready to give you a voice.

Alisha Ramos ’12 president, editor-in-chief

Table of Contents Letter from the Editor, p. 2

LIFESTYLE See where the best hidden study spots are on campus, p. 8

Guide to Spring Trends, p. 14 Datamatch: Fail-proof or Total Failure?, p. 17 Oleana Restaurant Review, p. 18

VOICEOVER

The Do’s and Dont’s of Friends With Benefis, p. 3 Stranger Than Fiction, p. 4 unFYL: Wing-Woman Edition, p. 5

PHOTO ESSAY

Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club, p. 24

FEATURES

The Voice Guide to Housing, p. 8 Cool Study Spaces, p. 14 The Voice Tour of Harvard Museums, p. 20 Office Hours with David Malan, p. 10

THE DISH A mouthwatering restaurant review, p. 18

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

Voice Crush: Harvard Free the Slaves, p. 8 Single Ladies of the 1950’s: The Miss Radcliffe Competition, p. 13 Top 10 Date Spots and Ideas in Cambridge and Boston, p. 14 Day In The Life of A....Tourist, p. 22

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cover photo by Michelle Nguyen ‘13

FRONT MATTER

MARCH 3

the voice

s t ’ n o D d n a s The Do’s t fi e n e B h t i w s d n e i Fr of

by Anonymous

or those not in-the-know, Urban Dictionary defines “friends with benefits” as “two good friends who have casual sex without a monogamous relationship or any kind of commitment.” For those in the loop, it is a best-of-both-worlds combo of camaraderie and pleasure so good it seems destined to fail. With a dating scene at Harvard that can seem as futile as Quadded freshmen hoping to “wish” themselves into a new abode on Housing Day, the elusive FWB relationship can seem pretty appealing. But in order to avoid having a friend with goodies turn into just another disappointing Harvard hook-up, here’s what you need to know.

Friends Forever: Do: Make sure you’re actually friends with your partner beforehand. The purpose of FWB is to add on to a rapport that it is already there. This relationship should be strong enough to weather the storm when sex is thrown into the equation.

Don’t:

Make it all about sex, no matter how good the sex is. FWB should be supplemented by platonic, friend-y activities. Hanging out with your partner in larger groups is a good way to avoid the temptation.

It’s Free, You’re Free: Do: Feel comfortable relying on your FWB for emotional support. Doing so is crucial for ensuring that your friendship lasts while and after the benefits dry up. However…

Don’t: Use your FWB as a crutch. A good rule of thumb: If you wouldn’t cry to your partner about your goldfish dying prior to becoming FWB, don’t do it now.

Snap Out of It: Do: Avoid using relationshippy labels. No matter how adorable “pookie” may seem when he/she flashes that smile,

terms of endearment like these make the line between “just friends” and “more than” even murkier. Also, your mutual acquaintances will thank you.

Don’t: Get jealous when he/she expresses interest in other people, or upset when he/she is suddenly less interested in you than before you two having become FWB. In FWB, your status is “friends” and you’re both still single.

And The Ultimate Rule: Don’t: Go into FWB with someone you’re interested in romantically. FWB is all about fine lines that don’t go away without some drama. So unless you want a traumatic start to a serious relationship, don’t settle for FWB—you’ll regret it.

Best of Harvard FML: “I watched High School Musical 3 and cried a little at the end. FML”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

4 VOICEOVER

n o i t c i F n a th

Name: You know I know it Email: You know I know this too Phone: Home, cell, or red phone? House: The one I tried to transfer to Dorm Address: Close enough to me Mail Address: Where I’m mailin’ my love Year: Dating older is for amateurs Birthday: Day to revamp the shrine Concentration: Wish I were it, baby

graphic by Melissa Wong ‘12

r e g n Stra

the voice

article by Shadai Graham ’13

y heart feels like it’s beating out my chest, my palms are sweaty, my eyes dart back and forth towards the entrance. Where is he? Why isn’t he here yet? Does he know I’m waiting for him? Is he avoiding me? These would be normal questions to ask if they were about someone I knew, but in this case, it’s an absolute stranger. Suddenly, he walks through Annenberg’s doors. A load has been lifted; I can breathe again. He strolls in, bag slung over his shoulder, eyes scanning the crowd. My eyes meet his, but he swiftly looks away. I continue to stare as he disappears into the food line. A wave of thirst, hunger, something, comes over me… heck, I just need to be close, because obviously if I am close enough, divine intervention will make him realize that we are meant to be best friends, or more than friends. He notices me staring even as he sits with his friends. My friend kicks me under the table as I lean, squinting, making sure never to miss a movement. “Stop it, he’ll see you,” she says under her breath, as others around me wonder why I am now tilting back in my chair, straining to see. “Maybe he’ll get amnesia,” I say. “Then he’ll see how great friends we really are. We’re perfectly compatible.” She shakes her head and sighs. “We are,” I tell myself over and over again. “We are.” Do you ever find yourself creating a life in your head? You create your own alternate universe contained within the confines of your mind. What happens when you create relationships? And what happens when you begin to confuse reality and fantasy, fact and fiction, and the thoughts in your mind seep out and influence every aspect of your life? Is a person really a stranger when you know so much about them? Strangers could be the one with the most impact on your daily life. They are the reason you get up in the morning. Your day is depressing when you don’t see them. You begin to miss them if they are gone too long. You find most conversations involve them. You often quote their latest Facebook post or tell your friend about their newest picture. Don’t learn the hard way and don’t let it get too far. You can’t live in your head, un-

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

able to discern friend from stranger, otherwise they can become too much a part of your (fantastical) life to let go. If you find yourself (or your roommate) identifying with anything on the following checklist—wake up and let the truth hit you.

Do any of the following describe you? •

He/she is your first thought in the morning and in your dreams at night

•

When you walk outside, into Lamont, or into Annenberg, you automatically/unconsciously search for them

•

You know his/her schedule and you know who he/she hangs out with

•

You frequent his/her Facebook page and tell yourself you would fit in with his/her lifestyle

•

You can’t go one whole day without seeing or talking about him/her

•

A picture of him/her is saved on your computer

•

You make plans to infiltrate his/her group of friends

•

You’ve been in his/her room without his/her knowledge

•

(Admit it, the last two are just a teeny bit creepy. Chill out, you.)

We know from experience that the truth is not pretty, but it needs to be said: They don’t know you, and unless you introduce yourself, they never will. The only solution is to get out there. Who knows? Maybe that stranger you built up to epic proportions in your head will turn out to be merely fiction.

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VOICEOVER 5

the voice

Un-FYL: The

Wing-Woman Edition by Molly O’Donnell ‘12

“I am literally crippled by nervousness to the point that I just can’t go up to guys. Will I be lonely forever? FML” Let’s face it, it’s little to no fun to be the wallflower waiting around for a guy to strike up a conversation or ask you to dance.

Noting the other awkward scenarios on HarvardFML (and the general situation at Ca-BOT), this can be an especially big problem at Harvard. Aside from increasing your alcohol consumption to enhance your bravery, resigning yourself to spinsterhood, or switching teams, there are only two options. If you genuinely feel like you’re suffering from social anxiety, you could always talk to someone in Room 13 (open 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. every night in Thayer basement) or contact someone at UHS. However, if this is more an issue of confidence than one of mental health, there is always the glorious invention of: The WingWoman. Guys have been utilizing their buddies for years to chat girls up or, in the hideous example of Jersey Shore, “jump on the grenade.” For the ladies, it’s an opportunity to utilize rather than envy your cute, confident friend. Before going out, explain to your girlfriend—if she doesn’t already know—that you might need some help chatting up the “Harvard Hotties.” More likely than not, she’ll jump at the opportunity to get you out and have fun. This is relatively easy enough for you, but for your Wing-Woman friend, The Voice has some tips:

How to Be a Rockin’ Wing-Woman: 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6)

Take some time to get your friend dressed and ready to go. If she looks especially cute, she’ll likely have an easier time getting comfortable and socializing. Figure out what kind of guy (or gal) your friend likes. If you end up striking up a conversation with someone she’ll have no interest in, you’re not doing your job very well. When you get to the party, strike up a conversation with a guy and (very, very quickly) introduce him to your friend so that Poor Joe doesn’t get the wrong idea. Make the introductions so that they will immediately have something to talk about. Drop in what house you two are in, common interests, etc. Stick around for a minute or two to facilitate and see if everything’s going all right. If he starts to seem like a creeper or conversation dies instantly, either try to revive it or make some excuse for the two of you to leave. If they hit it off, leave to do your own thing, but stick reasonably close just in case things go south quickly. Having you close by will likely make your friend feel more comfortable and allow her to loosen up a bit.

In short, women have come a long way in the past century. We’ve left the kitchen, have higher-paying jobs, and are even al-

lowed to enter Lamont! There’s no reason why we should have any hesitation approaching potential interests, or be ashamed to use a traditionally “male” tool in the love department. So get dolled up, get pumped, grab your purse in one hand and your Wing-Woman in the other—and we guarantee you’ll have a memorable night.

“I’m at Harvard, supposed to be an intellectual but all I really want is to be a hot soccer mom. FML”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

6 FEATURES

the voice by Dustin Poore ‘12

ic o v e h t

HOUSING GUIDE

So you just got housed, eh? Read up on the good, the bad, and...the sad.

uring the last couple of weeks, walking into Annenberg has been comparable to putting one’s life on the line. Cold glares and sagging shoulders seem to force the freshmen to chew down their food as quickly as possible to retreat to the safety of their common rooms. But it’s not midterms hitting the freshman class. As Housing Day draws closer, blocking season is bringing back the Mean Girls scene where all the angst and hormone pumped teens turn into jungle animals and duke it out Animal Planet style. Thankfully, blocking is well over with. Freshman either survived or they didn’t. At this point, it’s a win-win situation. Not only can the class of 2013 look forward to River Run, which provides enough fun memories to make even a thesis-writing senior remember why they made it through four years at Harvard, but most importantly, each freshman no longer has to live with the limbo of a yard-only existence. In honor of this year’s Housing Day (and to assuage some fears), we attempt to reveal the good, the bad, and the sad of upperclassman housing.

ADAMS

Okay, so you got Adams. Please do not become a douchebag, even though your open list is called ‘Schmooze’. Your room is likely to be old-fashioned and somewhat nice, although this varies. Your house will constantly be full of strangers and eating in your dining hall will be a lot like a weekend at Michael Vick’s house.

Please don’t cry because you got put in Cabot. The Quad is actually quite nice and you’ll get to leave the Yard at the end of your day and go home. Plus, shuttles are actually freaking amazing, if you’re not into the whole walking-in-the-cold (and it’s always cold) thing. Cabot boasts very large singles or very nice, carpeted suites, probably some of the better sophomore housing on campus.

CURRIER

The smallest house on campus, this can either be a good or bad thing, community either suffocating or incredibly warm. You’ll get a single but are usually placed very near your blocking group. Currier is reputed for having the best food but the dining hall looks more than a little like a retirement village. And if none of this makes you feel better about the Quad, free admission to Heaven and Hell. ‘Nuff said.

Just think about that beautiful tower and how nice Memorial Drive will be in the spring. While your rooming will probably be less than nice (read: horrible) and you are pretty far from the Yard, Dunster has a reputation for a pretty amazing house community and DHAUS pride. Not to mention the Grille and the gorgeous dining hall you’ll get to eat in everyday.

ELIOT

CABOT

DUNSTER

Domus. Eliot has one of the best communities of the houses, due in large part to the Eliot housemasters; so, this may change with their impending departure. Eliot boasts nice rooms, river views, and close proximity to JFK Street, and annual Fête. Eliot is deceptively far from the Yard and other areas of campus and with all the restaurants around, you might be tempted to hold the freshman 15 as a yearly tradition.

With amazing housemasters and a tight-knit community to match its tiny size, Kirkland is a little island within the housing community. Which leads to Incest Fest. Ew. Kirkland secret Santa is renowned through campus, if gifts are your type of thing. Kirkland is a bit like a black hole, off the radar screen, for better of for worse.

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

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KIRKLAND

LIFESTYLE 7

the voice

LEVERETT

The largest house on campus, Leverett offers a variety of housing from the towers (which have huge rooms and amazing views) to Old Lev which is run-of-the-mill river housing to apartment-style living in DeWolfe. Leverett dining hall in constantly inundated with people for lunch and dinner and finding a place to eat will be more difficult than you could think and enjoys very little community spirit. It makes up for these with a stupendous Stein Club and Master’s Open Houses, famous for monkeybread.

Prime location but commonly forgotten à la Kirkland, Lowell is the home of the infamous Lowell Grille, party spot extraordinaire. With two large courtyards, a prime spot to lie out on grass and read in the two weeks that the sun shines a semester. The bright yellow dining hall is great for studying, impossible to fall asleep in there.

MATHER

LOWELL

It may look like a prison, may be far away, the stairs may literally have been the inspiration for the moving ones in Harry Potter, but Mather has more than it’s reputation foretells. It may be far away but the shuttle stop is on your doorstep. If you’re not very social, you’ll have a single. If you are social, Mather is a notorious party house, Stein Club is probably one of the best, and Mather Lather will be a highlight of your year.

The home of the infamous 90s Dance and notorious Make it Rain, Pfoho keeps it popping. The rooms are relatively nice, but are on the lower end of things as far as the Quad is concerned. Close to the QRAC and dance studio, Pfoho is perfect for those dancers or athletes regularly in the Quad. Plus, Pfoho has an awesome community pride.

QUINCY

PFOHO

The Quincy Grille will either be your worst enemy or best friend if you live in Quincy; you can even gchat your order. The dining hall is frequently crowded but accommodates the masses relatively well. Rooms in Old Quincy are typical of the river houses and rooms in New Quincy have huge common rooms. Quincy is in an excellent location but is not a very contiguous house.

A house that has fallen much in campus estimation in recent years, it is rumored to have serious cockroach and mice problems. The rooms in Winthrop, one of the biggest houses, range but are on the lower end in general of river housing. That being said, the dining hall is rarely crowded at all and brain break in Winthrop is one of the best.

HOW TO

WINTHROP

t u o YOUR DORM ROOM p m pi

Does your room look like it’s been hit by a tornado, or worse, a nuclear disaster? Do you head to Lamont simply to avoid spending time your drab common room? Does Dorm Crew dread cleaning your room? Than it’s time for a room makeover! Head over to Target or CVS or just be creative with what you already have. Here are some fun and easy tips to get you started: Clean, clean, clean! Before you begin pimping, clear out all used tissues, empty Ramen containers, and dirty dining hall utensils. The first step to an awesome room is a clean, organized living space.

Shaggy rugs These are perfect for turning boring a hardwood floor into a cozy space for studying or just chilling. Just make sure to shake them clean every so often.

by Lexi Ross ‘13

niture against the wall, stash the rugs, and voilà! Instant dance floor.

Beanbags “They’re not expensive, and they’re so fun to sit on,” says Laura D’Asaro ’13. But ladies, heads up when you’re wearing a shirt and want to get back up. Try to keep it PG.

Harvard bookshelves Be creative and invent new uses for them! For example, push two together in the common room to create a pantry for all your late night snacks. Besides, books are overrated.

Wall decorations Posters are fun, but think outside the box. Print out full-page pictures of you and your blockmates. Find a large piece of butcher paper and paint it. Make a sign-in sheet. Post funny quotes. Shower curtains If your suite has a private bathroom, ditch the standard-issue gray curtain, which makes your bathroom look like a prison cell, for something with a little more color. You can even use both by placing the gray curtain on the inside of the shower and the colorful curtain on the outside. Other crafts Organize a craft night and make, for instance, paper flowers. According to D’Asaro, “this is a fun way to get to know your rooommates and blockmates. It’s also great to work on something and then be able to see it in your room.” And this type of flower doesn’t need water. Bonus!

Open spaces When arranging furniture, make sure to leave ample space in the middle of the room. For example, you could place a futon on three sides of the room and a TV on the fourth. When Friday night rolls around, push the fur-

“If I keep carrying on at this rate, my ‘walk of shame’ next year will be from the Quad to Mather. FML ”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

8 FEATURES

the voice

office hours with

avid Malan

The instructor of famed course CS50 speaks about what he was like while attending Harvard, how his love affair with computers began, and his plans for the future. By Michelle Nguyen ’13 Photos by Sasha Miranov ’13

he popularity index of David J. Malan ’99, instructor of the popular but notoriously brutal Computer Science 50 (“CS50”), skyrocketed after Harvard Thinks Big, a recent collaborative effort between the CEB, HUTV and the UC that assembled a team of 10 Harvard professors to speak on any topic they're passionate about. In this all-star lineup of captivating thinkers and speakers, Malan stood out with his energetic pitch for CS50, complete with an impassioned ripping of a phonebook to demonstrate binary search. He was the youngest speaker at the event, with a statuesque figure and a sleek sense of style—which definitely did not hurt his popularity. Unsurprisingly, shortly before Valentine’s Day, Malan emerged as the latest HarvardFML and ISawYouHarvard sensation, inspiring hordes of sexually frustrated posts that ranged from desperate pleas (“Be my Valentine!”) to sincere compliments of his attractiveness and charisma.

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

'The Guy Who Never Left'

Sitting in his office on the third floor of Maxwell Dworkin, Malan seems quintessentially “Harvard.” Ostensibly plain and terse in his blue jeans and conservative blue sweater, Malan actually packs a boxful of pleasant surprises. Hailing from Connecticut, he spent his undergraduate years at Harvard, three of which were spent in Mather House—“The best house!” he declares—went on to Harvard for his Masters and Doctorate in Computer Science, and is now lecturing at the College and Extension School. He is, in his own words, “The guy who never left.” “Almost,” he quickly appends, explaining that he left Harvard for three years, moving to Philadelphia for one of them for a startup, taught at Tufts for half a year, then continued to moonlight there for the summer. “So I kind of left. But I always came back,” Malan says.

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LIFESTYLE 9

the voice

“On the very last possible day, I changed from pass/fail to a graded status, and at the end of the semester, I re-declared my concentration as Computer Science.” The Beginning

It's hard not to be captivated by Malan. He has an interesting story. Originally a Government concentrator, he took CS50 in his second year at Harvard and, as they say, the rest is history. What started out as a whirlwind romance with an elective transformed over the years into a longstanding and committed relationship. It was love at first p-set. “It was the first time that, quite literally, homework was fun,” he says. “On the very last possible day, I changed from pass/fail to a graded status, and at the end of the semester, I re-declared my concentration as Computer Science.” The event that sparked off Malan’s journey towards becoming a lecturer was, interestingly enough, his failed bid for the UC presidency in his junior year. What Malan took away from his “miserable” loss was the realization that he needed to polish up his public speaking skills. He joined the Harvard Computer Society, he said, with the intention of taking over their seminars program and the occasional classes that were offered to students on campus. The HCS stint then led to a paid job as a Teaching Fellow at the Extension School, and finally the golden opportunity to lecture for the same course when its original lecturer unexpectedly stepped down. Malan, then a senior in his final semester of college, found himself lecturing for an audience of about 100 students, with his five or six friends as TFs. “We all had a great time,” he reminisces. He clearly did, because barely eight years later, Malan came full circle and took the lecture stand at the College, for the very same course that ignited his passion for computer science in the first place. It is the classic story of how a student arrives at Harvard with a preconceived notion of how his path at school and life will proceed, takes an unexpected turn, and never looks back. It is the story that you probably embody yourself, but amazes you all the same once you hear it directly from another.

application that allows users to access the shuttle schedule easily via text messages—received over 2,000 texts in the course of the past week. When asked what he thinks a computer-less world would be like, he pauses before finally answering, “Both less stressful and less fun.” What struck me the most about Malan, besides his palpable love for the “geeky” branch of science, was that he evoked the rare sense of security and that can only be found in someone so consumed in his passion that he remains oblivious in seeing his own allure. “Dorky”, “boring”, and “very boring” are but some of the less-than-flattering terms he used to describe his collegiate self at Harvard years ago. Malan has a problem with CS50’s reputation as a “monster course” that undeniably prevents many students,

including himself in his freshman year, from taking it. He called the concern valid but unfortunate. “More than 70 percent of the class had never taken CS before, so it’s absolutely not the case that most students in the course had taken AP CS or were geeks in high school and knew everything there was to know about programming,” Malan clarifies. “It’s very much the opposite.” “Final clubs or fraternities?” I encourage Malan to answer one last question before walking out of his office, even though I already know the answer. “Neither. That was never my scene, though I was actually invited to dine at The Spee last night. I was finally cool enough to eat at a final club.” He finishes the sentence with a gentle smile that in many ways encapsulated perfectly who Malan is: kind, unpretentious, and almost unsettlingly inspiring.

Computers, Computers, Computers

Somehow, computers always find their way back into our conversation, leaving nary a tinge of doubt where Malan’s passion in life lies. He can talk about computers for hours, with a glint in his eyes as he savors the opportunity to engage in the one topic he loves the most. I try to stealthily veer the conversation into more Voice-y territories, probing him about his social life and his experience at Harvard. Malan answered my questions dutifully and thoughtfully, but I could tell he was dying to get back to speaking about programming and web applications again. During his time at the College, Malan was a User’s Assistant on campus and for three years, ran the Frosh IM program with his Mather roommate. It was during this time that he wrote one of the first programs for campus, which was to replace—with a Web site—the piece of paper used at the time for registration. That was when Malan taught himself how to make Web site. A typical day in his life now revolves around Harvard-specific application and coding projects like Shuttleboy, Harvard Maps, Harvard Tweets, and Harvard News, which are all hosted on CS50.net. One gets the feeling that Malan treats and treasures these projects like a father would his kids—with much attention and pride. And in a way, they are his children. He excitedly broke the news to me that Shuttleboy—the

“I actually went to Lifesci 1b lecture today, just to take my mind off my housing assignment. FML ”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

10 FEATURES Our Q&A Malan

with

the voice David

Where do you see yourself ten years from now?

department?

I think it’d be very exciting if, for the next few years, computer science grows into the largest minor on Harvard campus. That’d be a fun goal for us to achieve, and I think time will tell whether we can pull off such a grand plan.

Can you describe yourself in five words?

I don’t have a ten year plan, to be honest. For most And CS50 counts as one. of my life, I have not so much thought of myself as having [Laughs] Oh then I got four: Computer. Science. 50. or wanting to have a career, but rather doing what’s most Lecturer. interesting at any given time. And right now CS50 is most interesting to me. “Dorky”, “boring”, and No! They had to be fun But at the same time I’ve main“very boring” are but words! Not that I’m tained a life outside of Harvard. some of the less-than- implying CS50 is not I work as the CIO for an Internet start-up in NYC so I do spend part flattering terms he fun… I don’t know if I can do five. of my time down there, but for most used to describe his Laconic, sarcastic... I guess I should of the fall semester, I’m here when collegiate self. stop there, otherwise laconic wouln't CS50 is in session. Ten years from make sense. now I’d like to think that I still have some affiliation with Harvard and keep at least one foot in academia, but beyond that I’m Favorite restaurant in the Square? not sure. Ask me again in five years! Legal Seafood. I like seafood.

What's the one computer-related project at Harvard that’s been most fun and exciting for you?

The one most gratifying thing I’ve worked on while here in recent years is the CS50 fair. At the end of the semester when the course concludes, we have an exhibition of projects done by our students. It is sort of like a college equivalent of a middle school science fair. We have 300 plus students with their laptops set up across the street. That was by far the most gratifying sight of both this year and last year when we had it for the first time, just to see so many students, so many of them who 12 weeks prior knew little or nothing about computing and computer science and programming, and then 12 weeks later had really fascinating projects to show for themselves.

Do you have any grand plan for the CS

E F I L E H T N I Y DA

Favorite spot in Harvard? The stacks of Widener, maybe?

You know, when I was a freshman, that’s where I used to do all my studying. I would try to find the darkest, oldest corner just because it felt like there was so much history there, and I felt, silly though it was, that this part of this age-old university was just really neat. But they’ve since renovated Widener. I went there a year or two ago just to look around and reminisce, and it wasn’t nearly the same. Everything’s so brightly lit and clean and no longer 1800 style.

Least favorite and favorite things about Harvard?

My least favorite is the bureaucracy. [“Overhaul” was the theme of his campaign for UC presidency.] Like many big places, Harvard moves very slowly with regard to certain things, and you get frustrated when all you want to do is solve problems or get actual work done. I’ve never been a fan of the various layers of red tape that often stand in the way of execution of various little ideas. On the other hand, I love the resources and opportunities. It’s so relatively easy to find an answer to some question whether by consulting some resources on campus, going to some buildings, or emailing some lists. There are just so many smart people around from so many different fields, and that’s just hugely convenient and fun.

What do you do to have fun?

I love traveling. I don’t do as much these days, only to New York, but I’ve always loved traveling, especially to Europe.

PC or Mac?

Mac until 1997, PC from 1997 to 2009, and now Mac again. I just switched. I’m just sick of Windows. Too many bugs. I need my computer to turn on when I open it. [Macs] are far from perfect, and not nearly as simple as the computer should be for normal people and for computer scientists, but they’re definitely better.

Quad or River? I gotta say River.

Coco or Leno?

Jon Stewart and Craig Ferguson.

Title of your memoir?

Favorite music?

I like listening to movie soundtracks. I also listen to your typical top 40 music. I listen to Groove Salad on iTunes, which is a streaming radio station with New Age type music.

“The End.”

Crimson or Lampoon?

The Voice. I only read The Voice! [Great answer, sir.]

R E K R O W W E R F... A DORM C

by April Sperry ’13

In the quest for employment here at Harvard, Dorm Crew is certainly not the most glamorous. Dorm Crew workers are either like ghosts, the only record of their presence a yellow slip of paper on a mirror, or they arrive during uncomfortably… personal times. Let’s be serious though, how many of us would clean our in-suite bathrooms on our own? Exactly. Let’s take a second to appreciate those of us who show no fear towards toilets and shower drains. 12:00pm – Anotha’ day anotha’ dolla’. But I have Dorm Crew pride. This is the most intense of all jobs on campus, after all; Crimson Callers are pansies. Room one for the day… and it belongs to a pack of females. Perfect. 12:05pm – Is this a dorm room or the dwelling of a hoarder? Seriously, it looks like the backstage area of a Broadway show in here. The mermaid-teal eye shadow pallet appears to be a favorite. But I’m not here to judge. Girls keep it (fairly) classy, and I appreciate not having to deal with a post-rager disaster zone, so thanks for that. One suggestion though… bi-weekly removal of hair from the shower drain is not okay. Gross. 12:55pm – Time to bounce. With a friendly notice on the now impeccably streak-free mirror, my work here is done. I am the phantom of cleanliness. CUSTODIAL PRIDE. 1:05pm – Room two. Male. I definitely just interrupted some… “self-bonding.” Well, this is sufficiently awkward.

photo by Sasha

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n o i t i t e p m o C e f f i l c d a R s s i M The Single Ladies of the 1950s:

by Darya Slavina ’13

adies, would you mind if a band of male professors, Crimson editors, and Miss USA judged you based on your appearance and grilled you to gauge your personality? If you’re hesitant about the prospect, they can even offer you a stuffed bunny rabbit and a Tannery endorsement deal for your trouble. As farfetched as this may sound now, such crazy practices were reality in 1950s Harvard, when the annual “Miss Radcliffe” pageant existed. Every year until the contest was abolished in 1956, nine lucky freshman Radcliffe women won the title of “Miss Radcliffe,” with many more doe-eyed, poodle skirt-clad girls entering the competition in hopes of fame, fortune, and popularity. The contest was started at none other than—drum roll please—the Phillips Brooks House, today the headquarters of PBHA, with its mission to foster individual empowerment. Harvard’s feminists will undoubtedly appreciate the irony. The first official Miss Radcliffe was Rachel Mellinger ’52 who was crowned at a PBH tea dance. The men of The Crimson chose the finalists, but a distinguished panel of Harvard faculty male judges selected the winner. One year, the panel included a researcher on female behavior and a trainer on a local football staff. Seriously, can it get any creepier? Actually, it can. Cue former Miss USA, Myrna Hansen. This Stepford wife stepped up to the plate as a judge in the 1953 Miss Radcliffe pageant, which by then was being held in Leverett House during its annual formal. Hansen summed up the competition with this poignant remark: “I've never seen so many beautiful college girls together at one time, and almost every one of them was wholesome.” We can only wonder what “unwholesomeness” she was alluding to. In any case, propriety was a major factor in the competition. Other necessary attributes included the ability to braise the perfect coq au vin, the skill of immaculately ironing khaki pants, and a steady hand in croquet. Kidding. The whole song and dance—or more precisely—strut and pose, came to an abrupt end when it came to light that the competition violated a specific Radcliffe policy, that no single student in the college was to represent the institution as a whole. Alas, no protests about subjecting nubile females to the scrutiny and judgment of older men were put forth. In fact, the ladies of ‘Cliffe were appalled to find the pageant was no more. Margot Dannes ’57, a Miss Radcliffe finalist in 1953, thought that the pageant did not entail any trouble and “was a lot of fun.” To the women of 1950s Radcliffe, the only nuisance to being voted the most attractive girl in the freshman class was the sheer number of pestering phone calls from Harvard suitors. What a drag it must have been to choose among countless sock-hop invitations. But it must have proved rewarding for the winners, seeing as their newly found popularity among the testosterone-driven Not an actual depiction of the Harvard men allowed them the rare opportunity of marrying off close after, or Radcliffe competition...but you even before, graduation and prancing off to a vibrant life in Europe. Oh, the good old days, when having a pretty face came with the prizes of a get an idea. handsome Harvard catch and a stuffed rabbit....

“I was in Mexico drinking beer on the beach. Now I’m in Cambridge writing essays my dorm. FML”

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N TI A IG V A N TO E ID U G E IC O V E TH

t s e t t o H s ' g n i r p S

ring st out that sp bu to e m ti ’s ter-coatmeaning it heavy-duty-win in Cambridge, r p u u yo m ar of w es to h g ac p whate furthest re at will liven u finally beginnin th th is e in er gu e th vo er ea h in w ew e e rd! m ar h enjoy at Har va ave hidden so and gents that h ll es e’ u w di yo la s ay be th d ro bo y r warbd ems fo the few sunn ere are a few it prepared for e B . n ow laden closet. H ay you m ring wardrobe ever paltry sp

NAUTICAL-INSPIRED While the “nautical” trend is one that comes and goes almost e very season, there is a reason for its ubiquity--you can almost never go wrong with it! Nautical stripes are effortlessly chic and almost anyone can rock them. It’s no wonder that this trend is a go-to for many French and Swedish stylistas; it’s a timeless look that automatically declares: “It’s springtime!”

1. BDG Nautical Striped Tee, Urban Outfitters, $48. 2. Nautical Striped Top, Forever21, $15.80.

3. 4.

BOAT SHOES WITH A TWIST

Boat shoes may be an emblem of New England prep, but they’re making a comeback this season as an item every guy and girl should want, regardless of whether you own a house in Cape Cod or not. This spring, Sperry Top-sider--the mother of all boat shoes--has teamed up with several designers to create “reinspired” versions of their classic boat shoes. Our favorites blend in perfectly with the quintessential wardrobe. The red men’s pair by Band of Outsiders (a 3. Band of Outsiders for Sperry Top-sider, $100. favorite designer of The Voice) will no doubt add the 4. Silver Sperry Top-sider, $80. pop of bright color needed for spring. The silver pair, originally designed for J.Crew, combines another of this season’s hottest trends--metallics--with the classic look.

See this issue in color online at

by Alisha Ramos ‘12

THE PANAMA OR FEDORA HAT Like the nautical trend, the panama or fedora hat trend is one that comes and goes season after season for a reason--it’s timeless. To be honest, the panama hat isn’t for everyone. To wear one you must be brave because you will no doubt stand out among the crowd of hatless pedestrians coming and going in the Yard; but when you do stand out, we hope it will be in a good way. The great thing about the panama hat is that it’s readily available in both highend and low-end stores, so it’s a trend that anyone can try without spending too much cash.

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5. Women’s BDG Linen Fedora, Urban Outfitters, $24.00 6. Men’s black fedora with stripe, Forever 21, $13.90

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s d n e r T

9. 10.

BRIGHT/STATEMENT ACCESORIES

Another great staple to any spring wardrobe is an accessory that’s particularly eye-catching. This season, guys and girls alike shouldn’t be afraid to wear something that may seem completely wacky at first. For girls, bib necklaces and gaudy baubles have been in style for a few seasons, and the same holds true this season. For guys who may think they don’t really have the same array of options as girls when it comes down to accessories--wrong! Things like ties, bowties, watches, even socks can be made into statement accessories.

NEUTRAL OR PASTEL COLORS

7. Twisted Neon Magpie necklace, J.Crew, $135. 8. Paul Smith tie, $135.

11.

On the runway this spring, a noticeable color palette was repeated again and again show after show: neutrals or pastels. While the idea of pastels for springtime seems like an obvious concept, it’s actually not. While very bright colors dominated the spring runways last year, this year’s shows saw more muted colors like champagne, gray, and lots of nude shades. This trend is mostly for the ladies (sorry guys!), and it can be seen in almost any collection, high-end or low-end. We chose this lovely dress from ModCloth because it blends two of this season’s trends together-muted colors and interesting texture, in this case, a sheer lace overlay around the neckline.

WILD SUNGLASSES

14.

9. Late Afternoon Dress, ModCloth, $50. 10. Bow Front Shirt, TopShop, $70.

Okay, so these cat eye sunglasses may be a bit impractical. But they sure are hot. Me-owww. Alexander Wang revived an 80’s trend on the runway this season with his cat eye sunglasses designed for Linda Farrow. They’re crazy but fun, so why not give them a shot? The real deals are mostly sold out at stores everywhere, but trend factories like Forever21 will surely crank them out in no time for hundreds of dollars cheaper. 11. Alexander Wang Cat Eye Sunglasses, Oak NYC, $345. 12. Ray-Ban Classic Wayfarer in Black/Lime, $145.

13.

12.

INTERESTING PLAID Again, you may have pigeon-holed plaid into the “hipsters-only” section of the fashion world. But think again--this trend is everywhere this season. We swear! Kind of. Bottom line: it’s pretty spiffy and designers everywhere are attempting to take their own spin on it. Our favorite plaid piece comes from APC, possibly the greatest line when it comes to prep-inspired pieces. 13. Men’s APC Red Plaid Cotton Short Sleeve Shirt, $115. 14. Women’s Giant Gingham Shirt, J.Crew, $69.

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Hidden Study Spots How to Break out of the Lamonster by Casey Thomson ‘13 photos by Abby Sun‘13

Barker Cafe, a well-lit and best-kept secret.

h, midterms. The word alone conjures up horrifying images of 5-hour energy drinks, endless amounts of Word documents, and multiple sunrises on full display at Lamont Café. This midterm season, in the attempt to break the monotony of study-eat-studysleep(?)-study, we’ve tried to find some hidden study spots that will make studying just a wee bit easier. Tell your friends, or keep them to yourself…either way, be sure to check them out!

Barker Center Garden Behind Lamont When sun finally arrives in Cambridge, everyone wants to take as much in as possible – who knows when nice weather will reappear in New England! So for those sunny days when you just can’t force yourself to be inside, I recommend two small gardens around Massachusetts Avenue. Just outside Barker Center is a small area with several benches and a reasonably large yard. It’s a common place for dog-owners and picnickers alike, and has a fantastic view of Mass Ave. The other location, however, is less known; gated off from entrance by Mass Ave, many do not realize that there is a public entrance located on the right side of Lamont (when facing the main entrance). Springtime brings blooms in tons of flowers and expanses of other plant life, with a bench and sundial completing the peaceful atmosphere. It’s a great place to go if you need to hide from the world but don’t want the seclusion of the next recommendation…

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Only a true Lamonster would dare venture to these dark corners.

The Bottom, Bottom Basement of Lamont There is not much to say about this dark, decrepit cavern, except for the fact that it basically epitomizes my view of Lamont – cold, lonely, and fit for a horror movie. For the sake of your sanity, I really recommend this for those times when productivity is absolutely necessary. No wifi, no people, no chance of happiness; you’ve been warned.

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the voice Science Center Roof Find a friend who is taking an astronomy class, or find a way to get up to this glorious top spot, because there are few other places to get such a comprehensive view of the campus by the Yard. While I’m not sure this place is exactly conducive to studying in the cold weather (which is basically half the year in New England), it sure is a great place to enjoy the lovely campus – or to take a study break.

The Chemistry Library in Converse Memorial Library While absolutely stunning, this library is a bit hard to find; I found it by navigating from the main entrance of the Chemistry building on Oxford Street, but there is actually a direct entrance to the area if you enter the science complex across the street from Annenberg. There was an effort to remove the materials from the library and turn the space into more lab area about five years back, but for now the library remains in its magnificent splendor. The area is quite huge – two balconies filled with old volumes, couches, study desks, reference tables, and small study carrels galore. For those who love the sense of old books, old wood, and old memories, this place is perfect. I loved the mix of modernity and history in the library; while you may seclude yourself in a study carrel and be surrounded by ancient books, the windows give an expansive view of the lab work being done across the courtyard. Few know about this, so it is often extremely quiet and peaceful; however, it does close at 5 pm, so it will not fulfill your late-studying needs. If you’re willing to make the trek or happen to find yourself in the Science Center area, I definitely recommend trying this out!

Widener Poetry Room: beautiful. Your workload: not so beautiful.

See this month’s issue online at thehvoice.com Leave comments. Show some love (or not). “No, for the hundredth time Mom and Dad, I’m not gay. Girls just really don’t like me. FML”

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16 FEATURES

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Widener Poetry Room Widener can be intimidating; high vaulted ceilings and expansive marble make any room seem foreboding, and Widener is no exception. However, if you’re looking for an alternative to the massive, silent study rooms, Widener’s Poetry Room (located in the Child Memorial Library) offers a quaint area with relatively little traffic. Here, volumes of poetry and other works surround the few tables; they are always fun to peruse when you’re looking for a quick blast-from-the-past study break. While it is not a large area, it’s a great place to work if you need to feel enclosed but want to avoid the claustrophobic darkness of the stacks.

Ernst Mayr Library This one is a bit tricky to find! This library is on the second floor of the Museum of Comparative Zoology, but I recommend entering via the entrance to the left rather than the main center entrance. If you’re willing to go the extra distance to find it, you’ll be rewarded with a study space that looks straight out of the 1800s. With a fireplace, candy, and coffee, this place is definitely worth the walk. However, be prepared for a décor that looks exactly like Darwin’s lab notebook from the Galapagos: there are many stuffed animal specimens, paintings, and other paraphernalia that can make any casual studier feel like a zoologist. If animal copies aren’t your style, however, there are plenty of stacks to hide in and find a quiet desk – an excellent alternative to the legendary stacks of Widener. In short, this is an excellent place to check out; though not for everyone, if you can handle the wildlife atmosphere and secluded nature of the study areas, this may be your new favorite study space.

Lamont’s Hidden Treasure: The Poetry Room I liked this one so much that I’m almost afraid to mention it! Tucked in a small corner of the third floor of Lamont, this room is full of poetry works, small working tables, and a gorgeous window view over the Lamont entrance. Rarely crowded or even occupied, this room has just the right type of soft lighting and comfy chairs to be perfect for productivity or a short nap. While it does close in the late night, it is a wonderful alternative to the bareness and drabness of the rest of Lamont – and it’s not too far away.

here you have it – multiple options for many types of studiers. If you have any suggestions as to spaces that we may have forgotten, let us know! There will be plenty of papers, p-sets, and midterms to do in the future, and thus many times where a great study space may make the process a bit less painful. Enjoy studying – and exploring!

Lamont Poetry Room: If you’re going to torture yourself with an all-nighter, why not do it surrounded by the pretty?

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

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the voice

Datamatch: A FailProof Algorithm or Algorithm for Failure?

by Liyun Jin ‘12

“I have to tell you

something,” he said, putting his tray down and looking me in the eyes. “I’m already dating someone.” He took a deep breath. “I mean, I have a girlfriend.” Silence. Incredulity. A dull pain, as I felt my jaw hit the floor. Such a confession isn’t something one usually hears on a first date. But this wasn’t any random date, it was a date made possible by Datamatch. The Harvard Computer Society’s annual dating service prides itself on a “proprietary artificial intelligence system so complex that no one understands it.” Claiming to be “better at matchmaking than you or any of your friends could ever hope to be,” Datamatch drew 1,998 respondents this year—students looking for fun, for Facebook stalking targets, and for what the survey guarantees will be the names of your “Harvard soulmates.” Single, curious, and hopeful, I put Datamatch to the test. The survey makes plenty of lofty promises, but could it actually deliver?

Experimental Methods

The procedure was simple: After receiving the names of my six matches on the morning of Valentine’s Day, I emailed all of them with an awkward but direct invitation: “Hey, you were on my Datamatch list! Want to grab dinner sometime?” The ones who were foolish enough to say “Yes” sat down to meals with me, and based on how these dates

1 0 1

went, I evaluated the efficacy of the dating service. Surprisingly, three guys accepted my invitation. Even a complete stranger gave an enthusiastic “Sure, let me know what works for you,” suggesting various times and accommodating my midterm schedule. Their responses made me wonder: if guys are so eager to go on dates, then why don’t they just ask? Despite all the complaints made about Harvard’s non-existent dating scene, it turns out that guys are actually enthusiastic to go on dates. It just seems that they don’t want to make the first move.

date, we actually had a pretty good conversation. After it ended, he asked me to accompany him to a Harvard Natural History Museum exhibition. I politely declined. He got one point for being so transparent. Minus one billion points, though, for borderline cheating, being misleading, and ruining my appetite. The other dates were more successful and less awkward, though by comparison, just about everything would be better than my experience with IAHAG. Though my dates were all interesting people, I would never make the stretch and deem them soulmates.

The Dates

Conclusion

My date with Mr. I Already Have A Girlfriend (IAHAG) clearly didn’t go so smoothly. After only knowing him for about three minutes, the occasion had already devolved into not only my worst date ever, but possibly the most awkward social experience I have ever had. Thanks, Harvard Computer Society. In addition to telling me that he already had a girlfriend, IAHAG also claimed that his girlfriend was “perfectly okay” with the fact that he was going on a date with someone else. I, however, was mortified on her behalf. The first fifteen minutes of our meal consisted of complete silence punctuated with my incredulous laughter and his bumbling explanation that he accepted my invitation because he likes making new friends. Perhaps I’m alone in this, but I don’t use dating services to find friends. After we decided just to make the best of the botched

0 && 1 0

Datamatch claims to “match you with the people on campus with whom you are most compatible. Guaranteed.” Clearly, the Harvard Computer Society left out the “will not” in this description. For me, not only did Datamatch lead to the most awkward date I have ever been on, but also helped me garner a reputation among six Harvard men as that desperate girl who asked out her Datamatches. On the plus side, I got over my asking-guys-out-phobia and now know about a cool exhibit at the Natural History Museum. I will admit that my results aren’t conclusive, since this experiment had an extremely small sample size. Who knows, perhaps Datamatch will work for everyone else, and I’m just so hopeless that I defy the matchmaking abilities of “computers so powerful” that they had to be locked “in a cage buried below campus.”

graphic by Melissa Wong ‘12

“My last midterm is in less than half an hour. My iPod just started playing a song called Doomsday. FML” ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

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De-stressing with the Exotic Cuisine of

by Crystal Coser ‘12

t was cold and raining, the kind of rain that is hardly more than a mist and dampens the air with a heavy gloominess. I was in the middle of my midterm week, and was on the downhill crash of what was becoming the all too familiar consequence of a cram studying all-nighter. I had a desiccated chicken salad for lunch. It seemed that Cambridge had never been so full of glorious bliss. I knew that it would take some serious therapy to pull me out of this slump (yes, I’m a sophomore). No, curling up in my oversized sweats and silky sheets just wouldn’t do this time. I needed real soul warming, and luckily for me, I had an idea of where to turn. My therapists: Ana Sortun and Maura Kilpatrick, the executive chef and pastry chef of Boston Magazine’s #10 best restaurant, Oleana. As my foodie friend and I were in no mood to attempt the bus system in the dreary weather, we took a short cab ride to Inman Square. Immediately upon arrival, we knew that we had come to the perfect place. The restaurant stood as the base of an apartment complex on a residential street lined with trees. The earth-toned interior was quiet and dimly lit, and it was abundantly clear that we had left the stress of the Square. Our waiter was also incredibly warm and welcoming and spoke in a soothing voice that would calm any crying baby. Stress-alleviating atmosphere: check. Though the menu was filled with exotic flavors and preparations from Turkey, Greece, Lebanon, and Egypt, several dishes quickly caught our attention. We began our meal with the pret à manger, French for “ready to eat,” of whipped feta with sweet and hot peppers. The little dish that we received was far from what we could have ever expected. Unbelievably light and fluffy, salmon-colored, and full of bold, complex flavors, the feta had undergone a brilliant metamorphosis from its original hard, white form. We started by spreading it on the spiced focaccia from the breadbasket, but we soon realized that the feta deserved to stand alone. Whipped feta spreading knife licking soon commenced. With our palates completely tantalized, we were more than ready for the full courses to arrive. To be considered a bonafide Mediterranean restaurant, I figured Oleana had to be able to produce a decent falafel. Hankering for something to rectify the tarnished memory the dining halls had given me, I ordered the spinach falafel. The falafel came neatly aligned over a long piece of thin flatbread and sat atop a creamy fuchsia sauce that was very reminiscent of romesco, a nutty red pepper sauce from Catalonia. Immediately upon slicing the falafel, I knew that it would be far removed from the hard, grainy varieties that so tarnished my falafel-loving disposition. My knife sank into the falafel and spread it onto my fork like soft butter. It coated and filled my mouth with its

photos by Crystal Coser ‘12 ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

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silky richness and made chewing completely discretionary. The falafel itself was a symphony of deep earthy flavors that was only made more complex by the creaminess of the tahini and romesco and the peppery bite of the arugula. Impressed with what I considered to be the perfect execution of an archetypal Mediterranean dish, I eagerly awaited the arrival of my entrée. An exotic perfume of aromatic spices wafted my way before I even laid eyes on the dish. I had heard only great things of Oleana’s duck musakhan, a Palestinian dish, and its sultry aroma promised it wouldn’t disappoint. Unfortunately, though the dish had incredible olfactory appeal, it lacked aesthetic finesse. Two large pieces of duck were placed on a sloppy mound of cauliflower pilaf in a cracked flatbread bowl. The plate seemed to be a study of burnt orange and brown, and any attempt at garnish was completely absent. I am certainly one to put flavor and proper execution of food before anything else, but the plating was shockingly unrefined. Putting my visual disappointment behind me, I took one more heavily breath of the crisp duck, buttery pine nuts, lemony sumac, and hint of rose and dove in. As my knife hit the duck, the skin nearly shattered like glass. The cracking of the skin was sweet music to my ears. Hidden beneath the perfectly crisped skin was buttery thigh meat that melted off of the bone. Each bite of the rich, creamy meat paired with the fabulously crisp skin made for a wonderful textural harmony. The cauliflower pilaf was also buttery and full of foreign spices that served as a perfect complement to the duck. I found the flatbread bowl to be somewhat extraneous and a frivolous addition to the dish. I stuck to the masterfully prepared duck. Though my stomach was more than satisfied, I couldn’t leave Oleana without trying one of pastry chef Maura Kilpatrick’s highly praised desserts. Using traditional Middle Eastern ingredients such as orange blossoms, rose petals, kaymek, and kadayifi, Kilpatrick’s dessert menu was exciting and continued the use of unfamiliar flavor pairings. In search of the most outlandish flavor profile, I chose the Arabic coffee crème caramel, fig ma’amoul, and date truffle with bitter orange sauce. With this dish, my visual expectations were finally satisfied. A beautiful streak of orange brought much needed color and served as an interesting accompaniment to the three separate components on the plate. The crème caramel was silky and sensuous and coddled my tongue with its creamy composition. The date truffle brought a strong note of one of my few familiar Middle Eastern flavors. Lastly, the fig ma’amoul was flaky and subtle, and was a necessary textural component to counterbalance the smoothness of both the crème caramel and the date truffle. The dessert was both adventurous and highlighted the masterful skill of the chef, and was an appropriate end to and summary of a preliminary venture into Middle Eastern cuisine. As the cab pulled up to the restaurant, my friend and I giggled, giddy with the satisfaction and the wave of sleepiness that hits soon after indulging in a long, leisurely meal. Completely at ease with all senses fully sated, we hopped in, ready to head back home and tackle the Square.

Restaurant info: Oleana 134 Hampshire Street Cambridge, MA (617) 661-0505 oleanarestaurant.com

“‘… and then I hooked up with a gay guy. FML.’ I’m the gay guy. FML”

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THE VOICE TOURS the PEABODY M U S E U M

photos by Sasha Mironov ‘13

by Suzanna Bobadilla ‘13

or most of us, the word “museum” brings back those days of elementary school field trips. But now that we are out from the days of the buddy system and embarrassing matching t-shirts, it’s time for us to view museums with a new perspective. Harvard’s museums are some of the most prestigious in the country and yet are overlooked by the undergraduate population. Harvard’s museums are located in the heart of campus, free with a Harvard ID, and open seven days a week. As Dr. Christina Hodge, Senior Curatorial Assistant, says, “Our museums are among the best in the world and support the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Scholars and tourists travel from all over the world to visit these collections, but undergrads live with them! Our students should realize they have far deeper access than just what’s up on exhibit walls or in cases.” The Voice wants to look out for your cultural well-being and thus, we present to you your every own Voice Tour of the Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology.

First Floor Wiyohpiyata: Lakota Images of the Contested West After passing through the Peabody’s lobby, visitors will be greeted with the “Wiyohpiyata: Lakota Images of the Contested West” exhibit. The exhibit is focused around Houghton Library’s Plains Indian ledger book that depicts Lakota history and culture during America’s expansion into the west. “Wiyohpiyata” highlights the Lakota warrior societies that were a vital part of their culture. These societies not only fought in battle but also provided distinct communities for Lakota men outside of wartime. The exhibit also uses media such as videos and a recorded thunderstorm to add to the ambiance. As the ledger represents a time of conflict in both Lakota and American history, the thunderstorm gives visitors a sense of tension while examining the exhibit. Similarly, arrow display cases add a sense of movement to the exhibit.

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MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS: Reproduction of the Houghton Ledger Located towards the back of the exhibit, the reproduction offers you a hand’s on chance to examine book that inspired “Wiyohpiyata.” The ledger originally belonged to a gold prospector until it was taken by Lakotas and used to depict their history, focusing on battles. It was then was taken from a warrior’s dead body after the Battle of Little Big Horn. Video on Nokota Horses This mostly wild breed can be found in North Dakota and is known for its blue hued coat. This isn’t The Wizard of Oz, y’all this is real!

Digging Veritas Next up on our Voice tour is the exhibit “Digging Veritas.” The exhibit displays works from the Harvard Yard Archaeology Project (HYAP). HYAP studies the Harvard Indian College that was active early in the university’s history back in the mid 1600’s. As Dr. Hodge informs us, “Its history was largely forgotten and displaced, and archaeology is reminding us all about the Indian College’s importance to Harvard, to the New England colonies, and to Native American communities in the area.” Earlier this fall, HYAP led a dig in front of Matthews Hall where the Indian College once stood. “Digging Veritas” does an excellent job of engaging visitors, especially those who are familiar with present day Harvard life, by providing juxtaposition between the colonial era and today. But at the same time, the exhibit serves as a reminder that Native American culture is most certainly not confined to museum walls but has an active presence today. MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS: The Eliot Bible Published in 1663, it was used by John Eliot to convert Native communities to Christianity. Today, however, communities use it to preserve their Algonquian language for future generations. Also, seeing the miniscule type will make you incredibly thankful for modern day printers.

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Even if the paper gets jammed, nothing can compare with that hassle. Divided We Eat This section examines the power structures that were incorporated within 17th century student’s diets. For example, back in the day, freshmen were forced to stealing local cattle for the seniors’ dinners. Also, students who were of lower socioeconomic backgrounds were responsible for turning the spits.

Third Floor Encounters with the Americas After rounding out the first floor with “Change & Continuity,” a more of a traditional museum experience, we head over to the third floor that features indigenous Latin American cultures. The first exhibit, “Encounters with the Americas,” displays the differences between pre-contact Latin American civilizations ranging throughout the continent. Walking amongst these immense stone structures, it is easy to forget that you are only a block away from the Science Center. MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS: Altar Q Approximately the size of a Smart Car, this massive Mayan sculpture is a cast of an artifact from Copan, Honduras. It has helped scholars reconstruct the city’s ruling line. Day of the Dead/Dia de los Muertos exhibit A cool way to see how European and indigenous cultures (particularly Aztec) have morphed into unique traditions. Be sure to come back to the Peabody next Dia de los Muertos, November 1st to partake in the museum’s celebrations.

Storied Walls Next on our list is “Storied Walls,” located right after the Day of the Dead altar. “Storied Walls” is one of the most impressive Peabody’s exhibits with vivid colors and detailed replications of ancient murals. It spotlights murals from Guatemala, Mexico, Peru, and the Southwestern United States. Moche Murals from the northeast region of Peru. Associated with huacas, sacred centers of Moche culture, these murals portray the civilization’s gods as well as military victories. They are characterized by their geometric designs.

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“Harvard’s museums are free with a Harvard ID, and open seven days a week.” Maya Murals from San Bartolo, Guatemala. Dr. Jeffrey Quilter, one of the curators involved with “Storied Walls” and Deputy Director of the Peabody Museum, says, “These are the earliest known Maya murals and their discovery is important because they have revealed a lot about ancient Maya culture, especially their rituals and religion.” According to the Peabody guide, the murals represent the Mayan “agricultural cycle of death and rebirth and the symbols and rituals of kingship.” Maya Murals Bonampak, Mexico. From a later era of the Mayan civilization, the Bonampak murals are glimpses of an elaborate ceremony that involved the society’s elites. These murals are especially interesting as they show ancient Mayan band and their instruments. Awatovi murals of southwestern Arizona. These murals were found in structures called kivas which, according to the Peabody guide, were partially underground and used for ceremonies. The murals depict animals, people, religious practices, and spiritual beings. The ones that were featured in “Storied Walls” were found in the 1930’s. According to Dr. Quilter, “The Pueblo murals also are very important because they show continuing traditions in Pueblo religion and ritual from ancient times to the present day.” MAKE SURE YOU DON’T MISS: The section on Mexican muralism in connection with the Mayan muralism. “Every section also discusses how contemporary people are reviving or continuing the art traditions expressed in these murals,” says Dr. Quilter, “often in different ways but all inspired by the

“Blah blah. FML”

magnificent art of the past.” The reproduction process of the San Bartolo. Unlike the Awatovi murals, Harvard researches left the murals intact and documented them with high tech scans. Artists then took the scans and produced an enhanced version that filled in missing portions.

Fourth Floor After “Storied Walls,” you are more than welcomed to head up to the fourth floor to the “Pacific Islands Hall,” but as a warning it is very much your grandmother’s museum. The artifacts are really interesting but the presentation is much more old school than other exhibits. However, the view from the balcony can give you a different angle of the Mayan casts on the floor below. As you are heading back down to the Peabody’s entrance be sure to take a second look at the exhibits and try to find something new that you might have missed the first time. In fact pay especially attention to “Translating Encounters” which will open March 25th. Curated by Harvard students, the exhibit will display artifacts from 17th century global colonialism. Harvard student’s involved is yet another reason why you should stop by the Peabody. Dr. Hodge was sure to remind us, “Ninety-nine percent of our world-class collections aren’t on display, but they are accessible for student research, papers, projects, and exhibitions. We work with individual students and student groups. Get in touch with us!”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

22 THE DISH

the voice

Harvard fire hydrant. Why not?

Day in the Life of a Tourist by April Sperry ‘13

e’ve all seen them. They come from all ends of the globe speaking everything from English to French to Italian to Chinese. Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow can stop them; they carry on regardless of the conditions. With the amount of tourists that visit campus every day, Harvard can feel like more of a roadside attraction than a center of learning. There’s no denying that Harvard has a beautifully antique campus and is pretty old (1636 anyone?), but seriously, this is a school. Not Disney World. But these tourists view their “vacation” as a military operation. Exploring Harvard’s campus is serious business that must be planned and regimented. A possible itinerary would read as follows.

REAL LIFE Harvard posters! Must capture.

5:00am – Wake up. It’s Harvard day. My twelve year old will be graduating practically tomorrow. They grow up so fast!

8:30am – Arrival at campus after a long, long car ride. If little Suzie doesn’t stop tainting her brain with the frivolous pop music on her iPod, she’ll never get in. Unacceptable. Now, to find a parking space.

9:00am – This parking garage is going to cost a fortune by the end of the day, but no

expense is too great in the face of Harvard. Hahhhhhhvahd. Speaking of which… it would be blasphemous to walk onto campus without being donned in crimson; plainclothes are so touristy. Must buy paraphernalia!

9:30am – Honestly, is there anything classier than sporting a Harvard sweatshirt to keep out the chill coupled with a Harvard baseball cap to keep the UV rays at bay? Didn’t think so. This is the look of success. It’s tour-time; Harvard Unofficial Tours… well, their shirts say Harvard on them. They must be legit.

Ooooh, ahhhh. It’s a barrel. Wait, no, it’s a well. Or a pump. Thing.

9:50am – So.Much.History. This is nice, but how does my child get in? Can’t we take a

peek in the admissions office? And why aren’t we visiting any dorm rooms? Or classrooms? Or libraries? Harvard is so secretive!

10:30am – Tour completed. We simply must return to the statue and the lucky foot of John Harvard. Touch touch touch. *Picture* Old building! *Picture*People studying on the lawn! *Picture*Massive library! *Picture* Student with a hamper… Harvard laundry! *Picture*

11:00am-5:00pm – This is it; the mothership. Annenberg Hall. Must enter.

The door says no trespassing, but I’m sure it’s fine to go in just for one little peek. Woah. *Picture* This place is straight out of Harry Potter. *Picture* Why is that man pointing at us and yelling? And the students appear… peeved? *Picture* SCRAMBLE!

5:01pm – Exhaustion. But dammit, in six years, I will return as the parent of a 2016. They’re here, they’re there, they’re everywhere. It’s J.Harv himself, ya’ll.

photos by Sasha Mironov ‘13 ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

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MARCH 23

the voice March's Voice Crush:

The Socially Aware Type

Harvard Free the Slaves by Molly O’Donnell ‘12

ou’re on Jeopardy. Your final question is about slavery. You got a 5 on your AP US History exam, you’ve watched half of Roots, you know all about the antebellum South, cotton, Nat Turner’s Rebellion, and the Emancipation Proclamation. Slavery is bad, slavery was abolished, Lincoln is a champion. You’ve got this… until The Voice comes and steals all your money because it knows one thing you don’t: There are more slaves today than there have been at any other point in human history. Kevin Bales, founder of Free the Slaves, an international organization that campaigns against the modern practice of slavery, defines slaves as “human beings being forced to work under the threat of violence, for no pay.[1]” As such, there are currently 27 million slaves worldwide and documented cases in more than 90 cities across the United States. In 2007, Kelly Okuji ’10, then a sophomore, first learned these startling facts in a guest

lecture by Bales in Literature and Arts A-86: American Protest Literature. “What really hit me,” Okuji said, “was the fact that for the cost of the ‘Big Dig’ highway project in Boston [over $14.6 billion], every slave in the world could be freed and rehabilitated.” The following fall, Okuji, a sociology concentrator in Eliot House, took action and founded the Harvard College chapter of Free the Slaves. Initially, the group consisted of three students focused on raising awareness and money to eradicate modern-day slavery. They now number about twelve and are pursuing the creation of a comprehensive Gen Ed course focusing on the history, social movements, law, economics, business, and public health issues surrounding modern-day slavery. “The problem is that slavery now is different from the chattel slavery we’re familiar with. It looks different, and therefore isn’t ‘real’ for people,” Okuji said. In addition to slaves still being exploited for agriculture as they were in 19th century America, modern slavery also includes slaves working in brothels, homes, mines, and restaurants, according to Free the Slaves. Slavery can even exist in our own backyards. Though most slaves can be found in India and in African countries, even in Okuji’s suburban hometown of Santa Cruz, California, a slave was discovered being forced to work as a prostitute. At least 14,500 people are trafficked into the United States every year to be used as slaves and cost an average of only $90 around the world, compared with the $40,000 in today’s money that a slave in the American South cost in 1850. So what can be done? Harvard College’s Free the Slaves chapter is currently working towards more undergraduate involvement, research, and a Boston-wide human trafficking publication. All Harvard students are urged to get involved with Free the Slaves and come to weekly meetings at 5 p.m. in Eliot Dining Hall, or email Kelli Okuji at kelli.okuji@gmail. com for more information. “Since it’s a small group, there are a lot of opportunities to get involved and have a big impact,” Okuji said.

________________________________________ [1] E. Benjamin Skinner “A Crime So Monstrous: Face to Face With Modern Day Slavery”

Get Involved: The Reading List: “A Crime So Monstrous” by E. Benjamin Skinner, “Sex Trafficking: Inside the Business of Modern Slavery” by Siddharth Kara, “To Plead Our Own Cause: Personal Stories by Today’s Slaves” by Zoe Trodd, and “Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy” by Kevin Bales Sites to Visit: freetheslaves.net, harvardcollegefts.org Harvard College for Free the Slaves: Meets every Thursday at 5 p.m. in Eliot Dining Hall, email Harvard.free.the.slaves@gmail.com for more info.

“Voice Crushes” is a new addition to The Dish in which we highlight interesting student groups that are often overlooked. If you would like to nominate your student group or any other student group to be featured, please send us an email at Visit Free the Slaves online at the main website.

“Kong is on my speed dial. FML”

ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010

PHOTO ESSAY 24

the voice

Behind the Scenes: Harvard-Radcliffe Dramatic Club

GET ’EM TO YOUR COLLEGE

photos by Grace Sun ‘13

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UNIVERSAL PICTURES PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH RELATIVITY MEDIA AND SPYGLASS ET HIM TO THE GREEK” ENTERTAINMENT ANMUSICAPATOW PRODUCTION A NICOSTUME CHOLAS STOLLER FILMEDITEDJONAH HILL RUSSELL BRAND “GPRODUCTION ORIGINAL BY LYLE WORKMAN SUPERVISOR JONATHAN KARP DESIGNER LEESA EVANS BY WILLIAM KERR MIKE SALE DESIGNER JAN ROELFS AND SEAN COMBS SCORE ELIDIRECTOR SABETHOFMOSS ROSE BYRNE COLM MEANEY EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BASED ON CHARACTERS COBY JUDD APATOW NICHOLAS STOLLER DAVID BUSHELL RODNEY ROTHMAN PHOTOGRAPHY ROBERT YEOMAN ASC PRODUCER JASON SEGEL PRODUCER RICHARD VANE CREATED BY JASON SEGEL WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY NICHOLAS STOLLER A UNIVERSAL PICTURE © 2010 UNIVERSAL STUDIOS

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HEY, HARVARD!

VOTE FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN A FREE ADVANCE SCREENING of the upcoming comedy, “Get Him To The Greek,” and

A GUEST APPEARANCE BY JONAH HILL AND RUSSELL BRAND! All you have to do is vote at www.eventful.com/gethimtothegreek and the college with the most votes in Boston wins!

FIND YOUR COLLEGE. SHARE IT. DEMAND IT! Opens in Theaters Everywhere June 4, 2010 THE VOICE THIS AD RUNS THURS 3-25 QUARTER PG - 5.25 " X 6.5"

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ISSUE 21, MARCH 2010