Winter 2017-2018 VOLUME11 ISSUE 2
MAGAZINE
ELECTRIC WINTER
Pack profile: professor angela bennett
An English professor wants her students to feel safe enough to take academic risks without the fear of being marginalized
snowglobe music festival Three days of nonstop muisc, art, and entertainment. Insight explored SnowGlobe, its performers, and its followers
some like it haute
Dressing a certain, fashionable way can often lead others to stereotyping in ways that are far from accurate
from the editor
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he more that I talk to different kinds of people, the more I realize we are more alike than we are different. Reflecting back on the past year I’ve had the chance to talk to some pretty outstanding people. Since I began this whole journalism journey a few years ago I’ve had the chance to talk to Mayor Hillary Schieve, local business owners, athletes, famous musicians, artists, and even prostitutes from rural Nevada. In my findings, I’ve come to the conclusion that we’re all just people sharing the same planet as home. We live entirely separate lives that are still somehow connected. Sometimes we get caught up in the nitty-gritty
and our loved ones, we all want to love and belong on some level, we all desire to have confidence and respect for ourselves, and we all want to eventually achieve our full potential. It’s a basic hierarchy of needs. Sometimes, as a species, I believe that we’re often fighting for the same thing without even realizing it. We often have different names for the same things. Sometimes all it takes is a simple change of perspective to realize what we’re actually fighting for. I think the more you take the viewpoints of other people into consideration the more perspective you will obtain and the more simple the world begins to look. I am no better or worse than anyone
"you look up to your heroes, and you shouldn't be intimidated by them. You should be inspired by them."
Andrea Heerdt Editor-in-Chief
-Dave Grohl
of everyday life. We get intimidated by those in power, separated by politics or religion, and divided by competition. Yet, what I’ve learned this past semester as editor is that if you change your perspective, sometimes even just slightly, you can view the world in a different way. We’re all just relatable people after all. Every single one of us entered the world in the same way. We’ve all experienced some sort of trauma. We all crave the same things. We need our physiological needs to be met, we require safety and security for ourselves
else on this planet. I think everyone is intelligent and creative in their own right. As Albert Einstein once said, “Everybody is a genius, but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.” Humans truly are beautiful creatures. We all have something unique to offer. This is why I don’t think anyone should ever be intimidated by another person. Perhaps someone out there exudes sheer intelligence, athleticism, or charisma, but they can’t offer the same things you can. We all have a purpose for being
here. The more diverse and weird we can make this planet, the better. The next time you have to speak in front of a crowd, meet an important person, or are intimidated by another human remember to be fearless. We’re all the same living, breathing creatures. Don’t ever believe you can’t follow your dreams because of some social construct. Your life can be anything you want it to be. The only person who’s stopping you is yourself.
Kellie Sasso
Photography Editor
Taylor Harker
Ana Hurt
Social Media Director
Copy Editor
Contributors Elizabeth Pearson Tanner Barrett
Copy Editor
Angela Lujan
Collin Walter
Even Muth
Emily MacDiarmid
Carena Doyle
Jana Sayson
Ryan Vellinga Carley Olson
Robert NuĂąezJimenez
Cira Craighead
Josie Steehler
Jazmine OrozcoRodriguez
Alexis Scatena
Serena Singh
Katherine Larsen
Erin Lucas
Gabriella Turturro
Crystal PulidoLugo
Staff Writer
about the magazine
corrections
You hold in your hands the latest iteration of Insight Magazine. We hope that you will enjoy it. Not only is this issue the result of a tremendous amount of hard work, but it is also a representation of a student publication over a decade in the works (with origins as the Artemisia, the former yearbook of UNR dating back to the 1800's).
Insight Magazine works to correct any errors. If you find a mistake or misprint, please contact the editor at insighteditor@asun.unr.edu.
Thank you for supporting us. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do. If you're interested in getting involved with us, visit insightunr.com > Get Involved.
Insight Magazine is proud to have placed Fifth in the 2017 National Associated Collegiate Press Conference in the category of Feature Magazine.
CONTENTS LOCAL NEWS SYMBOLS OF PEACE FLOOD CHURCH FINE ARTS 8 A look at what it really means to be an artist and the people who use their creative powers for good By Carena Doyle
unr students study Service-learning 10 UNR students work with local non-profits in ways that go beyond any regular internship By Angela Lujan
awaken reno aims to end sex trafficking 12 1,500 women and children are sold every month in the Reno/ Tahoe area. Awaken wants to bring this to an end By Cira Craighead
REVIEWS Local business reviews 16 Mynt, The Basement, and The Union By Angela Lujan and Jazmine Orozco-Rodriguez
book reviews 18 Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History, Sticky Fingers, and The Handmaid's Tale By Tanner Barrett, Crystal Pulido-Lugo, and Angela Lujan
movie and concert reviews 19 Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Animals in the Attic By Gabriella Turturro and Crystal Pulido-Lugo
FEATURES Pack profile: Professor Angela Bennett 22 An English professor wants her students to feel safe enough to take academic risks without the fear of being marginalized INSIGHT 4 By Angela Lujan
electric winter: snowglobe music fesival 24 Three days of non-stop muisc, art, and entertainment. Insight explored SnowGlobe, its performers, and its followers By Andrea Heerdt
Culture shock: A foreign Affair 28 How students from foreign countries studying at the university view American culture and how Americans can be shocked by other cultures By Carena Doyle
Artist spotlight: casio 210 30 Two college roommates form a band named after a shared synthesizer found at a local thrift store By Emily Macdiarmid
LIFESTYLE hidden gems of netflix 34 Two writers explore Netflix beyond the popular page to find interesting titles with great plots By Crystal Pulido-Lugo and Josie Steehler
Skiing: how to avoid being a gaper 36 How to avoid being the one person in the skiing community that everyone makes fun of By Serena Singh
Why we could benefit from a little minimalism 38 Decluttering your life and adapting a minimalistic lifestyle could benefit your mind as well By Carley Olson
unr's unique and unusual classes 42 The university offers some strange and unique courses that you wouldn't expect. Interested in witchcraft? By Alexis Scatena
best bar for your personality 44 Are you a raging party animal, or do you prefer to chill and drink with friends. We'll help you find the right bar By Andrea Heerdt and Taylor Harker
OPINION some like it haute 48 Dressing a certain, fashionable way can often lead others to stereotyping in ways that are far from accurate By Carena Doyle 5 INSIGHT
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
LOCAL NEWS
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Photo by Cira Craighead
Symbols of Peace Flood Church
Fine Arts Words by Carena Doyle
the midst of the noteworthy Sheppard Fine Arts Gallery and Nightingale Photos by Collin Walter Concert Hall, the famous graffiti stairwell still is arguably the most creative Illustrations by Erin Lucas place on campus. The multileveled system of stairs is covered in artwork hen the famous staircreated by spray can, markers, brushwell in the Church es, or even the occasional fingers--and Fine Arts Building at one point, was covered in multiple was defaced in mid roughly sprayed swastikas. October of 2017, the However, such symbols did not stay University of Nevada, Reno faced on the walls for long. Various artists a shockingly congregated to changed campus paint over the atmosphere. The symbols and spray-painted phrases, one " Being an artist means seeing a swastikas, accomof which was panied by the 19-year-old artist swastika in the hallway of the phrase “is this poJoshua Chang. art building, which is home to litical enough for He, along with many students like me, and doing you?” caused varyother individing reactions from uals, painted something about it." students to faculty figures of peace alike. From Marc in order to juxJohnson’s email tapose the unsent to the student body describing Edward Church, professor of classical derlying motifs of hate, with different the creative space as a home for “a cel- art, history, German, and Latin, the walls having different meanings. ebration of artistic expression” to one Church Fine Arts Building houses “MLK Jr. and Coretta are both right student claiming the graffitied swasti- the arts, music, theater, and speech above an olive branch that symbolizes kas are also “forms of expression,” a communication departments. Yet, in peace,” Chang said.
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division at the University of Nevada, Reno was brought to light. However, this stairwell has since been covered with symbols of hope, portraits of leaders of peace, and motifs reflecting progress to a racially and ethnically torn campus environment. The Church Fine Arts Building, erected in 1962, has stood for unity and expression since its first bricks were laid in the University of Nevada, Reno’s campus. Named after the late
that over the artwork probably has some attention-seeking issues, as well as being prejudiced. But now, it looks fantastic.” Indeed, the art community continues to thrive at the University of
"As an artistic community, we stand for expression, not hate" In addition, one wall called “Triumph” will feature various black individuals who broke barriers in terms of educational and social reform. Another wall, “Create,” will feature figures of the newer generations similar to Martin Luther King Jr. who have aided history by their examples of equality. However, one may ask: are the revisions enough to instigate peace on a campus atmosphere in which students may feel unsafe? With the University of Nevada, Reno facing the publicity spread from numerous controversial events this past semester alone, how can students be sure that each community in campus life is being protected and represented ethically? “I felt this was an expression of how people on this campus can be
so insensitive,” said Reece Gibb, a postgraduate political science student. “This shows how people can be so tone-deaf in regards to how to treat people, and also how people can truly be despicable human beings. It shows our campus’s true colors, both in terms of people drawing the swastikas and the administration's response or lack thereof. Say something or do nothing.” Despite the varying opinions surrounding the stairwell, the reaction regarding the symbolism used to overlay the harmful images is unanimous: one of hope and progression. “As a Jewish individual, it was very jarring for my friends and I to see the swastikas in the Church Fine Arts stair complex,” said Ethan Guttman, 19. “The people or person that sprayed
Nevada, Reno, as the graffiti stairwell continues to collect new additions of quotes, portraits, and general artwork. All creative students are invited to contribute to the stairwell with their positive imagery, symbols of peace, and artistic expression in order to contribute to the theme of inclusion found in the Church Fine Arts Building. “Being an artist is so much more than being good at painting or drawing,” said Hannah Abbott, an artist in her first year of studies at UNR. “Being an artist means seeing a swastika in the hallway of the art building, which is home to many students like me, and doing something about it. As an artistic community, we stand for expression, not hate. We will never stand for hate.”
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UNR Students Study Service Learning
Words by Angela Lujan
Photos by Robert Nuñez-Jimenez
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rofessor Elisabeth Miller and the University of Nevada, Reno have partnered with several local nonprofits, and for Miller’s English 401B Advanced Nonfiction class, students work with these nonprofit partners. In the class students work on creating and perfecting their own resumes and cover letters. However, they also work closely with their community partner in order to determine the needs of the organization and produce written content to help meet those needs. The coursework varies based on the needs of the organizations. The students are expected to produce approximately 10 pages of content for their community partner. The class is neither volunteerism nor an internship, but rather service-learning. “Service-learning is a mutual exchange between the organization and the university. It
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goes beyond volunteerism, and it goes beyond internship,” said Miller. The service students provide to their community partner adds to their understanding of nonprofits and technical writing. The students provide weekly reflection logs about their work for the
Schotborgh is working with the Northern Nevada Literacy Council (NNLC). NNLC is a local nonprofit dedicated to furthering education for adult learners. They provide English Second Language (ESL) classes to help students attain their Certificate
"SERVICE-L EARNING IS A MUTUAL EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE ORGANIZATION AND THE UNIVERSITY. IT GOES BEYOND VOLUNTEERISM, AND IT GOES BEYOND INTERNSHIP." organization to solidify their learning. “The actual practice of doing service is itself like a text, with the reflection that follows.” Some students are working on grant proposals, others on creating brochures, online content, and more.English major, Hannah
of high school equivalency (HSE) and citizenship classes. Schotborgh said she previously worked with the SPCA, but that service-learning has allowed her to work more directly with her community partner compared to traditional volunteering. “They actually put us in contact with leaders in the nonprofit,” said Schotborgh, “It was interesting to basically be a part of the staff working for the nonprofit.” Schotborgh works closely with Susan Robinson, the executive
director of NNLC. Schotborgh said that one aspect of service-learning that appealed to her was having the freedom to work independently on her project for the orga-
"IT’S NOT JUST GOING OUT AND HEL PING PEOPL E, IT’S WORK." nization. Schotborgh has helped the organization by creating profiles about students of the NNLC. “We’re trying to compile it so that Susan can use quotes and summaries,” said Schotborgh, “Because she doesn’t have the time to interview all of these
students all the time.” Schotborgh said that personal anecdotes help the organization to demonstrate how they help people in a tangible way. While the organization has gained useful written content from the partnership, Schotborgh says that she has gained technical writing skills. “I’ve always understood the creative writing aspect of authoring,” said Schotborgh, “I’d never thought about the technical writing of businesses.” Another student, Warren Bottino, has partnered with Neighbor Network of Northern Nevada (N4). N4 is a local nonprofit based on the concept of time exchange. Members earn time credits by helping one another and can use those credits to receive assistance later on. This assistance can be in the form of yard work, transportation, education, and more. “They’re an altruistic kind of organization,” said Bottino, “It’s kind of a community building thing.” Bottino said at first he was skeptical and unenthusiastic at the prospect of
doing extra work outside of class, but soon found the research he was doing quite interesting. “I ended up really liking it,” said Bottino, “It’s something I want to research more of.” Much of Bottino’s research was on the concept of social capital theory. “It’s our connections, it’s our community, and it’s our way of measuring that,” said Bottino. Bottino said that the class and his community partner have changed his understanding of community. “It’s not just going out and helping people, it’s work,” said Bottino, “They need money to do it, and they can’t accomplish everything they want. It’s harder than it seems.” Despite the inherent difficulties, Bottino said the experience has made him consider entering the nonprofit sector of business in the future. “Before, I had no plans at all. Now I know what I like,” said Bottino, “I learned that I like writing, but I learned that I also I like people.”
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AWAKEN RENO aims to end sex trafficking
From the grocery store slot machines to the brothels and strip clubs, Nevada is a state known for its somewhat immoral nature. USA Today and thestreet.com reported in 2014 that Nevada housed 265 active casinos. The state with the second highest number of casinos? Colorado, with 41. In many states, gambling is only allowed on boats or tribal land. According to statista.com the number of slot machines in Nevada was at 166,860 in 2017 and has INSIGHT 12 been decreasing from a high of 213,800 since 2000.
Words and Photos by Cira Craighead
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lthough prostitution is legal, many are unaware of the fact that illegal human trafficking is a serious problem here as well. One non-profit organization in Reno called Awaken is working to put an end to this issue while raising awareness in the community. As Melissa Holland, co-founder and executive director of Awaken, said, “We work to try to provide choice for women and escape for children from commercial sexual exploitation as well as educate the community and train professionals on how to work with this population.” Women and children can seek temporary shelter, case management, and other resources at the organization’s drop-in center and long-term assistance is also provided to those who need it. In order to increase awareness in the community, members of the Awaken team hold presentations at local schools, recruit businesses in the area to support the cause, and train professionals to recognize the signs of sex trafficking so that they can work with victims appropriately. Exactly how prevalent is sex trafficking in this area? Awaken partnered with Creighton University last year to find out. After four months of monitoring one website used to buy and sell sex, they found that an average of 1,500 women and children are sold every month in the Reno/Tahoe area. According to Holland, the vast
majority of these exchanges, about 900-1,000 of the 1,500, happen in Reno and Sparks. At awakenreno.org there is a map depicting these numbers and showing all the locations noted by the study. The page even cites specific locations such as the Reno-Tahoe airport and Circus-Circus hotel where these exchanges reportedly occur. Holland explained that the legalization of brothels in the state contributes to the high rate of illegal sex trafficking by increasing demand. She said, “When the demand goes up you need to increase supply, and that will come in all illegal facets and legal facets as well, and the supply in this equation is women and girls.” According to the Awaken website, the organization has helped over 250 women so far. This has been done through helping victims further their education, find jobs, receive case management, and find refuge at their dropin center. They have also reached out to about 10,000 community members including 1,600 youth. On top of this they have been able to train more than 600 professionals to better serve those in need. Part of their mission of increasing awareness has to do with changing the common mindset that the sex industry is not necessarily harmful. This spans from modern porn to sex trafficking which, as Holland said, “Actually pervades and permeates into the whole culture.” She went on to talk about the stereotypes many place on sex workers. While nearly everyone believes
that the trafficking of minors is wrong and upsetting, once they come of age the perspective tends to change. “People just need to really start to understand that word choice,” Holland said, “We’ve got some [victims] in their 50s, and yet their abuse also started when they were nine years old. We disconnect compassion and empathy at that shift of age. We start to look and assume choice and we often attach shame and judgment when we see them later in their years.” She also went on to add that the average prostitute enters the field at 14 years old. Awaken has started a powerful movement in this community, but they cannot change the community alone. Luckily, everyone is capable of helping and contributing to this cause. First, we can all work to change our perception of sex workers. Many of them have been forced or coerced
"1,500 WOMEN AND CHILDREN ARE SOLD EVERY MONTH IN THE RENO/TAHOE AREA." into the profession. Aside from this, there are plenty of other ways to get involved. By donating, volunteering, attending events, and even shopping Amazon Smile anyone interested in the cause can help. University students can also join, learn more about, or attend an event put on by Students to Abolish Sex Slavery, or SASS, a club on campus focused on fighting sex trafficking in the community. “College students are phenomenal advocates,” Holland said, “They pick a subject and they go all in.” Through spreading the word and telling more people about this issue, we can all do our part to pitch in and make a difference.
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REVIEWS
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Photo by Kellie Sasso
local business reviews Mynt Cannabis Dispensary
Words by Angela Lujan Photos by Carley Olson
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ynt Cannabis Dispensary in downtown Reno has a wide selection of cannabis products. According to their website, Mynt
sells “flowers, edibles, topicals, vape oils, and concentrates.” The dispensary is stylish, organized, and quick. Employee Trista Barnes estimates that Mynt has close to tripled its customer intake since Nevada legalized recreational marijuana. After visiting the front desk, patients are called back into the purchasing area, where the product is. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable, receiving extensive training on the product, and on the laws surrounding INSIGHT 16
them. Regular testing is standard, with employees receiving online tests once every few weeks, and micro tests even more often to further their education. “Training is very much an in depth process of learning laws. Cannabidiol (CBD) just became a schedule one narcotic, so we can’t give it to anybody who's flying out of state anymore,” Barnes said. A great deal of patient questions are about the legality of marijuana, whether it be about legal quantities or where people are allowed to use product, Barnes explains. Beyond the legality of cannabis, the employees also learn about the endocannabinoid system and how the body reacts with cannabis, as well as the lineages of cannabis. The employees stay
informed about the way individual strains effect people. While many
people purchase whatever is available, Barnes urges patients to ask questions about different strains. “Indicas are high in terpenes that kill anxiety, and help pain, and relieves stress,” said Barnes, “Whereas sativas will engage your mind and can make anxiety worse. If you don’t want to get high, CBD is a great way to kill anxiety as well.” Barnes hopes for cannabis to be legalized on a federal level. She urges people to focus on and research the medical benefits of cannabis. “THC itself is good for getting rid of ocular pressure, CBD is a pain reliever, muscle relaxer, anti-inflammatory, anti-seizure, anti-spasmodic. Pretty much the only thing I haven’t found it be helpful for is allergies.”
The Basement Words and Photo by Jazmine OrozcoRodriguez
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nce an old post office, The Basement rapidly evolved into a hip and trendy spot for all ages. Offering arguably Reno’s best cold-
pressed juice, gourmet handmade chocolates, local clothing brand, and an underground barbershop,
among other things, The Basement has something for everyone. As a Rawbry juice-veteran myself, I had become quite familiar with The Basement’s lifestyle branding. Brianna Bullentini, the part-owner of The Basement and owner of Rawbry, created the entire space with a vision of an alternative and collaborative culture in an underground environment, both literally and figuratively. The Basement invites all of the creatives of Reno to hang out, drink juice
The Union Words and Photo Orozco-Rodriguez
by
Jazmine
or coffee, and create their own ideas or plans together. The architecture of The Basement reinforces this mission. The vendors and shops are located along the walls while community tables are placed in the middle of the space, encouraging people to interact and collaborate while they support the local businesses within. During my experience as an employee, it was not uncommon to hear about certain ideas being explored and then seen to fruition. The Basement has such a creative energy built into its walls by Bullentini that it sparks that same spirit within its employees and customers alike. Every business located within is operated by a local entrepreneur who believes and participates in the mission of The Basement. While The Basement offers different shops and vendors, it also offers a space to hang out, work, and host
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wo of Reno’s greatest business leaders have teamed up to collaborate on a spot in Carson City, Nevada. Mark Estee, owner of three local restaurants, and Mark Trujillo, owner of Hub Coffee Roasters, have created The Union. The eatery, taphouse, and coffee shop opened at the end of June 2017 on Main Street in Carson. Besides providing the quality of Estee’s locally-sourced food and Trujillo’s coffee, The Union also provides a large beer selection, thus covering all bases of a true RenoCarson area restaurant. During our first visit, my friend and I took a seat at the pizza bar, where we could see the frontof-house chefs throwing their pizzas into the wood oven. The environment felt laid-back, cozy, and inviting. Guests shared food with friends and family while servers refilled their beer glasses, keeping the atmosphere vibrant. We felt encouraged by the menu to
meetings or events. Creativity begets creativity, and The Basement is crawling with inspiration.
order a few beers, crispy shrimp and sweet peppers, and the roasted heirloom squash to start, a veggie burger, and the blue pear pizza. By the time we had finished our appetizers, I only managed to take a few bites of my burger before I threw in the towel and had our server box it up for me. The portion sizes are larger, fair to their prices, and worth the expense. The Union offers pizzas, pastas,
different meat entrées, seasonal sides, burgers and sandwiches, and of course, dessert. Mark Estee is well
known for creating the budino, made of chocolate cookie crunch, salted caramel pudding, and whipped cream. At his previous restaurant, Campo, the budino won the best dessert award for three years running. Estee, Trujillo, and their other two business partners deliver a quality Reno-Carson experience through their food, coffee, and beer at The Union. Whether it's an early morning coffee run or a family dinner, locals won’t want to miss out on this local experience. 17 INSIGHT
Reviews Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History Book by Katy Tur
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Words by Tanner Barrett
he 2016 presidential election is likely the last thing the majority of Americans would like to relive anytime soon, but for those still searching for answers about how Donald Trump ultimately became president, Katy Tur’s Unbelievable: My Front-Row Seat to the Craziest Campaign in American History offers a unique perspective on the daily life of a Trump campaign reporter. Tur, a former London-based NBC News Foreign Correspondent turned political reporter, was NBC’s first reporter sent to cover Donald Trump’s campaign when he first announced his candidacy in June 2015. At the time she was told she would only cover Trump for “six weeks, tops.” Those six weeks became 510 days on the trail covering everything Trump. In Unbelievable Tur relives her days on the trail where she recalls her encounters with Trump
throughout the campaign, and what it was like to be a target of Trump’s attacks via Twitter
and during his rallies. Throughout reading Tur’s accounts of the most memorable moments of the campaign, it brought me back to where I was during those moments in 2016, and how truly “unbelievable” it was in the end that after so many hiccups in his campaign, Trump defied all odds. I recommend Tur’s memoir to anyone concerned with the future of journalism because it provides great insight on the life of campaign and political reporters in an era where they’re attacked regularly for their work, and how bringing back trust in the media may lie in better teaching the public what journalists actually do as the fourth estate.
sticky fingers Book by Joe Hagan
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Words by Crystal Pulido-Lugo
ticky Fingers by Joe Hagan is a wonderfully written and thoroughly researched book on the life of Jann Wenner, Rolling Stone Magazine’s co-founder and editor-in-chief. Hagan tells the story of Wenner’s beginnings as a precocious child and student to a fame-hungry journalist and founder. Readers are granted an inside look into the zeitgeist of times and the last fifty years of the “counterculture bible” that is Rolling Stone. Hagan unapologetically explores the world of sex, drugs, and rock and roll in journalism and how that formula birthed Rolling Stone and made Wenner a household name. The uncensored biography is both inspiring and infuriating, objective and subjective, poetic and simple. It immerses the reader into a life that should be both admired and critiqued. Sticky Fingers is must-read for journalism students because of Wenner’s impact on journalism and his mixing of pop culture and journalism. Rolling Stone Magazine fans and biography enthusiasts will also enjoy Wenner’s life story and the frenzy that is Rolling Stone and its history.
the handmaid's tale
Book by Margaret Atwood Words by Angela Lujan
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he Handmaid’s Tale, the show and the book both explore themes of politics and the heteropatriarchy controlling women’s reproduction in a dystopian takeover of the former United States, now Gilead. This is presented from the viewpoint of Offred, a handmaid. While the show tends to stay fairly true to the book, some creative divergences from director Reed Morano help to create fuller storylines. Where the book remains more
focused on the viewpoint of Offred, the show explores the perspectives and backgrounds of other handmaids and of those in power. I thought this added some depth to these charac-
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ters and answered questions I still had after reading the book. The show depicted a follow-up to Moira’s storyline, which was one of my favorite parts of the series. The Handmaid’s Tale is a thought-provoking, intense, and terrifyingly believable story. The show creates a world beyond the viewpoint of Offred, which, for me, created a more full world and answered lingering questions.
CONCERT REVIEW
Words And Photo by Crystal Pulido-Lugo
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n intimate, eclectic crowd gathered in Reno’s Holland Project for Animals in the Attic. Spencer Rakela, frontman and co-guitarist along with Clayton LaFlamme on keyboard, Mitchell Grimenstein on drums, and Stefan Sorgea on guitar rocked Holland’s little corners with their bouncy and undoubtedly California-inspired sound. Under the disco ball Rakela walked onto the stage with his unusual but groovy aquamarine guitar with a psy-
chedelic orange sun painted on it. After setting up, the band welcomed Reno with “Not Foolin’” off of their 2016 studio album Half-asleep Surf. A timid drum accompanied by keyboard and guitar began to play. Shortly after, animated chords began which became the song’s recurring pattern. Words dreamingly poured, “When you wonder why you’re low/ know that I’m right here/ when you wonder what is wrong/ know that you have two arms to keep you strong.” The small audience bopped their heads to the beat of the comforting lullaby-esque tune, and I couldn’t help but notice LaFlamme’s
cheerful bop too. The band considers “Not Foolin’” one of the most fun songs to play and their favorite to play too. "I think I write the best music after meditating. I try to be in a very calm state. I’ve always talked about writing our music in a tranquil state to have a peaceful vibe. We want people to feel calm when they listen to our music,” said Rakela in an interview with me before the show. As the show went on, the boys performed their relaxed tunes with positive messages and exchanged smiles throughout. Tunes like “You are the Ocean” and their closing number, “Take Care” conveyed this peace Rakela mentioned. The need Animals in the Attic have to make feel-good music that distracts people from negativity is something truly worth admiring. What’s next for this band? A new album with Mitchell Grimenstein and Stefan Sorgea on the record. Their last album Half-asleep Surf was recorded back in 2016 when the band consisted of Rakela, LaFlamme, and their old drummer. “Stefan and Mitch aren’t on the last album which makes [performing their old songs] a different experience live, but we like it that way.” The untitled album is set to be released May of 2018. Didn’t catch them live? Animals in the Attic adore Reno and with a new album coming in the near future, maybe they’ll come back to visit us. Can’t wait until May? Catch up on their wonderful album Half-asleep Surf!
STAR WARS: THE LAST JEDI Words by Gabriella Turturro
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ow let's go ahead and get this out of the way, Kylo Ren's
chesticles are like no other man or Jedi's pecks, in this or the next galaxy. That being
said, Rey, a promising young woman with the force behind her, has an almost telepathic relationship with the antagonist furthering the film into an ending satiating the audience's hunger for action, light sabers, and most of all,
a painful demise of Supreme Leader Snoke. By the last scene of J.J. Abram's latest release, moviegoers can find themselves forming an attachment to Kylo Ren, despite his poor choice to walk among the dark side. Though his experience fighting opposite the resistance for so long, Kylo Ren finds himself relating to his human side, at the fault of Daisy Ridley's character Rey, intermittently disputing her thoughts on his past actions with the legend known as Luke Skywalker. 19 INSIGHT
FEATURES
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Photo by Andrea Heerdt
PACK PROFILE: professor angela bennett Words by Angela Lujan Photo by Collin Walter
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rofessor Angela Bennett is faculty in the English department at University of Nevada, Reno. Bennett grew up in Nevada and pursued her graduate degrees at New York University. Her department at NYU was quite diverse. “Gender and sexuality diversity was probably overrepresented with respect to the general population,” said Bennett, “So I never thought twice about what it would mean to be queer faculty and gender-nonconforming.” However, Bennett has noted a lack of such diversity among UNR faculty. For her first two years at UNR she was the only continuing faculty who was queer within her department. “Being a six foot tall woman, number one, conformity is impossible when you live in that body,” said Bennett, “My body, even if I were attempting to conform, would offend some people because I am ‘too big too woman’. But when you add to the fact that I’m not even trying to conform, I’m a six foot tall woman with a mohawk and visible tattoos and body modifications, that will lead people in this space to just be hostile to me when I walk into places.” “For me, as queer faculty and gender- nonconforming faculty, but white faculty, that means going into a space and acknowledging the privilege that I experience, as a white person, and making it clear that I also exist in
these marginalized identities,” said Bennett, who hopes that her awareness and representation can help her create a classroom atmosphere wherein students feel safe. “I want students to feel safe enough to take intellectual risks. Which is what’s necessary for people to learn,” said Bennett. Bennett has been a participant in Babel, a collective of academics and scholars that promotes unconventional thinking and studies, for nearly ten years. The collective provides academic resources for researchers, artists, and more who do not have access to libraries or journals, allowing them to research and publish, without having attained tenure. “This whole group has been about dismantling hierarchies within the academy,” said Bennett, “I did my intellectual development in this safe intellectual space that Babel created.” From October 26 through October 29, Bennett brought their biennial conference to UNR. The
own students had become the poster child for the white supremacists who marched at University of Virginia.” One panel was student-led. Five students addressed issues of inclusivity on campus for a room full of professors. Based on the student panel, Bennett is working on several projects to increase inclusivity at UNR. One such project is an inclusive pedagogies game, in which faculty have to draw identity cards that give them a certain background. “You draw Chicanix and this gives you a multiplier of times three every time you hit a microaggression you take three times as many as the card,” said Bennett, “And the faculty member has to play with this disadvantage that you experience from these intersections.” While Bennett is glad UNR provides microaggression training, that is, training on commonplace behavior that creates a hostile environment for marginalized groups, she feels the game goes a bit further. Bennett hopes the game will be more successful than traditional microaggression training because the faculty members will be invested in their character. Bennett says that racism is pervasive, and by not actively being anti-racist people may unwittingly permit, or take part in racist behavior. “I’d like for our faculty to have a chance to get inside the experiences of students that are going to be so different from their own experiences,” said Bennett, “And help them to understand these elements of a student’s identity can throw up roadblocks.” Bennett tries to create classroom
"I’m a six foot tall woman with a mohawk and visible tattoos and body modifications, that will lead people in this space to just be hostile to me when I walk into places."
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conference focused on issues of race and intersectionality, with programming such as “Race and Risk in the University” and “White Supremacist Legacies Within the Academy.” “Our focus on race was always part of it, but we pivoted more toward that after the events of Charlottesville,” said Bennett, “Especially since it was held at UNR, where one of our
environments in which student identities are considered and are not roadblocks. Bennett has attempted this in her queer utopias class, which she taught in the Fall of 2017, with one goal of the class being to “dismantle hierarchies.” She did this by giving up some of her authoritative control and letting the students decide the trajectory of the class throughout the semester. “It’s about me guiding you through certain materials and certain modes of thinking, so you can do it on your own,” said Bennett, “It’s just radical potential, with that wide open syllabus the first day of class.” According
to Bennett, allowing students to collectively choose the path of the semester is another form of inclusivity. By acknowledging that students are adults with jobs, families, or other responsibilities outside of the classroom and taking that into consideration, the structure of the class changes to suit the students’ identities. “There are all sorts of things that go into being a grown-ass human that the traditional college experience doesn’t really make space for,” said Bennett, “To hold students to those standards places an undue burden on students who do not fit that mold.”
Bennett’s Queer Utopias class and personal philosophies overlap. “I am a utopian. I am a person who lives in a way where I am trying to actively think about a better world, and whatever ways are in my power to bring that into existence,” said Bennett. “I walk around in this non-normative body and in so doing, even though I’m going to encounter hostility and possibly danger, I’m hoping that I make a space behind me,” said Bennett, “So that the next person that walks into that space and looks a little different, that they don’t feel as uncomfortable.” 23 INSIGHT
ELECTRIC WINTER
SnowGlobe Music Festival Words and Photos by Andrea Heerdt
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nsight Magazine rang in the new year at South Lake Tahoe for the 7th annual SnowGlobe Music Festival. This three-day celebration featured brilliant, psychedelic sculptures, up-and-coming performers, and some of electronic dance music’s most popular artists. Approximately 15,000 attendees traveled to Lake Tahoe Community College to witness the luminous lights, and hear the trancy melodies underneath the stars. Crowds gathered around the massive main stage, the pine tree encompassed sierra stage, and the dreamy igloo stage. INSIGHT 24
EDM and trap music are experiencing a change in style—many artists are including musical elements unconventional to trap and EDM’s usual sound. These influences range from Middle Eastern music to the sound of raindrops hitting a window. SnowGlobe fans danced endlessly for three nights to the spellbinding music, dressed in their craziest, extraterrestrial snow gear, making the festival grounds feel like another world. Day one kicked off with performers such as Khalid, Zedd, Spag Heddy, Travis Scott, and TroyBoi. During the closing performance of the night a massive crowd gathered around the sierra stage as TroyBoi played some of
his most popular hits like “Do You” and “Afterhours”. The crowd was, indeed, untamed as people were headbanging left and right. Troyboi brought out the rowdiness in some fans as a girl next to me danced while hanging from a tree branch. The wooden fence behind me was destroyed as the crowd smushed in towards the front stage more and more. Still, the crowd raged on for 45 more minutes until the clock struck 11. The second day of SnowGlobe offered some interesting performers such as Dillon Francis. An eclectic crowd embellished with kaleidoscope glasses and glitter gathered around the main stage to watch one of the night’s
trippiest performances. Francis entertained thousands as the night went on. In the middle of the festival grounds stood the ZOA sculpture. The ZOA is an interactive sculpture that traveled all the way from Burning Man and EDC Orlando. The sculpture made of a soft, wrinkled material can be touched and spun around from its support beams. People laid on the ground and stared and the multicolored lights for hours as it twirled around. New Years Eve was magical at South Lake. Justin Jay, a Los Angeles based five-piece, performed in the igloo under neon yellow and blue lights. Translucent beach balls were tossed amongst the crowd as striking
keyboard notes rang throughout the venue. Time stood still as everyone swayed back and forth, smiling as we all soaked in the final hours of 2017. Jai Wolf rocked the crowd and even the security guards couldn’t resist jamming along. Australian DJ, Alison Wonderland, brought the year to a close as thousands gathered to witness the closing performance of the festival. Fireworks and confetti littered the sky, and 2017’s most captivating moments were played on the big screen as the countdown began. The clock turned midnight and another year of EDM and trap’s biggest music festivals came to a close.
"TROYBOI BROUGHT OUT THE ROWDINESS IN SOME FANS AS A GIRL NEXT TO ME DANCED WHILE HANGING FROM A TREE BRANCH."
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FANS GATHER AT THE SIERRA STAGE WITH DECORATIVE TOTEM POLES
JUSTIN JAY PERFORMING IN THE IGLOO
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SUNDAY'S CROWD HEADBANGING TO JAI WOLF'S "STARLIGHT"
FESTIVAL GOERS PLAY WITH INSIGHT THE ZOA SCULPTURE AT27 NIGHT
CULTURE SHOCK A
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F O R E I G N
A F FA I R
Words by Carena Doyle
someone told you that you should. People should accept you the way you Photos by Kellie Sasso are, especially if you are an incomer and unique.” Illustration by Ryan Vellinga Indeed, USAC does everything in their power to prepare their stuith students from over dents for the kind of challenges they 70 countries studywill meet before they even begin to ing at the University pack. With available resources being of Nevada, Reno, “Culture Shock and Immersion” and the campus is often even “Tips for Cultural Adjustment for coined as being diverse, filled with Parents of Study Abroad Students”, ideas from people from all over the programs are in place to help their world. With help from the University American students feel the most preStudies Abroad Consortium, or USAC, pared when traveling abroad. many UNR students find themselves During the USAC orientation in in exciting new places with new ideOctober of 2017, examples were shown ologies, cultures, and experiences to elucidate differences in what may at their fingertips. So, how does the be shocking to one person and normal culture shock of foreign students travto another. One point illustrated that eling to America differ Thai culture often works from American students around issues, whereas traveling abroad? American culture goes "ONE STUDENT FROM Firstly, one may ask, headfirst into a problem, AFGHANISTAN QUIPPED THAT SHE what is American both yielding different culture? but successful solutions. WAS SHOCKED SHE COULD SPEAK "Americans are hard In addition, one student TO A MAN WHILE LOOKING HIM IN workers,” said Kendall who traveled to Italy for THE EYE IN AMERICA." Perry, an American-born a summer said a large journalism student at culture shock for her UNR. “American culture was when she discovcertainly can get a bad wrap, but when a little more modest. But you know, it ered that most Italians do not use a it comes down to it, we have come far is part of expressing their self and cul- dryer, but rather, hang their clothes as a nation to work hard and accept ture, and we all have to respect that.” on a line to dry. In contrast, one stuone another. I know we're not there However, there is a significant dent from Afghanistan quipped that yet, but we may be on the right path. amount of pressure to adapt to a new she was shocked she could speak to a We celebrate everything, we laugh a culture once stepping foot inside its man while looking him in the eye in lot, and we are happy people.” realm. With some adaptations being America. Yet, American culture can also seen as appropriation and others be“Sometimes culture shock is not so be associated with more negative ing seen as stripping oneself of one's and can be just discrimination or connotations. own roots, is there a balance that can prejudice,” said Merle Ocampo, a suc“American culture is depicted as be found? cessful nurse originally from Hernani, unhealthiness, selfishness, and genZoe Fitch is a student at UNR Philippines. “In healthcare, I was the eral racism,” one political science from Guernsey, one of the Channel only Filipino, and just because you major said, “The entire nation was Islands in the English Channel and were the only brown kid they thought built upon the disrespect of the earth, is a self-governing British Crown de- you didn't know anything. Now, peotaking of things that weren’t theirs, pendency. Fitch is often found in the ple will say, ‘May I talk to the superviinequality to the highest degree, and gym or on the track as one of the most sor?’ I say, ‘I am the supervisor.’” religion.” successful international student track With the Office of International As the American experience differs and field athletes in UNR’s history. Students and Scholars reporting that for each individual, similarities are She, too, found significant changes students from six different continents voiced by many of the students study- in women’s beauty routines, fashion are currently studying at UNR, many ing here from other countries. choices, and overall expectations of feel campus life is becoming more diNoris Buitrago is a senior studying at beauty and success. However, these verse as the years pass. the University of Nevada, Reno. After standards, mixed with culture shock "It is important to remember, above traveling to the United States for her in general, never phased her. all things, respect,” said Chen Wei, studies, she found stark differences “I don't think you should ever feel a second-year geology student from between beauty expectations between pressured to adapt to a new cul- Beijing, China. “You don’t have to American women and the women of ture,” Fitch said, “If you change your adapt or not adapt, just feel the soil her home country of Panama. style and beauty regime it should be you stand on and the blood in your “I think beauty and attractiveness because you want to, not because veins. The balance will find you.”
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mean something a little different in my country,” Buitrago said. “Beauty is also accompanied by intellectual knowledge and good qualities. Women are not focused on television flashing at them on commercials or appearing on magazines or catalogues. If a woman is physically attractive but also professional, she will definitely get a lot of attention.” Yet, this cultural divide is further explained when clothing is brought into the scene. As fashion is a major staple to each culture, the shock in arriving in a new place can be overwhelming depending on the severity in which one feels the difference is from their native land. “Most of Americans are really open-minded,” Buitrago said, “We are
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artist spotlight: casio 210 Words by Emily MacDiarmid Photos by Jana Sayson
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t’s not often that college roommates get along. Someone forgets to do the dishes, they leave their clothes in the laundry, their personalities clash. The list goes on as to why so many people have issues with their
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roommates. Conflict is an expected, additional cost to the soul-crushing rent that so many students face. Students pay the bills and accept that an issue will probably occur. PJ Wilkerson and Laura Wozniak are the anomaly to this norm. Wilkerson and Wozniak have gotten along so well that they have formed a new, up and coming band in Reno,
Nevada. Their experimental sounds along with their spunky personalities have formed Casio 210, a name inspired by the shared synthesizer found at a local thrift store. Wilkerson was originally in another band and would invite Wozniak over to preview new music and expand on the present tunes. It was never serious until Wilkerson found himself lacking some band members. Wozniak was immediately the first choice to form a new duo. In early November, Casio 210 played their first show in the back room of Bibo Coffee on Record Street south of campus. They showed up sporting the iconic three white stripes of classic Adidas attire. “We wanted full Adidas tracksuits, but those are pricey. We needed to make it weird though. We take our performance seriously but not our appearance. We had an idea and wanted to have fun with it,” said Wozniak. Wilkerson and Wozniak walked in with subtle confidence and excitement; a hint at their forthcoming brilliance. Despite it being their first gig
download the app off the apple and andriod store
the creation of music seems to simply be a hobby. I immediately realized the utter dedication to the craft as I sat across the table and watched Wilkerson’s immense enthusiasm for the first draft of their newest song. “We both write pretty evenly. PJ creates a lot of the cool instrumentals, and I write the lyrics,” said Wozniak. During a weekend in mid-November, the duo travelled to Boise for a quick weekend trip before the fast approach-
"THERE’S A STRANGE MOMENT IN THE INTRO OF EACH OF THEIR SONGS WHERE THEY CAPTURE THE AMBIENCE OF ANY ROOM."
together, the duo stunned the crowd with an aura of expertise. I remember watching the crowd as Casio 210 played that night. Towards the front there were a few people subtly dancing to every rise and fall of each song. Others were joined together watching the performance, completely immersed. It’s rare that I ever see a crowd so obviously absorbed in the sound of the space. There’s a strange moment in the intro of each of their songs where they capture the ambience of any room and
fill it with livelihood. With the various tiers to each individual song, a sense of curiosity fills the space as the listeners wonder how such intricate melodies can come from only two individuals. It’s a testament to the influence of technology on contemporary, abstract music. A month later, as I sat in the kitchen of their house, Wilkerson eagerly played a new mix he had made the night before. Despite not recording yet, the duo has continued to create new music. For a lot of young artists,
ing stress of finals. A break from the mundanity of college life, Wilkerson and Wozniak filled the weekend meeting new people, listening to music, and exploring the uncommon choice of an ideal urban landscape. “We went to Boise and loved it. We’re going to try to play at a music festival there soon. Boise is our New York City,” joked Wilkerson. The status as roommates has become a disguised benefit for the duo. With Wilkerson quickly approaching the end to his college career and Wozniak applying for med school, the duo is faced with numerous priorities above playing music. Yet, as roommates, their availability thankfully increases. “PJ has all of his equipment set up in his room, so he’ll just go ‘hey are you free right now?’ and then we’ll practice pretty much whenever we can,” said Wozniak. “If we weren’t roommates, I don’t think we’d be a band,” said Wilkerson. The duo aims to play more local shows through the winter and spring. A common venue they will perform at will be The Holland Project. 31 INSIGHT
LIFESTYLE
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33 INSIGHT
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
and pleasing love story where boy and girl meet and everything is fated to end well, which is what makes it so infuriatingly organic. It’s about flaws and emotional unavailability, being in love and falling out of love, trying to find love in the millennial age, and dealing with sobriety and other obstacles. Too much of a realist to enjoy The Notebook or Twilight? This is the show for you.
gems of
Masters of None (show):
21:27
10:52
Words by Crystal Pulido-Lugo Illustration by Elizabeth Pearson
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ith shows like Stranger Things and Orange is the New Black, some Netflix films, shows, and documentaries can be pushed aside and left to collect cyber dust. Unless you enjoy digging through each genre and are willing to set some time aside to indulge in a new film, show, and documentary, it is likely you haven’t encountered some of the best stuff on Netflix. I have found each of these through spending too much time on Netflix (I am not alone) and giving works I have never heard of a chance. Taste in things is completely subjective, but the following shows, films, and documentaries are wonderful things to give a try.
Living in the Material (Documentary):
From his Liverpool, England, beginnings to Beatlemania to Hinduism and so on, this documentary explores the personal life of musician, George Harrison. Through footage of his humble Beatles beginnings and interviews with Harrison himself explaining subjects from his personal life to his music, those who never had the privilege of meeting Harrison finally have the opportunity to understand and immerse themselves in the “quiet Beatle’s world.” Director Martin Scorsese INSIGHT 34
delivers an intimate and beautiful documentary with unseen footage, acoustic and haunting demos of Harrison’s music, personal stories from friends and family (even Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr), and unseen photographs from the Harrison estate. This documentary is a bittersweet treat for all George Harrison devotees and music fans, no matter what genre you’re into. Don’t know who George Harrison was? This is where to start!
Shot! (Documentary):
This fun biographical documentary explores the life of music photographer, Mick Rock. Rock himself goes through some of his memories from working as David Bowie’s personal photographer as he was metamorphosing into Ziggy Stardust. There's also Lou Reed, Syd Barrett, Iggy Pop, and more. This documentary does a great job of both romanticizing and peeling layers to make the not-soawesome side of rock and roll and its lifestyle visible. This psychedelic documentary is perfect for music and photography enthusiasts.
Love (show):
Like Pat Benatar sang back in the 80s, love is a battlefield and Love has no problem facing this fact. Set in Los Angeles, California, Love explores the modern romance between love and sex addict, Mickey (Gillian Jacobs) and aspiring scriptwriter, Gus (Paul Rust). This series isn’t your typical
This show follows Indian-American and aspiring actor Dev’s life and his handle of New York City and adulthood. Singlehood and dating apps, stereotypes, and more are explored in the show. Masters of None is co-written by Aziz Ansari (who plays Dev) and is inspired by his own life experiences. This show does not fail to have at least one theme or struggle that one can relate to. It’s perfectly relatable, comical, and reminds us that we all have a little Dev in us who is just trying to find a special someone to split a bowl of spaghetti with. Fun Fact: Master’s of None’s “Thanksgiving” episode won an Emmy for outstanding writing for a comedy series. The episode follows Dev’s friend Denise and her journey with her sexuality, her coming out story, family, and being an African-American lesbian woman today.
Freaks and Geeks (show):
It is a bit painful to write about this show. Why? It was packed with awesomeness, great music, young James Franco and Seth Rogen, and was wonderfully written, but it was cancelled after its first season. Set in Michigan in the early 80s, Freaks and Geeks is about two groups of teens: The freaks who smoke marijuana, listen to rock, and skip class and the geeks, freshman who are trying to handle high school while getting bullied and playing Dungeons and Dragons. The two protagonists and siblings, Lindsay and Sam, try to find their place in high school and fall into the two categories along their journey. 18 episodes of pure greatness.
Carrie Pilby (film):
This charming film follows the life of Carrie, a nineteen-year-old child prodigy, who has recently graduated from Harvard and is now taking on New York and adult roles/struggles. The socially awkward teenager is advised to complete a list of goals before the end of the year by her therapist. From doing something she loved to do as a kid to rereading her favorite book to going on a date, Pilby begins to find herself and invite people into her life and battle with things she has pushed aside. Carrie Pilby is a quirky film that reminds the audience to live a little and is a perfect story for us out here struggling at the whole adulting thing, too. Words by Josie Steehler
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etflix contains a lot of interesting finds that may be overlooked due to the popular page and the very limited selections on the home screen. After many searches and watches the way that Netflix has conformed to me has been quite satisfying through the way that I have chosen what I watch. Most of the time when entering Netflix, I am looking for something new, something to binge, or something that looks extremely interesting to me. The way that I found most of these titles was by a random scroll through the many categories and genres on Netflix itself. While a couple of others were experienced by introduction and lead me to find even more interest in the subgenre that inspired searches which lead to many other finds of similar standing. Finding things that are enjoyable and suitable for yourself can be hard; here are some recommendations that I have found to be thoroughly entertaining.
Reign (Show):
From romance to prophecies to politics and violence this show has a lot to offer to many different crowds looking for an extremely diversified plot. The character dynamic is a little frustrating as they always tend to make decisions that are going to inflict some sort of pain on them in the future *sigh*. Don’t you just love it
when you get so invested at every twist and turn only to have them make the worst decision possible? This is what keeps us interested though, that they keep betraying what we want; and we keep watching so that they continue to spark our interest.
Boogie Nights (Film):
A film like this is nothing anyone expects it to be. With a setting in the 70’s this extremely graphic and sexual film explores what it was like for a young man to become something of himself through a group of porn actors. This coming-of-age film is chalked full of humor and hard-hitting happenings of this peculiar group of people who see their own way of getting through life. This film can really be of interest to people who are looking for an exploration of something a little off the beaten path, while enjoying some big stars such as Mark Wahlberg and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.
Copenhagen (Film):
This movie explores what it’s like to connect with someone. This is not a story about love, although it may seem that way when the two main characters begin to spend more and more time together and learn more about each other as well as a long-lost family member of one of the characters. This story is not only extremely inspirational in self-discovery, but it explores the idea of how being with someone doesn’t have to mean romance. There can be companionship and support while being around someone even though there seems to be a chance of romance. A feel-good movie that shows what travel can bring is a stunner for all audiences.
Adult World (Film):
Finding out about your idol can be a little unnerving, especially when they tell you that they have pretty much given up and aren’t anything like you expect them to be. In this film, there is exploration of passion and dedication as the main character seeks to find what she has always been searching and yearning for in her life as a poet. There is a lot of self-discovery in this flick as the main character struggles to accept the reality in which she is
in, while also learning to accept it and the way that people are present in her life.
Easy (Anthology):
This two season series is an interesting look at the sexual lives of ordinary people. The star-studded cast makes for interest as well as a captivating plot that reals people in through its inside look at each other’s sex lives. Learning about something that can be a bit awkward, as it is portrayed in the series, is extremely relieving for viewers. This show depicts the realities of trying to maintain a healthy sex life which incorporates a feeling of understanding and recognition to the audience. This type of entertainment involves humor where it is needed and bits of seriousness sprinkled all about in order to really capture what it is to embark on such a relationship, and to maintain it, with another person.
Black Mirror(anthology):
This series throws people off from the get go. There is no chronological order in which these episodes belong to and the stories within each season do not string together nicely as to create stories for the characters with an introduction of deep struggle. Each episode is its own movie of sorts. Sometimes there is not a resolution to the problems that are faced, which can leave a watcher distraught. The different types of futures that these episodes introduce give alternate ideas of how politics, technology, and overall social norms are founded when in these substitute ideas of futures. This show can really capture the interest of many audiences as it explores relationships, dystopian societies, extreme competition, and extremely serious social situations. These differing ideas can not only capture interest, but show watchers what can happen when there is an overconsumption of anything.
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S HOWI TO AVOID BEING A GAPER
Words by Serena Singh Photos by Even Muth Illustration by Andrea Heerdt
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r e member racing my older brother down the freshly groomed black diamond, hoping to make it down before him so that I could decide which run we went on next (obviously the reward for being first to the chairlift is being able to pick the next run). As I zipped down the hill, I felt the wind and flecks of ice shower my face, turning my nose and cheeks a painful pink. My skis sailed over the hard packed slope, slicing the icy ground beneath me as I turned. While I continued my adrenaline-fueled descent down the mountain, I felt one of the worst feelings a seasoned skier could ever feel: a breeze on my forehead As I arrived at the chairlift after my INSIGHT 36
brother, naturally, I looked at him and immediately asked, “Do I have a gaper gap?” Referring to the gap between my goggles and helmet, a tell-tale sign of a gaper. After he said no, I took a breath of release and chalked up the breeze as a freak incident. Growing up in a skiing community, I learned at a young age what a gaper is--and to avoid being one at all costs. Being a gaper in a ski area makes you subject to various forms of embarrassment as locals and avid skiers alike find great joy in making fun of gapers, typically behind their backs. By being a gaper you run the risk of being made fun of, not being taken seriously, and possibly even having a picture sent in to the infamous Instagram account, @jerryoftheday. A gaper is a beginning skier or snowboarder who doesn’t yet know what they’re doing nor do they know mountain etiquette. There are certain tell-tale characteristics of a gaper that
you can see by just looking at them. These characteristics include:
Out of fashion ski gear- This includes any vintage ski wear worn unironically, plaid, jeans, etc
Helmets- People wear helmets now
You don’t know where to stop on the ski hill- You stop either in the middle of the run or some place completely hidden
You cut people off- This is the worst on cat tracks
You wear a camera- But you aren’t filming anything particularly noteworthy
Keeping up with ski lingo- Using it improperly
Unblended sunscreen- People will engaged in a one-up contest. People notice
You carry your gear poorly- Lack of spatial awareness can lead to injuries for yourself and others
You tuck your pants into your boots- A great way to get snow in you boots
Gaper gap- Gap between goggles and helmet
Unfortunate headgear- Helmet covers, hats, etc
Safety bar- Don't pull it down until everyone is settled This mockery of people, who are essential to the economy of these small ski towns, is by no means nice. However, it is entertaining, and it’s done in good fun. Skiers are almost always
brag about how many days they logged in a season, where they’re skiing this year, what gear they’re wearing, and so on. Thus, having gapers is essential to the hierarchy of skiers. They serve as scapegoats. People make fun of them just because it’s a fun thing to do, and it’s part of ski culture. Overall, being is gaper isn’t that bad. No matter how you ski, the most important thing to do is have fun. You can go ahead and break every one of these rules if you want-except the safety bar rule. Nothing makes a chairlift ride more awkward than when you whack someone’s helmet or stab their leg with the safety bar before everyone has settled into the chair. Anyhow, the most important rule is to enjoy yourself. So, put on your jeans and smear a snowball-sized glob of sunscreen on your face, and have yourself a grand ol’ time.
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WE COULD BENEFIT FROM
A LITTLE MINIMALISM Words by Carley Olson Photos by Kellie Sasso
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o, let’s start simple. What is minimalism? Minimalism is often characterized by the idea of living with very few possessions. It can often be seen in videos online of people with very little possessions. For example: one of each utensil, one bowl, a couple shirts and maybe two pairs of shoes. Although that approach works wonderfully for some people, it isn’t always realistic for others. The core of minimalism is to put your values first and get rid of things you don’t need in your life. It often seems like these days many people believe money can buy you happiness. The more things you
have the better your life will be. Keeping up on all the latest fashion trends, buying all the latest gadgets, swiping up all the latest makeup that comes on the shelves, with these you’ll find happiness. Minimalism challenges the belief that money can buy you happiness by getting you to refocus your life around your values and appreciating your experiences and your relationships with others. Minimalism helps you declutter your life by taking away distractions you don’t need and replacing them with more deep and meaningful things. Anyone can benefit from a more minimalist lifestyle.
THE BENEFITS OF MINIMALISM 1. More time. By switching to a more minimalist lifestyle you will have more time to yourself. You don’t have to spend any extra time trying to find something you lost or spend so much time cleaning your room. By owning less, you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning and organizing. You’ll have more free time to do whatever you like and you’ll already know where everything is. 2. Stress Reduction. Less clutter means less stress. I’m sure you all can relate to how relaxing it is to come home to an organized and clean space. If you’re like me and live in a tiny apartment with limited space, it’s easy to understand how stressful it is to never have enough space for all your stuff. Living in such a small place has taught me to downsize and only keep things I really need. 3. Save Money. By switching to a more minimalist lifestyle you get to save a ton of money. Instead of going out and blowing all your money as soon as you get paid you can save your money for
only essentials, such as replacing your old phone, maybe upgrading your TV, or putting it aside in savings. You get to spend your money on higher quality items. Not only can you save for better, more useful things, you can also save your money and put it towards experiences rather than objects. You can go try out that new restaurant you’ve been dying to try, or check out a concert that’s coming to town. You will have a lot more fun and more memorable moments when your money goes to experiences, not objects. 4. Personal Growth. Minimalism lets you have more time for things that matter to you. Less stuff means living a less stress filled life and more money means less financial stress. By refocusing your life around values, experiences, and relationships and less on physical objects you will learn to appreciate life so much more. There’s so much more to life than the latest and greatest items to buy. You will learn how experiences and personal connections with those around you can truly change your perspective on life. You will have great stories to tell and amazing people by your side. 39 INSIGHT
How to Achieve a More Minimalist Lifestyle 1. Go through your closet. One of the first and easiest steps you can do would be simply going through your closet. I know it’s tough to get rid of things, but try to be realistic with what you wear and what you don’t. Realistically you’ll hardly notice any of the things you never wore once they’re gone, and you’ll get more closet space. You could sell them and make a little extra cash on the side, or you can donate whatever clothes and shoes you decide to get rid of, and help someone in need. 2. Go through your computer. Minimalism can be brought to every aspect of your life, even your computer. If you haven’t, take the time to organize everything that’s on your computer. I suggest you give it a try. File, sort, and organize everything whether it’s for school, work, or personal, organize everything. You will feel so much better when every time you get on your computer you’re greeted with a clean, organized desktop. Even go through your emails and unsubscribe from all those pesky ads that just love to pop up. Also, uninstall apps or programs you never use that just take up space.
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3. Go through your household. Besides just your room go through your kitchen, living room, bathroom, and even the laundry room. You can find there’s tons of things you don’t need scattered around the house. My biggest problem has always been coffee mugs. I just love coffee mugs, but realistically I don’t need 10 coffee mugs taking up a whole shelf in my already tiny kitchen. Even go through the pantry to see if there’s anything just sitting that can be tossed or donated. You’ll be looking at things and wonder why on earth you ever bothered to spend money on them. 4. Make it a goal to save money. After you’ve cleared the place, make it a goal to start saving money. Try to not waste your money on unnecessary things that way you can put your money towards experiences, or put it in your savings for later or even start an emergency fund. I mean who would complain about having more money. 5. Make it a goal to change. Besides just cleaning out the house and learning how to handle your money you need to make it a goal to change. A goal is to pay closer attention to the things that matter to you. Spend more time with people you care about, build stronger relationships. Work on building fond memories you can look back upon.
Learning how to appreciate life is so important for overall happiness and well being. The point of this journey is to improve yourself and your overall happiness. Life is short, so we need to make the most of it.
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Words by Alexis Scatena Illustrations by Elizabeth Pearson
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tudents at the University of Nevada, Reno focus on looking for classes to fulfill their core requirements when enrolling each semester. However, if students looked deeper into the class catalog, they would discover that UNR offers some unusual and unique classes.
Anthropology 420/620
T
he study of magic, witchcraft, and religion is one of the options that seems to go unnoticed when students sign up for classes. According to its syllabus, the course “is an overview of anthropological interpretations of INSIGHT 42
and approaches to religion, magic, and witchcraft.� However, this does not include casting spells or creating potions. The anthropology of religion is characterized primarily by looking at religion in practice. Students will
study forms and meanings of religious practice using examples from many different cultural contexts. This includes (but is not limited to) a look at worldview, myth, ritual, spirit possession, religious practitioners and authority, gender, magic, witchcraft,
and sorcery. Toward the end of the semester, students focus specifically on religion in the modern, global world. Erin Stiles, professor for ANTH 420/620, has been teaching the course every spring semester since 2008. Originally from Utah, Stiles developed a passion for religion through her personal experiences. “Growing up as a non-Mormon in a heavily LDS part of Utah, I was always interested in religion, and the intersections of religion and culture,” Stiles said, “So, I decided to focus on
religion in anthropology.” Although the name of the class sums up its focus, Stiles explains how the teachings have a deeper meaning to them. “In ANTH 420, we use a variety of ethnographic case studies to explore the lived experience of religion among people around the world,” Stiles said, “I think my favorite part of ANTH 420 is teaching these case studies, and encouraging students to try to see the world from another’s point of view.” Students may question how taking a class that revolves around magic,
witchcraft, and religion will benefit them in the future. Stiles states that the course will expand students’ understandings of the diversity in the world. “By exploring human cultural diversity through religion, I think students will be better able to understand and thrive in our increasingly diverse cultural environment,” Stiles says. Students should take ANTH 420 if they are interested in studying religion as something that people do and experience.
chs 605
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pirituality and Health A student who is passionate about health and religion would enjoy this capstone course. Offered every fall, CHS 605 focuses on how spirituality (creating meaning of one’s life) can prevent or heal disease. Professor Mel Minarik
states in the syllabus that the class “examines the issues, research, and personal experiences relating to health and spirituality from the preventive aspect of spiritual practices and to the healing aspects of spiritual practices.” Similarly to ANTH 420/620, students will look over a
variety of religions and how their practices can lead to healing. Through this compelling course, students will benefit from learning how the connection between the mind and body can potentially heal one’s soul.
econ 411
E
conomic and Social Aspects of Gambling: The City of Reno relies heavily on casinos to help boost its economy. In 1989, the University of Nevada, Reno established an institute for the Study of Gambling and Commercial Gaming.
According to its website, the institute’s classes “aim to encourage and promote research and learning so that the multifaceted issues surrounding gambling and commercial gaming and the ways in which individuals and society-at-large are affected might
be addressed.” In ECON 411, students will analyze topics related to gambling, such as game strategies, odds making, gambling behavior, economics of the gaming industry, and compulsive gambling.
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Best Bar
for your
personality
It’s been a long week of tests, essays, and headaches. You’re trying to figure out the right place to go with your freinds. How do you know which bar will be right for you? Read below to find out by taylor harker and andrea heerdt
Are you sports fan or wild child What kind of music
Loud
Price
What kind of music
Background $
Top 40 Day of week
$
Price
Wednesday or Thursday
EDM
Wing wednesday Thirsty Thursdays
The Stick $$$
$$$ Little Waldorf
Flowing Tide INSIGHT 44
Archie’s
The Rack Lex Imperial Nightclub Weekend
Our Bar
Brew Brothers
The U
Are you hipster or laid back What do you like doing
What kind of music Background
Loud
Games and Karaoke
Hanging out with friends $ Price
Price
$
Type of drinks $$$
Java Jungle $$$
Karaoke Beer
St. James Infirmary
Pub N’ Sub
Chapel Tavern
Death and Taxes
West Second Street
The BlueBird Tonic
Day of week
Yes Weekend
Bar crawl night
HQ
Sierra Tap House
Pignic Pub and Patio
Cocktails Wednesday or Thursday
Games
5 Star Saloon
1up No
Faces NV 45 INSIGHT
OPINION
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47 INSIGHT
Photo by Andrea Heerdt
like e Som aute It
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H
Words by Carena Doyle Photos by Kellie Sasso Illustration by Erin Lucas
II
n the aftermath of a groundbreaking New York Fashion Week, American style has witnessed a surfeit of artists to gain inspiration from--Marchesa’s watercolor visions to Siriano’s dreamy variations of a classic striped pant. However, on a college campus, young adults often find themselves wearing what is most affordable, comfortable, or even accessible, creating a hierarchy of yoga-pants, Patagonia jackets, the occasional dress, and traditional college sweatshirts. Yet, what happens when a student stands as a departure from the sea of others, draped in a designer coat or even an out-of-the-box thrift store piece? From the stereotyping of a straight man as gay to the stigmatizing of a woman’s confidence as immodesty, the assumptions made about an individual from their clothing is limitless. Here are the experiences of four fashion conscious individuals.
“People would never tell my friends and I that we dressed bad. In fact, I would get compliments often but they would always come with a ‘you’re so hipster’ or a ‘why are you dressed so nice for school?’ kind of comment after.” In addition to being labeled overthe-top or ‘hipster,’ (one of Johnson’s least favorite words) one large stereotype stems from the belief a woman is immodest if her clothes seem revealing to the beholder. “There is definitely an issue with femininity and sexuality,” Johnson said, “So, if anyone ever says anything of a slut-shaming nature to me in regards to my clothing I just tell them to not look, or that I’m dressed for myself and not them.” 21-year-old Chloe Breckenridge is currently studying human development and family studies as well as community health science at the University of Nevada, Reno. From traveling to the nearest Urban Outfitters to volunteering for the pediatrics unit at Renown Regional Medical Center, Breckenridge can be found hiking in Lake Tahoe or dancing at a music festival. With a closet filled with inspi-
"I just tell them to not look, or that I’m dressed for myself and not them." Madison Johnson is a 19-year-old political science and philosophy student at the University of Nevada, Reno. Between enjoying a good Mark Twain novel or planning her potential future as a lawyer, Johnson can be found balancing yoga, fitness, classes, and the occasional alternative concert with her busy schedule. However, despite her many obligations, Johnson is always serving a look, whether it be drawn from personal inspiration or from the likes of Balenciaga, Karl Lagerfeld, Alexa Chung, or Alexander McQueen. Yet, even the most successful individuals are stereotyped due to the way they dress.
problem,” said Grant Uba, a UNR political science and English literature double major. Uba, 20, originally hails from Jos, Nigeria, and has aspirations to become a lawyer focused on helping people through civil rights advocacy. Uba often can be found watching a nature documentary, deep within a Vonnegut novel, or studying at a local coffee shop. His vast closet is influenced by figures such as Solange
ration from Coco Chanel, Tommy Hilfiger, and Mary Quant, Breckenridge is never far away from a contemporary pair of mom jeans, a faux fur coat, and a vintage jean jacket. Yet, even the most developed style can be subject to criticism. “Many people tend to stereotype my friends and I by the way that we dress when going out as ‘sorority girls’,” Breckenridge said, “Yes we are in a sorority, but we aren't all the same and we do not all dress the same. You weren't born to be like everyone else, you were born to be like you.” “Whatever people assume about me because of my clothes isn’t my 49 INSIGHT
and Zoe Kravitz, leaving the public to often speculate about his fashion choices. “Being black and gay, people expect you dress a certain way,” Uba said. “Once someone was having an argument about racial profiling, saying they doubted I would be profiled
With an expansive wardrobe, Pinneri is influenced by all sorts of entities: fashion blogs, The Migos, friends, and his pug, Susie. Pinneri is avid fan of turtlenecks and raw denim, as well as cropped clothing--cropped jackets, pants, and even tops. However, as the male fashion world is always subject
" It’s 2017, you should stop adhering to gender norms and dress for yourself." because of the way I dress. An odd comment.” “At New York Fashion Week, it was life-changing. Everyone dressed for themselves. Honestly, it’s 2017, you should stop adhering to gender norms and dress for yourself,” said Uba. Gianni Pinneri, a 20-year-old computer science and engineering major, balances classes, cooking, programming, a rigorous gym schedule, and what he delineates as “white bullshit.” INSIGHT 50
to judgement, Pinneri’s wardrobe is no exception. “People assume I’m gay, I’m an arm wrestler, I don't like women, I’m spoiled, or unapproachable,” Pinneri said, “Those are short shorts, or that's a weird trench coat, most guys don’t dress like that.” “None of the shit people say matters. Identify as whatever you want. I just identify as Gianni.”
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