December 2019 Issue
International School of Florence
Volume 8, Issue 1
A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS
Dear readers, The Tuskan Times is finally back with the first edition of the year! As editors, we feel the need to comment on the lack of issues published in this first trimester of the 2019-2020 school year. Keeping the newspaper in check while also focusing on our IB deadlines and college applications has been particularly difficult, as we are both in our last year. Our attention was greatly shifted to our assessments and personal statements, so it was a hard task to put together and publish new Tuskan Times editions at the same time. We hope the wait was not too excruciating, and hope you’ll enjoy the articles written by our talented and very dedicated journalists! Sincerely, the editors, Niccolo’ and Giulia
What’s in this issue? CASE STUDY: THE CHILE PROTESTS, 1 CASE STUDY: THE BOLIVIAN PROTESTS, 2 CASE STUDY: THE HONG KONG PROTESTS, 4 CASE STUDY: THE LEBANON PROTESTS, 5 THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PROTEST, 7 A NEW AGE IN DIGITAL POLITICS?, 9 TRUMP AND THE PARIS AGREEMENT, 11 ITALY: A PIONEER IN ECO-FRIENDLY EDUCATION, 13 GOING HOME, 15 AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT, 17 DEAD OR ALIVE: IS THERE ANY EMPATHY, 18 RELIGIOUS HYMNS OR HIP HOP MUSIC?, 19 POLITICAL CORRECTNESS, 20 JANNIK SINNER E UN FUTURO CHE E’ GIA’ PRESENTE, 22 NO HUMAN IS LIMITED, 23
STAFF Editor-in-Chief Niccolò Platt Co-Editor Giulia Oosterwijk Layout Editors Giulia Oosterwijk Jacqueline Obert
Artists Jacqueline Obert Dajanique Bonner Advisor John Pitonzo Front cover by Jacqueline Obert Back cover by Dajanique Bonner
CASE STUDY: THE CHILE PROTESTS By Avery Walsh Fernie In an attempt to keep the peace, the president sent in the military, with army members driving around in armored vehicles and tanks to keep order within the towns. The people took that as an announcement of war between protestors and government. At this point Piñera cancelled the subway fare increase. As expected, this didn’t calm the protests. Clearly the unrest wasn’t only about the fare As of 14 October, there have been ongoing
increase of 30 pesos. Was there a deeper meaning
protests in Chile. This was a response against the
behind it? Many people believe that what started
Chilean government, who on 6 October, announced
out as a protest against the increased fare was
that there would be an increase in the fare for the
really a fight against a government that no longer
public transportation system in the capital,
cared about them or their needs. The Chilean
Santiago. The increase was of 30 pesos, which is
people were already calling for help from the
equivalent to about 4 US cents. This may not seem
government but were not receiving it. Particularly indignant are the pensioners. Over
like a lot, but to struggling families that were not
several decades, the Chilean social security
financially stable, it was a disaster. What came as a surprise to many people was the
program was robbed by corrupt politicians, leading
fact that these riots were started by angered high
to a decrease in available funds. Now, most of the
school students who took to the streets. Their
retired community of Chile is left living below the
outrage spread to college students and then to all
poverty level with monthly stipends of under
members of the Chilean society, and what started
$140.
as a harmless protest quickly began escalating. The
These riots have been ongoing for several
protesters began jumping the metro barricades and
months now, and the situation does not seem to
holding gates open so that more people could pass
settle. Though many people thought it would help,
and avoid paying the ticket.
the government’s interference only made matters
A sudden transition occurred once citizens
worse. Now, it is up to the people to stand for what
began burning down dozens of metro stations,
they believe in and try to accomplish what they are
busses and buildings as their anger grew. By the
fighting for.
end of the second week of protests, about 20 people died, thousands were injured and a total of a billion dollars worth of damage was inflicted. As the protests grew in size, Sebastián Piñera, the president of Chile, enacted a state of emergency. In an interview, Piñera said: “we are at war”.
GLOBAL 1
CASE STUDY: THE BOLIVIAN PROTESTS By Edoardo Cariati Bolivia has undergone social and political turmoil
confirmed by the Organization of American States
in the past months. Bolivia's president, Evo Morales
which agreed that there was a manipulation in the
has been in office since 2005. Morales’ main priority was to resolve the great crisis of 2005, when around
elections and they had to be considered as non-
38% of the population was considered to live in
valid and consequently the result was to be
extreme poverty. In order to solve this problem, he
canceled.
nationalized the country's oil and gas industries. Although facing difficult times, his votes in the
The protest turned ugly as the days mounted up
country have increased by 10% from 2005 to 2009
with no clear election result. At least three people
and had slightly decreased in 2013 by 3% but he still
died in the cities during clashes and protests, ballot
had the support of the vast majority of the
boxes and electoral offices were set on fire by
population.
protesters who were angry. Consequently, Evo
So what caused the protests? Some people claim
Morales started to lose support in the country as
he shouldn't have run for president after having ruled
well as losing the support of the armed forces and
the country for almost 14 years. He nonetheless was
was forced to step down. This was a coup, military
able to run again in 2019 after being allowed to do so by the country's Constitutional Court. During the following elections which took place in 2019, there was controversy. When the count showed a win for
takeover, more than a revolution or a civil war. The last of his supporters started fighting the armed forces on the streets, while his opponents,
Morales, he was suspected of corrupting his
supporters of Carlos Mesa, took to the streets to
opponent's supporters. These claims were then
celebrate the resignation of the president.
GLOBAL 2
The revolution has spread worldwide, with
that she "will take any measure to pacify the
prominent leaders commenting on the situation.
country." She says she wants to speed up the election
Donald Trump, president of the United States, says
process in order to have a new president in charge by
he "applauds the Bolivian people for demanding
22 January, the day president Morales's term would
freedom,'' while Russia claims Morales had won the elections but had to resign due to the "wave of violence" which had spread throughout the country. Evo Morales has now traveled to Mexico asking for political asylum and claims he will go
have expired if he had not resigned. Unrest may continue due to Ms. Añez’s rise to power. Clashes and protests are still on the streets causing more victims and vandalism. Opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho, one of Morales's
back to Bolivia with more "strength and energy." So, what has happened in the country after his
greatest opponents, told the protesters to dismantle
resignation? After his resignation, it would have
barricades they had set up. The situation is not clear
been to the vice-president, Alvarez Garcia Linera,
yet, especially with Morales saying that he will
to take over power, yet he fled with Morales to
"continue the struggle" but he has not announced
Mexico. After him, there would have been two
whether he is going to do it from Mexico or if he is
people who would have taken over power in
going to return to Bolivia.
Bolivia, but they both resigned leaving the role of president to the leader of the Senate, Jeanine Añez. Under the country's legislation, Ms. Añez has 90 days to call for new elections. She has announced GLOBAL 3
CASE STUDY: THE HONG KONG PROTESTS By Coco Li The murder of Pan Xiao Ying, occuring on 8 on be used as a method of identification and be a February 2018, sparked outrage amongst the people source of evidence for the police. They use airdrop to of Hong Kong and its legal system. The prime share information anonymously as the internet is suspect and partner of the victim, Cheung Tong Jia, controlled, cover their card with foil, and avoid found themselves in the midst of a dispute.
cameras that could easily spot their identity.
Hong Kong Security proposed the Fugitive Offenders Amendment, allowing the Hong Kong Government to transfer suspects and provide legal assistance. The Hong Kong Government refused to extradite Cheung Tong Jia to Taiwan due to possible legal complications in the future. They were concerned that the Bill would cause them to lose their liberties and regional authority, ultimately being forced to submit Hong Kong civilians to China’s legal system.
Likewise, they use telegrams to share sources as to where, what, and when the police are in position or have any new information, so that people can collaborate and the government would not know about it. Most of the protesters are teenagers who are at the frontlines every week. Many adults do not agree or appreciate the behavior of showing anger to the government by destroying the city or making the city cease to function – they want people to have a peaceful protest instead of “riots”, and some of them are afraid of their children being arrested. Contrastingly, the younger generations think that it is time to fight for their liberty and city. The death of a 22-year-old student, falling from the third floor of a parking garage wherein the pro-democracy police were dispersing protestors, has deepened the lack of trust towards the police force. There has also been speculation surrounding the evidence, with some
The Fugitive Offender Amendment Bill triggered reminding the people that many have lost their lives the rise of protests in Hong Kong. Initially, previously due to violence within the protests. protesters started by marching, but eventually started Protesters have started to blame the police and the using violence, blockage of roads and the government as they believe that they were international airport, attacking buildings, smashing responsible for unprecedented violent actions agaisnt walls, strikes, and suicides to place pressure on the protestors, such as using water cannons and tear gas government - paralysing the city by doing so. Now, to disperse crowds and later shooting live rounds. the protesters have created a list of 5 demands that Even though the government has taken action, they are fighting for. Critically, the 5 demands call withdrawing the controversial extradition bill, the for the government to not consider protests as riots, protests continue. The people of Hong Kong are release the arrested protesters, investigate into giving their utmost effort to fight for what they alleged police brutality, implement complete believe: the 5 life changing demands they are universal suffrage, and to withdraw the bill. adamant to achieve. As they said, “[they] are going to Protestors are worried of footage that could later win or [they] are going to die”. GLOBAL 4
CASE STUDY: THE LEBANON PROTESTS By Greta Fischer The Lebanon protest have been going on since
Have the protests affected you personally?
October 11, however, more recently the protest have been less discussed especially in the media. To gain One positive effect this has had on me personally, is insight into the current civil turmoil in Lebanon, that it’s forced me to learn more about virtual/online Joshua Federwisch was interviewed. Previously a learning and how I can use learning strategies to science teacher at ISF until the spring of 2017, he teach my students without being face to face with recently moved to Beirut where he is now working them in the classroom. Due to the economic crisis, for the American Community School.
however, I am not able to transfer my money to the
The initial spark to cause the protest was the US where I have most of my financial livelihood. government deciding to put taxes on WhatsApp, in One of my fears is that my money will be stuck in reality there are multiple other deeper rooted reasons Lebanon and won’t be able to spend it. for the protest. The protests have had a more powerful impact than to what most people may
How has your view of Lebanese society and life
realize.
changed?
How long have you been living in Lebanon? I have always viewed the Lebanese culture as a warm I moved to Beirut in August, so about 3 months and friendly one, but also as a very sectarian, highly now.
political and religious hotspot. The protests have
shown that the Lebanese people have united across How have your experiences in Lebanon changed sectarian lines to protest against the years of with the start of the protests? corruption that have led them to the place they now When the protests started, many roads were blocked find themselves. It’s been really amazing to see with piles of rubbish and burning tires or large Muslims and Christians united in such a way that groups of protestors, so initially, moving around the city and the country was limited. To some extent, Lebanon, and the Middle East, have not seen before. travel around the country can be difficult still a month on. I haven’t been able to explore different What’s the general feeling and atmosphere in the country right now? cities around Lebanon as I had planned. There is an economic crisis developing due to the dropping There have been highs and lows over the last month. value of the Lebanese currency. The US dollar is king here, but getting dollars is now next to Days when spirits are high and everyone is joined impossible unless you sell lira on the black market together in peaceful protest, followed by days of for a very high mark up. This in turn has affected despair and uncertainty about the future. In my businesses as now many only take dollars and cash experience, the Lebanese people have remained or charge black market rates to pay in Lebanese lira. optimistic and hopeful, certain of a big change in School has been canceled many days. Since the their government. revolution started in October, we have had only 6 days of school (4 were half days!). GLOBAL 5
How has your professional life been influenced? What’s the school’s stance on the protests? Are students participating? Professionally, as I mentioned above, I’ve been challenged with teaching my courses online. Preparing lessons not knowing if we would have class at school or on a computer was extremely challenging. The school does not take a stance politically. We have many students who actively protest, and we have students who have family who are politicians within the government. Instead, the school focuses on what we all can learn from this
Is there anything you wish people knew about the Lebanon protest that outsiders may not realize?
situation, whether it's culturally, politically,
The protests are continuing to happen. They have
ethically, and professionally. There are many
evolved from roadblocks and burning tires to sit-ins
students participating. There are also teachers
and demonstrations outside of politicians homes and
participating. There are entire families that participate as well. The protests are largely peaceful and you will see people of all ages there.
government offices. The protests are largely peaceful and non-sectarian. The protests have highlighted a lot of the positive aspects of Lebanese culture as well.
What do you think international media outlets are getting wrong about the protests?
Where the protests began, empty car parks have become classrooms with university professors giving lectures, local businesses offering services and artists
I think the international media outlets are failing to
painting walls. Social media is constantly abuzz with
give these protests importance. Many of my friends
videos of protests, artwork and motivations for
and family back home and in Europe have no clue
getting people on their feet to protest.
that anything is even happening here. When media coverage is given, it’s about how the protests are like a big Lebanese wedding party, or protestors singing “Baby Shark” to a child in a car passing through protestors. Pointing out the fun parts paints
How do you feel about the protests having a global impact and becoming an international concern rather than just having local and national significance?
a nice picture, but it doesn’t point out why people
There’s a lot going on in the world right now. There
are protesting or advancements that they have made
are protests happening in so many countries. Some
so far.
peaceful, some not. I think that when the spotlight shines on Lebanon, the world will see that peaceful, united protest and demonstration can lead to the positive changes the people demand.
GLOBAL 6
THE SIGNIFICANCE OF PROTEST By Giulia Oosterwijk Although separated by continents, protests around
This continuation of social inequity can be linked
the world are more connected than we expect.
towards the occuring Chilean protests, although
Ranging from the call of political freedom, tackling
Chile was seen as one of South America’s
a corrupt and incompetent government, or drawing
wealthiest countries, the economic difference found
attention to the imminent threat of climate change;
between the wealthy and the rich is almost
fundamentally, protests have been drawn together.
incomprehensible. In past years, the Organization
The most prevalent theme within these protests is
for Economic Co-operation and Development
the concern of inequality, be that politically and
(OECD), has ranked Chile as one of the worst out
socially. The emphasis placed on inequality can be
of 36 countries for income inequality. The
seen when looking back in history, although a
economic imbalance is one of many factors which
change is found within those taking part and forms
lead to the spark of violent protests, now resulting
of protest - their goals may arguably be a reflection
in one of the most aggressive social revolts since
of each other. One of the more notable exemplars of
the 17-year-long military dictatorship of Augusto
a protest inclining towards social justice is the Civil
Pinochet. With this painful reminder from the past,
Rights movement of the 1960s, a widely-studied
a united front has been created against the Piñera’s
history topic, it encaptures how great social mobility
corrupt government. It seems that the overlap
can tackle political and social institutionalised
between economy and politics is the foundation for
racism. An echo of this civil injustice is found within
many protests, with the Ecuadorian October
the recent Black Lives Matter movement, started in
protests after President Moreno’s domestic
2013 after the murder of an African American
economic reforms having similar motives. With a
teenager Travyon Martin, the movement has
supposed 20% wage cut for public sector jobs,
attempted to shine light on the ongoing disparities
amongst other detrimental effects, for more than a
that minorities face within the United States. The
week did citizens take to the streets. Ultimately,
parallel is apparent, yet the ongoing theme of
Moreno managed to establish a deal with
inequality is striking. Many have termed the Black
indigenous leaders in order to develop reforms that
Lives Matter movement as the twenty-first century
is advantageous for both the government and its
Civil Rights movement.
citizens. Due to the complexity of all protests, with different individuals taking part, it makes it difficult to create a general narrative surrounding the intense pain that people feel when confronted with severe economic and social injustice. Political freedom and sovereignty are considered to be the catalyst of any large-scale protest. Hong Kong, in particular, has rapidly gained international attention from news outlets and has remained one of the most closely followed movements.
GLOBAL 7
After the withdrawal of a controversial legislation,
countless videos and pieces of information to the
Hong Kong citizens have pursued action against
world. Not only is this utilized by Lebanese efforts,
Chinese interest. Their demands are to seek
countless protests have given an insight into the
political freedom, an inquiry into police brutality,
burdens that they face. Demonstrations from
and amnesty for citizens who have been arrested.
Venezuela, Bolivia, Chile, Ecuador, and Hong Kong
The protest is an echo of a troubled history, the
all have taken to their social media platforms and
tense relationship between China and Hong Kong
told their own personal stories and involvement
has culminated into one of the most widespread
within their pursuit of political, social, and economic
social mobilities of this year. With consistent
freedom.
political and social changes within Hong Kong
What does this all mean for us? What truly is the
itself, it seems that this turmoil will develop even
significance of protest for those who are not actively
further in the future. On another continent, Catalan
part of one? In the age of protest that we currently
protesters have increased their forces for their own
live in, it’s vital to acknowledge that these large-
freedom and independence. The jailing of Catalan
scale protests are breaking out of the confines of
leaders has triggered mass rallies in Barcelona, the
their country and are pursuing their efforts in any
Catalan movement has been ongoing for many
way possible. Although you may not feel a strong
years. There is a clear parallel between the two
affiliation or passion for political protest, those of
movements, united by a similar cause, many of the
climate change or the inequality of minorities may
protests have found solidarity within their causes.
end up being what you fight for. More importantly,
In October, the two protests have organised
for those witnessing the deconstruction of economic,
assemblies to promote solidarity between them. An
political, and social inequity. Protests spark
arguable alliance was formed between the two
discussion, dialogue, a conversation on what our
protests, although with different individuals, both
generation will have to work within. It may seem
fighting the same evil in their eyes.
absurd to some individuals that students are striking
With technology on the rise, many protests have
and taking to the streets to raise awareness on the
utilized social media in their favour. The 2010
growing climate crisis, but it’s the dialogue
Arab Spring saw one of the first major social
surrounding these actions that promote further
media movements, with platforms being used to
change. Arms linked, individuals all over the globe
spread their message and gain support. It became
are marching and fighting for what they believe is
instrumental for the organization of core groups,
justice, justice for themselves and justice for all.
large-scale protests, and become a space for political engagement. Nine years later, it plays an equally important role. The mass protests that have swept Lebanon are starting to move outside the borders of their nation, but on a more global stage. As a reminder of the past, social media platforms have sought to spread the goals and aims of their efforts to a larger audience. Suddenly, Instagram stories and Facebook groups are dispensing GLOBAL 8
A NEW AGE IN DIGITAL POLITICS? By Niccolo' Platt On 11 October, Jack Dorsey, CEO of major
Free speech or misinformation issue?
social media platform Twitter, announced that the
It’s admirable that Zuckerberg stand strong for
website would ban political advertisements on a
the most basic democratic right, calling on all of us
global scale. The policy went into effect starting 22
to come together and understand “the messiness” of
November, and will affect all political ads - such as
free expression while “believing that the long
ones supporting a specific candidate or political
journey towards greater progress requires
issue - but will exclude ones promoting voter
confronting ideas that challenge us.” However,
registration. This comes as a follow up to policies introduced over the summer in an attempt to limit fake news in politics (which haven’t actually been implemented yet). In a string of tweets, Dorsey
Twitter’s new policy aims primarily to limit the amount of false information thrown at the average user - something we’ve already seen Facebook isn’t too keen about. In the words of Dorsey, “this isn’t about free expression. This is about paying for reach.
justified his actions by claiming that “political
And paying to increase the reach of political speech
message reach should be earned, not bought,” and
has significant ramifications that today’s democratic
that “it’s not credible” for the platform to block
infrastructure may not be prepared to handle.”
misleading information but let “anyone who pays” say whatever they want. After all, the executive
Why does it matter?
says, “many social movements reach massive scale
The implementation of this policy brought
without any political advertising.” However,
forward a political debate. On one side, big-name
Facebook, one of Twitter’s main rivals, recently
democrats, who strongly endorsed Twitter’s actions,
decided to discard the same approach, with founder
believing they are a step towards a more advanced
Mark Zuckerberg stating at a conference at Georgetown University on 17 October that his company prefers to “err on the side of greater expression.”
democracy. Bill Russo, spokesman of Joe Biden’s presidential campaign, believes that “when faced with a choice between ad dollars and the integrity of [...] democracy, it is encouraging that, for once, revenue did not win out.” Hillary Clinton also spoke out in favor of Dorsey’s decision, tweeting that it is “the right thing to do for democracy in America and all over the world,” before calling on Facebook to follow suit. On the opposite side of the spectrum are republicans, who in the era of fake news call out against censorship and media restrictions, with the manager of Donald Trump’s re-election campaign Brad Pascale calling the move “yet another attempt by the left to silence Trump and conservatives.”
GLOBAL 9
With his announcement, Dorsey greatly boosted
Although it’s one of the main concerns following
his website’s reputation, while pushing Facebook -
the introduction of the policy, Dorsey’s decision is
which allows even obviously fake ads, such as
way too insignificant to have an impact on any
Elizabeth Warren’s post claiming that Zuckerberg
upcoming election, starting from next year’s
supports Trump for re-election - into a moral
American presidential race. Political ads on the
dilemma.
platform are only a fraction, in scale and impact, of
But Twitter also received serious backlash for
the ones on Facebook. After all, Zuckerberg’s
two main reasons. Firstly, a ban on political ads on
website boasted about 1.63 billion active users as of
Twitter puts challengers and political newcomers
September, while Twitter had 126 million daily users
in a disadvantaged position. Digital ads are much
in February. And even though, as reported by
cheaper than TV ads, so they are used by a wider
research firm Kantar, US presidential campaigns are
scope of candidates, who use them to introduce
expected to spend about 6 billion dollars on
their agenda, attract media coverage and solicit
advertising, only 20% of that will be directed to
campaign donations. Then, the censorship
online forms. So, right now, this policy won’t have
argument comes in. The policy is put in place to
as much significance as it may seem.
limit “political ads,” which isn’t a very specific
Nevertheless, Twitter’s decision is vital. The
term in and of itself. Yes, it’s pretty easy to
banning of could be the start of a completely new
recognize a candidate ad, but what defines a
relationship between politics and social media. No
“political issue?” The term offers much
more fake news, no more crazy online rants, but also
interpretative freedom as to which ads should be
the possibility of a less informed, less engaged
considered “political,” enabling Twitter to ban ads
public. Could we be witnessing the start of a new
arbitrarily.
age?
GLOBAL 10
TRUMP PULLED OUT OF THE PARIS AGREEMENT: SHOULD WE PANIC? By Thomas Accattatis In 2015 at climate change conference COP 21, the leaders of the world reached an agreement, the first of its kind: the Paris Climate Agreement. Up until then, most global climate policies weren’t successful, and eventually ended up in the trash after countries began politely ignoring them. For example, the Kyoto Protocol produced little to no reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, and failed to gain worldwide support. The reasoning behind climate
T h r o u g h o u t i t s p r e s i d e n c y, t h e Tr u m p
policies before COP 21, was that by making legally
administration has continuously fought in favour of
binding targets for developing countries, they would
fossil fuels, undoing a lot of the work of Obama’s
be incentivised to reduce carbon dioxide emissions;
long fight against climate change. In his nearly four
although, this fact made countries hesitant to join
years in office, Trump has damaged the environment
any climate agreement in the first place. The Paris
and the various institutions that protect it, by failing
Agreement changed all that. The first breakthrough
to react to and acknowledge the threat of climate
was that the Paris Agreement was not binding,
change. He has supported the opening of new coal
meaning that countries could do as they pleased
plants, and has weakened regulations on what can
without consequences; this meant countries took a
and cannot be released into the atmosphere. One of
less defensive stance, and were more open to change
the promises of Trump’s campaign in the 2016
for the good of the environment. Countries who
elections would be to withdraw from the Paris
joined would submit their targets for reducing
Agreement, stating in his 2017 speech that the
emissions, and their progress would be tracked
agreement is a financial and economic burden on
publicly. This was the second breakthrough of the
Americans.
Paris Agreement; by making countries’ progress
It seems that Trump isn’t aware of how the Paris
public, countries felt pressured to achieve their
Agreement works. It makes no sense for Trump to
goals.
withdraw from an agreement that is purely voluntary
The Paris Agreement is far from perfect; change still comes down to the decisions of individual nations, and it won’t be the agreement to save the climate once and for all. The Paris Agreement was
and non-binding, unless it’s a means for Trump to symbolically express his fiery passion for coal. Fortunately, Trump’s withdrawal had to wait, as member nations of the agreement cannot withdraw within three years of signing.
just a first step, but also leap forward in uniting the
Fast forward to 4 November 2019. The White
world against the imminent threat of an irreversible
House has begun the formal process of pulling out of
climate meltdown.
the Paris Agreement, and complete withdrawal is scheduled for the day after the elections in 2020. This is arguably bad news. As one of the world’s GLOBAL 11
leading emitters of greenhouse gases, the United
It is for the good of the climate that we hope for a
States, is one of the keystone nations in the
candidate who will work towards bringing the US
agreement. Without the United States, the goal of
out of this black age of fossil fuels. It is easy to look
keeping the average global temperature rise below
at people like Trump, and think that all is lost, but
2°C, is unachievable. Nancy Pelosi and Al Gore
the world is showing signs of awareness and change.
have responded negatively to this decision, with the
People and governments all over the world are
latter taking his comments to Twitter. Even French
working to help solve the climate crisis, step by
PM Emmanuel Macron has expressed his
step.
disapproval.
Although, I cannot stress how much we need to
But there still is hope. A striking majority of Americans disapprove of Trump’s actions. States, and cities across the US say they will continue to act in accordance with the targets set in the Paris Agreement, regardless of Trump’s withdrawal. As the 2020 elections near, there may be hope on the
hurry up. Time is slowly running out for our planet. Governments and people need to act quickly; we need to acknowledge that this is an emergency and that the future of humanity is at stake. The clock is ticking...
horizon for a candidate who will rejoin the agreement, ultimately bringing this decision to the polling booths.
GLOBAL 12
ITALY: A PIONEER IN ECO-FRIENDLY EDUCATION By Coco Li Italian children who attend public school will be
curriculum is said to start next year; however, doubts
required to attend lessons on climate change, as
on Fioramonti’s decision are increasing:
Italy recently became the first country to encourage
On a frigid spring day in Milan, Matteo Salvini, the
environmental education. But should we put all the
former Minister of the Interior, trivialised climate
responsibility of this mission on children?
change by saying: “we are in the middle of May. [...] we haven’t had a cold like this in Italy in recent years. We are turning on our heaters.”
Lorenzo Fioramonti, Italy’s education minister, said that all students in every grade will need to study climate change and sustainability. He also said that that would put Italy at the forefront of environmental education worldwide. He suggests that students will receive 33 hours of lessons throughout the year, which is an hour per week. In addition, climate change also will be taught through other school subjects such as physics, math, and geography from a sustainable development perspective. He suggests that students will receive 33 hours of lessons throughout the year, which is an hour per week. In addition, climate change also will be taught through other school subjects such as physics, math, and geography from a sustainable development perspective. There was a sign of Fioramonti’s intention when he first started to encourage students to skip school to be a part of climate change protests. The new
Fioramonti, after hearing of Mr. Salvini’s speech, disagreed with him and suggested that Mr. Salvini needed to be more educated on this topic. Mr. Fioramonti says, “that’s the kind of nonsense we want to avoid by educating children that this is the most important challenge humanity has ever faced. And I want to secure this before there is any change in government that can imperil that kind of process.” He believes that “the 21st century citizen must be a sustainable citizen”, explaining his beliefs in the importance of sustainability. Edoardo Zanchini, the vice president of Legambiente, Italy’s leading environmental group, also agrees that teaching children about sustainability is very important, but argues that the responsibility should not be passed onto the children. He strongly believes that we cannot wait for the next
LOCAL 13
generation to take action and fix the issue. In
He believes that schools and the government should
response, Fioramonti replied that the goal was to
not plant dogmatic ideas and pressures on children,
"build a strong bridge between old and new
but rather teach them and lead them to the right path.
generations around sustainable development as a
On the international scale, a recent NPR poll in the United States show that 80% of parents support
social glue." Many Italians are also concerned that this plan
climate change education. Furthermore, 2/3 of
will destroy Italy’s economy. Italy faced a new
Republicans as well as a 9 out of 10 Democrats
economic crisis because the Five Star-led
agree with the idea regardless of whether or not they
government had decided to end criminal immunity
have children. As the future is supposed to be for the next
for environmental breaches, costing Italy more than
generation, we need to be aware of the issues now
8,000 jobs. Chicco Testa, president of the environmental
but also ensure that the children are ready for what is
group Assombiente, urged officials to make sure that
coming next. Climate change policy might be a good
children were exposed to varied views because he
start, but we need to ensure that it is not an
thinks that Mr. Fioramonti’s education plan might be
obligation nor a pressure from the government.
too imperative.
LOCAL 14
GOING HOME By Isabel Elsner I’m not generally a person who misses things;
Perhaps this is only because I have returned home,
rather than adopting a nostalgic outlook on life, I
into what is normal, has been my everyday for my
tend to get up and get on with the present, which can
entire life, so there is less wonder here than there
be for better, or for worse. There is beauty in missing
was there. I experienced less in Florence, so my
something. What surprised me the most upon my
memories contain more of the initial amazement of
return wasn’t that my childhood surroundings had
discovering a beautiful place than anything else; as if
changed and felt new, different and therefore alien,
I didn’t spend enough time there to tire of the city (if
but rather that they were the same. It was only then
that would have even been possible), making it
that I realised how much I had missed them. I had
remain fresh and perfect in my memory. Oxford,
never felt not being at home when the colours of the
however, holds all the memories of my childhood
leaves changed on the trees in the fall as a loss,
and growth into what I am today, which complicates
because there hadn’t been anything in Italy that had
my associations with it somewhat.
told me that I needed to have that part of my old life in my new existence on the continent; there wasn’t
Within the first 2 days of coming back, I felt an
even any need to remember it. But now, I feel the
incredibly strong urge, a need even, to speak Italian,
void caused by the lack of that multicoloured
because this was the most keenly felt change of all
presence during those 2 months I was away. I feel it
for me; the language was no longer a part of my
as a loss to my past self, if that even makes any
surroundings. My sister thought I was incredibly
sense.
pretentious and kept telling me to ‘shut up and stop flexing’, so I did, and it felt almost like a suffocation. I didn’t want to be confined to the monolingual box that had been my family in the past (except for my conversations in Spanish with my mother; our father doesn’t speak it and between siblings we use only English), so different from the multicoloured world of sound that is ISF; but particularly because I felt that in losing the language, I was losing Italy, and I grieved this. Italian had been a whole new world with so many unseen and unexperienced wonders in it that served to freshen my
This new way of seeing things, has in turn changed
individual universe; besides being an incredibly
the way I miss things. Italy as a presence is felt more
beautiful language, the learning of it was also
so, because I’ve finally learned how to notice things
stimulating.
that aren’t there, like the wide expanse of the calm
It's nearly winter here in Oxford, and the sun
and free sky over the river, so full of light just after
takes flight at 5. In our quiet corner of the world,
the rising of the sun, and the narrow pavements, and
mainly inhabited by families and children, nightlife
the pock-marked stone, which aren’t parts of life
isn’t a particularly prominent factor in our collective
here. LOCAL 15
domain, and never has been. Walking through town
generations of human life pass through it. That is
in the afternoon dusk is the strangest feeling when
one of my most beautiful memories of the city, but it
your last memories of the place in question were
is by no means the only one in which I felt this sense
made in full daylight. There has been no transitional
of total awe. What is amazing about Florence is that,
period for me, no dying down of the fire embers
as people who are living in it or around it, we are so
before they go black. The cold is bitter here too. In
close to history. Even here among the symbol of old
Florence, we wore jackets on the bus that were
prestige that is Oxford University, living a life
bundled up in our lockers by 8:30, to be forgotten in
interwoven between blocks of limestone that have
our short-sleeved freedom until we reached home,
sat comfortably aging (like the professors within
and pondered how we would brave the early
their walls) for centuries, I don’t feel the same
morning discomfort of the next day, where a little
connection to the past. Florence was the centre of the
wind was the largest of our worries. I don’t even
radical artistic change that was the renaissance; the
shed layers in the house anymore. Taking off a
creations of Giotto, Dante, Michelangelo, to name a
sweatshirt is an effort that can’t afford to be wasted.
few, came to life here, exactly where you are living.
The cold isn’t so bad, though; perhaps I have even
It can be called nothing if not magical, to be such a
missed the scent of sharp night air (which I’ve come
part of such a formidable past. You walk in the
to realise smells different in every city); especially
footsteps of these mythical and grandiose figures
compared to the lack of light. I am shocked to be
every day, you experience their lives in every
living now under this cover of darkness, when the
medieval street you rush down, late for school or
clarity and expanse of sky ruled supreme in
soccer practice or curfew.
Florence. The weak grey of day here is sombre and seems like a half effort. It’s almost ironic, and I am
What’s more, you are in a country of paradise.
reminded of our uniform assistant; it seems to
Language, culture, kindness, light. Food. But there’s
explain why there’s such rigid stiffness in this
more to this yet. In becoming a part of ISF, you have
country. Where Italy is open and free and vast, here
joined a family that spans all reaches of the world, in
we huddle in our brick holes and think in straight
cultural difference and variation of personality, who
lines.
have all come together to be taught all that ISF has
I think what sums up my experience in Italy, in
to teach, in values and knowledge, and to learn from
the simplest and most accurate of terms, is
one another. This family will not let you alone, and
wonderful. Wonderful, precisely because it was full
the open-minded kindness of the children will absorb
of wonder. I remember walking in the early morning
you soon enough. If there was an environment more
light, after a sleepover at a friend’s house in the very
welcoming on the part of just the students, even
first days, down the oltrarno towards Ponte Vecchio;
without the kind help of the teachers and staff, I have
I crossed before even the shutters were opened, and
not seen it and doubt I will. There is no law of
the old worn stones were swarmed with tourists. I
physics that proclaims that a change of environment
remember wandering through the centre towards
must be difficult, so it is not a necessity to
home, slightly unsure of where I was going but
experience difficulty. The open arms are here to
taking pleasure nonetheless in marvelling at this city
catch you at ISF; it is only for you to fall into them.
that has stood for so long and seen so many
LOCAL 16
AN INTERVIEW WITH THE STUDENT COUNCIL PRESIDENT By Stella Franceschi Matteo Mastrangelo is an Italian-American eleventh
What experiences have prepared you to lead
grader who has been at ISF for 2 years now, and
Student Council and how?
recently won the Student Council President election.
I actually founded the middle school Student Council at my old school in Zurich, and I was in the
Why did you run for this position? I ran for Student Council president because I think that the Student Council needs to have more power, and the only way to really achieve that is if we
ISF Student Council last year. I am also organizing FLOMUN and I’ve participated in various activities that helped build my leadership skills.
involve the student body more. I want to make sure that every student is heard as much as possible. If we
What is your top priority, and how you would go
act as a student body, there is nothing we can’t
about realistically addressing it?
accomplish.
Well, as I said before, I think the student council really needs a lot more power, and that would
What do you hope to accomplish in your
involve hearing the opinion of the students. That
position? Firstly, I hope that we can have Career Day again
would involve a lot of changes, such as a more
since that was very disappointing to not have it last
active Student Council Instagram account. A good
year. I guess the school didn't know how much the
idea would be having the Council meetings on an
students wanted it. Career Day is a pretty big point. I
Instagram live stream, where people could comment
really don't want to make too many empty promises because I really don't know what is possible. Of course there are things we all want to change about the school. For example, I would like a better lunch
and say what they want, or just making it more known that students can come whenever they want to voice their concerns to the Council, because really
service, but of course we have to understand that we
it is kind of sad that the students don't know what we
can’t always do everything. If there is something that
are doing (if they even know that it exists). I think
the students really care about and we all act together,
that is something that should be completely changed.
stand up and make the school know what we want, then we really can do anything.
LOCAL 17
DEAR OR ALIVE: IS THERE ANY EMPATHY? By Bernardo Petochi Are you going to go see the new Vietnam war flick? I am, because I’m excited to see the main character, a true film legend, they say, by the name of someone called James Dean. Have you heard of him? With exponential technological advances over the past years, it’s possible to digitally recreate almost anything imaginable. This is done with CGI, or computer-generated imagery. CGI has a multitude of applications: architecture, design, art and of course filmmaking. It’s how the superheroes, monsters and giant explosions that we love, are made. Nowadays we expect CGI to be nothing short of impeccable; we shouldn't even question its authenticity while watching a movie, because otherwise it breaks the fragile connection that helped us immerse ourselves in the movie, the suspended disbelief. Usually, visual effects artists are able to do this, with one exception - people. Because we've been seeing countless people every day for our entire lives, humans are incredibly good at noticing all the subtleties and nuances there are to a person's face. So despite thousands of hours of effort by programmers and artists, no computer generated animation of a human being has been made that is not distinguishable from a real one. Is it only a matter of time? Maybe, although many would argue that it is impossible to recreate true human visual expressions and emotions. That isn't the point though. The point is: should we be allowed to freely recreate and use people’s likenesses in videos? It’s already been done. In 2004 a digitally revived Steve McQueen was used for a Mustang commercial. More recently, it was announced that James Dean (who has been dead for 64 years) would be used as one of the main characters in a movie on the Vietnam war that will be released towards the end of 2020.
This case specifically has generated a lot of attention from the media and Hollywood; Chris Evans (the actor who played Captain America) tweeted in response to this news: “I’m sure he’d be thrilled This is awful. Maybe we can get a computer to paint us a new Picasso, or write a couple new john Lennon tunes. The complete lack of understanding here is awful.” Zelda Williams (the daughter of the late Robin Williams) also had something to say regarding the matter: “It’s bad taste and a bad call. What's to stop a pharma from resurrecting Chaplin to sell pills, or casting Bacall in a bad action flick? A famous bombshell back for porn? If all it takes is money & a distant relative’s permission, the future is GRIM and full of corporate ghosts.” Not only celebrities are questioning the use of CGI for animating people. What precedent would this film set? What will happen to living actors? Will they be out of a job soon? What will it mean for cinema in general; what is acting and filmmaking without a real, living person at the heart at it? Wouldn't it compromise the actors’ careers and legacy, tainting the public’s memory of him? Is it respectful to the deceased? Should a relative really be allowed to make such decisions for them? All of these questions are too important to be decided by a group of corporate lawyers, ambitious filmmakers and distant relatives.
CULTURE 18
RELIGIOUS HYMNS OR HIP HOP MUSIC? By Omid Sheikh It’s here, it’s finally here! The moment we were
When I finally sat down and listened to the
all waiting for! Well almost all of us. Kanye West
album, I heard the inspiration from gospel-style
finally dropped his new album Jesus Is King and
music straight away. I must say that it was definitely
yes, you might be thinking: “why in the world is it
a change of pace for Kanye, because this was a full
called that?” To be frank, I have no idea. Well,
gospel preaching album. Before, we were only
maybe a little. As you may know, Kanye West has
exposed to the occasional Jesus and God talk, but
somewhat of a “God complex,” and he believes
now he was going full out. Listening to his older
himself to be godlike, as shown by his song “I Am A God” from his album Yeezus - which is, in my opinion, one of his best works of art. In a way, Kanye was always “a man of god,” but it’s only recently, with his new album, that he started promoting the bible and telling us that he put himself “in the hands of God”.
songs allowed me to see his progression into religiously-influenced music with every album. We heard his struggles in life and how God helped him get over them, as he encouraged his listeners to do the same. Although Kanye West is sometimes ridiculed for his views, I believe that you should put that behind you. If you’re going to listen to his album I suggest you go in with an open mind and go beyond the words. There are some hidden messages that can reach anyone, even if you don’t believe in God. Kanye talks about the struggles of life, the difficulties he and other people have, and how there is someone or something that will save you and solve your problems with faith. Talking about Faith, that’s another good song to listen to, as Kanye is
On the release of his new album, I took a couple
questioning the relationship between faith and truth.
of days to re-listen to “old Kanye,” to prepare myself for what was lying ahead. Although I tried to avoid knowing anything about the album, word somehow got to me, and before I got to listen to it, I was exposed to quick judgements. I heard comments like, “it’s too gospel” or “not with this God thing again!”.
CULTURE 19
POLITICAL CORRECTNESS: AS EXPERIENCED AND EVALUATED By Isabel Elsner Back in my seventh year of life, I joined an ice skating class. And not just any old ice skating class. My mother bought me a pretty red dress with frills that shook around my hips and a pair of tights just too light to match my skin colour. This was a figure skating class, the finest that Oxford had to offer. Proud little me let go of the barrier and stood straight up on the ice in tiny white boots, chest defiantly stuck out, infancy’s determination bristling. Fast forward four years and not much had changed, but
My accident happened after one of his lessons. A
I’d quit skating, having had enough as soon as the
pretty gruesome sight it was; a grisly ‘hole’ in my
idealisation of my rate of progress had sunk back
kneecap, spilling fat and skin tissue.
into reality. A year later, I was back at it, joined by
The ice was red; my legs were red; my skates
another companion. We weren’t very good (despite
were red.
what we boasted), because we never bothered to
My companions took off in search of help, and I
practice any of the material we’d actually learned in the lesson; but every Sunday just before the end of the General Skate session, we would race each other around the rink and the shouted warnings of the supervisors went unheeded. One winter day, I fell. As it only signalled the end of what had been a pretty pathetic skating career, I didn’t mind so much. What bothered me was the event in itself. I had a wonderful skating coach, Jason, who was new at our rink but full of prestige and experience.
was left very alone. Along came Jason, who picked me up and carried me swiftly off the ice. Most of what stayed in my memory of the aftermath is blurred by the numbness of shock - the feeling that your consciousness is floating outside your body, unable to control what it is watching happen in slow motion. It appeared, however, that Jason, unwilling to leave his shaking student dumped on a bench in the air conditioned and empty skate hire room, sat down just outside the barrier and carefully pulled me into his lap. The mother of one of my fellow skaters stood close by with a first aider ready to assist.
He had coached innumerable professionals, and was
The story goes that some random woman, perhaps
in search of a more relaxed lifestyle in which he
the mother of another skater or just a member of the
could settle down with his wife and baby daughter, out of the harsh light of the sports industry. He was a lovely man.
public, who happened to be present, saw as he kissed my forehead reassuring me of the impending arrival of my parents; she distorted these acts of kindness in a report to the rink authorities, stating that Jason had ‘behaved inappropriately towards a minor’. Jason
CULTURE 20
faced severe consequences, and was on the point of
knew nothing about Jason; but this frame of mind
being sacked.
that jumps to immediate assumptions on what can be
I got out of hospital following a night’s stay and
pretty scarce evidence is, I think, a modern
an operation. We cleared the complaint, giving firm
phenomenon. Assisted by the wonders of the digital
witness statements that he had followed protocol and
age and social media, it becomes very easy to blame,
behaved towards a child in distress as my parents
being one of the first instincts aiding our present day
would have hoped of anyone. We were incredibly
survival, even though this doesn’t come from a
fortunate that we gave the statements in time; the
primitive source. Our credibility is possibly the first
case never reached any kind of court, and the
thing that we strive to keep intact, and scapegoats
investigation was closed.
are all too often a useful tool. Aside from this, I
This story continually shocks me because its
always seem to be finding it easier to see that what
nature is so incongruous and out of place; an event
the global connection the internet has brought us is
that transpired in front of plenty of witnesses, in
in fact a sense of loss of identity; in attempting to
circumstances that so absolutely called for such
find our people, we try harder to belong. So the need
treatment; and the worry, totally unnecessary but all
to fit into a labelled box has become a key impulse
too real for that kind man on the receiving end, and
in the social muscle of our brain; and, as I
his young family.
understand it, has blended imperceptibly into our
As I got older, I began to wonder more about this
everyday lives. The fact that such a way of thinking
incident in relation to the #MeToo movement. I have
has become such a global actuality does make me
always been an undisputed feminist, but even more
uneasy, because issues as crucial as the speaking out
so than ever it began to become clear to me, as
about abuse and rape deserve all the attention they
things become obvious when put into context, that
are receiving. But the persecution of men like Jason
nothing is ever as easy as black and white.
is something inexcusable.
Firstly, in the interests of evaluating such a
Despite my reproofs on the fault of the media in
subject as this, we must address the thoughts of the
cases like this, such stories are not as new as most
complainer in question;
in this case I found it
would think. Jason was simply an honest man who
difficult to come to terms and admit to the fact that
tried to do his best by me. What’s scary is the
she was in possession of a point of view which I
distortion of such an issue, and the fact that a
don’t think can be considered entirely wrong. In a
misguided complaint can lose a man his livelihood.
culture such as Britain’s where affection is not a
In this day and age of utter political frigidity,
particularly prominent component of life, she did
innocent until proven guilty seems to have taken on
what she thought the most PC and safe course of
a new meaning.
action. But the truth is (and this owes nothing to her nationality) that I doubt she walked away from that receptionist feeling relief and compassion in having just saved a young girl from the perils of trauma and bodily harm, but rather, Ha! Another bloody predator caught and sent to where he belongs! This woman
CULTURE 21
By Isabel Elsner, ex Grade 9 student
JANNIK SINNER E UN FUTURO CHE E’ GIA' PRESENTE By Luigi Stefanacci altissimo livello e di esperienza come Monfils, Tiafoe e Kohlschreiber. Così, da numero 778 della classifica mondiale, scala ben 685 posizioni fino a raggiungere la top 100 (attualmente 93). Il più giovane Italiano della storia a raggiungere la top 100. Sinner è allenato dal coach italiano Riccardo Piatti che ha allenato e fornito consulenza a tantissimi tennisti di livello mondiale. Giusto per citarne alcuni: Novak Djokovic, Ivan Ljubicic, Maria Sharapova, Richard Gasquet, Milos Raonic, Fabio Fognini e Simone Bolelli, quasi sempre con eccellenti risultati. Piatti considera Sinner, Questa ragazzo qua si chiama Jannik Sinner, e ha “il giocatore più forte che abbia mai allenato”. La appena 18 anni. Originario di Sesto Pusteria, ha ciliegina sulla torta però è arrivata con la vittoria alle praticato lo sci fino all'età di 13 anni, ottenendo Next Gen ATP Finals 2019, il torneo di fine anno buoni risultati in slalom gigante. A tennis - uno sport dedicato ai migliori giocatori Under-21 del pianeta. che considerava un hobby - si allenava nella Questo torneo prevede un regolamente differente e provincia di Bolzano con i maestri Hery Mayr e innovativo rispetto a quello vero e proprio: set da Andrea Spizzica. A causa della pericolosità dello sci quattro game (con tie-break sul 3-3), partite al meglio e della più frequente pratica del tennis, sceglie dei cinque set, sul punteggio di 40-40 si gioca il definitivamente questo sport. "killer point", sparisce la regola del "let" sul servizio, Fino a due mesi fa era sostanzialmente warm-up pre-partita ridotto, utilizzo dello "shot sconosciuto. Apparso raramente e con scarsi risultati clock”, limite di un Medical Time Out a match per nel circuito ITF Under 18, fino al suo successo ogni giocatore, possibilità di coaching e infine improvviso al Challenger di Bergamo a febbraio, l'assenza dei giudici di linea che sono sostituiti da un Sinner viveva nell’ombra di Zeppieri e Musetti. Hawk-Eye live. Tuttavia, il livello di gioco mostrato proprio in Nel suo primo match, supera in quattro set Frances quella settimana di Bergamo e lo spessore degli Tiafoe, attuale numero 47 della classifica mondiale, avversari battuti tutti in fila: Caruso, Galovic, Quinzi diventando il primo tennista italiano a vincere un soprattutto, e Marcora, in relazione anche alla sua incontro nella storia di questa manifestazione. Nel totale inesperienza, sono bastati a convincere che per match successivo si impone in tre set su Mikael Ymer la corsa alla scalata del tennis di vertice del futuro si qualificandosi per le semifinali. Supera in quattro set fosse inserito anche lui. La corsa è stata alquanto Miomir Kecmanović e giunge in finale, dove trionfa rapida: otto mesi più tardi Sinner si aggiudica il suo in tre set contro Alex De Minaur, attuale numero 18 primo incontro ATP a Budapest contro Mate Valkusz della classifica mondiale diventando, a 18 anni, 2 e il suo primo match in un Master 1000, battendo mesi e 24 giorni, il più giovane vincitore nella storia Steve Johnson al torneo internazionale di Roma. del torneo. Questo ragazzo è la nuova stella del tennis Dopo di che, vince tre partite contro giocatori di mondiale, e non vediamo l’ora di vederlo ai vertici della classifica mondiale. CULTURE 22
NO HUMAN IS LIMITED By Bernardo Petochi Eliud Kipchoge ran a historic marathon in 1:59:40.2 - But why does it not “count”? On Sunday 13 October in Vienna, Eliud Kipchoge broke down a barrier that has stood for over a century by being the first human to run a sub-2 hour marathon: 1 hour, 59 minutes, and 40.2 seconds to run 42.2 kilometres. This is no small feat. That’s a 42,200 metre run at 21.5 kilometres per hour. It’s hard to really comprehend how fast that is unless you try for yourself; bear in mind though, that is an all-out sprint for most people. Marathon times have improved throughout history, with big steps being made in sport science and equipment, but as times have improved, people still ask themselves: “what is the limit?” In 1991, a study concluded that with ideal conditions and the perfect athlete, one could run a marathon in 1 hour, 57 minutes, and 58 seconds. This started a debate lasting nearly three decades on whether this was actually possible. Even former marathon world record holder, Paul Tergat, (who ran the 2003 Berlin marathon in 2:04:55) said: “It is impossible to run a marathon in under two hours”. We now know, though, that it is possible to run a sub-2 hour race. It is usually the case that once a barrier like this is broken, lots of other people start running similar times. The 4 minute mile was believed to be impossible, until Roger Bannister crossed the finish line in 3 minutes, 59.4 seconds back in 1954. Since then, thousands of athletes have run a four minute mile. Of course it wasn’t just another athlete who was able to break the 2 hour barrier: Kipchoge happens to be the greatest marathon runner ever. He has won 12 of the 13 marathons he’s raced in, is an Olympic champion and set the official marathon world record at 2 hours, 1 minute and 39 seconds in 2018. Yes, the current world record, as recognised by the International Association of Athletics
is nearly two minutes slower than the time Kipchoge ran in front of thousands of fans and cameras. In Vienna, Kipchoge was assisted by a team of worldclass pacemakers in an event staged solely for him. It was as straight, flat and close to sea level as a natural track could be; and he ran in the best possible weather conditions. All this attention to detail and all-round support, as well as the fact that Kipchoge didn’t actually compete against anyone, means that the event doesn’t qualify as an official marathon, not validating the record. In addition, he ran in Nike Vaporfly shoes, which are said (based on research done by Nike and external facilities) to improve athlete’s efficiency by as much as 4%. This has caused quite a lot of controversy in the running community, with a widespread outcry calling for these shoes to be banned. So, Kipchoge hasn’t set any new record, and most likely, if it hadn’t been him, someone else would have eventually run a sub-2 hour marathon. What’s the big deal then? It demonstrates the strength of humanity: collaborating and pushing scientific boundaries to optimise every control variable, from what the athlete wears to how and where he runs. And most admirably, the extraordinary resilience and heart of a single man, who after having run the marathon said, “No human being is limited.”
CULTURE 23