Pixelatedspringissue

3-D PRINTING ONLINE CROWD SOURCING WEARABLE TECH

PIXELATED A TV, VIDEO GAME, AND TECHNOLOGY PUBLICATION

SPRING 2014

inventor

cyborg

you are the future investor “PRINT IS NOT DEAD BUT IT IS BECOMING MORE PIXELATED”

THE ELEMENTS | -1-

CONTENT

4 3-D PRINTING

A LOOK INTO BITCOIN

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FEATURED

PIXELATED Charles Cotton Editor-In-Chief

12

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14

Managing Editors

Jason Ginsberg Jake Gambino Jonathan Lu Design Editors

16

18

Josh Arnon Spencer Lerner Content Editors

22

Faculty Advisor

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

W

elcome everyone to the third and final issue of Pixelated

“MLB 14: The Show.” Both of these articles are worth checking out.

for this school year, the Spring 2014 issue! Based on what I’ve heard, the first two issues of the 2013-2014 school

Just to name a couple more, Andrew Dickerman discusses the rapidly growing currency known as Bitcoin, and what implica-

Meta Space Glasses

issue is no different, and as always, we have tried to bring to you the

tual currency, and Neil Ahlawat discusses the importance of Ap-

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latest and most noteworthy in all things related to TV, video games,

ple’s multi billion-dollar acquisition of Beats Music, maker of the

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and technology. Here’s a little bit about what this issue has to offer.

popular headphones designed by former rapper Dr. Dre. Remem-

If you couldn’t figure it out from the cover, the featured topic of

ber, there are more articles than just the ones I’ve mentioned,

Heartbleed

this issue is technology of the future, and especially the way in

and I truly believe they are all worth reading if you have the time.

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which we as individuals can impact this exciting and ever-chang-

busam, susandio molore sita sitibusandis et volorae ad utem

ing field. To relate it to a few of our articles: Whether you’re in-

Everyone who worked on this issue thinks it is very well put together,

vesting in the development of the latest gadget through the pub-

and this was done only because of all of the help that we have received

Apple Acquires Beats

licly funded Kickstarter platform, inventing things yourself using

over the past couple of months. I would like to thank all of the writers

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3-D printers, or actually wearing the technology as one does with

and editors, and our faculty advisor, Mr Renner. As I did in Issue 2, I

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Google Glass, the vast and seemingly distant world of technology

would once again like to also give a special thanks to Jason Ginsberg

and its creation is more tangible to you and me than one may think.

who worked very hard to create the layout for the magazine that you

Titanfall Review

Gotham Is your house cluttered with forgotten devices? Here are a some economical and enviorment friendly ways to discard your junk.

-2- | PIXELATED THE ELEMENTS

Bus. Perori undest, omnis nonsent umquam eum, tem quatemp ossin-

tions exist surrounding the idea of a completely anonymous vir-

costly change may set a new standard for other sports leagues.

34

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GAME OF THRONES REVIEW

featured a revamped and excellently designed layout. Hopefully, this

Will a new centralized replay system improve the NHL? The

Keith Renner

KICKSTARTER GADGETS

28

year were tremendously successful, especially the Winter issue that

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Matthew Harpe Lenn Uchima

12

8

are looking at now. I hope you’ll all share my view in thinking that he Aside from this, however, there are reviews of various TV shows, like

did a great job. All of us who worked on this issue are excited about

“Game of Thrones,” “The Amazing Race,” and the brand new late night com-

its publication and we really hope you enjoy it. Have a great summer!

edy show “Last Week Tonight.” There’s also a preview of the latest com-

Until next time,

ic book-inspired series, “Gotham,” set to premiere sometime in the fall.

There are also several noteworthy reviews of the latest video games, both of which are available on the eighth generation consoles. “Ti-

Charles Cotton

tanfall” is reviewed in depth as is Sony’s exclusive baseball game,

Editor-in-Chief

THE ELEMENTS | -3PIXELATED

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3-D PRINTING:

Now when it comes to the actual print-

or the build plate, so if the overhang is

hours into 3-D printing, and I can tell you

ing of an object, the printer takes a

too severe, it can’t print on thin air. In

that it never gets old. Staring at the ex-

spool of colored ABS Plastic and feeds it

other words you can’t print something

truders as they move back and forth and

through a metal extruder which reaches

like a hollow cube or box because the

watching the object slowly emerge from

temperatures up to 230 degrees Cel-

overhang is too severe (90 degrees).

nothingness is truly amazing and mes-

sius (446°F) and melts the plastic. The

merizing. Seeing and holding an object

printer then, following the design from

Another limitation of the printer is how

that I created on a computer never ceas-

the SD card, extrudes the melted plas-

long it takes. This is because we are deal-

es to put a smile on my face whether it

tic onto the heated build plate in the

ing with hundreds of just .1mm thick lay-

was something as simple as a cup or com-

shape of the object to be printed. The

ers. So, for example, if I were to print a

plicated like a gallows for a history pro-

build plate is heated to roughly 110-115

4” by 6” object, it would take somewhere

ject. I firmly believe in the future of these

degrees Celsius so that the bottom of

between 4 to 6 hours to finish. And

amazing machines, and I see a nearby fu-

BY DANTE KULIK

the object sticks the plate and doesn’t

again, since the machine itself is delicate,

ture in which - once the technology has

move while the extruders move over it.

if it is bumped or the extruders glitch

been slightly more refined - there will be

T

Moving up at .1mm intervals the printer

(which happens often) and the extrud-

one in every household for kids to mess

continues to extrude plastic along the x

ers are moved off course by even .5mm,

with and for parents to use for more

and y coordinates given to it by the SD

a butterfly effect occurs and the entire

practical reasons. Regardless, 3-D print-

card. So that is the jist of how the print-

rest of the object is 5-20mm off of the

ers are a technology definitely worth

er works, pretty straightforward, right?

bottom part. This can occur at any point

paying attention to in the years to come.

As amazing as this sounds, the printer

during the printing process so you can

actually has a few major limitations that

see how aggravating it could if you are

make using it require a lot of patience.

3 hours in and 75% of the way through

A YOUNG TECHNOLOGY he 3-D Printer, a machine seemingly from the

about such things before. This is a fair question, but

future that has the ability to create real life ob-

when you learn a little about the printers, you will

jects with the click of a button. Want your own

see why the answer is an obvious no. The main rea-

replica batarang? You can print it. Want a model TARD-

son is that the plastic that the printer uses could not

IS? You can print it. Essentially, as long as you have the

withstand an explosion from the cartridge of a bullet.

digital blueprint for an object, which you can download

Also, the printers we use cannot print using metal.

from thingiverse.com for free or create using 123D,

So let me start by explaining how the 3-D print-

the sky is the limit. This of course depends on which

ers we use here at school actually work. HM’s 3-D

3-D printer you’re using and how deep your pockets

printer is called the Replicator by Makerbot; it costs

are. This relatively new technology is amazing and has

about $1,500-$2,000, and it is 2-3 years old, making

a bright future in the homes of everyday people. In this

it outdated. The way that the Replicator works is ac-

article, I will explain how the printer actually works

tually surprisingly straightforward, using an SD card

and other topics relating to 3-D printers in general.

which plugs into the side of the printer, you upload your blueprint (a .x3g file) into the printer. Now, at

Usually, when I talk to people about 3-D printing or

this point, the blueprint that you have either down-

show them the one located in the science building at

loaded from a website or made yourself using a 3-D

Horace Mann School, their first question or worry

modeling program has been sliced into hundreds

is whether or not it can print a gun, and if I’d heard

of .1mm layers by a program called Makerware.

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the print, and you have to scrap it and The 3-D printer that we use here at HM

start over for maybe the 3rd of 4th time.

is not nearly as capable as the $20,000

Yet, this should not discourage you from

one’s used by companies and universi-

pursuing the use of the 3-D printer, as

ties. In fact, it is quite limited and very

once you use it and get the hang of it, the

inconsistent. One of the main limitations

errors happen less and less frequently,

of the printer is that it is unable to print

and you become more proficient at it

an overhang larger than 45 degrees.

and are able to create amazing things.

This is because the printer can only print on what it has previously printed

Personally, I have easily put over 200

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SAMSUNG GALAXY S5

BY JOHN ABREU

a Snapdragon 801 clocked at 2500MHz as compared to the S4’s Snapdragon 600 clocked at 1900 MHz. The S5 also has a larger 2800 mAh battery, meaning most users should not have any problem with their phone’s ability to last through the day. The S5 will ship run-

“THE GALAXY S5 SPORTS A SLIGHTLY LARGER 5.1 INCH FULL HD DISPLAY AS COMPARED TO THE S4’S 5 INCH DISPLAY.”

D

RATING Performance: 9 Design: 7 Innovation: 6 Lasting Appeal: 7.5 Overall: 7.5

ning Android 4.4.2 Kit Kat with the Touchwiz skin, an update that will likely be available for the S4 and Note 3 within the coming months.

“SOME OF THE HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDED THE RELEASE OF THREE NEW SMART WATCHES RUNNING TIZEN ”

We know that the Galaxy S5 is mostly made up of a series of minor improvement from the Galaxy S4, but what’s actually new? The home button on this new device may look like last year’s, but now it features a fingerprint sensor that you can use to unlock your phone, make

uring this year’s Mobile World Congress,

payments, and more in the future. Although

which is essentially an exhibition for break-

this feature functions and looks very similar

throughs in the mobile industry, Samsung

to the sensor on the Apple’s iPhone 5s, the

announced many new products and services it would

S5’s fingerprint sensor is a bit more promising

be releasing in order to adjust to the ever chang-

due to the fact that developers can create new

ing mobile market. Some of the highlights included

content and uses for this sensor, giving it more

the release of three new smart watches running

potential. Another new feature is the heart-

Tizen (as opposed to Android) and the confirming

beat monitor built right into the flash below

of software updates for current Samsung devic-

the camera. It works by simply placing your

es. Arguably the most important announcement

finger on the sensor and is meant for use with

at MWC was the that regarding the successor to

Samsung’s own S Health fitness app. Other

the highly acclaimed Galaxy S4 which is properly

new features include new camera modes (such

named, as you may have guessed, the Galaxy S5.

as one that lets you pull focus after a shot is

So how is this new phone any different from the

taken), My Magazine (which is a FlipBoard

Galaxy S4 we all know and love? Well, the Galaxy S5

style magazine that sits to the left of the home

sports a slightly larger 5.1 inch Full HD display as

screen), and other tweaks to the user interface

compared to the S4’s 5 inch display. The design of the

that make the S5 feel zippier and smoother.

phone is generally consistent with the Galaxy S line

In general, the Galaxy S5 is a marginal update

of design consisting of an all plastic body and a fake

to the Galaxy S4 with subtle improvements

metal band; however, the S5 features a leather-like,

to the internals and a handful of new fea-

dotted backing that may seem unappealing at first

tures. The S5 won’t feel very new if you have

but makes the phone much more comfortable to hold

the S4, but if you’re upgrading from an older

in the hand. Surprisingly, the S5 is actually larger and

device, this will definitely be a great and excit-

heavier than the S4, at 8.1 mm thick and 145g versus

ing phone full of features that will surely feel

the S4’s 7.9 mm thickness and 130g mass, but the rea-

new. Although the S5 isn’t setting any stand-

son for this is that the S4 is IP67 certified. This means

ards or changing the market, it is a definite

it is completely dust proof and waterproof in up to

improvement and just enough for Samsung

1m of water for up to 30 minutes. Although you won’t

to continue dominating the Android market.

be taking your S5 scuba diving with you, it will survive occasional drops in puddles and can be used for some cool pool photography. The S5 also sports an improved 16 megapixel camera, which also shoots video in 4K now. The S5 is marginally faster than the S4 with

-6- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

THE ELEMENTS | -7PIXELATED | -7-

*

Hidden Treasure: A Look Into The Irregular Currency Called Bitcoin

*

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Omanum nondam et, non potissi milicau conumed effresimus vium

of the program that allows one to trade Bitcoin, functions without the oversight of a company. The second factor setting Bitcoin so far apart is that it is its own currency. Systems like PayPal and Visa conduct transactions in conventional currencies like the U.S. dollar or the Euro. The Bitcoin network conducts transactions in a new monetary unit, also called Bitcoin. There is no central bank that sets the value of a unit of Bitcoin, making it very difficult to properly exchange a set amount of other currencies for it. This raises the questions of how Bitcoin was even created, and how to get a supply of Bitcoin if there is no formal place to exchange it.

In 2009, someone operating under the name Satoshi Nakamoto created the Bitcoin software called Bitcoin-Qt and exposed it to

BY ANDREW DICKERMAN

the world in a paper during an online technology conference. The software is a ledger that records financial transactions in Bitcoins to protect against fraud. This is accomplished without any single central authority but rather by a network of computers that simply

R

ecently, a new currency has became more and more popular to a point where it is being used to buy almost anything, ranging from sandwiches, to airplane tickets, to

hired assassins. There’s no bank where you can exchange known currencies for this type of money, nor is there any type of insurance on each unit, like there is with the U.S. dollar. Nobody even knows what this currency looks like, as transactions using it are completed 100% online. It was anonymously created in 2009, and is often used for unlawful activities. The currency of which I speak is Bitcoin, and needless to say, there are many questions that it raises. This article will provide a basic understanding of this unique currency, and give a sense of where, how, and why it is used.

In essence, Bitcoin is a virtual currency that people use to send payments from one person to another. If you use that definition, Bitcoin seems similar to many other popular payment methods, but there are major distinctions to be observed. What makes different Bitcoin is that there is no company that owns and manages it, meaning that is it decentralized. For example, companies own PayPal and Visa, and they manage them to best work with the demands of their shareholders. The Bitcoin system, which is the name

-8- | THE ELEMENTS

record who sends whom money. It took about a year for fellow techies to catch on, but by mid 2010, a fairly large community of Bitcoin users began to accumulate. Like other currencies, Bitcoin functions on a system of supply and demand. As the demand for Bitcoin exponentially rose after its release, the supply did too. The Bitcoin server was and still is programmed to produce around twenty-five Bitcoins every ten minutes to put into the Bitcoin “economy.” Nakamoto essentially created this self-sustaining software and let it free, as the Bitcoin community hasn’t heard from him at all since he presented his Bitcoin paper. So this explains how Bitcoins are created, but how can people obtain Bitcoins? The most common way to purchase Bitcoins is at a Bitcoin ATM, which is an online marketplace full of people looking to buy and sell the currency. In this sense, it is a little bit like barter because you are dealing with an actual person, and there is no set value for how much your money is actually worth. Because this type of exchange is done entirely online, there is some risk in exchanging Bitcoin and according to one study, 45% of exchanges fail leaving one party with both the Bitcoins and the money. If it’s such a risky process to get Bitcoins, not to mention the fact that very few online stores will accept it as a form of monTHE ELEMENTS | -9PIXELATED

PONO MUSIC

ey, why is Bitcoin popular at all?

The answer quite simply, is the anonymity that Bitcoins provide.

Because Bitcoins are used only in the online sphere, tracing trans-

BY JAKE GAMBINO

Giving a kickstart to the audio player industry.

actions can be more difficult than it would be if one were to use a

W

ith over $6,000,000 raised, Pono Music’s success

and AAC audio files (found on iPhones or other common MP3 de-

on Kickstarter shows that thousands of people be-

vices) that is dramatic. FLAC files produce a broader range of fre-

lieve superior audio quality is worth paying a premi-

quencies than other audio files, and aficionados swear by them, but

um for. Backed by star musician Neil Young, the company is selling a

they are also significantly larger files than conventional MP3s and

advantage of this opportunity.

$400 music player along with super-high-quality FLAC music files.

even CDs. This is why the Pono Player comes with 64 gigabytes

Why Bitcoin is so popular can be

The spokespersons at Pono Music promise people will hear a differ-

of onboard storage, as well as an SD card slot for up to 128 gigs.

quickly told through the story

ence between their approved FLAC audio files and ordinary MP3

The already infamous design has been quite polarizing among crit-

credit card or bank account. As you can imagine, this presents a golden opportunity for some ill-intentioned individuals to take

of the rise and fall of the online market place called the Silk Road.

The Silk Road was launched in 2011, shortly after Bitcoins were created, and was advertised as a market that allowed viewers to browse it anonymously and securely without potential traffic monitoring. The Silk Road quickly became known as something like the Amazon of illegal substances and at its height, it had the equiv-

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ics, as many describe it as “toblerone-like”, referring to the pyr-

alent of 1.2 million US dollars per

amid shaped candy bar, or “bulky.” Others even compare it to

month flowing through it. On

previous MP3 players like the iRiver t60, a product released in

October 2nd 2013, the FBI shut

only entirely understood by a

2007. The main issue I can see with Pono is that barely anyone

down The Silk Road and arrested

few people who spend the ma-

wants to pay such a premium for such high-quality digital audio,

the apparent founder and oper-

jority of their days in front of

when they can’t even hear the difference from the medium-qual-

ator of the website on charges

computer screens. It definitely is

ity variety. Remember DVD audio? SACD discs? Neither do I.

of alleged murder-for-hire (as

fascinating though, that a regular

What’s my take? 44.1kHz, 16-bit MP3 files are probably good enough

assassins were one of the many

person was able to create a cur-

to reproduce any music for most people, and I do not think that this is

outrageously illegal things one

rency out of thin air that is now

for everyone. If you are the type of person who insists on vinyl for the

could purchase on this site) and

raising awareness and sparking

sound quality and you are willing to spend a premium on your music,

narcotics trafficking. The Bitcoin,

discussion all over the world.

but are wishing for a way to take your incredibly high quality music files

serving as an anonymous source

with you wherever you go, this may be for you. If you are like me, and an

of online currency, functioned

iPod sounds fine to your ears, but you just want some more space, try

perfectly in this setting, and was

an iPod classic. For me, the Ponoplayer’s two fatal flaws are its prism

the most used type of money

shape and it’s price. So it won’t fit comfortably into anything, save for

during the Silk Road’s existence.

a handbag and you won’t be able to carry that handbag because the

So, hopefully, now you know

pono player will have cost you an arm and a leg. But that’s just me.

more about this unorthodox medium of currency. If you still have many questions about Bitcoin, you aren’t alone, as it is truly is

-10- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

THE ELEMENTS | -11PIXELATED

KICKSTARTER GADGETS

BY DANIEL MINDICH

2 OCULUS RIFT Another product that was greatly overfunded by Kickstarter ($2,187,429 over the funding goal of $250,000) is the Oculus Rift, which, as mentioned earlier, was just bought by Facebook for 2 Billion dollars. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality headset which allows you to be fully immersed in your video game. It tracks your head’s movement, so if you move your head in the game, you will move your view in the game. You can order and buy a developer kit for $350 and have it ship right away, but this isn’t the main product for consumers yet. Soon, you will be able to buy the Oculus Rift. When Facebook bought it for such a great amount of money, their vision for it was more than just gaming. Mark Zuckerberg, when he announced the deal, said that in the future, he wants to be able to have courtside seats to a sporting event through the VR or go to a classroom, or even have

Kickstarter is a service that lets normal people pledge money to a company, startup, or product

be able to speak with a doctor face to face. All of that is in the future, howev-

that these same people believe could do well. In return for your pledge, you could get some-

er, and Oculus is currently focused on going ahead and working on its immer-

thing from the people you pledge to, from an honorable mention on their website, to a lim-

sive gaming before anything else. I think that the Oculus Rift is a great product,

ited edition product or a discount on what the product will eventually cost. These products

and obviously so does Facebook. The Rift will undoubtedly open doors for the

and companies range from a full immersive virtual reality device, like the Oculus Rift that was

future of interactive and immersive gaming, and I am looking forward to this.

recently bought by Facebook for 2 Billion dollars, to the new Veronica Mars movie, which is currently out in theaters and on iTunes. Kickstarter has helped small startup companies great-

3

ly, enabling many of them to achieve their potential and ultimately succeed on the market.

PEBBLE WATCH

1

The most funded project in all of Kickstarter history is the pebble watch, which was funded $10,166,845 over its goal of $100,000. Needless to say, they didn’t have a problem marketing this product. This was the first very popular smart

AVEGANT GLYPH A product that recently funded $1,259,506 over its goal of $250,000 is called the Avegant Glyph, which is a fully immersive Audio Visual experience. To the untrained eye, it looks like a pair of headphones, but when you put the visor down, it uses over one million “micromirrors” to project the desired display onto your retinas. The Glyph can display either a computer, a console, a tablet, or even your phone to play a game or to watch a video. It is a portable way to be fully immersed in the video you’re watching. The Glyph is set to release in the first quarter of 2015, and by then, Avegant will have scaled up its manufacturing to a level where its designers can make their product right for all who are interested. Right now, you can preorder the glyph for $499, it is available in 6 colors: blue, black, white, green, red, and orange. I was particularly drawn to this product because it seems like something out of a sci-fi movie based in the future. I think this is a great product which will hopefully be widely used. One unavoidable problem that I do have with the glyph is if you are watching something on the glyph in a public space, people may try to steal it or your phone while you aren’t looking.

-12- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

watch, because it has a customizable waterproof design that should stay on your wrist wherever you go, and it is designed to keep you from looking down at your phone too often. It has an app store where developers post their apps, which you can download for free. Some of the apps are games or different watch faces. Some track fitness, some control music or your phone, and some apps have a companion app to the iOS app store or the android app store. Pebble recently got out of development and now sells to a consumer market. The normal Pebble smart watch comes in 5 colors: black, grey, white, orange, and red. This markets for $150, and it ships the next business day. And then the Pebble “Steel” is split up into two different types with two prices. One of them has a leather band, rather than the black plastic band the normal watches have; it comes in black matte and brushed stainless. It sells for $229, and it will ship within 6-8 weeks. The other type also comes in black matte and brushed stainless, but these have a metal band. It is currently on the market for $249. Personally, I like the Pebble Smart Watch; a lot of the apps on it let you not have to look at your phone every five seconds to change the music you’re listening to or read a text or email. It should be said, however, that many other smart watches that are starting to trickle out also promise these interesting and noteworthy features. I believe that the Pebble Smart Watch showed that there was a market for a smart watch, and this has accounted for its original success, but down the road, bigger companies like Samsung and Google (who just made Galaxy Gear and Android wear, respectively) may either make a better product that is more successful, or acquire pebble, like Facebook just did with Oculus.

THE ELEMENTS | -13PIXELATED

BY BENJAMIN ADES ing the more advanced, more stylish Meta pro.

midair. You could design an object with your

Meta SpaceGlasses were created by Columbia

hands, send it off to a 3D printer, and have it

University graduate Meron Gribetz. He was

within minutes or hours. It also comes with a

born in Israel, and at one point he even worked

wearable pocket computer with the specifica-

in a special intelligence unit during his military

tions of a Macbook Air and then some. I feel

stint in Israel. Gribetz works along side many

that Meta Pro is not really aimed towards the

other Columbia graduates also working with a

average consumer unlike the Glass. However,

professor known by Gribetz and others as the

Meta is working on an app store with over 500

“father of wearable technology”: Steve Mann.

augmented reality games, applications, and all

It is clear that Meta is equipped with intelligent

sorts of tools to fix this. Google Glass is practi-

innovators, and it shows through their ad-

cally a smartphone, a plaything, in comparison

vancements on the Meta Pro. Unlike Glass’ 14º

to the Meta Pro. The Meta Pro is everything

FOV (Field of View) monocular display, Meta

that Google Glass isn’t and in an amazing way.

Pro, has a 40º FOV binocular display. It has

Not to mention, it’s stylish as hell, and it will

9-axis motion tracking, allowing it to accurate-

make you feel like you’re piloting an Iron Man

ly display augmented reality items in relation

suit. Meta plans to start shipping them in Sep-

with the user’s surroundings. This way, a virtu-

tember 2014, but for the hefty price of $3,650.

al phone for example, will not float around but

META SPACE GLASSES I

n recent years, more and more tech com-

connect to both Wifi and Bluetooth net-

is also one of the first companies to get in-

panies have been venturing into the field

works. While Google Glass may have many

volved in smart eyewear, it is only logical for

of producing convenient and wearable

interesting features and abilities, a rela-

Meta to be wary of the dangerous territory

electronics. A more renowned example of

tively new series of fancy glasses has joined

they’re stepping into. Their newest pair of

this technology is known simply as Google

the growing and competitive industry of

glasses, the Meta Pro, is their second in-

Glass. Released in February 2013, Glass is

wearable technology: Meta SpaceGlasses.

stallment in the Space Glasses series. Their

a wearable computer that allows the user to

It is clear, even by glancing and scrolling

first glasses, the Meta .01, was announced

receive information in a hands free smart-

down Meta’s website, that the company

in January last year, but the glasses was only

phone-like format. Commands are given to

knows what it’s up against. Some of Meta’s

released to a small group of developers. The

the glasses through speech, and are then

feats on their website are followed up by a

company plans to release Meta .01 to the

processed and displayed on its Optical Head

taunt towards Google’s advancements on

public sometime in the summer of this year.

Mount Display, similar to the HUD (heads

Glass. As one scrolls down the site a ban-

Meta’s glasses were funded on kickstart-

up device) displays seen in fighter jets. It’s

ner pops up saying, “Size Matters: 15x the

er by 501 backers, to a total of $194,444,

equipped with a 5 megapixel camera that

screen area of Google Glass.” Google is a

almost $100,000 more than their original

can record at 720p and has the ability to

powerhouse in the tech industry, and as it

goal! The Meta .01 was the first step in creat-

actually stay in the same position even if the user moves. Meta also includes 3D precise surround sound and a depth camera that acts as as 3D sensor by using miniature HD cameras.

All of these gadgets allow the user to do a variety of different things, things that the Glass cannot do at the current moment. The Meta Pro can mirror your electronic devices so that you don’t have to carry them around with you. Instead of having to bring your laptop to work, for example, you can just switch on the glasses and pull out your virtual laptop. It holds all the same applications and content as your real laptop, but without all the weight. The same can be done for your smartphone, which seems interesting, but not very useful. It would be more convenient to just pull out your phone rather than using the glasses for something so light. The laptop on the other hand could be useful, but when I looked at a video on their website which was shot through the glasses, the system seemed pretty laggy and not particularly intuitive. A cool feature, however, about the holographic

“THE META PRO CAN MIRROR YOUR ELECTRONIC DEVICES SO THAT YOU DON’T HAVE TO CARRY THEM AROUND WITH YOU”

laptop is that you’re no longer restrained to only one screen. Since it’s a hologram, multiple screens can be running at once in mid air.

My favorite part about the Meta Pro is that you can design and construct 3D objects in

-14- | PIXELATED THE ELEMENTS

THE ELEMENTS | -15PIXELATED

BY PHILIP JORDACHE

HEARTBLEED A MA

AISES FEARS

WR A L F Y T I R U C JOR SE

O

-16- | THE ELEMENTS

ty as a whole, not merely looking

be conducted by a steering group,

out for their own profits anymore.

consisting of open source devel-

Tech giants have started amal-

opers, representatives from the

gamating their money in order

different companies backing the

to fund a project, called the Core

project, and other industry stake-

Infrastructure Initiative, a mul-

holders in order to decide which

ti-million dollar project for the

projects to allocate funds to.

protection of open-source code,

The Heartbleed information leak

the source code available to the

has proven to be one of the most

general public to be used or even

catastrophic security defects in

modified, and then shared with

the history of the internet. How-

the rest of the online communi-

ever, thanks to several corpora-

ty. It is this source code that has

tions’ decisions to join together in

been overused, yet under-pro-

a program led by the Linux Foun-

tected for the past few years.

dation to help fund open source

These

measures

projects in need, preventative

come as a result of admitted guilt

measures are starting to be taken

on the part of these companies,

against another potential Heart-

having used (and relied upon)

bleed. However, the internet

the open source code for free

is obviously still imperfect, and

for years without contributing to

everything that can be done must

support its security. As a result,

be done in order to ensure as

many of them are feeling some-

much internet security as possi-

what responsible, and thus wish

ble; projects such as these -to pro-

to support the current effort.

vide financial support to projects

The Core Infrastructure Initiative

working for a more secure future

is being spearheaded by the Linux

online experience- must be sup-

Foundation, a non-profit organi-

ported as much as possible in or-

zation devoted to furthering the

der to make headway on this goal.

development of Linux, an open

.

preventative

source operating system. The ver the past few weeks, the internet com-

this, attackers have the ability to pose as certain

Linux operating system powers

munity and internet users throughout the

websites in order to provoke users to offer up pri-

consumer devices (tablets, smart-

world have been in a state of panic over

vate information, and hackers can even pose as

phones, etc.) as well as super-

Heartbleed, a major security flaw that has the po-

people on various websites on account of Heart-

computers and, most notably, the

tential to allow hackers to access internet users’ per-

bleed’s ability to compromise the session keys

New York Stock Exchange. Some

sonal data. Heartbleed is a vulnerability that is part

that keep people logged in to certain websites.

notable tech giants involved in

of the OpenSSL, a web security protocol responsi-

So, what is being done about this situation, and what

the Core Infrastructure Initiative

ble for providing encryption for personal informa-

stands in the way of another security breech such

in the early going are Google, Mi-

tion for approximately 66% of all internet servers.

as this? Many websites have already begun taking

crosoft, Dell, IBM, Facebook, and

Uncovered on April 1st, this security flaw has been

measures to correct the loopholes in the source

Cisco. Through the Core Infra-

shown to exist in all versions of OpenSSL released

code they use in order to eliminate the bug, and in-

structure Initiative, companies, as

since March of 2012, meaning that people have

ternet users have been advised to change their pass-

well as open source developers,

been affected by this security flaw for over two

words for accounts on various websites. However,

will be able to subsidize various

years. The bug essentially creates an opportunity

the most significant step being taken is that corpora-

open source projects in need of

for online attackers to access up to 64 kilobytes

tions are taking responsibility where they have failed

financial support. Evaluation of

of sensitive information including usernames,

to do so over the past few years, contributing to an

various open-source projects will

passwords, and password hints. In addition to

effort to further the goals of the internet communiTHE ELEMENTS | -17PIXELATED

BY NEIL AHLAWAT

www.cultofmac.com

APPLE ACQUIRES BEATS Ga. Namusap idendit, te natur am que voluptatem a qui doluptas dolut ut explaborest quos cor aut quaerun totatatio blacea sam, utem et omnienis eiument qui tem volest, aut adis verum aut untia con restio. Vendeni nessitis reseque pratio. Et fuga. Nam, con rem nus, sit, sequi vendest enimporrum et quiandi tatque ped quodit harume illit id ut moluptatem nistemquam

-18- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

D

r. Dre is now the richest man in

$1 billion, thanks to large-scale trendy

hip-hop. Producer-rapper Andre

marketing campaigns that has included

Romelle Young (also known as

endorsements from dozens of musicians

Dr. Dre) and music mogul Jimmy Lovine,

and sports stars. Beats electronics is

the co-founders of the headphone mak-

no longer only a manufacturer of head-

er and music company Beats Electronics,

phones; in fact, earlier this year Beats

came up with the idea for Beats seven

launched a music subscription service,

years ago after lamenting on the decline

Beats Music, to compete with the likes of

in sound quality ushered in by Apple’s

Pandora, Spotify, Rdio, and other music

own iPod and the MP3 era. Currently,

streaming services. Apple’s acquisition of

however, Apple is ironically set to ac-

Beats is a sure sign that Apple is willing to

quire the company for a reported $3.2

accept that the era of music downloads

billion. If this acquisition does in fact go

and iTunes is coming to a close and the

through, it will represent Apple’s largest

streaming business is becoming the major

acquisition ever, and its most surprising.

market in the music industry. While reve-

nue in the music streaming business has

Formed in 2008 by Dr. Dre and Lovine,

gone up by more than 50 percent since

Beats now has annual sales of more than

last year, topping $1 billion, digital album

sales were down by 14.2 percent and individu-

ther explore their work, comment on music,

aesthetically sleek and pleasing to the eye. It is

al song downloads were down by 12.5 percent

and share playlists. By incorporating Beats

essential for Apple’s continued lucrativeness

at the end of the last fiscal quarter according

Music into iTunes, Apple would be able to cre-

that young people continue to regard Apple

to Nielsen SoundScan. The biggest asset of

ate a new list of subscribers for the service,

as hip, and the acquisition of Beats electron-

Beats is the company’s music streaming ser-

which already has over 800 million accounts.

ics supports this notion. While it may have had

vice, which is engaging as a social experience

to pay a hefty price for Beats, Apple bought a

and thorough, especially when compared with

There is no doubt that Beats headphones have

younger consumer base, a prospering stream-

iTunes. Using the Beats Music iOS app, the

become an almost essential fashion accessory

ing service, and a new, trendier and “hipper”

user can ‘create a sentence’ explaining what

for kids these days, despite the $200-$300

image. While it is too early to see what will re-

they are, who they’re with, and how they’re

price tag. Apple is just as into the fashion busi-

sult from this Beats-Apple partnership, the fu-

feeling. The app will then accordingly cre-

ness as Beats is. Apple is a consumer based

ture looks to be full of potential and surprise.

ate a playlist for appropriate music. One can

electronics company that is able to charge a

additionally find music through genre, artist

premium for its products in part because they

playlist, and curator. Once the music is fin-

are perceived as looking “cool.” The hardware

ished playing, you can also follow artists, fur-

of MacBook Pros and iMacs is designed to be

Orecus ium asincit, que num eum intium is nos architisqui nonsequae sam fuga. Voles vera suntiosanist ea que ero cor magnisc iendita porion ea dessit, omnis amus, velenti berspid quam dellaut voluptatat pra ea dolor aut litis dis voluptas si tem qui commoluptiis alibusa ntibus ullantiorum exceaquam dolorporrore net verum acculle cusamus ea necupitatio. Et doleser chiliqui doluptatur, cus audit atendam

THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED | -15- | -19-

E-BOOKS VS. BOOKS:

TRADITION OR INNOVATION?

BY JAMES SKALA

S

-20- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

ince just about the be-

books and 475.1 % for children

is mainly due to two things: accessibility and

ward e-books. However, there is still merit

this point in time, the question of e-books

ginning of its existence,

and young adult books. Mean-

pricing. Since e-books are stored on a sin-

in traditional books. The main advantage of

versus regular books is really just a question

mankind has used books

while, traditional booksellers are

gle tablet device, they are incredibly easy to

traditional books is that they allow for anno-

of personal preference. While e-books con-

to tell stories. Over the count-

continuing to struggle. Borders

travel with and carry around. When going on

tations and notes more easily than e-books

tinue to surge in the market, books are still

less years since then, books have

has fallen into bankruptcy and

a trip, is it easier to carry around three nov-

do. This is the reason many school or college

an incredibly big business, though perhaps

evolved from simple drawings on

Barnes and Noble had a 7.4% net

els or a single tablet device that can store

level English classes across the country still

not what they once were. The choice is up

cave walls, to stone tablets, to

decrease in profit from fourth

hundreds of novels on it? The latest kindle

use traditional books. Secondly, many indi-

to you, do you want technological innova-

paper. These paper books, how-

quarter 2012 to fourth quarter

models can even access your entire library

viduals simply appreciate the feel and touch

tion over tradition or, are you the other way

ever, have appeared approach

2013. Do these signs point to the

through the cloud, so as long as you are in

of a good old-fashioned book. While this may

around? Though e-books are quickly be-

the end of their life span. E-book

eventual end of traditional books?

Wi-Fi range, you can download any book

surprise some, this people actually make up

coming more and more popular, it would be

sales are on the rise and they

By 2016, market experts believe

from your library or buy an e-book from the

significant portion of the book buying market.

nearly impossible to replace the current in-

are increasing at a steady rate.

that e-book sales will constitute

store. On top of that, e-books are also gener-

E-books offer an exciting twist for those of us

dustry. E-book or book, what is your choice?

In 2010, e-book sales accounted

50% or more of the book market.

ally cheaper than traditional books due to the

who like to curl up in a corner and read. They

for 10% of all book sales, but by

In order to understand the

lack of supply cost; traditional bookstores

are easy to use and fun to read on; however, it

2011 that had doubled to 20% of

change of the market, it is impor-

sell books at higher prices due to costs such

still doesn’t look like traditional books are go-

the market. From January 2011

tant to understand the benefits of

as paper and ink, and e-books do not rely on

ing anywhere. There is still a strong demand

to January 2012, e-book sales

both types of books. The reason

such materials. These two factors have been

for books and many main street small town

increased by 49.5% for adult

e-books have become so popular

the main reasons behind the new push to-

dealers still see their businesses growing. At THE ELEMENTS | -21PIXELATED

TITANFALL

BY ZACH TROYANOVSKY

Untotate periamusant accum ipis magnatur? Qui tetur, occulla quiatem hicabo. Imodit

T

itanfall, aside from its epic name alone,

pilots, but Respawn entertainment has found

In any given Titanfall multiplayer match, there

the double jump. Combining all of

of options during gameplay. Fur-

is a fast paced multiplayer first person

a way to make pilot vs Titan fights much more

are both multiplayer and single-player threats

these, we see that the pilots really

thermore, with all the cut-scenes

shooter that has two battle modes.

intense: by making pilots extremely agile and

considering that grunts (AI controlled charac-

do have a lot of power; however,

and AI controlled characters dur-

When playing in a multiplayer match, you can

allowing them to travel the length of the map in

ters) are roaming around the map at all points.

some skill is needed to unlock it.

ing multiplayer battles, Respawn

fight as a pilot - which is very fast paced and

mere seconds. The form of combat in Titanfall

When playing as a pilot, you have the option

allows for a lot of parkour around the map - or

can be summed up as a compromise between

of three different classes, namely a shotgun

For people who prefer using the

created the first game that is,

you can enter a mech also known as a titan

Halo and Call of Duty; while in mechs, it takes

class, an assault rifle class, and a tactical class.

titans, there will almost never

although

which to a regular gamer looks like the living

a lot to kill you; however, when in pilot form,

As a pilot, you are not completely hopeless

be a point where you find your-

er only, both multiplayer and

embodiment of the term overpowered. These

you can assassinate enemies very quickly, as

against titans because pilots can use titan

self without a titan throughout

single player at the same time.

titans have ridiculous firepower, an enormous

has long been the case in the CoD franchise.

weapons, giving them the firepower they need

whole game; every four minutes,

force field and, to top it all off, they are actually

When you take into account all the parkour,

to take down these same titans. With pilots,

a titan spawns that you can call

quite fast. It would seem like, after this descrip-

though, you might have to consider assas-

you can do things like wall run and use a jet-

in and use. When you have a ti-

tion, that the titans completely out power the

sin’s creed’s influence on this game as well.

pack, and of course, the old gamer favorite,

tan, your main goal is to take out

Entertainment has successfully technically

multilay-

other titans and let the pilots on the map take care of each other.

And with highly powered weapons, a force field, and the ability to pull other pilots from their titans and squash them, playing in a titan is sure to be very exciting.

Titanfall is a game that has the potential to unite Call of Duty fans, Halo fans and Assassin’s creed fans with an enormous amount

RATING: 9.0

-22- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

THE ELEMENTS | -23PIXELATED

MLB14: THE SHOW

BY DANNY JIN

I

n recent years, Sony has developed a virtual monopoly over MLB

no longer makes its baseball video game). With excellent graph-

video games. This year, with, MLB 14: The Show, the 9th instal-

ics, numerous game modes, and the new option to carry over a

lation of the MLB: The Show franchise, Sony once again bests

Road to the Show player into future years’ games, The Show is back.

its competition. While little is new in this year’s game – baserun-

One area where The Show has always stood out is appearance. The

ning remains a problem, fielding is counterintuitive, and occasion-

sights and sounds of The Show remain unrivaled in any sports game. Just

al glitches will occur – there is no baseball game that comes close to

hearing the crack of the bat and the sound of the crowd makes the game

the matching the feel of The Show (especially considering 2K Sports

feel very real. Player and stadium appearances have been rebuilt this

“Though Road to the Show is already enjoyable, it lacks the lasting appeal of player creations in other sports game.”

“With excellent graphics, numerous game modes, and the new option to carry over a Road to the Show player into future years’ games, The Show is back.” year, and Sony’s depictions are remarkably accurate. Additionally, a new lighting system takes into account weather changes as the game progresses, a minor but pleasant and still noteworthy change. Though Sony continues to recycle in-game commentary and animations from year to year, there is not much to complain about in this aspect of the game.

Though not much has changed throughout the MLB: The Show franchise, this year’s game includes two notable, but fairly unspectacular, changes. Already stacked with several enjoyable game modes, The Show features the Player Lock mode, which allows gamers to play an entire season as an existing MLB player. Similar to the Road to the Show (RTTS) mode, Player Lock allows gamers to step into the cleats of some of their favorite MLB players without having to worry about training points and player ratings. In addition, the new Quick Count feature allows pitchers to simulate each at bat until a certain count.

Before Quick Count, players had to make every single pitch of the game, a process which required lots of focus and was, quite frankly, boring. Now, there is significantly greater pressure with every pitch, making games both shorter and more intense. Similarly, catching in Road to the Show has also been modified; instead of having to catch every single pitch of the game, catchers will only have to field in throwing situations. While nothing groundbreaking has been added into this year’s game, the new changes make pitching and catching, which were noticeably lacking in previous versions of The Show, actually bearable.

ning and fielding in The Show, perhaps the

interviews that make you feel as one with your

of The Show will undoubtedly buy this one as

biggest obstacle for Sony to conquer is online

created player, Road to the Show is really noth-

well. Part of the reason why much of the game

gaming. The Show plays incredibly well offline,

ing more than playing baseball games with

remained unchanged this year is that The

but online play has always been a problem.

your player. This year’s addition of a 3-game

Show was already so good that there wasn’t

Though playing online is much smoother on

Rookie Showcase was nice, but the game can

much room for improvement. Nevertheless,

the PS4, Sony still has a long way to go if it

still feel rather dull at times. For the first time,

this game is a must-have for any sports fan.

wants The Show to reach the same popular-

Road to the Show players can be carried over

ity that 2K has reached with NBA 2K14. Its

into future versions of the show, a feature that

shortcomings online can partially be forgiven

some of the other major sports games lack.

due to the wide variety of game modes, but

Once again, Sony has added another great

The Show cannot be recommended at this

game to The Show franchise, and with 2K

point if you plan to do a lot of online gaming.

ending its line of MLB games this year, there

Though Road to the Show is already enjoyable,

is absolutely no competition. While a little

it lacks the lasting appeal of player creations in

competition would be nice in that it would

other sports games. While NBA 2k14’s myCa-

encourage Sony to innovate more with the

reer mode features spectacular cut scenes and

Road to the Show mode and fix its online play,

NHL 14’s Live the Life mode offers post-game

gamers who have enjoyed previous versions

RATING: GRAPHICS: 9.5 GAMEPLAY: 8 LASTING APPEAL: 8 OVERALL: 9

While gamers have expressed frustration at the difficulty of baserun-24- | PIXELATED THE ELEMENTS

THE ELEMENTS | -25-

MARIO KART 8

BY JOSH ARNON

T

he Xbox One and PlayStation 4

more than just fancy visuals to back it up.

The Wii U is struggling in sales, most of

came out less than six months ago.

The game boasts several new items, two of

which is due to poor marketing and badly

Cloud processing, massive open

which have been revealed as the Piranha

timed game releases. However, toward the

worlds, and dynamic lighting are all the

plant from Super Mario 3D World and the

end of last year, it began to churn out con-

rage. However, even in this tech spec war,

Boomerang from Super Mario 3D Land.

sistently excellent exclusive games, from

sometimes nothing’s better than sitting

The former item lurches its head forward,

Pikmin 3 to The Legend of Zelda: The Wind

with your friends and playing Mario Kart.

each jerk giving you a boost and potentially

Waker to Super Mario 3D World to Donkey

gobbling up an opponent. The Boomerang

Kong Country: Tropical Freeze. Make sure

Motorbikes and 12-player racing will re-

is a projectile that you can throw in front of

to pick up Mario Kart 8 when it hits stores

turn from Mario Kart Wii. You’ll also get

or behind you up to three times, stunning

on May 30; after all, you’ll want to get the

to experience Mario Kart 7’s hangliders

an opponent with each hit. New characters

console before the new Super Smash Bros.

and underwater racing in high definition.

include all seven of the Koopalings, Metal

really disrupts the market later this year.

That’s right, this game marks the first

Mario, and Lakitu. The stages have been

HD entry of the Mario Kart series. But

revamped as well. 16 are entirely new

Nintendo isn’t starting from the basics

and 16 are remakes. The remakes look

for this game’s visuals: the game runs at

drastically different than the originals: a

1080p at 60 frames per second, even in

redone Rainbow Road has giant colorful

two-player split-screen. Running on a con-

tiles and gold-plated gates. And that stage

sole more powerful than the Xbox 360

isn’t even the brand new Rainbow Road.

or PS3, the finished product looks just as good as any next-gen game, if not better.

Besides nice visuals and new tracks, a novel

The game’s vibrant color palette stands

feature adds more depth to the series’ core

out among the shades of gray in just about

gameplay: anti-gravity. At certain points of

every new first-person shooter, and every

stages, players will have the choice of driv-

character, kart, item, road, and piece of

ing on the ground or up the side of a wall

environment is painstakingly detailed.

(or even a ceiling). Bumping into another

This isn’t Mario Kart as you remember it.

player in anti-gravity will make your kart spin, while also giving you a speed boost,

This entry into the popular racing series has

-26- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

adding a dynamic component to the game.

PIXELATED THE ELEMENTS | -27-

GAME OF THRONES

SPOILERS!!!

Alit, te quiate est et lab ium et la peribusam facestiumque cum as eosanditam ideliqui optasin con corro volorep udignis ditiosaere

BY IAN LEE

G

-28- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

ame of Thrones. Now that I have your

Oberyn arrives in King’s Landing with the hidden

sible for her son’s murder. In the other realms,

and might not escape this one, even though he

attention, let’s talk Thrones. Season

motive of taking revenge on the Lannisters for

Daenerys punishes the masters of the slave

did not murder Joffrey. Personally, I believe

four of the novel-turned hit television

the death of his sister, and Daenerys leads the

cities by nailing them to posts while mutineers

that he will make it out of the trial. The second

series returned last month reaching 6.64 million

army to the slave cities. In the next episode, “The

capture Bran. Now, in the most recent episode

point of interest I would like to mention that

viewers with its season opener after leaving us

Lion and the Rose”, what I would deem as the first

of Game of Thrones, Tommen is crowned king,

is worth thinking about is the possible battle

begging for more after the terrific third season. I

major death occurs, as King Joffrey is poisoned

while Cersei attempts to sway Margaery, Ty-

between Daenerys’ army and her dragons and

have not read the books by George R. R. Martin,

and dies soon after; the episode ends as Tyrion

win, and Oberyn amidst Tyrion’s pending trial.

the rest of Westeros; battle certainly seems to

the mastermind behind Game of Thrones; how-

is suspected to have poisoned Joffrey. Moving

While that is happening in King’s Landing, Dae-

be coming soon to me at least. I am definitely

ever, from people who have read the novels, this

onto the next episode, “Breaker of Chains”, Tyr-

nerys postpones her invasion of Westeros to

going to be sitting on the edge of my seat for

season is expected to be the best yet. Spoilers to

ion is arrested, Tommen is in line to become the

pronounce herself Queen, Petyr is forced into

the rest of the season waiting for the unex-

come… and anyone who is not caught up to Sea-

next king, Sansa sneaks out of King’s Landing, and

marrying Lysa Arryn, and Bran is able to escape

pected twists and turns George R. R. Martin

son Four Episode Five should stop reading. Now,

Daenerys arrives to the slave city and is able to

the mutineers and burn down Craster’s Keep.

has in store. So, tune in to HBO Sundays at

five episodes into the season four, there have not

set them free. In episode four, “Oathkeeper”, the

Now that we have overviewed the season,

9 PM to find out what will happen next. And

been any mind blowing deaths or events but let’s

truth about Joffrey’s death begins to come out as

let’s make some possible predictions as to how

if you’re not caught up with the show yet, do

go over what has happened and make some pos-

Petyr admits that Sansa poisoned Joffrey. Cer-

things could go down in future episodes. Tyri-

so as soon as possible. Trust me, it’s worth it.

sible predictions. In the season opener, dubbed

sei, meanwhile, is still distraught about Joffrey’s

on’s upcoming trial is one point of interest, as

“Two Swords”, not too much happens. Prince

death and strongly believes that Tyrion is respon-

he narrowly escaped conviction in his last trial THE ELEMENTS | -29PIXELATED

BY DEVAIN DOOLARAMANI

THE AMAZING RACE T

-30- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

lion dollars, obviously the winner

show, there are several allianc-

gets the grand prize. The only

es created amongst pairs to help

con that I have about this show

each other out. The only group

is that its pre-recorded a long

that wasn’t in the big alliance dur-

time before it actually airs on TV.

ing the middle of the all-stars was

I would like to see the behind the

that of Brandon and Rachel, who

scenes of the filming of the show

are part of the final three as well.

as well as some of the live action.

They “backstabbed” Dave and

This year, the creators of The

Connor around the 4th/5th leg.

Amazing Race did something spe-

Overall, I have enjoyed this sea-

cial and took groups from previ-

son of the show very much, and I

ous seasons and brought them

would give it a 9/10 just because

back into this one. It was named

it brings back so many past mem-

the “Amazing Race All-Stars” and

ories and will continue to do so

personally, I think that it was one

in the future. The show is quite

of the best seasons thus far. The

entertaining and allows you to ex-

all-stars created a more compet-

perience something that you cer-

itive environment; each pair was

tainly haven’t before. If it weren’t

very experienced and knew what to do when it ran into problems or fell behind. The show was very exciting and one of the best parts is that you, as the viewer, feel like you’re traveling around with the contestants. These contestants, by the end of the season had almost literally explored the whole world. This season, the contestants went to India, England, and

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already obvious, I definitely suggest you watch The Amazing Race. .

Ireland just to name a few. Also,

he Amazing Race is a real-

here is some basic information.

the show has many aspects of

ity T.V. show that is hosted

Contestants from each group try

humor, adventure and especially

by Phil Keoghan and airs

to arrive first at “Pit Stops” at the

drama. Certain of the funniest

on CBS. To start, let me explain a

end of each leg of the race in or-

groups, such as Leo and Jamal,

little bit about the show. Every

der to win prizes. If you come in

have made the show what it is

year, a select group of pairs is

last, you’re either eliminated or

right now. After a lot of journey-

chosen to participate in this show.

subject to some sort of penalty

ing, the final three are now set

The race is for one million dollars,

in another leg. Contestants trav-

on stage to race for a million dol-

and in each season, the race con-

el all over the world to and with-

lars. In my opinion, the pairs that

sists of 11-12 legs and then the

in multiple countries. They are

should win are either Caroline

final leg. This is the 24th install-

given clues during each leg that

and Jennifer or Dave and Connor;

ment of the show, and this alone

lead them to the desired destina-

Dave and Connor are both cancer

proves that it is one worth watch-

tion or direct them to complete a

survivors, and Caroline and Jen-

ing.

I would try to summarize

task, either together or by a single

nifer have been, simply put, just

all of the “logistics” of the show,

member. When this is done suc-

nice people along the whole race.

but to be honest, they are just

cessfully, teams move on to the

They didn’t backstab anyone and

too complicated to be explained

next leg. The final leg consists of

were just “great people to be with,”

properly in this article. However,

three teams racing for the mil-

as stated by Dave. Also in the THE ELEMENTS | -31PIXELATED

LAST WEEK TONIGHT

BY MATTHEW HARPE

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J

ohn Oliver’s late-night talk show,

it all. While Oliver’s title, Last Week

minutes with no ads. This added

intertwines in order to present the

so it is possible that as his writers

Last Week Tonight, premiered

Tonight, imitates the Daily Show in

time affords Oliver the opportunity

situation in a more complex light.

improve and get to know him bet-

April 27th on HBO. Having been

its use of time as the only component

to go into more depth on particular

Oliver’s show is thoroughly enter-

ter, the comedic quality of the seg-

a correspondent on the Daily Show

of the show’s name, Oliver adds his

issues, and, since it’s a weekly show,

taining and different enough that it

ments will improve, too. It is clear

since 2006, Oliver is the latest in a se-

own signature twist, almost mocking

Oliver has less of an obligation to

is worth watching. Perhaps Oliver’s

John Oliver has a lot of potential,

ries of Jon Stewart protégés to leave

late-night television for its overuse of

cover the daily news. In spending

best choice was to make the show

and his British manner will never

the Daily Show for a show of their own.

time-related words and alluding to the

more time on some segments, Ol-

weekly; a daily show would simply

get tiring, so we have much to look

For each new show, the test has always

fact that his show is weekly. In much

iver actually adds in quite a bit of

be too repetitive of the already ex-

forward to. And by my book, he’s off

been how well it manages to main-

the same way, Oliver’s entire show is

useful information beyond the sa-

istent Daily Show. While Oliver is

to a good start: Last Week Tonight

tain the entertainment value of the

really his own twist on the Daily Show.

tirical goal. While the Daily Show

entertaining, his jokes aren’t quite

is already better than many late-

Daily Show without mimicking it too

Instead of producing a daily commen-

is certainly educational, it is more

as funny as Jon Stewart’s thus far,

night shows and is worth adding to

closely. Former correspondent Ste-

tary on each day’s news, Oliver does

often so in its mockery of others’

so it’s critical that he’s able to dis-

any late-night viewing repertoire.

phen Colbert, for example, had little

one show each week, discussing news

mistakes. Undoubtedly this is the

tinguish himself. It is also worth

trouble deviating from Stewart’s style

from the past week that Sunday night.

approach Last Week Tonight takes,

noting that Oliver did a phenomenal

given his eccentric personality and sil-

With an entire week to cover (and

but, on top of that, there is anoth-

job guest hosting the Daily Show in

ly attitude. For Oliver, the name says

prepare), Oliver’s show lasts about 30

er clear layer of facts that Oliver

Jon Stewart’s absence this summer,

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-32- | THE ELEMENTS PIXELATED

THE ELEMENTS | -33PIXELATED

“Roribus consedis porisciet prerepta eat.

Giaectur sus et reperro occatem fugiae doluptiam ad ea nimagnihit inus dolorestem ipis apid que con reperch itiunt, que”

F

GOTHAM

BY YOEL ZAID

-34- | THE ELEMENTS

ollowing the lead of shows like Small-

for Gotham. After watching this first trailer,

between Gotham and any future DC relat-

ville, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,

I can immediately tell that this show is not

ed movies or story lines, separating Gotham

and Arrow, Fox announced on Septem-

going to stray from its source material and

into a universe of its own. Therefore, any-

ber 24, 2013, that it would be moving past

be just as dark and ominous as the comics

one watching the show in hopes of seeing

the traditional pilot phase, and going straight

and movies that have come before it. How-

an exact replication of a story line in the

into a 13 episode Batman spinoff series ti-

ever, after watching the trailer, I do have one

comics or looking for a continuation of the

tled, Gotham. On May 5th, 2014 Fox gave

concern about the show. I can see the show’s

Batman film franchise will be disappointed

Gotham a series order, which is scheduled

potential to become a basic disconnected

in this project. This can either harm or help

to premiere during the 2014 fall TV season.

procedural drama, too focused on Detective

Gotham, depending on the show’s ability to

Created by Bruno Heller (who also created

Gordon’s cases and not focusing enough on

keep with the expectations viewers will have

Rome, and The Mentalist), Gotham will build

the other characters and stories that comic

on the storyline and the comparisons they

off of the existing characters in DC Comics’

book readers have grown to love. Hopefully

will make with other versions of Batman.

universe, specifically focusing on Detective

Gotham will have one continuous storyline

Overall, I have pretty high expectation for

James Gordon (played by Ben McKenzie,

that connects the origins of all of the char-

the success of Gotham. I really do think

known for his roles in The OC and South-

acters. I also hope that Gotham sprinkles in

it has the potential to top all other super-

land), and a young Bruce Wayne (played by

plenty of references to the original source

hero based shows and approach its su-

David Mazouz, known for his role in Touch).

material, something Arrow has done suc-

perhero theme in a fresh and unique way.

The main story will consist of Detective Gor-

cessfully, referencing both well-known and

don’s early days on the Gotham City Police

minor Green Arrow characters. Another

force and the origins of multiple Batman vil-

aspect of the show that I am worried about

lains, such as Catwoman, the Penguin, the

is its self-contained nature. Based on the in-

Riddler, the Joker, Poison Ivy, and Two-Face.

formation that has been released so far, it

Also on May 5th, Fox released the first trailer

doesn’t seem that we’ll be seeing any overlap

THE ELEMENTS | -35PIXELATED | 35

JOIN PIXELATED

d e t n a w writers

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: CHARLES_COTTON@HORACEMANN.ORG OR ANY OF THE OTHER EDITORS (SEE PAGE 2)

-36- | THE ELEMENTS