Le Bilingue 2023 04 April

LE BILINGUE

EcoleJeannineManuelParis’studentnewspaper

Letter from the editors

Dearreaders,Cherslecteurs,

Thefirstwhispersofspring,sunlightandwarmthareapproaching.Justafewmore weeksareleftbeforebreak.Andforthosetakingpartinthecompositionsgroupées, goodluck!

In recent months, cities across France have seen a surge of protests against the government'sproposedretirementreformswhichseektooverhaulFrance'spension system.Thebillcontainingsuchreformshaverecentlybeenpassedwithoutvotedueto theuseofarticle49.3,whichmanyargueisundemocratic.Theproposedchangeshave facedwidespreadoppositionfromadiversityofactorsrangingfromunionstoordinary citizenstakingtothestreetstovoicetheirconcerns.

LesréformesdesretraitesproposéesenFrancevisentàunifierles42régimesdepension enunseulsystème,etàaugmenterl'âgeminimumdedépartàlaretraitede62à64ans. Cesréformesontdûfairefaceàunerésistanceparticulièredelapartdessyndicatsetdes travailleursquiargumententquecelalaisseraitdenombreusespersonnesincapablesde prendreleurretraiteavantqueleursanténesedétériore.

Theprotests,witnessedonlineorinperson,serveaspowerfulremindersofthe importanceofexercisingourdemocraticrightsandfreedoms.Theabilitytovoice dissentandexpressopinionsisafundamentalaspectofanyhealthydemocracy.Aswe looktowardsthefuture,wemustremembertoworktoprotectourpreciousdemocratic rightsandfreedomsandcherishthepowerofcollectiveactionandtheroleitplaysin achievingchange.

Nousvoussouhaitonsunetrèsbonnelecture!

Sincerely,

TheeditorialteamofLeBilingue

How Climate Change is Affecting the Alps

FormanyinFrance,thevacationduringthelastweekofFebruaryandfirstweekofMarch isoftenonethatinvolvesskiing,principallyintheAlps.Manyofyou,asdidI,mayhave noticedandbeendisappointedatthelackofsnowthisyear-withmanyslopeshavingbeen closedoffsincethedirtandgrassbeneaththeicewasexposed.Weknowthatclimate changeistoblameforthisproblem,butwemustunderstandexactlywhythisisoccurring andhowquicklyitisactingonthesemountainrangesthattheFrench(...andItalian…and Swiss)pridethemselveson.

Itcomesasnosurprisethatrisingtemperaturesaretoblame:overthecourseofthe20th century,temperaturesintheAlpshaverisenby2ºC(3.6ºF),whichisdoubletheriseof globaltemperatures.AccordingtotheResearchCenterforAlpineEcosystems,a0.5ºC temperatureincreaserepresentsa100m(328ft)differenceinelevation,meaningthatsuitable conditionsfororganismsinthisenvironmenthaverisenbynearly400moverthepast century.

Anincreaseintemperaturehasalsoledtoalargedecreaseofsnowcover,meaningthatthe periodoftimethatalayerof‘snow’coversthegroundhasdecreased.AtMontBlanc,this periodhasdecreasedbynearlyamonthinthepast50years.Alackof

- Clementine S via PBS

snow,whichleadstodirectsolarexposure fortheground,causesevenmoresnowto meltasthegroundabsorbstheheatfromthe sun.Furthermore,theaccelerationofthe meltingofthistemporarylayerofsnow leadstothemeltingofthepermafrost,a layerofpermanentlyorlong-termfrozen ground, which can be detrimental to ecosystemsandthemountainsthemselves. Notonlydoesthepermafrosthelpmaintain anetworkofwatersourcesandregulate mountaintemperatures,butitisalsooften responsibleforkeepingthemountainfaces together. The problem of melting permafrostisnotjustonefacedbyAlpine regions.

InArcticregions,ithasalsobeenshowntocreateunstablegroundsforpre-existing infrastructure,harmingwildlifeandpeopleinsurroundingareas.Anothermajorattraction oftheAlpsisglaciers,butunfortunately,theyhavebeengreatlyaffectedbythisrisein temperatureaswell.Since1850,theyhavelostabouthalfoftheirvolumeanditisprojected thatwithinthenext25years,52%ofglacierslocatedinSwitzerlandwillnolongerexist. These glaciers are imperative for the regulation of the Earth’s temperature, as their brightnesshelpstoreflectheatfromthesunbackintospace.

Climatechangeisoftenoverlookedassomethingthatwillonlystartaffectingussoon.We arealreadywitnessingfirst-handthedetrimentaleffectsofthisriseintemperatureand hopefullythiswillpromptmoretoactagainstclimatechange.Withtherecentapprovalof theWillowProjectbytheBidenadministration,whichwillexpandoildrillinginAlaska andproduceanestimated160,000barrelsofoileverydayforthenext30years,itis imperativethatwecallonnationalandinternationalcorporationsandleaderstotakereal actionagainstthisissue.Hopefullythethreatofaneliminationofskivacationswillfinally bethepushforpoliticianstodosomethingaboutglobalwarming.

Electric Vehicles

-Isabella S

Aswebecomemoreconsciousaboutourimpactontheenvironment,morepeople arelookingforwaystoreducetheircarbonfootprint.Oneofthebiggestsourcesof greenhousegasemissionsistransportation.Assuch,therehasbeenagrowinginterest inelectriccars(EVs)asacleaner,moresustainablealternativetogasoline-powered cars.

Manypeoplewonderwhetherthecostandfuelefficiencyofowninganelectriccar makesitworththeinvestment.AccordingtoarecentarticleonDiscover.com, electriccarscanbeacost-effectiveoptionforthelong-term.Whiletheinitial purchasepricemaybehigher,thesavingsonfuelandmaintenancecostscanaddup quickly.Thearticlenotesthattheaveragecosttodriveanelectriccarisabout$485 peryear,comparedto$1,117foragasoline-poweredcar.Overthecourseoffive years,that'ssavingsofover$3,000.

However,notallsourcesareasoptimisticaboutthecost-effectivenessofEVs.A recentarticleonGoBankingRates.comarguesthatwhileelectriccarsmaybemore efficient,theystillaren'tworththeinvestmentformanyconsumers.Thearticlecites severalfactorsthatcontributetothehighcostofelectriccars,includingtheneedfor expensivecharginginfrastructureandlimiteddrivingrange.Additionally,thearticle notesthatloweringgasconsumptionandsupportingeco-friendlybusinessescanall adduptomakeadifference.Bymakingconsciouschoicesinoureverydaylives,we canallplayapartincreatingacleaner,greenerfutureforgenerationsthatare relativelylowcomparedtohistoricalaverages,whichreducesthepotentialsavings fromusinganEV.

Despitetheseconcerns,thereareseveralbenefitstoowninganelectriccarbeyond justthecostsavings.AsnotedinanarticleontheAustralianEnergyCouncil's website,electriccarsaresignificantlymorefuel-efficientthangascars.Accordingto thearticle,EVsconvertaround60%oftheenergyfromtheirbatteryintopowerat thewheels,whilegasoline-poweredcarsonlyconvertabout20%oftheenergystored ingasolineintopower.Thisincreasedefficiencymeansthatelectriccarscantravel furtherwiththesameamountofenergy.

Furthermore,anarticleontheAlternativeFuelsDataCenterwebsitehighlightsthe environmentalbenefitsofelectriccars.EVsproducesignificantlyfeweremissionsthan gascars,makingthemanimportanttoolforreducingourcarbonfootprint.Inaddition totheemissionsbenefits,electriccarsalsoproducelessnoisepollution,makingthema greatoptionfordriversinurbanareas.

AnotheradvantageofEVsisthattheycanhelpdriversavoidrestrictionsongasolinepoweredvehiclesincertaincities.Forexample,asreportedbyReuters,thecityofParis hasimplementedmeasurestoreduceairpollution,includingrestrictionsondrivinggas carsoncertaindays.However,electriccarsareexemptfromtheserestrictions, providingdriverswithgreaterflexibilityandconvenience.

Overall,itisclearthatelectriccarsofferseveraladvantagesovergascarswhenit comestocostandfuelefficiency.Whiletherearestillsomechallengestoovercome, suchasrangeanxietyandcharginginfrastructure,thebenefitsofEVsarebecoming increasinglycompelling.Aswecontinuetotransitiontorenewableenergysourcesand worktoreduceourcarbonfootprint,EVswillplayacrucialroleincreatingamore sustainabletransportationsystem.

AswecelebrateEarthMonthandworktowardsamoresustainablefuture,it's importanttoconsidertheimpactofourchoicesontheenvironment.Evenifbuying anelectriccarisn'tanoptionforyourightnow,therearestillmanywaystoreduce yourcarbonfootprintandmakeapositiveimpact.Simpleactionslikeusingreusable waterbottles,reducingenergyconsumption,andsupportingeco-friendlybusinesses canallmakeadifference.Bymakingconsciouschoicesinoureverydaylives,wecan allplayapartincreatingacleaner,greenerfutureforgenerationstocome.

Death from space

- Chengyou J

Asoftoday,3000functioningsatellitesand5000otherman-madeobjectsorbittheEarth. EachofthemissentupforadurationoftimebeforeretiringandfallingbacktoEarthina spectacularflamingball.Buthaveyoueverworriedaboutonefallingontoyourhead?While thishadneverhappened,therehadbeenclosecalls.OnAugust3,2022,afarmersawapeculiar blackobjectstickingoutofhisland.Atfirst,hethoughtitwasadeadtree.However,with furtherexamination,herealizeditwasaman-madeobjectwhichlaterturnedouttobeapart ofaSpaceXshuttle.

Eversincethefirstsatellitewaslaunched,countriesworldwidehavesentupaplethoraof objects into orbit for various purposes, including for housing astronauts, GPS and communications.Asspaceispackedwithmoreandmoresatellites,moreandmorewillretire eachyearincreasingthethreatofaresidentialareabeingblastedbyafieryballofaretired satellite.

Whilemanypeopleworryaboutsucharisk,scientificallyspeaking,theissueitselfisnotthat bigofaproblemasthechanceofonegettinghitontheheadisslim.Currently,spacepollution hasn’treachedusyet.Whatgivesscientistsaheadacheisthedevastatingspacecraft-tospacecraftcollisions.In2009,twocommunicationssatellites,Iridium33andKosmos2251 collidedandscatteredover2000largepiecesofdebris.Thesepiecesposemajorthreatstothe stillfunctioningsatellites.

Flyingatterrifyingspeeds,thedebriscanprovelethaltotheastronautsinspace.Spacedebris with1centimeterindiameterisenoughtothreatenamissionasatypicalcollisionspeedis14 kilometerspersecond.

Well,whyisn’tthereanyeffortindealingwiththeconsequences?Infact,thereis,butit’snot aseasyasyouwouldthink.Recently,organizationshaveproposedinterestingideas.Oneof themincludessendinguparobotinordertopushsatellitesbacktoEarthsoatleasttheother satelliteswon’tgetharmed.Anothersolutionwouldbetosimplyusetheremainingfuelto guidethosesatellitestocrashinthemostremoteareasoftheEarth.

Fortunately,theimpactofspacedebrisisnotfeltbymost.However,likeclimatechange,we shouldnotwaituntilitistoolate.

Library Garden

DearstudentsandEJMstaff,thelibrarycordiallyinvitesyoutohelp inturningthelibrarygardenintoagreen,bloominghaven.Allstaff andstudentsareencouragedtoparticipateinthegreening,whichis starting this spring. The library would appreciate any of the followingmaterials:

Anyplants,flowers,fruits,etc!Seedsarekindlywelcometoo.

Anytoolswhichmighthelpuswithgardening

Pots

Soil Fertiliser

Thankyousomuchforyourhelpinmakingthelibraryagreener, morebeautifulspace.

Movie Recommendations: Earth and Nature

- Tristan R

THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY dir. Ben Stiller, cin. Stuart Dryburgh

Aman,trappedinaboringlifeduringwhichhefindssolaceonlyinhisconstantdaydreaming, embarksonajourneytofindamysteriousphotographinwhichhefulfillshisneedforadventure, andconnectstonature.Tobehonest,thestoryitselfwouldn’twinanyawards,butthe cinematography,thepoeticatmosphere,andthesheerbeautyofthisfilmmakeseverysingle secondworthadmiring.BenStillerperformsquitewellbuthismostremarkableworkremainsas director.SayingthatSeanPennplayedamazinglyisapleonasmbutIknownotofmanyactors whocanmakeyoufeelsomanyemotionswithonlyaboutaminuteofscreentime.Atruly phenomenalmoviewiththeabilitytocheerupanyone.Ifyoudowatchit,pleasewatchitona bigscreen.

INTO THE WILD dir. Sean Penn, cin. Eric Gautier

Therearemanytragediesinthisworld,andnothavingseen“IntoTheWild”isoneofthem.This movie’smagnificencecouldbetalkedaboutforyearsbutnoamountofwordscoulddescribesucha masterpiece.ThesimplestwayIcoulddescribeitis:Ifpoetrywasamovie,itwouldbethis.Sean Penn’smoviedescribesthetruestoryofChristopherMcCandless,ayoungAmericanwhodecidesto gointothewild(that’swhytheynamethemoviethatwayifyouhadadoubt),preciselyinAlaska, alone.AdaptedfromJonKrauker’sbook,thisartworkisjusttwoandahalfhoursofcryingofjoy, cryingofsadness,andcryingagain.

EVEREST dir. Baltasar Kormákur, cin. Salvatore Totino

Theothermoviesthathavejustbeenpresented,oftendescribenatureasbeautifulandrelaxing.And itis,therefore,thenormalchoicetomoveontoadramaticandanxiety-inducingmovieabouta tragedyonthetallestmountainintheworld(Why?WelltoquoteTarantino,“Becauseit’ssomuch fun!”).Onceagain,anadaptationofaJonKrakauerbook,thismovietalksaboutagroupofalpinists attemptingtheclimbMt.Everestin1996,andyouprobablyguessedit,thingstookatragicturn. Therearestillmagnificentshotsthatemphasisethebeautyofmountainouslandscapesbutthismovie ismarkedbyhownaturegoesfrombeingthesourceofwonderandawetothesourceof catastrophicevents.Anamazingmoviebutifyouaresensitive,beware.

all pictures from film.ai

How to dress more sustainably

- Luisa G

Sustainablefashiondescribesclothingwhichisproducedanddesignedinawaythatrespectsthe planet,theenvironmentandthewellbeingofthepeoplewhoproducetheclothes.Ithasexperienced rapidgrowthinthelastfewyears,howeversohasfastfashionsimultaneouslyatanevenfasterrate.Fast Fashionistherapidproductionofclothingtomeetthelatesttrendsunderconditionswhichdon’t prioritise the wellbeing of the planet which can ultimately have devastating effects on the environment.Morethanever,itisimportanttobeawareoftheenvironmentandactconsciouslyin waysthatwon’tjeopardiseourfuture.Dressingmoresustainablyisasimplestepwhichyoucantake towardshelpingtheenvironmentandhereare5easystepsthatyoucantaketowardsamore sustainablefuture:

1. Thrift/ buy second-hand clothing

Theproductionofclothingusesmanyresourcesand requiresalotofenergy.Thatiswhyweshouldstart buying second-hand clothing that doesn't use up resourcesfromtheenvironment.Bybuyingsecondhandclothing,youareabletogivepre-loveditemsa newhomeandalsoparticipateintheconservationof the planet’s resources. You can buy second-hand clothingfromthriftstoresorwebsitessuchasVinted, Depop and Vestiaire Collective to help reduce the impactofclothingproductionontheenvironment.

2. Invest in timeless and quality clothing

Byinvestinginclothingthatismoredurableandresistantyouwillbeabletomakemoreuseofthe clothingandwearitforlongerwithoutitbecomingdamaged.Thismeansthatyouwon’thavetokeep onreplacingtheitemsinyourwardrobeeveryfewmonthsbecausetheyhavebecomeworn-downor brokenandlessclotheswillendupinlandfillsorthrownaway.Moreover,youshouldinvestintimeless clotheswhichyoucanwearonmultipleseasonsandoccasionsratherthaninfastfashiontrendsthat quicklygooutofstyle.Thiswillensurethatyoudon’tquicklygettiredofyourclothesandyouareable towearthemforlongertime-periodsbecausetheywon’tgooutofstyle.Thiscanhaveanotableeffect ontheenvironmentbecauseitwillreducetheamountofclothingandgarmentsthatarethrownaway duetobeingout-of-trendordamaged.

3. Buy from sustainable brands

BrandslikePatagonia,Levi’s,Everlaneandvejaareallsustainablebrandswhoarebattlingagainstfast fashion.Ithinkitisimportanttobeawareofwhereourclothingcomesfrominordertonotfuelthefast fashionindustry.OtherbrandslikeShein,H&M,Zara,Mango,Victoria’sSecretandPrimarkhavea hugecarbonfootprintandareknownformanufacturingproductsinsweatshopswithnoregardforthe workingconditionsoftheirworkers.Workersforthesebrandsoftenlabourintoughandinhumane conditionsforaverysmallwage.Byavoidingthesebrands,youcanhelpreducethecarbonfootprint andstopsupportingthecrueltreatmentofgarmentworkersinfactories.

4. Choose sustainable clothing materials and care for them in a sustainable way.

Materialssuchaspolyesterandnylonrequirefossil fuelstobeproducedandthereforecontributetothe riseofCO2emissions.Asaresult,bymakingan efforttobuyclothingmadefrommoresustainable materials such as hemp, linen, organic cotton or recycled materials you would have a small but significantimpactontheconservationoftheplanet. In addition, did you know that on average 179 millionmetrictonsofcarbondioxideareusedevery yearbyresidentialwashingmachines?Aswellas usingtonsofwaterandenergy,washingmachines areverydamagingtotheenvironment.I’mnot gonnasithereandtellyounottowashyourclothes,becausenoonewantstowearsmellyordirty clothing;howeverthereisasimplestepwhichyoucantakeinordertoreducethecarbonemissionsby 864poundsofcarbonayear.Thatissimplytowashyourclotheswithcoldwater!It’seasy,simpleand yetveryeffectiveinthereductionofcarbonemissions.

5. Give your clothing a new life.

Youcangivetheitemsinyourclosetanewlifewhenyounolongerneedthem,byresellingthemon websitessuchasVintedandDepop.Doingthis,youwillbeabletomakesomeoneelsehappyandasan addedbonusearnsomeextramoneyontheside!Youcouldalsogiveyourwornclothesanewlife,by flippingthemintosomethingnew.Youcanlearnhowtosew,crochetortransformthefabricfromold clothesinordertocreateanewanduniquelook(inotherwordsupcycle).Thisway,youcanpickupa newhobby,andgetanewoutfitoutofrecycledmaterial.Win-winifyouaskme!

Keonig: developpement durable du football

- Carla S

Andreea Koenig voit l’avenir du football en vert

Ancienne banquière, passionnée par le sport en général et par le football en particulier, Andreea Koenig conseille des clubs de football en matière de durabilité financière, environnementale et sociale. J’ai eu la chance de lui parler ce mois-ci afin de l’interroger sur la rencontre entre développement durable et football.

Entretien : Carla Santenac

Pourriez-vous décrire l'entreprise que vous avez créée ?

A.K: J’aifondéGalvanicSportsenrapprochantmacarrièreprécédente-j'étaisbanquière-dema passion,lefootball.Jepensaismeconcentrersurlefinancementdesclubsdefootmaisle développementdurablem'apassionnée.Jevenaisd’arriverenFranceaprèsavoirlongtempsvécuà Londres,etj’avaisremarquéqu’enFrance,lesujetdeladurabilitéetdel’impactsocialdufootball étaittrèspeuévoqué,contrairementàl’Angleterre.J’avaisétécaptivéeparleclubanglais“Forest GreenRovers”,quiestconsidéréparleFIFAcommeleclubleplusvertdumondeetquifait beaucoup d’efforts pour réduire son empreinte environnementale, et apporter une vraie contributionsocialeàlarégiondanslaquelleilestimplanté.Lamissionquejemesuisdonc donnéeestdeconseillerauxclubscommentdevenirplus“verts”etpluségalitairesd'unpointde vuesocial.

Quel est le parcours qui vous a mené jusqu'à cette activité ?

A.K: J'aitravaillédanslafinancependant25ans,dansdegrandesbanquesd’investissementanglosaxonnes,GoldmanSachsetJPMorgan.Maisj'avaisenvied’exerceruneactivitéquisoitliéeàma passionpourlesport,etsurtoutpourlefoot.Jefaisaispartieduconseild'administrationd’unClub deLigue1,leRCLens,etjevoyaisbienlasynergieentrelesdeuxmondes:lefootballetla finance.Eneffet,lesclubsdefootontbesoindesbanquespourgérerleurtrésorerie,oufairedes prêtspourinvestirdansleursinfrastructures(parexemplepourconstruireunstade).J’ainégociéun partenariatavecunebanqueaustralienne,habituéeauxrisquesassociésaufinancementdesclubsde foot.J’aid’aborddémarrépardufinancement,maisj’airapidementdécouvertlepotentieldu développementdurabledanslefootball,etdepuisj'apprendstouslesjoursdeschosessur l'environnement,etjerencontretouslesjoursdesgensquisontspécialisésdanslesquestions environnementalesetsociales.J'adorerencontrercesgenslà,cesonteuxquichangentlemonde!

En quoi le développement durable peut-il concerner le sport ?

A.K: Enpremierlieu,lesportauneempreintecarbonelourde,dueauxnombreuxvoyagesdeses joueursetdesessupporters.Plusde80%desémissionsdesclubsproviennentdestransports (joueurs/personel/fans),etc’estsurcepointqu’ilfauttrouverdessolutionscommeleco-voiturage ouencouragerl’utilisationdestransportsencommun.Pourlerestedesémissions,ilyabeaucoup dechosesquel’onpeutmettreenplace:installerdespanneauxsolaireset/oudeséoliennespour générersapropreélectricité,choisirunfournisseurd'énergieverte,interdirelesobjetsjetablesau stade,réduirelaconsommationdeprotéinesanimales…

Vous travaillez en particulier pour des grands clubs de football : quelle est leur empreinte écologique, et comment peuvent-ils la réduire ?

A.K:Justement,lapremièreétapepourtoutclub,c'estdecalculersonempreintecarbone.Àpartir deça,onpeutvoircequ’ilfautaméliorer.Onpeutdéciderderéduirel'empreintecarbonedela nourritureserviedanslestadeparexemple,enpassantdescontratsavecdesfournisseursinstallés prèsduclub.Ilfaudraitaussiavoircommeprojetd’êtrecertifié“clubvert”.Pourobtenircette certification,leclubs’engageàmesurersonempreinte,lapublier,etcomparersesprogrèschaque année.Cartoutlemondeadebellesintentions,maissouvent,s’iln’yapasdeplanconcret,lesclubs seconcentrentenprioritésurlesperformancessportivesdel'équipe,etledéveloppementdurable estoublié.Cequej'essaied'expliquerauxclubsquejeconseille,c’estqueplusilssontdurables,plus ilséconomisent,voireilsgagnentdel'argent.Enproduisantleurpropreénergie,enutilisantde l’eaudepluie,maisaussienattirantplusdesponsors,quisouhaitents’associeràdesclubs“verts”et vertueux.Doncplusilsserontverts,plusilsaurontdesponsors,doncunplusgrandbudget.

“Ce que j'essaie d'expliquer aux clubs que je conseille, c’est que plus ils sont durables, plus ils économisent de l'argent”

Pourriez-vous reparler de votre inspiration majeure, le club anglais Forest Green Rovers ?

A.K:Oui,j’adorececlub!Ilappartientàunentrepreneurdansledomainedel'énergie renouvelablequis’appelleDaleVince.Chezeux,toutfonctionneàl’énergierenouvelable,toute lanourritureservieauxfansainsiqu’auxjoueursestvégétale,legazonduterrainestbioetsans pesticides,leclubnegénèrepresqueaucundéchetcartoutestcompostable,recyclableou réutilisable.Lesjoueurssedéplacentenbusélectrique,etilsencouragentleursfansàveniraux matchsenutilisantlestransportsencommunoulavoitureélectrique.Ceclub-làestvraimentun modèle,cartoutcequ'ilsfontvadanslesensdudéveloppementdurable,etselonmoic'est l'exempleàsuivre.

Ce fut un réel privilège ainsi qu ’ un plaisir de pouvoir découvrir l’interaction entre le football et le développement durable grâce à Andreea Koenig. Merci pour cette opportunité, car comme Ban ki-Moon le dit, “Le développement durable est la voie vers l'avenir que nous souhaitons pour tous.”

can continue with our business as usual and fail.

We all have a choice. We can create transformational action that will safeguard the living conditions for future generations. Or we

Greta Thunberg

Fast Fashion and the Environment

- Eva K

It’stimeforspringshopping.Buymoreforcheap,moveonin3months,andthroweverything away.Overandover,thecyclerepeatsitself.Thewasteandpollutionfromthefastfashionindustry arecripplingtheenvironment,exacerbatingtheplanetarycrisis.

EarthDaythisyearisaremindertoeducateourselvesonwhatwedoeverydaythatimpactsour planet.Thefastfashionindustryisthesecondlargestconsumerofwaterandresponsibleforroughly 10%ofcarbonemissions,butconsumersopttoignoretheimpacts,valuingtheirnewjeansmore thanthefateoftheearth.

Theterm‘fastfashion’hasbeencoinedas“cheaplyproducedandpricedgarmentsthatcopythelatest catwalkstylesandgetpumpedquicklythroughstoresinordertomaximizeoncurrenttrends”.It meansthatretailersareabletogetalargequantityandvarietyofproductsandallowscustomersto getcheaperstylesofwhateveristrending.

Thedownsideisthatbecausesomuchisbeingproducedandforsocheap,massiveamountsof resourcesarebeingusedandtheemissionsproducedareextremelyhigh.Ontopofthat,it encouragespeopletothrowawayoldclothingassoonasthey’reoutoffashion.TheEllenMacarthur Foundation estimated that a truckload of discarded garments are dumped into a landfill or incineratedeverysecond.

Thishasbeenespeciallyaggravatedbysocialmediaandtheresultingappearanceof“micro-trends”. Notonlyhasthefashioncyclegottenshorterandshortersincetheindustrialrevolution,butnow duetosocialmediacertainstylesandgarmentsgoinandoutofstyleeveryfewweeks,meaning peoplethrowthemawayandbuyanothervariationalloveragainafewmonthslater.

Sustainablefashionandcircularityintheindustryispossible,butonehastowonderhowachievable itreallyisintoday’ssociety.Mostpeoplewouldmuchratherignoretheirimpactontheclimatethan paymoreforresponsiblefashion.

Somethingseveryonecandoaretoresell,donate,andrepairorupcycletheiroldclothestomatch thenewstyles.Aneffortcanbemadetobuyrecycleditemsorfromsecondhandstoresinsteadof Zara,H&M,orBrandyMelville.Thebestadviceonfastfashionissimply“Lessisalwaysmore.”

Ja Morant: From NBA Superstar to an NBA Suspension

- Jacob G

On May 14, 2022, the Memphis Grizzlies were defeated by the Golden State Warriors in game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals, officially knocking them out of the playoffs. Their premature exit stained what had been a spectacular season, one that saw the Grizzlies win 56 games (tied for the most in franchise history) and finish as the second seed. At the center of this unexpected success was Ja Morant, the first-time AllStar who made a massive leap in his junior season in which he upped his points per game average by a whopping 8 points. He was fittingly awarded the MIP (Most Improved Player), and set out to take even bigger strides as a leader and player in the upcoming season. One year later, Morant finds himself in a precarious position, one that could have him lose everything.

While the NBA is branded and viewed as a game, the reality is that the league is also a business, one that can tear down the careers of many players. Whether it be due to injuries, poor play for an extended amount of time, or bad decision-making, players' opportunities can close as quickly as they begin. For example, let’s look at the progression of Morant’s 2022-2023 season. This is what Ja had accomplished up to March 4th: a second consecutive All-Star appearance (as a starter no less), top 10 in points per game with 27, top 10 in assists per game with 8, and the catalyst to another successful Memphis season. Now here is what Ja Morant is on the verge of losing: an All-NBA appearance that would cost him 39 million dollars, his reputation as a good leader, and the chance to lead Memphis to its first NBA championship ever. All due to a series of increasingly terrible decisions that have recently come to light.

In July of 2022, a pick-up game between Morant and a couple of teenage boys quickly got heated when Ja and a 17-year-old began repeatedly hurling the ball at each other’s faces. Then at one point Ja and his entourage started hitting and punching the teenager, reportedly hitting him “like 12 to 13 times.” Things escalated even more as Morant pulled out a gun and “put his hand on it” while continuously threatening the 17-year-old. It was only when Morant’s dad Tee emerged from their house, that the tension de-escalated and Morant finally put the gun away.

Similar incidents occurred over the course of the next few months, including a serious altercation that occurred shortly after a Memphis Grizzlies vs Indiana Pacers game. Throughout that January 29 game, tensions had been heating up between Morant’s entourage and the Pacers staff. At the end of the Grizzlies' win, arguments further intensified near the Pacers team bus. Davonte Pack, one of Ja Morant’s friends, began flashing a red laser at the opposing players and coaches, a laser that was believed to “100 percent [be] a gun.” A Pacers official described the situation simply: “We felt we were in grave danger.” Although Pack would be banned for a year from the FedEx Forum (the Grizzlies' home stadium), Morant would not be suspended or face any fines from the NBA; no, that wouldn’t come until around six weeks later.

On March 4, 2023, after a defeat against the Denver Nuggets, Ja Morant was caught waving a gun around while intoxicated on Instagram Live. While the action was not deemed harmful enough for the Denver police to charge him with a crime, he was suspended for 10+ games by the Grizzlies and Adam Silver (the NBA commissioner). Morant was given time off to reflect upon his actions, ones that had let his organization down, his family down, and most importantly, ones that had let himself down. In fact, it was only a couple of days ago that Morant was finally cleared to return; a game in which he dropped 17 points on the struggling Houston Rockets. The hope is that Morant can use the rest of the season to grow not only as a basketball player, but more importantly as a leader and human being.

Obviously, I only hope for the best for Morant. While I may not be a Grizzlies fan, I admire his style of play and recognize that he is in a position to accomplish something meaningful and become extremely successful. However, to get to that final goal he needs to make smarter choices and think through the consequences of each important action that he takes. While decisions such as going to Florida to seek counseling are a good first step, he must also surround himself with the correct people who only have his best interests in mind. Because if he doesn’t, the 200 million dollar contract, the fame, and the potential Hall of Fame career trajectory that he is on will vanish as quickly as it appeared.

Video Games Semi-Monthly - Ev A

Welcomebacktothevideogamessection,wherewecontinuetothrowmoneyintothepit knownasthevideogamesindustry.Tomakeupformissingthelastissue(cursemyshoddy memory),I’llbemakinganattemptatsomethingclosertoreasonablecommentarycomparedto myusualsarcasm.TherehavebeenafewdevelopmentswithagameIwasanticipating(and hintedatinanearlierissue)whichwillprobablybenefitfromthistonetoo.So,withoutfurther ado,let’stakealookatourfirsttitlethismonth.

Melatonin1.

Tohopefullybreakthetrendofalienatinghalfofmyaudiencewitheachissue,let’sstartwitha casualgame.Melatonindescribesitselfasagameabout“dreamsandrealitymergingtogether”, andhonestlythat’snottoofarfromthetruth.ItfallssnuglyintothecategoryofRhythm Heaven-stylegamesthathavebeenbecomingincreasinglypopularlately.Thegameplayloopis simple:youchoosealevel,hitbuttonsintimewiththemusic,andgetrewardedeitheronscreen orwithwell-embeddedaudiocues.Youdon’tneedanypriorknowledgeorspecialcontrollers toenjoy,onlyacomputer(ormacforthoseofyouwhopreferproprietaryparts)andadecent setofheadphones.Thegameevenhaspracticemodeversionsofeveryleveltohelpthosewho areunfamiliarwithrhythmgames.

Thesoundtrackisamazing,butthat’sagivenforanyrhythmgame.Therealtreatis surprisinglynotontheearsbuttheeyes.Everylevelhasasmooth,themedanimationinsync withthebeatthatevenreactstoyourmistakes.Thelevelthemesarejustanotherreasontolove thisgame.Truetothegame’sname,everyonetouchesonsomeaspectoflifeorthought, providingsomethingjustoffenoughfromrealitytofeellikeanactualdream.SometimesIfind myselfdriftingoffintothoughtinthemiddleofalevel,abletokeepthetimingfromjustthe flowofthemusic.Itcanbeanincrediblysatisfyinggametoplay.

That’snottosaythatMelatoninisforeveryone,though.It’sarelaxingexperiencethroughand through,there’snottoomuchexcitementtobehad.Yourenjoymentofthegamewillbe heavilyreliantonwhetherornotyouliketheOSTaswell,soIrecommendcheckingitout beforemakinganyjudgments.However,Iwillsaythattheseeminglyhighpricetag(15€)is likelyworthit.Mygeneraljudgmentforthepriceofagameis1€perhourofenjoyment,and whileMelatoninmightnotseemlikethekindofgametotakemuchtime,itmightsurprise you.Eachlevelhasthreedifferentversionsontopofthepracticevariant,andaleveleditorwas introducedinthemostrecentupdate.That’sanotherreallyinterestingthingaboutthisgamein particular:thatdespitetheusualtrendofrhythmgamesbeingdevelop-and-dropventures,Half Asleephasbeenactivelysupportingthegameforseveralmonthsnow.Theindienatureofthe studiogivesmehopethattheywillsupporttheirgamesintothefarfuture.

Overall,Melatoninlivesuptoitsdreamsofbeingachilledoutandrelaxingrhythmgame.And whilethatmightnotbeforeveryone,itwasdefinitelyforme.

Genres: Rhythm,chill,indie,singleplayer

LearningDifficulty:Literally3buttons1/10

HardwareRequirements:Greekvaseor Romantablet(yourpreference)-0/10

2. Kerbal Space Program 2

GameplayDifficulty:Decentsenseof rhythmrequired(orI’mjustbad)-4/10

Genres: SPACE,sandbox,physics,singleplayer

LearningDifficulty: Hardconcepts,goodtutorials-5/10

HardwareRequirements: Falcon9flightcomputer-8/10

GameplayDifficulty: Intuitiveforthemostpart-6/10

Ifyou’vereadmyfirstvideogamesarticle,you’veseenmyborderlineadvertisementforthe originalKerbalSpaceProgram.MuchofwhatIsaidthereapplieshere.Ifyoudon’tlike rockets,youwon’tlikethisgame.Ifyou’renotwillingtolearnsomephysics,youwon’tlike thisgame.Ifyoudidn’tlikeKerbalSpaceProgram,thenyoualmostdefinitelywon’tlikethis game.You’veprobablyalsoheardaboutthecontroversyofKSP2’searlyaccessrelease.The gamewasputoutinafranklysorrystate.Bugswererampant,keyfeatureswerebroken,the gamehadnearlyunplayableperformanceissues,andthepromiseof“killingtheKraken”(a nicknameforthephysicserrorscommoninKSP)wasbroken.

There’sanoldsaying:whenyouhitrockbottom,there’sonlyoneplacetogo:up.AndKSP2 hasn’tstoppedascending.Despiteitsfranklyhorrificreception,thedevteamcontinuedto workonthegame,andtheireffortsareshowing.Withinthreeweeksafterrelease,apatchwas releasedfixingaround300knownbugs(that’sanaverageof15perday)anddrastically improvingthegame’sperformance.Forateamwithatotalsizeoflessthan50people, includingthosenotinvolvedinthecoding,that’saninsaneamount.Itseemsthatthe developersarereallyinvestedinimprovingthegame.Foranearlyaccesstitlepromisingas muchasKSP2is,it’sagreatsign.TheconsensusamongtheoldKSPcommunityisthat PrivateDivision,thepublisherofKSP2,forcedthedevelopmentteamtoreleasetheearly accessaftertherepeated,andnecessary,delaysinpastyears.Thisisfurthersupportedbydata minersfindingmodelsandcodeforfeaturesnotyetintroduced,suggestingthatthecurrent releasewasacut-downversionofadevelopmentbuild.ThecreativeheadsatInterceptGames havebeenverycommunicativewiththecommunityaswell,whichbodeswellfortheproject’s future.

ButwhatreallyisthedifferencebetweenKSP1andKSP2?Well,atthemoment,they’re verysimilar.Infact,itcouldbesaidthatafteraccountingforthevibrantKSP1modding scene,KSP2actuallyhasfewerfeaturesthanitspredecessor.Thebiggestdifferencesbetween thetwoarethestockgraphics,withKSP2’sbeingsignificantlymoremodern,theadditionof proceduralwings,differentfueltypes,andtheuserinterface.SowithKSP2’s50€pricetag,is thegameevenworthit?

Thethingis,buyinganearlyaccesstitleisn’taninvestmentintowhatitis,it’saninvestment intowhatitwillbecome.Bybuyingthesequel,you’rebuyingthepromiseofcolonies, logisticslines,interstellartravel,dozensofnewplanets,and,perhapsmostanticipatedofall, multiplayer.Doingthisrequirestrustinthedevteamtobringthesefeaturestoyou,and whether or not they will deliver has been a contested topic. Between their previous enthusiasm,professionalism,andincrediblyquickresponsetotheinitialrelease,I’mfirmlyin thetrustingcamp.Whetherornotyoubelievethattheycanpullitoff,however,isaquestion onlyyoucananswer.

SoshouldyougetKSP2?Asmuchasitpainsmetosaythis,probablynot…fornow.Unless you’refamiliarwiththeoriginal,itwillbeverydifficulttogetyourstartinthenewgame. Despitetheradicallyoverhauledonboarding,thegamejustisn’tinastatetoacceptnew players.That’snottosaythatyoushouldgiveuphopethough.Oncethedevsdeliver,itwill bewellworthyourtimeandmoney.

Question Column

Hithere!Doyouhaveanyquestionsthatyouneedadviceorhelptosolve? Well,looknofurther.Introducing Le Bilingue's newmonthlyQuestion Column,whereourteamwillgiveyousoundadviceonanythingthatmight bebotheringyou.

Here are some guidelines and rules for the questions:

1)Pleasedonotsendquestionsthatareexplicitorunkind.

2)Doletusknowifyouwouldlikethequestiontobeanonymousornot,as wewillpostthequestionsinournextissue.

Type this link into your browser to ask a question! Remember to use your EJM account.

https://forms.gle/MW5Q4bmVrCTzpdY17

OR you can scan this QR code:

Literary Critics’ Corner

Une Exploration de la Littérature japonaise - Emmanouil

Aki Shimazaki, Au Cœur de Yamato (Pentalogie), 2006-2013

NéeauJapon,vivantauCanadadepuisplusde40ans,AkiShimazakibriselesbarrièresdelalangueet delaculturedanssesœuvrescourtes,maisrichesenémotion.Écritsenfrançais,sesromanssontun portailsurlaculturejaponaisedanstoutesasplendeuretsacomplexité.Chacunconstitue,enlui-même, ununiversmerveilleux

AuCœurdeYamatoestledeuxièmecycleromanesqueencinqtomesd’AkiShimazaki.Àcejour,j’ai euleplaisirdelirelestroispremiers.

Mitsuba (2006)

Danscepremiertome,Shimazakinoustransportesubtilementdansle mondedutravailjaponais,aucœurd’unegrandeentreprisede commerce.EnsuivantlejeuneemployéTakashiAoki,lelecteur découvrelahiérarchiesocialeetlescontraintesimposéesauxrelations privéesetprofessionnellesdanslasociétéjaponaise.

Ceroman,construitendeuxparties,s’attardesurl’importancedela famille,delatraditionetdel’investissementdansletravail,touten suivantlecoursd’unemagnifiquehistoired’amourquiseheurteàla cruellevéritédesmariagesarrangés.Uneouvertureducyclediscrète maisprometteuse,pleinedecharmeetd’émotion,etquinousmène del’intimitéducafé‘Mitsuba’,symboled’espoir,auxquartiersde Montréal.

Zakuro (2008)

Cedeuxièmetomenousréserveunelectureencoreplussensationnelle, facilitéeparunenarrationépuréeetl’incorporationdemotsjaponais,qui caractérisenttouteslesœuvresdeShimazaki.

Entreunemèrequisombrelentementdanslamaladied’Alzheimer,etun pèreportédisparudepuisplusdevingt-cinqans,TsuyoshiTodavoitson mondebouleversélorsquecelui-làréapparaîtsoudainement. Unebelle histoire,quidresselesorttragiquedessoldatsjaponaisdel’après-guerre danslanarration;unascenseurémotionneldontl’apogéeestatteinte lorsquelavéritéressurgit.

Uncondenséd’émotionsquiexplosetelun«Zakuro»(grenade).

Tonbo (2010)

D’uneplumeagréableetsuccincte,Shimazakisepenche,dansce troisièmetome,surlathématiquedel’honneur,undessoclesdela sociétéjaponaise.

EnadoptantlepointdevuedeNobu,déjàprésentdans Mitsuba,le lecteurplongedansl’universdes‘juku’,desétablissementsdecours privés.Lorsqu’unancienélèvedesonpèrelecontactesoudainement,la tristevéritéquantausuicidedecedernierfaitsurface,etbouleversele quotidiendelafamilledeNobu.

Al’imagedes‘Tonbo’(deslibellules),lanarrationvoyageaugrédes révélations,allantdequestionsd’honneuretdeharcèlementjusqu’àdes histoiresfamilialesenfouies.Unromanaussiricheensignificationset interprétationsquelemot‘Tonbo’lui-même.

Yukio Mishima, Vie à Vendre, 1968

En un roman, Yukio Mishima nous transmet une flopée d’émotions:entrehilaritéettristesse,crainteetsoulagement, incompréhensionetlucidité,lacombinaisongarantitunelecture transcendante.

HanioYamada,jeunehommede27ans,atoutpourêtreheureux ;jusqu’aujouroùiltentedesesuiciderpourfuirsaviemondaine. Cettetentativeratéeluienlèvelepeud’enviedevivrequ’illui reste, et il décide de vendre sa vie. Débute alors une série d’événementsfrénétiquesetdélirants,oùchaquemissionestplus farfeluequelaprécédente.

Amantpourunenuit,testeurdesubstancesillicites,conjointd’une femme-vampire, ou encore espion, Hanio éprouve toutes les facettesdel’expériencehumaine,sansjamaiscraindrelamort,une simpleéchappatoiredecetteviedépourvuedesens.

Cepolarcaricaturalestcouronnéparl’existenced’uneorganisationsecrète,etdecourses-poursuites démentielles,lorsdesquelleslecomportementdeHanionoustroubleetnousintrigue.

Mishimafascineparsonimaginationdébordanteetlesmessagessurlavieetlasociété,habilementdissimulés dansunenarrationinsoliteetdécousue.

Unromanuniqueensongenre,quimérited’êtreluavantquesesmotsnesetransformentencafards.

Interview with Mr P. Bultmann

- Ilya R and Elina T

Wehadthehonorofsittingdownandspeakingwithourbelovedhistory(and forsomeeconomics)teacher,Mr.Bultmann.Wespokeofmanytopics,the conversationmovingtoandfromexcitinghistoryfacts,surprisinglifedetails, and finally, some advice to all the students of EJM. We traversed the internationalworldthatMr.Bultmannhaslivedthrough,broachedmany differentsubjects,andsharedafewlaughs.Enjoy!

Mr.BultmannwasborninWestGermanyatatimewhenthecountrywas separatedintwo.Heexplainedthatdespitehisparents’frequenttripstothe familymembersontheothersideofthewall,heonlyhadthechancetovisit EastGermanyafterthewall’sdemisein1989.Wedidn’ttalkmuchabouthis childhood,however.Oncehebecameoldenough,ourgoodfriendwentto university.HeattendedschoolfirstinMunich,studyinglaw,thenspentayear in Montpellier, France learning French and getting a diploma in French languageandculture.Throughouthislife,hewouldalsogoontopickup EnglishandSpanish,completingthecollectionof4languageshespeakstoday. Hetriedstudyingseveralyears(9infact!)ofbothLatinandGreek,but admittedlydoesn’tremembermuchofeither.

WishingtoapplytoSciencesPoinParis,butmissingtherequirementofhaving studiedfor3yearsinhisnativecountry,Mr.Bultmanndecidedtostudyfora yearinHeidelberg,choosingtopursuehispassionforhistory.Afterthishespent thefollowing2yearsinSciencesPo,inFrance.Finally,hecompletedamaster's intheU.S.Mr.Bultmannrealizedthatwhenapplyingtouniversities,hewould takeinitiativeandchoosehissubjectfirstbeforetheuniversity.Mr.Bultmann thinksitisimportanttomakesureyouknowwhatyouwanttodoandpursue whatyoulove.Heacknowledgesthefactthatuniversitiesandschoolsputmore pressure on students now, however, it’s still important to remember that happinessdoesnotcomefromgoingtooneofthetop15universitiesinthe worldbutinsteadfromstudyingsubjectsthatmattertoyouandthatyoulove.

Atsomepointinhiselectriclife,Mr.Bultmannhadtocompletemilitaryservice. He worked in the telecommunications department for the West German government.Indoingso,ourmodestteacherinfactheldahigh-security

clearancestatusandpotentiallycould havedonewithtop-secretinformation whateverhewished.Isn'tthatexciting?

Not only did he possess this information, but he was also barred from visiting the countries in the EasternBlocasapreliminaryactto keephimfromdissolvingsecretsofthe StatetotheCommunistsatelliteSoviet republics.

Afterthatfascinatingpointinhislife, Mr. Bultmann took up a job in a consultingcompanyprimarilyworking withbanks.Hewasnothappywiththe jobandinthemid-1980s,mainlyby completechance,wasaskedtoreplacea teachergoingonmaternityleaveatthe InternationalSchoolofParis.

In2018,hecametoEcoleJeannineManueltoreplaceahistoryteacherandlaterpicked upafeweconomicsclassestoo.Uponbeingaskedwhyheagreedtoteach,helaughed andreplied,“Isaidwhynottoseehowitis!."Overall,Mr.Bultmannisamanofgreat curiositywithagreatsenseofadventure.

DidwementionthatMr.BultmannlovestotravelandhasclosefriendsinVenezuelahe metinSpain?

XOXO, Elina and Ilya

HMCE Experiences - Clementine S

Students’ Experiences at Harvard Model Congress Europe in Madrid ClementineS.

OnMarch10th,adelegationof24studentsfrom1èreand2ndeintheDebateClubleftforMadridto attendaHarvardModelCongressEurope(HMCE)conference.FromSaturdaytoMonday,these delegates,separatedintovariouscommitteesrangingfromSupremeCourt-styletotheUnitedNations HumansRightsCouncilandnumerousotherdomesticandinternationalcommittees,usedthedebate skillstheydevelopedthroughouttheyearinDebateClubtodiscussandresolvepresentissueswith otherdelegatesfromaroundtheglobe.Herearewhattheyhave

tosayabouttheexperience:

Victoria Kogan, 2º2, host of The Anxious Scholar podcast

“ThiswasmyfirsttimedoingHMCEafteronlyhavingdoneamodelCOP27atEIBandIcansaythat itwillremainonethemostmemorablemomentsofmyhighschoolyears.Astheseniorsenatorof Wisconsin,I,alongwithstudentsfromMadrid,Anthens,Hoboken,andThessaloniki,gottodiscuss thepressingissuesofstandardizedtestingandschoolviolenceintheUSaswellaslearntowrite, presentandvoteonbillsalongwiththemembersoftheSenateHealth,Education,Labor,andPensions committeebutalsotherestoftheCongressionalcommittees.Inadditiontomeetingamazingfellow youngdebatersfromaroundtheworld,IalsogreatlyenjoyedtalkingtotheincredibleHarvard studentswhoservedasstaffattheconference.Duringcollegepanels,seminars,andourusual committeesessions,theysharedwithusvaluableadviceandinformationabouttheuniversity's admissionprocess,theirexperienceatHarvard,whatpassionprojectstheyhaddoneinhighschool,and tipsandadviceonwhatwe,ourselves,coulddoforourapplications.Onecannotdescribethe knowledge,skills,andinspirationthattheHMCEconferencehasofferedmebutcanonlyliveto experienceitthemselves!”

Clementine Shelsky, 2 Int

“Thiswasmyfirsttimeattendingadebateconference,aswellasmyfirsttimeinMadrid,anditwas trulyanunforgettableexperience.Imetsomanyamazing,passionatestudentsfromaroundtheworld whowereallenthusiasticaboutcollaboratingonandcraftbillscombattingpressingissuesfacingour worldtoday,suchasstandardizedtestingandpoliceofficersinschools.Wewerethenabletopresent thesebillsinfrontoftheotherSenatecommitteesandevenpassthemtotheHousecommittees,truly modelingtheAmericangovernment.IwasalsoabletoattendaHarvard-student-ledconferenceonthe roleofneuroscienceinpolitics,whichwastrulyfascinating.Furthermore,withMr.JuanTomas,we wenttotheMuseoNacionalCentrodeArteReinaSofiatoseePicasso’sfamous Guernica andthen visitedcentralMadridwherewehadincredible(reallyreallyamazing)food.Itwasundeniablyaunique andamazingexperience!”

Rohan Patel, 2 Int

“HMCEwasachallengingexperiencethatgavemetheopportunitytodebatewithworld-class students.Wecoveredveryinteresting,thought-provokingbriefingsinmycommittee(WorldTrade Organization).MyfavoritewashowtradeinitiativesforclimatechangeimpactLMICs.Theother briefingcoveredthetopicofopenmarketsandimmigrationvisasinAmericawherewegotto interpretthevaluesoftheWTOandtheGATSagreement.Ithoroughlyenjoyedthecompetitiveness ofthisconferenceandIamlookingforwardtoparticipatingnextyear.NotonlywasHMCEitselfvery exciting,butsowasbeinginMadrid.Wegottotastesomeofthebesthotchocolateandchurrosfrom noneotherthanSanGines.WealsovisitedtheSanMiguelmarketandtriedexcellentSpanish delicacies.Overall,aperfectbalancebetweenchallengingdebatesandarelaxed/funtime. Tldr;itwasamazing!”

The delegation → 10 of the 24 delegates won

A morning routine

WORK OF ORIGINAL FICTION -Camila V

First,shewouldwakeupather6amalarm.Actually,heralarmwassetfor5:55.Shefeltasthoughit gaveherafive-minuteheadstartinthemorning.Shelovedthemomentjustaftershewouldwakeup beforeherbrainhadsettledandrememberedwhoorwhereitwas.Shelovedtorelishinthosefive minutes,reallymarinateinthem,beforeshewouldbeexpectedtomakeherbedandgotowork.At thatmoment,shewouldmindlesslystretchlikeacat,reachuptotheskyandindulgehermusclesin theircravingforextension.

Thefirstfiveminuteswerespentincompletesilence.Usually,therewouldn'tbeanybirdschirping fromoutside,whichsheactuallypreferred.Anynoisewouldstarthertrainofthought,andsuddenly herroomwouldn'texistinasoundproofedvoid.Suddenly,herroomwouldbeinanapartmentina buildinginaneighborhoodinthecity.

Next,shewouldheadstraighttothekitchenforhermorningcupofcoffee.Itwasingrainedinher routine,synonymouswithtaskslikemakingherbed.She'ddothiswithoutasecondthought,never askingherselfwhethersheactuallywantedacoffeethatmorning.Butitdidn'treallymatter–sheknew thatifsheattemptedthetrendof"intuitiveeating",she'dendupwithacoffeejustthesame.If anything,shewasbeingefficient,notwastingtimewithfillerquestions–"doIreallyneedthisright now?"Theconcept,shethought,wasdepressing.She'dgostraightforthecoffee.

Itwasn’tsomuchthecaffeinethatsheneededinthemorning,althoughthatwasdefinitelyabonus. Shejustlovedthestalenessofit.Shelovedthewarm,bittertaste.Shelovedhowitlingeredbehindher teeth,howitcutherappetite,herinsatiableappetite,andhowsheneededabsolutelynothingelseafter. Shewouldenjoythefirstsip,lettingithitthebottomofherstomach.Sherefusedtodisruptthe experiencebydrinkingwateror,godforbid,brushingherteeth.Shelovedleavingtheaftertasteinher mouthforaslongaspossible,solong,althoughshehatedtoadmitit,thatsometimesshe'dleavethe housewithcoffeebreathandlettheliquidstainheryellowteeth.

Onceshewasabouthalfwaythroughwithhercupofcoffeeandfeltsufficientlysatisfied,she'dgetup andstartgettingready.Shetypicallywouldn'tputmucheffortintoherphysicalappearance.Not becauseshedidn'tliketo,ofcourse.Whodoesn'tliketolookpretty?Wealldo,fromthewrinkliestof ustothekidsplayingdressupinprincesscostumes.Butwhenshelookedprettyonweekdaysitjust madehersad.She'dseeherselfinthemirror,allhappyandattractive,andrealizethattherewasnoone aroundtowitness.Herbeautymayaswellhaveneverhappened.Shepreferredtosavehergetting readyfortheweekendswhenshe'dgoondatesortoabarwithherfriends,whereshecouldfeel perceivedand,thus,trulybeautiful.Still,whenclippingherhairbackawayfromhereyes,shewould instinctivelyhandlethestraysandpulloutsomeface-framingstrands.Itmadeherfeelpretty,butnot toopretty,justprettyenoughtoknowthatwhenshe'dwanttobeprettyshe'dstillbecapable.

Changedintohermodest,weather-appropriateattire,shewasdone.Iftherewasanycoffeeleft,she'd pourthelukewarmdrinkintoato-gocupandsometimesbrewanotherfortheroad.She'dgrabher keysandbeoutthedoor.

She'dalwayswalktowork,ahalf-hourstrollthatwasgenerallyenjoyable.Sheusedtotakealong way,deviatingtowardstheparkandtakinganextrafiveortenminutes,butsoonthatgotold.At somepoint,hermorningwalkbecamemorepragmaticthananythingelse.Shestillenjoyedit,but inthewaythatsheenjoyedallaspectsofherroutine.Notthrilling;repetitive,butcomfortingin theirmonotony.

Beforelong,she'dbeathercafe.She'dunlocktheshuttershidingthehumblestorefront,pullingup thesteelgatesandrevealingthedarkbluepaintedwall.WhenshehadgonetoHomeDepottopick outthecolor,shehadtakenhertime–shefeltaresponsibilityakintohowshepicturedadoption. Huesareworthathousandwords,andhershopneededtosay"Comein!Wemakegoodcoffee,I swear.Don'tbefooledbytheawkwardbaristaandhersilentcafe."Thenshe'dwritetheday's specialsonthechalkboard–asolutionofsyrupsandalternativemilkswithsomeimprovisedname–andsetitupoutside.Thenshe'dtestthemachines,orbakeyesterday'sfrozencookiedough,or whatevershecouldthinkofthatwasn'tsimplywaitingaround.

Mostmornings,she'dgetafewcustomers.Granted,therewasneveralineoutsidethedoor,but therushhoursfeltlikerushhours,whichwasalwaysagoodsign.Thedayswereusuallyslow–she spentmoretimemullingoverexpensesthanservingcoffee.

Shewouldn'ttalkmuchtohercustomers,eventoherregulars,beyondlightconversation addressingthedrinktheyorderedortheweatherthatday.Butshelikedtowritelittlenotesonthe cupinSharpiewhiletheywaitedontheirphones,sometimeswithasillyjokeoracomplimentora doodle.Theyweredumbandchildish,butendearing,shehoped.Whilesomefounditoddand othersnevernoticed,therewereafewthatwouldsmileastheywalkedawaywiththeircups.She likedthewayitcaughtpeopleoffguard,howitstoodoutoftheirtypicalroutine.

Shenoticedthatthosepeoplenevercameback–shethoughtforsurethosewholikedthenotes wouldbecomeregulars,returningeverydayforanupdatedcup.Butitdidn'ttakelongforherto understand–they'dcontinuegoingtonormal,impersonalcafes,makingthatmorningthey'd receivedanotethatmuchmorespecial.

Smiling At Dinner

WORK OF ORIGINAL FICTION

- Ilya R

You’resittingthereatthetable,acrossfromme,dressedinyourbeautifullytailoredsuit.There’sawine glassfilledjustabouthalfwaywithwater,standinginfrontofyou,untouched.Thelightingislow,a crimsontinttoeverymovementyoumake,asmallwarmglowradiatingineverydirection.Peopleare speakingaroundus,loudly,laughtercomingfromallcornersoftherestaurant,forksandknives clinkingandscrapingagainstceramicplates,andthesoundofwinebeingpouredintoawaitingglasses. Iwatchyouasyoulookaroundthegrandroom,takingineveryminordetailfromthestitchesofthe clothonthetable,totheintricatepatternsdancingontheceilingandwalls.Iwatchasyoubreathein throughyournose,andoutyourmouthslowly,shakily,asyourhandfiddleswithyourfork.Youstab somethingonyourplateandyouhesitate,thenlaytheforkdownonitssideandturntolookatthe persontalkingtoyourright.Awomanwithapointynoseandahigh-pitchedvoicesitthere,yelling, overthecrowdsofpeople,hereyesdartingaroundtoallthosewhowereintentlylisteningtoherstory. Aseveryoneelselaughs,youchucklesoftlyandstraponyourinanimatesmile,youreyeshollowedout atthesoundoftheholleringandhowlingofothers.Youswallownothinginyourmouthandtake further,deeperbreaths.Youpickuptheglassofwater,condensedaroundtheedges,andtakeasmall sip,thenputitbackdownonthetableintheexactsamespotthatwasmarkedbythedarkwetcloth.

Inoticeyourhand,asthefingerstapsilentlyagainstthetable.Idon’tseeit,butIknowsomehowthat yourfeetaretappingbelowthetable,shakingyourleginanunrhythmicstaccatowithoutyour control.Youbiteyourlipalittletoohard,chewingontheinsideofyourmouth.Nooneelsebutme noticesyourdiscomfort.Everyoneelsehasstarsintheireyes,soundintheirmouths,andlifeintheir gesturesastheyeat,drink,andlaugh.There’ssomethingwrongwiththewayyoulookatothers. There’ssomethingwrongwiththewayyouswayonyourchair,constantlyswitchingyourcenterof gravity.

Myheadraceswithyourthoughts.Or,ofyourthoughts.Whatareyoufeeling?Whatareyou thinking?MyfingersscratchatthepalmofmyhandasIswallowmyownbreaths.Ilookaround,my facetensingup,myeyebrowsfurrowingasIcanfeelmypupilsstarttodilate.Theoncesoothing noisesofthelaughterandjoyaroundmequicklyturntoavileunpleasantnessasthemurmursbecome louderchaosinmyhead.Myownfootstartstappingviolentlyagainstthehardwoodenfloor,myeyes searchyoursbutyoukeeplookingaway.Ilooktowardsthepointy-nosedladywhoseeyesseemdrunk ontheattentionshe’sgetting,herwordsslurringtogetherintoaninaudiblemelody.Theorchestraof soundsgetsunbearablyloud,myearsstartringingandIcan’tthinkstraightIwanttoyell,scream,or saysomething.Ineedtohelpyoubecauseyou’renotok,andneitheramI.Mynailskeepdigginginto mypalmasIseeyougetreadytostandupandleave,puttingyournapkinonthetable.God,Ineed youplease,IjustneedyoutoLOOKATME!

Beforeyoustandup,yourheadturnstolookacrossthetablefromyou.Yourbrowneyesmeetmine, andinthelight,Icanseethecomplexityofyouririsandtheborderwhereitmeltsawayintoyour pupil.Iofferasmilethatcomesfrommyheart,andyoutakeit.Yousmilebackatme,andforasecond Iknowthatyou’reok.Ormaybenotthatyou’reok,butinsteadthatyou’regoingtobeok.AndI knowthatIwillforeverbegratefulforyoursmile.AndIhopethatIcanmakeyoufeelokwithmy smile,justlikeyoumademefeelokay.