The McGill Tribune Vol. 30 Issue 15

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By Theo Meyer Managing Editor

McGill defeated the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals 7 6 - 4 9 on Sunday at Love Competition Hall. See story page 17 . (Alice Walker / McGill Tribune)

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By Matt Essert News Editor Arts Undergraduate Society President David Marshall will be representing the AUS in an upcom­ ing legal battle with the City of Mon­ treal. The City ticketed and fined the AUS $2,500 in February 2010 after

a member of the Arts Undergradu­ ate Theatre Society posted an 8 Vi x 11-sized flyer advertising a then-upcoming production of Cabaret. Mar­ shall and the AUS believe they have a basis for defence and have pleaded not guilt to the charge.

“When 1 initially got the ticket, I had no idea that this law existed,”

Marshall said. “I had no idea what the potential consequences were, and this didn’t come in until [Fri­ day] morning, so I had no idea there was actually any evidence to back it up.”

Marshall said the initial ticket the AUS received contained only minimal information, and he was

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Due to calendar changes made by the university administration, Frosh is likely to change dramatical­ ly next year, with a variety of social and orientation events packed into a shorter time frame.

The details of the proposed changes are still being discussed, but a key factor driving them is a later date for first-year students to move into McGill residences.

In previous years, the university generally scheduled at least a week between the two days allotted for first-year students to move in—usu­ ally a weekend, to avoid disrupting downtown during business hours— and the start of class. Last fall, for example, students moved in on Au­ gust 21 and 22, a full 10 days before classes began on September 1.

Next year, however, the amount of time between the move-in date and the start of classes is set to be greatly compressed. First-year stu­ dents are tentatively set to move in on August 27 and 28, according to Michael Porritt, McGill’s director of residences, with the possibility for some move-ins to begin Friday See “FABIAN” on page 3

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unsure of how to proceed. Upon requesting and eventually receiving more details from the City govern­ ment, Marshall received a photo of the poster in question and had a bet­ ter understanding of the situation.

Marshall said he thinks the law is unjust.

“The citation came with a let­

ter reminding us that this law was in place to help keep the city clean,” he said. “It’s completely ludicrous, the idea that you can’t put up a piece of paper on a public light post steps away from the university and if you do, [the punishment is] not a slap on the wrist but a substantial fine.”

See “PRES." on page 3

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By Maria Flores News Editor In an attempt to replace the Ar­ chitecture Café, Room 302 of the Shatner Building is set to become the newest university lounge. The space, which is currently used dur­ ing mealtime by Midnight Kitchen, will add to the number of studentfriendly spots on campus and serve as a space for student dining.

The initiative began over the summer, after Management student Ari Jaffe, a Green Building research­ er and former environment commis­ sioner, presented a report that aimed to include sustainability on campus and create more student-run initia­ tives and food programs.

“We already have Midnight Kitchen, which is great because it provides sustainable vegan food, [but] the closure of the Architecture Café put things more into perspec­ tive because we would like to in­ crease places to eat which are student friendly,” said Vice-President Clubs and Services Anushay Khan. “This is a way to increase student-friendly space, but also to fulfill the gap that the Architecture Café created.”

According to Khan, the lack of space to eat is a problem for students. When they get Midnight Kitchen they either go to the cafete­ ria or down to Gert’s.

“The advantage to having this in Room 302 is that Midnight Kitch­ en already serves there during the

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weekdays, so one of the things we try to do is to expand their service, and at the same time allow people to come and have a place to eat,” she said.

By modifying the space, she said, Room 302 will fulfill the needs that are arising as Midnight Kitchen expands. “[Midnight Kitchen] is continu­ ally growing, they are very popular, they provide tons and tons of ser­ vices for student, they are very in­ volved in food politics, and they do serve vegan meals which is not an option that you find very frequently on campus,” said Khan.

The Student’s Society has allo­ cated $1,000 of its space budget for the lounge’s renovation, which Khan

hopes to have finished by February.

Because other clubs will continue to have access to the room, furniture will be easily removable and flexible to serve other purposes.

“We are not looking to spend a lot of money on the lounge because first of all we are going to try it out, and the hopefully we’ll take it from there. To accommodate as many groups as possible we are not going to buy any material that is fixable into the room,” Khan said.

The lounge will be furnished with couches, tables, and paintings.

Details regarding opening hours are still being worked out.

“It’s looking like it will prob­ ably be open and free for students to come in and out of from 9 a.m. to

5 p.m. and then after that it would be open for meetings, etc,” said Alex Briggs, U2 mechanical engineering, who works for Midnight Kitchen.

“Although it’s much further and not at all in a central location, it will be kind of a replacement for the Archi­ tecture Café.”

Additional plans for the space are to run a food co-op and sell products from Organic Campus to allow students to buy food a cheaper prices.

“I strongly believe that it sets a model for what the university should be doing,” Khan said. “I think that is something that SSMU should defi­ nitely do, not only to support its ser­ vice but also to provide alternative space for dining.”

EDUCATION

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By Sean Wood News Editor In December, a virtuosic liar narrowly missed fooling one of the best and most rigorous universi­ ties in the world. After fraudulently making his way through Harvard University as a phony literary critic, Adam Wheeler, 24, pleaded guilty on December 16 to charges of fraud, identity theft, falsifying endorse­ ments, and pretending to hold a de­ gree. He has spent 30 days in jail, will serve 10 years of probation, and will surrender $45,806 in unjustly won awards and financial aid.

Wheeler posed as a postmod­ ern critic of’ Renaissance English literature and an expert in Armenian studies. In his resumé, which was re­ leased and reviewed by The Harvard Crimson, Harvard’s student news­ paper, he claimed to have written or co-authored six books and to be proficient in Old English, Classical Armenian, and Old Persian. In addi­ tion, he claimed to have given talks at McGill and to have had two books under review with McGill-Queen’s University Press. The majority of his claims were completely false.

“Old Persian? Are you kidding me?” said Barmak Nassirian, assis­ tant executive director of the Ameri­ can Association of College Regis­ trars and Admissions Officers.

Wheeler attended a public high school in Delaware, where he was a good-but-not-great student. Accord­ ing to a detailed report by the Boston Globe, he had a penchant for regu­ larly using huge and difficult words in conversation, a habit on which

Wheeler would rely in his ascent to Harvard. Sentences of his reported by the Crimson read as though they were doctored with a thesaurus. “[At MIT], I was, to put it poor­ ly, suckled upon the teat of disdain.

That being said (fortified by a reflex­ ive snort), I was inspired thereby to apply to Harvard, where the humani­ ties, in short, are not, simpliciter, a source of opprobrium,” read one of his emails printed in the Crimson.

He told one of his first major public lies when he won a poetry competition with “This Much I Know,” a poem plagiarized from an Irish poet.

In 2005, he entered Bowdoin College, a prestigious liberal arts school in Maine. After Bowdoin put him under investigation for academ­ ic dishonesty, he decided to trans­ fer. Instead of saying he had spent his first years at Bowdoin, though, he said that he had gone to MIT. Moreover, he said he had obtained a perfect 4.0 GPA and a perfect 1600 score on his SAT. After impressing a Harvard in­ terviewer, Wheeler wâs admitted to Harvard College. Not satisfied there, he applied for and won a number of awards with plagiarized work. In fact, it was not until he was under consideration for a Rhodes Schol­ arship that he aroused some suspi­ cion. Harvard English professor W. James Simpson noticed that one of Wheeler’s papers was similar to the work of another Harvard professor, and Harvard subsequently began to investigate Wheeler’s records.

Nassirian was amazed that Wheeler was able to counterfeit the

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Part of one of Wheeler’s fraudulent resumes. (Holly Stewart/McGill Tribune, with files from The Harvard Crimson) most fraud-proof parts of an appli­ ference at McGill given by Seven Shell flatly denied Wheeler’s in­ cation: transcripts and standardized Days Work Foundation, an inter­ volvement in any of his work. test scores.

Gerald Leone, the Middlesex disciplinary research organization.

“I don’t want to get into them, But the Foundation’s director Marc District Attorney whose office pros­ but there are some really compel­ Shell, a Harvard comparative litera­ ecuted the case, called attention to ling details about transcripts and test ture professor, denied that Wheeler the victims of Wheeler’s crime. scores that are designed to ensure had ever been involved.

“His fraudulent actions seri­ “Adam Wheeler has never spo­ ously undermined the integrity of their authenticity,” Nassirian said.

At the beginning of his trial in ken at Seven Days Work and has the competitive admissions process, May, Wheeler pleaded not guilty, never visited there,” said Shell, in an sullied the reputation of some of the but eventually changed his plea. email to the Tribune. finest educators and educational in­ In reality, the conference did stitutions in the country, and cheated “Mr. Wheeler decided to ac­ cept responsibility for his conduct not take place at McGill, but in New those who competed honestly for so that he could move forward,” said Brunswick. Wheeler also claimed to what he fraudulently received,” Steven Sussman, Wheeler’s lawyer, have co-authored four books with Leone said in a press release. in an email to the Tribune.

Shell, two of which he fraudulently Wheeler’s resumé claims that claimed were under contract with he gave three talks in 2009 at a con­ McGill-Queen’s University Press.

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

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Continued from COVER Marshall also said that he does not believe the City has any grounds to impose such a fine since the Que­ bec Court of Appeals struck down this law as unconstitutional several months ago.

“The law itself was declared invalid, so technically there’s no way we should be charged under it,” Marshall said.

In mounting a defence, the AUS has found itself in a tricky financial situation, as the cost of hiring pro­ fessional lawyers would far exceed the cost of the fine.

“Twenty-five hundred dol­ lars is not peanuts, but at the same time, if we’re going to pay a lawyer to consult, to come to court, to do all that, we’re going to spend more than $2,500 on legal fees,” Marshall said.

Therefore Marshall, after re­ ceiving the support of the AUS Council, will be representing the AUS in any and all of the future pro­ ceedings. He said that he has been unofficially consulting with numer­ ous lawyers and legal scholars on the situation and believes the AUS has a fighting chance to avoid paying the fine. Marshall emphasized that he is mainly representing the AUS simply because it is cost-efficient.

“I don’t feel as though I am fucking around with the AUS’s fu­ ture,” he said.

One twist to the case is the fact that the Arts Undergraduate Theatre Society, not the AUS, posted the flyer. Julian Silverman, a co-produc­ er at the AUTS, expressed his and the AUTS’s pleasure with the sup­ port of the AUS. “We’re glad that Dave [Mar­ shall] is on our side and willing to support us and speak for us,” Silver­

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man said. “And the postering is sort of a funny thing. You see posters around all the time and we’re sad to know that we were singled out com­ pared to everyone else.”

Marshall said he wants to avoid taking the $2,500 out of the AUTS’s yearly $20,000 budget, but if the AUS is forced to pay, both organi­ zations will shift their focus towards fundraising.

“At this point, with the budget­ ary difficulties we’ve had this year, if we have to pay, we’ll probably have to work with them to increase their fundraising a little bit so we can make up the difference in funds,” Marshall said.

“This is not AUS’s fault at all, this is ours,” Silverman said.

“So we would be fundraising those funds [to pay off the fine]. As much as the AUS is helping us out with the problem, it’s not their problem.

We’re positive that we won’t have to [fundraise], hopefully we won’t have to.”

Whatever the outcome, Mar­ shall seems excited thay such a case that could have repercussions for other student groups.

“There’s something to be said for cases like this where the law needs to be navigable enough so that people like us can get through it without spending a year on it and getting legal advice or at least bringing a lawyer into a courtroom,” Marshall said. “This seems to be a little bit ludicrous that putting up a piece of paper and there’s a $2,500 fine that affects all of our students, but I’m really hoping that we're going to be able to rally a lot of our community support and get through it on our own.”

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Continued from COVER afternoon. Classes are scheduled to begin three days later, on Thursday, September 1.

This greatly compressed schedule-the reasons for which remain somewhat unclear-has forced the students who plan Frosh to re-imagine what the event will look like.

Students’ Society Vice-Pres­ ident Internal Tom Fabian, who planned this year’s SSMU Frosh, first learned of the calendar changes shortly after the end of this year’s Frosh. “It’s unfortunate the univer­ sity did it that way,” Fabian said, re­ ferring to the calendar change, “But we can’t do anything to change it now.”

Instead, Fabian and a number of other student leaders, as well as university employees including First Year Coordinator Leslie Copeland and Dean of Students Jane Everett, formed the Integrated Orientation Working Group, which has met regularly to discuss ways to reinvent Frosh.

Though the working group has yet to make any firm decisions, Fa­

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bian said, a number of proposals are currently under consideration. Frosh and other orientation activities will most likely be divided in two, he said, with three days of events before the start of classes and an additional two days the following weekend.

In addition, orientation activities— such as Discover McGill, an event typically held before Frosh kicks off—will probably be more closely integrated with Frosh.

To fit both Frosh and orienta­ tion activities into fewer days, Fa­ bian said, he is considering tying SSMU Frosh and the various faculty Froshes more closely together. Stu­ dents may buy just one Frosh ticket next year, he said, rather than two separate ones, and SSMU Frosh may be compressed into one day.

Arts Undergraduate Society President Dave Marshall, one of the working group members, said that he is optimistic about the changes, he said, but hopes that the faculty Froshes retain their individual char­ acter.

“It would be a shame if the fac­ ulty orientations didn’t happen, be-

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cause a lot of the stuff the AUS runs during Frosh is for students to un­ derstand what their role is, what the Faculty of Arts is,” he said. “There’s something very different about the way Science Frosh runs and Arts Frosh runs.”

Fabian is also considering sev­ eral other changes to Frosh, such as recruiting upperclassmen to volun­ teer as leaders for the entire orienta­ tion week instead of simply select­ ing Frosh leaders.

“One thing I’m thinking about is "having drink tickets,” he said, which could replace the bracelets that have allowed students to receive unlimited rounds of beer in previous years. The tickets might also be valid for food items, Fabian said.

Each of these proposals re­ mains tentative, Fabian said, but he hopes to present a preliminary Frosh schedule to the Integrated Orienta­ tion Working Group by the end of next week. He also plans to bring his proposals before SSMU Council.

“The finalized schedule is going to take some people aback,” he said, “but everyone will have to adapt.”

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By Mookie Kideckel____________ Managing Editor The Students’ Society is gearing up to help opt-outable groups and services to protect their revenues.

SSMU Vice-President Clubs and Services Anushay Khan announced at SSMU Council this week that roundtable discussions with several such groups—which include several SSMU services, the Quebec Public Interest Research Group, and CKUT Radio—led Khan to offer them a chance to provide more information about themselves to students. The move comes in the wake of last se­ mester’s controversy between Con­ servative McGill and QPIRG. While SSMU has always of­ fered postering space in the Shatner Building to these groups, Khan said, this year it intends to expand their ability to reach constituents. This includes more posters in Shatner, electronic signage, and, starting next

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year, a chance to offer short descrip­ tions of what they do in the first edi­ tion of the SSMU listserv.

According to Khan, the issue is SSMU’s responsibility. Even stu­ dent groups unaffiliated with SSMU are working to benefit students, she said, and many provide services that SSMU cannot offer directly. Optouts therefore, can pose a financial strain for SSMU. Moreover, Khan cited a mo­ tion regarding opt-outs passed at the October 2007 General Assembly. It called for SSMU to “take every rea­ sonable action to reclaim and protect the sovereignty and independence of all campus student groups and ac­ tivities” and attempt to “put an end to the online opt-out system recently created by the University such that campus groups shall be in charge of their own opt-out process.”

Khan said this may be contro­ versial, but it provides a clear direc­ tive for her to act upon.

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“If any other student group came to me with a request, I would have to help them too,” she said, “with SSMU’s mandate and goals in mind and regardless of my personal opinion.”

The resolution opposes online opt-outs only. Khan called the optout system a good idea in and of it­ self. Due to its easy execution, she said, opting out often results from misinformation.

Khan’s evidence for this is the growth of “shadow opt-outs,” whereby students opt out of all pos­ sible services rather than one or two explicitly political causes. These account for the majority of student opt-outs. The solution is to either change the system, or to create a better forum for providing informa­ tion-even if only one side of the opt-out debate ends up speaking.

Access to information was the subject of another new initiative an­ nounced at council this week: a new

SSMU website, with an initial price tag of $31,000. The site has been in the process of a steady overhaul since a 2007-08 redesign that first changed the site from text-based HTML to a more user-friendly and frequently updated page.

Citing concerns that what was intended as a temporary fix is still fairly unusable, SSMU VP Finance and Operations Nick Drew plans a redesign of the website to make it a one-stop shop that will be easier to navigate.

Drew justifies the website’s cost by pointing to Plank Multime­ dia, Inc., the company SSMU is hir­ ing to redo the website. The Montre­ al-based organization has designed websites for clients like Michael Moore, the Bell Centre, and the Ca­ nadian Medical Association. Drew explains that companies with less expensive quotes could not do what he wanted—design a high-quality site on an open source platform

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that would minimize future update costs—and tended to refer him to Plank as a company that could offer the level of expertise necessary.

The website will also spell the end of SSMU’s short-lived Book Bazaar. Drew plans to save money by moving it completely online as of next year as part of a broad on­ line marketplace. While this will overlap with existing services like McGill Classifieds and MUS Classy, Drew posited that this will be more advanced than such rivals and more trustworthy than sites like Craigslist and Kijiji.

“We’re looking to do something more dynamic,” he said, “with pic­ tures and a more appealing look so students know exactly what they’re buying.”

The site will also feature an “auto-expire” feature that removes items when they are no longer avail­ able, and will be limited to student buyers and sellers.

Seven students rebel against uOttawa’s U-Pass The Student Union at the Uni­ versity of Ottawa might be regretting the referendum it put forth in Febru­ ary 2010. The referendum, which passed, required all students to pay for an OC Transpo (Ottawa’s tran­ sit system) semester pass as a part of their fees, in the process reducing the passes’ cost from $242 to $145 per semester. However, nine U of O students are claiming that the fee imposition was unfair and are suing the Union in small-claims court for $6,022.57.

While the U-Pass program has been successful at post-secondary institutions across North America, the plaintiffs are arguing that the ref­ erendum was unconstitutional. The students are arguing that because the U-Pass fee pays for a public ser­ vice, it can be considered a tax and, under the Canadian constitution the Student Union is not authorized to either collect or issue a tax.

They are also arguing that the referendum question was ambigu­ ous and that students could not un­ derstand that the bus pass would not be valid on all transit networks.

Only about 20 per cent of the student population voted on the ref­ erendum question and only about two-thirds of those, or about 15 per

cent of the student population, voted “yes.” Opposition remains strong with students who live close to cam­ pus and claim that the transit pass is unnecessary for them.

“I don't have any need for it,” said second year Economics student and plaintiff Chris Spoke to the Ot­ tawa Sun. “I live about a seven-min­ ute walk away and I think I've used the bus twice since September.”

Student Union president Tyler Steeves told U of O student news­ paper The Fulcrum, “it's unfortunate that students' money is going to be wasted defending this thing.”

But according to Spoke, for the student minority in question, it's less about the financial burden and more about how much student unions should be able to impose on their members.

“If you need a bus pass, you should be able to buy one; if you don’t want one, you shouldn’t,” said Spoke.

The Student Union has been granted until the end of January to file a defence. In the meantime, the nine student plaintiffs remain hope­ ful for a settlement.

—Kirsten Williams

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Tliesday, January 11, 2011

CITY

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S o m e ex p re ss sk ep ticism , sp e cu la te th at B oard o f G o v e rn o rs p re ssu re d

Woodsworth is the second presi­ how this came about was not what dent in a row to leave the university they were expecting,” she said in an before the end of theircontract, fol­ email to the Tribune. “The students After serving less than half lowing the same route as* her pre­ want a response and there needs to of her five-year contract, Concor­ decessor Claude LaJeunesse. In be more accountability.”

Despite these concerns, Kruyt dia President Judith Woodsworth addition, five vice-principals have resigned from her position on De­ resigned in the past five years, in­ maintained that “the teaching, re­ cember 22. While Woodsworth cited cluding Michael Di Grappa, now search, and community service ac­ “personal reasons” as the motive for vice-principal (administration and tivities of the university continue uninterrupted and unaffected during her sudden departure, confusion and finance) at McGill.

In a press release issued Mon­ this transition phase.” speculation has recently arisen about As for Woodsworth's replace­ day, Kruyt defended the board, the details behind the situation.

According to Lucie Lequin, saying that all members take their ment, Mota said Bram Freedman, president of the Concordia Univer­ responsibilities seriously and have vice-president (external relations) sity Faculty Association, there is a only the best interests of the uni­ and secretary-general, is currently perception in the Concordia commu­ versity in mind. Kruyt also rejected the acting president, but will soon nity that Woodsworth was pushed any speculation that Woodsworth or be replaced by an interim president. out of her position by a faction of her husband misused the university's Following this appointment, the search will begin for a permanent external representatives on the uni­ funds.

Lequin, however, also ex­ replacement. versity's Board of Governors. “[The selection committee] “We have to stop this pattern,” pressed concerned regarding the she said. “The external members of transparency of the situation, and includes all constituencies, includ­ the board have to stop thinking that said many members of her organiza­ ing students, staff, and members of they can fire people over and over, tion were shocked to learn the news the external community,” she said.

“Then the board will decide wheth­ or that they can encourage people to on December 22.

“There's a need for a much er to go ahead with their sugges­ leave.”

Chris Mota, director of media more transparent board, because tions. It's a process that could take relations for the university, said that we cannot function this way. It's months.”

Lucas said she hopes to play a Concordia stands by its statement bad for the university and it's bad that Woodsworth stepped down for for morale,” she said. “What about role in the selection process.

“As a proud board member I personal reasons. Despite the depar­ recruiting young faculty members? take this position very seriously,” ture, Concordia Board of Governors Will Concordia remain the preferred she said.

“I will do my best to ensure Chair Peter Kruyt said in the initial offer? Or will they look somewhere that the interim president is qualified press release that “Concordia has more stable?” for the position, and that the process Concordia Student Union Pres­ thrived under her direction, with of this selection is held to a higher significant progress and an enhanced ident Heather Lucas echoed this sen­ level of transparency.” reputation on the local, provincial, timent.

“Students feel that the timing of national, and international scenes.”

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By Tori Crawford__________________ Editor-in-Chief

Concordia President Judith Woodsworth (Marc Bourcie / Concordia)

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O pinion B ig id e a s , im a g e s , a n d d is t o r t e d f a c ts We are writing this column be­ cause we care. The Bob Dylan song from which this column takes its name includes the line: “Their heads are full of big ideas, images and dis­ torted facts.” We’re writing this col­ umn because we feel very strongly that these words are relevant today.

When Dylan sang those words, what we heard was this: we all have a de­ sire to connect with each other but we feel like we’re not doing it the right way. Today, when discussing this topic, both of us came to the realization that we have the habit of creating “images and distorted facts” rather than paying attention to what we genuinely hope and care about.

Communication needs to be talked about in a new way. First of all, we’re not writing this because the issue is fashionable. The topic is too often discussed because its im­ mediate, more superficial effects are the only ones felt, like the strange feeling of stepping into a new set of clothes. The issue at hand has been so dolled up, passed around, and cross-examined that all you can re­ ally hear at the moment is a thousand babbling voices. Everyone is talking at once, trying to make a connection in the wrong way.

Connection and communica­ tion have always been at the heart of the impetus driving human prog­ ress in literature, music, visual art, and technology (not to mention silly things like procreation). Writers like

In m e m o r y o f 2 0 1 0

Three hundred and sixty-five more days have been filed away into the dusty archives of history. Start­ ing with the devastating Haiti earth­ quake in January and ending with a breathtaking total lunar eclipse in December, the year 2010 was filled with events.

Yet, a few years from now, most of us may need several minutes to plumb even a few of these events from the depths of our memories. If you don’t believe me, go ahead and list three to five major events that

Dante and Shakespeare shaped lan­ guage by coining hundreds of new words. Picasso revolutionized the way we perceive reality by painting multiple perspectives simultane­ ously. Alexander Graham Bell’s in­ vention of the telephone in the 19th century forever changed the way we S in f u lly ( u n w i ll in g t o communicate. But the use of artis­ tic and technological tools to shape t a lk a b o u t) A s ia n ( s ) communication can never be fully predicted before the changes actu­ Investigating the underwater, ally happen. oft-unseen part of the university ad­ After you have finished read­ missions iceberg in North America ing this, open Facebook and look at makes one thing painfully clear: the the last five items you have posted. supposed commitment to equality Does anyone, other than perhaps a is often tainted by status-quo-main­ small handful of your friends, ac­ taining political schemes. Statistics tually care about them? Does your of demographic and performance status about the fresh snowfall ac­ correlations for students show vary­ tually achieve anything, or are you ing results, but one is obvious: more just trying to be clever? Let’s face and more students of Asian back­ it—the content you generate online ground consistently out-perform probably falls into one of three cate­ their peers who have non-Asian gories: (a) mental masturbation, (b) backgrounds. self-aggrandizement, or (c) clown­ The backlash has been as ing around. You are not a celebrity. alarming as it has been amusing.

When you are browsing through Matt Parrot, director of a white su­ profiles, the worst are always the premacist group in Indiana, wrote ones people have tried to make real­ in a piece warning against the Asian istic. Just a lot of cyberspace being rise in academic and occupational unnecessarily filled. Good profiles excellence, “They exploit our West­ are entertaining, presenting a carica­ ern meritocratic tradition to ob­ ture that is colorful or quirky. These tain positions of influence through profiles are saying: you don’t know merit.” How obtaining positions, me. Sometimes ridiculous but never within the parameters of a system, fearful. exploits said system is something he Communication can make a fails to explain. If you play by the lot of people afraid: afraid of being rules, how can it be called unfair if rejected, afraid of being misunder­ you win? The subtext is fairly ob­ stood, afraid of looking like an idiot. vious: increased Asian success in Many of these are the same things the West means a less white West, you feared in kindergarten ... stupid, which probably scares the hell out childish things. But the Idiot Wind of people like Parrot. is not here to tell you that you’re an This racism is not only found in idiot. The Idiot Wind is that feeling fringe interest groups, but also with­ inside you that pushes you to cre­ in the ivory towers of America’s top ate, connect, and care. The wind universities. Princeton sociologist that makes your heart beat, the wind Thomas Espenshade studied 10 that makes us sing and cry instead prestigious U.S. schools’ admission of talking. statistics. He found that Asian ap­

plicants needed to score 140 points higher on their SATs than white ap­ plicants to gain admission. A contro­ versial Maclean’s article quoted one professor even equating the present situation with the way ambitious and hard-working Jewish students were marginalized in the first half of the 20th century by Ivy institutions in America, and by McGill.

For the most part Canadian universities these days rely strictly on non-biased, transcript-based procedures. This has led to surging numbers of Asian students in Can­ ada’s top schools, proof that their high school grades blow the rest out of the water. At the University of British Columbia, 43 per cent of the undergrad students ethnically iden­ tify themselves as either Japanese, Korean, or Chinese.

Canada’s situation is not with­ out its problems. Stereotypes and group lines are drawn tight on some university campuses. The same Ma­ clean’s article mentioned that the two computer science buildings on the University of Waterloo campus are unofficially designated by stu­ dents as “mainland and downtown China,” where days can go by with­ out a word of English being heard. If this is the result of a genuine meri­ tocracy, then so be it. But not to the detriment of tolerance and cultural understanding.

Our own campus isn’t fraught with such tensions, perhaps because our humanities programs are unusu­ ally strong, increasing dialogue, un­ derstanding, and tolerance. Or, a less cheery scenario, campus dialogue is stymied by non-budging political correctness, which does not allow honest conversations about racial divides. Either way, this trend of high performance among students of Asian descent is real—a victory for both meritocracy and democra­ cy. Let’s not ignore it.

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took place in 2007.

The paradox of time has been this: our years are getting more and more full of what the media deems “events,” but we are remembering fewer of them over time. In essence, we are getting robbed of experienc­ es that do matter, and memories that we do not even care for are force­ fully recording themselves into our minds.

Partly responsible for this scam, as always, is the media. In the past, the value of news used to be measured in what was called the “information-action ratio.” An event was newsworthy if it could translate into effective action in peoples’ lives. A tornado warning would be very newsworthy, because it could lead to precautionary measures taken by those alarmed. Today, we still have useful tornado warnings.

But we also have truckloads of junk that have no actionable value in our

However, as much as I love ac­ cusing the media of heinous crimes against humanity in general and de­ mocracy in particular, we, the con­ sumers, are the real defendants. We are the ones who are consistently selling out experiences for more useless information. We are the ones who have confused efficiency for mere reductionism, expecting to re­ ceive our news in the form of quick sound bites and congratulating our­ selves for being well-informed. We are the ones failing to keep up with the serious problems within our own homes and communities, preferring instead to keep up with the Kardashians.

Year after year passes us by, and our minds continue to fill up with nonsense wrapped in ignorance wrapped in oblivion. Without real­ izing it, many of us have become participants in the dishonourable project of undermining the impor­

tant and lionizing the trivial. In my opinion, I don’t think we can afford to keep going down this road.

Albert Einstein defined insan­ ity as “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting differ­ ent results.” If this is remotely accu­ rate, then we need to change things around.

At the beginning of every year, millions of individuals adopt fresh resolutions. Most of these resolu­ tions end in failure, usually because they are too poorly defined, too broadly stretched, and too spurious­ ly monitored. This is quite ironic, considering that the word “resolu­ tion” derives from the Latin “resolutionem,” which literally translates as, “breaking things into simpler forms.”

With 2011 upon us, I hope we resolve to give our attention to the matters of the world which deserve our time, and memories.

lives making it to the 6 p.m. news shows. And we remember it very well.

When you mix the serious with the trivial and coat everything with the same glaze of sensational­ ism, you get indifference. Celebrity breakups and natural disasters start competing for our limited attention and emotions, and surprisingly, it is actually a contest. For example, most people can’t tell you how many lives were claimed by the monsoon that hit Pakistan earlier this July. Yet they would not hesitate to tell you the name of the promiscuous golfer who drove his public image off a cliff. Thanks to the media’s ability to perfect human stimulation and to optimally exploit our brain’s mem­ ory centres without our knowledge or permission, we now remember a man who continues to live with shame and forgot 1,600 people who died with honour.

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Join our photogra­ phers in covering news, arts, student living and sports.

Email photo@mcgilltribune.com for details.

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TheMcGill

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T rib u n e W W W .M CGHXTRIBUNE.COM

Editor-in-Chief Tori Crawford editor@mcgilltribune.com Managing Editors Mookie Kideckel mkideckel@mcgilltribune.com Theo Meyer tmeyer@mcgilltribune.com Production Manager IainMacdonald imacdonald@mcgilltribune.com Senior Design Editor Zoe Brewster zbrewster@mcgilltribune.com News Editors Matt Essert, SeanWood, andMaria Flores news@mcgilltribune.com Opinion Editor Ricky Kreitner opinion@mcgilltribune.com Features Editors Alison Bailey and Shannon Kimball features@mcgilltribune.com Arts &Entertainment Editors Brahna Siegelberg and ManishaAggarwal-Schifellite arts@mcgilltribune.com Sports Editors SamHunter andWalker Kitchens sports@mcgilltribune.com Photo Editors Holly Stewart andAlice Walker photo@mcgilltribune.com Design Editors Gaby Lai andKathleenJolly design@mcgilltribune.com Copy Editor Kyle Carpenter

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At council this week, VP (Uni­ versity Affairs) Josh Abaki discussed his goal of limiting “contact hours” — lectures, conferences, and other face time between professors and stu­ dents. He hopes to reduce contact hours from the current 39 hours per course per semester to 36, an amount more standard across Canadian uni­ versities. As a result, McGill students who currently find themselves going back to school earlier and ending just as late as most of their peers from other schools would now enjoy ei­ ther a fall reading break or an extra week of Winter vacation. It cer­ tainly sounds enticing. Less work.

More time to see family and friends.

A week less of stress to restore our taxed-out brains to full health. Then again, it’s worth looking at the other side: class time as an opportunity.

The time students spend with professors is the only unique educa-

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tional aspect of a university. Read­ ings, problems, writing responses, and other forms of self-teaching are important parts of our learning, but they mainly have value rela­ tive to the professor’s handling of them. Otherwise, we could save our McGill tuition for a library card. It’s in interacting with our professors that we get our money’s worth—getting first hand exposure to some of the brightest minds in their fields. Unless McGill intends to lower tuition for courses with reduced hours (which seems highly unlikely), demand­ ing fewer contact hours is, in effect, seeking less bang for our buck.

Abaki’s council report attempts to address some objections to his plan, but the rebuttals fall a bit short.

He claims that the extra three hours are unnecessary as “most profs” use it just to “pump students with more information.” Even if this is true, it

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doesn’t seem to us to be an efficient use of time. It’s difficult to fathom professors could use time more wisely than by imparting informa­ tion. Learning, after all, is the pur­ pose of attending university (though there are those who only want a de­ gree). Abaki also argued that quality of learning wouldn’t suffer with re­ duced hours. He claims that, “If profs thought carefully about the skills they want to transfer to their students and the aims of their courses, they would realize that if they can’t achieve these within 36 hours, an extra 3 hours is not going to make a difference.” Stu­ dents who have struggled to contain all their ideas in an essay with page limits may sympathize with profes­ sors who cannot fit as much as they would like into a class of any length.

Three hours may not make or break a class, but less information certainly sounds like less learning.

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As for quality, perhaps it’s not always related to quantity. But if pro­ fessors devolve lecture material into more readings, student workload won’t decrease, and quality of edu­ cation will. Moreover, some faculties require a certain amount of hours to be taught in order to maintain accred­ itation. Finally, many schools in the United States have 3-6 more contact hours than McGill students. If we’re trying to be the Harvard of Canada, then maybe we should also rate our­ selves against U.S. institutions.

It’s true, more vacation time would be lovely. Yet contact hours may not be the only way to achieve it. There is the option of evening and weekend exams. McGill also ends earlier than many other schools. We sympathize with Abaki’s goals of re­ ducing student stress. But if we hate going to class so much, why are we here?

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Issues of censorship, freedom of speech, and political correctness being major concerns of the Tri­ bune, we were alarmed to read that Alan Gribben, a prominent Ameri­ can Mark Twain scholar and Harvard professor, will be re-issuing the clas­ sic novel The Adventures of Huckle­ berry Finn with two small changes: the inflammatory word “nigger,” used 219 times in the book, will be replaced with the more moderate term “slave,” and the term “Injun” is being removed from name of the character “Injun Joe.” According to Gribben, his lecture audiences and discussion groups are more comfort­ able with the revised version of the book. A culturally sensitive option should thus make the book more appealing to teachers who are other­ wise hesitant to read and discuss it in classrooms.

One of the issues at hand is maintaining artistic integrity in the face of censorship. Twain’s use of both terms is representative of the culture and language of the late 1800s, and not an intentionally hurt­ ful epithet. Although it’s only one edition of the book it would still set a precedent which could lead to fur­ ther revisions of the novel that take away from its powerful message. If this edition is successful, publication houses may be tempted to publish “clean” editions of other novels in order to appease public sensibilities.

Revisions by the present American culture of past literary classics would represent a disturbing trend were it to continue. There is truth, historical and otherwise, contained in a work like Huckleberry Finn, a sanctity in the complete work which cannot be altered, even in the most seemingly

insignificant way.

The more disturbing problem is America’s collective unwilling­ ness to deal with its racist past (and present), and a culture that permits revisionism is one that will continue to avoid the discussion of ugly truths.

While bringing Huckleberry Finn and the frank racial discussion ac­ companying it into more classrooms is an ambitious and worthy goal, the revision is yet another counter-pro­ ductive attempt to smooth over trag­ edies in American history rather than confront them. The Tribune empa­ thizes with Gribben’s objective, but we are concerned that the proposed substitutions would preclude honest discussion of America’s racist past, thus negating any of the positive ben­ efits of bringing the book into more classrooms. Glossing over the word is certainly easier than convincing

teachers, parents, and society as a whole to confront that which contin­ ues to make them so uncomfortable.

But the easy solution is not necessar­ ily the right one.

Keeping Twain’s original text obviously doesn’t give students per­ mission to use the word casually. In a larger social context, high school students are bound to encounter the word at some point, and a classroom is safer and more open to discussion than most other situations. Just listen to a few popular songs—the word can’t be avoided for a person’s entire life. It’s better for teachers to engage their students in the necessarily con­ troversial discussion about the use of the word in the historical context of Twain’s novel than to promote and encourage a smoothing over of American history’s rough edges by its omission.

TheMcGillTribuneisaneditoriallyautonomousnewspaper publishedbytheSociétédePublicationdelaTribune, astu­ dentsocietyofMcGillUniversity.Thecontentofthispublica­ tionisthesoleresponsibilityofTheMcGillTribuneandthe SociétédePublicationdelaTribuneanddoesnotnecessarily C o m m o n c o u rte s y representtheviewsofMcGillUniversity. Letterstotheeditor maybesent toletters@mcgilltribune.comandmust include n o t so c o m m o n thecontributor’s name, programandyearandcontactinfor­ mation. Lettersshouldbekeptunder300wordsandsubmit­ There are many complaints I tedonlytotheTribune. SubmissionsjudgedbytheTribune PublicationSocietytobelibellous,sexist, racist, homophobic can lodge against McGill students. or solelypromotional innaturewill not be published. The They’re loud in the libraries, they in­ Tribunereservestherighttoeditall contributions. Editorials sist on handing out flyers at the Milaredecideduponandwrittenbytheeditorialboard. Allother ton gates, and they have a chronic opinionsarestrictlythoseoftheauthoranddonotnecessar­ inability to distinguish recyclables ilyreflecttheopinionsoftheMcGillTribune, itseditorsorits ! from non-recyclables. The list goes on and on, and as many people can staff. Pleaserecyclethisnewspaper.

attest, I have an exceptional ability to whine about my peers. It wasn’t until a recent encounter in the Van­ couver airport, however, when I re­ alized at least one thing that I do ap­ preciate about McGill students: their sense of common courtesy.

Like most students, I treat my computer like a fifth limb and can barely go a few hours without checking something on the Internet.

So naturally I decided to do a little web snooping while waiting for my plane to leave. This activity involves scoping out the perfect place to sit: a spot that’s well lit, comfortable, and most importantly, right next to an electrical outlet. I’d found my ideal spot, and now the only thing

standing between me and my battle with Minerva for a reasonable class schedule was a man’s jacket thrown casually on the chair. Imagine my surprise when, in response to my polite request for him to move the coat, he sighed with exasperation and said, “Seriously? Can’t you sit somewhere else?”

In my two and half years at McGill, I’ve never encountered someone who wouldn’t move their belongings off a chair, share an elec­ trical outlet, reach down to plug in a computer, watch someone’s stuff while they go to the bathroom, or any of the other millions of minor cour­ teous gestures that people regularly do. I suddenly realized that common

courtesy isn’t something universal, but that it might be particular to McGill students. I stumbled through an explanation of why I needed that seat near the electrical outlet while thinking to myself that this would never happen on campus or in any of the dozens of student-filled cafes. Opinion pieces are so often complaints about the student body, but instead I’m applauding all you McGill students who courteously make space for others, share desks, tables, and electrical outlets. Know that you surpass the rest of the world in terms of common courtesy — or at least certain Vancouver airplane pas­ sengers— and keep being polite, at least until I graduate.

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H e a lt h c a r e g e ts p e r s o n a l Most Canadians perceive gen­ eral flaws in the country’s health care system, but report positive in­ dividual experiences. Until recently, I counted myself among those who held this idea: I knew there were gaps in the system, but had always received excellent care. I strongly believed that despite these gaps, Canada’s public system was effec­ tive and fair, and that even a twotiered option would seriously under­ mine its workings. However, after two negative experiences in recent months, for myself and for a close family member, my perceptions are changing. When the systemic issues are no longer simply numbers on paper, but affect someone you love, it becomes much more difficult to support that which caused them.

In both cases, the problem was not caused by a lack of intellect on the part of individual doctors and nurses. Instead, the cause was sys­ temic: too few staff taking care of too many patients, and facing seri­ ous organizational defects. Regard­ less of where you stand on the merits

Commentary K evin K a c z m a r a

Ü ber-C an adian s at t h e W o r ld J u n i o r s

Whoever conceived of the con­ cept of the holiday season satisfied every demographic. Need a new pair of oversized sunglasses and Ugg boots? Boxing Day’s for you!

Need a night to consume grandpa’s “cough medicine?” Perhaps New Years can flick your switch! Or maybe you just want to kick it and go to church. Ever heard of a little thing called Christmas? But there’s one group of people who I have yet to mention—the iiber-Canadians, whose holidays are decorated not by shiny ornaments, but by the annual World Junior Hockey Champion­ ships.

“But who is this fiber-Canadian?” you may ask. Is he the man who chases his whiskey with maple syrup and shoots off a firework for each year since Confederation every July 1? Au contraire, mon frère, we must not confuse an iiber-Canadian with a patriot. Instead, to understand the iiber-Canadian is to understand

of single-payer healthcare systems, the reality for Canadians seeking medical care is that the country’s health care system is over-extended, in terms of staff, resources, and fi­ nances.

This problem will only grow as our parents’ generation ages, put­ ting what some say will be terminal stress on the system. Put simply, the balance sheet isn’t going to balance.

In order to continue operating effi­ cient, effective healthcare systems, taxes will have to be raised or the government will have to divert funds from other areas, including educa­ tion—which has already begun.

While disaster is still impend­ ing, my recent experiences laid bare the existing strains faced by health care workers, and how these budget and staffing issues can have negative consequences on the hospital floor.

To optimize your treatment and overall experience, there’s one clear strategy: advocate for yourself.

This doesn’t mean reading about a collection of symptoms on the Internet and insisting on your own self-diagnosis. Instead, it means never being afraid, embarrassed, or at all hesitant to ask questions. Ask about timelines, recovery informa­ tion, pharmaceutical details, addi­ tional costs, and anything else you might be wondering about. This is especially important if you are deal­ ing with multiple doctors or thera­ pists. Get engaged in your diagnosis and treatment so you’re aware of

what’s happening to your body. This also has the potential to augment the quality of care you receive.

Also, don’t always follow a “don’t call us, we’ll call you” rule.

Hospitals, especially large ones in cities, process hundreds of lab samples each day. Some get lost in the shuffle. If you’re still sick or are even just nervous, make the call.

In the case of more serious ill­ nesses or injuries, it may help to con­ sider obtaining the services of a pro­ fessional health care advocate. Re­ cently, numerous private businesses had emerged across the country that offer to act as a patient’s advocate as they navigate the sometimes byzan­ tine health care system and accom­ panying bureaucracy. These profes­ sional advocates are usually trained doctors, nurses and therapists fa­ miliar with the inner workings and flaws of Canada’s medical system.

While these services do require a fee, it’s still cheaper than seeking private care across the border.

As the health care system, one of our country’s sacred’cows, starts to disintegrate, more and more pa­ tients will be individually affected by the on-the-ground realities of budget shortfalls. For individuals using the system, the most effective means to protect yourself is to be your own advocate, or find someone to advocate for you. That being said, as I saw in Montreal recently, even the best advocate is of little use if you can’t even get in the door.

the aforementioned competition, next 48 hours, which, God forbid, a tournament known simply as the could have made it 15-1 and helped World Juniors in the vernacular of the Norwegians salvage an ounce the True North. The World Juniors of pride. After all, that would have are where the finest young hockey been an iiber-Canadian tragedy. Par­ players in the world lace up their don my speculation, but I can’t envi­ skates and exhibit the highest level sion a group of Norwegian folk (or of under-21 international ice hockey Americans for that matter) crowd­ accessible to us. I say “accessible” ing the bars to watch the game and, because Canadians are willing to, frankly, caring. Be that as it may, and quite often do, travel as far as our Canadians rarely give up that Pardubice, Czech Republic just to fatal goal, and we usually win the cheer the boys on. This year, by vir­ tournament, as our nine appearances tue of the tournament having been in the last ten gold medal games held in Buffalo, New York, the road- demonstrates. This tendency to win trip proved all the more manageable. the World Junior Hockey Champi­ Compared to American fans, who onships each year is an enabler for could have been counted on the fin­ the iiber-Canadian. gers of a character on the Simpsons, Then the Russia game hap­ the red maple leaf was on display in pened. Until the third period, yet an­ disproportionately large numbers. other happy ending appeared more Among those fans could be found imminent than at a Dutch massage countless iiber-Canadians. parlour, with Canada up 3-0. And The iiber-Canadian is the one then, to return to our previous anal­ who, if not lucky enough to have ogy, the Canadians blew it. Überfound a ticket for the Canada-U.S. A. Canadians all over the country were game, resorted to driving to Buffalo left speechless, their egos bruised to watch Norway square off in a and their faith tested. On this rare duel with Germany. But of course occasion of having been embarrass­ there were also fiber Canadians who ingly defeated by the Russians, we were lucky enough to have obtained finally have to ask the important tickets to watch Canada play, which question: Will the iiber-Canadians cost upwards of $200 even against stick around? a country such as Norway. Then Kevin Kaczmara is U2 Inter­ Canada wins the game 9, 10, some­ national Development Studies and times 15 to nothing, and the fiber Economics student, and can be Canadians celebrate' and analyze a reached at kevin.kaczamara@mail. clumsy neutral zone turnover for the mcgill.ca.

W h a t’s th e “ right o p in io n ” on W ikileaks?

Third in queue at a Barclays bank in central London during winter break, I read through squinted eyes the BBC’s announcement that Julian Assange, the controversial founder of Wikileaks who was wanted by In­ terpol for alleged sex crimes in Swe­ den, had been arrested at a London police station after turning himself in at a previously appointed time. A close follower of the Wikileaks con­ troversy-then climaxing after the disclosure, in trickles, of hundreds of thousands of secret American diplomatic memos—and a part-time member in the international Julian Assange fan club, I immediately left the bank line, looked up at an Internet café the address of the court to which the BBC said he was being taken, and nearly tore my calf mus­ cles trying to book it to Westmin­ ster as fast as I could. I was met by a massive and still growing horde of reporters, photographers, news crews, and protestors, blocking traffic across Horseferry Row and spilling around the block. The Wall Street Journal reporter covering the story told me Assange had already been in the court for nearly an hour..

If he came out one door, he was a free man; if he came out the other, he’d been denied bail, and would be taken immediately to some prison.

I elbowed my way into the crowd, and waited.

I say part-time member of the fan club because like many people I’m not sure how I feel about the case. As with every news story, I’m consumed with the desire to have the “right opinion” —but in this case it’s not obvious to me what that is. I stood in the London crowd and tried to figure things out.

As every apologist for Wikileaks is careful to point out, defending the organization against American bullying and defending its founder against charges of rape are two entirely different things.

However, the fact that the United States seems intent on using his present incarceration to extradite him to America to face totally un­ related charges resulting from the documents leaks makes one wary of possible American influence in the Swedish judicial system. (It was announced only this past weekend that the American government had subpoenaed the Twitter accounts of Assange and other Wikileaks col­ laborators, evidence of a mounting criminal investigation that may try to bring him from England or Swe­ den to the U.S. for trial.) Despite the seemingly trumped-up nature of the

rape charges, though, I am no more privy to the facts of those situations than are the other commentators who have prematurely—and some say, misogynistically—cleared Assange of all charges of sexual misconduct.

Sweden may have unusually inclu­ sive rape laws, but I’m not interest­ ed in allowing Assange an exception to the rules. Whether or not the rape charges were prompted by nefarious American influence we may have to wait years for Wikileaks or another organization to reveal. In the mean­ time, I suggest a suspension of judg­ ment and permission for the judicial process to run its course.

The (probably) separate issue of the leaks is another thing I re­ main unhappily ambiguous about.

I doubt whether the disclosure of the diplomatic cables was necessar­ ily a good thing, whether it proved anything (many have pointed out that it actually proves conspiracy theorists overwhelmingly wrong about American evil), and whether a comparison can be made between what Assange is doing and what Daniel Elberg did with the Pentagon Papers in 1970. Rather, it’s hardly a stretch to consider Assange and his associates as self-inflated Quixotes, swinging at windmills of perceived American iniquity, doing far more harm than good by putting at serious risk the safety of innocents who collaboratorated with coalition forces in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere and were promised anonymity.

Many people, particularly on the left, have jumped far too quickly to Wikileaks’ defense. While I too am concerned about American empire, government secrets, shady dealings, cover-ups, and war; while I leap reflexively to the defence of any group or individual I see being bul­ lied and threatened by the officials of any government for acts hostile to that government; and while the endorsement yesterday of Wikileaks by the McGill Daily editorial board undoubtedly should have cleared up any remaining confusion as to whether supporting Wikileaks is the “right opinion” for someone of my age, race, socioeconomic status, and ideological disposition, there is something about the whole affair which prevents me from defending Assange and Wikileaks unequivo­ cally.

Shortly after 3 p.m., Assange’s lawyer announced to the waiting masses that bail had been denied. A few minutes later a van with tinted windows emerged from a garage at the rear of the building. Police pushed photographers and protes­ tors aside so it could pass into the street and deposit Assange safely in a London jail. People banged on the windows and shouted, “Po­ litical prisoner! Political prisoner!”

I stood silently, asking myself whether I agreed with that assertion.

I watched the van roll into the street and around a comer and out of view.

I didn’t know what to think.

S tudent L iving X VS. Y VS. Z

O

v e r r a t e d

H o lid a y s

HALLOWEEN

NEW YEAR’S EVE

VALENTINE'S DAY

Pressure: In elementary school, Hal­ loween was a one-day event that required one costume, usually purchased at WalMart. In a university setting, Halloween is a four-day event. Each day requires a dif­ ferent costume, and each costume must be original and witty.

Pressure: In reality, New Year’s Eve is no different from any other Friday or Saturday night, except there’s a countdown thrown in at midnight. Despite this, there’s intense pressure every year to make it the “best party ever.” For some reason, a night of drinking with your friends on December 31 is supposed to be so much better than every other night. Don’t get me wrong: I like to party as much as any other undergrad, but not when it’s forced.

Pressure: Men seem to bear the brunt of the Valentine's Day pressure. The standard flowers and a box of chocolate gift is trite and unoriginal, so guys are expected to come up with a brilliantly romantic evening for their partner. Between girls, pressure comes when friends compare notes on what wonderful things they and their partner did to celebrate.

Cost: Clubs hosting New Year’s Eve events use the evening as a money grab, charging upwards of $50 per ticket. Add drinks, trans­ portation, and a new outfit to that and it’s easy to spend at least $200.

Even if you’re just going to a house party, a decent bottle of cham­ pagne will set you back $60.

Cost: Thai Express isn't going to cut it for dinner on this night. A nice meal for two with wine at a restaurant, plus a piece of jewelery, will run upwards of $250.

Cost: If you find your costumes around the house, Halloween can be pretty cheap. But if you pick out four different outfits from American Apparel or a cos­ tume store, you’re looking at at least $50 per costume. Inflated event ticket prices and enough alcohol to give you the confi­ dence to wear a spandex jumpsuit only add to this expensive holiday.

Romance: Along with a forced party, New Year’s Eve also tries to force romance with the midnight kiss. No one wants to be that one awkward person with no one to kiss, so if you’re single at a bar at 11:30, start looking for someone quick before you’re left with the dregs.

Romance: At the club, you thought he looked great in his sunglasses and wig. The next morning, you wish he was still in cos­ tume.

Aftermath: Just because you wore a costume doesn’t mean people couldn’t tell who you were. This is clear from the Facebook photos where you’ve been tagged doing a keg stand with your “sexy cowgirl” skirt over your head.

Aftermath: Although many people make New Year’s resolutions to “get healthy,” most wake up on January 1st feeling nauseous with a pounding headache, then head for a greasy breakfast to soothe their stomachs. You’re also starting the new year significantly poorer, and with a midnight kisser who won’t stop texting you.

W

in n e r :

V a le n t in e ’s

D a y

Romance: There's very little romance in a day created by greeting card companies on which every couple in North America is obligated to ac­ knowledge their love for each other. Shouldn't this happen every day in healthy relationships? And objects like teddy bears and diamond bracelets don’t necessarily equal love.

Aftermath: Valentine's Day is a lose-lose situ­ ation for many men. If you don't do enough, or, heaven forbid, do nothing because your partner told you, “Oh, don't worry, we don't need to do anything,” you will pay the price for months to come. Alternatively, if you pull out all the stops, you're only going to have to top that every follow­ ing year.

Valentine’s Day is likely to break your heart, drain your chequing account, and expand your waisteline. Do yourself a favour and don’t set high expectations for this overrated holiday.

—Compiled by Tori Crawford

>petppe>i«mîn% s a i* v

By Shannon Kimball Features Editor There’s no reason that pep­ permint bark can’t be enjoyed year round. Nor should Williams Sonoma have a monopoly ($30 per box) on this refreshing treat.

The store-bought version has a layer of dark chocolate, a layer of white chocolate, and crushed peppermint candy on top. Add­ ing peppermint extract creates a stronger mint flavour throughout the chocolate, and marbleizing the chocolates adds a personal touch.

All of the proportions in this recipe are to taste.

L

Ingredients •Equal parts dark and white chocolate, roughly chopped • Crushed peppermint hard candy or candy canes • Peppermint extract Directions 1. Line a rimmed baking sheet or brownie pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.

2. Put the peppermint candy in a plastic bag, cover the bag with a dishcloth, and use a rolling pin, hammer, or kitchen mallet to crush into small pieces. Pour the candy through a mesh strainer and

discard any candy dust that goes through the strainer.

2. Melt the chocolate in the microwave on medium power in 30-second increments.

3. Stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate.

4. Pour the chocolates in the pan. Swirl the chocolates together with a rubber spatula to create a marble pattern.

5. Sprinkle the crushed candy on top of the chocolate.

6. Chill the bark in the refrig­ erator for two hours.

7. Break into chunks and count down the days until Christ­ mas.

(Holly Stewart / McGill Tribune) J

" M e d ia

D ie t s ” a t M c G ill

The Atlantic W ire regularly prints a colum n entitled “M edia Diet," in which prom inent writers a n d editors describe how they sift through the masses o f inform ation available everyday through various m edia outlets. A lthough these students have not reached the sam e level o f literary fa m e as the A tlantic’s contributors, their m edia diets a re evidence o f the wide variety o f m edia sources __________________ students look to on a daily basis.__________________ Most m ornings, I roll over in m y half-awake state, grab m y laptop, pull it into bed, ch eck the w eather and then quickly skim National New swatch and Bourque, new s aggregators that give a good overview of w h at’s happening in Canada. I look at the Green News folder in m y RSS feed and m y @ a m arap o ssian / clim ate-new s Twitter list, open a few environm ent-related articles I would like .to read in tabs, close my laptop and get ready to leave.

Throughout the day, w henever I get a ch an ce, I read the articles I have opened. I generally prioritize Rabble.ca, the G uardian’s Environm ent Section, Huffpost Green, articles in Yes! M agazine’s Planet Section, and articles on It’s Getting Hot in Here. I’m also on Environm ent Canada’s electronic new s notification service and receive the latest updates, m edia advisories, and new s releases by em ail.

I don’t rely on social m edia, but I like to use it as a filter.

Twitter, Facebook, and Digg give me a pretty good idea of w hat

Until tins September, m y daily reading routine alw ays began in the sam e, predictable way: The Globe and Mail then The New York Tim es. Since I subm itted m y law school applications this fall however, I have developed an em barrassing addiction to the online forum for prospective Canadian law students, law students. ca. This m essage board is populated by hundreds of eager applicants, all of whom lack any real knowledge of the accep tan ce policies of individual universities,

people think is im portant right now. I skim m y @ am arap o ssian / enviro-people-and-orgs Twitter list daily,-and w hile I don’t post m any articles on Facebook, I have a num ber of go-to Facebookers that alw ays seem to know w h at’s going on.

W hat I read changes depending on the tim e of the year. During the UNFCCC clim ate negotiations, for exam ple, the Climate Action Network Canada, the USD’s Earth Negotiations Bulletin, and a few youth delegations provide news before it appears in the m ainstream media.

As for m y reading m aterial unrelated to the environm ent, my hom epage is the New York Times.

M arm ara and Agos give me my A rm enian news fix. I get my McGill new s from the Tribune, the Daily, and the Bubble. Absolute Relatives is m y go-to blog for thoughtful m iscellany, and the Satorialist is my guilty pleasure.

A larm clock rin g s...

Snooze ... alarm clock rings ... I grab m y com puter and open the Internet to ESPN* com . That is how my day begins every m orning. I sift through the hom epage, ch eck the headlines, and explore those w orth reading.

Then it's straight to RealGM. com to ch eck th eir W iretap Headlines. These are cru cial for following sports, as all the headlines and rum ours found on other websites are com piled into one list— the W iretap. The site is divided into basketball, baseball, football, and hockey, and each section has its own w iretap. At around this point, I realize I'll be late for class, grab a quick show er and a muffin, and head out.

Later in the day (and during som e of m y boring classes), I go back to ESPN to see if there are any interesting opinion pieces and,

— Am ara Possian U3 jo in t honours P olitical Science & M id dle Eastern Studies

"yet rely" on each other to an alyze their ch an ces of getting into certain schools.

I read every new relevant post (though I never post anything myself) in the hope of gaining som e kind of inform ation, or at least catharsis.

Once I've finally torn myself aw ay from these m essage boards, I comb through the Globe and Mail and the New York Tim es using m y Google Reader. Thursdays and Saturdays are m y favorite days of the w eek, since I w orship at the altar of Gail Collins. For m y daily

3ose oT 'sm ut, I n ext “To on to Jezeb el. I also rely on m y boyfriend to com b through the m ass of sports articles and pick out what interests me, w hich usually com es from Bill Simmons.

Next, I ch eck the blog of my ultim ate idol: M artha Stew art. Hers is also the only m agazine I subscribe to. After this, I usually listen to a podcast w hile I get ready for class. My w eekly favorites are Slate's Culture Gabfest, DoubleX, and This A m erican Life.

— Tori Crawford Editor-in-Chief

specifically, if Bill Simmons has w ritten anything new.

W hile h e's a hom er for Boston team s (and I hate Boston team s), h e's the best com bination of hum our and sports knowledge online.

His M ailbags are a must read. Also on ESPN, I look for Gene W ojciechow ski.

He provides an original and intelligent viewpoint in a w ell-w ritten fashion. Next, I try and m ake m yself feel well-rounded by going to the New York Tim es and CNN to read their headlines.

Following th at, if the season is still on, it’s back to ESPN to read fantasy football analysis. Finally, not living in the cities of m y favourite team s, an im portant way I stay up-to-date w ith them is by looking at the sports section of their hom etown newspapers.

— Jonathan M orison UP Management

lespite my age and m y nearly contain Facebook, tra c k e d , completed biochem istry and H arry Potter Fan Fiction, iegree, my daily reading I quickly skim the headlines repertoire resem bles th at of on the New York Times shallow 12 year-old girl, website. I know very little ly selections include the about the relevant goings on a n d of stuff that m akes you of the world, so I quickly get luestion w h eth er or not you confused and start entering Ishould have children in the New York Tim es buzz words future. I start w ith Perez on W ikipedia (w hich I may |Hilton, w hich I obsessively or m ay not set to Simple check at least 12 tim es English). Once on W ikipedia, throughout the day. If Ju stin it’s all downhill from there. iBieber launches a new nail Now that I think about it, jolish colour for W al-M art, I spend an em barrassing |I need to know. I then move am ount of tim e there. T h at’s jver to College Humor, how I know that zebra /h ere I read all the new draw n carriag es exist and irticles and w atch all the that Sir A rthur Conan Doyle |new videos over and over. believed in fairies, two facts Then, and only because by I’m sure will be integral to this tim e I’m likely to be in m y future endeavours. public place w here people — Ioana Varlan /ill n otiçç that my tabs only _____________ UÀ Biochemistr

This m ay m ake m e unusual, but I rarely turn on my com puter before class in the m orning.

W hen I start reading betw een classes though, it’s The New York Tim es, especially for breaking new s, such as this w eekend’s A rizona shooting.

After scanning the headlines, I w ork through a few sections: International, National, Business Day, and Technology.

O ccasionally, I’ll even read Real Estate. I try not to m iss David C arr’s “Media Equation” colum n on M ondays and David Leonhardt’s “Econom ic S cene” on W ednesdays, as well as anything by Frank Bruni or David Segal.

After that, I usually read a few articles from other new spapers: The W ashington Post, The Los Angeles Tim es, The Toronto Star, and The Financial Tim es. For broader reading, I follow a num ber of journalists on Twitter, who often link to stories I would never find otherw ise; The Post’s Ezra Klein and The

The first thing th at I need to do every m orning is ch eck the news. If I don’t, I ca n ’t function correctly. It all started off very innocently in m y first year as a Political Science student. I thought it would be w ise to at least take a quick peak at w hat w as going on in the world in case the profs made som e reference to the news in class. I started off with CNN. Then, speaking to my parents w ho are still back in Spain, I realized that I w as com pletely ignorant of the happenings in my own country. So every m orning before class I also read El

M undo.

Before I knew it, I was reading over 25 different sources of new s every day, not including Google News, or tim e spent listening to or w atching new s related program s on the radio or TV. It takes me at least two to three hours to go through

T im es’s C atherine Ram pell are p articu larly good.

In print, I subscribe to The New Yorker, w hich is the only publication I’m not sure I could live w ithout. I try to m ake it through at least a couple of the longer articles each w eek, and I alw ays read Jam es Surow iecki’s “Financial Page” and David Denby’s film reviews. They’re fantastic. If I had m ore tim e to read, I m ight subscribe to Esquire as well.

As for other types of m edia, I ca n ’t get enough of 30 Rock, and I occasionally w atch The Daily Show in the afternoon.

I’m alm ost alw ays too far behind course reading to m ake it through a book during the sem ester, but I’m already planning m y su m m er reading.

At the top of the list: Andrew Ross Sorkin’s Too Big to Fail, Kingsley A m is’s Lucky Jim , and Robert Caro’s The Power

Broker.

— Theo Meyer Managing Editor

them , as I^^n ~t~fu s’t"'read" I T b BC News ’" about w hat happened once, I 7. La Gaceta have to ch eck all the different 8. La Vanguardia point of view s before I am 9. El Econom ista satisfied.

10. Publico Now it’s gotten to a point 11. Cinco Dias w hen reading the news 12. El Plural interferes w ith m y everyday 13. National Post life. Instead of going to class 14. The Globe and Mail I have to read the news. If by 15. The Gazette any ch an ce I have sum m oned 16. CBC News the will to go to class w ithout 17. The New York Tim es having read the news, it’s a 18. The Wall Street Jo u rn al w aste of time. If I find myself 19. A l-Jazeera in class w ithout knowing 20. Granma w hat has happened in the 21. Financial Times w orld, I will ch eck all of 22. Le Monde m y beloved sources w ithout 23. The Guardian paying any attention to w hat 24. Google News the prof is saying.

25. The Huffington Post I have a problem . My 26. M any other political nam e is Borja and I am an blogs plus radios and TV addict. stations 27. The Econom ist B orja’s Hit List: 28. Foreign Policy M agazine 1. CNN 29. Foreign Affairs 2. La Razon M agazine 3. El Mundo — B orja de A risteg u i A rroyo 4 . ABC U3 Political Science m ajor 5. El Pafs

Curiosity Delivers - mcgilltribune.com

1

2

M its u b is h i 9 2 " 3 D H DTV

1

7 g ad g e ts

Look for 3D televi­ sions to start taking off in 2011. It may not be the biggest tele­ vision to hit the market, (Mitsubishi is marketing a 155” OLED TV), but it is one of the largest 3D TVs. While the TV is a rear-projector type television rather than an LED or LCD, it will still offer stunning quality on a screen twice the size of typical big screen televisions.

2

f ------ » |\îf, h „ | MiKHT m a r r a i P ic tu re F r a m e s The eStarling pic­ ture frame is similar to many other digital picture frames on the market, with one notable exception: it has an e-mail address. The picture frame is Wi-Fi enabled and, when con­ nected to a network, can receive images via e-mail and RSS feeds. It then auto­ matically adds the downloaded images to its display loop. The frame could be a great solution for less tech-savvy seniors who want to stay in touch with family, or those who don’t want to swap our flash memory sticks to get new pic­ tures.

W

e b C T

to look for in 2

0

1

1

.

T o u ch screen s E v e ry w h e re While the Acer Iconia dual touchscreen laptop is the not the first of its kind, it is one of the first that seems mainstream bound.

However, there are still numerous issues technologically, meaning it might not hit the market for a few more years.

The laptop offers a traditional screen and another screen in place of the keyboard, both of which are multi-touch en­ abled. The bottom screen is typically used for control, with a keyboard or some other type of system interface.

5

by lain Macdonald

3.

LeP ad Many peo­ ple wouldn’t give up their laptop for an iPad, but they might for a LePad. The gadget is both a tab­ let and a laptop. When used nor­ mally, it opens up like a standard notebook, with a full keyboard, mouse, and modestly powered hardware, but the screen can also be popped out from the case and used as a tablet. With hardware comparable to its main competi­ tor, the LePad could prove to be a serious alternative to the iPad.

q u o t a t io n

o f t h e

W in d o w s P h o n e Four years after the release of the first iPhone, Microsoft has finally realized that developing a smartphone might be a good investment. Look for more and more “Win­ dows Phone 7’s” to appear on the market in 2011, along with their iPhone and Android counterparts. Many of the telecommunications companies will also start moving to 4G wireless in the coming year, promising faster speeds.

6 .

A M D F u s io n While many netbook users might be impressed with eighthour battery potential on modem portables, AMD isn't.

The processor manufacturer plans on taking the term “all-day battery” C h ro m eO S to the next level with its new line of With Google shipping Cr48 ChromeOS notebooks processors, AMD Fusion. The small in a pilot program in late 2010, users can expect to see chip combines several core elements ChromeOS notebooks on the shelves later this year. This of a computer into one tiny package. web-based operating system is unlike most other operating AMD claims the chip will be able to provide more than 10 hours of battery systems. From the instant the user logs on, the experience is in the cloud. life for mid-sized laptops, significant­ Users can purchase web apps from the store, for use on the computer, or use free applications, like Google Documents. ly better than other models.

4.

7.

w e e k

Subject: Final Exam Author: Student l Hey guys, Does anybody know what day our final is? I am using a loaner computer from the library and the PDF won’t load! If you could let me know that would be great. Does anybody want to form a study/reading group to go through some stuff before the test?

Cheers.

Reply

Subject: Final Exam

Our final exam is Dec. 6th at 2 p.m. at BRONFMAN 423 (Ada - Mora) or BRONFMAN 599 (Mori - Zap) Reply

Subject: Final Exam Author: Student l Dec 6 is today... you mean 16?

Reply Subject: Final Exam Author: Student 2 No, it’s today at 2. ! Reply

Subject: Final Exam Author: Student l Damn...

Reply

13

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Campus

Tuesday

Thursday

Activities Night Registration Deadline 5 p.m.

An Independent South Sudan in 2011?

5-7 p.m.

Lev Bukhman Room

Don’t forget to register for a table for Activities Night (January 20). To apply for a table, go to ssmu.mcgill.ca/ activities/activities-nightstable-booking-form/.

The Darfur/Sudan Peace Network is hosting a panel discussion on the recent elections in the Sudan. Speakers include Kyle Matthews, of the Montreal Institute for Genocide Studies, Douglas Proudfoot of Canada’s Sudan Taskforce.

Thursday

Saturday

Shoot for the Cure 6 p.m.

Donald Love Competition Hall

Battle for Charity 5-7 p.m.

Shatner Ballroom

The McGill Martlets will take on the Concordia Sting­ ers in a fundraiser game for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. Two dollars from every ticket sold will go to the foundation, and all attendees are encouraged to wear pink.

Our features editor has gone missing. She has either been hired as the New York Times Cape Town correspondant or eaten by a lion.

Actually, she’s studying abroad.

Do y o u think you can replace her?

Send a cover letter, CV, and three writing samples to editor® mcgilltribune.com Dy Monday, January 1 7 .

Join the Political Science Students’ Association for its annual Battle for Charity, with dozens of bands, a raffle, and much more. Tickets are avail­ able at the SSMU Kiosk and all proceeds go to Montrealbased Head & Hands.

M CG ILLIAN S A FTER M CG ILL

University after university A M cGill alumnus heads back to the classroom, this time as a teacher

By Alastair Morrison Contributor

I remember once, probably as a junior, back in 2006 or 2007, com­ plaining to a friend that I didn’t have opinions or feelings, just clammy analytical observations. The remark embarrasses me now. It’s too obvi­ ously aimed at the implicit expec­ tation of my own English degree flakery. It’s also demonstrably un­ true; I had, then as now, altogether too many opinions. If the comment named anything real at all, it was my anxiety about genre. We’d been asked to write a “reading response” in a poetry class. University doesn’t teach you how to write about your­ self.

That principle in mind, I’ve ransacked other articles in this cat­

egory, looking for a place to start.

The thing that keeps coming up is coffee. Appropriately enough, my habit first became serious as a fresh­ man at McGill, where the residence cafeteria had stinky urns of it, all hours of the day, caffeinating the atmosphere. Beyond its obviously attractive chemical properties, cof­ fee was common culture. It followed me out of rez, and now, to a different city in a different country.

New York has a much more utilitarian stimulant culture. The black stuff isn’t the the solvent against social silences that it was for me in college. Nevertheless, it has a place in my every morning. On a good day, I buy it at 10 a.m. some­ where on the east side of Broadway between 110th and 116th Street, be­ tween my apartment and a campus

half-reminiscent of the one I left in 2008, without the ill-advised brutalist architecture, but also without a mountain.

The coffee follows me into Low Library, named in a poem by Louis Zukofsky, the poet on whom I wrote my honours thesis at McGill, the poet I proposed to study when I ap­ plied here. Zukofsky was an under­ grad at Columbia. He worked and wrote in this building. But it’s no longer an operating library, just as I no longer have anything to say about Louis Zukofsky. I’m here to replace a student card that has stopped swip­ ing.

The coffee, at least, remains constant. Now I bring it to a build­ ing, which is actually a library, where I check emails, mostly from students but including the one which

prompts me later to write this. There will be a meeting with doctoral advi­ sors next week. One student wants me to read his paper before he turns it in. I carry the coffee to my of­ fice hours. Nobody comes (nobody ever comes), so I read, a ceremonial preparation for the distant, rumbling, apocalyptic examination that stands between me and writing my doctoral dissertation. Office hours end far too quickly. By now I’ve finished my coffee.

I eat lunch. An apologetic salad (again, this is a good day) and more coffee. I go over my notes before class, making sure I’m capable my­ self of doing the exercise I wrote the night before for my students. I photocopy the exercise. Learning to work the photocopier was a major and hard-won victory. I climb stairs

to the room where I teach. Some students are there, others still to ar­ rive. I sit on an awkward precipice between engagement and non-en­ gagement, between chatting with these freshmen as though I were one of them, and avoiding “going over my materials.” I remember with ace­ tic clarity how well, or how poorly, every discussion leader managed this time at McGill. Somebody calls me professor. I’m secretly gratified, but I demur identification. I’m an in­ structor, this is my class, but I'm not a professor.

Then class starts. A class in which I teach students how not to write about themselves. University writing isn’t about that, I tell them.

And if you’re like me, you’re never going to leave.

A&E M USIC

Local band makes their mark Toronto’s The Mark Inside promote their sophomore album,

F a lse F la g

By Manisha Aggarwal-Schifellite A&E Editor

If you haven’t been paying at­ tention to Canadian independent music for very long, you may not have heard of the Mark Inside. The Toronto band recently released an EP titled False Flag, its first album in over three years. False Flag is a follow-up to the band’s debut album, 2006’s Static/Crash, released on Ca­ nadian label MapleMusic. Following disagreements with the label over re­ cording and releasing a sophomore album, the band left MapleMusic and took their sound into their own hands.

“We got in touch with Jim Abbiss in England, who produced the Arctic Monkeys,” vocalist and gui­ tarist Chris Levoir says of the band’s change in direction. “ [He] really wanted to focus on how we sound live, and added a lot of subtleties to the recordings.”

After choosing 12 songs to record out of 50 the band brought to Brit­ ain, Abbiss got more involved with the band. “He started a label just to sign us,” Levoir says. “That also prolonged the release of the EP for some time.”

Despite long periods of uncertain­ ty, The Mark Inside has re-emerged with more energy and enthusiasm for recording and performing.

“After this long of us playing to­ gether, we kept at it because we re­ ally do like playing shows,” Levoir says. “As a band, we’ve gotten more into the ethics of writing songs, in­

The Mark Inside gear up for their winter tour and release of their upcoming LP. (chartattack.com) stead of stringing things together.

We’re trying to make real composi­ tions.” The band’s new songwriting and performing style can be seen in the tracks on False Flag and during their explosive live shows. The indie scene in Toronto is different now than it was when the band arrived from surrounding towns seven years ago.

“As it’s gone, it’s been a lot tough­ er to make money playing shows,” Levoir says. “People are able to get really specific in their tastes and only experience the things they al­

ready like.”

But despite such difficulties and changes in the scene, some things have stayed the same. Most impor­ tantly for the Mark Inside, the same group of artists that first migrated to Toronto has remained strong.

“The community is very impor­ tant,” says Levoir, citing local bands Cuff the Duke and Anagram as long­ time friends.

“It’s important to have friends you can socialize with and respect as well.” The influence of these groups can be heard in The Mark Inside’s

aggressive rock sound, combining heavy guitar riffs, introspective lyr­ ics and energetic rhythms that bring the energy of a live show into each song.

That level of respect and friend­ ship has also resulted in more pri­ vate shows in lofts and other small venues. Levoir says that he loves the cheap beer and the intimate environ­ ment you only get in smaller venues.

“You really get to hang out and meet the band. That’s the kind of show we like to play.”

The Mark Inside will be touring in

the upcoming months, and currently enjoying radio play on popular out­ lets like CBC Radio 3. The band is also gearing up for the release of their full-length second album in the spring.

“I think we’ve become more ag­ gressive as a band,” Levoir says.

“We’ve changed the way we de­ scribe ourselves to others. Our focus and enthusiasm is really showing through.”

The Mark Inside plays Le Divan Orange on January 14.

Pop lÿietoric Preserving the art o f Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson was no stranger to controversy. While the man revo­ lutionized the world of pop music through his timeless songs and inno­ vative dance style, he was plagued by an abusive father, a jealous fam­ ily, and claims of child molestation in his adult life. Since his death in 2009, though, most people have chosen to remember him as a pop legend who reshaped the course of music history.

Yet even in death, the proclaimed “King of Pop” could not escape the harsh glare of the media spotlight.

Inquiries into his suspicious death,

financial issues, and the mysterious conceptions of his children domi­ nated headlines for many months following his death. And just when it seemed that most of the world had moved on, it was announced that a new Michael Jackson album, titled Michael, would be released in late 2010. Following the release of This is It, a movie compiled of rehearsal footage for the concert that never happened, the album was touted as an introspective look at the mystery behind Michael Jackson. The ques­ tion can then be raised: Was it ethi­ cal to release a posthumous album of Michael Jackson songs?

As always, there are two sides to this story. One side claims that Jackson would have released these songs anyway; that sales of a new album would greatly benefit the children

he left behind; and that, most impor­ tantly, this is what fans wanted. The contributors to his album defended its release, claiming that many of the songs were nearly ready for cir­ culation. Lastly, let’s not forget how some people—say, Akon—claim that this album only helps to keep Jackson’s legacy alive. It went to the top of the charts soon after its release, and isn’t that exactly what Jackson would have wanted?

Despite these admittedly valid points, it isn’t a stretch to call this album a cash grab by people who didn’t really care about Jackson’s legacy. Jackson had always been a perfectionist with his music, and to release an album posthumously that wasn’t given the final once-over by the man himself not only screams pure greed, but also disrespect. With

all the media attention Jackson faced in both life and death, as well as the overall financial success of a con­ cert movie and DVD (other Jackson products that have faced some back­ lash), it was no surprise that Sony took advantage of their collection of unreleased tracks. And while the album has sold moderately well, it has also faced some poor reviews, reinforcing the fact that Jackson would never have wanted to release these unfinished and unpolished songs.

This is It, the movie (and even­ tual DVD) of Jackson’s rehearsal footage for the concert that was cancelled following his death, met some criticism as well. Would Mi­ chael Jackson, a renowned stickler for perfection, have wanted his fans to see him rehearse? The concert

itself was a hard pill for some fans to swallow, as they saw Jackson as being too frail for the concert in gen­ eral but being forced to go through with performing due to money prob­ lems and pressures from Sony and AEG. However, at the very least the film was a heartwarming tribute to the icon; according to many critics, the Michael album only feels rushed and incomplete, something the pop star would have been disinclined to release. Say what you will about Mi­ chael Jackson and his dubious life­ style, the release of Michael is just another case of money running the show.

—Liya Adessky

15

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

H o l id a y M o v ie s ix R e v ie w

True Grit Even if you’re not generally a Coen Brothers fan, True Grit is a must-see. The directing duo’s latest film stars Jeff Bridges, Matt Damon, and Josh Brolin and in­ troduces 14-year-old Hailee Steinfeld as Mattie Ross, the narrator of the Western. When Mattie’s father is killed by villain Tom Chaney (Brolin), she hires U.S. Marshal Rooster Cogbum (Bridges) to track him down and avenge her father. Texas Ranger LaBoeuf (Damon)—pronounced humor­ ously as Le Beef—is also on the hunt for Chaney. Although True

Many o f the film s th at will b e con ­ tending in this year's A cadem y Awards were released during the holi­ day season. For this reason, we bring you a rundown o f the best m ovies fr o m D ecem b er 2 0 1 0 th at you should b e sure to catch in theatres before sch ool starts taking over.

The Tempest Modem adaptations of Shakespeare often face a dilemma: to remain true to the original play or to adapt the story for a modem audience? While adaptations like 10 Things I Hate About You and She’s The Man have taken the “modem” to the ex­ treme, the visionary Julie' Taymor leaves the latest adaptation of The Tempest in its proper 17th cen­ tury context, but artfully manipulates its themes to raise questions that are more timeless.

In Shakespeare’s play, Prospero, the former Duke of Naples, is banished from the kingdom by his brother and exiled to a remote island with his young daughter, Miranda. A skilled sorcerer, Pros­ pero is able to exploit the natural resources of the island—including a deformed creature named Cal­ iban, and Ariel, an ambiguously formed spirit who creates the tempest that shipwrecks the Duke and his fellow courtiers on the island. With the traitors now stranded, Prospero can at last exact revenge.

In Taymor’s version, Prospero is Prqspera—a ruthless female figure (played by the alwaysdomineering Helen Mirren) who must negotiate between acting as a strong model for her daughter, and realizing her long-fantasized revenge. By posi­ tioning the character of Prospero as a woman, Tay­ mor subtly reclaims the female experience; after all, a 17th century woman practicing magic would likely have been persecuted for witchcraft. Simi­ larly, by casting African actor Djimon Hansou as the morally ambiguous Caliban, Taymor enlivens the inherently colonialist subtext of Shakespeare’s play. The Tempest is a fresh look at a classic play that exposes issues of race and gender with which we continue to grapple.

—Brahna Siegelberg

aceshowbiz.com

Grit was snubbed at the Golden Globes, it has far surpassed the Coens’ 2007 “No Country For Old Men” in box office revenue, and the buzz has only increased as Oscar season starts. A master­ ful reimagining of the 1969 orig­ inal—which starred John Wayne as Bridges’s character—the film, along with its many talented ac­ tors, is sure to win some Oscar gold. Be sure to get your cowboy boots on before catching it in the­ atres, ‘cause this one’s got some kickback.

—Alex Shiri

movies.ign.com

Tangled Although some have objected to the latest Disney flick’s name, Tangled is more than a movie about a girl with extra-long hair.

It re-imagines the classic fairy tale “Rapunzel” by following the princess on her first day out of the tower. The film switches up the tried and true princess story by reversing stereotypes, featuring cupcake baking pirates, a scoun­ drel for a love interest, and an un­ expected twist.

As the voice of Rapunzel, Mandy Moore is enchanting yet relatable; she’s simultaneously anxious and creative, restless and hopelessly indecisive. Her relationship with bad boy Flynne (Zachary Levi) is heartwarming, heartbreaking, and

strikingly modem. Tangled also moves beyond traditional Dis­ ney artistry with its breathtaking animation and influence from the Rococo painting “The Swing,” which harkens back to the Golden Age of Disney when backgrounds were painted by hand in rich oils.

However, the use of 3D lends splash of realism to backgrounds, characters, and swashbuckling scenes. The animation featured in Tangled mirrors the movie’s greatest strength: the ability to be old yet new again. It brings you back to the good old days of Dis­ ney on VHS, while taking a solid step into the 21st century.

—Emma Hambly diggapic.com

The Fighter

indiegeniusprod.com

David Russell’s The Fighter is based on the true story of a strug­ gling boxer and his colourful fam­ ily. Starring Mark Wahlberg as upand-coming fighter Micky Ward, the film centres on Micky’s strug­ gle to make it in the ring, while surrounded by his trainer and halfbrother Dicky (Christian Bale), and his domineering mother and countless sisters. Fed up with his constant losses in the ring, Micky leaves his family behind for a more professional training regime, with the help of his girlfriend Charlene (Amy Adams). As Micky pulls away from his family, his brother Dicky, a one-time hometown hero who constantly touts his former

glory, becomes increasingly unreli­ able and falls deeper into his crack addiction and criminal tendencies.

Wahlberg easily endears audiences who are eager to see the conclu­ sion to Micky’s story, and Bale as his washed-up brother shows his chops and versatility as an actor.

Adams’s Charlene is also a force to be reckoned with, as demonstrated in scenes of harsh exchanges with Micky’s mother and sisters. Over­ all, the combination of impressive acting, authenticity and detail, and high entertainment value make The Fighter a film that will impress at the Oscars this year.

—Lane Cameron

16

Curiosity Delivers - mcgilltribune.com

The King’s Speech

Black Swan Darren Aronofsky’s Black Swan, likely to be a strong Oscar contender, was one of 2010’s most exciting films. A psychological thriller set in the dramatic world of ballet, the film stars Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers, a tortured ballerina on her descent into madness after winning the star role in a production of “Swan Lake.” The film is smart and sexy, showcasing Portman’s incredible talent. Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, and Barbara Hershey round out the stellar cast. The film also contains elements of a sexual thriller. Portman plays a shy, timid dancer who becomes mentally and physically corrupted by her new role in a premiere ballet company with an overtly sexual director, played by Vincent Cassel. Kunis is the beautiful temptress who stands to take Portman’s place if she falters, and Hershey plays Portman’s mother, an overly protective and frightening woman with hints of an incestuous crush on her daughter. The film highlights the darker side of the dance world. Without being too cliché, Aronofsky crafts a stylish and haunting fishbowl of passion and cutthroat competition that finds its protagonist losing her sanity to the art form to which she has dedicated her life. The film challenges the audience to toe the line between reality and total madness, guessing which parts of the film are genuine and which are only happening in Nina’s head. Abandon all hopes for a storyline that makes much sense, and go see Black Swan for its twisted beauty.

—Liya Adessky

The King’s Speech has garnered considerable Oscar buzz since its release in December, and not without merit. The film is one of the most compelling of the year, and has been com­ manding audiences with an interesting storyline, superb acting, and beautiful cinematography.

The King’s Speech follows the Duke of York (“Bertie” for short) who unexpectedly assumes the throne following the abdication of his older brother Edward, and must overcome his fear of pubic speaking resulting from his debilitating stutter. The film follows Bertie (Colin Firth), as he navigates the rigid boundaries of royal life in the years leading up to his coronation and the onset of the Second World War. It centres on the relationship between the King (known as Prince Albert prior to his coronation) and his eccentric speech therapist Lionel Logue (Geof­ frey Rush), whose unconventional treatment methods push Bertie to go deeper into his person­ al history and childhood experiences to determine the real reason for his speech impediment.

The King’s Speech depicts British history from a unique perspective, with director Tom Hooper focusing on the personal relationships and royal family dynamics that are often mocked or ignored in films about the monarchy. Firth, Rush, and Helena Bonham Carter as Bertie’s wife, Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon, bring this personal story to life, and supporting cast members Guy Pearce and Michael Gambon add depth to Bertie’s brother and father who have stifled Bertie for the majority of his life. The film is also aesthetically pleasing; the cinema­ tography and set design are rich with depth and colour and show the stark contrast between royal and common life in the Great Depression. The King '.vSpeech is a memorable portrayal of a reluctant king, whose perseverance in overcoming personal obstacles was essential to his status as a beloved historical figure in wartime Britain.

—Manisha Aggarwal-Schifellite

aceshowbiz.com

ACTIVITIES NIGHT JANUARY : 4-8PM UNIVERSI TY CENTRE ( S HAT NE R BU1L D1NG) 3480 McTA VISH STREET 2

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---------------------- S p o r t s ---------------------BA SKETBA LL— M C G ILL 76 , M AINE AT FO RT KEN T 49

Redmen send Bengals back home with tails between legs Big third quarter breaks the game open; zone defence shuts down Bengals penetration

By Sam Hunter Sports Editor

McGill’s Olivier Bouchard curls off a screen, sets his feet for an in­ stant, rises up, and, with a flick of his wrist, sends the ball sailing through the cylinder. That’s the image seared in defenders’ minds after Sunday’s game against the University of Maine at Fort Kent Bengals, which McGill won 76-49. Diminutive in height alone, Bouchard, McGill’s 5’ 10” starting point guard knocked down four of six three-pointers and shot eight for 10 overall, diving through the trees in the paint and launching floaters that arced just out of reach of the waiting Bengals.

Bouchard established himself early as a one-man onslaught, scor­ ing McGill’s first eight points in both the first and the second half. In between, he showed his versatility by getting his teammates involved, with 10 McGill players scoring for the game. The balanced scoring, ex­ ceptional zone defence, and a domi­ nant third quarter propelled the Redmen to a comfortable win.

In a turnover-heavy gameMcGill finished with 20, UMFK 22. The first quarter was still excep­ tional: McGill coughed up the rock a whopping seven times in the face of the Bengals’ press defence.

“We haven’t done our press break [the last couple days in prac­

tice] so we weren’t ready for their press,” said Head Coach David DeAveiro. “Once we started run­ ning our press break we were fine.

That’s still something we’ve got to stop doing; we turn the ball over too much.”

Bouchard had a different opin­ ion. “We just woke up. We were lit­ erally asleep when they started run­ ning their press,” he said.

The Bengals led 16-10 with a minute and a half remaining in the first quarter, but mental errors allowed McGill to get back into the game. First, on a long rebound from a missed three-pointer, McGill forward Michael White was able to snag the offensive rebound and convert to cut the lead to four. After the Bengals bricked two free throws with 35 seconds left, McGill’s David McMurty drew a foul while shooting a three-pointer, making two of three attempts from the line. Finally, after a turnover by the Bengals, Simon Bibeau was inexplicably fouled, and made both shots to tie the game.

Bibeau then poked the ball loose as UMFK attempted to put up a shot at the buzzer, maintaining the tie.

“I do take a lot of pride in those hustle plays: trying to get deflec­ tions, getting rebounds—I think I’m a more complete player when I do all that,” said Bibeau. “And obviously I try to score at the same time.”

In the third quarter, McGill

The Redmen followed Bouchard’s lead to a 2 7 -point walloping of the Bengals. (Alice Walker / McGill Tribune) tightened the screws defensively and held their opponents scoreless for seven and a half minutes, handily winning the quarter 25-10 and effec­ tively putting the game out of reach.

The Bengals were vocally frus­ trated with the officiating, particular­ ly when a number of close blocking and charging calls went in favour of the Redmen.

Late in the third, tensions boiled over. After McGill drew a touch foul for two free throws on one end, the Bengals’ Manny Odughela

was called for a travelling violation when he attempted to spin through traffic on his way to the basket.

UMFK Head Coach Eric Wemtgen seemed unperturbed at first, but took both hands and gestured, towards no one in particular, two thumbs down.

The refs took exception, or saw an opportunity to reassert control of the game, and quickly T’d him up. How­ ever, as Wemtgen quickly explained, the two thumbs down gesture is the UMFK signal to trap the ball carrier.

The technical foul was rescinded.

Last week’s male player of the week, Kyle Bernard, didn’t see much court time against the Bengals.

“He hurt his knee in practice.

He probably shouldn’t have played because he didn’t practice for three days but he said he wanted to try it out,” said DeAveiro. “ So this was like a test run for him.”

The Redmen play at home next against the Concordia Stingers this Thursday January 13. The Stingers beat McGill 72-68 in their last meet­ ing on November 26.

T H IR D MAX IN Get o ff my bandwagon; a guide to picking the right team for the N FL playoffs

No one likes a bandwagon jumper, but with the NFL playoffs underway, this unfortunate group of individuals is growing. The trend culminates on Super Bowl Sunday when everyone and their grandmoth­ ers latch onto one of the remaining survivors and becomes a die hard fan for the day. This upsets those of us who put in blood, sweat, and tears every Sunday from September to January. Bandwagon jumpers take away some of the glory we deserve to enjoy by claiming it for them­ selves.

This phenomenon has perturbed me all my life. Some jumpers are widows of teams who have already been eliminated from playoff con­

tention, while others are just catch­ lis, Pittsburgh. (Baltimore’s in their ing on to the sport. Should these 10th year, but no one really remem­ people be forbidden from choosing a bers the Trent Dilfer days, so they side? No. But they can’t choose just get a pass).

2) The team should have any team. Here are my guidelines for choosing a bandwagon to jump chance to win. It’s admirable to onto, as well as some recommenda­ cheer for the underdog, and many tions on who to choose in this year’s of us will inevitably find ourselves doing so, this tactic sets you up for NFL playoffs: failure. Similar to how everyone 1) The team can’t be too good.

The team can’t have won a Super hates success leeches, no one likes Bowl in the last 10 years. The most a nomad. You can’t hop from team insufferable fans are those who grav­ to team as your underdog picks con­ itate towards the winners. I’ve been tinue to lose until finally you land on accused of this as a Red Sox and one who wins. You didn’t pick that Patriots fan who doesn’t hail from team, you stumbled onto it. Pick a Boston, but my fandom stems from team and stick with it. This year we roots that don’t include the fact that get a new scenario, which will hope­ these teams have become two of the fully be rectified by the NFL: you more successful in their respective may not, under any circumstance, leagues. It’s more fun to see teams cheer for a team with a losing re­ from outside the usual order come cord that backed into the playoffs. in and crash the party. Don’t join the They do not deserve the spotlight or crowd on a successful team’s band­ your support. If you’re a real fan of wagon; let their fans enjoy their suc­ a mammoth underdog, good luck. If cess while it lasts. Eliminated: New you aren’t, stay away. Eliminated: Orleans, New England, Indianapo­ Seattle, Kansas City.

and Philadelphia Eagles. From here 3) Everyone likes a story. Sto­ ries are fun, and in the 24/7 sports it all comes down to personal pref­ media environment, you can be sure erence. It’s perfectly acceptable to that every single storyline has been choose one of these teams because uncovered by the time the players you like their jerseys or a certain a hit the field. Bandwagon fans should player, just don’t look at the scoreseek out positive stories, like star board and go by who’s winning. This players overcoming adversity (Mi­ decision requires some thought.

Choosing a team is an impor­ chael Vick), but should also stay tant undertaking, but if you want to away from negative stories like play­ blend in when watching the playoffs ers who have spent time in jail (Mi­ with your friends, it’s best not to chael Vick), and teams overhyped upset anyone.

Don’t cheer against by television specials (the Jets). The your friends’ teams out of spite.

Fol­ Rex Ryan hoopla is a negative story, while I’ll leave judgment of Vick low the rules and you’ll be fine. I and the Eagles up to you. Go for the can make exceptions if you happen storybook ending; no one likes it to come from a city or if your fam­ when the bad guys win. Eliminated: ily has cheered for a particular team New York Jets, Philadelphia (if you for eternity, but if you don’t fall into can’t forgive past sins. If you can, these categories, jump on the proper bandwagon. Let the real fans enjoy the Eagles are fine).

We now have three simple rules their teams’ success and cheer re­ with a couple of judgment calls. If sponsibly. you follow them you will find your­ —Adam Sadinsky self left with a choice between the Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Pack­ ers, Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons,

Curiosity Delivers, www.mcgilltribune.com

1 8 — H O C KEY— M C G ILL 5, OTTAW A 1

McGill rallies from early deficit to easily defeat Ottawa Martlets score five unanswered goals and extend Q U H L winning streak to 92 games

By Walker Kitchens Sports Editor

The McGill Martlets found themselves in unfamiliar territory after the Ottawa Gee-Gees scored a goal 81 seconds into Friday night’s game at McConnell Arena. Despite the initial setback, things settled down as the Martlets rallied to win 5-1 and extend their Quebec Univer­ sity Hockey League winning streak to an incredible 92 games.

“I thought it maybe took a cou­ ple of shifts for us to get our [com­ posure] back [after the goal],” said Martlets Head Coach Peter Smith.

“When something like that happens, its hard to avoid putting yourself on your heels a little. But I didn’t think it was a huge issue, I thought we regrouped quickly and had a pretty good first period. We had four or five glorious chances to score in the first and we did a pretty good job of re­ covering after the [tough] start.”

McGill dominated the game after the first couple minutes, outshooting the Gee-Gees 18-6 and gen­ erating numerous scoring chances in the first period. In spite of the Mar­ tlets’ pressure, only Katia ClementHeydra was the only McGill player able to score and the first period ended tied at 1-1.

The game remained tied for most of the second period until

After allowing a goal 81 seconds into the game, McGill dominated Ottawa and out-shot them 4 5 -14 . (Adam Scotti / McGill Tribune) Martets sniper Ann-Sophie Bettez scored a power play goal with 27 seconds left to put McGill ahead for good. The goal was Bettez’s seventh of the season.

Led by Captain Cathy Char-

The past year was filled with many m em orable sporting moments.

With the arrival o f the New Year, it is time to reflect on what went right and what went wrong in the wild world o f sports in 2010.

2010 was an incredibly disap­ pointing year in sports. It wasn’t just because all my favourite teams were awful—when you cheer for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Toronto Raptors, Toronto Blue Jays, and San Francisco 49ers, every year ends in disappointment. Rather, I was frus­ trated that the arrogant, greedy, and overall stupid actions by certain ath­ letes overshadowed the incredible

performances that occurred during the past year.

Yahoo! Sports named LeBron James’ decision to leave Cleveland and “take his talents to South Beach” as the Story of the Year in 2010. It’s hard to argue with that, since nearly 10 million people tuned in to watch his televised decision that instantly turned him from one of the most loved to one of the most hated ath­

trand, McGill continued to charge ahead in the third period. After set­ ting up the first two goals of the game, Chartrand scored 10 minutes into the third. With a goal and two assists on the night, Chartrand now

has six goals and 14 points in 11 games which leads all CIS defend­ ers.

“The number one thing that she [Chartrand] brings to our team is leadership,” said Smith. “She’s

letes in North America. Six months later, people are still talking about it. It was the hubris of King James and his total lack of awareness of how selfish and unsympathetic his prime time “screw you” to the city of Cleveland really was that made the event so attention-grabbing.

It’s depressing that in a year in which Spain won an. incredible World Cup, the Canadian Olympic team put on an epic performance on home soil that was highlighted by Sidney Crosby’s gold medal win­ ning goal, the Saints brought a Super Bowl to New Orleans, the L.A. Lak­ ers defeated the Boston Celtics in an amazing NBA Final, the Butler Bull­ dogs came one half-court shot away from shocking the world and win­ ning the NCAA Basketball Champi­ onship, and the San Francisco Giants were one of the most unexpected World Series Champions in years, the most memorable story was about an overpaid, arrogant, and attention­ seeking basketball player switching teams.

But what’s even more disap­ pointing is that LeBron’s decision was just one of many demonstra­ tions of idioticity. 2010 seemed to mark the apex of arrogance and ig­

norance in professional sports.

Don’t believe me? Consider the Washington Redskins running back Clinton Portis. In September, Portis was asked to comment about the al­ legations that members of the New York Jets had harassed a female re­ porter while she was interviewing them in their locker room. Portis in­ explicably began to defend the Jets players and attack the credibility and professionalism of all female report­ ers.

“I think you put women report­ ers in the locker room,” Portis said, “and you sit in the locker room with 53 guys, and all of the sudden you see a nice woman in the locker room, I think men are going to tend to turn and look and want to say something to that woman ... And I mean, you put a woman and you give her a choice of 53 athletes, somebody got to be appealing to her. You know, somebody got to spark her inter­ est, or she’s gonna want somebody.

I don’t know what kind of woman won’t, if you get to go and look at 53 men’s packages.”

Unfortunately, Portis wasn’t the only football player to act so arrogantly. After retiring and then un-retiring for the third consecutive

a hard worker, she competes every time out. I think the leadership she brings to the team is tremendous.

She holds the other girls account­ able—she works her butt off on and off the ice. She’s just a real joy to coach.”

Chartrand wasn’t the only McGill standout player. Alessandra Lind-Kenny and Carly Hill scored the other two Martlets goals and goaltender Charline Labonte stopped 13 of 14 shots to improve to 9-0 on the season. As a team, the Martlets out-shot the Gee-Gees 45-14.

Not only is McGill’s QUHL winning streak now at 92 games but the win marked the 29th consecu­ tive victory over Ottawa. Despite the amazing winning streak, Smith insists that the team is not concerned with it.

“I don’t think I’ve ever talked to the team about the streak,” he said. “I know it’s a cliché to say we take it one game at a time, but that’s what we do. We work hard on all the good things in our game and we are a very process orientated group. The streak part doesn’t come into play.”

McGill has a couple weeks off before their next game. The Martlets will play the University of Montreal at 1 p.m. on January 23 at McConnell Arena, where they will try to extend the winning streak that everyone is talking about but them.

season, which is outrageous in itself, Brett Favre was alleged to have sent pictures of his package to football sideline reporter Jen Serger. Ben Roethlisberger was accused of sexu­ ally assaulting a woman in a wash­ room of a college bar. In the NHL, Calgary Flames rookie Brett Sutter drunkenly and randomly punched a cabbie. Francisco Rodriguez, the closer for the NY Mets, punched his girlfriend’s father after a game and tore a ligament in his thumb during the incident that ended his season.

Gilbert Arenas brought multiple guns into the Washington Wizards’ locker room.

I understand that these stories are not representative of every ath­ lete. There are many athletes who are incredible role models for everyone.

But, it seems as though the number of stories about athletes acting like morons multiply yearly. Where can you find such a ridiculous, foolish, and awful collection of actions other than the sporting world? Hopefully the trend won’t continue in 2011.

— Walker Kitchens

▼

19

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Sports in Brief

BOOK REVIEW

Wilt the Stilt walks again FreeDarko captures the spirit and style of the NBA’s history

By Sam Hunter Sports Editor

A collective of writers and art­ ists known as “FreeDarko” rose to cult Internet fame with their essays promoting the concept of “liberated fandom” that is the idea that the modem basketball fan didn’t need to restrict him or herself to a single franchise but could, instead, enjoy the wide array of individuals that made up those teams. To that effect, the group released its first book in 2008, entitled FreeDarko Presents: The Macrophenomenal Pro Basket­ ball Almanac, focusing on “styles, stats, and stars in today’s game.”

Their sophomore book takes their individual-centric approach and ap­ plies it to the game’s history.

The last couple years have been good for basketball history fans, as almost exactly a year after Bill Sim­ mons’s epic The Book of Basketball, FreeDarko’s shorter, but no less am­ bitious entry, The Undisputed Guide to Pro Basketball History, hit book­ store shelves.

Comparing the two is like ap­ ples and oranges. One was written

by a sports celebrity, famous for his up-to-the-minute pop culture refer­ ences, and 1,000 words a minute output, while the other was written by a group of basketball intelligen­ tsia who you would more likely find alluding to Proust than Jersey Shore, or making graphs that chart the rise and fall of the “fast-break renais­ sance” by looking at the success of the 2000-2008 Kings, Mavs, and Suns.

What drew me initially to this book is just how aesthetically pleas­ ing it is. Designed by Josh Weinstein, the full colour illustrations alone make the book worth the price. They range from a literal interpretation of Red Auerbach’s green Celtic ma­ chine (replete with Red lighting and a victory cigar) to members of the 1970s Knicks playing basketball— Godzilla-like—through a New York City skyline composed of newspa­ per headlines about the team.

The prose, though not as good as the pictures, is also compelling.

Unlike many sportswriters, the people behind FreeDarko are welleducated, cultured, and not afraid to show it. This leads to some unusual

analogies, but offers relief from the cliché-ridden dense writing that you can find daily on ESPN. My favourite chapter is called, “Loud, fat, and gifted,” which de­ tails the career of, you guessed it, Charles Barkley. The accompanying illustration is a city block-sized Sir Charles float, looking even rounder than he ever has before, even in his announcing days.

The only negative thing about the book is that because its authors are smart, and know it, the writing comes across a bit pretentious at times. There’s a reason that Free­ Darko is considered the hipster basketball blog on the Internet, but don’t let that scare you away.

While the book doesn’t belong alongside David Halberstam’s The Breaks of the Game as an all-time greats, it’s a unique book in what has become a boring and orthodox genre.

The Undisputed Guide to Pro Bas­ ketball History is published by Bloomsbury US and is available at Amazon.cafor $19.53

B ask etb all M artlets hoping to score a slam dun k again st b re ast can cer with T h u rs­ d a y ’s charity gam e

This Thursday night, the McGill Martlets will take on their local rivals, the Concordia Stingers, in their first ever fundraiser game for the Quebec Breast Cancer Foun­ dation. The “Shoot for the Cure” event aims to raise between $1,500 and $2,500 for the cause.

The game is part of a larger initiative by the Women’s Basket­ ball Coaches Association (WBCA).

This is the fourth year of the effort, which has raised over $200,000 for the fight against breast cancer.

“I believe this is a great way for us to use our sport as a tool to increase awareness about a disease that will one day impact the lives of these young women in one way or another,” said Martlets Head Coach Ryan Thome.

“The WBCA goal this year is $100,000 and with every team in the CIS participating, that makes [McGill’s] fundraising goal roughly $2,500. All the players have been

working, soliciting donations from friends and family, and the Intercol­ legiate department will also be doing their part by accepting donations at the door and matching what we raise to a maximum of $500. Concordia will be our opponent on Thursday, but together we will be using this game to battle a common foe.”

Ribbons will be available to donors and two dollars from every ticket sold will go to the Quebec Breast Cancer Foundation. Fans are encouraged to wear pink. The event is scheduled to start at 6:00pm on Thursday, January 13 at Don­ ald Love Competition Hall of the McGill Athletics Complex.

McGill’s very own a capella group Tonal Ecstasy will contrib­ ute a special halftime performance: McGill Athletics would like to ex­ tend a special invitation to breast cancer survivors along with a guest to attend the event free of charge.

Reservations can be made by email­ ing Alyson McPhee at alyson. mcphee@mcgill.ca.

—Mari Mesri

LEADERSHIP TRAINING PROGRAM Leadership Skills Development Workshops

Leadership

J r McGill Leadership Training Program First-Year Office

•In terested in gaining skills in leadership?

• Involved in a student club, service or organization as an executive, organizer or event planner?

•Looking for w ays to e x p an d & build on your life skills?

If the answer is ‘yes’ to any of the above, then don’t miss this opportunity to sign up for the Leadership Training Program's FREE Skills Developm ent W orkshops!

These workshops w ere created to give you the chance to develop and build on your leadership and life skills. Attend a minimum of five workshops throughout 2 0 1 0 /1 1 academ ic y e a r and receive a certificate of completion.

T h is J a n u a r y , co m e a n d ch eck o ut...

Conflict Resolution Wednesday, Janu ary 19, 5:30-7:30pm (Downtown campus) Conflict happens in all organizations but do you know how to handle it? Learn how to navigate difficult situations without making them worse - or ignoring them when they should be addressed.

Indigenous Lead ership and

L IV E IN C O N C E R T -

January 20th8:00pm Petit Campus # 57, Rue Prince-Arthur Est - Montreal, QC "T

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Lead ership Skills Thursday, Janu ary 27, 5:30-7:30pm (Downtown campus) There is a wealth of wisdom and distinct insights about leadership and leader­ ship skills that can be found in indigenous cultures that can deeply enhance one's understanding and awareness. Enrich your own journey to being an inclusive and inspiring leader through this workshop.

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R e g istra tio n n o w a v a ila b le v ia M in e rv a!

To access the site and/or see a complete list of workshops offered this semester, go to our website at:

www.mcgill.ca/firstyear/leadertraining/ For more info, drop by the First-Year Office in the Brown Building, Suite 2100, or call 514-398-6913

TICKETS AVAILABLE ATWWW.EVENTFUL.COM

A BUG’S LIFE