Volume 47, Issue 10 by The Medium

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 010 Volume 47 November 23 2020

themedium.ca

WINTER 2021 RETURN

DIWALI FIREWORKS

ZOOM DYSMORPHIA

On November 20, University of Toronto President Meric Gertler made some major announcements regarding the winter 2021 semester in a letter addressed to the U of T community.

Watching the shimmering streams of colourful sparks falling off firecrackers with friends and family is the highlight of Indians celebrating Diwali all over the world.

>> WINTER continued on page 02

>> DIWALI continued on page 05

Since all university classes shifted online, most students are spending hours each day on Zoom. Many are also working from home. Overall, there has been a huge increase in the time we spend staring at our faces on screen as we talk, smile, or even just sit and listen to others. >> ZOOM continued on page 11

NEWS

U of T’s Adams Sustainability Celebration embraces climate action Isik Vera Senel News Editor

n November 17, UTM Professor Shashi Kant hosted a live panel discussion focused on the new campus Sustainability Strategic Plan. This panel was a part of the six live panel discussions organized by the University of Toronto’s sustainability office for its ongoing sustainability celebration. >> SUSTAINABILITY continued on page 02

COMMENT

ARTS

The life cycle of memes as cultural artifacts

Antigone Now: How a 2000-YearOld Story Comes Full Circle

never gonna give you up never gonna let you down

Aya Yafaoui Comment Editor

Hana Khan Staff Writer

emes can be funny, wholesome, political, dark, offensive, niche, universal, or a combination of all these types. In fact, meme types are as varied and unique as jokes because internet memes are, at their core, an inside joke for a community. The size of that community differs greatly, and some memes are able to permeate through to multiple communities and go mainstream. The life cycle of a meme is contingent on the community as well. Memes are created, shared, reach the mainstream (go viral), get recycled, die, and are resurrected because of how communities make, share, and use those memes. The important fact is that memes are nothing without the context from which they emerge, evolve, and die. There is a widely held belief on the internet that once a meme has a think piece written about it, it is considered dead. Essentially, when the meme reaches a critical mass that catches the attention of writers and compels them to produce analyses about the meme, the meme loses its appeal as a joke because jokes aren’t funny when you explain them. However, this notion of thinking about and perceiving memes as just an internet joke that is shallow and not indicative of a wider social or cultural phenomenon is reductionist. It is also used as a shield for those who use memes to attack or offend other communities since they can laugh it off as a harmless joke. >> MEME continued on page 04

s the blue night lifts and the sun peeks over the rubble and dustcovered hills, Ismene stands alone, weeping. “I cannot resist life,” she pleads with the shadow of her sister. This is the heart-wrenching ending of Antigone Now, in which we see Ismene weep for her fallen brothers, Polynices and Eteocles, and her late sister, Antigone, all of whom won’t see the brassy gold sunrise again. Written by the award-winning playwright Melissa Cooper, Antigone Now is a modern theatrical adaptation of Sophocles’ infamous Greek tragedy. The ancient story follows our headstrong protagonist, Antigone, who must survive living in the war-torn country of Thebes. After her brothers die on the battlefield, her uncle, Creon, assumes the vacant throne. Creon’s first law as King prevents the burial of Antigone’s brother, Polynices, who sent enemy troops into Thebes and betrayed his land. Despite her uncle’s law, Antigone is determined to lay her brother to rest. Her personality, combined with the love for her brother, drives her to act against the state and risk execution. >> ANTIGONE continued on page 09

NEWS

Winter term will begin a week later than planned Isik Vera Senel News Editor >> WINTER continued from page 01 The most significant change was made to the term start date which has been delayed by a week from January 4, to January 11, 2021. This recent development will impact students in both undergraduate and graduate studies. However, in order to avoid further administrative complications, staff-appointed employees are required to resume their work on January 4, as initially scheduled. These individuals will be granted three supplementary paid days off, which can be used individually or consecutively at any time—with managerial approval—from November 23, 2020, until August 31, 2021. The human resources website states that these days off referred to as “staff wellness days,” can be taken for any reason and employees will not be required to disclose why they wish to use them. “The Covid-19 pandemic has been a very stressful time for our entire community,” states the division of human resources and equity. “Granting three paid staff wellness days demonstrates our gratitude to our staff for their incredible efforts and resilience during 2020 and provides them with time

to either rest or focus on activities that enhance their own or their family’s wellness.” It is important to note that the change in the start date of the winter term and the implementation of staff wellness days will not influence employees “who have an appointment in a course” with CUPE 3902 Unit One or Unit Three contracts. Some professional programs also require students to return to their studies on January 4 due to program time constraints. “The pandemic will be with us for some time, and we will continue to face periods of heightened stress and discouragement,” read Gertler’s letter. “But the U of T community has shown itself to be wonderfully adaptable and resilient.” Students are encouraged to consult the UTogether website for additional information and faculty-specific details. Similarly, President Gertler directs faculty and staff to examine the Human Resources and Equity website for a more detailed explanation of the university’s response to Covid-19 and its impacts on employees. “The spirit of dedication and collaboration that has brought us this far will continue to carry us forward,” stated Gertler. “And while we appreciate the enormous challenges in developing and delivering a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine, we can nonetheless take heart in the very promising recent news on that crucial front.”

Editor | Isik Vera Senel news@themedium.ca

U of T celebrates sustainability and climate action The Tri-Campus Adams Sustainability Celebration will end on January 21, 2021. Isik Vera Senel News Editor >> SUSTAINABILITY continued from page 01 The Tri-Campus Adams Sustainability Celebration is a four-month-long occasion made up of a variety of events and panels centered around environmental activism and awareness. The celebration began on September 22 and is scheduled to continue until January 21, 2021. Professor Kant, program director for the master’s of science in sustainability management (MScSM), is a leading figure in the UTM community and has received international acclaim for his sustainability advancements. In 2018, Kant was awarded the highest honour in the province, the Order of Ontario, which was given to him by Elizabeth Dowdeswell, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario. “You can make your plans, but nobody ever reads them,” stated Kant in an interview with UTM News. “But this is a high priority for us, and it is a unique plan for U of T, to foster a culture of sustainability at UTM.”

The panel discussion featured three other notable UTM community figures. Amrita Daniere, vice-principal, academic and dean; Saher Fazilat, chief administrative officer; and Beverly Ayeni, sustainability manager for the campus utilities infrastructure division’s strategic initiatives.

Universities in Canada have a crucial role to play in helping to meet the very pressing global challenge of climate change to work toward a sustainable, healthy, and more prosperous future. In his video announcement regarding the sustainability celebration, U of T President Meric Gertler emphasized the significance of environmental awareness and its impacts on the university. >> SUSTAINABILITY continued on page 03

03 >> SUSTAINABILITY continued from page 02 “This virtual series is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and mobilize our growing community of sustainability-minded students, staff, and faculty members at U of T,” stated Gertler. “It is also a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate our successes to date and inspire new activities, to build networks across our three campuses, and to work together to increase engagement around sustainability.” Gertler also went on to discuss U of T’s role in large-scale international initiatives surrounding climate action and how the administration has been working toward advancing its already established position as a sustainable and climate-conscious institution. “U of T has taken a leadership role in our involvement with UC3 and the U7+ Alliance, among other international initiatives,” continued Gertler. “In keeping with the [United Nations’] Sustainable Development Goals,

our approach addresses both environmental and human well-being, and is realized through research and innovation, academic programs, community engagement and initiatives related to our own operations.” President Gertler pointed out university administrations’ responsibilities across the nation regarding sustainability and ensuring a healthy world for future generations. “Universities in Canada have a crucial role to play in helping to meet the very pressing global challenge of climate change and to work toward a sustainable, healthy, and more prosperous future.” The Adams Sustainability Celebration will continue until the award ceremony on January 21, 2021. The next live panel discussions are scheduled for December 1 and January 12. In addition to the panel sessions, students are encouraged to participate in the virtual showcases and the student group exhibits. For more information on the events, visit the Committee on the Environment, Climate Change, and Sustainability (CECCS) website.

Photo/psynovec

UTM professor expects the two nations to strengthen their allyship following Trump’s departure from the oval office.

Justin Trudeau/Facebook

Canada and the Biden-Harris administration Sheryl Gurajada Contributor

n November 7, Joe Biden was declared as President-elect alongside Kamala Harris, the Vice President-elect. However, the 2020 U.S. elections seem to be far from over. As anticipated, President Trump and the Republican

party had a slew of lawsuits and allegations in their arsenal, citing voter fraud and election rigging by the Democratic Party. The first state to respond to the recount demand was Georgia, and the state has confirmed a Biden victory by 12,670 votes after a hand recount. The latest defeat for the Trump administration is the state of Michigan, where lawmakers met with the President at the White House this past Friday on November 20. Shortly after the meeting concluded, Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield released a joint statement about the election outcome. “We have not yet been made aware of any information that would change the outcome of the election in Michigan, and as legislative leaders, we will follow the law and follow the normal process regarding Michigan’s electors, just as we have said throughout this election,” read the statement. Lawmakers have also stated they take claims of voter fraud seriously and are scheduled to certify results by Monday, November 23. There is also a lawsuit in contention for the Pennsylvania results, with a countermotion from the state to dismiss the suit. With less than one month remaining for the Electors’ meeting, Trump continues to refuse to concede the election results. This has prevented the Biden administration from starting the transition process, creating a more tumultuous time in the United States amid Covid-19 complications. Moreover, these effects and sentiments are echoed north of the border and can have political, economic, and social consequences for Canada as well. The Medium spoke with University of Toronto Mississauga Political Science Professor Emily Nacol on Trump’s allegations. “At this point, I feel it’s safe to say that President Trump’s lawsuits have been largely ineffective and will continue to be,” stated Nacol.

“As Emily Bazelon has documented in the New York Times, neither the facts of the cases nor the laws on the books appear to be in his favour.” Professor Nacol also discussed the juridical impacts the accusations of a fraudulent election would have on U.S. politics. “The legal challenges and ongoing allegations of voter fraud by members of the Trump administration do have important political effects, though they further erode trust in the electoral process and undermine the legitimacy of the Biden presidency in the eyes of some Trump voters.” Besides creating a precarious political atmosphere, Trump’s persistence to refuse the election results has created complications beyond the U.S. legislative body and affects people worldwide. “President Trump’s unwillingness to concede also has normative effects—it undermines a shared commitment to the smooth transition of power between administrations,” stated Nacol. “And this unwillingness to concede has more tangible effects as well. Unless members of the incoming Biden-Harris administration can enter federal agencies and start getting up to speed, it will be difficult for them to hit the ground running in January. During a time of a pandemic, this may mean more lives lost to Covid-19.” There is a strong concern regarding the Biden administration’s ability to smoothly facilitate the timely distribution of the recently announced Covid-19 vaccines by Moderna and Pfizer. With travel restrictions still in place at our border and cases growing rapidly in both countries, the U.S.’s ability to control its case numbers may be gravely impacted by this roadblock. Regarding U.S.-Canada relations, Professor Nacol adds that she expects more cooperative relations between the two nations under the

Biden administration. “On the one hand, I don’t expect PresidentElect Biden to exercise tariff power in the same way President Trump has, so I anticipate smoother trade relations between the two countries,” continued Nacol. “On the other hand, I am curious to see whether a Biden administration will take a more protectionist stance, which could have an effect on trade relations with Canada.” During Trump’s presidency, the U.S. withdrew from the 2015 Paris Agreement, which contained reformative actions toward climate cooperation. This decision was met with international backlash as it impacted the world as a whole. However, Professor Nacol believes that under Biden’s leadership, the U.S. will continue global collaboration for climate initiatives. “I also expect that the U.S. will become more invested again in international organizations like the WHO and NATO and will re-enter multilateral agreements like the Paris climate change agreement,” stated Nacol. “This should also strengthen the allyship between the U.S. and Canada, as the two countries work together as participants in these institutions and settings.” Nacol concluded by weighing the possibility for legislative changes—especially those that will impact Canadians—that might take place following Joe Biden’s inauguration, which is scheduled for January 20, 2021. “I am very interested to see how the BidenHarris administration’s approach to immigration in the U.S. will affect immigration in Canada,” stated Nacol. “For example, will the U.S. and Canada renegotiate the Safe Third Country Agreement, as Trudeau has wanted to? This could have an enormous effect on the lives of many people.” She adds, “lastly, I am curious about whether Kamala Harris’ time spent in Canada as a teenager will have an impact on U.S.-Canada relations!”

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Paula Cho editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Ali Taha managing@themedium.ca News Isik Vera Senel news@themedium.ca

COMMENT

Editor | Aya Yafaoui comment@themedium.ca

Editorial: Meme think pieces are not cringe, they are vital Memes are a type of cultural artifact that should be analyzed and understood.

Comment Aya Yafaoui comment@themedium.ca Features Elizabeth Provost features@themedium.ca A&E Chris Berberian arts@themedium.ca Sports Sarah-May Edwardo-Oldfield sports@themedium.ca Photo Julia Healy photos@themedium.ca Design Tegwen McKenzie design@themedium.ca Copy Melissa Barrientos melissa@themedium.ca

Photo/Various Artists

Alexis Whelan alexis@themedium.ca Online Yasmeen Alkoka online@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES Aroni Sarkar, Comment Danica Teng, Arts Paige France, Arts Pearla Hariri, Features May Alsaigh, Features Hayden Mak, Photos

STAFF Webmaster Vladyslava Diachenko web@themedium.ca Videographer Gabriel Saavedra videographer@themedium.ca

To CONTRIBUTE, email editor@themedium.ca @TheMediumUTM

Aya Yafaoui Comment Editor >> MEME continued from page 01 Yet, memes, like jokes, are a more insightful cultural artifact than we often think because they provide a lot of information on how we experience and comprehend our world. Memes react and comment on real world issues, from the new “Fleets” feature on Twitter to the U.S. election. Memes are also used by both sides of the political spectrum, with groups using them to spread their message or attack one another. For example, many of the original memes that came out of sites like 4chan were deeply problematic, such as “advice animals,” which often contained violent dehumanizations. “Pepe the frog” is another meme that was appropriated by white supremacists, and while the majority of Pepe memes aren’t racist, the context in which a Pepe meme appears can be very telling. As a new editor of a section that hadn’t had a sole editor before, I knew I needed to grow my base of writers and generate engagement to keep the section going. Every Sunday, I send out a call for article ideas. I needed an effective, quick, and engaging way to encourage students to write for my section. To do that, I turned to memes. Using different formats, I would use the meme to convey the same message again and again: send me your pitches. The difficulty in this method is that

not all currently relevant memes can be used for my purposes. Meaning that sometimes I have to dive into older memes, those that are considered dead or on the brink of irrelevance and obscurity. When sifting through these older meme formats, my biggest challenge is that I was either unsure or unaware of the proper meaning and use of that meme. My biggest concern was using a meme format that held a different contextual meaning that would impede my message for those who still remember the meme. It is through this dilemma that I discovered the meme research and documenting website Know Your Meme. Founded in 2008, this site is the work of an editorial and research team, as well as their registered members, that work to preserve the context of memes so that they can be understood after they have lost relevance and been discarded. While their work may seem cringe to some, archiving our cultural discourse found in memes is an important resource when analyzing a social movement, political moment, cultural belief, and more. Just like Tweets, Facebook and Instagram posts, Reddit threads and all the other ways people communicate and engage in their online community, memes are an integral part of cultural evolution. That cultural evolution has also led to a change in meme consumption. Memes have moved away from being spontaneous jokes to a more carefully manufactured form of marketing or propaganda. Companies, institutions, political campaigns, and special inter-

est groups all use memes as a tool to influence and engage as many people as they can on the internet. One recent example is Marianne Williamson’s campaign after the first Democratic debate in 2020, where she began to use memes in her campaign after being memified herself. There are even companies that specialize in manufacturing memes to sell. This shift, coupled with an increase in overall internet consumption and the easy dissemination of memes through social media, all contribute to rapid meme death. Rapid meme death is a phenomenon where memes quickly die or lose relevance in the space of a few days to a few weeks. While older memes have stuck around for longer, newer memes tend to have a shorter lifespan before being recycled or discarded. Of course, this doesn’t apply to all memes. For example, the “Distracted Boyfriend” meme has been around for three years now, constantly evolving and even getting a gender-swapped version. In the end, memes like “Bad Luck Brian,” “Overly Attached Girlfriend,” “Trollface,” “Doge,” “Damn Daniel,” and “Harambe” all come from a context. In order to understand those memes years later, we need to preserve that context so that we can learn about our internet past. In essence, memes are the internet’s hieroglyphic language, comprised of images and symbols. The think pieces, archival records, and newsfeeds are the Rosetta stones that will allow the next generation of netizens to understand the memeified past.

Amid a pandemic, financial crisis, and more, UofT has to do better for its students The University of Toronto is failing to support students in a time of distress by not providing effective tools and making the proper adjustments. Elizabeth Provost Features Editor

s humans, we have an inherent ability to adapt and overcome when faced with adversity. In the last nine months, we’ve learned to wear a mask, keep our distance, and lather our hands with hand sanitizer. Our routines have changed, our work has changed, and the way we learn has dramatically changed. Students and professors have not adapted to online learning. Yes, we’ve found new ways to connect with peers, new ways to try to retain information, new ways to access resources, and new ways to try to cope with stress. Yet, these small changes in our behaviour have not amounted to a smooth-sailing educational experience. On November 17, The Toronto Star published an article called “The pandemic is taking a terrible toll on university students.” Although the headline holds true, the over-

arching message of the piece was that professors don’t care about students and that they “have to consider whose future is being affected right now: students.” However, it’s really the future of all generations that are at stake, and the future of all professions. The mental health repercussions, the disorganized nature of online delivery (in all fields and professions), the lack of clarity, and the fear of this novel coronavirus have shaken the entire population. Yet, as a student, I feel the need to focus on my own people, and the challenges we’ve been facing. The truth is, there has been no mercy. By the institution, by society, and also by professors (although I know they are trying their best). The University of Toronto has failed to financially support its students. Over the summer, students called and advocated for a reduction in tuition fees for both Canadian and international student that went ignored. I mean, what is the point of paying for the UTM Athletic facilities if I have no access to the services? I understand that there is a price to maintain those facilities, but should it be the burden of the students? And at the same price as usual operation? The University of Toronto has also failed to provide even minimal mental health support to its students. Personally, I’ve experienced greater mental instability and stress during quarantine than before. I’ve pulled more allnighters than in all my years alive combined. I’ve had more mental breakdowns than I can count, and I’ve spent numerous days in bed,

Diwali celebrations in India highlight the need for government action The lack of enforcement of policies creates a culture of distrust among citizens Aroni Sarkar Associate Comment Editor >> DIWALI continued from page 01 It was inevitable that the celebration of the Festival of Lights this year was going to be a very different, more subdued celebration than previous years. However, what most Indians weren’t expecting was the sudden last-minute ban by the Indian government of the very sound of joy they wanted to hear all year long: the firecrackers. Diwali is a five-day festival of lights celebrated by over a billion people worldwide. It seeks to celebrate light over darkness, harvest, a new year, and the triumph of good over evil. Traditionally, celebrators visit their relatives to have feasts and exchange sweets and delicacies. Candles and oil lamps are lit all over the streets and houses, and fireworks and festivities are an integral part of this celebration. In India, over the last few years, there has been a particularly concerning rise in pollution, especially during this time of year due to the many festivals taking place over the last few months of the year. The problem is only exacerbated by non-environmentally friendly industrial and agricultural practices. The National Green Tribunal, India’s environmental court,

with no motivation or hope for the day. I truly believe that my, as well as many students’, mental health has taken a serious hit amid the pandemic. In 2018, a petition was started by a student calling for “better mental health services at the University of Toronto.” Since then, it has amassed almost 28,000 signatures, and yet nothing has changed. The petition was created following the loss of a fellow U of T student, who took their own life. However, U of T has since endured numerous, tragic losses of life, one just a two weeks ago, on November 2. In response, another petition was created calling for “Reform in U of T’s mental health services.” It has almost 5,000 signatures, and the petition outlines the university’s hefty budget and the dire need for mental health service reform. On Friday, November 20, the university also announced it would be extending the winter break by a week, saying it recognizes the stress students are under. While the extension is a nice gesture, I don’t think one more week will significantly improve the system that students face. It hurts to see the University of Toronto emphasize the services they offer only following tragedy and loss of an innocent life. I am certain that the emotional turmoil faced by the late student is one that we’ve all come across in the past year. However, most of us have been lucky to find ways out of this dark place. And for those that haven’t, and need to, the University of Toronto fails to deliver and highlight how they can help.

announced the ban right before Diwali celebrations, citing the dangers of air pollution. Pollution levels have been at “severe” for over a week and the overall air quality index (AQI), which is on a scale of 0-500, placed New Delhi, the capital, above 400, designated ‘Hazardous’ for more than five consecutive days. This data suggested a great risk for the population, particularly for those with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as it would damage their health and increase the severity of contracting Covid-19. No matter how well-intentioned this ban was, it did not have the intended effect. Rather, it caused more damaging consequences. Manufacturers of firecrackers—particularly in the Southern District of Sivakasi, which makes up to 90 per cent of India’s firecracker supply and employs more than 250,000 people—were particularly hard hit by this restriction and demanded compensation from the government.

India currently has the second highest number of Covid-19 infections, with nine million cases as of November 20. Research done by the Times of India found that in comparison to other years where similar firecracker restrictions were imposed for brief durations, it had little to no effect in curbing air pollution levels. The ban also wasn’t followed by many people either. There were videos and pictures of people all over the country, and particularly in Delhi, celebrating in large groups with firecrackers spread everywhere. Many residents have commented that banning firecrackers on Diwali has become a joke because no one follows or enforces the ban strictly. The biggest issue with this ban and other restrictions is that these short-term measures that have proven to be in effective are not going to substantially curb pollution. As some residents have complained, “Why [is there] no action being taken against farmers for burning crop residue? Can two months of pollution be controlled by banning firecrackers?”

One student death is one too many. The University of Toronto needs to do better and needs to be held accountable. The article from The Toronto Star states that students’ “grades this year don’t depend on how well we know the material, but how well we navigate each professors’ interpretation of online teaching.” There is some truth in that. With the access to the internet, professors have adapted their teaching methods, particularly their examination methods. These “creative” assessments are often trying and confusing. Professors are aiming to make it “fair” for everyone, but in reality, they are often disregarding the limits of our knowledge as only what we learn in class, and not “what isn’t Googleable.” So yes, how we navigate an online class does dictate our success. I have yet to find the answers I’m looking for to correct the mistakes I’ve made. I can’t fix the mental health crisis that encompasses my student body. I am deeply hurt when I see others hurt. It makes me question if this is all worth it. We are victims, facing adversities that we don’t have the tools to handle. Professors are trying their best; students are trying their best. Yet, our best is sometimes not enough. It is the university’s responsibility to support students because academics is not confined to one aspect of a student’s life. Our mental health, access to financial support, and the recognition of the incredible amount of stress we are all under need to be a priority for the University of Toronto. The university needs to back its statements and promises with action. It can’t come soon enough.

The lack of discipline in industrial practices and agricultural burning are two of the biggest contributors to air pollution during this time of year. Farmers in the northern states burn approximately 35 million tons of crop waste from their fields in order to induce a shorter turnaround time for their winter crops. This practice is also banned. However, government data states that this practice accounts for almost 50 per cent of Delhi’s pollution. The consequences of violating the ban have been virtually non-existent because the farmers have no other choice but to burn because the genetically modified crops have short cultivation cycles. The Indian supreme court ordered the chief ministers of these states to stop simply scapegoating the farmers and offer actual financial incentives and alternate solutions in order to tackle this issue. The lack of effort in providing adequate solutions and limited enforcement on both long term and short term measures encourages a culture of distrust in the government and highlights the lack of follow-through in government leadership. These ineffective policies are only meant to save face while ignoring the real issues that affect pollution and the quality of life in India. If people can’t trust the government to act on issues that concern public health like pollution, then why would they take the Covid-19 pandemic measures seriously? India currently has the second highest number of Covid-19 infections, with nine million cases as of November 20. Despite public health experts warning about the dangers of large social gatherings, many people flocked the markets to buy gifts and celebrate, leading to a 50 per cent increase in cases over the two days following Diwali. The 2020 Climate Transparency Report just reported India as the only member of the G20 to meet its short-term “fairshare” climate mitigation targets as part of the Paris Agreement. However, the report also established that India is far away from reaching its long-term commitments. The Indian government, for the good of its citizens, must incentivise positive change and enforce its regulations effectively so that the country and the world can see a better future.

features

How the incoming American administration will impact Canada May Alsaigh Associate Features Editor

allying a total of 306 electoral votes, Democrat Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump in the 46th U.S. presidential election. With a shift from a Republican to Democratic-led White House, the United States will adapt to the recent leadership change, which will also affect order within Canadian policy. As Canada continues to hold strong relational ties with the U.S., the presidential change could mark the beginning of a dramatic shift in both political and economic order. The veteran Democratic politician vows to transform the American system with numerous promises, one of which is to work closely with its allies, including Canada’s government. Following four years of tense relations with Donald Trump, the Canadian government prepares for the U.S. change in administration.

01. Trade and the Economy During Donald Trump’s presidential term, trade between the United States and Canada has been one of North America’s largest economic issues. Trump’s change to the North American Free Trade Agreement, as well as the levelling of tariffs and counter-tariffs, has significantly affected the U.S.’ trade with its neighbouring countries, impacting the global economy. However, Biden proposes a new approach that focuses on ensuring “the future is made in all of America.” His initiatives aim to restore critical supply chains and avoid relying on other nations during a potential crisis by pledging to tighten domestic content rules. This may affect closely linked Canadian manufacturing sectors that are reliant on providing services to our southern neighbour. Biden also promises to implement more “Buy American” policies and renegotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership that Trump withdrew from, regardless of whether it will resolve the trade war with China. These policies can inhibit Canadian companies from bidding on U.S. infrastructure projects at the state and municipal levels.

02. Environment In terms of the environment, the U.S. was the only country in the world to withdraw from the Paris climate change pact, an agreement under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that works to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change. Biden plans to put the U.S. back into the agreement as soon as possible. He has also outlined some of his own domestic environmental policies that could be beneficial for Canada. This presents opportunities for the country to open markets for clean energy technology. In the past, Trump’s decisions on environmental policies, such as limiting carbon pricing on industries and methane regulations, have forced Canada to adjust its own policies and change taxation. But as the new presidential elect, Biden promises to bring the country back into the competitive market. However, Biden disappoints Canadians as he hinders opportunities for an expansion in the fossil fuel infrastructure. He plans to cancel the Keystone XL pipeline’s regulatory authorization, which is designed to bring Canada’s oilsands bitumen to American refineries. This will undoubtedly cause great implications for the Canadian industry. Biden also declares that American companies will accelerate clean energy technologies and products to benefit the U.S. economy. In turn, this poses the question of whether Canada will receive adequate support for its own industries, especially since Canada’s economy is made up of large regions that are heavily dependent on the exploitation of fossil fuels. Specifically, these new clean energy regulations will be detrimental to Alberta’s economic future as its government has invested nearly $1.5 billion in the Keystone XL pipeline project.

Editor | Elizabeth Provost features@themedium.ca

03. Immigration Policy Biden’s administration will change numerous restrictions and sanctions on immigration laws and regulations. During Trump’s four-year presidential term, the policies of immigration were altered dramatically. These alterations resulted in the construction of a 400-mile wall between the U.S. and Mexican border, a travel freeze due to the recent pandemic, and multiple visa restrictions in an initiative to maximize jobs for unemployed Americans. Under Trump’s “Hire American” initiative, which focuses on redistributing employment opportunities to accommodate unemployed Americans better, services like acquiring a visa have been restricted and have prevented immigration. Biden plans to take on a different approach that will allow for a greater number of high-skilled worker visas to be granted, inviting more immigrants to the country. His administration intends to modernize the infrastructure and system of immigration in a humane approach, embracing diversity. A transformation of the American immigration system would affect Canada as the U.S. would once again be a country with prosperous job opportunities. Although Biden’s focus on diversity and his other initiatives such as removing restrictions on Muslim travel will be advantageous, Canada’s workforce may see less immigration as America will now be more receptive to immigrant workers.

04. Relations with China One matter that was difficult to accomplish for Trump during his term was the nation’s peaceful coexistence with China. However, Biden aims to approach things differently and work closely with the country’s allies, especially China. This promise will lead to the enhancement of the global economy. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the World Health Organization has negatively influenced China-U.S. disputes in terms of agriculture, educational exchanges, new technologies, and sanctioned goods. Biden aims to restore these relations by hosting a summit exploring new democracies that will cover ways governments and private-sector companies, such as banks and social media platforms, will affect global authoritarianism. As the U.S. strengthens its ties with China, the Canadian government will be equally affected, and relationships will be reinforced. Additionally, these relationships could lead to the mitigation of imprisonment laws for Canadians unable to leave China.

05. Racial Inequity Following Trump’s victory back in 2016, hate-related incidents have risen in both the U.S. and Canada. Under Trump’s administration, the social construct has impacted Canadians with an increased amount of hate crimes against ethnic cultures in almost every region. Trump’s campaign has provided a powerful voice and a greater platform for xenophobic and racist individuals. Now that Biden is in office and has pledged throughout his campaign to become more of an inviting figure, nations will undoubtedly benefit from a more inclusive influential body. He has guaranteed his economic agenda will combat the racial inequalities enabled by Trump and strives for a more robust, resilient, and more inclusive economy. With this being said, Biden’s promises regarding discrimination and prejudice can positively impact Canada as he states, “this election is not just about voting against Donald Trump. It’s about rising to this moment of crisis, understanding people’s struggle, and building a future worthy of their courage and ambition to overcome.” In the last four years, the world has seen obscenity, racism, and human neglect at the hands of Donald Trump. Although there is still much to be done in terms of reconciliation, we now have the leadership to forge a more inclusive path forward. As for Canadian communities, there is hope for mutual growth, peace, and a greater economy with Biden’s administration.

Meet the Students Behind Mindwaves Vol. 14 Alexandria Ramoutar Contributor

TM’s professional writing and communication (PWC) program allows students to develop cathartic prose and unravel their lives through narrative writing. For the last fourteen years, PWC students have gathered their creative minds to put together Mindwaves, an academic journal of creative nonfiction short stories. “The PWC students on campus voiced their desire to have an outlet, specifically for them, to share their work,” says Monika Krizic-Fronteddu, editor-in-chief of Mindwaves Volume 14. “Mindwaves gives students the opportunity to publish stories about their lived experiences.” Mindwaves Volume 14 stands out with its eclectic and raw collection of short stories. “Stories can be as simple as reminiscing about the first pet you adopted, or an interview piece about the Vietnam war.” However, what makes a story stand out “is the writer’s voice and unique writing style,” says Krizic-Fronteddu.

Storytelling is as old as humanity, and all the different ways that stories have been told have changed throughout the years. It’s oging to continue to change, but the desire to hear and tell them never will. One such unique voice is Elisa Nguyen’s short story, “Ông Bà Ngoai,” that reflects upon the Vietnam War. Nguyen wrote the piece for the Editing Principles and Practice PWC course. The course challenges students to complete a manuscript with a topic of their choice. “I was in a group with two amazing ladies, Bianca and Molly. We are all so close to our families, so we came up with the topic of family history,” says Nguyen. Nguyen interviewed her grandparents to write her story. “The first interview took two hours. My grandma spoke in Vietnamese and looked at me to see if I understood. While I began to process, she’d repeat her story in English and then turn to my grandpa asking, “did it happen this way, or did it happen that way?” My grandpa would say, “I’m pretty sure it went like this”, and then my grandma would say, “no no no, it went like this,” Nguyen recalls, laughing. “I found it challenging to work with fragmented memories. I had to answer, ‘how did the streets look? What did people wear?’” Nguyen says. Nguyen depicts Vietnam circa 1974, her grandfather’s wrongful persecution, and the nation’s suffering with beautiful prose. “The Communists imprisoned Grandpa for six years in a re-education camp located in the jungles of Northern Vietnam. Mom was born in 1974, one year before they took Grandpa away,” writes Nguyen in her short story. Nguyen pursued publication in Mindwaves after her professor’s encouragement. “I submitted my story to Professor Laurel Waterman, and she left a handwritten note that said, ‘submit this to Mindwaves.’ That day was the last day to submit the story, so I took her suggestion, and I submitted it,” Nguyen says. Nguyen also praised her associate editor, Brianna Piedra, who helped refine her piece for publishing. “Each writer gets assigned to an editor, and I was assigned to Brianna. She was so open to collaborating.” Brianna Piedra explains that as an associate editor, “you are in charge of meeting up with your authors. I’d come with printed copies to explain all of the edits.” Grace Kwan, a fellow associate editor, says, “we went through a stage of content editing, where our editor-in-chief gave us notes. We’d ask the authors to revise and make major changes to their story, and then move to copy editing, making sure everything was in

ship-shape before moving onto publication.” “It’s not as scary when you get into it. People are understanding, and it’s actually really fun to work with different people,” Kwan adds. Piedra, who also authored a story in Mindwaves, agrees, saying, “Getting to celebrate and work with other authors and editors makes this an invaluable experience.” Piedra composed “The New Bedroom,” offering an indepth look at loneliness stemming from a relationship break. “It’s one of my favourite stories that I’ve ever written. I wrote it for the Making a Book course. The story just came out of me one night, and Professor Robert Price said, ‘I think this is the strongest piece I’ve seen from you.’” “Pictures from my old bedroom pile on the floor. The thick smell of paint clings to the air. Grandpa texted me several hours ago during second-period English to tell me my room was getting painted the same shade of grey as my bedroom in my old house; they want me to feel at home,” Piedra writes in her short story. Piedra hopes that readers can take away that “even when you feel alone, you’re not really alone.” Piedra’s vulnerable storytelling of her personal experience reminds us that creative non-fiction provides a transcendent look at humanity. Mindwaves’ editor-in-chief, Monika Krizic-Fronteddu, credits the PWC program for instilling similar perspectives in herself. “In high school, there was always pressure to come up with the next ‘greatest’ story. When I came to UTM and enrolled in the PWC program, we were challenged to publish work that shows that our lives and our experiences are meaningful. You don’t have to sit there brewing, creating this extravagant story, you can write about your life, and that could mean so much to people.” Krizic-Fronteddu, in previous years, worked as an associate editor for Mindwaves before taking on her role as editorin-chief. “As an associate editor, I edited a couple of pieces, and it didn’t feel like enough. I wanted to edit more because I enjoyed reading and working with people so much.” Krizic-Fronteddu admits that she, like most students, hesitated before applying. “I was nervous, but I am so thankful that I applied. I met so many amazing people along the way, and I got to work with Srivindhya and Professor Price, the faculty advisor for Mindwaves. The opportunity really pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me develop skills as both a writer and an editor.” Krizic-Fronteddu worked alongside Srivindhya Kolluru, the editor-in-chief of Compass, a PWC journal dedicated to scientific and historical journalism. “We worked to make sure we were on the same timeline for editing stories.” Kolluru explains that the two of them also sought one another for advice. “When I needed help, Monika was there to help me and vice versa. I needed help with design, so she stepped in. Professor Price was also so helpful—he’s been such a mentor to both of us,” says Kolluru. “Writers knew that the editors and designers were trying to help bring their story to life. Publishing is really a team effort. You never feel like you are alone,” Kolluru says. “Yes, there’s always room for a piece to evolve and grow, especially with teamwork,” Krizic-Fronteddu adds. Mindwaves has brought UTM writers together, collectively sharing their honest truths. This experience has undoubtedly shaped the writers of our future and given them a glimpse of what is possible. “Storytelling is as old as humanity, and all the different ways that stories have been told have changed throughout the years. It’s going to continue to change, but the desire to hear and tell them never will,” says Krizic-Fronteddu. “Our publication shows readers what we’ve learned about life, and what we’ve learned about ourselves. Student stories do matter, and it is important for you to tell your story. Hopefully, it will tell future readers what they can learn about life and themselves as well. Never stop writing.” The PWC program will be accepting submissions for Mindwaves and Compass soon.

Elisa Nguyen/Mindwaves

PWC students put their creative minds together to create the 14th annual Mindwaves academic journal of creative non-fiction short stories.

Racing to the Top for Career And Racing to the Bottom for Understanding People Psychological and chemical changes contribute to leaders’ apathy toward subordinates. Larry Lau Contributor

eadership, and the adjacent faculties of power and control, can come at a cost. Contemporary wisdom shows that being a leader comes with its perks and perils. However, more often, a leader notices the perks while their subordinates see the disadvantages. The title change from “subordinate” to “leader” is much more than a change in wage or status. It is also a psychological change in behaviour, causing leaders to begin acting apathetic toward other people. The change in leaders’ behaviours occurs due to both psychological and chemical changes in their brain. There have been many explanations regarding the psychological effects of power on people. Deborah Gruenfield, a social psychologist and professor at Stanford University, states that as people gain power and become leaders, they start objectifying other people as a means of success. Leaders do not treat their subordinates as living, breathing people. Instead, associates are seen as tools to help leaders achieve what they want. With time, leaders become apathetic to those around them. They only focus on how to maximize and commodify human labor. The reason leaders become apathetic is due to their innate narcissism. In general, narcissism is fueled by feelings of success, power, and being “superior” than everyone else. Dr. Bart Wille, a professor at Ghent University, states that people develop narcissism when they want to get ahead of other people, which is precisely what needs to be done to climb the corporate ladder. The personality trait of narcissism inflates a persons’ sense of self-worth, which results in the feeling of superiority. When leaders hold authority in their respective positions and cannot check their narcissism, they view themselves as superior people, especially among their inferior subordinates. This dramatically

lowers the leaders’ capacity for empathy toward others. In addition to changes in psychological behaviour, chemical changes in the brain also occur as people climb the corporate ladder. Dr. Helen Fisher, a biological anthropologist at the Kinsey Institute, states that the process of succeeding increases testosterone levels, leading to an increase in dopamine production, meaning greater energy and pleasure. Simultaneously, these feelings of satisfaction and pleasure urge leaders to take unnecessary risks in the name of success. Leaders become fixated on achieving successful results, causing them to lose sight of the bigger picture. As such, the word “success” eventually extends past raising profitability or market share of the company.

Leaders need to be aware that the company does not consist of just the leader themselves; it consists of employees working together. Simply put, the chemical and hormonal changes in leaders’ brains cause them to stop caring about what other people feel. Dr. Robert Vance of the Society for Human Resource Management states that company performance is largely dependent on employee performance. The amount of satisfaction that employees derive from working directly impacts their performance, as it affects the degree of commitment employees are willing to put into the company. Leaders who show concern for their subordinates’ feelings will increase employee satisfaction in the company. The increase in job satisfaction increases employee performance, which subsequently improves the overall company’s performance. However, leaders’ apathy toward subordinates is often engrained companies’ operations that reinforce these behaviours by promoting traditional leadership styles. The well-established “traditional” leadership style, described

in 1947 by renowned social theorist Max Weber, has been used far before Weber brought up this concept. This type of leadership style is becoming dated and instills toxic and detrimental habits in our leaders. The traditional leadership style has a clearly defined hierarchical structure. Leaders have supreme authority over all subordinates and behave like overseers. The role of leaders in the structure is to give orders and expect results. This style inflates leaders’ sense of superiority by reinforcing pillars of authority and power over others. Angela Heise, a researcher on emotional intelligence and leadership, states that there are numerous traditional leadership fallacies. Those fallacies include: leaders managing people with the same attitude as managing tasks, leaders not caring about building positive working relationships with subordinates, and leaders being indifferent about subordinates’ needs and independent lives. This apparent lack of understanding and negligence of human equity is a significant downfall of traditional leadership. Leaders should adopt a more supportive attitude toward subordinates. The contrasting concept of supportive leadership suggests that leaders can work together with employees, supporting them through obstacles, and developing a mutually beneficial work relationship with them. Working side-by-side with associates shows that the leader is not detached, as constant interaction with subordinates develops leaders’ understanding of their subordinates. A workplace where subordinates and the leader treat each other with empathy and respect makes for an effective workplace. The degree of commitment leaders put into their career is not discredited; leaders deserve what they have earned. However, leaders need to be aware that the company does not consist of just the leader themselves; it consists of employees working together to put the leader’s visions for the company into fruition. There is a dire need to change leaders’ apathy toward subordinates and start showing concern for employees.

Arts

Editor | Chris Berberian arts@themedium.ca

Antigone Now: How a 2000-Year-Old Story Comes Full Circle Hana Khan Staff Writer

ANTIGONE continued from page 01

However, once Creon becomes aware of Antigone’s actions, he sentences her to death by starvation. For Creon, the law is the law and even family cannot be excused. It’s only after Antigone is sentenced to death that Creon realizes his immoral ruling. But by then, it’s too late. And that brings us to Ismene, who’s weeping after losing her sister, Antigone. Despite the tragedies surrounding her, Ismene envisions a future of moral growth that, before her sister’s defiance, did not seem possible. Last week, UTM’s English and Drama Student Society (EDSS) put on its own virtual performance of Antigone Now. Directed by Anthony Palermo, a second-year Theatre and Drama Studies specialist, the EDSS rendition of Antigone Now couldn’t be more relevant to our world’s current state.

The simple act of merging two Zoom screens cemented the stark similarities and differences between past and present. Hannah Mitchell, assuming the titular role, offered a tragically beautiful portrayal of a courageous girl who’s pressured by increasing threats and destruction. Antigone symbolizes those in our modern day who refuse to back down against the power structures that threaten our democracy and humanity. When Kate Ferrin, the EDSS artistic director, was choosing a play for the program’s mainstage production, she sought a show that would apply to both the past and the present. One day, Palermo pitched Antigone Now and Ferrin found what she was looking for. “I was surprised by how much this story mirrored things happening currently,” says Ferrin. Both Palermo and Ferrin wanted to emphasize the “now” in Antigone Now. “I wanted to be clear that this is Antigone’s story done right now, at this point in 2020,” says Palermo. Not only was it vital to represent modern day struggles, but it was also important that the messages affected audiences virtually, just as they would during a live performance. With the pandemic, putting on a theatrical performance posed unique problems. For Palermo, the most difficult problem was conveying the relation of bodies in space. “My direction usually relies on the ability to create relationships and the dynamics between characters through how they interact physically, and when that isn’t possible in a traditional sense, you must find other avenues to display that.” Despite this being one of the major struggles in directing the show, the virtual format

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helped solidify the message that a 2000-year-old story can come full circle in 2020. Nada Madi and Chelsea Mathieu, acting as the Chorus, contrasted modern day with old-age storytelling, with one holding a printed photograph, and the other holding an iPhone. The cast and creative team not only contrasted these two different time periods, they also combined them to showcase their similarities. Throughout the play, Madi would show half the image on the iPhone while Mathieu would display the other half on paper. The simple act of merging two Zoom screens cemented the stark similarities and differences between past and present. The online platform also allowed the creators to integrate animation and graphic design during the performance—all of which crafted a truly immersive experience for the viewer. The EDSS’s Antigone Now wasn’t merely a live performance transferred to an online platform. It was tailored. “If this was going to be an online show, I wanted to create a performance made for an online production, one that couldn’t be done on-stage,” says Palermo. Being performed virtually also made the show more accessible to wider audiences. As Ferrin says, “We managed to make theatre engaging for people at home.” Not only was it more accessible, it was the most profitable performance in EDSS history. With its success, the creators wanted to give back to underrepresented communities, and so they donated a portion of proceeds to charities promoting Native Women in the Arts. Antigone Now’s relevance comes from the startling realization that our modern world isn’t as advanced as we thought. The frighteningly accurate similarities of power, greed, and corruption between Sophocles’ play and our modern world are a wakeup call. We must make our voices heard, repair an increasingly divided country, and confront a corrupt politician who refuses to step down. So, the question then becomes, what can we learn from Antigone Now? How can we take what we know of the past and what the future could become, and twist our fate in some desired manner? There are no obvious answers. What we do know is this: power rests in the hands of the people. Just as Antigone’s simple act of burying her brother caused a sociopolitical domino effect, we must also seize the moments to stand up for social justice and speak out for a better tomorrow.

Photo/UTM English and Drama Student Society

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10 The rise of internet influencers in mainstream cinema Danica Teng Associate Arts Editor

From computer screens to big screens, fans are celebrating newfound celebrities.

rom the early days of YouTube to the waning days of Vine, online platforms have created chances for anyone to go viral and make a name for themselves. For years, online content creators could gain millions of followers, but no matter how popular they became, they still belonged to a world separate from mainstream cinema and Hollywood’s A-listers. However, as the influence of social media surges, the distance between the two is slowly narrowing. Whether streaming video games on Twitch or posting glamorous photos on Instagram, the newest online “influencers” have risen from routine life to thousands and millions of fans on social media. Some of today’s most popular influencers emerged from YouTube and its vast collection of videos. Like stars in the universe, a select few shot across the sky. Ryan Higa (nigahiga) and Felix Kjellberg (PewDiePie) are recognizable names to people who’ve never even watched their channels. Despite

their popularity, for years, TV and film industries have always existed on another level. We should celebrate when online celebrities transition to TV and film. It’s exciting for the creators to venture into something new and equally thrilling for the fans to see how far they’ve come. Liza Koshy, who started on Vine and YouTube, acted in films from 2016’s Boo! A Madea Halloween to this year’s Work It. Likewise, Andrew B. Bachelor (King Bach) was the most followed user on Vine and appeared in Netflix favorites such as The Babysitter and To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. YouTuber Flula Borg made a name for himself with roles in Pitch Perfect 2, Ralph Breaks the Internet, and more mainstream titles. Other memorable influencer cameos include Anna Akana in Ant-Man, Justine Ezarik (iJustine) in The Wedding Ringer, and Jimmy Tatro (LifeAccordingToJimmy) in 22 Jump Street. And the list keeps growing. While these cameos seem small in the grand picture of cinema, there are reasons people love them and hope they continue happening. For one, it’s refreshing to see a familiar face under a different light and somewhere you wouldn’t expect. Their appearances are pleasant surprises, like finding a $20 bill in your old jean pocket. Cameos can also feel like insider secrets if you know the online

celebrity before they become mainstream. Though most of the intrigue comes from recognizing smaller celebrities on the big screen, cameos also draw in new audiences, giving content creators space to grow their fame and broaden their skills. With the highly anticipated release of Free Guy, audiences will soon have a prime feeding ground of new talent. Not only will the film star big-name actors such as Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, and Taika Waititi, but, given the movie takes place in an open world video game, it’ll include appearances from popular gaming YouTubers and Twitch streamers like Seán McLoughlin (Jacksepticeye), Tyler Blevins (Ninja), Imane Anys (Pokimane), and Lannan Eacott (LazarBeam). Since the announcement, both streamers and fans are salivating for the film’s release, which is set for December 2020. As social media continues to grow in presence and reach, its gap between cinema continues to fade. By uniting these entertainment forms, fans become happy, content creators rise, and film studios bring in bigger audiences. People follow other people because they enjoy the content, and over time, a connection forms between creator and viewer. As more and more industries adapt to the online world, our definitions of celebrity are changing.

Lana Del Rey at her most vulnerable in Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass

Photo/Amazon

Paige France Associate Arts Editor

inger Lana Del Rey brings her ethereal storytelling to life with her debut poetry collection, Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass. In it, Del Rey reminisces on her once-concealed existence—creating an out-of-body, impostor syndrome feel that leads us on a suffocating journey through her meandering psyche. Violet Bent Backwards over the Grass features 30 poems in hardcover, 14 of which are available as an audiobook read by Del Rey. Whether in written or audiobook form, the six-time Grammy-nominee’s poetry is honest and eclectic as she strips away her life stardom and scrupulously judges its value at her own expense. This dehumanization is a spiritual continuation of Normal F***ing Rockwell!, her universally acclaimed psychedelic rock album from 2019. Accompanied by Jack Antonoff ’s euphoric sound, a long-time collaborator of Del Rey, the audiobook makes for an introspective listen throughout its fine-tuned poetic landscape. In this collection, Del Rey becomes incognito

The famous singer’s poetry is, like her music, hauntingly melodic and deeply personal.

to embrace the poetry’s existential feel. She isn’t Lana, rather, she’s a millennial Californian named Elizabeth Grant (ironically, the singer’s birth name), clinging to past love and fame. A famous New York City runaway, Grant yearns for some cosmic lift-off into even greater fame—one that never arrives. Our protagonist has a kitsch femininity that’s always heartbroken and without solace. Like the “Summertime Sadness” singer’s past work—Grant fantasizes about 1950s California, where many dreams are born to die. Del Rey’s standout poem, “LA Who Am I to Love You?” addresses this cursed dream as she laments the city that famously houses rejects. It’s an idyllically down-trodden poem that best captures the LA’s disappointment. Grant left her boyfriend to pursue greatness, yet, the city lies in her bed, “vaping lightly next to [her].” After its comforting welcome, Los Angeles ultimately provides Grant with nothing but a smoking companion when the nights grow colder. “Sport Cruiser” is another melancholic poem, one in which flying and sailing lessons symbolize life’s tidal changes and insecurities. For Grant, these lessons aren’t a leisurely pursuit but a “midlife meltdown navigational exercise in self-examination.” Throughout this long poem, Grant abandons her hopes of greater fame and instead hopes to remain unrecognized as a once flourishing New York City singer. A desire to learn how to navigate the world soon becomes an excuse to doubt her own abilities. In her penultimate poem, “Paradise is Very Fragile,” Del Rey takes a break from introspection and

focuses on the world around her. She criticizes the “megalomaniac” Donald Trump and addresses the oft-politicized environmental issues of climate change, rising sea levels, and Californian wildfires, all of which further dampen LA’s appeal. As the poem progresses, Del Rey conflates her personal distress with humanity’s irreversible harm of the earth: “I always had something gentle to give/all of me in fact/ it’s one of the beautiful things about me/ it’s one of the beautiful things about nature.” Del Rey’s attentiveness to nature transcends the poetry itself, as she dedicates this work to the Navajo Water Project, which seeks to bring clean, running water to all American families. Following this initiative, the singer seeks to release a spoken word album in the coming months, of which half of its proceeds will benefit Native American organizations around the country, preserving Native rights and keeping their lands intact. Violet Bent Backwards Over the Grass offers us a window into Del Rey’s conflicted persona. It’s a sanitized version of the singer’s hurt that, like her music, remains benevolent and romanticised. She weaves this confliction throughout her poetry collection, combining her usual lackadaisical pop-star millennial flair with high Americana society. Lana Del Rey invites us into her imaginative mind with this magnificent debut poetry collection. It’s easy to get lost in her verbose descriptiveness and occasional generic romanticism. But it’s her sincere narration that truly draws us deeper into the stories, allowing us to witness what’s afflicting her now and empathize with her vulnerabilities.

sports & health

Editor | Sarah-May Edwardo-Oldfield sports@themedium.ca

What happens in the bodies of elite runners? Rachel Lord Contributor

hroughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, many have turned to outdoor running to maintain their fitness. But ever wonder what it would take to run the entirety of a 42.2 km marathon? The University of Exeter reports that elite runners need specific characteristics of physiological abilities to run a marathon, especially if they want to do it in less than two hours.

The strongest runners [are] skilled at fatigue resistance.

Photo/Tseytlin

Zoom Video Calls Increase Demand for Plastic Surgery Doctors see increased demand for plastic surgery because of perceived Zoom call appearance. Duaa Nasir Contributor

>> ZOOM continued from page 01 According to Dr. Shauna M. Rice, Dr. Emmy Graber, and Dr. Arianne Shadi Kourosh, there has been “a surge in patients citing their appearance on Zoom as a reason to seek care.” Their article, A Pandemic of Dysmorphia: “Zooming” into the Perception of Our Appearance, was published in Facial Plastic Surgery & Aesthetic Medicine on November 6, 2020. Snapchat and selfies “In 2019, 72 per cent of American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery members reported patients seeking cosmetic procedures to improve their selfies.” Rice and colleagues note the term snapchat dysphoria to describe Snapchat’s potential to trigger body dysmorphic disorder, due to “the influx of patients hoping to look more like their edited selves.” Also, there is a relationship between the level of engagement on social media and the level of body dissatisfaction. All these facts indicate that many people were dissatisfied with their appearance even after filters erased many of their flaws. This is unlike Zoom, where the most a person can do is use a color filter to filter their image. Also, on Zoom, people see themselves during moments they normally wouldn’t; most of us are not aware of the way we look early in the morning while we sit in class. We also don’t “compare our faces side-by-side to others like we do on video calls,” according to Rice’s research.

The facial feedback hypothesis Many of the people seeking care because of their appearance on Zoom are “concerned with acne and wrinkles.” Rice and team note that more people are searching for the words ‘acne’ and ‘hair loss,’ according to Google search trends. The researchers believe this might be due to “people constantly seeing themselves on video and becoming more aware of their appearance.” Another possible explanation relates to the facial feedback hypothesis. The facial feedback hypothesis, defined by the published paper, “explains that treatment of sad-appearing wrinkles may reduce depression by making the patient appear less sad to others, which, in turn, makes them feel better about themselves.” According to this, when people see wrinkles on their faces in a Zoom video, they believe the wrinkles make them look depressed compared to others. This makes them feel even more depressed. This is interesting with Zoom because “the patient is also the viewer.” Although mild discomfort or annoyance with appearance should not be a problem, becoming “excessively preoccupied with real or imagined defects” is a “major concern.” According to the study, spending a lot of time on Zoom “may trigger a self-critical comparative response that leads people to rush to their physicians for treatments they may not have considered before months confronting a video screen.” In a commentary on this article, Dr. Benjamin Marcus notes that our sense of self-perception is complicated because “selfperception is fraught with cognitive overlay.” To deal with some of the discomfort on a Zoom video, it may help to know there is a significant difference between the way we see others and the way we see ourselves.

Nike took part in a study entitled Nike’s Breaking2 project, which studied athletes whose goal was to break the two-hour record time for a marathon. The testing took place at Nike’s performance centre in Oregon, USA. Professor Andrew Jones from the University of Exeter found that high-performance marathon runners must have three characteristics: the perfect balance of oxygen uptake (VO2 max), high movement efficacy, and high lactate turn point (the higher it goes the more the body feels fatigued). This study found that these high-performance runners were able to take in oxygen twice as fast as a non-high-performance athlete of the same age while they are sprinting. To illustrate, Professor Andrew Jones explained that a 130-pound runner would take in four litres of oxygen per minute to maintain a 21.1 kilometres an hour pace. In order to maintain this speed for two hours, Professor Jones told EurekAlert “that the runners must maintain steady state VO2,” meaning that they must obtain their energy needs aerobically—from oxygen. This is in order to ensure that the runner doesn’t hit anerobic respiration and deplete the carbohydrates stored in their muscles and endure muscle fatigue. Another key characteristic of elite marathon runners is being able to achieve what Professor Jones calls “running economy.” This means using oxygen efficiently and maintaining an effective running motion. The last characteristic that the study discussed is a runner’s lactate turn point. The athletes must stay at a certain VO2 percentage before the process of anaerobic respiration would begin. Runners refer to this percentage as “the wall,” meaning that if they reach anaerobic respiration their stored carbohydrates will be utilized, and it will in turn deplete glycogen stores. Once the athlete hits “the wall,” the body switches to burning fat and as a result the runner’s pace slows down. Therefore, the runners in the study demonstrated that they could intuitively set their running pace so they never exceed their “lactate turn point.” Overall, the strongest runners in the study were skilled at fatigue resistance, a quality that would have taken great dedication and perseverance. If you’re looking to build fatigue resistance and improve your distance running abilities, Active has a few recommendations for training: - Shorten your recovery periods during interval training: shorten the amount of time that you take to recover during your running periods. This will build endurance and help you get through the recovery time and back to high intensity pacing. This will also allow for a challenging training session and force neuromuscular adaptation. - Running specific strength training: you don’t need to run every day to improve your distance or endurance! Squats, lunges, jump squats, split squats and calf raises are just a few great conditioning options that enhance running ability. They improve balance and build muscle in the legs, two factors that are crucial for improving as a runner.

12 The brain and fear:

How do we process fear?

Wasser/unsplash.com. Our threat detection can help us enjoy thrilling experiences.

Massa Mohamed Ali Contributor

he human brain is one of the most fascinating organs in our bodies. It is made up of more than 100 billion neurons (nerve cells) that send signals across the brain and body. The brain controls our cognition, senses, movement, and much more. It uses both electrical and chemical signals to communicate information and regulate our daily functions, including voluntary and involuntary behaviour. The brain is also the centre of our emotions. The amygdala is an almond-shaped collection of nuclei found in the temporal lobe of the brain. It is thought to play important roles in processing emotion, and most notably, in processing fear.

While our threat detecting can be critical for our survival, it can also help us enjoy the thrills of activities such as sky-diving, rollercoasters, and horror movies. So, how does the brain process fear? And when does the amygdala do its job? Whenever we are exposed to a dangerous stimulus, our brain acts quickly. According to a paper published by Kerry Ressler in Biol Psychiatry, positron emission tomography (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) show that the amygdala is very active as soon as a fearful stimulus is presented to participants. The stimulus triggers a response in the amygdala, which includes releasing cortisol and signals to areas of the brain like the hypothalamus. This activates our “fight-or-flight” response, which makes our heart race, dilates our pupils, increases our blood pressure, and slows down digestion. Blood flow to our skeletal muscles also increases to prepare us to escape from danger.

A study by Arne Ohman and colleagues at the Karolinska Institute also suggests that cortical processing (conscious processing in the cerebral cortex) is not needed for the activation of the amygdala. This means that the information about fearful stimuli can be sent from the thalamus, the brain’s relay centre, to the amygdala even before we are consciously aware of the fear. This allows us to react before we have time to think about the threat we need to face. While our threat detection can be critical for our survival, it can also help us enjoy the thrills of activities such as sky-diving, roller-coasters, and horror movies. Lauri Nummenmaa and colleagues at the University of Turku in Finland had participants watch a horror movie while measuring their neural activity using an fMRI. Results show that brain regions were “in continuous talk-back with sensory regions throughout the movie, as if the sensory regions were preparing response networks as a scary event was becoming increasingly likely.” This shows a complex interaction between the amygdala and other cortical networks in the brain, suggesting that our fear circuit is not limited to one area of the brain. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Professor, Bo Li, conducted recent research on mice that delved deeper into the fear processing circuit of the brain. His team found that the amygdala’s role in the brain is broader and more complex than we thought. They found that it communicates with areas of the brain responsible for reward-based learning, punishment responses, memory formation, movement, and positive stimuli processing. Their research shows that an area responsible for the regulation of voluntary movement, the “globus pallidus,” is closely linked to the amygdala. According to the same study, when they “interfered with signaling between the amygdala and the globus pallidus in the brains of mice, they found that the animals failed to learn that a particular sound cue signaled an unpleasant sensation.” Overall, research on the amygdala and its functions is still growing, as it is a complex but vital structure. While it is most commonly known for its role in processing fear, it has also been shown to be involved in consolidating memories, processing pleasant/unpleasant emotions, and learning based on rewards and punishment. Many of its activities remain unknown and need further studies and replication to confirm these hypotheses. However, you can be sure to hold your amygdala responsible next time you scream during a horror movie.