Volume 48, Issue 10

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

Issue 10 Volume 48

November 22 2021

themedium.ca

THE TALKING STAGE

GOOD ANXIETY

RED (TAYLOR'S VERSION)

The talking stage, or what I like to call “getting your feelings together,” is when two people get to know each other, most often over text, and try to determine their interest in pursuing a romantic relationsahip.

My mind raced with my plans for the week as I grabbed a book from the cart. Would I be able to catch up on my lectures when I get home? How would I split my studying for my upcoming epigenetics test?

Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her fourth studio album, Red, is a mascara-dripping, wine-drinking, tissue-grabbing phenomenon where Swift grants us the opportunity to observe her usual penchant for destruction.

>> read more on page 05

>> read more on page 08

>> read more on page 11

NEWS

More than five million citizens seek urgent humanitarian assistance due to civil war in Ethiopia May Alsaigh News Editor

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t has been more than one year since the start of civil war in Ethiopia’s northern region of Tigray. The ongoing conflict has impacted numerous communities in the country and since last year, it has been classified as a ‘full scale humanitarian crisis’ by the United Nations (UN). As a result, the Tigray region is rapidly deteriorating, with flow assistance severely obstructed.

For almost five weeks, the Tigray region has been facing a dangerous shortage of aid supplies, as the war has resulted in roadblocks and the disruption of major transport routes.

>> ETHIOPIA continues on page 04

NEWS

FEATURES

Economics professor under heat for concerning teaching methods

The increase of minimum wage to $15.00 per hour has its ups and downs. Here’s why Yash Mali Contributor

May Alsaigh News Editor

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ecently, Professor Lee Bailey of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) has been facing backlash from students expressing concerns about his teaching style. As a result, students are calling on UTM’s Economics department and executive committee to investigate this issue in greater detail.

Bailey has been employed at U of T’s Mississauga and St. George campuses since 1997, when UTM was still known as Erindale College. Since then, he has taught nearly 200 courses and has been recognized on the U of T website for his love for teaching.

However, some students have indicated the opposite by voicing their concerns on multiple platforms such as Reddit, Rate My Professors, and various social media platforms.

According to some individuals, Bailey demonstrates a “low level of commitment” within his courses and sets “unrealistic expectations” for his students. >> LEE BAILEY continues on page 04

he Ontario government has introduced legislation which, if passed, will raise the minimum wage from $14.35 to $15.00 per hour on January 1, 2022. Many Ontarians are enamored to see that minimum wage workers will receive a well-deserved raise, especially considering the negative impacts of Covid-19.

The pandemic has led workers to advocate for higher wages so that they can simply keep up with the increased living expenses in Ontario. Increasing minimum wage to $15.00 per hour will increase the yearly income of nearly 360,000 Ontarians by $1,350. While the livable minimum wage in Toronto is $22.00 per hour, many aspects still need to be considered before raising the minimum wage.

In the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), living costs have sky-rocketed due to increases in rent and property values. In 2020, the real estate market in Toronto set records that continue growing at a rate higher than anywhere else in the world. This, on top of higher gas prices and groceries, has led to a desperate plea for help from workers who make minimum wage.

However, hiking the minimum wage to $22.00 in areas like Toronto would have immediate effects on our economy. Large wage increases can drastically change the labour market in Canada—this is the principal concern of raising the minimum wage.

When companies have to pay more for labour to preserve their expected revenue, they are forced to reconsider their human capital needs. Human capital refers to the knowledge and skills held by an individual. Employers may opt to invest more in technology, which then replaces labour and increases unemployment. For example, if a restaurant must pay its employees more and can’t sustain its business, this may cause them to go out of business—and the jobs that those restaurants contribute to the economy disappear.

Across North America, increasing minimum wages has been met with mixed results. In Seattle, policy makers made headlines when they increased the minimum wage to $15.00 per hour. Contrary to predictions made by some conservative economists, unemployment rates stayed the same. However, in other less technologyreliant areas of the U.S., increased minimum wage led to job cuts in manufacturing industries. In Ontario, our economy is incredibly diverse and many believe that it is well prepared to handle a large minimum wage increase. >> MINIMUM WAGE continues on page 09

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NEWS

Editor | May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca

U of T ranks seventh amongst some of the world’s most prestigious universities Canada’s reputation as a country attracts students from all across the globe contributing to U of T’s recognized talent and innovation.

Anjalli Becharbhai Staff Writer

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n November 13, the University of Toronto was ranked as the seventh mostsearched university globally. A report conducted by Remitly indicated that Canada was the most searched destination for studying abroad among 36 nations ranging from Spain to Malaysia.

The report found that students across the globe are increasingly interested in U of T because of its location in Canada.

The trends also revealed that other prestigious universities known for their research, such as Harvard University, University of California, Los Angeles, and University of Oxford, were also frequently searched, especially amongst international students looking to pursue their studies abroad.

The university took 16th place in the U.S. News and World Report university ranking thanks to its highly regarded intensive and diverse subject areas. These include surgery,

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clinical medicine, and arts and humanities.

Other ranking systems also consider U of T to be one of the top schools to study at amongst other international schools. Academic Ranking of World Universities ranked U of T in 22nd place, while National Taiwan University Ranking placed U of T in third.

One factor students consider when studying abroad is whether the university is in a safe and adaptive country. Toronto is an attractive option for students, as the city offers various living options, work placements, food vendors, and accessible transportation.

The 2021 Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brands In-

dex conducted 60,000 interviews in 20 panel countries to receive input on Canada’s reputation in other countries. Of the 60 most liveable countries assessed, Canada was ranked second for low-crime and the second best country to live in, contributing to students’ desires to move to Canada.

Not to mention, tuition fees at Canadian universities are cheaper than universities located in the U.K., the U.S. or Australia.

The Medium spoke with Dr. Andrea Olive, an associate professor and chair of the Political Science department at the University of Toronto Mississauga. She commented on U of

T’s achievements in these ranking systems.

“I am not at all surprised that the University of Toronto would be a highly sought-after place of study for students across Canada and internationally. Our global rankings, across many different platforms, [are] consistently excellent,” stated Dr. Olive.

Times Higher Education, MacLeans, QS World University Rankings are just a few examples.

“Plus, Canada is a great country! When someone is going through a list of the highly ranked Universities, the University of Toronto is probably searched a lot because it is in Canada. Most other prestigious schools are in the U.K., U.S., and China. Toronto itself is a very expensive city, especially for housing, but Canada’s education system is very affordable compared to countries like the United States or the United Kingdom,” continued Dr. Olive.

Overall, U of T is located in one of the safest countries to live in, providing a space for students to reach their full potential and engage in a life that is boundless both academically and socially, which is crucial for a balanced and enjoyable student experience.

Remembrance Day at U of T St. George campus organizes commemoration events to remember past soldiers’ sacrifices and current soldiers’ unwavering dedication to Canada.

Larry Lau Associate News Editor

U

of T commemorates Remembrance Day on November 11, honouring fallen soldiers and those who continue to serve the Canadian military.

This year, U of T marked this day with virtual events, along with a physically-distanced service at U of T’s St. George campus (UTSG). The service was filmed at Hart House and livestreamed to the public.

This fateful day marks the end of the first world war, when nations agreed to a ceasefire. Remembrance Day focuses on conserving the memories of fallen soldiers, rather than the spoils of war resulting from Allied victory.

From 1921 to 1930, this day was known as Armistice Day, and was observed on the Monday of the week of November 11 each year. It was not until 1931 that Remembrance Day was redesignated by the Canadian government, holding its current name and unchanging date.

Ever since, Remembrance Day has been consistently observed over the years, with many educational institutions such as U of T holding annual ceremonies of commemoration.

At the university’s St. George campus, the commemoration venue deviated from the usual location at the Soldiers’ Tower due to the ongoing construction of the Landmark Project—U of T’s plan to upgrade campus features including the increase

of underground parking and greener, walkable areas. For this reason, along with Covid-19 restrictions, the commemoration event was not open to general attendance, and was livestreamed instead.

This year, Nila Rajagopal, conductor of Toronto’s Children Chorus, recited a reading of “In Flanders Field”—composed by Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae in May 1915. McCrae was a graduate of University College and the Faculty of Medicine.

Numerous wreaths were placed in the ceremony, each from different participation groups. Notably, President of U of T Meric Gertler placed one for UTSG, while Vice-President of U of T and Principal Wisdom Tettey placed one for Scarborough campus (UTSC).

At the University of Toronto Mississauga, the ceremony was livestreamed on the university website. Principal Alexandra Gillespie gave a speech in front of the William G. Davis Building, much like on Remembrance Day 2020. Members of the community gathered virtually to join this commemoration event.

Wreaths were laid next to the flagpole in front of the building and flags were also lowered to half-mast. Additionally, students could retrieve poppy pins at various locations throughout campus, such as at the Davis Food Court and Colman Commons.

For UTSC, there was no separate ceremony held this year due to gathering restrictions.

In return, Principal Wisdom Tettey attended the ceremony at UTSG on behalf of the UTSC community, and students at

UTSC were invited to view the livestream of the ceremony to pay respects. Regardless, a display of wreaths was created in front of the Science Building at UTSC for commemoration purposes.

Amidst great difficulties resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic, U of T continues to hold the Remembrance Day ceremony on campus for students and staff to pay tributes to all those before us who gave their lives protecting Canada.

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Student fees policy dismissed by Ontario court Thousands of student initiatives have faced challenges after Premier Doug Ford’s implementation of an opt-out policy.

May Alsaigh News Editor

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arlier this week, the Ontario government announced it will not be appealing an August court decision to uphold Premier Doug Ford’s Student Choice Initiative (SCI).

Jill Dunlop, spokeswoman and minister of colleges and universities, revealed that the province is not interested in seeking a legal fight within Canada’s highest court over post-secondary tuition fees.

In the past, the policy was detrimental to the development of student groups and prevented campus communities from accessing several resources including student union services.

Bethany Osborne, director of communications at Ontario’s Ministry of Colleges and Universities, stated in a public email, “we remain committed to supporting a world-class postsecondary education system and continue to explore every possible avenue to further increase accountability and transparency within the sector.”

In their ruling, the Appeal Court found the directive to dispute with legislation governing Ontario’s colleges and universities.

In 2019, Ontario Premier Doug Ford implemented a controversial policy, known as SCI, that would enable students to opt out of ancillary fees, or those that were deemed ‘nonessential.’ However, this decision resulted in the significant losses in funding for student groups and unions.

For instance, Ryerson University was impacted by the policy as their student union, equity centres, campus radio station, and newspaper saw a major decline in budgeting.

In comparison, the University of Ottawa faced a significant loss of approximately $155,000 in funding for student life and organization.

The Varsity, U of T’s tri-campus paper, experienced an average opt-in rate of nearly 75 per cent, compared to other U of T initiatives that averaged 78 per cent back in 2019. The paper’s Editor-in-Chief revealed in an interview with Vice Magazine that some students’ unions were forced to cut down on mental health coverage in light of the budget cut.

On August 4, Ontario’s Court of Appeal released a unanimous decision upholding a Divisional Court ruling that declared the SCI as ‘unlawful’—dismissing Ford’s attempt to reinstate the policy.

The court affirmed this ruling and ordered the government to compensate $20,000 in costs to the Canadian Federation of Students.

Canadian jurist and legal scholar, Justice Grant Huscroft, writes in a statement, “indeed, given the role played by student associations in university governance, the framework is a profound interference in university autonomy—not a mere fettering of the universities’ discretion, as the Minister submits.”

The opt-out provisions that were enacted in 2019 resulted in challenges for several on-campus organizations, as they defunded them and deprived them from the adequate resources needed to serve students.

A third-year student at the University of Toronto Mississauga, who chose to remain anonymous, tells The Medium in an email interview, “I always thought of university as a place where the most self-discovery occurs, but when groups lose funding, I feel as though students are losing the opportunity to express themselves and to build those connections that people seek in university.”

The defunding of student groups not only affects associations themselves but the communities they provide for as well. The decision to discontinue Ford’s policy will benefit several students and provide them with the resources they require to thrive in university.

Toronto’s troubling housing crisis presents numerous challenges for graduates A ground-breaking number of 37,000 residents move out of Ontario to escape high-living costs.

Razia Saleh Associate News Editor

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ecent reports from Statistics Canada show that over 37,000 people moved out of the Ontario region between April to July this year. These alarming numbers can be attributed to Canada’s housing market and the increase of housing prices, making it difficult for Ontarians to find a forever home.

More specifically, British Columbia has attracted over 85,000 residents from Ontario, 16,849 from Québec, and 16,496 from Alberta.

Consequently, many Canadians in Ontario are moving to Maritime provinces, not only because of the lower housing prices, but also to avoid large crowds like those found in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). Ontario currently holds a population of 14 million, with approximately three million residing in Toronto.

With a fast-paced city and growing number of crowds, many are seeking a quieter lifestyle, prompting the spike in relocation.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic, remote

work has become a common routine for both workers and students. This is one of the many factors that has provoked the move to smaller cities for numerous individuals.

A 2021 U of T study from the Dalla Lana Public Health suggests that Toronto must look into a more sustainable housing framework. This study emphasizes the importance of sustainability while also arguing that affordable housing is crucial to addressing the climate crisis in the City of Toronto.

With U of T’s virtual convocation ceremony last week, more than 5,700 students have received their degrees—raising concerns for the upcoming future of graduates. Many students have revealed they will be staying at their current home with their families, as purchasing or renting a home can be a major financial burden to them.

School of Cities at U of T has taken on a major initiative to start their Affordable Housing Project to help graduates and students find affordable housing. The project looks at ways to promote sustainable housing and how to help graduates thrive amid a troubling housing crisis.

The organization hosted a panel discussion

earlier last week on November 17 called Implications of Covid-19: Providing Affordable Housing in a Post-Pandemic World, where panelists highlighted the growing problem of housing affordability within the GTA. This discussion will be posted on their YouTube channel, School of Cities, for anyone seeking further support and insight.

U of T also offers housing emergency support for those who are unable to find temporary housing. More information can be found on U of T’s Student Life website, with numbers to dial and specific services for different needs.

In a post-pandemic world, searching for a living space will remain a challenge for many, especially first-time homebuyers living in the GTA. U of T will continue to provide several

means of support to graduates not only in finding a career, but a home as well.

04

More than five million citizens seek urgent humanitarian assistance due to civil war in Ethiopia Region of Tigray experiences famine conditions with over 90 per cent of the population affected by food shortages and aid blockages.

May Alsaigh News Editor

>> ETHIOPIA continued from page 01 According to the UN, more than five million people are in “dire need of humanitarian assistance.”

Additionally, the United States Agency for International Development deems the conflict as “one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.” Other regions, including Afar and Amhara, are facing severe food insecurity. As a result, several communities have resorted to eating leaves while two million Ethiopians have already fled their homes.

The civil war is between the Northern regional government, the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF), and the national government of Ethiopia. The dispute is focused on who should take leadership of the country; however, it has only resulted in the famine of countless regions.

Since then, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s declared a sixmonth state of emergency after encouraging citizens to arm themselves as defence against the TPLF. Ahmed went on to

say that any individual violating the emergency can be subject to three to 10 years in prison.

It has been reported that more than 60,000 Tigray citizens, including 18,000 children, are seeking refuge in Sudan by crossing the border. Last year, the UN Refugee Agency reported that 4,000 citizens were fleeing the country daily.

Due to the war and Covid-19 impacts, 7,000 schools have been damaged, leaving 1.4 million children out of school since March 2020.

Further, the UN is releasing emergency funds to treat the famine conditions several regions in Ethiopia are experiencing. So far, a total of $40 million has been released, with $25 million contributed by UN’s Central Emergency Response Fund and $15 million from the Ethiopia Humanitarian Fund.

Several online petitions have been circulating the internet, demanding for the support of individuals worldwide. “Please Keep Your Hands Off Ethiopia,” is one petition that can be found on Change.org with over 19,000 signatures. The petition calls for global attention and assistance in favour of the people of Tigray.

As the people of Tigray are continuing to endure detrimental impacts, it is up to the community to raise awareness about this issue. By hosting online discussions and sharing

informative articles, more individuals can learn how to help Ethiopia’s urgent humanitarian crisis.

ERIK HATHAWAY/UNSPLASH

Economics professor under heat for concerning teaching methods Recent petition circulates the internet after students express their dissatisfaction with U of T Professor Lee Bailey.

May Alsaigh News Editor

>> LEE BAILEY continued from page 01 The aforementioned concerns include the following: outdated course content being assigned to students, a course structure that does not accommodate students with disabilities and

learning disadvantages, eliminating the use of Zoom chats during lecture, preventing students to ask questions, inability to contact Bailey or course teaching assistants and more. The concerns are centered around Bailey’s teaching in ECO200Y5 (Microeconomic Theory).

Currently, a petition on Change.org is circulating on the internet where students are demanding for an investigation to be conducted.

As of Sunday, November 21, the petition has more than 240 signatures with a goal of 500.

Creator of the petition, Satoshi Nakamoto,

HAYDEN MAK/THE MEDIUM

writes a call to action directed at UTM within the description regarding Bailey’s lack of ability to deliver reliable teaching methods.

“We students are calling on UTM’s department of Economics to undergo an investigation into the course content and teaching by Professor Bailey. We wish for this to be a transparent process such that all students are aware of the metrics that Professor Bailey is being judged against and have anonymous input [and] course evaluations from students.”

In a brief interview via email, Nakamoto states, “This petition did not call for the firing of a professor, nor call for him to step down, but for UTM to make an example of how they will respect and adhere to the voices of their students in a fully transparent manner.”

Nakamoto continues, “if the university decides to ignore and tuck-this-away so to speak, then there is no doubt that UTM’s ‘vested interest’ in its students is a charade.”

Many from the university’s Mississauga and St. George campuses have revealed they endured stress, trauma, and frustration after being enrolled in Bailey’s classes.

Additionally, Bailey currently holds a 3.1 out of five rating on RateMyProfessors.com, a site that enables students to share reviews and insight on professors across Canada and the U.S. One anonymous review posted late Septem-

ber of this year states, “avoid if you are triggered by verbal abuse, belittling or aggression.” However, not all reviews are negative. Another review posted early May states, “I took the course and, honestly, it wasn’t as bad for me.”

In another email interview with The Medium, a second-year student, who chose to remain anonymous, shared their experience.

Completing a specialist in Economics, the student writes, “I’ve had to bring more attention away from other courses just to keep up with what he’s saying, let alone try to perform well. The problem is that I have no other choice but to stick with Bailey. He’s the only one who teaches this class for some reason.”

Meanwhile, another anonymous source who is specializing in Management also shares their insight. “I hope the situation works out for the students. I want the university to be open about how they’re going to address this. It’s very clear to me that it has reached a breaking point with him after so many years and so I’m glad some have stepped up,” states the third-year student.

While many students are continuing to face challenges amid a year-long pandemic, it is up to faculty and staff to provide optimal support and guidance. Students at U of T are demanding action to be taken to address Bailey’s failure to appropriately accommodate individuals and the challenges he has imposed thus far.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Elizabeth Provost editor@themedium.ca Managing Editor Elisa Nguyen managing@themedium.ca News May Alsaigh news@themedium.ca Opinion Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca Features Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca A&E Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca Sports Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca Photo Hayden Mak photos@themedium.ca Design Manjot Pabla design@themedium.ca Copy Juliana Stacey juliana@themedium.ca Miguel DaSilva miguel@themedium.ca Social Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Videographer Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

ASSOCIATES & APPOINTED ROLES Larry Lau, News Razia Saleh, News Kareena Kailass, Opinion Haya Abu Ghosh, Opinion Dalainey Gervais, Features Prisha Nuckchady, Features Dellannia Segreti, Sports Gladys Lou, Photo Simrah Siddiqui, Photo Isik Vera Senel, UTMSU Correspondent Julia Skoczypiec, Theatre Erindale Correspondent Robert Bui, Campus Athletics Correspondent

TO CONTRI BUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

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05

OPINION

Editor | Aroni Sarkar opinion@themedium.ca

New solution to curbing climate change? Turning carbon dioxide into stone In a ground-breaking experiment, Iceland has offered an innovative way to reduce carbon emissions on a global level.

Haya Abu Ghosh Associate Opinion Editor

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n the site of Hellisheidi Power Station located southwest of Iceland, the first ever conversion experiment of turning carbon dioxide gas emissions into solid rocks took place, and became a reality instead of theory.

The process starts with ‘direct air capturing’ machines that absorb the surrounding atmosphere using enormous fans and fabric tubes. The captured air is chemically filtered to extract the carbon dioxide and dismisses the absorption of other gases such as nitrogen and oxygen. The solidification begins by sending the carbon dioxide into a large machine for further processing. The concentrated gas is combined with water and injected in the basalt rock. Eventually, the carbon dioxide forms into rocks. The nearby geothermal power plant site sitting at the bottom of a volcano provides the energy for the process.

This project absorbs about 4,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually which can reduce global emissions. This is equivalent to the emissions of about 870 cars. The solidification of carbon dioxide emissions is vital for tackling the climate change crisis. This has an in-

creased chance of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

Scientists around the world argue that operations that reduce the carbon dioxide emission is a necessary step to combating climate change. Modern and innovative forms of technology are major tools in combatting climate change. We need fast and immediate global action. The significance of converting carbon dioxide to rock will not only help reduce air pollution, but it will also reduce the effect it has on human beings, animals, and marine life.

Furthermore, the success of this project would inspire other countries and their leaders to act and invest into these types of operations. Encouraging political leaders to take part in ecofriendly initiatives to create a greener atmosphere is imperative. The positive impact of converting carbon dioxide gas into stones is a non-harmful act and worth the money for developed countries that have the resources to build it—especially those that are the major contributors to the climate crisis.

Moreover, the benefit of this process is that carbon dioxide would be solidified for millions of years until it breaks down and releases back to the environment. This procedure would for a long time suppress the large sum of carbon dioxide from the environment into rocks. The climate change crisis has caused heatwaves, rising sea levels, wildfires and flooding. Scientists urge leaders and the general population to take action by reducing their own carbon dioxide footprint. Now, we can do so on a global scale.

❤📖🥰

A 21st century love story: the talking stage Dating now is the careful formulation of emojis and how many ‘y’s to put at the end of a ‘hey’ text.

Elizabeth Provost Editor-in-Chief

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xpectations of a Romeo and Juliet (minus the dying) or Gatsby and Daisy (minus the dying) love story is far beyond reach with our eyes fixated on our screens and our thumbs typing ferociously. The talking stage, or what I like to call “getting your feelings together,” is when two people get to know each other, most often over text, and try to determine their interest in pursuing a romantic relationsahip.

I will proudly say that I haven’t fallen victim to the talking stage.

I like to live on the edge and, *gasp,* date in real life. But, I’ve seen first-hand from my close friends how “what’s your favourite colour?” has, again and again, failed them, and wasted their time.

While getting to know someone is an integral part of building a romantic connection, doing so over text for long periods of time takes away from the beauty of old-school dating. The kind where you look into your date’s eyes, get butterflies, and wonder if you’ll get a kiss at the end. Now, you’ve got the kind of “dating” where you dread that “read” receipt.

The talking stage has revealed our generation’s commitment issues. An unspoken rule of this state of limbo is to avoid, at all costs, the question: “what are we?” And the result? Nothing. Liter-

ally. Months of texting ending in the realization that you are not compatible—a conclusion you could’ve come to in a few face-toface interactions. Because sparks do (or don’t) fly in person, while over text, your perception of the other person is based on words.

And often, the talking stage is used as a justification for infidelity. Since boundaries aren’t defined, and usually, one person is more invested than the other, the talking stage offers the freedom to “play the field” and not feel guilty about it. It doesn’t have any rules—the kind where you declare if you’re exclusive or simultaneously “dating” half the Toronto area. So, while you’re getting to know someone, they may be getting to know someone else—and that’s the norm.

The successful talking stage, where “what are you up to today?” and “what are you watching on Netflix right now?” amounts to something, can breed unhealthy dating habits. Getting used to constant and empty communication, can, despite a label, lead to attachment issues. You don’t need to talk to someone every second of every day. Phone glued to your hands; your life starts to revolve around a string of text messages instead of valuable memories.

It becomes habit. Someone you barely know gets to control your mood and how the rest of the day unfolds.

The chase can be addicting, but it’s ruining our ability to connect. Getting to know someone should be exciting. But pressing letters on a keyboard, and carefully selecting emojis has become our way to build relationships, or so we tell ourselves.

06

Tim Hortons is back and bad as ever The UTM community is relieved to waste their money on the inedible food they always loved.

Bilaal Mohamed Contributor

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ormalcy returned in the beginning of November as the beloved Davis’ Tim Hortons branch was seemingly brought back to life. A mass of students stood outside of Tim Hortons at the crack of dawn, eagerly waiting for the grand reopening. The crowd gleefully watched the almost café, almost restaurant get unlocked, the lights flicker on, and gave a standing ovation to the employee who fired up the cash register. As customers lined up, bought, and received their food, they confirmed that the taste was just as bad as it has always been.

“I was so worried that Tim Hortons would leave their roots and offer actual edible food, but I’m relieved that it is the same soul-crushing experience.”

“I was so worried that Tim Hortons would leave their roots and offer actual edible food, but I’m relieved that it is the same soul-crushing experience,” said Kyle, a second-year Religion Studies major.

From the iconic cup of coffee that is mixed with sewage water and expired milk, to the moldy bagels, or the grilled cheese sandwiches that are accidentally dropped to the sticky kitchen floor twice before being wrapped and served, the UTM Hospitality and Retail Services executives wanted to provide everyone the same food that we all had a love-hate relationship with.

“I really missed eating this English muffin and destroying my digestive system every morning before class,” said Ethan Lam, a third-year Computer Science major. His eyes became watery as he excitedly took a big

bite. “These are not tears of joy. My stomach is in excruciating pain right now.”

The full Tim Hortons experience is not only digesting the repulsive food, but the journey as well. Who doesn’t love standing in the long grueling lines that extend all the way to St. George campus during rush hour? Customers recount how hours, days, sometimes even years passed while they waited in line.

“The real fun of being in long lines is how your day could be ruined by the person standing in front of you,” said Brock, a first-year Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology student.

You can never expect what will unfold in line, it could be conversations of childhood trauma that you can’t unhear, being suffocated from the stench of a computer science major who hasn’t showered in days, or a couple showing passionate affection to each other, reminding you how lonely you are.

The Davis Tim’s also kept up their appearance by featuring unflattering lighting, spilled Ice Caps on the floor and that one old creepy professor who stands around staring at female students.

Tim Hortons aimed to enhance the student’s experience by offering their well-known five-star customer service: old underpaid employees who keep getting orders wrong. “I told the cashier five times straight that I don’t want bacon in my breakfast wrap,” says Liza, a Muslim student at UTM, “and they gave me a whole roast suckling pig. That’s not even remotely close to the thing I ordered!”

As students struggling to pay our tuition, are you as excited as me to waste money on the familiar garbage food places that we took for granted?

British Columbia’s floods are another example of the persisting climate change crisis The provincial government’s response has been to deflect blame and avoid responsibility, instead of providing adequate assistance and implementing climate change policies.

Aroni Sarkar Opinion Editor

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ast week, British Columbia was walloped with a devastating and deadly “once-in-a-century weather event.” Since November 13, severe rainfall and early-season mountain snow resulted in an “atmospheric river.” Almost a month’s worth of rain fell within 24 hours. The damage was so severe that Coquihalla Highway, which connects Vancouver to the rest of the province, crumbled, isolation the city by road as of November 15. Now, a state of emergency has been declared by the province. This catastrophic event is a clear indicator of what happens when climate change isn’t taken seriously.

“18,000 people are yet to return to their homes,” and “thousands of farm animals have died and many more remain trapped by the flood waters,” reports BBC. The raging wildfires in British Columbia earlier this year eradicated the necessary amounts of soil and trees to hold certain amounts of water. About 600 people died from the extreme heatwave as well.

The steep roads and terrain of Vancouver coupled with the after-effects of the wildfires resulted in mudslides and destruction of property like never before. So much so that multiple highways were cut off, including the Trans-Canada Highway which was completely submerged by water. A woman was

killed due to one of these landslides, “officials expect more fatalities,” and two people are reportedly missing.

First fires, now floods. How many more disasters need to happen for leaders and sceptics to understand that this is the effect of neglecting to address climate change. Yes, the sudden change from hot to cold, from fire to water, from summer to winter is all climate change. This is not normal.

Cars in from the Merritt community near Vancouver were seen floating down the waters and all residents were ordered to evacuate. Hundreds of people were trapped and cut off in Agassiz, a town about a hundred kilometres east of Vancouver.

Helicopters were needed for rescue. Abbotsford residents were told to flee because the floods and the slides posed a “significant risk to life.”

The Canadian Armed Forces and helicopters have been called in to provide aid to those stranded by the floods by providing food and assistance to evacuate.

“As we warm up the atmosphere, as we warm up the oceans - more water is evaporated from the oceans. So then when we have these atmospheric river events, essentially the atmosphere can carry more water towards our mountains,” says Rachel White, atmospheric scientist at the University of British Columbia. Weather events like hurricanes, cyclones, typhoons, and floods are only going to get more intense and more unpredictable.

Who is taking responsibility? Not public safety minister

Mike Farnworth.

At every question asked, he deflects responsibility to “locals.” Whether it is travel advisories, or why bordering communities in the U.S. are taking precautionary measures, or why the provincial alert system wasn’t used, he says it is the responsibility of local officials. “That’s the right way and the appropriate way to deal with these kinds of situations, because the experts in that local area know where the problem spots are,” Farnworth defends.

Here is the problem with that argument. Smaller local communities don’t have access to the same resources that provincial or federal governments can provide. Farnworth said that the decision to close highways that connected towns were the responsibility of the locals, but they are also still part of provincial jurisdiction and control.

“Other communities may require provincial assistance, they will ask for that,” Farnworth says. Apparently, getting warned

by Environment Canada days earlier and seeing devastating footage of entire towns submerged under water isn’t a cry for help. This approach by the provincial government is the definition of victim blaming.

For a province that has been hit by severe weather events within the span of two years, wouldn’t the first call to action be providing immediate assistance, updating disaster response plans, and making changes to climate action policies, instead of waiting to be asked for help?

Editorial

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Are deadlines inflexible in the real world?

“When professors stress not missing a deadline, it can cultivate a fear of communication even if there are external issues affecting your academic performance and a fear of punishment.”

The Medium

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ate or missed deadlines are not always indicative of poor time management and laziness. Mental health issues, family emer-

gencies, extracurricular responsibilities, jobs/internships, and a heavy course load are all common reasons for handing in an assignment late or not at all. And while ideally students should be able to manage their time and overcome obstacles to submit their assignments, it isn’t always possible.

Even with all-nighters, there aren’t enough hours in a day to do everything.

In this situation, a student might weigh the potential outcomes of incomplete but punctual work versus late but complete work. In the case of incomplete but punctual, the student figures their grade may be better than a zero or equal to the lower grade they’d receive for being late. In the case of late but complete, students wager that their work is good enough to take the hit of the late penalty or they simply needed those extra days to work on the assignment at all. With some late penalties being five to ten per cent with every late day, some students prefer to eat a lower grade.

The importance of deadlines is not lost on students. Often hard deadlines for assignments are justified with the ratio-

nale that the “real world” has no extensions. In the workplace, your co-workers, clients, and bosses depend on timely submissions to complete their own work. With too much flexibility, work is left incomplete, reputations are ruined, and clients are left unsatisfied.

However, the “real world” is not as unforgiving and inflexible as some professors may lead you to believe. Extensions and accommodations are made when needed, whether it be mortgage payments or a report that needs to be filed.

When professors stress not missing a deadline, it can cultivate a fear of communication even if there are external issues affecting your academic performance and a fear of punishment due to hefty late penalties resulting in lower quality work.

The solution, however, is not to get rid of deadlines or late penalties, but rather offer some flexibility when needed. In the same vein, students should also not make it a habit to ask for extensions or take advantage of a professor’s kindness.

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Victory for the Indian farmers!

Prime Minister Modi makes a rare decision to accede and withdraw the highly controversial farming laws introduced last year.

Aroni Sarkar Opinion Editor

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arlier this year, I wrote an article for The Medium about the controversial farming laws proposed by the Indian government that sparked the biggest strike and protest in human history. Finally, after a year of consistent protests and advocacy throughout the raging pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on November 18 that his government will repeal all three of the contentious ‘black’ laws.

“At last, all of our hard work paid off. Thanks to all the farmer brothers and salute to the farmer brothers who were martyred in this battle.”

“At last, all of our hard work paid off.

Thanks to all the farmer brothers and salute to the farmer brothers who were martyred in this battle,” said farmer’s leader Rakesh Tikait, referring to the suicides of farmers amid the protests, the death of protestors in clashes with the police, and hundreds of injured farmers.

“While apologizing to the nation, I want to say with a sincere and pure heart that maybe something was lacking in our efforts that we could not explain the truth to some of our farmer brothers,” said PM Modi during his live address to the nation.

While this is a massive win for the farm-

ers, a group that makes up about 60 per cent of India’s 1.3 billion strong population, don’t let Modi’s words fool you.

The people that were going to suffer most from these laws, and who made up most of the protestor block, were from the states of Punjab and Uttar Pradesh. These two states are also about to see key elections next year and make up an enormous voting block that Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) needs in their favour. Farmers as a whole are the biggest voting demographic in India.

BJP leaders have been accused of committing violence against the farmers in Uttar Pradesh. Punjab, a dominant Sikh state, is especially threatening for Modi considering the bubbling separatist movement that continues to linger from the 1980s. A movement that Modi used as a way to dismiss the protests because he said that it was fuelled by their religious nationalism. But surprisesurprise, he now needs them to keep his party in power. The state of Punjab is currently governed by the opposing Congress Party and this announcement comes just ahead of a major Sikh festival that celebrates the birth of Gur Purab, founder of Sikhism.

Modi’s government has faced widespread criticism over the last few years for fuelling Hindu nationalist movements, doing an abysmal job at tackling the Covid-19 pandemic, and the proposal of the discriminatory citizenship amendment law which singled out Muslims.

“It is highly unusual for the Modi government to retreat or backpedal on a major political decision. The government is likely to spin this as the PM listening to the people, but after a year of hard protest, acrimony

and violence, it’s going to be difficult to make that notion adhere,” argues Gilles Verniers, Political Science professor at Ashoka University in New Delhi.

“The government is likely to spin this as the PM listening to the people...”

Modi’s notoriously stubborn and harsh leadership will definitely take a hit in the eyes of his devout supporters. This is “a salutary lesson that good economics often makes for poor politics. Especially when there is a trust deficit between the key stakeholders and the government; and the politics is partisan and non-consultative,” writes Soutik Biswas, India Correspondent for the BBC. Over the next few weeks, we are bound to see opposing narratives over the intentions behind this announcement, whether Modi will follow through with it, and how farmers are responding. Although my view on this announcement is a cynical one, and rightfully so considering Modi’s history of governance, this decision is still proof

that collective direct action does get results.

In a time when there are mass protests against authoritarian rule across the globe, the success of these protests can be a major inspiration and encouragement to stay strong and persist in our resistance.

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features

Editor | Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes features@themedium.ca

How can students make the best of their anxiety?

World-renowned neuroscientist Dr. Wendy Suzuki discusses her most recent book titled Good Anxiety: The Power of Harnessing the Most Misunderstood Emotion.

MATT SIMPKINS

Massa Mohamed Ali Contributor

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stood in front of a book cart that my colleagues and I call “recovery”—misplaced items that need to be put back in their respective places. I glanced at my watch and read 6:04 p.m. Three more hours until my shift at the local bookstore ended for the day. The store was quiet, except for Mariah Carey’s All I Want for Christmas Is You playing in the background.

A trace of roasted Starbucks coffee beans mixed with the smell of new books lingered in the air.

My mind raced with my plans for the week as I grabbed a book from the cart. Would I be able to catch up on my lectures when I get home? How would I split my studying for my upcoming epigenetics test? When could I start my paper that was due the following Monday? I put the book back where it belonged. What day could I fit a career counselling appointment in my schedule? Did I check-up on my loved ones that day?

I took another book from the cart and paused at the wave of thoughts I was experiencing. The book rested in my hand.

The longer I let my thoughts wander, the faster my heart beat, and the more anxious I felt. I hurried to the cash desk, grabbed a piece of receipt paper, and scribbled a quick to-do list. I shoved the paper inside my pocket, let out a sigh of relief, and focused on the book I had been holding titled Good Anxiety: The Power of Harnessing The Most Misunderstood Emotion by Dr. Wendy Suzuki. I smiled.

Ever since watching her famous TED talk, which now has more than seven million views on YouTube, Dr. Suzuki has become an inspiration to me. She is a professor of Neural Science and Psychology in the Center for Neural Science at New York University. She is also an internationally recognized expert on neuroplasticity. Dr. Suzuki was recently named “one of the 10 women changing the way we see the world by Good Housekeeping and regularly serves as a sought-after expert for publications including The Wall Street Journal, Shape, and Health,” as stated on her website.

When I read more about Dr. Suzuki’s research and her first book, Healthy Brain, Happy Life: A Personal Program to Activate Your Brain and Do Everything Better, in my first year of undergrad, I became a big fan of her work. I later decided to pursue a specialist in neuroscience at UTM because of her.

Now in my third year and after reading Good Anxiety, I had the wonderful opportunity to discuss it with her.

I first asked Dr. Suzuki about the concept of “good” anxiety.

She said that it is “anxiety and the underlying stress response evolved to protect us.” Dr. Suzuki also highlights the importance of shifting one’s mindset around anxiety. We need to ask ourselves, “how can I make it work for me?”

According to her, the first step to having good anxiety is learning how to turn our anxiety levels down. In her book, she mentions that students often reach a level where their performance is impaired due to their high anxiety levels. To avoid reaching this state, Dr. Suzuki suggests breathing deeply using a box breathing technique to naturally activate the body’s parasympathetic nervous system. This technique involves inhaling for four seconds, holding your breath for four seconds, and then exhaling for another four seconds. It’s easy to remember and can be used “right before you’re going to take an exam or before you’re going to have a big study session,” states Dr. Suzuki. “Or in the middle of an anxiety-provoking conversation. Nobody even knows that you’re doing it.”

Dr. Suzuki’s second tip is to exercise. “Every time you move your body, it’s like you’re giving your brain this wonderful bubble bath of neurochemicals,” she adds, explaining that these include serotonin, noradrenaline, dopamine, and endorphins. Studies show that these neurotransmitters immediately improve mood and decrease anxiety—even after just a 10-minute walk. Not only does regular exercise help decrease anxiety, but it also enhances long-term memory and focus, which helps students retain information more easily and for longer periods of time.

I was fascinated by her studies showing that exercise is, as she says, “the most transformative thing that you can do for your brain today.” She describes that the hippocampus, an area in the brain that is vital for learning and memory, gains brand new brain cells and increases in volume with regular exercise.

According to a 2017 study, exercise improves prefrontal cortex function and therefore protects the brain from neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s. Moreover, exercise improves our mood.

Dr. Suzuki and I also discussed the concept of “flow.” Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, a Hungarian-American psychologist, describes flow as a state of complete absorption and engagement.

In this state, we perform at an optimum level with an almost effortless state of mind. In Good Anxiety, Dr. Suzuki explains “micro flow” as a shorter, but more frequent flow state that can help us enjoy any experience throughout our day. She describes micro flow as a “superpower of anxiety.”

After reading more about this, I reflected on the states of micro flow throughout my day—most notably during my neuroplasticity class, where I was fully engaged with my thoughts.

Many students can benefit from reflecting on instances of flow or micro flow throughout their week. We can use these to figure out what we are passionate about, which in turn helps us decide what to focus on for our future endeavours.

Inspired by a successful lawyer she met, Dr. Suzuki wrote about turning the “what if ” list of worries that students have into a to-do list. She suggests acting on the worries you can control by looking for coaching, asking a friend to list your best qualities, and getting as much information as you can.

For me, I noticed that even scribbling a quick to-do list on a receipt paper at work helped me manage my worries and focus on the present moment.

Dr. Suzuki’s final message to students emphasizes finding the reasons and joys behind our effort to learn. “Everybody right now, take one minute to think about what is joyful to you about the learning that you’re doing in this endeavour,” she concludes. “The joy and the inspiring part is what you get to learn.” She advises students to ask themselves what we appreciate in learning. “Tell yourself why. Remind yourself why.”

Just as Dr. Suzuki inspired me to find my interests, pursue further research in positive neuroplasticity, make the best of my anxiety, and remember my motivation behind choosing further education, I hope she inspires you too. For more information about Dr. Suzuki, her books, and her research, please visit www.wendysuzuki.com.

A city for everyone: Professor Ron Buliung on building a more accessible future Prospective urban planners will learn the importance of integrating accessible city designs for those living with a disability.

Dalainey Gervais Associate Features Editor

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ecently awarded the Mikey Milner International Professorship Award, University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) professor Ron Buliung presented the Holland Bloor-

view Research Institute symposium on November 15 under the theme of “Building Up and Building Out: Elevating and Expanding Childhood Disability Research.” The event discussed innovative research that expands childhood disability research to a new level.

In association with the Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, the Mikey Milner International Professorship Award

is given to outstanding leaders in childhood disability research.

“When I looked at past speakers, it was all people that I’ve read closely and respect a great deal,” says professor Buliung. “It was an incredible honour to have an external group tell me that my work was good enough to [share].” The symposium is Canada’s largest hospital based paediatric disability health

research conference to recognize scientific and academic leadership. Many leaders in the field deliver annual keynote lectures, including Dr. Gillian King, Canada’s Research Chair in Optimal Care for Children with Disabilities, and Dr. Roberta Woodgate, a leading professor at the University of Manitoba’s College of Nursing. >> CITY DESIGNS continues on page 09

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First introduced to geographic information systems and computer mapping during his undergraduate at McMaster University, professor Buliung originally planned on studying History and English. After discovering a passion for geography, he pursued a major in Geography and a double minor in English and History. “When I finished my last exam in my undergraduate, I had no idea what to do [next],” recalls professor Buliung. “So, I walked out of the room and one of my Geography professors was sitting there and I asked if they had any jobs.” He was offered a research assistant position which began his journey on the course of academia.

Beginning his UTM journey in 2006, professor Buliung taught the introductory Geographic Information System and statistical analysis courses under the Geography, Geomatics, and Environment program. “I contributed for many years to the geographic information systems undergraduate programs in what was then the Department of Geography and Environment,” adds professor Buliung. Recognition of the field of geomatics under the department is important, as it deals with the collection and analysis of spatial data.

Professor Buliung introduced GGR370: The Geography of Transportation to UTM, an undergraduate course that explores the mobility, accessibility, transportation networks, and flows in cities. “Everyone has something to say about transportation, so I find the conversation with students in the course really great,” states professor Buliung. “They teach me a lot about their experiences and things that I might not have considered in the field of transportation geography.” This year, the course will have a particular focus on the highway development projects that Ontario premier Doug Ford plans on pushing through the Greenbelt.

This year also brings an exciting new graduate course taught by professor Buliung, titled “Disability in the City”— UTM’s first dedicated course on disability studies and planning. Focusing on the theories describing disabilities and city planning, professor Buliung hopes to give some of Canada’s future urban planners some insight into the experiences of people with disabilities in our cities and the ways that these spaces can produce disabling experiences.

“Cities weren’t built to be accessible from the beginning,” explains professor Buliung. “We’re dealing with a historical legacy of inaccessible environments.” Due to the nature of his research and everyday life, this course is one he is most excited for—although he has yet to teach it.

Following his daughter Asha’s diagnosis with spinal muscular atrophy type 2, professor Buliung changed his path in academia and began focusing on the intersection between disability research and urban planning. “My daughter motivates all the work that I do,” he expresses. “It took a while for me to get from that moment to being able to situate myself within disability studies to the degree necessary to be able to do research in that space.”

He is currently working on multiple research projects, having just completed a round of academic publishing on the school travel experience in children with disabilities.

Alongside PhD student Rhonda Solomon, professor Buliung is working on what he calls “the problem with bathrooms,” in which the disabling elements of bathroom design in our cities are addressed. These elements include tight spaces that prevent people in wheelchairs from turning, as well as a lack of grab bars.

“I also have some collaborative work with a colleague at Ryerson University,” he adds. “An arts-based research project looking at the ways in which the arts can be used as a vehicle to help individuals with disabilities communicate different aspects of their lives.”

There are some projects on the horizon for professor Buliung, some of which explore the impact Covid-19 had on children with disabilities and their access to education.

“This is something I know very well because my daughter is disabled and had at home schooling for all of last year,” he concludes. “I got to see first-hand the limitations of that approach.”

The ways in which our cities are built is something ablebodied individuals often take for granted. Urban planners and geographers like professor Buliung work to address inaccessible city features to ensure accessible environments for everyone—whether it be through the design of wider hallways in buildings, or the removal of unnecessary elevations on city sidewalks.

The increase of minimum wage to $15.00 per hour has its ups and downs. Here’s why We must challenge our policy makers to consider the big picture and put policies into effect that promote economic prosperity in Ontario.

Yash Mali Contributor

>> MINIMUM WAGE continued from page 01 While increasing the minimum wage seems promising, many industries are concerned about inflation. Here’s a simple example that puts inflation into perspective: pretend a loaf of bread costs $2.50 before the minimum wage increases. As the cost to produce the bread rises, both factories and stores must raise the price to $2.75. Economic inflation occurs when raises in price happen to a wide range of products across different sectors, which results in a more expensive cost of living.

Now, if your income goes up proportionally, then inflation won’t matter as you would have more money to pay for that loaf of bread.

As David Price, an Economics professor at the University of Toronto Mississauga puts it, “if the price of everything has gone up by 10 per cent, and your wages have gone up by 10 per cent, you can still buy the same amount of stuff.” In other words, your wage needs to keep up with increasing prices. “When inflation gets really high, it can really hurt everyone,” he continues.

However, the minimum wage increase does not affect all aspects of our society. Professor Price explains that imported goods such as apparel, footwear, or appliances are not affected as much by a rise in minimum wage. This is because the cost of production in another

country does not rise. For example, the production cost of an avocado grown in South America would not change drastically, but the cost of Canadian maple syrup will. The store that sells the avocado will increase the price slightly to pay higher wages to its employees.

On the other hand, the cost of the maple syrup will rise drastically as it was produced here.

In addition, Professor Price states that tuition fees won’t change as instructors are not paid minimum wage. However, the cost of our cafeteria, residence, and maintenance services might change because minimum wage workers are employed in these areas. So, who is most impacted by inflation?

The answer is senior citizens. Those who saved up for their retirement would see the value of their savings depreciate as inflation rises. “If [seniors] have a lot of money saved, and then suddenly there’s a lot of inflation, they’ve essentially lost a lot of money,” explains professor Price.

No matter what side of the debate you are on, it is widely agreed that the minimum wage should scale with inflation. “Whatever you think the optimal minimum wage is, you want that to keep track with inflation,” adds professor Price.

While the raise to $15.00 per hour doesn’t match the livable minimum wage in areas like the GTA, the increase is still a step in the right direction. Whether that means sustaining gradual increases or moving the minimum wage up to the current cost of living, the debate over minimum wage is sure to ignite further conversation in Ontario.

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Arts

Editor | Danica Teng arts@themedium.ca

Succession: a portrait of familial dysfunction Questioning how repulsive reflections of reality continue to capture audience attention.

Spoiler warning: this review discusses scenes from seasons two and three of Succession.

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he opening scene of Succession’s third season captures Kendall Roy (Jeremy Strong) breathing deeply in a dark bathroom alone. His face is a bizarre and barely contained mask of distress and pride. He sinks below the water of the bathtub in his suit, thinking about his recent decision to place the conglomerate, Waystar Royco, and his father under public scrutiny for allegations of misconduct.

Succession follows the lives of the Roy quartet: Logan (Brian Cox), the hard-hearted father, and his three children—Kendall, Siobhan “Shiv” (Sarah Snook), and Roman (Kieran Culkin)— the entitled heirs to the Waystar Royco empire. The third season of the widely popular HBO series, which began airing in October, plunges viewers into the struggle for power between Kendall, the eldest and most promising successor to the empire, and Logan (Brian Cox), its faltering autocrat. This is seemingly the culmination of a slow battle within the family that has been building for two seasons.

Season two’s opening credits, accentuated by Nicholas Britell’s Emmy-award-winning theme music, show the distant father (whose face is never fully shown in the credits) miming affection with a cold hand on his daughter’s shoulder, while the boys pose in their Sunday best with grim expressions. As the camera pans over a mansion and the New York City skyline, this 90-second scene essentially tells us that there is little love lost within the Roy family.

Take episode six of season two for example: following a tense press conference, the Roys regroup. In a burst of rage, a slighted Logan smacks the youngest, Roman, in the mouth. Kendall rushes to Roman’s side, one insider attempts to placate Logan, but the others stare with vacant or embarrassed expressions. As Roman walks off clutching his cheek and muttering something sarcastic, the theme music plays, and viewers are reminded that beneath the complicated business alliances, impressive power moves, and heavy opulence, the show is primarily about family—the violence, betrayal, and darkness of a deeply dysfunctional family.

IMDb.com

Kiara Senanayake Contributor

Dysfunctional families are commonplace in popular media, from The Simpsons to the Bluths in Arrested Development, to Game of Thrones’ House Lannister. But why do audiences enjoy seeing dysfunctional families on TV? “Watching you people meltdown is the most deeply satisfying activity on planet Earth,” says one character to Kendall. She is

right, in a sense. I like to believe there is a sadistic side to all of us that enjoys seeing a family that occupies the one per cent facing obstacles that money cannot solve. Perhaps there is another angle to this.

What does Succession actually show? Is it wealthy people who have incredible power and can get away with anything, or is it about how even wealthy people can never escape themselves?

They are bound by their faults and limits, just like everyone else, and maybe even more so than others. Ironically, despite having the sort of financial freedoms that few people experience in this world, the Roys are severely limited in many ways, often leaving the audience to begrudgingly build up steady sympathy for them all. Watching them interact with each other, they do not seem untouchable. Instead, they are often humiliated, desperate, vulnerable, and pitiful in their incapability to reconcile their feelings toward each other. For a show that contains such gross displays of wealth, it certainly subverts the audience’s expectations of what life for the one per cent is like.

Perhaps it has more to do with the recent political upheaval.

The lives of the untouchable one per cent have become a lot more relevant to the average person in the age of social media and in the post-Trump zeitgeist. Many viewers consider the central theme of Succession to be the corrupting influence of money.

The Roy family, with all its dysfunction, holds up a mirror to the Trumps, the Kushners, and the Murdochs of the world, who have built their empires, power bases, and presidencies in the dark world where vulnerability is exploited for profit. Certainly, the show depicts a level of psychological violence, betrayal, and barbarism rarely seen outside of the likes of Titus Andronicus or King Lear, but it is often expected and celebrated in the ruthless world of capitalism. Nothing makes this sentiment clearer than the finale of the second season, when Logan smirks with pride as his son betrays him on live television in a bid for the throne.

Marvel’s Eternals—a sidekick at best but never the superhero While the latest film in the franchise had power and potential, it failed to save itself.

Shruti Kamath Contributor

Spoiler warning: this review briefly discusses the beginning and end of the film.

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arvel’s Eternals was expected to be a turning point within their cinematic universe. The movie boasts a strong ensemble cast, an interesting premise, and critically acclaimed director Chloé Zhao at its helm. However, the film crumbles under the weight of these expectations, leaving behind a 157-minute feature of wasted potential.

The movie begins with a crawl of text, setting up the basic background of the story.

It explains that the Eternals are a group of immortal superheroes from a distant planet that was sent to Earth 7000 years ago to protect the development of humanity from creatures known as the Deviants.

After the initial introductory scenes, the film immediately dives into a battle between the Deviants and the 10 heroes from the moment they arrive on Earth. The fight chore-

ography is incredible—a sequence that balances stunt work and computer-generated imagery (CGI) to naturally showcase the powers that each hero possesses. The opening fight is so well-crafted that it leaves the audience anticipating more of them, which turn out to be few and far between.

Another tear in the seam occurs as Zhao faces the challenge of needing the audience to care about the ensemble while understanding a history spanning several millennia. These requirements cause the movie to succumb to standard superhero tropes burdened with exposition dumps, which efface the individuality of these characters.

Brimming with potential, the characters have their own motivations and backstories, and yet the lengthy runtime of the film does not leave any space to explore them. Instead, they get surface-level portrayals that leave them as shades of their true potential. The issue with a headlining cast of 10 is that no character can be fully flushed out.

It is difficult to care about any of the Eternals. Not only do they fall short of being three-dimensional beings, but they also remain the same for over 7000 years. The numerous events they experienced during their

time on Earth have had little to no impact on most of the characters. Any moments that highlight the relationships between the characters or showcase any vulnerability in them switch to expositional flashbacks.

These glimpses into the past create character storylines that are never completely pursued, leaving these scenes to simply interrupt the momentum of the present and add to the runtime.

Despite how charismatic the cast of Eternals is, the actors are severely underutilized in favour of these expositional plots. Rather than allowing the actors to bring the characters to life, the script burdens them with the struggle of spouting generic lines that will fit

SIMRAH SIDDIQUI/THE MEDIUM

an unnecessary punchline or two.

Even acting powerhouses like Angelina Jolie (who plays Thena) or Salma Hayek (who plays Ajak) are unable to prevent the film from becoming increasingly convoluted. By the third act, the Deviants are largely ignored for a rushed conclusion that mainly serves to foreshadow any sequels. There are barely any consequences or explanations for the characters’ choices, and everything conveniently falls into place for our heroes.

The biggest—and only significant— strength of the film lies in how it utilizes diversity. The wide cast of characters includes many races, abilities, cultures, languages, and sexualities—all of which are portrayed in a natural manner. Diversity is not the central focus of the film; it is just an ordinary depiction of life, opening the doors to further such portrayals, particularly in the superhero genre.

Eternals has all the necessary tools—brilliant and diverse actors; incredible CGI and stuntwork; concepts like morality, humanity, and sacrifice—to make a masterpiece. However, with too many missed opportunities, the movie is nothing but an empty addition to the franchise.

Arcane brings the League of Legends world to life Maggie Ng Contributor

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iot Games, the creators behind League of Legends, have everything from cinematic shorts to music videos, to esports tournaments, all promoting the League of Legends world and its distinct characters. However, Arcane is their first fully immersive show.

Riot Games has now more than delivered by providing a cinematic experience of the complex universe. With the incredible character development, storyline, and concept art, Riot Games proves they listen to their fans. Even better, you do not need any prior knowledge of the League of Legends universe to enjoy this captivating series.

Arcane is an immersive action-packed show, critically praised for its blend of computer-generated imagery and hand-drawn animation. Taking place in Piltover and Zaun, the series tells the origin stories for some of League of Legends’ most popular characters: Vi (Hailee Steinfeld), Jinx (Ella Purnell), Jayce (Kevin Alejandro), and many more. In addition to a well-known cast, the show features familiar artists like

Imagine Dragons and Bea Miller on the series’ soundtrack. Arcane is currently number one in 37 countries, with a 9.4 IMBD rating and a 100 per cent Rotten Tomatoes score.

The show even dethroned Squid Game, which was Netflix’s number one for two months.

Unlike other shows, Arcane is separated into three acts with three episodes each. Every act focuses on a certain time period for these characters. The early episodes introduce Vi and Powder (aka young Jinx, voiced

by Mia Sinclair Jenness)—orphaned sisters living in Zaun, the Undercity, who steal gadgets with their gang for a profit. The show explores Powder’s emotional turmoil of living in her sister’s shadow and the dynamics of the Undercity. The perspective then shifts to a pair of scientists, Jayce and Viktor (Harry Lloyd), who try to revolutionize the world with their Hextech technology. After years of Piltover’s mistreatment toward the Undercity’s inhabitants, destruction begins, led by Silco (Jason Spisak)—the villain who dreams of overtaking Piltover. While the first act focuses on Vi and Powder’s childhood, act two covers the evolution of Hextech and Silco’s plotline. Lastly, act three brings their stories to an end.

Some notable aspects of the show include the fight scenes. They are amazingly choreographed and have the right blend of unique angles, slow motion, and fighting styles. Additionally, the characters, scenery, and props are all intricately designed, showing the minutiae of the universe. Matching the art of League of Legends, Arcane’s style remains true to the game’s design, with slight alterations to fit the expressive storytelling of animation.

The choice to focus on a few distinct characters gives Arcane the opportunity to explore these character arcs in depth—each one unique yet seamlessly tied together. The basis of the plot revolves around the fight between good and evil. It is a trope that people have seen before, but with added fantastical elements packed with thrilling action scenes, this basic plotline transforms into something so much more.

While the series is descriptive and informative enough to let viewers who are unfamiliar with League of Legends understand the story, it also gives multiple nods and easter eggs to longtime fans with the appearances of Caitlyn (Katie Leung), Heimerdinger (Mick Wingert), and Ekko (Reed Shannon). A show that can create two separate

experiences, both wonderfully achieved, makes it all the more impressive.

League of Legends always hinted at the complexity of its universe but never properly conveyed it until n o w.

With the fully-produced animated series of Arcane, fans can gain a deeper understanding of the world they love, and new audiences can be seamlessly introduced to the enchanting world of League of Legends.

Red (Taylor’s Version) is a magical and miserable masterpiece Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her 2012 heartbreak anthem leaves fans crumpled up like pieces of paper.

Paige France Staff Writer

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s autumn leaves begin falling down like pieces into place, Taylor Swift’s re-recording of her fourth studio album, Red, is a mascara-dripping, wine-drinking, tissue-grabbing phenomenon where Swift grants us the opportunity to observe her usual penchant for destruction. In an album dedicated to the perils of heartbreak, the freedom of growing up, and, of course, that iconic Gucci scarf left at Maggie Gyllenhaal’s house, it is the honesty in Swift’s songwriting that once again captivates a mosaic of broken hearts.

With Fearless (Taylor’s Version) topping the Billboard 200 chart in April, Red is the second installment in her ongoing mission to reclaim her masters that were sold in 2019 to longtime industry bully, Scooter Braun, giving him control of Swift and her entire discography. Turning a savvy business maneuver into a sweeping career retrospective, we can hear a much more mature Swift hashing out the lyrics painstakingly written over a decade ago on her bedroom floor, except now she is in love, content with herself as a music industry heavyweight, and no longer willing to conform to mainstream scrutiny. Swift thanks her fans in an emotional Twitter post: “Red is about to be mine again, but it has always been ours. Now we begin again.” And no, we are not fine at all.

Red enabled Swift to push beyond restrictive genre boundaries. In the incohesive masterpiece that reflects the turbulence of navigating young adulthood, the mega-pop manifesto straddles the confines of twangy country and heart-pumping pop. As a clear nexus between the beginning of Swift’s music venture and the pop princess direction she headed toward with her fifth album, 1989 (2014), Red serves as a testament to the formative years and relationships that are “happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time,” like she sings in “22.” The pop-infused half gives us “I Knew You Were Trouble,” a rare

pop-EDM crossover, as well as bratty retorts intertwined with the euphoric cheerleader background vocals of “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.” The country portion includes dainty collaborations with Ed Sheeran and Snow Patrol’s Gary Lightbody. This combination made the album ground-breaking for such a young artist.

The 2021 re-record, Red (Taylor’s Version), stays true to this chaotic mess. Rolling Stone’s Rob Sheffield awarded the album with five stars, describing the project as a “tribute to how far she’s traveled, but it makes you even more excited for where she’s heading next.”

Originally a 16-track album, Taylor’s Version is complemented by nine vault songs— songs that originally did not make the tedious process of song selection—and they could not be more Red. Like trying to solve a crossword and realizing there is no right answer, these additions help listeners understand the holes in the original album and give insight into the artist who transformed the fabric of the pop-country sector.

Reclaiming her narrative, Swift is now creating the albums she wished she had put out. We never saw this coming, and we’ll never be the same.

Red sports something deeply remarkable that most albums

BIG MACHINE RECORDS

lack: a 10-minute-long diary-esque heartbreak ballad that sounds reminiscent of a rant session with friends surrounded by tear-stained tissues. The fan-favourite track, “All Too Well,” became all too better. It initially launched as a five-minute song, but Swift’s release of her original version gives the metaphorical middle finger to Big Machine Records, who forced her to condense the song a decade before. According to Sheffield, Swift “takes her own masterpiece, tears it all up, breaks it like a promise, shreds her tapestry, and rebuilds it into a new heartbreak epic, twice as long and twice as mad.”

Before getting the chance to dance ‘round the kitchen in the refrigerator light, the Artist of the Decade surprised the masses with her filmmaking debut, revealing that yes, you were unproductive in quarantine. Not only known for her relatable, catchy tunes, Swift shares the heart-wrenchingly intimate creation, All Too Well: The Short Film, which had an explosive weekend performance. Starring Swifties Dylan O’Brien as the charmingly arrogant Jake Gyllenhaal, and Sadie Sink as the wide-eyed songstress, the film is a whirlwind romance that showcases a troubled couple as the 10-minute masterpiece’s only silence gives space for the intense dialogue sequence that is painful to watch. Working on the film as director, writer, and actress, Swift briefly took the number-one spot on Letterboxd with 4.67 stars for her astounding feature, displacing Parasite and the concert short Radiohead: In Rainbows—From the Basement.

The short film premiered in New York City on November 12, making it eligible for Oscar nomination, and as we have already seen time and time again, nothing is out of Swift’s reach.

As the album encompasses the tumultuous ups and downs of youth, almost like driving a new Maserati down a dead-end street, with the fresh new tracks that were given a spotlight after over a decade in her dresser drawers, we learn that Swift still has so much more to say. A track that documents one of her first ventures away from country—“22”—infamously tolls, “you don’t know about me, but I’ll bet you want to.” And is she ever right. After revamping the heartbreak masterpiece, when you think about red, Swift bets you think about her.

IMDb.com

The highly anticipated animated series from Riot Games is a challenger of success.

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sports & health

Editor | Duaa Nasir sports@themedium.ca

UTM alumnus shares how the RAWC’s supportive environment can enable personal growth Mark Niewiarowski discusses his involvement with the Recreation, Athletic & Wellness Centre and how it led him to achieve fitness endurance, confidence, and develop an array of skills used beyond the basketball court.

Anjalli Becharbhai Staff Writer

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ark Niewiarowski is a University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) alumnus. In 2019, he graduated with an Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology, Sociology, and Political Science.

During his studies, he served as University of Toronto Mississauga Athletic Council (UTMAC) Director of Public Relations and Communications. He spoke with The Medium about his positive experience at the Recreation, Athletic & Wellness Centre (RAWC) at UTM. Niewiarowski was inspired to play basketball because of his exposure to the sport players at a young age. “Even though I never played on a team, I possessed the fundamentals and could keep up,” he says.

When he transitioned to UTM, basketball appealed to him, as it was a sport that encouraged him to stay fit during his time as a student. “I found basketball to be a good sport that always had you breaking a sweat,” states Niewiarowski.

While training and attending drop-in basketball, he noticed that competing with new teams every week improved his technique and endurance. “I gradually noticed my cardio, strength and muscle definition increased along with my skills. This kept me motivated to continue playing,” he explains.

Basketball helped Niewiarowski clear his head, combat adversities, and think productively, benefitting his overall mental health. “Basketball helped me

cope with a lot of stress in my personal, work, and student life respectfully.”

When joining a team, a challenge to consider is being able to fit in without judgement.

While he recognized participating would have many health benefits, Niewiarowski initially felt shy to join in. “Even though I knew something was going to have a positive impact on my life, I shied away to avoid embarrassing myself,” states Niewiarowski.

Once he overcame his apprehension towards participating, he made friends with ease, which facilitated a positive support system. “My basketball friends, like Anthony, a youth coach at UTM; Ntore, a semi-pro basketball player; and Nick, a former UTM basketball captain and alumnus, were exceptionally better than I at basketball, but they never hesitated to play, teach or train alongside me.”

In his fourth year, due to his friendly persona and frequent participation within the Recreation, Athletic & Wellness Centre (RAWC), he was elected as the Director of Public Relations and Communications for the UTMAC. Niewiarowski brought various student run committees together and promoted events through marketing. His goal was to encourage others who were shy to participate. “Hosting drop-in sessions encouraged me to get those students who reminded me of myself to come out so they could see that there was no judgement,” he says.

He emphasized the importance of student involvement by saying, “Participating in sports and being involved on campus will help you get that feeling of comradery with like-minded

individuals who have so much potential to be great and help you in your future.”

Niewiarowski also developed transferable leadership skills that he could apply to his personal life outside of university. “I helped councils fill out paperwork required to rent facilities for events and provided marketing, funding, and equipment for them. I also attended budget meetings which explained where student tuition is allocated,” continues Niewiarowski.

Additionally, he mentions his contribution in hosting popular events by saying “I helped the UTMSU and UTMAC host an incredible World Cup style soccer tournament with over 150 participants and attendees over two days.”

A piece of advice he offers students who want to get involved with the RAWC is to avoid being fearful of joining clubs that appeal to them. “Most students are so busy with their own lives that they [don’t have time to judge others]. They respect the hustle, the drive, and the strive,” he explains.

Niewiarowski wants students to understand that a large percentage of tuition goes towards funding the RAWC. He highlights that the RAWC provides “everything for students to achieve any fitness goal, with a great staffing team behind it!”

The RAWC fosters an environment that allows students to step outside of their comfort zones and make friends that share common interests. Niewiarowski’s story can inspire current students to take risks when building up the courage to participate in extracurriculars which will benefit their social life and physical wellbeing amidst dealing with university stress.

MARK NIEWIAROWSKI

WEEKLY EXERCISE SERIES: Badminton Badminton offers a full body workout, a way to maintain focus, and a social experience.

Lexey Burn Contributor

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adminton is a game changer when you want to switch up your gym routine. Why train your calves when you can smack a birdie around with a pal?

Badminton is a full body workout, allowing you to burn about 450 calories an hour. The different movements involved in the game supply a powerful cardio workout that also happens to target calves, quads, core, and even hamstrings.

With all this end of semester stress, who wouldn’t want to get out and smack something as hard as possible with a racket?

All exercise, but badminton specifically, is a known endorphins booster, which will leave you feeling happier, but also help you let go of those stress hormones.

With the ongoing pandemic, it’s hard to get out and meet new people, but UTM’s Recreation, Athletic & Wellness Centre (RAWC) is hosting drop-in badminton every Wednesday

morning in Gym C until the end of the semester. Students can sign up for 45-minute-long time slots. Badminton is a social sport, with two to four players, so you physically can’t play without someone else (unless you really like running suicides under the net).

Finals are just around the corner, and many students feel like they’re running on only one brain cell. Badminton has proved to help mental agility by having the player focus on the birdie, increasing concentration levels and mental activeness.

By planning where you are moving to next, or what type of hit you should use, badminton will help you focus for long periods of time (which may come in handy when studying later).

Anastasia Wu and Aurelie Chung frequently parttake in the drop-in badminton. Wu is a double major in English and French, while Chung is an English specialist. Both are in their third year.

“It’s a relaxing way to get physical activity in throughout the day, especially in the morning,” Wu said. “A good way to start off

the day, and I just find it fun.” Wu and Chung come together to play singles since the RAWC does not allow doubles to comply with social distancing regulations.

Online registration for dropin badminton opens two days before the event. Your TCard and a green UCheck is required for entry to the gym. The RAWC encourages participants to come dressed ready for their respective sport to limit contact in dressing rooms.