Volume 50, Issue 3

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

Issue 3 Volume 50 September 18 2022

themedium.ca

SHELIZA IBRAHIM

THE ERAS TOUR

NEW WET LAB INCUBATOR

Every scholar’s journey begins somewhere.

For graduate student Geordi Frere, his starting point was an ardent love for the mathematical precision of physics.

However, a surprising detour sent him into the world of organic chemistry. “I was once spellbound by the charms of physics,” Frere remembers. >> read more on page 07

Taylor Swift is coming to a city near you.

Of course, if you’ve been online at all in the last year, you understand that procuring coveted tickets to shows of her wildly successful The Eras Tour is a feat in and of itself.

On September 14, 2023, SpinUp, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) pioneer wet lab start-up incubator opened applications to science entrepreneurs in need of an affordable, well-equipped space in which they can innovate and research.

>> read more on page 10

>> read more on page 04

NEWS

Looking for employment opportunities? The Get Hired Fair’s got you covered!

Mashiyat Ahmed Contributor

B

eing an undergraduate student can seem overwhelming at times, as everyone deals with unique challenges as they navigate academics, employment, and adulthood. When it comes to professional experiences, some students have difficulty knowing what opportunities are available for them, and others find it daunting to choose from the vast number of career options that speckle the job market.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

>> HIRED FAIR continues on page 03

ARTS

OPINION

White noise is doomscrolling

How not to be an asshole

Elizabeth Prydatka Contributor

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor - Internal

I

n the later half of 2022, I watched Noah Baumbach’s most recent directorial film on Netflix, White Noise, an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel of the same name. With Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig in the leading roles of this dark comedy, I was right to expect a good time in watching the film, though I was not prepared for the level of uncanny discomfort I would feel afterwards. Naturally, I was inclined to read the original source material that inspired the film. In my reading, I was struck by how relevant, in all of its absurdity, the novel remains almost 40 years after its release.

In the early hours of July 16, 1945, the first nuclear bomb, “Gadget,” was detonated. The Trinity test was a success. In less than a month, another bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and another on Nagasaki three days later, marking the advent of the nuclear age and the birth of the deadliest form of weaponry. In the following decades, the Cold War would exasperate feelings of unease within popular culture. DeLillo weaves this unease into the fabric of his own storytelling to say: we are living in dangerous times.

Whether this danger comes in the form of nuclear war, terrorism, invasion, or disease, we live with such dangers in our periphery.

>> WHITE NOISE continues on page 09

We all know an asshole.

They jam their nose into their wine glass, make a sound like they’re gargling on their mucus, and then interrupt an otherwise pleasant conversation to describe how the wine’s velvety tannins and subtle notes of snobbery compliment the terroir beautifully.

Sensing an apathetic response to their obnoxious declaration, they continue, undeterred, as if social redemption demands they identify every undertone and nuance that graces their palette. They hold their wine glass at a 45-degree angle, gaze perversely into nine ounces of cabernet sauvignon, and then they declare, without prompting (obviously), that the wine’s bouquet is redolent with notes of black currant and leather.

Okay, maybe you don’t know that asshole—but believe me, they’re out there and they’re ruining everyone’s time. So, what do you say to an asshole when they’re being, well, an asshole? In my professional and unfortunate experience, you have two options. The first is to chastise them with silence and ignore their pretentious remarks, but chances are, if they use the

word “redolent,” they probably lack the awareness to be discouraged by subtle social cues. So, that leaves us with option two.

This one is slightly more complicated, but significantly more fun: try to out-asshole the asshole. Declare with feigned sincerity your own pleonastic descriptions. Describe how the vintage wine tantalizes your palate with notes of dark chocolate and forest floor; or how the terroir boasts a refined complexity that delivers a symphony of flavors, which harmonize perfectly with the undertones of vanilla and cedar.

Hopefully your uncultivated opinions will provoke and irritate the asshole into an argument, at which point you can simply propose that you both agree to disagree. Ideally, your willingness to concede to disagreement will be so infuriating that the asshole will forget all about the wine’s opulent flavours and instead direct their passionate capacity for poetics towards your flaws as an individual—which, in my opinion, is preferable.

But perhaps the more important question is to ask how you avoid sounding like an asshole. If you enjoy wine, you probably talk about it on occasion. Maybe you took a trip to Italy over spring break and appointed yourself a master sommelier (“wine waiter”).

Maybe you’re skeptical that wine has any value beyond intoxication, but you want to prepare for the day you have to impress your in-laws.

>> WINE continues on page 03

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NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

Exploring the meaning of data via the Data Sciences Institute Research Day 2023 Through participating in Research Day 2023, students will have the opportunity to network and connect with data science researchers.

Professor Strug mentioned that the event will “feature external partners and community stakeholders as attendees, speakers, and exhibitors, reflecting the DSI’s core mission to accelerate the impact of data sciences across disciplines. [Their objective is] to address pressing societal questions and drive positive social change.”

Razia Saleh Contributor

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n September 27, 2023, the Data Sciences Institute (DSI) will host its first Data Science Research Day for students. The event will showcase the work of the DSI community and connect specialists in data science from academia, industry, and government with each other.

The event will be held in person from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Medical and Related Science (MaRS) Auditorium in Toronto. The DSI community network will be discussing the fields of data science, their applications, and new discoveries in the field through various presentations and discussions.

The DSI is a part of U of T’s initiative to provide a “central hub” for all data science research and innovation to the community. They strive to implement new methodologies and applications through a “training-focused environment.” This includes fostering new knowledge and asking questions that drive social change.

This year the Research Day, as described by Professor Strug, “Marks [its] inaugural event featuring prominent voices and leaders in data science. This gathering will provide a collaborative platform for academia, industry, and government collaborators to come together.” Students can utilize this opportunity to learn about the field of data sciences, stay up-to-date with its changes and advancements, and engage in interactive discussions with the field’s leaders.

With the event fast approaching, Professor Strug mentions that Data Sciences Institute Research Day will be a recurring event. Details about next year’s Research Day will be announced on the DSI website. Students and the rest of the U of T community are encouraged to visit their website for updates on future events and activities.

UTM/DSI

Many speakers will be at the event to showcase their contributions to the field of data sciences. Dr. Manuel García-Herranz, the chief scientist at UNICEF Office of Innovation, will be a keynote speaker at the event.

The event will also include “Lighting Talks” in which professors and leaders in the world of data science will allocate their time to discuss specific topics dedicated to helping students and the DSI community explore the field of data science. Topics include “Data for Social Good” and “Methodologies in Novel Applications.” There will also be a panel discussion focusing on “Data for an Effective Workforce.” Furthermore, there will be poster presentations by DSI trainees, doctoral fellows, and more, sharing their journeys through their research in their respective fields.

The Medium spoke with DSI Director, Professor Lisa Strug, via email. She explained that “Research Day plays a pivotal role in uniting the DSI community, offering a platform to showcase ongoing research and fostering valuable connections with external stakeholders.”

Navigating the potential new wave of Covid-19 As the fall semester begins and viral loads in wastewater tests rise, experts weigh in on the implications of the new BA.2.86 variant of Covid-19.

Karine Alhakim Contributor

A

s summer gives way to fall, a sense of déjà vu is settling in the air. Hospitalization numbers related to Covid-19 are on the rise, wastewater tests indicate increasing viral loads, and the dreaded word ‘wave’ is once again being whispered among experts. On August 29, 2023, Canada reported its first case of Covid-19 caused by the new mutated variant BA.2.86. This development raises important questions about the nature of this variant, the necessity of continued masking, and the effectiveness of vaccinations.

The emergence of the BA.2.86 variant has been closely monitored by health authorities worldwide. Like its predecessors, this variant is a mutation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. What makes BA.2.86 noteworthy is its unique combination of mutations in the spike protein, which the virus uses to enter human cells. Pre-

liminary research suggests that BA.2.86 may be more contagious than earlier variants but is not necessarily more harmful. Based on current and previous studies, vaccination remains our most robust weapon against severe illness and death caused by Covid-19 and its variants.

The resurgence of Covid-19 and the emergence of new variants spark questions about the continued necessity of masking. While vaccination remains crucial, especially with the new variant in play, experts recommend that masking should also remain a part of our public health strategy.

However, a mask mandate remains highly unlikely. In a recent discussion with CBC, Dr. Fahad Razak, former scientific director of Ontario’s Covid-19 Science Advisory Table said, “Unless there is significant change in the nature of the virus, I think it’s very unlikely a mask mandate will be something any government in North America or Europe considers.”

One of the saving graces of the current situ-

ation is the high vaccination rate across many countries. As of September 10, 2023, 83.2 per cent of Canada’s population had received at least one dose of the Covid-19 vaccines. Moreover, vaccine manufacturers have adapted quickly to new variants, including BA.2.86.

Booster shots and variant-specific vaccines are being developed and administered to bolster immunity against these emerging strains. This proactive approach by the scientific community and healthcare systems demonstrates our ability to respond effectively to the ever-evolving nature of the virus.

It is important to note that breakthrough infections can still occur, but these cases are generally milder and less likely to lead to severe illness in vaccinated individuals. In the aforementioned discussion with CBC, Dr. Razak explained, “This is not the crisis we faced in year one, two, or three of the pandemic, but it can still be disruptive. Preventative steps are prudent.” Continued vaccination efforts, alongside adherence to public health measures like mask-wearing, will help us keep the virus

in check and prevent the overwhelming of healthcare systems.

The emergence of the BA.2.86 variant serves as a reminder that the Covid-19 pandemic is far from over. While the virus’s behaviour may evolve, our response remains the same: prioritize vaccination, adhere to recommended health measures, and stay informed about the latest developments. By doing so, we can navigate this new potential wave of Covid-19 and work towards a future where the virus poses less of a threat to our day-to-day lives.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

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The Peel Region to be dissolved into independent municipalities After the passing of the Hazel McCallion Act, Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon are on the way to becoming independent municipalities, leaving political, financial, and societal disputes in their wake.

To effectively manage the transition process of the combined region into its separate constituencies, Section Three of the Act provides for the appointment of a five-member committee. The members of the Board were appointed by Steve Clark, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing on July 5, 2023, and consist of John Livey, Tracey Cook, Eric Jolliffe, Sean Morley, and Peter Weltman. The Board has the responsibility to conduct its due diligence and offer suggestions on several critical aspects of the dissolution, including the wrap-up of financial operations, the transfer of assets, and the allocation of liabilities and other financial responsibilities of the Peel Region, among others. They will also explore employment matters and the possibility of establishing joint municipal service boards or arrangements.

Angelina Jaya Siew Contributor

AURORA PICCIOTTOLI /THE MEDIUM

T

he late Hazel McCallion, former Mayor of Mississauga from 1978 to 2014, actively campaigned for Mississauga to become independent of the Regional Municipality of Peel, which is comprised of Mississauga, Brampton, and Caledon. Although she was personally unable to execute this plan during her time in office, her vision was shared by her successors and will soon be realized.

On June 8, 2023, Bill 112—the Hazel McCallion Act, received royal assent. The act includes the legislation necessary to dissolve the Peel Region into single-tier municipalities by January 1, 2025.

The Preamble of the Act outlines its objectives, some of which are to “[r]espect and support the effective administration of local governance,” “[r]ecognize that municipalities should be empowered with the tools needed to plan for population growth, including the tools needed to build more housing options,” and ensure that taxpayers would get “value for [their] money” and receive effective services.

Notably, the bill was fast tracked, skipping the committee phase and thus denying citizens an opportunity to voice their opinions. However, according to a CTV article, “[Mississauga Mayor Bonnie] Crombie has argued that separating from Peel would save taxpayers about $1 billion over the next decade and provide the city with control over its own ‘destiny.’”

What does this mean for the citizens of Mississauga? The greatest concern at this point is the separating shared services without negatively impacting citizens. Since 1974, the Peel Region has shared resources and the provision of various essential services, including “paramedic services, health programs, long-term care and services for seniors, child care support, garbage collection and recycling, water and water treatment, road maintenance, financial help, housing and shelter.”

This decision has led to some controversy, as the Mayor of Caledon, Annette Groves, is not keen on leaving the shared Peel Region services. Similarly, the Mayor of Brampton, Patrick Brown, voiced concerns about the deep financial implications and “disputes” the numbers that come with the dissolution. He stated that Brampton will be owed billions for its contributions over the years to the overall development of Peel, of which many infrastructures are in Mississauga, especially the multi-billion-dollar wastewater plant.

While there is a lot to be done to make this separation a reality, any potential political, financial, and social fallout will have to be dealt with by January 2025— hopefully to the benefit of all citizens of the Peel Region, in whichever municipality they currently reside.

Looking for employment opportunities?

The Get Hired Fair’s got you covered!

The upcoming Get Hired Fair is a great opportunity for all students to connect with employers and learn about what can make them stronger job candidates.

Mashiyat Ahmed Contributor

B

eing an undergraduate student can seem overwhelming at times, as everyone deals with unique challenges as they navigate academics, employment, and adulthood. When it comes to professional experiences, some students have difficulty knowing what opportunities are available for them, and others find it daunting to choose from the vast number of career options that speckle the job market. Regardless of where students are in their professional journeys, the Get Hired Fair, happening on September 20, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Recreation, Athletics, and Wellness Centre, can help connect students with potential employers in various areas of work, volunteerism, and internships. The fair is managed by Vanisa Dimitrova, an Industry Engagement Specialist at the Career Centre.

The Medium spoke with Jason John, an Assistant Director for Employer Relations and Marketing at the Career Centre, in an email to discuss this year’s fair and what it entails for students. John says that “the Career Centre continues diversifying the employers requested to participate on Campus at the Get Hired Fair […] and that the [Career Centre] prides [itself] on the various organizations that seek to hire students from the fields of Arts, Science, and Business – both at the undergraduate and graduate level.”

Along with a broad selection of employers and opportunities, the Get Hired Fair is also a low-stakes environment in which to network and ask important, individualized questions.

Students may ask specific employers about their candidacy as a student, their company’s core values and principles, and the work required for a particular job. Normally, these types of questions or concerns would be brought up during a formal job interview, but connecting with employers at the Get Hired Fair is a great way to establish meaningful connections and explore if a particular position is right for you prior to the interview stage. John explains that “there is greater forgiveness provided when you make a mistake in your undergrad years versus when

establishing your credibility as a professional.”

So, what can students do to best prepare for the fair? It is generally recommended that students come in with a strong understanding of their professional aspirations and how their past experiences have made them more employable. A genuine attitude is also indispensable when securing positive first impressions.

It is also important to note that another Get Hired Fair will be held on January 17, 2024. Between now and the winter semester, students can utilize the resources and guidance available at the Career Centre to refine their resumes. According to John, “it would be highly recommended to follow the UTM Career Centre on both Instagram and LinkedIn to find out about upcoming opportunities,” and for soon-to-be graduates, it is advised that they fully explore the Career Centre website and CLNx to learn about resources for helping graduates utilize their potential in an evolving labour market.

Getting started with one’s career, or advancing into it, can be filled with uncertainties and challenges. However, events such as the Get Hired Fair and more can significantly reduce those burdens on students as they explore and delve into their professional aspirations.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/ THE MEDIUM

04

SpinUp—the new wet lab incubator to foster scientific entrepreneurship Between September 14 and October 31, 2023, aspiring science entrepreneurs can apply to SpinUp—an incubator that provides affordable wet lab research space and supportive programming.

Larry Lau News Editor

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n September 14, 2023, SpinUp, the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) pioneer wet lab start-up incubator opened applications to science entrepreneurs in need of an affordable, wellequipped space in which they can innovate and research. As a start-up incubator, SpinUp will act as a springboard for aspiring life science entrepreneurs to materialize their ideas, expand, and garner the support of investors.

When applying for SpinUp, applicants can also opt-in to the Blue Ticket competition, which is supported by Merck, a biopharmaceutical company. As part of the competition, one winner will be granted a year of free SpinUp membership, a C$5,000 prize, and opportunities to connect with Merck professionals. Applications for both SpinUp and the Blue Ticket program are evaluated by UTM leadership and expert advisors. Applications are due by October 31, 2023, and the results will be revealed in January 2024.

In an email interview with The Medium, Raquel De Souza, Director of SpinUp, explained the opportunities the new wet lab start-up incubator provided for aspiring science entrepreneurs. She clarified that “[a] wet lab is a specialized lab space where drugs, chemicals, and other types of biological matter can be analyzed and tested by using various liquids.”

“University researchers in Canada—in biology, chemistry, psychology, pharmaceutics, medicine, and many more fields—often make discoveries that inspire a big innovation idea. But they don’t always have the right facilities to take these ideas to the next level of commercial development,” explained De Souza.

The researchers may also require facilities more advanced than academic laboratories shortly after starting their innovative journey. For science entrepreneurs just starting out, expenses for advanced equipment and external laboratory space are liable to be financially overwhelming.

To be located within the New Science Building/Centre for Medicinal Chemistry—where construction is anticipated to finish in the year 2023—SpinUp will be offering lab space that has “biosafety level 2 capabilities” at less than half the standard market rates, for a maximum of two years.

The space will contain a “dedicated lab bench unit and fume hood, plus shared life science equipment and infrastructure, [such as]: cell and tissue culture capabilities, chemical storage, core laboratory equipment, etc.”

Participating science entrepreneurs will have access to entrepreneurial resources and support, as well as certain UTM research facilities—such as the Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Centre and the Optical Microscopy Imaging Facilities.

Eligible applicants for SpinUp must be an early-stage start-up with a need for financial assistance in securing a wet lab workspace, and “are a part of a partner program.” The applicant must maintain an interactive relationship with the UTM community, where they may hire students as interns and for work-study positions, offer insight as guest speakers at programs, or engage in collaborative research.

Onboarding for successful SpinUp applicants is expected to take place in early 2024, with programming starting in the spring. Some programs planned include workshops, networking events, and competitions. This programming will be open to all UTM students as well.

As a finishing thought, De Souza wrote: “In the long term, we envision SpinUp as a vital component of the pipeline that will shepherd innovations from their earliest stages through to scale-up, growth, and international success – enabling our home-grown innovations and talent to grow and prosper without needing to leave our local and national ecosystems due to lack of available wet lab space. We envision supporting a steady influx of innovative startups with the potential to significantly impact health and society.”

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD Editor-in-Chief Juliana Stacey editor@themedium.ca Managing Editors River Knott & Aidan Thompson managing@themedium.ca & managinginternal@themedium.ca News Larry Lau news@themedium.ca Opinion Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca Features Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca A&E Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

05

OPINION

Editorial

September doesn’t have to suck River Knott Managing Editor

S

eptember, September, September: the end of summer and the beginning of classes. Not exactly a sparkling reputation.

It’s easy to pass unfair judgment on a month like September but listen up! Let us tell you a couple of fun facts about ‘tember that are bound to change your mind. First off, of the 10 most common birthdays, nine are in September! Guess that’s due to folks getting especially cozy around the holiday season—if you catch our drift.

September is also home to many interesting national and international holidays!

You’ve got World Coconut Day on September 2, International Chocolate Day on September 13, and even

Sports Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca Photo Samira Karimova photos@themedium.ca Design Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

World Contraception Day on September 26 (although maybe we ought to move that on over to December or January, lest we continue to be overwrought with Virgos and Libras). We’ve also got World Rabies Day closing out the month on September 28, although we’re not exactly sure what that celebration might look like. Seems dangerous. Who decides on all these “holidays?” Is there some kind of committee? We just want to talk.

But in all seriousness, September has much more to offer than coconuts, chocolate, and rabies.

September 5 is International Day of Charity! So, find a cause that means something to you and get involved. September 10 is World Suicide Prevention Day, so make sure you take the time to take care of yourself and check in on a friend. World Environmental Health Day is on September 26, so walk to class, take public transit, and maybe even invest in a compost bin.

Recovering from remote learning

Copy Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes jaros@themedium.ca

It’s time we talk about Covid-19’s lasting impact on our education.

Maja Ting maja@themedium.ca

Yasmine Benabderrahmane Contributor

Social Media & Online Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca

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Podcast Hiring now!

See themedium.ca Video Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

TO CONTRIBUTE & CONNECT:

tudents are back! But so is Covid-19.

Technically, neither truly left—and to be entirely frank, the virus never really left us.

Perhaps medically, but certainly not academically.

The transition to online learning in 2020 was abrupt. In hindsight, it seemed dystopian.

Staring at our screens for an average of eight hours a day on demand had repercussions that we often dismiss when criticizing the “failing” study habits of the younger generation.

For one, the pandemic was an attention stealer. Extended exposure to the internet, the

ongoing stream of information, and the constant blur between work and personal time created an environment of incessant distraction. Skimming articles, hastily rushing through our social media feeds, and the inability to sit through an entire movie became our norm.

The consistent need to attune with the news and understand the shifts in our future has imposed a tension on youth, with researchers concluding that the resulting stress and anxiety has only delayed brain cognition and the ability to concentrate.

So, we dwell in limbo, stuck between the desire to succeed and a state of constant burnout.

This limbo has created a dent in the aspirations of the youth.

The inevitable dark future that the media taunts post-pandem-

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ic has not only diminished the drive for success amongst the upcoming generation but corrupted the standard of performance to achieve excellence.

This is only amplified in the experience of low-income households and minority groups that are continuously, and actively, disregarded and misguided by our institutes.

Furthermore, the years of online learning deconditioned students from traditional schooling environments. A mere look at our current lecture halls—with students lacking physical notebooks and the replacement of our electronic devices—is proof. But our institutes tend to overlook such changes. Instead, they meaninglessly chant to us “new year, new you,’” while simultaneously catering to us with their “old methods, old ways.”

It is almost insulting when assessing the basic schooling model, only to notice that its bureaucratic and industrialized ways are far too similar to a century ago. While other

institutes have praised themselves on their development, our schooling model serves us educational stagnation and fingers of blame for their lack of progress.

The recovery from the routine remote learning style is slow, but eventual. What students need should extend beyond empty words and promises from our education system.

Instead, we need resources that adapt to our learning abilities and our new study capabilities. We need a dissolution of the shame culture imposed on those who challenge older academic systems. And most importantly, we need understanding.

We may be the future, but the solutions to the consequences of the pandemic should not rest solely on the shoulders of the youth. It is our collective responsibility to eradicate Covid-19 from our learning system.

Bring students back, not Covid-19.

06

How not to be an asshole You don’t have to overcomplicate your wine drinking experience.

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor - Internal

W

e all know an asshole.

They jam their nose into their wine glass, make a sound like they’re gargling on their mucus, and then interrupt an otherwise pleasant conversation to describe how the wine’s velvety tannins and subtle notes of snobbery compliment the terroir beautifully.

Sensing an apathetic response to their obnoxious declaration, they continue, undeterred, as if social redemption demands they identify every undertone and nuance that graces their palette. They hold their wine glass at a 45-degree angle, gaze perversely into nine ounces of cabernet sauvignon, and then they declare, without prompting (obviously), that the wine’s bouquet is redolent with notes of black currant and leather.

Okay, maybe you don’t know that asshole—but believe me, they’re out there and they’re ruining everyone’s time. So, what do you say to an asshole when they’re being, well, an asshole? In my professional and unfortunate experience, you have two options. The first is to chastise them with silence and ignore their pretentious remarks, but chances are, if they use the word “redolent,” they probably lack the awareness to be discouraged by subtle social cues. So, that leaves us with option two.

This one is slightly more complicated, but significantly more fun: try to out-asshole the asshole. Declare with feigned sincerity your own pleonastic descriptions.

Describe how the vintage wine tantalizes your palate with notes of dark chocolate and forest floor; or how the terroir boasts a refined complexity that delivers a symphony of flavors, which harmonize perfectly with the undertones of vanilla and cedar.

Hopefully your uncultivated opinions will provoke and irritate the asshole into an argument, at which point you can simply propose that you both agree to disagree. Ideally, your willingness to concede to disagreement will be so infuriating that the asshole will forget all about the wine’s opulent flavours and instead direct their passionate capacity for poetics towards your flaws as an individual—which, in my opinion, is preferable.

But perhaps the more important question is to ask how you avoid sounding like an asshole. If you enjoy wine, you probably talk about it on occasion. Maybe you took a trip to Italy over spring break and appointed yourself a master sommelier (“wine waiter”). Maybe you’re skeptical that wine has any value beyond intoxication, but you want to prepare for the day you have to impress your in-laws.

Whatever the case, there is some small yet significant value in having a basic understanding of wine. That doesn’t mean you need to familiarize yourself with the subtle differences between wine grown in limestonerich soils and clay-rich soils, but it would be an asset to society if you understood how to talk about wine without sounding like an asshole.

The first rule for talking about wine in a way that doesn’t provoke someone to cut your tongue out with garden shears is to never challenge a person’s enjoyment. Just don’t. Seriously, I mean it. Yes, even if that happens—or that. Just don’t do it. If you’ve ever had someone criticize you for holding a glass of white wine with your palm, you know how nauseating these corrective observations can be. Let people enjoy themselves, even if they’re doing it wrong. If they want to buy a C$200 bottle of pinot noir to make sangria, that’s okay. If they want to dilute a glass of cabernet sauvignon with grape juice, that’s fine. It’s not your problem and you shouldn’t try to make it.

Do not confuse dislike with discernment, as Kat Kinsman, the executive features editor for Food & Wine, advises.

Sometimes, believe it or not, you can use the word “good.” It might not be the most eloquent, pervasive word in the dictionary but I’d rather someone tell me that I smell good than declare, with Shakespearean emphasis, that I smell like a nectareous bouquet of intoxicating aromas. To be honest, if someone described anything about me as a nectareous bouquet, I’d probably send out an amber alert. When you talk about wine you don’t have to overcomplicate the experience. You can enjoy something simply because it tastes good. Your enjoyment shouldn’t depend on your ability to decipher its particularities. This isn’t to say that it can’t be a more complicated experience, just that it doesn’t need to be.

This leads me into my next rule, which is more of an exception than a restriction: if simplicity is torturous, and your existence (or career) depends on your ability to thoughtfully articulate the mouthfeel of fermented grapes, don’t worry, there’s a place for you. The majority of what constitutes an asshole depends on the audience. In other words, if for some strange and rhetorical reason, the entire brotherhood of Pi Kappa Alpha are joining you for dinner at your country house, describing your pinot noir as a triumph of subtlety and grace will probably result in some soft cyberbullying and a collection of rumors regarding your sexual orientation.

However, if your guest list includes the most prestigious members of the Paris opera, noting how the delicately balanced flavors interweave in a harmonious ballet will probably garner you some complimentary affirmations and a formidable reputation.

Each of these rules can be diluted into one guiding principle: worry more about the enjoyment of others and less about your ability to impress them. Before you inject your elevated beliefs into a conversation about how the Smurfs might be white supremacists, ask yourself whether deviating a conversation of deep cultural consequence to express your opinion on a C$13 bottle of wine has any value beyond self-promotion. Consider, with all the uncertainty you can dredge up from the depths of your insecurities, whether the words “redolent” or “bouquet” have any reason to come out of your mouth. You already know what you think. The only reason to say it out loud is if it will benefit those around you, and spoiler alert: describing a chardonnay’s regal demeanor as beguiling benefits no one—least of all you.

I have a crush on my best friend’s sister… help!

River Knott Managing Editor Dear River, I’ve got a bit of a problem. I really like this girl. We’ve been close friends for a while and hang out a lot. We get along really well. The problem is that her brother also happens to be one of my best friends. I want to ask her out, but I’m afraid that if I do and things don’t work out, I’ll lose both of them.

From, Extremely Confused Hello Extremely Confused, It seems that you’ve found yourself in a bit of a pickle. Luckily, I’ve got a few useful tidbits up my sleeve that could apply to your situation.

This may not be exactly the news you’re looking to hear, but in my experience, budding romance within friend groups is rarely harmonious and can often end up being more trouble than it is worth. However, this is not always the case! Let’s consider the potential outcomes of this situation.

As you mentioned in your email, if you confess your feelings to your crush and they aren’t reciprocated, you risk making her and her brother both feel awkward. Worst comes to worst, it could be possible that your friendship with both of them deteriorates.

But what if the feelings are reciprocated? Even in this more positive scenario, her brother still might become uncomfortable. Not necessarily because of the familial relationship, but because being a third wheel sucks!

Also, this may seem dismal, but relationships rarely last forever, so you ought to consider the implications of a possible breakup. Would you lose both of your friends in that situation? Maybe.

But listen, we can’t just employ logic and expect it to help us ignore our feelings. I understand that being in your position right now is difficult, and potentially even heartbreaking. But consider what would hurt more: potentially losing your friends, or not getting a chance to express your feelings? Only you can know the answer to that question.

Now we’ve already considered how you feel and how her brother might feel, but what might your love interest feel if you confess your feelings to her? Whether your feelings are reciprocated or not, she would be forced into a pretty awkward position. So, remember that your feelings aren’t the only ones at stake here.

I can tell that it hurts you to continue to see this girl without being able to be honest about how you feel, so I suggest you take some time to focus on yourself! Find a way to spend a little less time with this girl and see if things resolve themselves. If they don’t, then I suggest you speak to her brother about the situation. Not only will he have the best intel on her feelings toward you, but he may also feel relieved to be in the loop. If you can understand how he might react if you started going out with his sister, maybe you can make a more informed decision about confessing your feelings.

Make sure you approach this situation with honesty and that you are respectful towards the decisions made by all parties involved, especially your crush. Remember that she doesn’t owe you anything and she deserves the same respect whether she likes you back or not.

Good luck to you! And remember, when all else fails, stay Knotty my friend.

Until next time, stay Knotty my friends.

Have a tough question that needs answering? Email me at managing@themedium.com and include “The Knotty Corner” in the subject line. Remember, there is no question too knotty for The Knotty Corner, so do your worst!

07

features

Editor | Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca

On a new structure for science pedagogy Professor Sheliza Ibrahim’s research on critical pedagogy and place-based education explores new frameworks of learning.

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor-Internal

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r. Sheliza Ibrahim’s journey in education began at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), where she earned an Honours Bachelor’s of Science in biology and anthropology.

She continued her education at Queen’s University Belfast, where she earned a master’s in science communication, and finally a PhD from York University in science education. Now an Assistant Professor within UTM’s Institute for the Study of University Pedagogy, Dr. Ibrahim seeks to incorporate critical pedagogy and place-based education—which encourages students to think intentionally about their local surroundings—both in her research and her teachings.

Courses she has taught on university pedagogy try to reimagine collective understanding through an activity she calls “critical visualization.” The intent of the activity is to complicate students’ individual understanding of a given image. Dr. Ibrahim will present her students with visualizations that seem to portray a single entity but actually contain a myriad of nuanced dimensions that she reveals through close examination and collective discussion. These exercises demonstrate the complicated state of individual understanding and help to situate student’s ideas and opinions within a larger collective understanding. Currently, she is teaching ISP130: Numeracy for University and Beyond.

In her course on university pedagogy at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM), Dr. Sheliza Ibrahim tries to reimagine collective understanding through an activity she calls “critical visualization.” The intent of the activity is to complicate students’ individual understandings of a given image. Dr. Ibrahim presents her students with visualizations that seem to portray a single entity but actually contain a myriad of nuanced dimensions that she reveals through close examination and collective discussion. These exercises demonstrate the complicated state of individual understanding and help situate students’ ideas and opinions within a larger collective understanding.

Just as an image can resemble different things from different points of view, so too can principles in math and science differ depending on the learner’s disposition. The only difference is that these variances are not limited to spatial dimensions but extend to economic, social, historical, environmental, and political differences.

“The premise is to invite young scholars to connect to the language from their own frameworks of knowing,” Dr. Ibrahim adds. “They can expand their thinking past [any] dominant assumptions.”

Her intent is to alert students about the complex nuances and inherent subjectivity in established modes of thinking, as well as awaken a critical perspective on their own disposition.

“This is really a steppingstone for us to get critically thinking about the complex reality of things that exist around us,” Dr. Ibrahim shares. “The more important task is looking into images of our environment and our own communities.”

This relative, multidimensional approach to education might be familiar to students of the humanities or social sciences. Dr. Ibrahim’s practices are unique because they are determined to pronounce these educational structures in the sciences.

“All scientific concepts need to be understood through their political, economic, social, environmental, and historical dimensions in order to truly understand why the science exists the way it does,” explains Dr. Ibrahim. “There are multiple ways of solving one math equation.” She admits that this could be seen as quite radical in learning spaces like science and math, which traditionally uphold a deliver-and-receive approach. However, Dr. Ibrahim believes that science educators should not only design teaching approaches to satisfy the curriculum and the institutions, but also the learner along with their numerous individualities.

In her research, Dr. Ibrahim relies on the theoretical discourse surrounding critical pedagogy and place-based education. By combining these two research areas, she develops a critical pedagogy of place which promotes psychological thinking and critical social analysis. “Reflecting on one’s own situation corresponds to reflecting on the place one inhabits, [and] acting on one’s situation often corresponds to challenging one’s own relationship to place,” explains Ibrahim. “It is this spatial dimension of situationality and its attention to social transformation that connects critical pedagogy with a pedagogy of place.” Ibrahim is determined to develop teaching practices that question established assumptions in science and math, particularly ones that are predominantly understood through Western thought.

“My research is really grounded in education,” Dr. Ibrahim shares.

“I grew up on the notion that education is an important asset for social mobility. My parents studied under British education systems that often governed the West Indies, so I’m also trying to think about what education meant to them in a colonized space and what education means to me as I seek purpose and enlightenment in my own personal journey.”

How do the places that we inhabit influence our education? How do the places we learn in influence our beliefs? These questions are what drive Dr. Ibrahim’s research into critical pedagogy and place-based education. “I want my students to understand that a diversity of voices is needed to solve many of our problems in the world so that my students feel empowered to bring their whole identities to the conversations, ideas, and problems that they are contemplating in this academic space,” she concludes.

This exercise of intellectual interrogation is part of an ongoing research interest of Dr. Ibrahim’s, which investigates critical pedagogy and place-based education to develop modes of teaching that accommodate “where [students] live, how they live, what they believe in, [and] who they are surrounded by.”

However, Dr. Ibrahim acknowledges the complexities associated with these pedagogical methods. “It’s very easy to assume or fall into the assumption that the way education is traditionally taught is the only way or the best,” she says. “But as we start to re-envision or imagine education tools and pedagogical options we start to consider, ‘Well, what could learning look like?’” Dr. Ibrahim adds that within these revisions, it is critical to recognize that we are preparing students for futures that we know very little about. Our current modes of teaching are either present-oriented or grounded in assumptions about what the future will look like; these dominant assumptions about traditional systems of knowledge can become so ingrained within popular discourse that they become almost invisible.

SHELIZA IBRAHIM

08

Genesis of a passion: A confluence of disciplines Geordi Frere sculpts the nexus between passion and science. assuming pivotal roles that allowed him to mould the academic future of his peers.

Mannal Qureshi Contributor

These affiliations sculpted Frere into a multifaceted scholar. He became a beacon of inspiration, a mentor, and a true visionary, constantly striving to elevate the entire academic community.

Understanding the depths of Frere’s motivation reveals that his inspiration is deeply rooted in personal experiences and stories shared by those close to him. Medicinal research, for him, is an urgent calling—a realm where every discovery could potentially mean the difference between life and death. The aim isn’t merely to get another article in a prestigious journal, or climb the academic ladder—it’s about making a genuine difference.

BILAL SAQIB

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very scholar’s journey begins somewhere.

For graduate student Geordi Frere, his starting point was an ardent love for the mathematical precision of physics. However, a surprising detour sent him into the world of organic chemistry. “I was once spellbound by the charms of physics,” Frere remembers. “But when I delved into organic reactions, it felt like stepping into a cosmos where logic danced with life.”

This enlightening discovery was more than just an academic shift. It revealed to Frere the artistic soul of science. He perceived organic chemistry not merely as a subject, but as an intricate choreography of molecules. “The beauty of it lay beyond textbooks,” he explains. “I was feeling the rhythm, visualizing the interactions, and being a part of this molecular ballet. It was science, yet it felt like art.”

Currently, Frere is pursuing his PhD in biochemical chemistry, with a focus on synthetic medicinal chemistry under the joint supervision of Professor Patrick Gunning and Professor R. Scott Prosser. Before the towering achievements of his PhD endeavours, Frere laid a robust foundation during his undergraduate years. He completed his bachelor’s degree at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) in 2019 in biological chemistry. This unique combination equipped him with a holistic understanding of molecular interactions.

Outside the classroom, Frere was a dynamo. He actively engaged in student-led seminars, immersed himself in workshops, and even represented his department at national scientific conferences. This was a period of immense growth, during which he not only accumulated knowledge but also honed vital skills like public speaking, teamwork, and leadership.

Frere’s ongoing research centres around creating covalent protein degraders, which are innovative molecules tailored to target specific proteins within cancer cells, neutralizing them and weakening their malignancy. “This quest goes beyond intellectual satisfaction,” Frere berates. “It’s my personal crusade against cancer. Each molecule I design, each experiment I conduct, aims to strike a blow against this formidable foe.” His molecular beacon isn’t just a tool—it’s a symbol of hope. In the time-sensitive field of drug research, Frere’s contributions are poised to streamline the drug identification process, making it more efficient and more revolutionary.

While many researchers confine their endeavours to labs, Frere’s vision transcends these boundaries. Through collaborations with the University of Toronto’s Postgraduate Research in Medicine Initiative (PRiME) and the UTM Association of Graduate Students (UTMAGS), he forged bridges across faculties and disciplines. Describing his time with PRiME, Frere said,

“It felt like a voyage—a journey that took me through various academic terrains, enabling me to gather diverse insights and knit them together.” His association with UTMAGS was even more profound.

He transitioned from a mere participant to a leader,

“When I look through the microscope or analyze a molecular interaction, I often think of the countless lives waiting for a solution,” Frere says. “Every experiment is a new hope, a promise to those suffering that we are tirelessly working towards a cure.” This profound connection to his work not only fuels his long hours in the lab but also drives him to inspire others to see the real-world implications of their studies.

While Frere’s accomplishments within academia are vast, his life beyond the lab is equally inspiring and diverse. A lover of the outdoors, Frere frequently embarks on treks, seeking the embrace of untouched nature. As he traverses mountain ridges or navigates dense forests, he draws parallels between the unpredictability of nature and the challenges he encounters in research. His outdoor escapades have forged an indomitable spirit, teaching him resilience, patience, and the value of perspective.

“In the wilderness, you learn that every setback, every obstacle, is but a part of the journey, much like the challenges in research,” Frere explains.

Beyond trekking, Frere also immerses himself in cultural experiences. He attends local music festivals, samples global cuisines, and learns new languages. These pursuits underscore his belief in a well-rounded existence, in which one is not solely defined by their profession but by a myriad of experiences.

“It’s essential to remember that we’re not just researchers or professionals. We’re human beings, constantly evolving, learning, and experiencing the world in all its beauty and complexity,” he stresses.

For the scores of students and budding scientists who are captivated by Frere’s journey and aspire to emulate his success, his advice serves as a guide. Grounded in his experiences, he stresses the importance of mental resilience in the face of adversity. “It’s natural to encounter hurdles, to sometimes question if you’re on the right path,” Frere shares. “But in those moments of uncertainty, it’s crucial to remember why you began this journey. The fire that ignited your passion, your core motivations, they will guide you.”

Frere further emphasized the importance of continuous learning, humility, and collaboration. “No success is achieved in isolation. Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and collaborators who challenge you, who expand your horizons, and who share your dedication to making a difference. And most importantly, never lose your sense of wonder, for it is the heart and soul of every true scientist,” he advices.

Frere’s story is a harmonious blend of academic prowess, groundbreaking innovations, leadership, and a profound commitment to bettering the human condition. As the realm of medicinal chemistry evolves, it eagerly awaits trailblazers like Frere to chart the way forward.

09

Arts

ever forward, always looking back Aurora Picciottoli

september burns at the wick and the ghosts of all the people i’ve ever loved (and lost, and lost, and lost) take root in the crawl space under my grandmother’s stairs. i can feel every iteration of myself dragging her feet through the muddied leaves of autumn: the bitter halflife of childhood. (a hundred thousand fractals of what was, what could have been). there’s something dangling from the precipice— an urgent entropy, an unwavering inertia that surges forward, heedless of our stumbling gait. (none of us can go back) october holds the candle. time carries on.

Editor | Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

Self-Preservation

Rainstorm

Kuicmar Phot

Hannah Grace Wang

Sat in puddles of hair And pools of cracked fingernails Bones leather-bound to skin And teeth weaved into dirt

Awakened by the storm, you’re never the same afterwards.

When it rains, streams become rivers.

Rivers flush away the debris, cleanse the system.

With one final visit to a grave of lost dreams And one final letter to a circle of solace I’ll retreat under the dreary air accompanying midnight’s rain To smother the murky plummet streaming through the grotto

Whatever you’re thinking, it’s not real. Just a mirage of the things you’ve brushed aside.

The bats will guard the echo humming through a hollow cave And the strangeness of the forest fog as I wait for sun rays Drowned in a creek of false conviction And a carpet of mossy faith

Don’t turn your eye away from the phases of the moon, for they all look different in water.

The cycle persists.

Some things come and go, others stay with you, always there’s no escaping the rainstorm.

I’ll remain in my cave Until the bread of grief rots As I preserve what’s left Of my splintered shell

White noise is doomscrolling Noah Baumbach’s film adaptation of White Noise hilariously picturizes the novel’s take on death anxiety in the modern age.

Elizabeth Prydatka Contributor

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n the later half of 2022, I watched Noah Baumbach’s most recent directorial film on Netflix, White Noise, an adaptation of Don DeLillo’s 1985 novel of the same name. With Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig in the leading roles of this dark comedy, I was right to expect a good time in watching the film, though I was not prepared for the level of uncanny discomfort I would feel afterwards. Naturally, I was inclined to read the original source material that inspired the film. In my reading, I was struck by how relevant, in all of its absurdity, the novel remains almost 40 years after its release.

In the early hours of July 16, 1945, the first nuclear bomb, “Gadget,” was detonated.

The Trinity test was a success. In less than a month, another bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, and another on Nagasaki three days later, marking the advent of the nuclear age and the birth of the deadliest form of weaponry. In the following decades, the Cold War would exasperate feelings of unease within

popular culture. DeLillo weaves this unease into the fabric of his own storytelling to say: we are living in dangerous times.

Whether this danger comes in the form of nuclear war, terrorism, invasion, or disease, we live with such dangers in our periphery.

To not fall into a state of existential dread, we are washed away by the noise that constantly surrounds us—targeted advertising, the hum of whatever show we have playing in the background, brightly-coloured signs and lights, and the pull of social media. It’s as though all of us search for meaning and a form of companionship within white noise.

The novel follows protagonist and narrator Jack Gladney and his family. He lives with his third wife, Babette, and their four children from their previous marriages. The novel feels mundane in its first part as DeLillo establishes the context for the event that follows.

The family goes about their daily lives, going from one disjointed conversation to the next.

The dialogue flows like a jazz record, never quite concluding a conversation. The novel is intentionally fragmented, moving from one conversation to the next, from one event to the other, much like a Wes Anderson film.

The family goes through room to room, day to

day, as each of them obsesses over something.

They are all too busy.

In the beginning of the novel, there is no sudden sense of the impending doom created by a toxic airborne event. Even when toxic chemicals are discovered at the children’s school, they are all too wrapped up in their day-to-day lives. The television is still on.

The family only evacuates with warnings and sirens because “this couldn’t possibly happen to us.”

During early Covid-19, I often heard the notion that the virus, just like the toxic event in White Noise, would never come to us. This belief often lasted just up until the point that it did. Suddenly, even going to the supermarket invoked a level of fear, fear of something that we cannot see. What do we all do then? We buy Pelotons, we start streaming more shows, TikTok emerges as the most downloaded app.

We wrap ourselves up in a simulation—in white noise.

Eventually, what settles after some time is the acceptance of a “new normal.” We continue to go about our lives until we receive the latest news, the latest reminder of our own mortal-

ity; then we continue on. When Jack Gladney speaks to his wife on the topic of death, “the question comes up from time to time, like where are the car keys,” writes DeLillo. The inevitability of mortality seems insignificant. We know, we accept, and we continue.

Truly, White Noise is hilarious despite being fundamentally about death. It so brilliantly illustrates the absurdity of the modern world. The materials we consume have come to act as our coping mechanisms. What we consume is what shapes who we are and gives us meaning, but also turns our thoughts into a fog of white noise.

10

Taylor Swift and the ghosts of concert movies past Swift joins the company of Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, and David Bowie with a film on her recent record-breaking The Eras Tour.

Meighan Atkinson Staff Writer Taylor Swift is coming to a city near you.

Of course, if you’ve been online at all in the last year, you understand that procuring coveted tickets to shows of her wildly successful The Eras Tour is a feat in and of itself. Ticketmaster queues, presale codes that never come, buyers reselling tickets for tens of thousands of dollars: these are the woes of a Taylor Swift fan.

In her benevolence, to assure that every fan, faux, and Swiftie-curious have a chance to see the magic of the tour without taking out a second mortgage, Swift is set to release a concert film of the event, aptly titled Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour in theatres on Friday, October 13, 2023.

As Forbes reports, according to AMC Theaters, the film earned US$26 million in the first three hours of ticket presales, with only a reported US$10-20 million budget. The Eras Tour is not Swift’s first or second foray into concert movies—it’s her eighth. Unlike her past films, which were exclusively released on streaming platforms, The Eras Tour’s upcoming theatre run has already disrupted the box office. Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions bumped up the release of The Exorcist by a week to avoid competition with Swift, and several other films have followed suit by rescheduling their original October 13 release date.

Swift follows a long line of artists further capitalizing on already profitable tours with concert movies: Justin Bieber, David Bowie, and Michael Jackson among them. Grab your popcorn and read through a time capsule of their record-breaking concert movies, past and present.

Justin Bieber: Never Say Never In 2011, the world bravely fought a different kind of epidemic: Bieber fever. Currently one of the highest-grossing concert films of all time, Justin Bieber: Never Say Never hit theatres globally in dazzling 3-D and earned nearly US$100 million. Never Say Never premiered February 11, 2011, days before Bieber’s first Grammy appearance, after a slew of late-night talk show visits and Glee covers. The film rode Bieber’s first of many career highs, endearing him as a small-town boy whose dreams came true.

More documentary than concert footage, Never Say Never showcased then 17-year-old Bieber as a born-to-be superstar, hailing from humble beginnings in Stratford, Ontario, as the first son of a single mother. The movie followed a predictable formula, perfected in Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience, debuting two years prior on February 29, 2009. Film reviews from the time describe the thrushes of teenage girls grabbing at 3-D renderings of Bieber on stage and their parents/guardians reluctantly bopping along to his saccharine hits. With guest appearances from Miley Cyrus, Usher, Ludacris, and Jaden Smith, Never Say Never rivals Marvel movies with its star-studded cast.

Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour Released on DVD in 2005, Michael Jackson: Live in Bucharest: The Dangerous Tour originally aired on HBO as a special in 1992, the same year the concert took place. The show, performed to an audience of 90,000 people, marked the first time Jackson allowed his concert to be recorded. Variety says HBO saw the film as their highest-rated special at the time.

Different versions cut in alternate performances from other dates along the tour, but, remarkably, the two-hour special is exclusively concert footage, that is, no behind-the-scenes documentary aspect. Following HBO’s release of the controversial documentary Leaving Neverland, which accuses Jackson of sexual abuse, the Jackson estate released Live in Bucharest on YouTube, where you can still catch it for free.

Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars Released in 1983, Ziggy Stardust and The Spiders from Mars depicts David Bowie’s last ever performance assuming his Ziggy Stardust persona, recorded live in London 10 years earlier on July 3, 1973. In July 2023, 50 years after its original release, the film was re-released in theatres globally to mark the anniversary of Ziggy Stardust’s last appearance.

According to a review from The Guardian, the tour promoted several Bowie albums released under the Ziggy Stardust persona, an era spanning only two years. Fans learned the character’s origin story in the titular song, which describes an alien guitarist coming to Earth with his alien bandmates (The Spiders), eventually consumed by his own ego. The film juxtaposes the persona of Ziggy Stardust in concert, with the performer, Bowie, backstage.

The film’s lengthy post-production process saw many cuts, including three additional songs performed with special guest Jeff Beck, dropped from the final cut.

Concert films aren’t uncommon. Many musicians film several sets, piece them together, and release the tape on streaming services, but a box office run is another thing entirely. For Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour, tickets are available for $19.89, the year of the singer’s birth, or $13.13 for kids, her lucky number. With a running time of 2 hours and 45 minutes, it’s unclear whether the film will take a documentary-style approach or simply feature her setlist in its entirety.

AURORA PICCIOTTOLI /THE MEDIUM

11

What kept Nelly Furtado away from the limelight?

Seventeen years after the release of her chart-topping album Loose, pop fans and critics alike are welcoming back Furtado as she returns to the mainstream music world.

Paige France Contributor

BEATRIZ SIMAS/THE MEDIUM

H

aving sold over 40 million records, Nelly Furtado is one of the most successful Canadian recording artists of all time. While she is known for her catchy tunes, versatility, and musical experimentation, most listeners may be unable to recognize her face in a crowded room. How is it possible for someone who has amassed worldwide success to remain in the background of the music scene?

A British Columbia native, Furtado rose to fame at 20 years old with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly! (2000). Songs “I’m Like a Bird” and “Turn Off the Light” hit commercial success with their top ten positions on the Billboard Hot 100.

Three years later, her Portuguese roots inspired her second album Folklore (2003). Unfortunately, in a sophomore slump, Furtado’s traipse through folk music was unable to match the success of her introductory album.

Departing from her girl-next-door image and taking a brave step toward the sounds of DJ booths, Furtado took to the ol’ drawing board with acclaimed producer Timbaland. Together, they made one of North America’s best-selling albums of the 2000s.

A reinvention of the hip-hop genre that would ricochet off club walls for decades to come, Furtado’s third album, Loose (2006), went on to earn four number-one singles with “Promiscuous,” “Maneater,” “Say it Right,” and “All Good Things (Come to an End).” Her Timbaland “Give It to Me” feature in 2007 also topped US and overseas charts, proving her hip hop era’s dexterity and popularity.

However, after breaking records, resting on top of the charts for more than five years, and becoming a fixture in the music industry, Furtado vanished seemingly overnight. She disappeared from interviews and magazine covers, and then left her “Get Loose” tour behind in 2006.

“I had a nervous breakdown on stage,” Furtado recounted to Daily Mail in 2012. “I was on the Loose tour and my daughter was with me—I was being a mum and a singer on the road. I was exhausted.”

Things became tricky for Furtado after she became a single mother. More than a decade after the release of Loose, in an appearance on the British talk show Loose Women, Furtado explained that she was struggling to balance parenthood, music-making, and her relationship at the time in the public eye.

While the smaller passion project albums that followed her retreat from the limelight, Mi Plan (2009), The Spirit Indestructible (2012), and The Ride (2017) failed to grasp the success Furtado experienced prior to her hiatus, they made it clear that she does not shy away from non-mainstream musical styles. Her chronicles throughout the music scene show her passion for music and that fame and overexposure is not what she wants. Furtado chose to remain anonymous as she raised her family and lived off of what she had achieved at the height of her career.

Furtado has left fans and club-goers alike yearning for more of her music. Is more coming? To every millennial and Gen Z-er who were taught the definition of promiscuous from the icon herself, the answer is unequivocally yes.

After teaming up with Dom Dolla on their latest EDM hit “Eat your Man,” and with the release of a brand new single, “Keep Going Up,” with long-time collaborators Timbaland and Justin Timberlake, fans have finally gotten another taste of that synth hip-hop sound that she’s known for. In an exclusive interview with Furtado, Vogue says audiences can expect a new full-length album from her soon.

12

sports & health

Redemption

Editor | Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca

Resurgence and

Despite breaking a 19-year playoff curse, the Leafs have disappointed their fans once again.

However, they can still resurge from the depths of disappointment to the cusp of triumph.

Omar Khan Sports Editor

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uring each of the 2017 to 2022 playoffs, the Leafs pushed their opposing team to the limit and forced a winner-take-all game seven, only to lose their winning opportunity one way or another. Some years it was their lackluster defense, some years their low-scoring offense, and some years it was just plain bad luck. 2023 was supposed to be different: for the first time since 2004, the team finally made it to the second round of playoffs, in six games, overcoming multiple third-period deficits in games three and four.

On April 29, 2023, Maple Leafs captain John Tavares scored the overtime winning goal to send the Leafs to the second round by eliminating the Tampa Bay Lightning. This historic goal sent the city into a frenzy, exciting fans, players, and management— sending shockwaves throughout the country and the

entire hockey world. With this win, the Leafs have now finally won something and had an enormous weight lifted off of their shoulders.

Due to the skill and experiences of this year’s Leafs team, many fans believed that, if the team managed to win the first round and clean up a few areas of their game, the Leafs would have a real chance at the Stanley Cup. The Leafs celebrated their victory, but quickly shifted their focus to their next opponent: the Florida Panthers. While the Leafs were established as a series favourite, the Panthers were not to be underestimated. In their first round, the Panthers defeated the historic and record-setting Boston Bruins team. Defeating the Bruins in a crucial game seven, the Panthers raced their way into their second-round series against the Leafs, still surging from the high of defeating the greatest regular season team in NHL history.

Expectations and optimism were at alltime highs for the Leafs. During the regular

season, the Leafs were the better team, securing a higher seed for the playoffs and home ice advantage. The Leafs were clear favourites, a position they’ve been in before—yet they still found ways to lose.

The Leafs lost each of the first three games of the series and would have been swept by the Panthers if they hadn’t won game four. The Leafs ended up losing the series in game five, embarrassing themselves yet again and disappointing millions of fans around the world.

getting back to what they did against the Lightning this year in the playoffs. Perhaps the Leafs got lucky in that series. However, they gained crucial experience and now know what they need to do in order to be successful in the playoffs, giving them the best tools for success in the ye\ars to come. It is now up to Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and William Nylander to make this city proud again, redeem the Leafs, and bring the team to glory.

All the Leafs can look forward to doing now is re-emerging as a great regular season team, and

Beyond the Game: Navigating Alcohol and Betting Ads for a Global Fan Base Analyzing the alienating impact of betting and alcohol ads.

Omar Khan Sports Editor

A

s any avid sports fan can tell, betting and alcohol advertisements are perhaps the most common advertisements run during televised sports games. However, some may not have noticed the profound effect this can have on certain demographics of viewers and the overall impact that betting and alcohol advertisements can have on a more general audience.

The recent move by the Ontario government to implement a regulated online gambling market has likely played a significant role in the recent and immense increase in gambling and betting among Ontarians.

This statistic is also correlated with massive increases in advertisements for gambling and betting companies. A study by Ipsos, a world-renowned market research organization, found that a whopping 63 per cent of Canadians believe there needs to be a limit on both the placement and quantity of betting and gambling advertisements shown in media.

These concerns have arisen due to a variety of reasons. Many believe that there is a direct

link between increased gambling ads and the increase in gambling addicts. Others are prohibited from gambling due to religious or cultural reasons, causing such ads to alienate these consumers, making them feel left out and potentially even unwelcome in the world of sports.

ligious or cultural reasons.

These concerns have caused viewers to develop a general distaste for gambling ads. The same Ipsos study shows that there has been an 820 per cent increase in negative social media posts regarding sports betting advertising in just the last year. Subsequently, it has been made clear that these advertisements are getting out of hand for a large portion of viewers.

Somewhat controversially, the 2022 Qatar World Cup banned alcohol at its stadiums.

This news shocked many who enjoy drinking alcoholic beverages while watching their favorite sport. This move was made due to alcohol consumption being banned in Qatar for religious reasons. Most saw this as a point of contention between FIFA and the country of Qatar. However, because Qatar won the right to host the tournament, the rules of that country overruled the previsions that FIFA had over alcohol. Since drinking and being around those who drink is forbidden in the religion of Islam, the official religion of Qatar, this ban on alcohol made the tournament more accessible and more inviting for local sport-watchers and anyone who may follow Islam.

These concerns have grown at such an alarming rate that the Ontario government has recently passed legislation that will ban athletes and celebrities from appearing in online gambling commercials. This law will go into effect in February of 2024. This move by the government seems to signal a shift in discourse and perception of gambling ads and what effects they appear to have on viewers.

To reiterate, this issue affects not only those with addictions to gambling but also those who are prohibited from gambling due to re-

Those individuals left feeling alienated by gambling ads due to cultural restrictions are also liable to feel similarly about certain sports, which reap the benefits of playing ads for alcoholic products.

Still, moves like Qatar’s are likely impossible to pull off in most countries, and as a result, alcohol advertisements continue to

alienate audiences around the world. The top 30 alcoholic beverage brands spend almost 800 million a year to reach viewers through sponsors, clubs, teams, tournaments, and even via athletes themselves.

While targeting advertisements to individuals who actually indulge in drinking can be an effective form of marketing and advertising, when these ads reach the wrong people, they are ineffective, unproductive, and even serve to isolate those individuals.

Limiting the amount of gambling and alcohol advertisements in the world of sports has positive implications for a variety of different reasons. Firstly, ads that are more focused on the demographics that make up their target audience tend to be more effective and efficient in selling their products. Secondly, individuals with issues relating to addiction or harmful use of gambling and alcohol will be saved from overexposure to products that have harmed them in the past and pose a potential threat to harm them again. Lastly, limiting these advertisements would decrease the alienation of individuals who cannot participate in these activities, leading to a more inclusive and welcoming sports community.