Volume 50, Issue 5

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

Issue 5 Volume 50 October 09 2023

themedium.ca

Principal Alexandra Gillespie on the heart of UTM’s goals and aspirations “We are very different with different experiences. We can learn from one another, but we are also deeply connected. And we find our joy and our purpose in those connections.”

Juliana Stacey & River Knott Editor-in-Chief & Managing Editor

A

t the beginning of the year, the management team at The Medium sat down to talk about our goals: building a community, helping our writers develop and become more confident in their writing skills, and producing a paper that we, and our writers, could be proud of. These sentiments sat at the back of our minds as we crafted questions for an interview with Alexandra Gillespie, the vice-president of the University of Toronto and principal of the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM).

Arriving at Principal Gillespie’s office, we expected to chat about specific initiatives or programs being implemented in the coming months. While we were able to discuss some of the plans that UTM looks to realize, we also learned a lot more about the structure of our campus and its community, looking past just the programming and offerings and instead at the “heart” of our institution itself.

Principal Gillespie tells us about a “diagrammatic representation” of the campus, which contains a heart right in the middle. “That heart represents lots of different things,” she says.

“It represents our commitment to truth and reconciliation first, […] our commitment to Indigenous Peoples, and to walking the long path towards reconciliation.”

She adds that part of these efforts toward reconciliation include “understanding that [reconciliation] has to be grounded in truth telling. And that without that at the heart of what we do, nothing else will be okay. Everything else will be destabilized.” On UTM’s campus, that looks like doing the work to “connect, repair, and create reciprocity.”

“I’m really proud of the fact that we opened the new office for the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation,” Principal Gillespie shares. She speaks of the Tipi and the teaching lodge—which now stand near Principal’s Pond—and of the hopes of working towards more programming that revolves around the “recovery and teaching” of Indigenous languages, as well as a focus on Indigenous placemaking. These projects, as well as other initiatives in the works, focus on “making [UTM] a place where Indigenous People can feel connected, but actually in which we are all connected to that goal of truth and reconciliation—that it’s actually something that we feel, and we experience in an embodied way.”

Another goal that the heart looks to highlight is our campus’ connection to the environment. Initiatives supporting this goal include the geothermal heating systems that exist beneath the soccer field, which is conveniently located at the heart of our campus. Principal Gillespie shares that the campus is committed to

reaching carbon zero status, and even looks to be in the “positive impact” zone by 2050; this means the campus would be removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it is creating.

Having been a part of UTM’s community for 20 years, Principal Gillespie comments on the changes that the Covid-19 pandemic brought to our campus. She acknowledges that quarantine and isolation have increased social anxiety among UTM students, which can inhibit them from making meaningful connections with other members of their community.

When asked what her advice for current UTM students would be, Principal Gillespie highlights that we should strive to move away from fear. “It’s really hard and you can’t do it all the time and you can’t do it completely. But don’t be afraid,” she says.

“Try not to be afraid because fear shuts you down and […] it’s a closing emotion.”

She reminds students to approach their studies with a sense of openness, remembering that “you’re at U of T. You’re going to do this degree, or you’re going to do part of this degree. Some of you won’t finish that; it’s okay too. You’re going to have an amazing experience, you’re going to carry that experience with you for the rest of your life, it’s going to be okay. Or else, as a famous poet once said to me,

‘It won’t be okay. And that will be okay too.’”

Principal Gillespie acknowledges the reality of ongoing mental health struggles among UTM students, and how these struggles have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic.

She explains that in the past, students have confided in her that they have been in “acute situation[s]” regarding their mental health and “it was taking them months to get seen” by UTM’s wellness professionals. As a result, UTM has adopted a “step care model for the provision of services,” under which students who are in critical situations have access to same-day service and swift follow-up appointments.

Principal Gillespie explains that access to student aid for UTM students continues to be a priority. This year, the budget for student aid has increased to a lofty C$365 million dollars.

When asked about her other goals for the near future, Principal Gillespie let our management team in on just a few of the initiatives that she intends to have

realized in upcoming years. She explains that, while UTM has programming for a variety of medical professions affiliated with the Mississauga Academy of Medicine, there is currently no nursing program at UTM. Principal Gillespie recognizes the important work of nurses and expresses her concern for the shortage of nurses nationwide. “We hope that by the end of this year, we have on the books, under governance, ready to go a small nursing program,” she reveals.

Principal Gillespie also speaks passionately about the importance of interdisciplinary learning in the 21st century, claiming that the traditional makeup of 19th- and 20th-century academic disciplines “predate the world that we are living in in a very, very significant way.” It is becoming more and more apparent that problem-solving in academic and professional settings during the 21st century often requires a significant amount of overlap between academic disciplines. “Sometimes the person who’s really good at crunching the numbers is not the best storyteller,” Principal Gillespie shares. “But if the storyteller and the number cruncher can speak to one another and know how to do that, and do that really well, that’s the secret sauce, I think.” She notes that “I’d love UTM to be at the vanguard of thinking really creatively, but also responsibly, about what it is to be a 21st century arts and science student.”

Indigenous reparations, student wellness, community building, and interdisciplinary learning appear to be areas occupying the forefront of Principal Gillespie’s ambitions over the next couple of months. Our interview made it clear that her passion for the wellness of UTM students and their involvement in the community has been a powerful catalyst for change when it comes to academic norms, student aid, and the prioritization of making meaningful connections with each other during our time together at UTM. When The Medium asked Gillespie for her personal insights on how students and faculty can build connections within our community and find happiness along the way, she explains that: “We are very different with different experiences. We can learn from one another, but we are also deeply connected. And we find our joy and our purpose in those connections.”

NICK IWANYSHYN /UOFT

02

NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

Kim Jong-un’s Russia visit sparks worries over secret deals North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s recent visit to Russia amid the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War has triggered US concerns, with allegations of undisclosed agreements between the two nations springing up.

Karine Alhakim Staff Writer

O

n February 24, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, under Vladimir Putin’s directive, plunged the world into a crisis that persists to this day. As we mark 593 days since the war began, the conflict has not only strained Russia’s relations with the West but has also wreaked havoc on Ukraine and triggered global economic insecurity.

The world’s response to the war has divided nations into three categories: those defending and supporting Ukraine, those siding with Russia, and those maintaining indifference. Major international organizations, including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the European Union, have consistently expressed unwavering support for Ukraine throughout the course of the conflict. They have provided humanitarian aid, imposed sanctions on Russia, and bolstered Ukraine’s military capabilities.

Recent developments involving North Korea have raised significant concerns. The North Korean leader’s visit to Russia has sparked speculation about the nature of the discussions and potential agreements reached between the two nations. The US had previously accused North Korea of providing crucial supplies to Russia, further complicating the situation.

This visit marks Kim’s first trip outside the country in over four years. His extended absence from international diplomacy

added an aura of mystery and intrigue to Kim’s recent journey to Russia. His return to the global stage hints at potential shifts in North Korea’s foreign policy and strategic priorities. Observers were keen to discern the objectives and outcomes of this meeting, especially considering the broader geopolitical context of North Korea’s relations with major world powers.

The US government sternly expressed its concerns about North Korea’s involvement with Russia. Officials have warned of potential consequences if North Korea continues to supply resources to Russia, hinting at the possibility of sanctions or other punitive actions. Back in August, the US “imposed sanctions on three entities” that it accused of being “tied to arms deals between North Korea and Russia”.

The current state of the war remains complex and fluid. While there have been periods of intensified fighting followed by ceasefires, a definitive resolution seems elusive. The Ukrainian people continue to endure the consequences of the conflict, including loss of lives, displacement, and severe economic hardship.

The implications of the ties between North Korea and Russia are a matter of significant global concern. North Korea’s involvement in supporting Russia could potentially prolong the conflict by providing the resources and assistance to sustain Russia’s military campaign.

This could lead to further instability in the region and the exacerbation of global tensions.

The 593-days-long Russia-Ukraine war has had profound repercussions on international relations, security, and the global economy. North Korea’s involvement with Russia adds a new layer of complexity to the already volatile situation. The world continues to watch closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution to this ongoing crisis.

The 2023 Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Elections Candidates Bonnie Crombie, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Ted Hsu, and Yasir Naqvi race to garner the support of Ontario Liberal Party voters through campaigns and debates.

Razia Saleh Contributor

O

n September 14 and October 1, the first and second 2023 Ontario Liberal Party Leadership Election debates were held in Thunder Bay and Stratford respectively. Candidates were invited to the stage to discuss their plans relating to the party elections and address questions.

The elected candidate will become the leader of the Ontario Liberal Party, a position currently held temporarily by John Fraser. Fraser took over the role when Steven Del Duca, the previous Ontario Liberal Party leader, resigned after failing to win his seat in the 2022 Ontario general election.

There are four candidates running for Liberal leadership: Bonnie Crombie, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Ted Hsu, and Yasir Naqvi.

Adil Shamji enrolled in the candidacy but later dropped out of the race and endorsed Bonnie

Crombie.

Bonnie Crombie announced her leave of absence from Mississauga mayoral duties starting October 6 to focus her initiatives on becoming the new leader of the Ontario Liberal Party. She hopes to address the currently overloaded public health system, the housing crisis, and affordability issues.

“Doug Ford has sold off our precious Greenbelt to make his rich friends even richer, and we know that the eight billion dollar scandal is just the tip of the iceberg,” she exclaimed during the Thunder Bay debate. She explained that it is the time for Ontario Liberals to work towards leading the province in a “ethical and trustworthy” way.

Since 2015, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith has been elected as a Member of Parliament for Beaches-East York three times. He voices his initiative for the position during the Thunder Bay debate and focuses on social issues such as public health, education, and climate action. “We deserve competence [and] a strong

economic agenda; we deserve fairness and compassion for those in need,” stated ErskineSmith.

Ted Hsu, current Ontario Liberal MPP for Kingston and the Islands, explained on his platform: “Workers can’t find an affordable place to live near where they work, they have trouble accessing health care, our kids are behind because of COVID, there’s more violence and disruption in the classrooms, and we’re falling behind on climate change because this government is allergic to sustainable energy and relying more and more on burning natural gas. This makes it much harder to attract investment to Ontario.”

“I know that a strong economy supports a caring and fair society,” Hsu said during the Thunder Bay debate, restating the importance of having an economic policy that enables funding for housing, healthcare, and education.

And finally, Yasir Naqvi is a current Member of Parliament for Ottawa Centre. His

candidacy centers on introducing “practical Liberal solutions” to meet the needs of the people—such as public health, education, and affordability, “As leader, I will work with you to transform our Ontario Liberal Party in all 124 riding associations, so you have the tools necessary, the resource[s] necessary, to win in the next election,” Naqvi stated in the Thunder Bay debate.

The expected date of the election is November 25 and 26. Party members, all constituency associations, student clubs, and women’s club voters can cast their ballots and expect results to be announced on December 2.

AURORA PICCIOTTOLI/THE MEDIUM

03

Staying cyber safe in an interconnected world As part of Cyber Security Awareness Month, Canadian institutions are offering resources and organizing events to inform people of cyber threats and methods to mitigate them.

Larry Lau News Editor

I

t is now a few weeks into October, and Cyber Security Awareness Month is in full swing. The internationally recognized campaign serves to raise awareness surrounding cyber security threats and practices that may mitigate these risks. In Canada, this year’s theme is “Step up your cyber fitness.”

Using data as of January 12, 2023, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security—founded on October 1, 2018 as part of the Communications Security Establishment—completed a baseline assessment of cyber security risks towards Canadians. The assessment report revealed that the number of organized cybercrimes in Canada is expected to increase from 2023 to 2024, with increasing global interconnectivity providing cybercriminals the chances they need to exploit victims.

Notably, ransomware is listed as particularly damaging due to its wide reach and ability to disrupt Canadian organizations’ most basic operations. The assessment report lists hospital care as an example, where financial disruptions can cause an array of issues, rangingAURORA from patients’ delayed recovery to potentially higher risks of death. With the advent of Covid-19, phishing scams using public health PICCIOTTOLI messages and data as bait have also gained popularity. Successful phishing scams cybercriminals to infiltrate their victims’ devices, acting as a starting point to launch their ransomware attacks. /THEallows MEDIUM

Additionally, the assessment report reveals that “cybercrime safe havens” such as Russia and Iran are likely enabling cybercriminals to conduct attacks against the West, posing another obstacle to addressing cybercrime.

Canada’s Get Cyber Safe campaign portal allows people to access various tips, blogs, and other resources about cybersecurity practices. Some topics include safeguarding personal accounts with passcodes and multi-factor authentication, protecting devices, and maintaining secure internet connections when using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

At U of T, many events have been organized for students, staff, and faculty who are interested in learning about staying safe in the cyberworld. U of T Information Security will be hosting events and offering resources to the university community, all revolving around its four strategic objectives: “Secure University digital transformation,” “Trustworthy teaching, learning, and research,” “Resiliency through effective risk management,” and “Excellence through collaboration.”

On October 12, students, staff, and faculty can register for the virtual panel, “Listening to researchers: Safeguarding data and intellectual property”, to learn about how they can protect data obtained in their research as well as their intellectual property.

On October 17, an in-person meet and greet event will be held at the Bahen Centre on U of T’s St. George campus. The event includes interactive activities that provide knowledge on safeguarding cybersecurity. Participants can network with other students, staff, and faculty, and meet U of T’s Chief Information Security Officer, Isaac Straley.

There are other events organized by U of T Information Security and its partners but will not be available for students. More details can be found on their website.

In 2022, the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Anita Anand, stated in her foreword to the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security’s National Cyber Threat Assessment 2023-2024: “It will take a coordinated effort to make Canada one of the safest places to live and work online.” While institutions work towards addressing cyber threats on a higher level, people may also keep themselves informed and ready to react to the ever-changing nature of cybercrime.

AURORA PICCIOTTOLI/ THE MEDIUM

04

Moving homes just got a lot more expensive The average rent for tenants who have been living in their homes for less than a year is significantly higher than for long-term renters.

Aidan Thompson Managing Editor-Internal

A

n analysis report recently published by Statistics Canada revealed that tenants who had moved into their current home within the past year faced “median” rental costs that were 21 per cent higher than tenants who had lived in their unit for longer than a year.

The report explains that while rent control policies protect current tenants, they impose no restrictions on the prices that landlords demand from new renters. For example, for a two-bedroom unit in Toronto, “recent renters” face a median monthly rent of C$2,180, while “existing renters” only face a median monthly rent of C$1,460.

The report explains that recent renters are significantly more likely to have living situations that are defined as “unaffordable” than existing renters. Statistics Canada defines housing as unaffordable if the tenant is forced to pay more than 30 per cent of their pre-tax income on rental costs.

In Canada, the likelihood that a recent renter was signed into an unaffordable lease was 13 per cent higher than existing renters—43.2 per cent vs. 30.5 per cent, respectively. The report explains that people between the ages of 25-29 are the most likely demographic to be living as recent renters, with people aged 18-24 and 3034 coming in close second and third respectively. Between academic opportunities, new jobs, relationships, and just general spontaneity, many young adults are unlikely to be staying in one spot for too long.

But as housing affordability drives more people towards the rental market, prices will only increase for recent renteres. With every vacancy, there will come a higher price to pay. And while most graduates aspire to find a high-paying job in their field, this is unfortunately not a reality for most.

Rising rental costs are often due to an increase in demand. So why is the demand for housing in Canada’s cities growing so quickly? To start with, more people are opting to live in downtown areas due to better job and recreational opportunities. The report explains that the number of people who are buying homes is shrinking, so the number of people who are forced to rent is growing.

In the last decade, the proportion of homeownership in Canada has been steadily declining. In that same period, the increase in households that are currently renting is more than twice the increase in households that own their property.

The likelihood that a young millennial— someone between the age of 25 and 29— owns their home has fallen by almost 10 per cent in the last decade from 44.1% in 2011 to 36.5% 2021.

The report explained minority groups such as Latin American, Arab, and Black populations are more likely to be recent renters than any other ethnic demographic.

Additionally, 32.4 per cent of recent renters who live in subsidized housing still have financial situations that would define their rent as “unaffordable,” as compared to existing renters’ 19.7 per cent.

As the housing supply continues to lag behind the demand, rental prices will only increase. Anyone looking to enter the rental market, such as current students or recent graduates, will likely be forced to pay significantly more for a unit that has recently been vacated.

MASTHEAD EDITORIAL BOARD

05

OPINION

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

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 Sports Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca Photo Samira Karimova photos@themedium.ca Design Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca Copy Ricardo Jaroslav Valdes jaros@themedium.ca Maja Ting maja@themedium.ca Social Media & Online Belicia Chevolleau social@themedium.ca Video Nikolas Towsey video@themedium.ca

TO CONTRIBUTE & CONNECT: themedium.ca/contact @themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themediumUTM

@themessageUTM

@humansofUTM_

Can students afford to eat?

Unprecedentedly high financial burdens threaten the future livelihood of UTM students.

The Medium

W

hether you’ve noticed it walking through the aisles of the grocery store, looking for a place to live, or just trying to fill up your car with gas, inflation in Canada has become glaringly apparent to anyone who lives here. While inflation impacts all Canadians to some degree, it is more important than ever to understand the ways in which students are disproportionately disadvantaged by Canada’s current inflation crisis.

Not only is it more difficult than ever to find affordable student housing, but average tuition costs continue to be the highest they’ve ever been for both international and domestic students. To manage these costs, many students turn to employment, where they are either asked for years of experience in order to land a job in their field— training and experience that most university students could not possibly hope to possess—or they are forced to get a physically demanding job that “pays well,” but

is time-consuming and yet another responsibility.

Students are not just taking on debt due to the enormous financial burdens of rent and tuition, but many are finding themselves taking on debt just to keep themselves fed and clothed.

Of course, some students are at higher risk of needing to take on debt than others. While some students have the immense privilege of having loved ones who can help cover the costs of university, other students are left to fend for themselves, with no promise of financial assistance or debt forgiveness.

It is time that the financial struggles of students who will go on to compose the Canada workforce are prioritized by the Canadian government and university administrators alike. The unprecedentedly high costs of student living can easily impact the lives and well-being of University of Toronto Mississauga students and alumni for decades to come.

UTM dining awarded three Michelin stars “Luxurious ambiance and exquisite food,” says Michelin inspector of UTM students.

Karine Alhakim Contributor

T

he University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) has achieved a new milestone after being awarded not one, not two, but three Michelin stars for its various fine dining achievements. Antoine, a Michelin inspector, visited the campus’ restaurants and asked me to accompany him on his great culinary adventure.

We first stopped by the famous Colman Commons. We were welcomed by a bright red carpet at the entrance of the building and a host of staff who seemed determined to transcend our expectations.

As we made our way in, we couldn’t decide on what to try first. We started with a fluffy omelet, which reminded Antoine of the world-famous restaurant L’Aubergeade in Paris.

“This tastes just like home,”

said Antoine as tears flooded his eyes. Then, we decided to give the pancakes a go. “Oh, mon dieu! C’est magnifique,” exclaimed Antoine. He was impressed by the exceptional flavours, the thoughtful presentation, and the meticulous execution. The music and the red walls set the mood for an amazing morning!

After the incredible breakfast, Antoine asked for a campus tour, but of course, we had to stop for some hot chocolate from Theos Coffee, which Antoine insisted posed a fierce competition to Angelina, the famous Parisian café.

“This campus must have some French roots,” said Antoine.

Our next stop was the Davis Food Court, which Antoine had heard whispers about from fellow critics. We were greeted by a food scene that felt like a Michelin-starred restaurant’s dream. “This,” Antoine declared with an air of

authority, “is nothing short of culinary excellence!”

plimented the risotto and the pizza.

The staff, who had clearly been trained by some of the finest chefs in the country, served us an assortment of dishes—from Italian to Thai.

Antoine savoured a delectable risotto that transported him back to a trattoria in Florence.

“I dare say,” he exclaimed, “this rivals even the best in Italy!”

As we moved on to the evening meal at the student-run fine dining restaurant, Antoine was in for a treat. The menu featured dishes prepared by culinary prodigies who were also pursuing degrees in physics and philosophy.

The pizza not à l’italiana was the cherry on top. “Naples should file a lawsuit,” exclaimed Antoine after taking just one bite out of the fine margherita pizza. “This Italian delicacy is the best I have ever had!”

Of course, the chef de cuisine had to offer us complimentary drinks. The best part is that we were able to customize our own drinks! “This is 10 times better than sparkling water,” said Antoine. The cherry soda really hit the spot and com-

The pièce de résistance, however, was the dessert—an intricate chocolate sculpture that paid homage to the university’s academic excellence.

Antoine gazed at it with awe and declared, “This, my dear, is a masterpiece that would make even the Louvre envious.”

The sophisticated designs and luxurious ambiance of the university’s food spots took Antoine by surprise. He told me that they should dedicate a fourth star just for the pancakes alone. So, congratulations UTM! This is just the start!

06

Multi-level marketing companies should be illegal everywhere They’re basically pyramid schemes, so why are they still here?

Pawfect places to be on campus

Hannah Grace Wang Staff Writer

M

ulti-level marketing (MLM) has been the subject of much controversy, with some claiming it is in fact a pyramid scheme. This is because the business model inevitably requires constant recruitment for sellers to make money. By design, the people at the bottom, who have no one else left to recruit (I mean, there are only so many people you can manipulate into joining) are the ones who are most vulnerable. A report from the Consumer Awareness Institute found that 99 per cent of people either don’t make money or actually lose money from MLMs. Before diving into the twisted world of MLMs, let’s quickly define MLM and pyramid schemes.

earnings and promising them the ability to “work from anywhere” or “become their own boss.” Looking at statistics, we know most people lose money from joining MLMs, leaving them worse off financially than they started out. This exploitative practice is harming society, relationships, and families. When sellers realize they’re at risk of losing money, they may feel pressured to recruit people—this is what they’re taught by their mentors, or “uplines.” Many people involved in MLMs end up ruining relationships with their family and friends by asking them to buy overpriced products or join a scheme that will cost them even more money.

MLM is a marketing strategy where companies use a network of independent distributors (referred to as a “downline”) to sell products to customers. These distributors are compensated for selling the company’s products as well as the sales of the distributors they recruit into the company. This creates a system: people who have built the biggest downlines earn the most money because they’re profiting from selling the product themselves but also from the sales of everyone beneath them. According to the Government of Canada, “Pyramid selling focuses on generating profits by recruiting others and not primarily from the sale of products. Thus, even when these schemes offer products, the products may have very little value, or few incentives for their sale.”

Now that you’re probably terrified of MLMs, you’re likely wondering if affiliate marketing is the same as MLM. Affiliate marketing involves promoting a company’s products or services in exchange for a commission on sales or referrals. You’ve probably seen those “share this with a friend and you’ll both get $5 off ” links on certain websites—that’s affiliate marketing.

What makes this different than MLMs from a business model perspective is that when your friend, whom you referred, refers more people to the product or service, you don’t get a cut of their earnings. There’s no reward beyond the initial financial incentive of saving $5. You’re also not recruiting anyone. Of course, don’t spam your friends with those referral links. That’ll annoy anyone.

If these two business models sound similar, that’s because they are. The line between them is thin, and many MLM companies—including Amway and Herbalife—have been taken to court for this exact reason (among others). Some people argue that MLM is a legitimate method of marketing because they are selling a product and the added incentive for recruiting new sellers is just a bonus. However, the top sellers in MLMs only reach that status by recruitment. You simply can’t make that much money on product sales alone. Hence, if sellers want to be successful, they have to recruit people to join their downlines.

Finally, I want to leave you with some tips to keep yourself safe from these predatory, harmful schemes.

Be wary when a business opportunity emphasizes “recruitment,” this often implies there is an upline and downline, which are key indicators of an MLM. Promises of high returns in a short period of time or a simple way to make easy money are also sale tactics used by those in MLMs. Finally, be cautious of complex commission structures. If someone feels compelled to prove why they are not in an MLM, then chances are they are in one indeed.

MLMs typically prey on vulnerable people including stay-at-home parents, students, or people simply trying to make ends meet by exaggerating potential

Max Staff Pawsitivity Coordinator

Dear Max, I’m a first-year at UTM and really haven’t been able to check out the campus much, except for finding my way to class. I was wondering if you had any suggestions for places to hang out!

Thanks!

-An Academic Explorer

H

ello hello!

You’ve come to the right place! Being a service dog on this campus has taught me many things: where to get the best food, the best nap places, and where I can find other dogs that visit our school. Here’s my ranking of the places I love to be when I’m working at UTM.

1. The Medium’s office Of course, I have to tell you about The Medium’s office. The people are great, the couches are great, and there are these really big windows that let you see everything outside… when you are still inside!!!

You don’t have to be part of The Medium’s masthead to come check out the office. Just knock on the door, and one of our many editors would be happy to have a chat with you! They also keep tons of tasty treats in there for me.

2. The Communication, Culture, & Technology (CCT) building If you’re looking for a place to study, I think the CCT building is the perfect spot (and it just so happens to be my favourite spot on campus)! Lots of chairs and spots to sit. Lots of windows for you to sunbathe next to. But, most importantly, if you go for a walk down the endless hallway after a long day of hard work, you will eventually get to Starbucks, where they give out free Pup Cups. What a steal!

3. The trails There is no better way to get your daily walk in than to follow the trails! There are lots of trees, things to smell, and people to meet!

Plus, if you’re looking for a chance to chase some squirrels or bark at some deer, the trails are the best place to be.

That’s it from me! If you’re looking for more things to do on or around campus, our videographer, Nik, has just filmed a video with more information, which you can check out on The Medium’s YouTube page (it happens to have other campus dogs in it and not me, but we’ll forgive him this time).

Until next time, Max

BEATRIZ SIMAS/THE MEDIUM

07

Interactions with the last mambabatok My authentic story of getting a traditional tattoo in the Buscalan Tattoo Village of the Philippines. on my tricep and inner bicep. Two hours later, it was finally time to start the journey back to Manila.

Tia Cummins Contributor

W

ith just a 10-hour car ride and an hour-long hike up the mountains of Kalinga, the general public can easily meet Apo Whang-Od, a 106-year-old woman who performs batok, a traditional indigenous Filipino tattoo. Originating from the pre-Hispanic Philippine people of the 16th century, batok has now grown exceptionally popular thanks to Whang-Od. Her growing fame has encouraged people from across the globe to make social media posts and videos about their experiences.

This was my experience.

In May 2023, just after winter semester exams finished, my mother and I hopped on a plane back home to the Philippines. Having seen Whang-Od all over my social media, TV screens, and even on the cover of Vogue, I was determined to meet her. Near the end of our trip, it was finally time to get in a van with our private tour company. The first reality check that hit me in my “movie-like” experience was the hefty dent this booking made in my bank account.

Having left Manila the night before, we drove six hours and crept our way up to the mountains of Kalinga around three in the morning. Little did I know, one of the hardest parts of the trip was about to begin. We drove onto the ever-winding roads on the sides of the mountains—no guard rails or streetlights in sight. For the next four hours, my family and I endured the most nausea-inducing car ride I have ever experienced. Unfortunately for my mother, it got to her stomach. Still, we pressed on to the hour-long uphill hike through the rice fields. After what felt like a lifetime, we finally made it to the Buscalan Tattoo Village.

This time, the winding roads got to my stomach. Dizziness aside, my arm was throbbing. My skin was hot, my bicep was swollen, and I was on the brink of tears. The only thing getting me through the next 10 hours was the slightly cooling sensation of the baby wipes used to wipe the ink. Finally, we were back in the city, and I could let the completely natural healing process take over. Over the next week my arm bruised and turned varying shades of purple and yellow. Pain aside, I continued to flaunt my new tattoo with pride. After months of healing, I now wear what is—and will always be—the most significant work of art I have ever put on my body.

Having the opportunity to truly get in touch with my culture through tattooing allowed me to learn about traditional practices and keep a reminder of the experience on my body for the rest of my life. The fact that I was able to do this with one of the most legendary tattoo artists in the world makes it even more special.

Although much of the journey was exhausting and made my mother question why we even decided to go forward with it, everything was worth it. Being able to experience first-hand a village I had only read about and the conversations I got to have with Grace about how far this practice has come in the tourist world truly trumps the time, energy, and money put into it.

The sentimental value and my understandings of what these tattoos symbolize have influenced my thinking about all of my current and future pieces, where each one should represent an important value I uphold in life. A daily reminder of these values pushes me to be my very best everyday through all of my actions—big or small.

After a few hours of rest, it was finally time to meet the iconic Whang-Od herself. As she repeatedly hit the pomelo thorn into my skin, my family crowded around to take photos and videos. Blood started to drip down my wrist; it was the coolest thing ever. The rest of the group got their three dots and headed back to their rooms. After I finished, I took a quick nap and spent the rest of the day watching Whang-Od’s grand nieces, Grace and Elyang, tattoo the more impressive pieces. The girls getting tattooed before me were going for much larger and more intricate pieces than I would have been able to handle: a gorgeous traditional python wrapped around the forearm and an hourglass pattern completely down the shin. Since these evidently took a lot of time, I had to wait until morning to start my design.

Excited and energized after a full night’s rest, it was finally my turn. Elyang used a piece of straw from the roof to map out the snakeskin band around my bicep, representing strength and protection. Although the first poke was quite painful, each tap left my arm more numb, which made the process more tolerable. Besides, the pain wasn’t as bad as I had imagined it would be

COURTESY OF TIA CUMMINS

From books to booze: UTM’s new Hoco Committee calls for “serious” changes A new institutional division implemented aims to make the University of Toronto “lit again” Bilaal Mohamed Contributor

R

ight before the grueling midterm season begins, many universities across Canada brace for their homecoming.

“Hocos” are unofficial parties held on campus that give students the opportunity to avoid studying and instead tap into their primal urges, like partying and drinking on weeknights.

In fall, every university campus gets trashed by young, drunk, irresponsible partyers—except for the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). “At the University of Toronto, we need to be the best,” said the Dean in a recent interview with The Medium. “We need to be leaders in every field. We need to lead Canada in academics, parking fees, and student suicide rates. It’s an institutional failure for our party culture to be so far behind every other university.” The UTM administration plans to flip the university from a strict and antisocial commuter school to the biggest party school in the nation.

The administration has recently assembled a Hoco Committee, consisting of former varsity hockey players in their 30s who can’t stop talking about how cool they were in college. “Yo fam, I swear I was a sweetermans. I was getting bare shordies,” said Tanner, head of the Hoco Committee. “Wallahi mans could’ve gone to the NHL, but I was getting bands from construction styll,” said the 2013 Western University graduate.

The Hoco Committee is aiming to implement a variety of systematic changes around campus that will promote party culture: 1: The coffee machines will now dispense overpriced liquor that hardly gets anyone drunk, so students will be encouraged to take five shots of vodka before their morning lecture.

2: The library will be turned into a 24-hour club where students can dance to awful EDM music that was popular in 2015.

3: The Student Centre will transform into a state-of-the-art frat house. In order to join, students will go through an initial ritual that involves eating disgusting prison food from the Oscar Peterson Hall cafeteria without throwing up.

4: Computer science students will have to take mandatory courses on how to get laid in order to graduate. They will be provided with co-op opportunities where they can work in a club.

5: Campus police will plant bags of cocaine around campus to encourage drug use, and later incarcerate students who use it to show that they can still be on the same level as real police officers.

6: The UTM Eagles mascot will get a change in attire. It will

now be fitted in a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey, ripped jeans, and a trucker hat, wandering around the busy halls of the Communication, Culture, & Technology Building trying to sell weed to students.

Even though the fun has increased on campus, the UTM administration is still aiming for students to have a more rigorous academic routine. So, in order to balance out the fun, there will be a higher workload and midterms every week.

08

features

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

UTM Alumni Asks Life’s Big Questions in Archetype: A Literary Journal Former editors of The Medium and publishing powerhouses Ali Taha and Melissa Barrientos cofounded Archetype to curate beauty and depict the human experience.

Meighan Atkinson Staff Writer

A

li Taha and Melissa Barrientos, two University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) alumni and former editors of The Medium, take on life’s big questions in Archetype: A Literary Journal. Now in its third year of publication, Archetype aims to curate stories of human experience and self-discovery.

Taha and Barrientos began the journal with rich writing and publishing backgrounds. Barrientos, an English specialist and professional writing and communications (PWC) minor, worked for The Medium as a News section editor in her third year and as a copy editor upon graduation. “I’ve been a freelance editor, I’ve copy-edited two books, and I’ve worked for BORGEN Magazine as a managing editor; right now, I’m working as a digital production coordinator,” Melissa explains. “I’ve dipped my toe in a lot of different publishing circles. I feel like I’ve taken a well-rounded route to [Archetype].” During her undergraduate years, Barrientos’s non-fiction work titled “June Haircut” was published in Slate Volume V, a UTM journal. She also edited two stories for Vision, the Institute of Communication, Culture, Information, and Technology Council’s creative journal.

“Melissa forgot to mention that she’s a master editor—put that at the top of her resume,” Taha laughs. His own professional experience is equally extensive: a former News section editor for The Medium, he became co-editor-in-chief in his final year with the paper. “I had heard about The Medium in my first year but didn’t get involved until my second year. I wrote a couple of articles, but I wasn’t prioritizing it. Looking back, I wish I had,” he remembers.

Completing a specialist in political science, Taha found his passion for writing through his PWC minor. “I got involved with The Medium to try and gain experience in the publishing industry and do something I’m passionate about—which I absolutely advise. I felt like [The Medium] was such an exciting and creative space where students could come together and talk about issues happening on campus and issues happening in Canada that relate to students and student politics,” he elaborates.

Having both worked as former News section editors, their transition to co-founders of Archetype hinged on a shared trip to Nova Scotia in 2021. When Taha recounts the story, he laughs, “During undergrad, I was very existential. After I graduated, I got really into Carl Jung. He’s sort of the father of analytical psychology; he coined the term “archetype.” I was drawn to the idea that there are these symbols that come up in everyday life that shape the way we act in the world and think about it.”

Ahead of their trip, Taha explains that the idea of archetypes weighed heavily on his mind. “I had been thinking of archetypes and of Brick, a literary journal based in Toronto. We were sitting by a campfire one night and I was telling [Melissa] about Carl Jung and Brick, and I was beating around the bush. I wanted to ask her if she’d be interested in starting a literary journal but that’s a lot of pressure.”

Eventually, he found the courage to ask Barrientos, who was enthusiastic about the prospect. “We spent the entire car ride back just brainstorming ideas for the journal, what it would be like, what our mission would be, the story behind it, and what sort of work we’d like to publish,” Taha recalls.

Archetype accepts writing across various genres, compiled in two yearly volumes: a spring and summer edition, as well as a fall and winter edition. Though named in honour of Jung’s theory on archetypes, the journal doesn’t limit itself to works surrounding that theme. Rather, it publishes stories about the human experience.

“Archetype was our way of trying to explain something that is so unexplainable: what does it mean to be human? Who the hell knows; that’s a question we’ll be answering until the end of time,” Taha says.

Barrientos adds, “[We] have a vision, yes, but we’re also people. We know what we want to read and what entices us, and it’s usually about the human experience, raw emotions, things that really strike you.”

Taha and Barrientos aim to use the journal to curate art that is exceptional in its beauty. Taha elaborates that in today’s age, while art is constantly being created and shared, standards for art have dropped considerably. Archetype aims to collect work that, before anything else, is beautiful: “In the sense that it’s aweinspiring, that it strikes you in an emotional way—it impacts people in some way that changes them or gives them a new perspective on life,” he says.

Although they share a strong vision for Archetype, Taha knows that it won’t be for everybody. “The fun thing about literary magazines is that each one is different because the people heading it are tastemakers and they have their own vision for what the world might look like or what good art is,” he explains.

“So, you put a journal together, let people read it, either they like it, or they hate it, but at least you had a vision for it.”

Something that differentiates Archetype from other literary journals is its careful editing process. Barrientos explains that they don’t require polished, ready-for-print submissions.

Instead, they put in the editorial work alongside the author in order to refine it for publication.

Barrientos and Taha show passion for the sociable editing process they’ve created at Archetype. They foster conversation around a piece, rather than check off editorial boxes. Taha explains that writing can often be a solitary practice, and while it is rewarding in its own self-fulfilling way, sharing it with other

people is what matters.

Their team of editors comes from varied backgrounds—academically, professionally, and culturally. “We found that our editors have been able to pick authors they want to work with, and usually that aligns with their background,” explains Taha. This process allows the author to feel seen and understood. Because the editor themself is acutely familiar with those experiences, they get to deepen their editing process. “The conversations that have come from my editing sessions have been fantastic,” he adds.

Thinking of submitting work to Archetype? Taha has a warning: “Don’t get your hopes up!” he laughs.

“We only publish 12 authors per issue, but we get around 800 submissions per issue. Expect rejection, but in the best way possible.

That’s part of the literary community experience. Most of the time you don’t get it on the first try, and that’s okay. I think having the idea of resiliency in mind is always important whenever you’re submitting to a journal,” he reassures.

But don’t let Taha scare you off. He stresses that the Archetype team gives every piece submitted an opportunity. “The one thing I think that separates us from other magazines publishing the calibre of writing we publish is that we’re a small team.

We’ve just started out, so we’re very open to engaging with authors more so than most journals. Most times you submit to a portal and don’t hear back for six months or a year, or you never hear back. We respond to every author and read every single submission; we take so much time with it. We are very excited to read your work and we are going to appreciate it even if we don’t accept it.”

Barrientos offers advice to aspiring writers hoping to build careers working freelance: “Be very strict with yourself. Publishing is a very competitive field, and you’re going to feel like you want to give up every so often. Be determined, keep on learning; learn everything you can even if you don’t think you’ll like it, you never know.”

ALI TAHA

09

Thaisa Tylinski Sant’Ana: UTM’s valedictorian reflects on her journey UTM’s 2023 valedictorian shares her wisdom on academic excellence, community, and overcoming challenges.

Karine Alhakim Contributor

I

n the world of academia, few achievements rival the distinction of being named the valedictorian of a graduating class. It is a title earned through unwavering dedication, tireless effort, and an unyielding pursuit of knowledge. Thaisa Tylinski Sant’Ana, the valedictorian for the University of Toronto Mississauga’s (UTM) class of 2023, embodies these qualities and more. Her journey from an international scholarship recipient to valedictorian is a remarkable testament to the power of passion, hard work, and the sense of community that UTM fosters.

Sant’Ana’s journey to becoming valedictorian was marked by an unwavering dedication to her chosen field and a profound commitment to making a positive impact. She successfully completed her bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, a field renowned for its rigorous demands and the constant need for cutting-edge research. Sant’Ana’s determination to excel in a challenging discipline is a source of pride not only for herself but also for her family and the entire UTM community. “It was a really joyful moment,” shares Sant’Ana. “Feeling that my accomplishments were recognized was incredible.”

Beyond her academic accolades, Sant’Ana cherishes a multitude of fond memories from her time at UTM. The university’s sense of community, which she warmly describes as “welcoming and embracing,” played an instrumental role in her overall experience. Sant’Ana is quick to emphasize that UTM is more than just a place of learning—it is a family. “My experience at residence made me feel at home,” she explains. She reminisces about the unwavering support she received from her professors, mentors, and fellow students, a support network that she will always treasure.

Sant’Ana actively engaged in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including participation in academic clubs and volunteer initiatives. These experiences not only enriched her academic journey but also allowed her to forge lasting friendships and connections. Sant’Ana passionately underscores the importance of balancing academic pursuits with extracurricular involvement. She believes that this balance not only broadens one’s horizons but also significantly contributes to personal growth and development.

As a valedictorian who has triumphantly navigated the demanding terrain of higher education, Sant’Ana extends her wisdom and advice to current and future UTM students. Her guidance transcends the boundaries of academia, encompassing life as a whole. She encourages students to pursue their passions, and fervently emphasizes that true success is rooted in following one’s heart and relentlessly pursuing one’s dreams, thereby transforming hard work into a labour of love.

Sant’Ana’s insights extend to embracing challenges as opportunities for profound personal growth, urging students to courageously step out of their comfort zones. “The way U of T is set up and the way that we have flexibility,” she shares, “really made me realize that it’s important to explore things that may feel like they don’t fit this envisioned linear path that you have in your head.” She ardently believes that the most profound learning experiences emerge from these challenging moments.

Additionally, Sant’Ana passionately highlights the robust sense of community that UTM offers. She advises students to proactively reach out to professors, peers, and mentors, recognizing that the university’s support systems can make all the difference in someone’s academic and personal journeys. Sant’Ana explains that the strength of this community lies in its willingness to foster an environment where students can thrive and excel.

Lastly, she underscores the profound significance of maintaining a balanced life. In addition to academic achievements, Sant’Ana emphasizes the importance of prioritizing self-care, pursuing

hobbies, and dedicating quality time to loved ones. In her view, a balanced life is a fulfilling one, and she encourages students to strive for this equilibrium.

However, Sant’Ana’s journey to becoming valedictorian was not without its unique set of challenges. Hailing from Brazil, she faced the formidable task of adapting to a new culture and starting fresh in a foreign country. Her experience in navigating the labyrinth of culture shock and thriving in an unfamiliar environment provides invaluable insights for international students. “We don’t get this cold weather back home in Brazil,” she adds. Finding Brazilian friends and being able to speak in her native language made her feel at home.

Sant’Ana generously extends her advice to her fellow international students, emphasizing the importance of embracing cultural exchange. She passionately recognizes diversity as one of UTM’s greatest strengths and encourages students to seize the opportunity to learn from individuals from diverse backgrounds while also sharing their own cultural heritage.

Further, she emphasizes the necessity of seeking out support networks tailored specifically for international students. “I think for me, what was critical for my happiness, well-being, and success here in Canada is building a support system—whatever that looks like for you. Sant’Ana acknowledges the existence of various resources and clubs at UTM designed to aid newcomers in adjusting to their new environment, and she wholeheartedly advises international students to make the most of these valuable resources.

Her perspective on navigating a new culture is rooted in resilience. Sant’Ana firmly believes that every challenge is, in fact, an opportunity for personal growth. Her advice to international students is to avoid discouragement in the face of setbacks and instead view these experiences as invaluable lessons that ultimately contribute to personal strength and resilience.

Sant’Ana’s journey from being an international scholarship recipient to becoming valedictorian stands as a beacon of inspiration for current and future students, serving as a reminder that with hard work, determination, and the support of a strong community, they too can realize their dreams and make a lasting impact on the world. When asked what advice she would give to incoming students, Sant’Ana says, “Buckle up, it’s going be a scary ride, but it’s going to be thrilling. It’s going to be exciting and full of self-discovery.

You hold so much more power than you realize.”

10

Arts

Editor | Alisa Samuel arts@themedium.ca

The relevance and resilience of Indian poet and filmmaker Leena Manimekalai As she seeks to amplify marginalized voices, Manimekalai pushes boundaries through her work about human experiences.

Mashiyat Ahmed Contributor

“When I make political art, the world wants me dead,” says Leena Manimekalai, a Toronto-based poet and self-taught filmmaker of South-Asian descent. For centuries, art has been used as a political medium to communicate and amplify the woes, triumphs, and journeys of human beings living in a complex and faulty world. Individuals and communities have long demanded artistic expression in the political and personal spaces they occupy.

But what happens when certain artists and their art are belittled, censored, or cheapened? What does the precarious state of the artist say about the society we live in? How can art be used to serve the human condition rather than reduce it? These ideas and questions are what Manimekalai ruminates on as she engages in the delicate process of crafting her stories and poems.

The Medium talked with Manimekalai about her artistic journey, the major themes that define her work, and her numerous confrontations with censorship.

Manimekalai’s work treads a vast landscape, ranging from activism for marginalized communities to environmental politics, and from eco-feminism to LGBTQ+ issues. So far, her body of work includes several independent and acclaimed films and six poetry anthologies. In her directorial debut film Sengadal (2011), Manimekalai experimented with participatory filmmaking, a creative practice that engages with the voices of a community as its subject. She specifically used a narrative documentary to highlight the everyday experiences and struggles of the fishermen and Sri Lankan Tamil refugees living around the Indo-Sri Lankan border. In this context, participatory means that the bulk of the actors in the film are real-life members of the Sri Lankan Tamil Refugee community.

The approach of participatory filmmaking is not only strikingly relevant to the political motivations of the film, but “[it] resulted in life interchanges among fishermen, refugees, and the film community,” Manimekalai shares. “[Sengadal] provided a common ground where various struggles and pain could be shared.”

As she continued to push the boundaries of her experimental artistry and the type of stories she could tell, Manimekalai found her relationship with art had evolved.

While working on White Van Stories (2013), a documentary chronicling the humanitarian and national crises incurred by enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka (specifically in the Sri Lankan Tamil and Sinhalese communities). Manimekalai’s focused on the intangible and interior realities of a people and a nation in crisis. “My focus was not on the physical evidence but on the interiority of subjects and their testimonies,” she says. “This process taught me how films become memorials when a nation state attempts to destroy social memory and to erase all traces of its terror against its own people.”

Often used as a threat by military dictatorships, Amnesty International estimated in a 2022 report that “there have been at least 60,000 and as many as 100,000 cases of enforced disappearances in Sri Lanka since the 1980s,” with the Sri Lankan government as perpetrators.

Kaali (2022), one of Manimekalai’s recent works, has stirred the political and religious sensibilities of many viewers and nationalists belonging to India’s Hindutva community. Kaali, a performance documentary, shows Manimekalai as a modern enactment of Kali, a Hindu goddess that represents many different qualities, among them power, change, time, and destruction. As Kali, Manimekalai loiters the streets of Toronto, engages in rebellious acts, and shares her humanity with people from various creeds and walks of life, all while asking important questions about belonging and becoming.

Due to its harassment on the political and religious sentiments of many, Kaali has garnered Manimekalai several death and rape threats, among other infringements on her artistic and personal freedoms. In regard to the censorship of her work, Manimekalai says that “whoever wants to censor an artist has something to fear [...]. I create, I own, and take all the bruises in the process. That’s been my path. If not me, who will stand by my truth?”

Beyond her filmmaking efforts, Manimekalai is bringing her artistic power and precision to the University of Toronto Mississauga . During the winter term of the 2024-2025 academic year, Manimekalai will be teaching three undergraduate courses in the visual studies department, where she is “interested in building non-vertical, non-hierarchical, and dialogically open classrooms to ultimately highlight the role of pleasure and enjoyment in both teaching and learning.”

As she heads into the future, there are many projects and ideas that Manimekalai wants to explore.

Currently, she is preoccupied with environmental storytelling, using artistic expression to communicate the lives of Indigenous youth in Amazonia amidst Earth’s increasingly degrading climate. She is particularly enthusiastic about continuing her work with participatory filmmaking and venturing into diverse cultural contexts to enrich her creative process.

Manimekalai says that no matter what direction her art and voice take her, she wants to be “remembered in the film industry as a perpetual asker of uncomfortable questions who relentlessly tried to spotlight the unseen, unheard, [and] unvalued human lives and struggles.”

COURTESY OF LEENA MANIMEKALAI THROUGH INSTAGRAM

A timeline of events related to the Hollywood strikes

11

The 2023 strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America have brought the topic of mistreatment in the entertainment industry to the forefront.

Kuicmar Phot Staff Writer

T

he strikes began on May 2, 2023 when the Writers Guild of America (WGA), a professional association representing thousands of screenwriters, and the Alliance of Motion Picture Television Producers (AMPTP) failed to reach a mutual agreement regarding compensation, residuals, and the rights of writers.

On some of the biggest shows in Hollywood history, some writers received residual checks of just a few cents, or none at all. Suits has become the first show to ever cross 3 billion minutes streamed across Netflix and Peacock for several weeks in a row. However, their writers have been paid near nothing by way of residuals. The transition to streaming services has led to lower pay rates for writers and a decrease in the quality of working conditions.

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology raises further concerns for already struggling writers. The use of AI could cause studios to rely less on the natural creative talents of human writers, as studios would not have to pay AI to write their scripts.

Studios are also beginning to use AI technology to store and replicate the faces and bodies of background actors, to be re-used in other movies without the presence of the actual human actors. Unions are asking for AI permission guidelines and fair compensation from studios that are planning to replicate the likeness of background actors for their movies. The actors are hoping to obtain a labour contract, get better residuals, and prohibit the use of AI to replicate the likeness of actors.

The Screen Actors Guild and American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) joined the strikes after their contracts with the AMPTP expired, marking the beginning of a positive shift towards treating writers, actors, and all other workers in Hollywood as humans deserving of compensation and appreciation.

With the writer’s strike now over, here’s a recap of what happened and continues to unfold.

TIMELINE March 7: The WGA announces that around 99 per cent of their members have voted in favour of wanting better compensation, residuals, and protection against the use of AI technology for Hollywood productions.

March 20: WGA and AMPTP negotiations begin. WGA present their demands for the new contract.

April 17: In a vote of 97.9 per cent, WAG members agree to strike if their upcoming contract negotiations with AMPTP fall through.

May 1: Expiration date of contract between WGA and AMPTP. Both parties fail to reach a mutual agreement.

May 2: WGA strike begins at 12:01 a.m., immediately affecting late night talk shows and sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live.

May 3: WGA hosts a solidarity rally with multiple entertainment unions.

May 10: Netflix makes a last-minute decision to make its in-person upfront presentation to advertisers a virtual event.

May 15: WGA says they will not picket the Tony Awards, but the award show must proceed without writers.

June 5: Ninety-eight per cent of SAG-AFTRA members agree to join the WGA strike if their contract renewal with AMPTP does not meet their new contract demands by June 30.

June 23: Variety reports that the Directors Guild of America and AMPTP agree to a contract renewal, containing benefits such as better residuals, higher wages, and protection against the use of AI technology.

June 30: Originally set to expire on this day, the TV animation contract between AMPTP and SAG-AFTRA is extended to July 30 amid wages and working conditions meetings.

July 11: Deadline releases an article claiming a Hollywood studio executive said: “The endgame is to allow things to drag on until union members start losing their apartments and losing their houses.” This quote causes outrage, increasing the support of the WGA strike against AMPTP. July 14: SAG-AFTRA strike begins.

August 4: WGA representatives meet with studios to reach an understanding regarding wages and the use of AI technology, but to no avail.

September 6: Warner Bros. TV suspends deals with writers Mindy Kaling, J.J. Abrams, Greg Berlanti, and Bill Lawrence.

September 7: The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) commences. Many actors will not be walking the TIFF red carpet in support of the strike, unless specifically granted by the SAG-AFTRA union through the use of waivers.

September 24: After nearly five months of striking across Los Angeles, and the paused TV and film productions that came out of it, studios, WGA, and AMPTP finally reached a tentative deal. The SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP have yet to reach an agreement.

September 27: The writers’ strike officially ends as the second longest in Hollywood history.

October 2: Negotiators for SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP restart their talks.

12

Multimedia exhibition on UTM campus is a mirror to modern societystrikes Curated by art professors Irmgard Emmelhainz and Christine Shaw, GUT_BRAIN 1 explores the links between technology, environment, and the human person.

Romana Krekhovetska Contributor

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/THE MEDIUM

W

hether you’re an expert in modern art or just a casual observer, the GUT_BRAIN 1: Destructive Desires and Other Destinies of Excess Exhibition has something that will capture your attention.

Located in The Blackwood Gallery and across the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, the exhibition showcases artworks involving everyday items and moments to emphasize the toxicity within our world. As reminders that we often forget there are real people behind the capitalist system that functions to our benefit, most of the works present the cultural and economic realities in Latin America—places like Mexico and Peru—and how they are relevant to Canadian life.

As you step into the Blackwood, the first thing to catch your eye would be Four Industries. As the gallery website describes, the film shows

“an all-female choir reciting sounds associated with the major industries of the late 19th and early 20th centuries— metal casting, meatpacking, printing, and woodworking— drawing a link between bodies and machines.”

Upon first look, you feel unsettled, as though the video captures the reality of a dystopian society, wherein human mechanism, through all its facial, vocal, and physical expressions, becomes robotic. As you become more engrossed, as intended by creator Tania Candiani, you might begin to wonder: to what do we owe America’s progress since its industrial past?

Candiani’s work feels connected to Yoshua Okón’s Canned Laughter in the way the latter imagines fictitious factory workers who produce laughter for US sitcoms. Found at one of the entrances to the William G. Davis Building on the University of Toronto Mississauga campus, Canned Laughter suggests that today’s capitalist society views humans as tools to mechanize labour. The artwork doesn’t inquire about the workers’ well-being but rather presents them, with their fake smiles, to be as satisfied with the outcome as the consumer.

The idea of workers forming a happy background is at the center of Daniela Ortiz’s 97 Empleadas Domésticas (“97 Domestic Employees”). It focuses on domestic workers in Peru. As you look through the images in her installation, you become aware of people in white who are reduced to a backdrop. The photo collection becomes more disturbing the more you look, as you come to realize that most images have several domestic workers who are cut off, showing only people who are deemed important, while others are almost framed out of existence. By the picture alone, you could not make any assumptions about who the person is—they are just domestic workers. Although there is progress in the sphere of technology that tries to make everyone equal and seen, the truth of the matter is that for many, the job you work remains the deciding factor of your importance and value.

Moving to a slightly different side of the exhibition, if you have been to the dining area in the Davis food court and wondered what the hooks overhead are about, then be informed that they are not only a creative addition to make the space more fun. They are part of GUT_BRAIN 1’s Nitsiit (“hooks” in Inuktitut) by Couzyn van Heuven. The hooks bring attention to unsustainable contemporary fishing practices that affect Indigenous food sovereignty. This artwork connects the idea of the past to the concepts of potential futures if we address issues of culture and industry responsibly.

Lastly, I think in the modern context of inflation and housing crisis, the work of Monica Arreola’s Untitled from the series of Valle San Pedro prompts thoughts about our future. The artwork shows unfinished affordable housing built in Tijuana, Mexico, in the early 2000s. Although fast-build projects promise better and more affordable housing for Canadians, they often end up looking dystopian.

When visiting the exhibition, look out for Joseph Tisiga’s Untitled Series, as well as Miguel Calderon’s Camaleón (Chameleon), and others such as Gauri Gill’s Untitled (27) from Acts of Appearance and Adrian Balseca’s Suspensión I (Suspension I) for more insight into the excessiveness and destruction of modernization. GUT_BRAIN 1 will run until November 15, 2023.

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/THE MEDIUM

SAMIRA KARIMOVA/THE MEDIUM

13

sports & health

Editor | Omar Khan sports@themedium.ca

Swift Catches and Kelce Moves How the NFL is benefiting from the Taylor Swift effect.

Omar Khan Sports & Health Editor

I

n the ever-changing and dynamic world of entertainment and sports, a new convergence of two American icons has resulted in an almost unprecedented impact on pop culture and media. As you may have heard, 12time Grammy Award Winner Taylor Swift and two-time Super Bowl Champion Travis Kelce are now dating.

Kelce hit the endzone with Swift after patiently waiting for her after Taylor’s Eras Tour concert, making friendship bracelets, and sending hints through his podcast, New Heights. After months of fan speculation and theories, many considered the pair finally official when Swift attended Kelce’s Kansas City Chiefs game against the Chicago Bears on September 24. Kelce had a stellar game, scoring a touchdown and leading the game in receiving yards. Swift was seen cheering on Kelce along with his mother in their suite and was spotted leaving the game in an open-top muscle car, with none other than Travis Kelce driving.

Swift and Kelce’s relationship has sent shockwaves throughout the sports world. The relationship has taken over X (Twitter) and has become a pop culture sensation. Kelce himself has experienced the benefits of the Swift Effect, enjoying a near-400 per cent increase in jersey sales and unforeseen pop culture relevance for someone who has already obtained a respectable amount of fame on his

own.

The NFL has unsurprisingly done its best to cash in on the Swift Effect, temporarily changing its Twitter banner to three pictures of Swift at the game and briefly changing its X display name to “NFL (Taylors Version)”. The NFL has also intuitively increased the number of shots on fans—specifically Swift—during the game, knowing that her followers will fixate on every frame and therefore, consume more NFL coverage.

While increased coverage and increased viewing of NFL games is ultimately good for the sport, Kelce has revealed he has mixed feelings about the increased coverage. On his podcast New Heights, he shared that he believes the NFL is overdoing it when it comes to cashing in on the Swift Effect, but also adds that the NFL is just having fun and using the situation to their advantage.

alignment with Taylor Swift. However, when looking at the history of the NFL, this Taylor Swift publicity could be the least controversial exposure they have had in years.

The NFL has become the most profitable sports league in North America, all while having racist discrimination issues in their hiring process, blacklisting players such as Colin Kaepernick for peacefully protesting, and facing multiple claims of gender discrimination and harassment.

ing Swift herself. As Kelce says, celebrities are “not there to be thrown on TV.” Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s relationship is one of pop culture’s most unique and gives every household in America something to talk about. This blend of entertainment and sports will continue to garner attention from all areas of the entertainment sector, including the NFL, and it will be interesting to keep up with its effects on the music industry and the sports world.

Given the NFL’s scandalous history, their alignment and promotion of Taylor Swift should not be controversial. However, cashing in on the Swift Effect should not come at the cost of intruding onto NFL fans, includ-

The NFL responded to Kelce’s thoughts saying they often change their X bios to what is relevant culturally and in football. However, many fans are quick to point out the NFL’s increased focus on Taylor Swift and the increased volume of content they are producing from her relationship with Kelce.

Increased jersey sales, ticket sales, viewership and publicity have all benefited the NFL on both the promotional and profitable sides of the business, so it is not surprising at all that they are doing their best to cash in on the Swift Effect. Many criticize the NFL and their

Building a healthy lifestyle: your go-to column for uncomfortable questions Samira Karimova Photos Editor

H

ave a health-related question that you’re not too sure who to talk about? Not sure where to go for advice?

Hi, I’m Samira—you might remember me as the Photos Editor from last year’s masthead at The Medium. I’m still rocking that role, but now I am eager to also be your friendly neighborhood health fairy! Did a gigantic pimple decide to grace your face with its presence right before a huge presentation? Well, you’ll find a solution right here in this column. Your ex left you with a broken heart… and herpes?! Although we at The Medium are not medical professionals, I can certainly give you tips for managing the herpes—though you should check out The Knotty Corner for the broken heart.

Today, let’s talk about therapists. Whether you’ve had one or considered seeing one, you’ve probably heard a few eyebrow-raising remarks about them.

You know the drill: people say things like “Therapists just listen and nod,” or “Therapy is for weak people.” There was even a 2022 TikTok trend where individuals humorously claimed, “I overshared with my therapist,” followed by an image of a mental asylum. These trends and stereotypes signal a huge, widespread mistrust of therapists.

Let’s set the record straight: therapy isn’t merely about someone silently nodding at your life story and watching you cry. It’s a professional journey towards understanding yourself and improving your emotional well-being. Therapists are trained experts who’ve put in the hours to earn their position and to help you achieve

a more fulfilling life. They excel at guiding us through complex thoughts, emotions, and life’s tricky twists and turns, providing us with sympathy, understanding, and a better comprehension of our feelings.

You might have found yourself contemplating therapy but been held back by fears of potential negative outcomes given the stigma surrounding it. Perhaps you’ve heard rumours that seeking help from a professional could jeopardize your chances of getting into your dream school, or you’ve been warned that your health history might be used against you in the future.

I understand where these concerns may stem from and want to remind you that you most definitely are not alone.

However, it is necessary to remember that your well-being should always come first. Prioritizing your mental and emotional health is not a weakness, but a courageous first step towards self-improvement. If your concerns

are holding you back, you may first consider getting a consultation or even make an anonymous call to the Health & Counseling Center here at UTM. The center will provide you with valuable information, guidance, and resources on how to proceed with whatever situation you find yourself in. This gives you an opportunity to discuss your worries, clarify any doubts, and understand the available resources without going on any record.

Therapists are like coaches for your mind, and seeking their help isn’t just okay; it’s a smart move toward a happier and healthier you. Certain mental health problems can lead to decreased concentration and productivity, mood swings, and emotional dysregulation, affecting your academic performance, relationships, and your overall quality of life. You deserve to be healthy in every way, and therapists can show you how to take care of your mind the way it deserves to be taken care of.

14

Hope to Heartbreak: the 2023 Toronto Blue Jays The 2023 Toronto Blue Jays become the latest Toronto sports team to disappoint fans.

Justyn Aleluia Columnist

A

t the start of the 2023 MLB season, I claimed that the Toronto Blue Jays were primed to have a very successful season and possibly even take the AL East for the first time since 2015. Well, instead, they stuck with what all Toronto sports teams know best: disappointing fans and underperforming. This year, however, the Blue Jays managed to disappoint in grand fashion by underperforming for 162 regular season games and a measly two additional playoff games.

This season ended with flashbacks to the end of last season when manager John Schneider pulled Kevin Gausman in the second game of the 2022 Wild Card series when he was cruising through the opposing offence. This time, it was Jose Berrios, who was absolutely carving and carrying the team against the Minnesota Twins. He had only thrown 47 pitches in the fourth inning when Schneider replaced him with starter Yusei Kikuchi, who went on to allow the only two runs of the game. The move left fans puzzled and enraged, with some calling it the “worst post-season move by a manager of all time.”

Unfortunately, the Blue Jays failed to score a single run to even give a glimmer of hope in coming back. The lack of run production in the playoffs capped off a season of frustrating offence.

So, what went wrong? The short answer: a whole lot.

The long answer begins with the offence, a group of guys who were given every advantage possible to succeed this season. A smaller home ballpark, easier schedule, bigger bases, and changed rules on base running all should have helped this team succeed. Yet the Blue Jays were consistently bottom of the league in batting stats with runners in scoring position (RISP), their biggest reason for failure.

Yes, the Blue Jays were far above the league average in batting average during the season and above average in other batting stats, but they left the second most runners on base – it would seem that they can only hit when it doesn’t matter.

This contributes to the unfortunate fact that the Jays’ star players didn’t play like stars at all.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., two years removed from placing second in MVP voting, hit a mere 26 home runs with only 94 runs batted in. His .788 on base percentage plus slugging percentage (OPS) was only 5 points above league average. The worst stat of all: he grounded into 23 double plays, good for fifth most in the league.

In his first fully healthy season with the Jays, George Springer failed to live up to his high expectations. The expensive outfielder slugged only 21 home runs with a below-average OPS — and he was right up there with Guerrero Jr., grounding into 20 double plays; 14th most in the league.

Matt Chapman, who was the best hitter on the planet in April, cooled down to Arctic levels for the rest of the season.

His end-of-season stats are already grim, but if you take away his April performance, they become even worse.

The Blue Jays’ best hitter down the stretch was 24-year-old 28-round pick Davis Schneider, who electrified the league with the best start to a career in MLB history. A player who had never played in a major league game before August of this year outshined the veterans, accumulating nearly as many wins above replacement (WAR) as George Springer, Alejandro Kirk, and even Vladmir Guerrero Jr. in only 35 games.

The Toronto Blue Jays are entering a very important offseason, where many moves will have to be made both on the field and within the organisation if this team is going to contend next year. Aside from Shohei Ohtani, the upcoming free agent class is barren; the front office will have to get creative with their moves to improve the roster.

In true Toronto sports fashion, the Blue Jays found a new way to disappoint their fans with a first-round playoff exit.

But like everyone else, I’ll be back next year, probably explaining how the Blue Jays will win the World Series in 2024.

For now, basketball and hockey begin soon, meaning fans have 82 regular season games to enjoy success before witnessing the next local sports failure.

15

Puzzle Corner

Editor | Laura Tovar design@themedium.ca

Sudoku!

Instructions: Fill in the spaces with numbers 1–9. No numbers can be repeated in the same row, column or box.

Easy

Puzzle by websudoku.com

9 8 7 1 4 5 2 3 6

4 3 5 2 8 6 7 9 1

Medium solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle! This Solution will be shown upside-down.

1 6 2 9 3 7 5 8 4

Puzzle by websudoku.com

7 4 6 8 9 1 3 2 5

1 2 4 9 5 6 1 5 7 2 8 3 5 1

Easy solution- Don’t peek until you’re finished your puzzle!

This Solution will be shown upside-down.

5 9 1 3 6 2 4 7 8

6

8 2 3 5 7 4 6 1 9

9

9

2 7 8 6 5 9 1 4 3

7

7

6 1 9 4 2 3 8 5 7

8 1 7 2 4 8 7 4 5 7 6 2 8 3 6

3 5 4 7 1 8 9 6 2

3

Medium

1 6 4 7 2 9 4 2 1 9 4 2 3 8 3 2 6 6 4 8 2 6 9 2 4 7 1 2

6 3

1 5

Puzzle by websudoku.com

9 2 8 7 4 3 6 5 1

3 4 7 1 5 6 9 2 8

5 6 1 2 8 9 7 3 4

8 3 9 6 1 7 5 4 2

Puzzle by websudoku.com

1 5 2 9 3 4 8 7 6

6 7 4 8 2 5 1 9 3

7 1 5 4 6 2 3 8 9

4 8 3 5 9 1 2 6 7

2 9 6 3 7 8 4 1 5

16

Fall Themed Word Search!

Instructions: See if you can find the words in our Fall words list in the puzzle below!

10/8/23, 8:58 PM

Fall Word Search - Word Search Labs

Fall Word Search F I R U L L R W D Z I Y O H Q F K U N F M C U N B P J C V X N E B I Y V P P P S F D H J C K C T E O L B V U R K Q R N E L K R S T R G Y T B I N L E Y B T G S V A Y F R O Y P I X F D O D Y Z V I B L A E P E A N W I Y O H U I A E X C D Z U E E T P K E G E A U A C R J D K D V I O L T F O L R J D S M Y X T H G I M V F P N L S M V E U K E F S E D Q E H F J H D N C W Z B X R T I L T K Q U X K R Z U U R H O A C H A R R M A L C W O E P A F V O B R Y L I K P R Z C L L T T N H V S U C E C O G Q I V E E K A T A J I A M X L N H E J M P N U B A S F E O N K R R E D O F R R K E G Y N D J W W E A P V B G G X H A F C A Q C A B S R J L R M E L N E L M C M Y F N Z R N Y I L X E U S C A U L P S V G G J X C S C I U A R P T R H M A I M K O F L G V Z Y L U H X Y K U C Y F Y E H C Q K A N Q B I N O M S K I I Y X 1. Words

2. leaves

3. Spice

9. cider

10. pie

11. turkey

4. fall

5. change

12. cranberries

6. sweater

13. haystack

7. apple

8. harvest

14. raking

15. corn

16. scarecrow

https://wordsearchlabs.com/view/428798

1/1