6 minute read
Cat Killer
Docuseries captures
An internet killer is caught, but not Reese Kelem Photographerhotographer the murder videos, but not inspired me to route Clarissa Shin/Prowler a cat killer by the police. “Don’t F**k with Cats: the actual murder. Th e fi rst for her. Th ompson Hunting an Internet Killer” is one of the episode out of three was quite and John Green, newest Netfl ix true crime documentaries sad because of those poor the other primary was released on Dec. 18, 2019 on Netfl ix. kittens dying, which made me Facebook investigator, In three addicting episodes, it walks sick. were the dynamic duo the viewer through a Facebook group’s Th e cat killer is real. His of the investigation, hunt for a man who posted videos of name is Luka Magnotta, and what they murdering cats. Don’t F**k with Cats has the perfect embodiment a c c o m p l i s h e d a 8.2/10 on IMDb and a 63% on Rotten of entitled insanity. As an made me proud of them tomatoes. aspiring model and actor, he spent his even though I question why
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Th e words to follow contain spoilers spare time posting YouTube montages these adults spend so much time on the and can be disturbing to some readers. of photos of himself, spreading fake internet.
Over winter break, I surfed Netfl ix press about himself, and committing Don’t F*** With Cats is a more times than I am willing to admit. heinous crimes that resemble the actions journalistic masterpiece. Th e sources Th e trailer for Dont F**k with Cats of famous movie killers like in Basic they interviewed, the quotes, the popped up repeatedly, and I did not Instinct. Aft er killing a multitude of strict chronological structure, and the consider checking it out until I read cats, he eventually killed a man named cliffh angers at the end of every episode the words underneath: “Hunting an Jun Lin and fi lmed it. tied me in. It is inspiring as a journalist Internet Killer.” As a true crime junkie, Deanna Th ompson, who had the to see a documentary that is so well I had to see what this documentary was alias Baudi Moovin on Facebook, done. I got more and more emotionally about. was the primary interviewee and a invested, especially with every instance
However, knowing that it was about prominent person in the Facebook hunt the Facebook group failed to get through cats getting killed, I was very hesitant. for Magnotta. Her genuine, self aware to the police. It seems like nobody Luckily the show only shows parts of personality as well as her role in this story listened to them until it was too late.
Emma Schoors
News Editorews Editor
“To Catch a Predator” is the kind of show that the world needs on air right now for a multitude of reasons.
Th e basic premise of the show is about catching internet sex predators who try and meet underaged girls, oft en 13-14 years old, that they talk to online. It follows the explicit chat-logs of the show’s planted decoy “girl” and the predator and shows the eventual meet up with the decoy at her “house”, which is actually a chosen fi lming location equipped with cameras. Upon arrival, the predator is greeted by Chris Hansen, the show’s host, who gives a line of questioning so embarrassing that they oft en ask to leave or bolt out without a single word. Th eir attempt to escape is foiled when they are arrested by police waiting outside the house.
While the show’s fi nal episode aired in 2007, the concept has never been more relevant. As technology advances and talking to people online is just as typical as talking in real life, it would be even easier to catch these predators in the act. If “To Catch A Predator” is not revamped, a similar show with the same directness and humor is much needed in today’s digital society.
Th e show broke the barrier that online anonymity can have, bringing creeps into the infamous light. Many of the predators would text the decoys sexually charged language and extremely inappropriate photos, yet when they arrived at the house and got caught they would act like they were being set up or that it was just a joke. When pulling up the concrete evidence of the chat logs, they are oft en read aloud their own predatory texts. Th is is the nail in the coffi n for most of them, and when they realize they have no escape to what they have done.
Confrontational shows like this are prime examples of what watchers love to consume: funny, awkward at moments, serious and educational at the same time. Hansen’s perfectly-timed questions are satisfying and to the point. In an episode where a man named Marvin had asked to meet an underaged girl at her house and immediately stripped naked upon entering, Hansen asked him to explain himself. When the predator attempted to brush it off as nothing, Hansen shot back with “Marvin, you’re naked!”
Emma Schoors/ Prowler
Your body will changeour body will change but your worth will notut your worth will not
Prasheetha Karthikeyen
Features Editoreatures Editor
I’m lucky;I’ve never hated my skin; it’s never been a source of insecurity for me. I’ve always been proud of the cultural history that it held. With primarily lightskinned female movie leads and skin lightening creams thrown at young Indian girls like me left and right; I’m the one in a million who’s made it out unscathed. s. Th ose with lighter, “more beautiful,” skin tones, are treated as superior and regarded higher, while their darker counterparts are barely treated as people. Th roughout the world, unjust beauty standards inhibit young people, leading to my interest in the rising body positivity movement: the idea that it is okay to be unconventional. As one of countless young, impressionable teenage girls out there struggling with body image, this perspective, upon fi nding it, was both new and refreshing. Typically, the movement refers to positive body image regarding weight. With it comes various negative opinions from people no one asked, many of which express “concern” about the health of portrayed individuals. Surprisingly, the vast majority of the criticism comes from people with no medical experience. Personally, I don’t see any harm in promoting acceptance and love of your body, regardless of size. I don’t think I know a single girl that isn’t insecure about at least one part of themselves, so I truly believe that presenting the diversity that makes us all unique promotes self-acceptance. You can condone body positivity while promoting healthiness; much like people, being healthy isn’t one size fi ts all. Telling girls (or anyone) that their personal worth is defi ned by more than a number on a scale is empowering and fi lls us with a sense of purpose. But body positivity is multifaceted. Beyond weight, the movement incorporates other aspects of the human body, like body hair, acne, stretch marks and skin color. Aft er being exposed to more Indian media, I’ve been thinking about diff erent views of skin in society and I realized that I don’t hate my skin; I hate the way society sees my skin. Th is revelation ended up turning my perspective around on numerous insecurities of my own, and I think it is an important lesson that has helped me on my own journey of positivity. I know that hearing a simple phrase doesn’t magically take away years of ingrained self-loathing; it defi nitely hasn’t for me. But recognizing that the time you lost to that is no fault of your own, but rather the fault of unrealistic, unattainable standards set by society, is the fi rst step in accepting yourself as you are. Instead of trying to change that, let yourself be free to work towards the best version of yourself.
