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VOL. 93, NO. 13
“Covers the campus like the magnolias”
Outside the Bubble... Researchers study why chimps cannot talk
Sit down with John Hodgman Famous comedian shares the tale of his rise to fame from being a“quintessential nerd”
A University of California, Los Angeles, research team led by Dan Geschwind may have discovered why chimpanzees, who share about 98 percent of human DNA, do not have the ability to talk. They found that small differences in two amino acids produced by the gene FOXP2 significantly changed the brain structure of humans, which may account for their ability to speak. The amino acids may also be responsible for characteristics of the throat and jaw that allow humans to speak.
By Samantha Hoback | Staff writer Although John Hodgman is best known for his role as the PC in the Mac commercials, this former literary critic, humorist writer and actor has accomplished much more than 15 minutes of fame. Hodgman grew up in Brookline, Mass, and he attended Yale University. In college, he studied literature and had a profound interest in literary theory. “We learned how to talk about books without having to read them,” Hodgman said. His decision to pursue a literature major was influenced by his interest in reading the work of an Argentinean writer, Jorge Luis Borges. “He was an inspiration to me,” Hodgman said. “He wrote incredibly playful yet profound short stories. I understood both the sense of humor and the amazing mind at work. He was not ashamed to have fun while writing about things that mattered to him.” Although he loved to read and discuss books, Hodgman detested writing. After Yale, Hodgman worked as a literary agent, a career that allowed him to stay close to literature but avoid writing. “I find the act of writing to be a tiresome
Italian man invents automatic holy water dispenser Luciano Marabese, from the town of Fornaci di Briosco, has invented the automatic terracotta holy water dispenser as a measure against contracting swine flu. Members of his church were afraid of the swine flu, so they would avoid dipping their hands into the customary holy water font. Marabese invented his dispenser, which works like familiar soap dispensers in bathrooms, to counter his fellow congregants’ fears of swine flu.
“D.C. Sniper” executed in Virginia John Allen Muhammed, who killed 10 people in and around the Washington, D.C. area, was executed at exactly 9:11 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Virginia. Muhammed and his accomplice, Lee Boyd Malvo, went on a three-week shooting spree in 2002. Malvo, who was 17 at the time of the killings, is serving a life sentence.
chore that I will procrastinate doing forever,” Hodgman said. Despite his “love-hate relationship” with writing, Hodgman soon discovered that it was impossible to avoid doing something at which he excelled. “I had an obligation to the thing that I could do the best,” Hodgman said. “I knew that was writing on some level.” During the late 1990s, Hodgman began writing for magazines. He worked as a comic book reviewer for The New York Times Book Review and as an advice columnist for McSweeneys. “One of the ways I learned to become a writer was the online advice column,” Hodgman said. “I love to answer questions and to learn about things that are bizarre and absurd.” “I’ve always been a huge fan of trivia books since I was growing up in Brookline,” Hodgman said. “Some of my favorite books were The Book of Lists, almanacs, and popular encyclopedias.”
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H OME O F T HE B RAVE
Massive blackout sweeps Brazil and Paraguay Much of Brazil and Paraguay were affected by a massive blackout on Tuesday, Nov. 10. The blackout left 18 of 26 Brazilian states in the dark until Wednesday morning, while the entirety of Paraguay was without power for 15 minutes. Several rumors have circulated as to the cause of the blackouts. Brazilian officials say the blackout was due to a storm knocking down three major power lines transmitting energy from the Itaipu hydroelectric plant.
By Frannie Jackson | Contributing writer
field itself is lost the morning it becomes a site.” She commented afterward on the higher-than-ever suicide rate in Ireland, despite a time of prosperity, which she attributes to the disappearance of nature at the hands of development. Her expressive performance continued with several other works of similar themes. After the event, she remarked that while she did intend to “raise people’s consciousness about their environment,” the poems were written more as a reflection on the changes Ireland has undergone over recent years. Also a prolific playwright, Meehan said, “If I had to choose, the world wouldn’t allow me to write plays.” Why? “A poem you can carry within your heart.” Her performance was followed by an equally impressive reading
The new University Police Department Resource Officer Program, a revamped version of the Officer Liaison Program, will assign campus police officers to residence halls and buildings in hopes of strengthening relationships between students and the police department. Resource Officers, nicknamed RO’s, will each be responsible for two or more residence halls and university buildings. In the future, they will also be assigned to various student groups across campus. While on duty, RO’s will share safety information and answer questions in addition to maintaining security on campus. Their primary goal, however, is to build relationships with the students they are striving to protect. “RO’s are responsible for getting to know people on a first name basis – for letting people know ‘I’m your Lawson RO, and I’m here to help you,’” Regina Lawson, University Chief of Police, said. The police department hopes that students will feel safer, as well as more comfortable approaching officers with questions and concerns, if they build relationships with their RO’s. “It’s important to see the campus police as more than generic police officers. If you know their names and faces, you’ll be more likely to approach them,” Donna McGalliard, Dean of Residence Life and Housing, said. The Resource Program is centered on the triangle model, which encompasses safety education, counseling and law enforcement. The majority of the RO’s time will be focused on the first two rather than law enforcement, stressing the program’s commitment to cultivating relationships with students.
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Officers salute the flag during the Veterans’ Day Ceremony in Benson on Nov. 11 to honor those Americans who have fought for the U.S.
University hosts world-renowned Irish poets By Amanda Satterwhite Contributing writer
Photo courtesy of Wanda Balzano
Mary DeShazer (right), professor of English and women’s and gender studies, meets with Irish poet, Eiliean Ni Chulleanain.
“Thank you to whoever blackmailed such a large number of people to showing up,” began Eilean Ni Chuilleanain as she introduced herself at the poetry reading in Annenburg forum last Thursday, Nov. 5. Indeed, the room was filled as students, professors and local fans gathered to hear selected works of Paula Meehan and Ni Chuilleanain, both published by Wake Forest University press. The two Irish natives are on a month-long tour of North America in celebration of the release of Ni Chuilleanain’s Selected Poems and Meehan’s Painting Rain on this side of the Atlantic. Meehan started off the evening with “Death of a Field” from her new book. Inspired by a small field behind her Dublin home, Meehan begins the poem, “The
Life | B10
INSIDE: Brieflies
A2
Police Beat
A2
Spotlight
B2
The Hot List
B6
Sudoku
B6
Police begin proactive program
Go Veg! ARAMARK understands that student vegetarians cannot be ignored when determining dining options
In Other News
• Meet Bernard Edmonds, shuttle driver | A2 • Students participate in Battle of the Brains | A3
Sports | B1 Coming out firing The men’s basketball team opened with an impressive exhibition win over IUP. Their home opener is Nov. 13 against Oral Roberts
Opinion | A6 Necessary Evil Mary Gerardy defends the administration’s choice of dates for Parent’s Weekend