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June 30, 2014 · Volume 147, Issue 9
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CANADIAN COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER AWARD 2014
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June 30, 2014
One of the principal differences between introverts and extroverts lies in where they draw their energy from. Extroverts are energized by external sources making them, on the whole, social beings — but this doesn’t necessarily mean they are outgoing. Meanwhile, more introverted people, while they can be social, are recharged from within; I find myself fitting into the second category. I need time to recharge my batteries away from others, but, as a fairly social person, I tend to deny myself this time. Instead, I opt to fill my social calendar, often feeling the need for company wherever I go. For a long time, the idea of going to the mall or the movies alone truly terrified me. I lived in a peculiar and somewhat sad contradiction — I was an introvert that didn’t want to be alone. Discovering how to love the time I spend by myself has been one of the most important lessons I’ve learned — a lesson from which anyone could benefit. Coming into my own has
been about doing things for myself, by myself. I still find that I rarely make plans with myself. At this point in my life, I have the luxury of centering my schedule around myself entirely, yet I constantly fill my weeks with plans to meet this friend or that relative — a habit that leaves me exhausted. But, a funny thing happened when I started to commute a lot by transit. I hated it, but only at first. Then the realization came to me that the many hours a day I spend on the bus is prime ‘me’ time. I could make the most of this.
I hear people cursing our place in time and the lack of unity in our community, something which may seem prominent on the bus. You can stand within a few centimetres of another human being for an hour on the 135 without interacting at all. We live in the great anomaly of being ‘alone, together.’ For some, this is a shame, but I call it a beautiful gift. You can be in a highly social and stimulating environment, but be left entirely
to your own thoughts. It creates a sort of liminal headspace. You may not be with somebody, but you are never without company. Alone on transit, I think deeper, I look around more keenly. You can get a lot done in your own head on the bus. You could perfect a thesis, make a day plan, perhaps be struck with inspiration for an introspective editor’s voice. The possibilities abound. If not for my cross-zone travels, I might never have noticed how striking the outline of the North Shore is at dusk. I might not have laid eyes on that rapier duelling school on Hastings St. that my friend and I need to go to in order to fulfill our dream of reenacting the final scene of Hamlet in the style of Kenneth Branagh. I’ve found that when I’m out and about on my own, the world seems like a place of opportunity and I’m free to make what I want of it. So, I implore you: don’t let the fear of awkward loneliness keep you from things you enjoy. Take that solo walk around the seawall. Go to that new Tom Cruise movie that you’ve been too embarrassed to ask anyone to come to. Why deny yourself that sweet Tom Cruise action because no one is free on your day off?
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NEWS
Two panelists from Kwantlen Polytechnic University and UBC discussed “waste to energy” as a possible option for managing solid waste and generating electricity in Metro Vancouver at Harbour Centre on Tuesday, June 24. Metro Vancouver’s waste to energy facility generates enough power for 15,000 households annually, but opponents cite issues of air pollution and a dependence on a constant waste stream, which is counter to the goals of zero waste policy.
SFU President Andrew Petter invited 20 students, staff, and faculty out to the Surrey Campus last Friday for Breakfast with the President. These events offer attendees the opportunity to share perspectives about university issues over coffee and a muffin. At a previous event, Petter told The Peak that these events help him “stay as connected as [he] can to [our] community while being out there representing it.”
SFU’s Beedie School of Business brought over 1,000 global thought leaders to Vancouver’s Waterfront Ballroom for the Academy of International Business’ Annual Meeting on Thursday, June 26. The public luncheon addressed “BC’s place in the global economy,” and this year’s recipient of the AIB Fellows’ International Executive of the Year Award, Dominic Barton, gave the keynote speech.
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news editor email / phone
On the evening of the summer solstice this past Saturday, June 21, SFU’s Burnaby campus celebrated the opening of a new Peace Labyrinth with a free public ceremony that included activities such as spoken word performances, traditional words of wisdom, and a candle-lit walk through the labyrinth. The labyrinth has been mown into the turf field adjacent to Strand Hall, located just beside Cornerstone. It is a single path walkway in a circular pattern that leads you to its centre and back. Traditionally, the walk can be either a solo journey, or a shared experience walking with friends. Coordinator of the SFU Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures (CCSMSC), Ellen Vaillancourt, lobbied for the idea of a highly accessible labyrinth on campus for the enjoyment of the entire SFU community. The project was approved
Spring 2014, but last weekend her vision became reality. The labyrinth is an ancient archetype that symbolizes the significance of journey and is sometimes used as a “method of discernment.” A person will enter the labyrinth with a question or a burden on their mind with the goal of finding resolution. Vaillancourt was aided in her venture by The Labyrinth Society, an organization dedicated to the creation and maintenance of labyrinths globally, in order to provide people with the “opportunities to experience transformation” while walking through labyrinths. “I believe we all have the opportunity to be transformed by journey and make a positive difference,” said Vaillancourt in a media release. Celeste Snowber, an associate professor at SFU in the Faculty of Education explained that part of what makes walking a labyrinth unique and significant is the emphasis on process over product — it forces the walker to slow down. “We’re living in this constant accelerated pace,” she continued. “It shifts your relationship to rhythm and time, and so you’re slowed down. Even that allows you to be present
Over the course of the next month, colourfully decorated pianos will appear across the city of Vancouver, to stay on the streets from July 1 until August 23. Through collaboration with six post-secondary schools in the area and under the leadership of two SFU students, one current and one former, City Studio is beginning its second summer of the Keys to the Streets project.
Last year, Vancouverites were greeted by the sight of four pianos throughout the city, but this year, that number will grow to 10. Passers-by will be invited to sit down and play a tune, or simply to sit and listen to the music. Originally inspired by the idea of a previous Semester in Dialogue SFU student, this summer’s project is being led by current SFU student Ebba Hassel and recent SFU alumna Jennifer Vallee, both of whom became involved after working with City Studio during their Semester in Dialogue at SFU. City Studio is an “innovation hub” that unites city hall staff, community members, and university students to bring projects to life. The goal of Keys to the Streets is to bring the community together through the art of music. Locations such as the Seawall, Robson Park, and seven others — to be revealed
Leah Bjornson associate news editor news@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
Melissa Roach
in a different way and we’re not often very present — we often live from our head, up.” Snowber also spoke to the peace component of the Peace Labyrinth: “We talk about peace, but really, we don’t have that much within ourselves. The labyrinth can invite someone into a different relationship with themselves.” The event concluded with a sun salutation at sundown, but the labyrinth remains mown into the lawn, providing what Snowber calls “an incredible tool.” Despite the simplicity of its make-up — patterns in
the grass — she believes that “sometimes the simplest things are the most profound.” The labyrinth is something that anyone can use. Snowber stressed that you don’t have to be of a certain belief to participate, and even intends on using it in her classes. For Snowber, the labyrinth has a special significance for the SFU community: “I think it has an incredible connection to SFU. We talk a lot about engagement. And we see engagement as engaging in the world, but I think the first thing we need to do is engage with ourselves.”
by the launch date of July 1 — will provide scenic spots to sit and play the pianos. Similar street musical art appearances have been implemented in cities such as Toronto, New York and Montreal.
The pianos have been painted by local artists, and each individual piano will be looked after by a community steward, fostering further community involvement. The culmination of this project has been a community effort in itself, brought to fruition through City Studio’s innovation and leadership, the city’s permission, and the support of local businesses. East Van Movers will help move the pianos to their destinations, Pacey’s Pianos will tune the instruments, and Delux Paint will provide the paint. In a recent survey conducted by Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH), results showed that as many as one quarter of Metro Vancouverites could be experiencing social isolation. Organizers believe that, for this reason, the city can only benefit from such a project, the ultimate goal of which is the creation of a more social, vibrant, and colourfully connected community.
Hassel and Vallee feel that connections are made with each stroke of the piano keys. “Even if someone just stops to listen to someone else, there’s a connection,” they stated. In the past, when one person started playing on the piano, others often joined in with their own musical instruments, creating a sort of impromptu street concert.
NEWS
At the most recent SFU board of governors meeting, held June 26, the board unanimously carried a motion suggested by the Community Advisory Committee to extend the Community Trust Endowment Fund. The fund, according to the university website, “channels revenue from the UniverCity development into the seven major [research] initiatives outlined in the University’s Strategic Research Plan,” VP research Mario Pinto said the fund has had “resounding success,” with an, “overall tremendous return on investments.” He continued, “More importantly, it brought together researchers in discussion groups as they formulated their proposals. [. . .] It let them develop more mature proposals than as individuals.”
The second motion passed by the board during open session was a proposal regarding responsible investment practices, an initiative that is geared towards improving transparency in the university’s investments. VP finance Pat Hibbits explained that there were two prongs involved in the proposal: the first is that the university joins with the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment; the second requires all investors to engage in environmental, social, and governance factors. President Andrew Petter explained that the main effect this policy will have is cultural: “It does provide a forum and a mandate for us to be much more deliberate and transparent in the way we go about oversight of our investment strategy.”
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On Tuesday June 17, the federal government approved Enbridge’s proposal for the Northern Gateway pipeline, subject to further talks with aboriginal communities and 209 conditions as recommended by the National Energy Board. Despite Stephen Harper’s approval, both Tom Mulclair, leader of the NDP, and Justin Trudeau, leader of the federal Liberal Party, have said that they would reverse the approval if they were elected in the next election. The pipeline still needs to be approved by the provincial government, but four of BC’s five conditions for heavy oil projects remain unsatisfied. According to BC environment minister Mary Polak, the federal decision does not affect the provincial government’s stance on the project. “Our position remains unchanged: It is no,” Polak said. The pipeline has been met with much resistance, not only from environmentalists, but the majority of British Columbia’s residents. Several of British Columbia’s municipalities and First Nations groups have passed resolutions opposing the pipeline, as have both the provincial government and major NGO’s within the province. Tom Gunton, director of the Resource and Environmental Planning program at SFU, has been examining the potential environmental risks of moving forward with the pipeline over the past few years. He told The Peak that this outcry is not surprising, considering that 65 per cent of BC residents disapprove of the pipeline, according to recent polls. “The federal government called critics of the Northern Gateway Pipeline radicals supported by foreign interests, and of course 65 per cent of of British Columbians oppose the Northern Gateway Pipeline,” Gunton said. “You sort of can’t consider 65 per cent of British Columbians radicals. The British Columbia government opposes the Northern Gateway Pipeline, and it’s hard to define them as radicals!”
Although support and opposition to the pipeline is split more evenly across the country, Gunton explained, “It’s largely because of a lot of Canada won’t suffer the consequences and the bills associated with the Northern Gateway Pipeline.”
Opposition to the pipeline is largely due to the high risk of oil spills as well as the overwhelming cost of the project, according to the report. Communities in BC have hosted a number of petitions and protests since the pipeline was proposed and even more have emerged since its approval. The announcement has also elicited reactions from the SFU
community. The City of Vancouver and SFU’s Centre for Dialogue held an open discussion on June 24 so that people could exchange ideas and learn about the project. On June 25, Jessie Russell, member relations officer on Sustainable SFU’s board of directors and secretary for SFU 350, approached Council, a monthly cross-campus dialogue composed of representatives from each department and SFSS constituency group, to recommend to the board of directors that they take an official position against both the Enbridge and Kinder Morgan proposed pipeline projects. A group of academics, led by SFU ecologist Wendy Palen, has
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already taken a stand against the projects. On June 19, they wrote in the British journal Nature that Canada and the US should halt project approvals until oil sands developments are consistent with the government’s commitments to cut carbon pollution. For Gunton, the reactions from the community are what he would have expected: “It’s one of the most significant projects ever proposed in British Columbia in terms of size and potential impact. Secondly, it’s going to result in major controversy in BC with court cases and protests. “Consequently it’s going to have major repercussions, both provincial and national, and likely international issues,” he concluded.
Graduation Photos by Robin Wong
Emind Photo Studio.com
3580 East Hastings St, Vancouver (604) 618-8200 www.RobinWongPhotos.com
6 NEWS
With new strategies inspired by collaboration with the world’s foremost sawfish experts, Nick Dulvy, a Canada Research chair at SFU, hopes to save this once-abundant breed of rays from extinction. Sawfish are shark-like rays distinguished by a long snout called a rostrum filled with ‘teeth’ that resembles a saw. Although the ‘teeth’ on the snout are not, in fact, teeth, the sawfish uses them to stun its prey and ward off predators or divers. However, the very weapon that helps the sawfish thrive is among the reasons they face possible extinction. The rostrum can get caught accidentally in fishing nets, and this often proves fatal for the sawfish.
Research out of SFU indicates that the coho salmon population may benefit from nutrients scavenged from the decaying bodies of their distant pink and chum cousins. Michelle Nelson, lead author of a recent report on the subject, explained, “This is the first study to look at the effects of spawning salmon on the population of another species of salmon.” She conducted the study for her PhD project along with her advisor, SFU professor of aquatic ecology and conservation, John Reynolds. Nelson found a strong correlation between an abundance
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Dulvy’s report, “Sawfish: A Global Strategy for Conservation,” states that sawfish “are entirely gone from 21 countries” and could be extinct in 42 out of their 92 “former range countries.” Habitat destruction and overfishing also threaten the species. “One path to extinction that is particularly prevalent in the ocean is that if you fish something hard enough, the population will decline, and if you do not manage that decline then it is inevitable that the decline will continue until the species [goes] extinct,” explained Dulvy. Despite the alarming rate by which sawfish are disappearing, Dulvy, with the Shark Specialist Group (SSG) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has come up with a strategy to reverse the decline in sawfish. According to the official press release, the strategy calls for “national and regional actions to prohibit intentional killing of sawfish, minimize mortality of accidental catches, protect sawfish habitats, and ensure effective enforcement of such safeguards.” The report also outlines important areas for improvement, which include effective communications, capacity
of baby coho salmon and high numbers of pink and chum salmon. In fact, “there were three times more baby coho salmon in streams with high numbers of pink and chum spawning
building, strategic research, responsible husbandry, and fundraising. For Dulvy, implementing ways to protect sawfish and following through on those initiatives is crucial. “It’s one thing to have laws and legislation to do that but it’s another thing to act upon the laws and legislation,” Dulvy elaborated. “What we need to do is to ensure there are people who can do that. To some degree, you need the education and the awareness raising before policy makers even realize they have to produce laws.” Effective training is yet another hurdle the industry needs to overcome. “At the moment there are very few people out there in the world who are actually capable of conserving sawfish, or any other marine fish for that matter,” said Dulvy. Beyond the sawfish population, Dulvy argues that overfishing is harmful to fisheries themselves. He said, “We are overfishing the world’s oceans. That causes huge problems, not just for sawfishes and biodiversity, but overfishing the world’s oceans [means that oceans] don’t generate as much fish for food as they could be doing.”
Dulvy stated that the project’s goal is not only to conserve sawfish, but to help fisheries as well: “We’re not just in this game to save five wonderfully arcane
species; we’re in this game to make the world’s fisheries more sustainable, more profitable and better able to support the food needs of coastal peoples.”
salmon compared to those with none,” she said. Nelson surveyed the coho salmon populations in over 20 streams in the Great Bear Rainforest. With the help of the Heiltsuk
First Nations, Raincoast Conservation Society, and several members of the Reynolds research group, she did so by collecting data on the habitat characteristics of the streams and by counting the pink and chum salmon during spawning. With the data she collected, Nelson was able to create and test candidate models to determine the importance of pink and chum salmon in predicting juvenile coho salmon abundance. These findings could indicate that juvenile coho are thriving by consuming eggs and tissues of the decaying adult pink and chum salmon. However, it was observed that there were similar benefits in populations of juvenile coho that were too young to have had contact with the other spawning species. The latter sort of benefit is considered to be indirect, and there are several different pathways by which nutrients travel that could explain the results. For example, the decaying bodies of the spawning salmon
could provide the dissolved nutrients needed for the stream biofilm — the slimy algae found on solid underwater surfaces. The biofilm acts as a primary producer and is fed upon by aquatic invertebrates, who are subsequently fed upon by the juvenile coho. Terrestrial invertebrates, such as flies, may also feed upon the carcasses of the pink and chum that decompose on the shore after being fed upon by wolves or bears. The larvae and/or adults could then provide a food source for the juvenile coho. With further research, Nelson hopes to better understand these pathways and important “salmonto-salmon interactions.” For researchers, this study reinforces the fact that diversity is key to maintaining healthy ecosystems. Nelson explained that the “circle of salmon” is just a small part of our delicate aquatic ecosystems, the complexity of which we are only beginning to understand.
NEWS
A former SFU graduate student is still searching for answers after finding the presence of potentially toxic mould spores in his suite in Hamilton Hall in 2007. George Kaufmann, who was recovering from lung cancer surgery when attending SFU, told The Peak that his health sharply declined over the course of his residency, during which he developed a “weeping body rash” and “difficulties in breathing,” according to a document he later filed under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act in 2009. Kaufmann’s concern turned into alarm when he discovered a large colony of what he believed to be black mould behind his bed. Administrative concerns at SFU regarding the deterioration of campus buildings and indoor air quality can be dated back to the late 1990s. Hamilton Hall, a student residential building constructed in 1992, was the subject of a series of building envelope assessments conducted by the environmental analysis group James Neill and Associates in 1998, 2003, and 2005. The reports recommended a review of maintenance records in addition to a list of remediative actions in 1998; the 2003 report recommended both temporary and full-scale repairs, with the latter estimated to cost up to $978,000. The 2005 report observed that “with the exception of repairs conducted at the northwest
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corner [. . .] in 2003, it appears that minimal overall short term preventative maintenance was completed.” The report further explained that, “in some cases, the water penetration appears to have continued unabated to the point where advanced structural deterioration has occurred.” SFU continued renting rooms to students as late as 2007, prior to extensive building renovations that were conducted over a two year period. Kaufmann moved into suite 1013 in Hamilton Hall on May 8, 2007. The suite was designed for disabled persons, as Kaufmann was recovering from his surgery which had taken place in December of 2006 and was on a second round of chemotherapy. He was listed with the Centre for Students with Disabilities as an immunosensitive person, and claims that he was not informed of the building’s history prior to being assigned the room.
Kaufmann complained once via email about the quality of the carpets, but otherwise saw no cause for concern with the room. However, during his residence, he alleges that his health suffered. When he, along with the other tenants of the building, were relocated to Louis Riel House due to renovations taking place on Hamilton Hall, Kaufmann claims to have discovered the alleged black mould behind his bed. Upon further emailed complaints to Residence and Housing, Kaufmann was informed by Jan Flagel, a management representative
of the Residence safety committee and SFU’s director of Residence and Housing, that the stain was “food-based,” despite the issuance of a report in September 2007 from Pacific Environmental Consulting that confirmed the presence of “significant fungal staining.” Flagel declined to comment for this article. The report stated that the spores were present in levels three times higher than outside air samples: approximately 57,000 spores per cubic metre inside versus approximately 17,100 per cubic metre outside. However, a second assessment of the room, which was conducted by Pacific Environmental Consulting after the room was left untouched for four days, found that fungal spore counts sharply declined for both indoor and outdoor numbers. The second evaluation found approximately 1,000 spores per cubic metre indoors and approximately 6,000 spores per cubic metre outdoors. Kaufmann speculated that every time he opened his drawers, displaced air beneath the bed caused the mould spores to become airborne, and when the room was left for four days, the spores may have settled.
In 2009, Kaufmann was relocated back to suite 1013. He complained about the mould colony under his bed to SFU Ombudsperson Jay Solomon, and Kaufmann claims that Solomon confirmed in an email that “the mould was tested and came back as ‘food-based’ and was not considered toxic or dangerous.” The email in question continued, “Unless you have testing results that contradict the results of the tests done by SFU, comments by others are simply opinions not based on fact.” As of press time, attempts by The Peak to contact Solomon have been unsuccessful. When recently asked by The Peak why SFU did not undertake a comprehensive safety assessment in response to the earlier reports, SFU chief safety officer Terry Waterhouse stated that mould spore counts were not the be-all-andend-all of air quality assessment, stating that “observation by a knowledgeable assessor” is the most important quantifier. He explained, “The assessment [done] provided evidence of significant problems with [Hamilton Hall], which were responded to in a very comprehensive manner.”
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The board voted to appoint Brandon Chapman as board chair for the remainder of the 2014 summer term. The decision came after an extensive discussion, which concluded with the board going in-camera to discuss the merits of the potential candidates. Candidate profiles were presented by a task force, appointed on June 3, which was comprised of at-large representative Jeremy Pearce, VP student life Kayode Fatoba, president Chardaye Bueckert, and VP external relations Darwin Binesh. Although the task force officially recommended Harp Palmer be appointed as the external chair, not all members of the task force were in agreement due to Palmer’s unavailability in August.
During the discussion on whether or not to appoint a board chairperson or to postpone the decision for another week, president Chardaye Bueckert passed the chairship to VP university relations Moe Kopahi in order to be able to discuss the proposed amendments herself. Wary of the amount of time already spent discussing the motion, Kopahi said to the board members on the speakers list, “Please keep it short, 30 seconds maximum, or I will cut you.”
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OPINIONS
As much as opponents do not want this pipeline built, the alternatives are potentially much more devastating. While I will be the first to admit that pipelines are not safe due to the potential for spills, they currently remain the safest way to transport a material that is only valuable because it is highly combustible. Some would argue that rail transport is better than pipelines. But to say so is to ignore the massive damage this method risks: just less than a year ago, a train derailed in the town of Lac-Mégantic, killing 47 people and levelling large portions of the town. If you go on Google Earth, you can still see the devastation. Furthermore, it is vastly more expensive, with the estimated cost of shipping oil sands to the American Gulf Coast — the route of another potential pipeline — close to five times the cost of moving it via the Northern Gateway. It’s also worth mentioning that Northern Gateway has distinct advantages over southern routes, including the other most prominent proposed pipeline, the Keystone XL. Number one, it will be much easier to get this pipeline approved and built, as demonstrated by the lack of progress our government has had convincing the United States to press forward with Keystone. Moving forward with Northern Gateway instead of Keystone also means more jobs for Canadians, as the leaders of the project have already committed to providing over $3 million in funding for BC communities independent of Northern Gateway’s final approval, and estimate
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the pipeline will create over 3,000 construction jobs and 560 long-term jobs, which translates into $32 million per year flowing into local economies. Other suggested pipelines include the NDP’s proposed west-east pipeline, which they say will have the advantage of keeping the refining jobs in Canada. While I like the idea of refining Canadian oil in house and exporting the finished product, the truth of the matter is that Canadian refineries are currently not equipped to refine what is coming out of Alberta’s oil sands, and wouldn’t have the capacity to deal with this proposed pipeline even if they could do so.
I do not wish to belittle the fact that there are environmental hazards in moving forward with this project. But these resources do not do our country any good sitting in Alberta when they could be bringing in much needed revenue. It is estimated that this project will bring in an additional $300 billion in GDP over 30 years, which includes about $1 billion in tax revenue for British Columbia. We must not sacrifice the economic growth and the future of both our province and our country out of concern for a disaster.
opinions editor email / phone
While the federal government may have offered its lukewarm blessing, the well-oiled publicity machine of Enbridge Inc. has failed to convince British Columbians that any economic benefits outweigh the costs and risks that the province must assume. As these become more apparent, it’s clear that this pipeline can’t be built. As Enbridge attempts to jump through all the hoops laid out by BC and the Joint Review Panel, a number of dedicated people and organizations will be working to discredit this project. As it will likely be years before construction can even begin, there is plenty of time for the gaps, dishonesty, and dangers in the Northern Gateway plans to become obvious. They have already failed to obtain the cooperation of many Aboriginal groups, something integral to the success of the project.
The pipeline would definitely be a boost to the BC economy, but it is incredibly disproportionate to the money Alberta stands to make. In a report released by the Canadian Energy Research Institute, it is estimated that the pipeline will bring in $1 billion in tax revenue for British Columbia, but will also bring in $73 billion dollars in taxes for Alberta, and $4 billion for Ottawa. Another
Joel MacKenzie opinions@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
report predicts that BC will only receive $6.7 billion in government revenue, roughly eight per cent of the profit. This is a slap in the face to the province assuming all the environmental risk. We cannot trust that Enbridge will adequately protect against the risk of an oil spill or leak, especially considering their track record of over 800 spills between 1999 and 2010. In fact, as they were preparing for public hearings in Alberta and BC in 2010, Enbridge was also dealing with 3.3 million litres of oil that spilled into the Kalamazoo River in Michigan. It seems that BC should worry not about having spills, but rather when they will occur and how bad they will be. A tanker spill in the Douglas Channel, infamous for its difficult navigation, seems inevitable. Such a spill could essentially negate all profits from the pipeline and cause irreparable damage to both local ecosystems and the industries and lifestyles that depend on them. Enbridge themselves seem aware of this: they edited out 1,000 square kilometres of islands from their route map in a televised ad. We have found ourselves wringing our hands over oil dependence while pouring all our resources and efforts into turning Canada into an oil exporting powerhouse. Allowing the completion of this project will cement Canada’s dependence on the oil sands, and perpetuate our status as an exporter of primary resources. In the time we will have spent arguing over this project, the failure of which is inevitable, we could have focused on developing feasible energy alternatives.
OPINIONS
The hoopla surrounding our lack of privacy in the digital age is about to reach an alltime high. While the Internet has increasingly provided authorities with ways to rob us of our privacy, mainly in the form of online spying, soon there may be a way to steal information on our genetic make-up. An article from The Escapist by Josh Engen was recently brought to my attention, and to my shock and horror it states that DNA Diagnostic Center Inc. is engineering a new videogame experience — one that will allow us to essentially put ourselves into a videogame. The technology, titled ‘Helix Profile,’ will use genetic testing to analyze the user’s DNA. “Once a genetic profile has been created,” the article reads, “the data could then be imported into a videogame.” Sure, some people may find this rather exciting. In fact, just this afternoon a friend of mine immediately stated “wow, that’s actually pretty awesome,” upon hearing the news. “Awesome?” I replied. “Are you joking?” In a time when infringed privacy runs around us like rampant chickens? Think of the ethical problems this could cause. Privacy is a hot topic these days. After the NSA revelations were released, the stir that resulted sent shockwaves across the globe. It’s clear that our personal information is an easy swipe for almost any company on the net. It’s also clear that they provide an inviting entryway for authorities to walk in and steal our data from us without our knowledge. The Internet is increasingly finding ways to take our personal information and use it to spy on and manipulate us. But this thievery has only been of our outward actions: text messages sent, pictures taken, personal information that has been created by moving fingers. While still a violation of our digital rights, this privacy breach is only of actions we have the power to manipulate.
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DNA is something that we can’t manipulate. DNA is solid, concrete, a part of us. The Internet believes it can get to know us through what we do online, but these actions may or may not be who we actually are. Submission of our DNA will allow people access to our physical, unadulterated selves. It is the ultimate in privacy invasion.
I cringe to think of the unethical things that could occur should this information fall into corporate or even government hands. Words such as “fraud,” “identity theft,” and even “cloning” come to mind. If the wrong person had this information, they would have access to all of our medical records. Wrongful impersonation would reach a new high.
The sad thing is, no matter how unethical a technology may be, it will always be expanded upon and developed for use, even in private. And when the government is involved, the concepts of ethics and morals seem to go awry; they blur unapologetically with the concept of power. Sure, DNA Diagnostics Centre Inc. can claim that genetic testing is for entertainment purposes, but half of us know that it could, and probably will, be used elsewhere. Sadly, the other half will fall into the capitalist trap, responding to it with, “Whoa, this is really cool!” Put simply, there are some technologies that should not be produced or further developed. Those who wish to explore this technology must stop and realize that our DNA belongs solely in a medical facility and not in the capitalist market. I, for one, will not allow my DNA to float about the web.
FALL 2014 Course Offerings
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12 OPINIONS
Originating in 1939, Archie comics have been beloved by children and people of all ages for decades. Featuring beloved characters such as Archie, Betty, Veronica, Jughead, and Reggie, the comic series has been a presence for generations, though less so now due to the popularity of the Internet and decline in comic book readership. These comics have been around since our grandparents were children, their values and characters originally written to suit the social norms of that time. However, the beliefs our grandparents had, and those we have today — in regards to marginalized social groups and people who stand out amongst the crowd — are very different. Archie comics have always pushed the envelope when portraying sexual attraction with
After many weeks of speculation, Willie Desjardins has been hired as the Canucks’ new head coach; many had pegged him as the next coach after John Tortorella was fired in May. For a brief time, it looked like the Pittsburgh Penguins had scooped him from right under us, with TSN analyst Darren Dreger reporting that he was going to sign in Pittsburgh,
their teenage characters, but have only recently begun taking steps to address the acceptance of people with any kind of differences in appearance or sexual orientation. In 2010, Archie comics introduced Kevin Keller, the series’ first openly gay character. Writer Dan Parent said in an interview,
dashing many a Canucks fan’s hopes and dreams. Aside from the quality coach, it’s nice to see the Canucks win one of these races for the best candidate or player again. For now, it looks like a huge victory for the Canucks and perhaps a loss for the Penguins, who, in the end, chose Mike Johnston, Vancouver’s plan B coach. The 57-year old Desjardins is fresh off winning a Calder Cup with the Texas Stars, the Dallas Stars’ AHL affiliate. Prior to that, he ran the WHL Medicine Hat Tigers as both coach and GM with consistent success, including two WHL championships. It should also be noted that he drafted Canucks prospect Hunter Shinkaruk in the WHL. With his strengths as a good communicator and successes in both the junior and minor leagues,
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“It shows that Riverdale is in the 21st century.” This character was greeted with almost completely positive appreciation, as readers felt the character signified genuine inclusion rather than a stereotypical addition. Most recently, Archie comics have come back into the spotlight
Desjardins offers the Canucks a fresh start, and will help them usher in a youth movement. Whether this year is actually a rebuild or not, they are likely to start introducing prospects such as Bo Horvat into the lineup, and increasing the roles of others such as Nicklas Jensen, especially with a possible Kesler deal. Not only will Desjardins benefit prospects who are looking to make the team, but also young players who are already on the roster such as Zack Kassian (assuming he will be re-signed as a restricted free agent). His communication abilities may also help players who suffered under the Tortorella regime. Look at Alex Edler, for instance: as Torts admitted, the two were never on the same page. In addition, despite being a rookie head coach, Desjardins was an associate coach with
with the popular addition of Veronica’s cousin, a new character named Harper. Based on Toronto author Jewel Kats, Harper is the first character to appear in these comics in a wheelchair. This new character further illustrates, as Kat said, that “everybody knows someone with a disability,
Dallas from 2010-2012, ironically under current Canucks assistant Glen Gulutzan. Contrary to Torts, Desjardins is known for a more offensive game, which will be a nice contrast to last year. I also like the route of hiring a coach new to the NHL, as opposed to other coaching candidates, such as Dan Bylsma, who is fresh off of failure. The recent retreads have been pretty bad: look at Torts, and Randy Carlyle so far. However, that’s not to say that experience is bad: experience is what it takes to make you better. Actually, that is one of the big question marks hovering over Desjardins’ head. Why, at 57, has he not coached an NHL team yet? He is pretty old for a first time coach. And what if he is another Dallas Eakins? That’s not to say
whether it’s a co-worker or a student in your class or your neighbour.” With this newest addition, Riverdale seems to be better representing today’s reality. Still, this begs the question: why are these changes only happening recently? Sure, when our grandparents were growing up, LGBTQ people were not as accepted, and people in wheelchairs were not always seen as fully-functioning individuals. But, why is a character in a wheelchair only being added this year, instead of 10 or even 20 years ago? No matter what, people may not be comfortable with the idea of certain types of people — that cannot be changed. But today, it should not be excused. For a comic with as many readers as Archie, the writers should have paid attention to who their readers really were sooner. Hopefully in the future we will see more diverse and realistic characters appear in Archie and other comic book series. People of varying abilities are part of the diverse and accepting culture in which we live, and it’s time to start illustrating as such. You can follow Micaela Evans
Eakins won’t turn things around in Edmonton, but so far he serves as a reminder that success in other leagues does not necessarily equal NHL success. For now, though, it’s safe to say Desjardins is a much needed fresh face for this team.
OPINIONS
In recent weeks, the media firestorm surrounding the rise of the radical jihadist group the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has been intense. No surprise. The story of ISIS’ rise has all the right elements to make for sexy headlines to feed the insatiable 24-hour news circuit: an elusive mastermind, an abhorrent ideology, medieval brutality, and a series of rather fantastic victories under its belt. Not to mention, its rise gives opportunity for liberal and neocon pundits to sling blame for the crisis at each other.
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Above all else, though, these stories provoke fear and anxiety, captivating media attention as world audiences shudder at the prospect of a jihadist caliphate spreading its tentacles across the heartland of Middle East. Indeed, there is a strong basis for these fears. In the chaos of the Syrian civil war, ISIS has emerged as one of the most organized and effective opposition groups to the government of Bashar al-Assad, eclipsing many secular and more moderate Islamist militias. But its power has not stopped here. Taking advantage of widespread discontent among Sunni Arabs in Iraq with the bumbling Shia government in Baghdad, ISIS struck across the border bringing broad swaths of the country under its banner. Most stunningly of all, it unexpectedly managed to capture Iraq’s second largest
The end is near. After four years and 37 courses, convocation is just around the corner. Finally, I’ll get to walk the stage in recognition for the immense debt I put myself in. I’ll shake Petter’s hand, receive my diploma, and maybe even shed a tear looking at it. A tear of disappointment, that is. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve loved getting my Bachelor of Arts. However, my diploma apparently won’t state the focuses of my studies, only the vague title of Bachelor of Arts that encompasses 23 programs, clumping the study of Sir Gawain and principles of economics under the same umbrella. Further, some friends and I were a bit irked noticing that the diplomas don’t state majors or minors. They’re stated in the program book, but who wants to frame a page with your degree’s specificities in size 10 font, squished between hundreds of other names?
city, Mosul, rich with plunder. The levels of violence administered by ISIS in its captured territories have been extreme, even leading Al Qaeda leaders to condemn the movement for its excesses. But amidst all this, ISIS’ rise may prove to be a crucial catalyst for peace. It has managed to present itself as a mutual villain to nearly all of the Middle East’s major powerbrokers. The development of common enemies can be critical in bringing together people that would be otherwise hostile to each other. Just as Hitler pushed Stalin and Churchill to work together, so can ISIS with today’s Middle Eastern powers. Iran does not want to see its fellow Shias in Iraq fall under intolerant Sunni rule, or its Iraqi ally troubled. America abhors the idea that the Euphrates Valley could become a safe haven for jihadists
To many, my degree may appear peculiar (i.e. useless in the ‘real world’). With a major in World Literature and an English minor (no, not the same as World Literature), and creative writing courses sprinkled throughout for kicks, I’m proud of the subjects I studied. Yes, this ‘degree in subjective bullshit,’ makes me proud. University is a time during which people create an identity, or multiple ones, to differentiate themselves from others. Our majors, minors, certificates, or focuses speak profoundly to who we are. It seems a bit ironic that when we leave, we receive recognition to who and what we are in a very vague form, placing us back in an indistinguishable sea. As prestigious and pretty the script of Bachelor of Arts is, it doesn’t make up for the lack of specificity in what our education results in. Surely, the printers can handle the cost of extra ink . . .
to launch transnational attacks. Even Saudi Arabia, perhaps the government most supportive of ISIS’ rebellion in Syria, has been alarmed by the group’s destabilizing venture into Iraq, and its expansion to the doorstep of the Kingdom’s own borders.
But as policymakers scramble to push back ISIS, they are realizing their limitations. Few Americans have an appetite for resuming a military role in Iraq. Neither Tehran nor Washington can be seen to be working with each other, lest they face
These days I only watch television about three hours a week, and most of what I watch is the news or movies. The reason that I watch so little is because the majority of aired shows are reality shows. I remember when specialty channels such as TLC and Discovery aired programs relevant to their channels, dealing with science, history, etc. I remember when television consisted mainly of scripted shows with actors and fictional storylines, before it was dumbed down to its current level. Television executives fail to see the lack of value in these exploitative reality shows. Look at TLC’s Here Comes Honey Boo Boo: it plays on redneck stereotypes for ratings, and its ‘actors’ don’t realize they are being exploited. Worst of all, reality shows act as a platform for people’s personal beliefs, which can promote exclusion and intolerance, like the anti-gay Christian rhetoric in Duck Dynasty.
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domestic political objections. The government of Iraq has an army with infamously low morale and polarizing leadership detested in the country’s north. Thus ISIS is likely to remain a thorn in many countries’ sides for years to come, sapping the fuel from older rivalries. However it is difficult to imagine ISIS managing to maintain its rule over conquered territories in the long term. Sooner or later economic malaise, international isolation, aggressive moral legislation, and a poor administrative infrastructure will undermine its hegemony in the upper Euphrates Valley. But during its moment in the sun it may do what no diplomatic intrigue has managed yet –— drive Iran and America (and maybe even Saudi Arabia) closer together into a common front to preserve the status quo.
Why are these shows still on the air? It is because of us, the viewers — those who watch whatever is on. However, some channels, such as Netflix, AMC, HBO, and PBS, do produce quality programming, consisting of shows such as Game of Thrones, House of Cards, Mad Men, and Downton Abby. These shows, unlike reality television, have huge online fanbases, as suggested by reviews, video art, and memes; the trend of binge watching these shows is also proof of their popularity. Fans of these types of shows, make your opinions heard to the execs by refusing to watch reality shows. Tell them that we want to watch more scripted shows. At the very least, they need to change the names of their channels to reflect the reality-based programming that they offer. Give me the chance to avoid seeing a second of a day in the life of Kim Kardashian.
14 DIVERSIONS / ETC
June 30, 2014
CLASSIFIEDS@ THE-PEAK.CA
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Do you want to hear your voice on the radio?
To attend various music events? To have fun? Then CJSF radio is for you! Join CJSF 90.1 FM as a volunteer and take a 45-minute orientation tour can do and learn at your campus radio. (We’re in TC216 right over the Burnaby campus main entrance.) 1st Friday of the month at 3pm 2nd Tuesday at 4pm 3rd Thursday at 3 pm Hope to see you there! 4th Wednesday at 6:15 pm
ARTS
arts editor email / phone
June 30, 2014
Tessa Perkins arts@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
Like a cool sea breeze on a hot day, Victoria’s folk-rock duo Jon and Roy have a deeply calming effect. Their music is layered, pensive, and tranquil. This fifth album, By My Side, follows up their 2012 release, Let It Go, which earned them a Western Canadian Music Award for Best Roots Group Recording and featured the single, “Vibrant Scene.” The first single off By My Side, “Where’d My Light Go” is just as unassumingly catchy and has their trademark upbeat folk sound featuring a great harmonica solo. Themes of light and its various manifestations overtake the bulk of this record. The obvious one, “Where’d My Light Go” discusses light as perhaps a lost love, and “Moonrise” mentions the calming effect of the magic hour when everything looks golden. The moon also features in “Take Me By Surprise” as Jon sings “Out on a warm night, the moon is high /
Small Stage Point 5 takes the glamour of interdisciplinary performance to a tiny stage — on July 4 and 5, big names and bigger talents will light up The Emerald with incredible music and dance collaborations. Five performances, each one composed of a pair made up of one dancer and one musician make up the cast. All local artists, these are professionals who record, write, and perform music in Vancouver. Tariq Hussain is one of these stellar talents, known for his role in the Vancouverbased band Brasstronaut, his Juno nominated album The
Basement Songs, and his recent The Moonwalker EP. In Small Stage Point 5, Tariq plays two roles, that of co-curator and performer. This dual role has given Hussain a unique perspective on the performance. In curating the show, his job included finding the performers, and making the contacts. The process involved first choosing five musicians, and then his co-curator Julie-anne Saroyan found five dancers. As a performer, Hussain has had to develop a five to seven minute piece that “integrates music and dance on an 8x8 stage.” Seeing the pairings come together and develop their art has been a highlight for Hussain. Working on the piece, and seeing the results has been another, as he said, “you start with nothing and you have to come up with something.” Hussain explains that the performance has a broad appeal, as it crosses over into both the dance and music worlds. The
artists come from varied backgrounds: from contemporary dance, to pop and indie rock, to hip-hop, and R&B. There is even an electronic musician paired with a burlesque dancer. The musicians joining Hussain in this show are Christopher Smith, Tonye Aganaba, Loscil, and Andrea Lo. Paired with Hussain is dancer Farley Johansson, and the other four musicians are paired with Karissa Barry, Stewart Iguidez, Burgandy Brixx, and Jennifer Bishop respectively. This is ‘round two’ for Small Stage Point 5; the show has been revived because “it was successful, the performers enjoyed doing it, [and it was] packed every night,” said Hussain. This version takes place in a slightly larger room at The Emerald, one with a different feel. In the last performance there were live dance transitions that were quite the “comedic interludes,” described Hussain. This version has transitions, but they will be
presented in a very different way. However, the essence of the show is the same, with the same number of pairings.
But why the small stage? Hussain explained that it’s purposeful. On a big stage there is a separation, the small space avoids the traditional setup of distance and disconnect. Hussain said that when you “physically force people to share the same space [there is an] interaction, connection between the two people” which develops, allowing them to “create something that allows them to work in the space.” The “parameters are good to work with” continued Hussain, as they grant the performance
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Out on a warm night and the moon is mine.” Light gives way to love on “Getting Warm” as Jon sings about lightning and a brightening road before filling his empty cup with a “loving wine.” The duo also loves to talk about love, and they do so with such beautiful simplicity. “Every Night” is a declaration of love that everyone can relate to about wanting someone’s love every night and lying next to them. The soothing guitar on this track gives it a lulling quality that will make you feel like lying down while Jon’s voice stretches around the higher notes of the line “Oh, I want your love.” On “Trouble in Mind” there is a much more melancholic tone with long drawn out notes and lyrics about not wanting to let someone down: “You can come to me / With your trouble in mind / And my darling I will be / There to hold you up fine.” The seven songs on this album were written as the pair has always done — through jam sessions at Roy’s house. On this album, Jon also plays banjo and his new 1950s Gibson acoustic. Roy also experiments with new instruments using his custom Gretsch drum kit. With help from their friends, bassist Louis Sadava and supporting vocalist Carmanah’s Laura Mitic, the sound on this album feels wonderfully diverse.
an “intimate, immediate connection between audience and performer,” developing a “special, unique kind of energy.” The Emerald allows this, as it’s a tight, intimate space that gives the curators exactly the kind of feel they want. The collaboration process has put the performers to the test, especially figuring out the technical side of it. “In a live context, there’s a lot of logistics you never considered,” said Hussain. They are “learning as [they] go,” and thinking about “staging, sightlines, costume, and lights.” Hussain assured that audiences can expect a “bang-up show considering the skill level of the people,” adding, “expect great things.”
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June 30, 2014
almost like a haunted wedding, said DeVries. “There’s a table at the back covered in lettuce heads, and [the work] takes on a kind of haunted feel or a wedding gone wrong,” she laughed.
SFU alumna Katie DeVries is thrilled about showing her work for the first time at contemporary dance festival Dancing on the Edge. “It’s a pretty big
honour — I’m an emerging artist, so it’s a great privilege to be alongside these experienced artists.” DeVries is a big fan of another SFU alumna, Vanessa Goodman, who will perform her newest full length work, what belongs to you, at the festival. “I was finishing my [dance honours] degree,” said DeVries, “and I decided to do a directed study creating my own work and it became a show called The December Project. It draws from a lot of ideas and there’s no narrative, but it’s about torment and loss and the idea of being consumed throughout life. There’s also a through line
of perseverance, and my son is in the piece so there’s subtle imagery of the passing on of life.” This work has since evolved — the version to be presented is called Feast and will be performed in the courtyard of the Firehall Arts Centre. Performing outdoors is a new thing for this piece, explained DeVries. “It’s been challenging to adapt it to an outside setting.” In the theatre the lighting was very low to create an eerie and moody tone, but outdoors it’s hard to replicate that. “I’m excited by that challenge,” said Devries. Dark lighting compliments the mood of Feast , which is
Apart from her performance at Dancing on the Edge, DeVries is working on a new piece that will be performed on International Dance Day in April 2015. She is also working on a show with the working title Two Great Truths with Daisy Thompson who recently completed her MFA in dance at SFU. Their collaboration will also be performed on International Dance Day at the Scotiabank Dance Centre. DeVries said that supporting festivals and events such as Dancing on the Edge is extremely important. “Contemporary dance is not always understandable, but I would encourage people to come and see what a wide range of choreography there is.” She also hopes that audiences will test themselves and expand their perspectives: “They might be pleasantly surprised.” Not every piece is visually appealing, but DeVries explained that “even if you don’t
find them beautiful, they are valuable.” In her piece, there is a moment when the dancers hiss at the lettuce heads and then smash them with their fists. At first glance that might look strange, but it adds to the show and you can even smell the lettuce, she explained, “it’s a very visceral experience.” DeVries enjoys experimenting with aspects that are new and different. “I played with smells — perfumes and scentscapes instead of soundscapes,” she said describing one show where she released perfumes at certain points during the performance. DeVries spoke fondly of her time spent at SFU’s School for Contemporary Arts. “It was absolutely what I needed both technically and for doing my own composition,” she said. “I came out of SFU with an idea of myself as an artist. It set me on the path to success.” While DeVries has recently graduated and feels like she’s still figuring out her artistic voice, and she also feels that SFU gave her the tools to succeed: “I’m emerging, but I’m on my way.”
You can follow Tessa Perkins
ARTS
The vibrant colors and interesting characters of cartoon life are usually reserved for the television screen. However, artist and Imagination Corporation owner Dan Sawatzky blurs the boundaries between animation and reality. Throughout the years, he has astonished both customers and critics with his amazing sculptures and paintings, creating everything from award-winning ice cream shop signs, to entire theme parks. Even his house is built in a comical fashion. His newest artistic endeavor is Cultus Lake Adventure Park. Described as a “whimsical and western,” it’s arguably one of the most heavily themed parks ever created. The Peak sat down with Sawatsky to discuss what it’s like to create a business and work daily designing worlds right out of Dr. Seuss books.
June 30, 2014
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HUMOUR
NEW YORK — The Pepsi Corporation held a much anticipated public event yesterday which they had billed online as “Pepsi Presents: A Secret Formula Revealing” to a record number of disappointed people. The gathering, which was held at Pepsi’s international headquarters in New York, garnered over 10,000 curious visitors eager for a chance to see behind the magic of the sugary drink company. “We really wanted to let our customers in on one of our biggest secrets,” announced Pepsi Co. Chairman and CEO, Indra Nooyi. “But everyone already knows how they can get the cool, refreshing taste of Pepsi — they just go to the store and buy one — so we decided to give them the opportunity to find out one of our most guarded secrets: how we make our ice cubes.” After this point was made clear, most of the audience had already gone home, but for those who stayed they at least got a beginners science lesson. “People always say to us, I love Pepsi and all its related products, but it never quite seems like it is in the commercial, what are those clear square shaped
June 30, 2014
items in your glasses?” continued Nooyi over murmurs from a disgruntled crowd. “Those are called ice cubes and today, for the first time ever, I’m going to reveal their secret formula.”
The reveal was that these “ice cubes” were actually only made with one ingredient, water, or as Nooyi called it: Pepsi H2O.
Although anyone who had ever seen ice before was not shocked by the second step, there was an unexpected twist. To make Official Pepsi Ice Cubes, you need to freeze the water in an Official Pepsi Ice Cube tray. Luckily, they were being sold at the event for only $5.99. Overall, Pepsi failed to impress the majority of their customers and only sold a handful of Ice Cube Trays but reports are that their rivals, the Coca-Cola Corporation, is still making plans to one up them. According to our sources, Coke is holding their own event this week where they plan to not only reveal their own ice cube formula but also reveal the secret ingredient that makes Vanilla Coke different from regular Coke.
humour editor email / phone
Brad McLeod humour@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
HUMOUR
June 30, 2014
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Although the term “photo-bombing” may be relatively new, the concept of deliberately imposing oneself in a strangers photograph is a practice as old as time (well, time after the invention of the camera). While some may just look at it as silly, the effects of photo-bombings can be incredibly harmful and occasionally even devastating. This list contains six of the most tragic photo-bombing incidents ever recorded.
With the Crimean War raging (believe it or not Crimea was once a hotbed of controversy), pioneering British photographer, Robert Fenton was one of the first victims of a significant photo-bomb. Having invented the occupation of “war photographer,” Fenton covered the event by taking pictures of barren landscapes and immobile wagons. One of his wagon photos was ruined, though, by notorious prankster Marcus Sperling who managed to sneak on top of the wagon at some point during the eight hours it took to take a single photograph. Fenton was very upset when he got back to England and saw what happened, in fact he was pretty devastated by it.
A lesser known but still egregious photo-bomb took place at a shoot for a collection of erotic pictures at an undisclosed location in the French capital at the end of the 19th century. Marcel Pitrie, a legendary erotica photographer had his shot and model all set up before it was suddenly ruined by a naked woman who out of nowhere splayed herself out on the bed. Pitrie was really annoyed by the whole event and it nearly ruined his collection of all shirtless bro pictures that he had been hired to produce. Several of the models and photography assistants were also vexed that they had to redo the shoot and some described coming home later than usual that night as “devastating.”
The Shizuka family was devastated by a photo-bombing which occurred during a day trip to Hiroshima in the summer of ‘45. Hayato and Manami Shizuka were at the end of their roll of film when they passed by the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. The couple asked a local to photograph them in front of the building and, after snapping the photo, believed they had a perfect picture of just the two of them. The next day however, after developing their photos, they were extremely upset by the fact that a prankster sunbather had ruined their precious memory. August 5, 1945 would go down as the most devastating moment of their lives although they would feel some redemption during their visit to Nagasaki four days later when they nabbed a perfect picture of the exact moment they were hit by the atomic bomb.
A young Chinese photographer just trying to make a difference during the ‘89 democracy movement was devastated when a photo-bomber ruined his picture. According to his story, Sun Jun was attempting to take a vivid and shocking photo of government tanks that would capture the struggle of his fellow students in their protests, but, unfortunately, a photo-bomber got in the way: another student, trying to earn his place in history ran out into the streets in front of the tanks to wreck his picture. Although Jun was happy that he managed to snap the photo before the photo-bomber dropped his pants and mooned the camera, the devastation of the incident caused him to throw out his camera and commit suicide knowing his photo would never achieve any recognition.
The McNeil family were subjected to one of the most thoughtless and damaging photo-bombs in the fall of ‘97 at a family picnic at a local park. After a lovely afternoon of snacks, drinks and pleasant conversation, the day took a turn for the worst when their family portrait was infiltrated by a man that they didn’t even know. Due to the photo-bomb, the McNeils were unable to use the photo as the cover to their christmas card and had to go with a generic Santa Claus card instead. Upset by the family’s lack of personal touch, family friend Paul Stewart decided against sending a card of his own their way. According to all their mutual friends, Stewart’s card was pretty nice and thoughtful. The McNeil’s were devastated.
Of course everyone knows that there was a real bombing on April 15 at the 2013 Boston Marathon but what is often forgotten is the heinous photo-bombing perpetrated moments before the tragedy. Brothers Dzokhar and Tamerlan Tsarnaev were responsible for a string of photo and even video bombs achieved by planting themselves in the background of a significant amount of security footage that was reviewed after the race. One of the photos they bombed was going to be a really nice one of the Stevenson family who were devastated that two strangers were in the background of an otherwise perfectly good photo. For their involvement in these photo-bombings the Tsarnaev brothers were the subject of a lengthy manhunt leading to an arrest and death. The brothers were later found to actually be the real bombers too, which Boston police have called a “fortunate coincidence.”
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features editor email / phone
Max Hill features@the-peak.ca / 778.782.4560
June 30, 2014