SLOPE MAG SPRING 2016
MYTHS FROM ABOVE CAYUGA’S WATERS
HOW MILLENNIALS ARE MAKING A COMEBACK IN 2016
cont TABL 4 5 7 15 16 23 25 27 AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SOULMATES I’VE MET IN COLLEGE
WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE MISOGYNY IN EMOJIS
AN ODE TO THE ITHACA WINTER THAT NEVER CAME
STATE OF THE UNIVERSITY
WHY WATCH FOREIGN FILMS
CORNELL THROUGH THE EYES OF A FIRST-YEAR SPRING ADMIT
THE HOTTEST IN MUSIC THIS SUMMER
SLOPE MAG • SPRING 2016 • 1
HAVING #NOFILTER ABOUT THE CONSEQUENCES OF INSTAGRAM
tents LE OF 10 13 17 19 22 29 31 6 SENIOR SENDOFFS WE JUST WEREN’T READY FOR
CORNELL TRADITIONS: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE
BIG RED’S BIG FARM
CORNELL LEGENDS
WHY 2016 IS LITERALLY THE BEST YEAR FOR MILLENNIALS
HARRY POTTER IN THE POST-POTTER ERA
SUMMER TRENDS: 2015 VS 2016
SLOPE MAG • CONTENTS • 2
nicole biton
Letter From The Editor Coming to Cornell has been an amazing and incredible experience. In the last year and a half, I have learned so much from both my professors and my peers, who have pushed me to work hard and be the best that I can be. But we’ve all had that feeling from time to time: staying in the library until closing, frustrated over an essay, and questioning just exactly what this all is for. It’s difficult to be motivated and proud of your hard work when the fruits of your efforts are abstracted to letters grades and GPAs. This is, in part, what has made the production of this semester’s print magazine so special for me. There is something so beautiful in being able to hold something that you helped create. Its tangibility is a validation that the months of countless late nights, emails, brainstorming, deadlines—both met and missed—were, at the end of the day, not all for naught. As I flip through the pages of this magazine, I am so humbled by the talent and dedication of the writers on the Magazine staff. Each and every contributor has such passion for what they do, and their hilarious yet thoughtful and poignant pieces reflect that. Their heart is what makes Slope Media more than just an organization, but a community—one that I am fortunate to be a part of, let alone to lead. Of course, none of this would have been possible without the dedication of so many of my bright, impassioned and multitalented peers. To our writers, our superhuman design editor and our amazing photographers: YOU guys are the foundation of what makes this print edition so impressive and so extraordinary. Looking at this issue, I hope you feel the same sense of immense and immeasurable pride for your contribution, no matter how large or small. Now that I’ve gotten the mushy stuff out of the way, it is with great pleasure that I introduce to you Slope Media Magazine’s Spring 2016 issue. Before you turn the pages, be prepared to laugh, to cry and to revel in the compositions that your fellow peers have written. !VIVA LA SLOPE!
Magazine Staff EDITOR IN CHIEF Nicole Biton CREATIVE DIRECTOR Danielle Grinberg PHOTOGRAPHY DIRECTOR Hadley Parker PRESIDENT Jeremy Candelas WRITERS Emily Agnew Nicole Biton* Chiara Benitez* Priscilla Blum* Pia Bocanegra Jeremy Candelas* Alanna Fichtel* Catherine Giese* Kyle Kilroy Liza Mansbach Yvette Ndlovu Hadley Parker Alison Spandorfer* Anna Ravenelle* Sierra Rinaldi PHOTOGRAPHERS Jeremy Candelas Shreya Nayar Monika Patel Jessica Tyler *COPY EDITOR
Mission Statement
As Cornell’s multimedia powerhouse, Slope Media Group is a leader in Cornell-related media and entertainment, delivering a creative, student perspective on everything that matters to the Big Red community. Slope is for students, by students.
SLOPE MAG • SPRING 2016 • 3
AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SOULMATES I’VE MET IN COLLEGE catherine giese
YOU SHOULD KNOW THAT THE MOMENT I MET YOU, I KNEW. It wasn’t exactly “love at first sight,” but it was something. You seemed like my kind of weird. In fact, I may have bitten off more than I could chew, but then again, so did you when you chose me back. We’re both a little unstable and broken and completely dysfunctional, but that’s why we have each other. Or maybe we’re just stuck together because no one else will put up with us. Either way, I’m happy. We started out slow, with lunch dates and library hours, until finally one Friday night we went out to take the town. Everything was a perfect neon haze that vibrated with euphoric rhythm when we spilled our first secrets. They were only about high school crushes and gross habits, but that’s more than I tell most people. From there, we fell into our manic-pixie-dream routine, still standing as individuals, but gradually melting into one, as is inevitable when love enters the equation. College is hard and friendships are hard and relationships are hard and everything is so, so hard, but you make it easier to bear. When I was breaking down in the library basement after my computer screen went black four hours before a coding assignment was due, you brought me a Kind bar because you knew this basic betch could only be consoled by all natural ingredients and 5 grams of sugar. On the nights when the boy of the moment was too much to bear, you listened to me complain about how I was being irrational BECAUSE I’M JUST NOT LIKE THIS while you stroked my hair. And all those times I wanted to
disappear to sell organic clothing at music festivals, you just hugged me and I remembered exactly why I could never leave this place. The days we fight are the worst because all I want to do is vent to you about how unreasonable it is that we’re annoyed at each other. We have our routine, though. We know all too well how to wait until the fire burns out so we can run across the ashes and back into each other’s arms. Thank heavens our fights don’t last forever because otherwise my sanity would go up in those flames. You are a light that fills the darkest corners of my universe and you deserve a world I couldn’t possibly deliver. I could spend a lifetime mapping the constellations of your beautiful mind and tracing the solar system that vibrates around the bright star in your soul. I try my best to love you back in my strange, broken way, but it will never feel like enough. You are the best gift to this world and, quite frankly, we don’t deserve you. When we leave this school, as we must do, I wish I could say that we will remain the best of friends, but the likely truth is that we’ll end up in different places, only left with pieces of each other and a hanging frame of faded memories. Our friendship is not heartbreakingly fleeting, but one of everlasting fragility, doomed from the start, but exploding with bright love all the same. After all, everything we know is destined to collapse upon itself into nothing, but there’s something about the brave tragedy of it all that makes it beautiful.
SLOPE MAG • HUMAN SECTION INTEREST • 12 •4
We Need to Talk About the Misogyny in Emojis yvette ndlovu
SLOPE MAG • SPRING 2016 • 5
ny
I STUMBLED ACROSS SOMETHING unsettling the other day. It happened while I was doing the post-prelim ritual of aimless procrastination consisting of Facebook, texting and watching random YouTube videos. I was deep into my bender when a pre-YouTube video advertisement appeared. I sighed at first, as these ads can sometimes be more painful to sit through than a prelim; however, as it turned out, this might have been the only time I was glad I couldn’t skip an ad. It was an ad from Always’ #LikeAGirl campaign, in which young women were interviewed regarding sexism in emojis. The young women who professed to love emojis, like any person who grew up in the smartphone era, were asked to take a closer look at the emojis they use. Upon greater scrutiny, they discovered to their shock that the emojis actually reflected sexist thinking. It never crossed my mind that the emojis I use in everyday text have misogynistic undertones. For instance, I never noticed that most of the emojis associated with femininity are stereotypically pink. In addition, the only activities the girl emojis seem to be engaged in are those centered around beauty and hair and… nothing else. One could argue that there are emojis of girls dancing. But they are dressed in bunny costumes which— surprise, surprise—look a lot like Playboy bunny outfits. Needless to say, it is disappointing to see women portrayed in a manner which does not in any way accurately reflect a broadened sense of femininity. The emoji-verse’s take on the modern woman is very limited. Take for instance, the absence of a career woman. There are male detectives, male soldiers, male skiers and male swimmers—yet the only emoji for women located in the professions section is the Bride which, as the ad points out, does not count as a profession. With such a restricted selection to represent women, I couldn’t help but wonder what the girls in the ad wondered themselves: why shouldn’t there be emojis for female professionals and female athletes? In fact, the only emoji that depicts a strong female figure is that of the woman wearing a crown. The image seems to represent a Queen or a Princess, which is
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someone in a position of power. Yet this emoji may not be empowering after all, as the Queen/Princess emoji resonates with the archaic standard that girls should strive to be princesses—in other words, marry a wealthy and handsome prince. Don’t get me wrong: I love getting my hair done, attending weddings and putting on makeup. But marriage and beauty products are not the sum total of women. What do these sexist emojis say about how far we’ve come in terms of female empowerment? Clearly not very far, if Playboy bunnies and housewives are what emoji-makers thought best represented what it is to be a woman. There is more to women than looking pretty and walking down the aisle. Think of all the amazing women who have contributed enormously to science, to arts and entertainment, and to sports. Is it still the case that these professions are reserved for boys, and that little girls exist only to be seen and not heard? This reconsideration of emojis suggests that, even today, there are people who doubt a woman’s ability to be taken seriously. As a result, emojis may inadvertently drill retrogressive ideas into young women’s heads, thus limiting the options girls can aspire to be. I understand that not everyone and everything can be included in emojis. But the point is that we need to reevaluate the ways in which women are represented and perceived. Protesting emojis might seem like a trivial thing. But it’s the small steps that turn into giant leaps. Changing what seem like minute details could allow girls around the world to have more confidence in their dreams—and it is our responsibility as women to change the rhetoric surrounding our abilities to contribute meaningfully to this world. This was the overall message of the ad, which asks all women, as well as those who support advancing female empowerment, to join in the campaign for more progressive emojis on social media by using the hashtag #LikeAGirl. Social media has helped start many revolutions around the world—and if more people express their dissatisfaction with the current state of emojis and call for change, the next time we update our smartphones, we might just see new emojis to demonstrate all the amazing ways that us ladies can slay.
Cornell Through The Eyes of A First-Year Spring Admit priscilla blum
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SEVEN OUT OF EIGHT—sounds great--unless you’re number eight and all seven of your closest friends have gotten into their desired schools ED and, oh yeah, it’s the end of March. I still hadn’t heard after being deferred from Big Red, my dream school. Nearly 42,000 candidates applied for the Cornell class of 2019, an increase of 100% over the last 10 years. What’s a school to do? They only had 3,182 spots. Cornell’s response was to establish the First Year Spring Admit (FYSA) Program, offering 125 students admittance for the January 2016 semester. The undergrad website informs “January Freshmen” with a list of 12 FAQs. As a member of this elite group, I’m here to tell you: our list was way higher than 12, leaving us, well, uniformed. After more than 14 years in school, the prospect of delaying college for a semester stopped me in my tracks. But like so many other things in life, karma stepped in. While other freshmen were on campus, I spent the Semester at Sea. I sailed to 27 cities and nine countries and met people from Barcelona to the Amazon Rain Forest, all the while taking four UVA accredited classes. The semester abroad grounded my transition to Cornell. Making friends at orientation, discovering activities, and managing classes was easier than anticipated. Everyone I met was warm and welcoming. However, a huge and unforeseen social boundary presented itself to all FYSA’s--
especially since the Cornell community at large seemed simply unfamiliar with the program. Caitlin Garbo explains, “FYSA was a bit of an awkward transition, because a lot of people didn’t know that it existed. I can’t keep track of the amount of times I had to explain myself.” Fellow FYSA Jay Kim had a similar opinion, “The worst thing about being a FYSA, most social groups are already established, so it’s tough trying to befriend people.” As with all new initiatives, problems were inevitable. Social opportunities, housing, and not being able to participate in Greek life recruitment were common complaints. Being new can also come with some funny or embarrassing moments. “I thought being new was an excuse to talk to everyone. One time in the dining hall I approached a tall boy and said ‘Hi, I’m Julia!’ He looked at me for five awkward seconds, trying to place me, before saying ‘Sorry, I really don’t remember.’ I started laughing and said ‘No, I don’t know you, I’m just new!’” shared Julia Cooper. Finding enough beds in the traditional North Campus residence halls also proved challenging. While extra spots in program houses eventually opened up, unfortunately many students were placed in random houses that didn’t line up with their interests. I was one of the lucky few randomly assigned to Donlon, where meeting new, friendly people was easy. But those in atypical freshmen dorms concur that living in a typical residence hall would
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“IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER HOW WE GOT HERE. AT THE END OF THE DAY, WE ALL ENDED UP HERE, AND THAT’S WHAT MATTERS MOST.” have presented more social opportunities, especially with the already large social divide. FYSA Emma Archangel argued, “It’s difficult getting to really know people when you’re not in a freshman residence hall and isolated from the rest of the spring students, we were all spread out.” Julia Cooper agreed, “Our living arrangements and lack of a typical O-Week made social adjustment hard and lonely, even if you are the most social person.” A major point of contention between the Cornell administration and FYSAs was the inability to participate in Greek recruitment. Many FYSAs anxiously wanted to rush in order to meet new people in their new community. The administration, however, believes students should be on campus for at least one semester before going through recruitment, citing the necessity to adjust to campus life and familiarize themselves with activities other than Greek life. Most FYSAs felt this constraint stifled opportunity for opening up networks while adjusting to their new college life. A disappointed FYSA noted, “It was hard having to come in a semester late and not getting to join Greek life. I think this really would have helped us assimilate into the community more.” The consensus among those interviewed was that they all loved having an entire semester to do what-ever they wanted. Like me, many students chose to study abroad, including FSYA admit Kathy Ma. “I don’t know if I would have done it otherwise. I’m glad I was able to do it so early (as opposed to sophomore or junior year), because it has really shaped my aspirations. I’ve learned so much and met so many people. If I had the chance to go to Cornell as a regular admit, I would still choose to be a FYSA”. Similarly, Raina Karia reflected that the best part of being a FSYA admit was “having the opportunity to travel for a semester and having time to myself. I think it’s valuable for all students to have some time and figure out how they want to spend it. Many people go straight into college without having the chance to explore or take a break first.” While some took time to go abroad, others used it to gain experience in the workforce. As one FYSA revealed, “I had
an amazing internship in the field that I am interested in, and it allowed me to get my foot in the door of the industry. I was able to learn so many new things and gained a lot out of my experience.” For some FYSAs, adjusting took some time, while for others, it was an easier transition. But for those who took longer to assimilate, everything came together eventually. Garbo bemoaned, “I had some trouble keeping up--which bus do I take to get to CTB? What kind of major is AEM? And is Bethe pronounced like the name or the Greek letter? Aside from one unlucky bus ride to the Commons instead of back to North one night, I think I’ve now got it under control.” Emma Hoarty agreed, “assimilating to Cornell was a little tricky coming in during the winter. But after 6 weeks, I can definitely say I’m home.” Another great benefit was the small FYSA community. According to Garbo, “Being part of a smaller group upon arrival gave me an advantage. Entering with so few other students (compared to the fall semester), allowed me to make deeper connections, more quickly.” Emma Archangel describes how “The other spring admits are really nice. We were all able to bond over entering Cornell late. I was worried about making friends, but feel more at home after becoming friends with the other FYSAs.” Onur Saglam says that his friends are what has largely facilitated his assimilation to Cornell. “I’m lucky enough to have a great roommate who was here for the first semester. Hanging out with him and his friend group allowed me to get involved with groups and activities, thrusting me right into the thick of things.” Though the program was a bit bumpy in its first year, next year’s 60 FYSA’s will be sure to benefit and enjoy a smoother transition. Overall, we are afforded the opportunity to attend this remarkable school. As Hoarty puts it: “Cornell was the one school that I knew I belonged at, finally getting here feels like a dream!” It doesn’t really matter how we got here. At the end of the day, we all ended up here, and that’s what matters most.
SLOPE MAG • SPRING 2016 • 9
jeremy candelas
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AS ANOTHER ACADEMIC YEAR COMES TO A CLOSE, we take a moment to realize just how far we have come. While a majority of us will be returning in the fall to begin another year at Cornell, our campus will be missing a few very notable presences. The Class of 2016 was filled with passionate student leaders – leaders that have likely made a strong impact on each of us during our time at Cornell, whether they know it or not. So now we offer a fond farewell to the to the Class of 2016, and recognize just a few of the campus leaders (there are so many more we wish we had room to recognize) who have made a substantial impact during their time here:
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1.
JULIANA BATISTA Industrial and Labor Relations
Juliana has been a strong campus leader since arriving at Cornell, serving on the Student Assembly for all four of her years here. During this time, she made it a point to tackle tough issues and make hard decisions while providing real, substantial results. She has worked on the development of dozens of programs and initiatives – such as chairing International AIDS Week, and founding the Big Red Shuttle – making our campus a safer, more educated, and more inclusive environment than ever before. Thank you Juliana, we hope that you will continue to take the lead in all that you do.
JOHN LOWRY Neurobiology & Government
2.
Not only has John worked diligently for the Class of 2016 (and for the Cornell student body at-large), but he has done admirable work for the local community as well. John co-founded the Cornell Food Recovery Network, an organization that works to redistribute excess food from Cornell’s dining halls to food pantries in the area. Due in part to his work with the FRN, he was chosen to be a member of the University President’s Food Focus Team. John, you’ve been nothing short of a class act, and we wish you the best.
3.
BOBBY DOUGHERTY History & Psychology
If you’ve had any experience with Orientation, chances are you’ve met Bobby. During her time here at Cornell, Bobby served as one of the driving forces of the Orientation Steering Committee. Thanks in part to her work with the OSC, O-Week was nothing short of a blast for the over 3000 incoming freshmen and transfer students that came to Cornell. Bobby, we hope that every week is as big for you as O-Week was for all of us.
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4. JILLIAN HOLCH Performance & Media Arts
LAURA BHOLA Animal Science
As President of the Pre-Veterinary Society, Laura worked to assist dozens of students pursuing veterinary medicine in achieving their goals and in dealing with the demanding workload of being pre-vet students at Cornell. Laura isn’t just a fan of helping animals and fellow animal-lovers though – she was also a dedicated member of Cayuga’s Watchers. Whether it was at a typical weekend party or at Slope Day, she could often be found volunteering to keep Cornellians safe. Laura, thanks to people like you, we know that the world will be a better place (for humans and animals alike)!
5.
Risley Hall is one of the more interesting places on campus – not only is there a dorm, but also a dining hall, a coffeehouse, and over 10 workshops for creating almost anything. It’s also home to Risley Theatre, where Jillian served as its long-time General Manager (when she wasn’t busy acting on stage herself). Jillian, as much as we wish we could see one more encore performance from you on campus, we rest easy knowing that now all the world’s your stage.
6.
YASMIN ALAMEDDINE Communication
Of course, we had to save the best for last. Believe it or not, but Yasmin – who was once the Vice President of her sorority, Delta Gamma, and the Public Relations Chair of the Communication Student Advisory Board – has been a longtime member of Slope. Whether it was producing a segment for the TV Department, writing for Yasmin’s Weekly Rant, or putting in countless hours as the Magazine Editor-in-Chief, Yasmin has lived and breathed Slope Media. In her final year with Slope, Yasmin helped to establish Slope Media Group as Cornell’s leading student-run media group by being our President. Yasmin, thank you for all of your hard work and dedication toward making Slope the best it can be. ¡Viva la Slope!
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BIG RED’S BIG FARM alison spandorfer
IF YOU’VE EVER STEPPED FOOT IN RPCC, Okenshields, or any of the other Cornell dining halls, then you have absolutely tried some of the amazing products that have been grown with love on our campus. Deep in the heart of a lively town in upstate New York, Cornell is surrounded by farmland, gorges and lakes, and nestled within this all, the plantations. Now take a step back and imagine being the typical Upper East Side girl from NYC. For the majority of your life, your daily commute was walking two miles in the concrete jungle abundant with pigeons, extremely well-dressed babies, and a Starbucks on every other block. You attended school in a twelve-story building and only had five minutes in between classes. You grew up in city known for it’s beyond amazing food, so when you move to Ithaca, you’re a bit reluctant about what you’ll be eating. Lucky for me, I fell in love with Cornell’s homegrown food. Cornell is of course known for its homemade ice cream. As I left my city last year and drove through acres of farmland to get here, I was in awe of how many trees I saw. I thought Central Park was a mini forest, but boy was I wrong. My daily commute no longer involved avoiding dog poop on the sidewalk; instead, I strived to avoid getting sprinkled with water by the gorge. Coming to Cornell was a huge transition for me, and what got me through
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it was one of my favorite things on this campus: the Dairy Bar’s homemade ice cream. Something you may have not known is that that students in FDSC 1101 (Science and Technology of Foods) get to develop their own ice cream flavors in class. The best flavor gets added to the Dairy Bar menu. My personal favorite after a long day is Bavarian Raspberry Fudge. This homemade treat is truly the best cure at the end of a long day of class, prelims and, say, sprinting through the Ag Quad after you went to the wrong building for your Intro to Communication course, only to find yourself five minutes late. Rumor has it the fat content is so high that the ice cream is prohibited from being sold outside of Cornell, but who really cares about that anyway? Another homemade Cornell gem is Cornell Dining’s honey roasted peanut butter. As I adjusted to Cornell and made a ton of new friends, I also had to adjust to spending many late nights at Mann. Piled with a great amount of studying for my Magical Mushrooms prelim, many nights, nothing satisfied my snack cravings more than Cornell’s honey roasted peanut butter. I’d just spread a few tablespoons on some bread I took from Okenshields and eat up. As an avid peanut butter lover, I can say with confidence that no other peanut butter will ever compare to this. When it’s time for me to graduate and move back to NYC, I’ll be sure to bring at least 18 containers with me. My newest Cornell food obsession began this year as a second semester sophomore: Cornell’s homemade yogurt Made exclusively from milk from Cornell’s cows in Cornell’s high-tech dairy factory, this yogurt pretty much defines ‘eating local’. Getting this from Trillium is probably the only thing getting me up for my staff meetings at 8:15 on Monday mornings. My favorite flavor is black cherry. Topped off with granola, blueberries, and coconut, that’s what I call a delicious breakfast. With two years left at Cornell, countless challenges will be thrown my way, but Cornell’s homegrown food will always be there. I know I’ll enjoy the few weeks of warmth basking under the sun with my favorite Dairy Bar ice cream flavors. I know I’ll be eating way too many spoonfuls of my favorite peanut butter when I’m studying until sunrise , and countless more mornings will be spent with a homemade yogurt parfait from Trillium. These authentic foods are ones I’ll never get sick of. The homegrown food on Cornell’s campus is one of the special components that make living here the amazing and unique experience that it is.
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state of the
UNIVERSITY liza mansbach
HERE WE ARE, the end of the 2016 academic year. For seniors, this marks the close of their time here. For others, it means we’re--that is, unless you are a First-Year Spring Admit. This program was just one of the many of changes to occur at Cornell over the past year. Amongst these changes we’ve seen some great changes, some not so great--and others that were pretty controversial. This academic year brought with it many positive changes. A new building, Klarman Hall, opened on the Arts Quad after what felt like an eternity of construction. Like most of our campus’ newer buildings, it features a glassy, modern exterior, an open floor plan, an atrium and a cafe. More importantly, its completion marked the end of years of highly inconvenient East Avenue closures. But when road opens, another road closes, as we saw with the inexplicable blocking off of Forest Home Drive, near Baker Lab. Nothing appears to be horribly wrong with the road, but nonetheless, it remains closed. Some decisions from this year caused quite a stir. Among them was the decision to combine the Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, The Johnson School of Management, and the School of Hotel Administration into a new College of Business. The AEM and Johnson Students were too busy preparing for their Goldman Sachs interviews and optimizing their stock portfolios to care about this major institutional change. The Hotelies, however, took this affront to their college’s identity as act of high treason, akin to closing the salad station at Terrace. They were so upset they staged a Hotelie protest
on the Arts Quad, proving once and for all that they know how to get to other places besides Statler. A year is not only measured by what is gained but also by what is lost. This year there was a particularly devastating loss: that of Elizabeth Garrett, Cornell’s 13th President, who tragically passed away in February. Although her tenure was short, her time her left an indelible mark on our university, namely by breaking the glass ceiling to become the first women to hold this position. Cornellians, young and old, grieved for the loss. On a less serious note, Cornell also lost a beloved Collegetown hotspot with the closing of Dunbars. Yes, on some level it was just a dark, sticky, crowded college bar, but that was part of its charm. Generations of Cornellians have memories of using the Jukebox, eating the popcorn, and admiring the student-painted panels that adorned the walls. Dunbar’s departure, combined with the closing of Pixel at the end of last year, has left Collegetown with a dangerously low amount of bars. One can only hope this trend reverses soon. There have been a lot of changes this year and they were definitely be more changes in the year to come. At this time next year we will have a new president, a new college and, if the someone answers our prayers, a new bar. Despite the rapid change of pace on our campus, our community stays anchored by the fact that no matter much changes, Cornell will always feel like home.
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AN ODE ITHACA WINTER
TO THE
THAT NEVER CAME
nicole biton
CORNELL IS KNOWN FOR SO MANY AMAZING THINGS, but its winter is truly notorious. Just ask anyone, and they’ll tell you that Ithaca’s winter is one the coldest, iciest, and snowiest in all the land. True, it can be a nuisance at times, but for us Cornellians it’s a major part of the experience. Outrageous winters give us weekend ski trips and snow tubing, not to mention bragging rights with our friends at Michigan and Buffalo over which campus climate gets the most snow. So even as the Indian summer rolled to slow close this past fall, we collectively braced ourselves for the worst. Closets across campus were stocked with Canada Goose jackets and snow boots; dressers filled to the brim with scarves, hats and gloves. After the first frost, the infamous “no winter maintenance” cropped up to remind students that, when they inevitably slip and fall on ice and snow, the administration will not be responsible. Temperatures dipped slowly, but Cornellians assured each other of the simple fact that, as in Westeros, winter is coming. We waited and waited…but the winter we expected never came. Were there some days of bitter cold and occasional snowfall? Sure. And did we have weirdo March blizzards interspersed with warmth and sunshine? Of course. But that was nothing compared to unrelenting snowstorms and perpetually singledegree temperatures so typical of winters past. Suddenly, the “no winter maintenance” seemed comical, reminders that there was simply no winter to maintain. Indeed, the absence of a true, brutal Ithaca winter left us Cornellians feeling like those nerds in ‘80s movies who got stood up for the prom.
ice and snow that blanketed campus and didn’t melt until it was nearly May. The mild temperatures kept spirits up when prelims had us down—and even kept the door open for darties throughout February. For that, we will be forever grateful. Still, brutal winter is a fundamental aspect of Cornell’s aesthetic. It’s the foundation of our small talk, of our right to take the TCAT to avoid walking, and of our obsession with designer outerwear. Whereas glimpses of grass on the Arts Quad in January were once rare, its full visibility throughout the winter months left our campus nearly unrecognizable. I can’t even begin to think of how many geese perished in the name of the down coats we never got to wear. Whether we like it or not, damn cold winters stand at the crux of Cornell’s identity; deprived of this rite, who are we? Maybe I’m just nostalgic for the season that I grew to love to hate. Maybe I’m just bitter that the freshmen were spared from walking knee-deep in snow to North Campus like everyone else. Either way, we missed you, Ithaca winter-or at least, I did. So I’ll wait for you-reminiscing about frostbite, and hoping that next year, you’ll come back to us.
Of course, despite our confusion, we’re not necessarily complaining. We definitely appreciated not having to walk to class in one-degree weather for three months straight. We also can’t say we missed the mounds of
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CORNELL past, present & future
TRADITIONS emily agnew
LAST SEMESTER my friend Maddy and I decided to take a break from studying and gain some clarity before we braved our first prelims. After spending hours upon hours in the Olin stacks, we wandered over to Willard Straight and decided to walk into the first room. Upon entering, I was drawn to a collection of dusty yearbooks out of the corner of my eye. Leafing through the books, it was amazing to see that as much as Cornell has evolved and changed, so much has remained the same. The photos of people laughing and smiling, hanging out on the quad and walking through the streets of Collegetown looked exactly like what we have today, only captured in a different decade. Looking at the old forgotten yearbooks with their many black-and-white photos connected us with the place we were in. In our busy lives, it is easy to get caught up in school work and forget how much Cornell means. The Cornell experience is full of meaningful traditions and connections that students cherish throughout the rest of their lives, and many of the traditions that we experience as Cornellians today have been around for decades. Growing up in a Big Red household, stories about my family members’ college experiences naturally permeated my existence. One of the biggest and longestupheld traditions that I would hear about was Cornell Hockey. Oh yes, my family was of the Lynah Faithful. I mean, if you aren’t into Cornell hockey, are you really a Cornellian? And so, as it followed, every Thanksgiving weekend my family would venture to Madison Square Garden, proudly decked out in Cornell red and white. My younger brother would paint his face half white and half red. Now as a student, I experience the same excitement and spirit attending games on campus. No matter where you are, there is truly no better way to get into the Cornell spirit than to go to hockey games. As I flipped through the pages of the yearbook, I saw many pictures of students cheering at hockey games, and I could practically hear the screams burst from the pages. The screams that escape from the spectators’ lungs today are the same as those my mom screamed when she was a student. These cries bring us together as past and present generations. To me, this experience truly encapsulates what it means to be a Cornellian: win
or lose, there is nothing like a hockey game to make you love Cornell.
Continuing on, I saw photos of students tailgating the Homecoming game, the one time out of the year that Cornell football rivals hockey in spectator-enthusiasm. Students, faculty, and alums all come together to cheer on the Cornell football team, making for record attendance. The massive spirit at this event shows just how vast the Cornell community extends. Homecoming is a day where the entire community gets in the Cornell spirit - as everyone gets decked out in white and red. As we deck ourselves out in red and white, we come together in our love for Cornell. Louie’s, another Cornell tradition, has been in the same spot for decades. The beloved lunch truck was wellrepresented among the yearbooks, looking exactly the same today as it did in the 80s. My mom always tells stories about stopping to get food at Louie’s on her way to football games. These stories have given this truck meaning to me beyond my love for its giant chocolatechip cookies, as Louie’s represents the connection between my mom’s and my Cornell experiences. Louie’s may be one of my favorite Cornell traditions, but Slope Day win hands down as most memorable with alums. As I turned to the next page in the yearbook, I saw students in the 60’s lounging on the slope during Slope Day, laughing and talking as they awaited the performance. After surviving the brutal Ithaca winter, Slope day is a bright, warm day of pure happiness. The whole Cornell community comes together in the sunshine, congregating on the slope in the warm spring weather. As we closed the yearbooks and started to leave Willard Straight, it struck me how lucky we are to belong to such a large and spirited community. Today, some of our Cornell traditions are a little different than those from generations before, such as eating at Nasty’s after coming back late at night Freshman year, instagraming the clock tower, or going to brunch at CTB. Though we all journey through our own Cornell individual experiences, the inherent traditions and spirit of the school will and have remained the same throughout the years.
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hadley parker
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ON THE SURFACE, Cornell may not seem like the most exciting place. With prelims, problem sets and precipitation constantly on our minds, it can be hard to focus on what makes this place so great. But if you take the time to learn a bit about our school’s history, turns out there are some pretty interesting Cornell legends--and by legends, I do not refer to those frat stars who can open a can with their teeth or athletes who spend hours in the gym making “gains”. Check out these four awesome and interesting myths about our campus.
THE PUMPKIN This classic Cornell legend is one you probably heard on your Cornell campus tour as a prefrosh. For understandable reasons, Cornelians appear to have some strange desire to attach random objects to the top of McGraw Tower. The most iconic of these objects was a 60-pound pumpkin that appeared on the top of McGraw Tower on October. 8, 1997. How exactly the pumpkin got up there remains a mystery to this day. Some speculate that a student scaled the 20foot tower roof while somehow toting the pumpkin, but that seems implausible given that the pumpkin would have weighed about as much as a dorm room refrigerator. A more believable theory comes from Cornell Librarian Ellen Ingersol, who suggests that one student probably got a helicopter from their father and borrowed it for the night. THE BEEBE LAKE WALK This next myth is a bit harder to believe than the one about the clock tower pumpkin. Legend has it that if you walk all the way around Beebe Lake three times whilst holding hands with your significant other, you two are destined to get married. Of course, this idea comes with
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neither a logical explanation, nor any substantial proof. But apparently a lot of people believe it. So to all the crazy girlfriends or boyfriends out there: grab your significant other’s hand, drag them around Beebe Lake, and they’ll be yours forever. THE FOOTBRIDGE KISS There exists another, lesser known Cornell legend regarding romance. This one, however, falls a little on the darker side. The legend says that if you refuse a kiss from someone while standing on the footbridge, the bridge will collapse beneath you. I’m not sure what it is with bodies of water and bridges deciding our fate, but frankly I’m scared to go near either of them now. Good thing there’s no shortage of those Ithaca! THE STATUE HANDSHAKE This last, well-known Cornell legend involves the statues of Ezra Cornell and A.D. White on the Arts Quad. There are several variations to the story, but the best known states that if a virgin crosses the Arts Quad at midnight while the chimes are ringing, the two statues will rise from their pedestals, walk to the center of the Quad, and shake hands. Others claim that the statues will switch places, or dance a jig to celebrate the student’s purity. No evidence suggests that any of these things has ever happened, but then again, it could just be because the chimes don’t ring at midnight. So until we can convince a chimes master to break into the clocktower at midnight, we may never know the truth.
HARRY POTTER IN THE POST-POTTER ERA anna ravenelle
MOST OF US GREW UP IN THE HARRY POTTER ERA. We were old enough to read most of the books as they came out, or, for those of us who were less inclined to read, at least watch the movies. Our generation came of age with Harry. His story resonated with each of us differently, to be sure, but there’s no denying the universal sense of magic and wonder that J.K. Rowling captured in those seven volumes. In any given group, I am likely the biggest Harry Potter fan there. In high school, I was always the “Harry Potter girl” and for a hot second I tried to avoid developing the same reputation when I entered Cornell. But when a girl’s entire life (college essay, future career path, passion) boils down to one subject, well, denying it for more than that hot second is like trying to deny climate change—and we all know how well that’s working out for Congress. After the last book was published and the eighth movie premiered, everyone said that was it: “The end of an era.” I refuted their claims. Harry Potter would never truly be over, because it was a part of every single person—young or old, man or woman—who had loved and experienced it. Dumbledore himself addressed this idea in Prisoner of Azkaban: “You think the dead we loved ever truly leave us?” Of course they don’t. From nostalgiafueled movie nights to distracting from life’s bigger difficulties, Harry will always be there for those of us who need him. “Whether you come back by page or by the big screen, Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home.” -- J.K. Rowling If only I’d known then just how right I
would come to be. In 2011, J.K. Rowling announced the launch of Pottermore, a new website where fans could experience the books in a new way and learn additional background information that she provided. Like any other fan, I was thrilled to know that soon I could dive right back in with my favorite characters, and I did: I absorbed every new piece of information as fast as I could read it. Soon after that, a new trilogy of films was announced (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them), and I was thrilled. 1920’s American wizards! Hufflepuff lead! Eddie Redmayne! It was a dream come true—the Potter world was growing more than I’d ever thought it would. And then the Wizarding World in Orlando, FL was expanded. Not only did we have a real life Hogsmeade, but Diagon Alley, too. And then Harry Potter and the Cursed Child—a new two-part play picking up immediately after the book’s epilogue— was announced. And then the Warner Brothers Studio tour opened up for holiday dinners on set (for the low, low price of $350/person). And then the coloring books arrived, and an illustrated version of Sorcerer’s Stone was released and then and then and then…. And then the magic started to feel a little less real. Even though I am the self-proclaimed largest Harry Potter fan I know, with each new development, I feel more alienated from this phenomenon that I once wholeheartedly adored. Deathly Hallows SLOPE MAG • CAMPUS • 22
was released in 2007, the last film of the same name in 2011; Pottermore and the rest followed shortly after. When the books were being published, we had an average two-year wait for the next installment. Now, the gratification is not instant: it’s constant. There hasn’t been any time to process it all, to yearn for the next piece of the magic, because we haven’t gone for any length of time without that Harry Potter itch being scratched. Even so, the itch is never fully satisfied, like a bug bite in the middle of your back. Cursed Child is a direct sequel to the original series, but is only available to the small segment of the world: those who can travel to London’s West End this summer. Worse, the disgruntled, middle-aged government employee version of Harry that Cursed Child will offer recalls none of the character’s original vitality. And if Harry Potter himself seems to have lost his whimsy, how can we expect the franchise as a whole to retain it? The series succeeded, in part, because it was originally intended for children. Though the stories are universal, the wonder of childhood and coming of age particularly resonates with young readers as they have the same experiences. Where Cursed Child and the other recent additions to the canon largely fail is the confused intended audience. Are they for us, who grew up with the series, or those newly discovering it every day? As reboots have become increasingly popular in recent years, we have seen this is not a problem unique to this series. The real problem lies in the fact that Harry Potter hasn’t been around long enough to get a “re”-boot. This is the same boot, but this time, it doesn’t quite fit.
why watch
FOREIGN FILMS chiara benitez
EVERYONE HATES FILM SNOBS, myself included. There’s always that one person who scoffs when you admit you enjoyed the last Transformers movie, or claims you’re uncultured for not watching some obscure David Lynch film. But while film snobbery may be very real, there’s one thing that needs to end: the “pretentious” label that accompanies the viewing of foreign films. Sure, it makes sense, especially if you’re not that into movies in the first place. Why bother watching films that none of your friends have seen, that no one will reference, and that will never be the topic of conversation? Hollywood movies always take center stage, and we watch Blockbusters to add to our reserve of pop culture currency. But it’s a vicious cycle: we only watch movies that are in the spotlight—and movies are in the spotlight because we watch them. We do not watch foreign films because they are not on our radar, because they are harder
to acquire, and simply because we don’t feel like we need to. But here’s the thing: we do need to. As the world grows increasingly interconnected, we constantly come across other cultures, other languages, and other backgrounds different from our own. Yet our understanding of each new individual’s experience is framed by what we hear and what we watch—and if we continually consume the same kind of content, we limit ourselves to a very inadequate repository of cultural awareness. As someone who comes from a third world nation seldom depicted in mainstream Hollywood cinema, it’s extremely frustrating to see my country portrayed so rarely, and always portrayed in the same way: a simple, poor, exotic nation, that merely serves as an unconventional backdrop for the American protagonists. Every now and then, natives are delegated minor, one-dimensional supporting
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1. 400 Blows of the French New Wave 2. Korean film, The Host 3. Modern Bollywood’s 3 Idiots
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roles; however, for the most part, they simply fade into the background, and are seldom depicted as individuals. So many cultures and countries are exoticized by Hollywood, and the grim reality is that many countries’ own representations of their national and cultural consciousness are rarely seen or heard—both outside, and sometimes even within, their own nations and societies. There is so much that we can learn from other countries and cultures. And while many of the subtleties, nuances, and allusions may be lost due to cultural or linguistic barriers, foreign films are a perfect way to broaden our horizons. After all, by watching films from other nations, we can learn historical context and appreciate other cultural perspectives, allowing ourselves to be exposed to the diverse social meanings and realities that films convey. But it’s not just explicit contextual awareness that we can gain from watching foreign movies; artistic orientation, style, and expression
also come in so many variations. Social and cultural truths manifest themselves in the way these films present their subject matter, as the formal cinematic elements complement the content, and vice-versa. From the 400 Blows of the French New Wave, to modern Bollywood’s 3 idiots, or from Senegalese classic Xala, to Korean monster movies like The Host—there are so many stories to tell, and so many different ways to tell them. We are overly accustomed to Hollywood cinema, and while we all love a classic Bond movie, it’s time we branched out and took advantage of what the rest of the world and its people have to offer. Watching foreign films can enrich our perception of humanity, refine our cultural understanding, enhance our artistic appreciation, and help us to connect with our fellow human beings. If I’m a pretentious film snob for wanting that then so be it.
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MUSIC THE HOTTEST IN
THIS SUMMER
kyle kilroy
WITH SUMMER 2016 right around the summer, Slope Media has compiled a collection of top music and anticipated albums that should have you jamming out until next school year. Many big name artists have recently dropped excellent music collections, and there are more on the way in the upcoming months. Whether you’re relaxing by the pool or clocking hours on Wall Street, make sure to keep an eye out for a lot of awesome music this summer!
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upcoming albums MAJOR LAZER: MUSIC IS THE WEAPON Major Lazer is an EDM group comprised of dance music icon Diplo, Jillionare, and Walshy Fire. The trio released their incredibly popular sophomore album, Peace Is the Mission, in 2015. While it was met with much acclaim, it has fans hungry for more. In an interview late last year, Diplo revealed, “we have a new album we’re going to put out next year, around August or September, and a single around Coachella with the Weeknd. So, that’s going to be dope.” Although it is arriving late in the summer, it sure sounds “dope.”
KANYE WEST: TBD By now most people have heard some talk of Kanye West and his recent album, or at least the drama surrounding it. At one point Kanye referred to the album as the “greatest musical work ever”. Then he switched the album name a thousand times. While The Life of Pablo is catchy, fans are already looking for something more. On Feb. 24, Kanye tweeted “New album coming this summer.” Though some of Kanye’s tweets can leave people puzzled, this one sounds fairly straightforward. Expect another Kanye-fueled media storm and possibly more music this upcoming summer! DRAKE: VIEWS FROM THE SIX Ever since Drake and Meek started running their Twitter fingers, it seems that Drake has been unleashing new music on a regular basis. His popular songs have included songs such as “Hotline Bling”, “Right Hand”, and his recent feature on Rihanna’s “Work”. His most recent release, harbinger hit “Summer Sixteen”, is the primary single from the upcoming album. The song seems fairly consistent with the music Drake has been putting out, and the entire album should be popular during the summer months. RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: TBD It has been five long years since the Red Hot Chili Peppers released their last album, I’m With You. Luckily for fans, lead singer Anthony Kiedis has mentioned that their newest album is “in the home stretch” of production. The new album marks the first time that the Red Hot Chili Peppers have worked with famous producer Brian Burton. The band members have shared how excited they are about the final product, and the album should give fans a fresh rock offering throughout the summer. FRANK OCEAN: TBD It seems as though Ocean’s critically acclaimed Channel ORANGE dropped forever ago. Fans have been patiently waiting, biding their time for new music from the melodious, emotional artist. But Frank Ocean is not one to rush things, and it seems as if he has been putting a ton of work into his latest music. Recently, Frank’s producer went on the record saying that the album may be released as early as April, yet that timeframe could easily fluctuate. Although Ocean himself has given no official word yet, it may be reasonable to expect some more outstanding R&B music this summer. BLAKE SHELTON: IF I’M HONEST The country star has announced that he will release his new album at some point in May 2016. When Shelton released the primary single off the upcoming album, it rapidly shot to the top of the country charts. If the single, “Came Here to Forget”, is any indication of the album as a whole, Blake Shelton should have himself a winner for the summer. Country concerts in the summer are an excellent way to have some fun, and this new album should be very popular on tour!
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Slope Media’s Top Songs for Summer 2016 1. WORK Rihanna feat. Drake 2. I TOOK A PILL IN IBIZA Mike Posner (remixes included) 3. PANDA Desiigner 4. NEVER BE LIKE YOU Flume 5. WORK FROM HOME 5th Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign 6. MIDDLE DJ Snake feat. Bipolar Sunshine 7. DON’T LET ME DOWN The Chainsmokers feat. Daya 8. ONE CALL AWAY Charlie Puth 9. CAKE BY THE OCEAN DNCE 10. STAY Kygo feat. Maty Noyes Note: These songs are in no particular order. If you can’t make it to all of the top music festivals, this is a good start to your summer playlist! Regardless of whether you’re listening from the front row of a concert, or in your back yard, these upcoming albums and popular songs will surely be playing all summer long!
Having #NoFilter about the
consequences of Instagram
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pia bocenegra SIX YEARS AGO, TERMS LIKE #TBT AND #OOTD HAD NO MEANING. Today, these slang terms have become part of our daily lingo, thanks to the proliferation of Instagram. Launched in 2010, the popular photo app has quickly taken over our generation. Between 2013 and 2014, it has grown into a powerful social media platform. However, this fast growth has led general users to become Insta-crazy. If you’re one of the many who checks Instagram first thing in the morning, you’re probably one of two types of Instagram users. You may be someone who is obsessed with likes or someone who is obsessed with his or her feed’s aesthetic (or a bit of both). Both obsessions can potentially be unhealthy. An obsession with likes and the following-to-follower ratio can lead you to take desperate measures. Do you message friends to like your photo or try to post at the prime time just to rack up on likes? If you said yes to either of these questions, you are officially Type 1 Instaobsessed. This is all fueled by our tendencies to constantly compare ourselves to others - whether that be our grades, bodies, or Instagram accounts. This tendency is no stranger to Cornell’s campus, given the competitive nature Cornell students tend to embody. On the flip side, there are Instagram users obsessed with their “aesthetic.” Think of this as a visual theme that ties a user’s photos together, making a profile look cohesive. Do you delete already-posted photos for the sake of keeping an all-encompassing theme? Or do you prevent yourself from sharing a family photo because it just doesn’t match your aesthetic? Congratulations, you’re Type 2 Insta-obsessed. Frankly, this version of insta-obsession defeats the purpose of Instagram. This social media platform is designed to capture and share memories with others. With so many different ways for us to obsess over how we’re perceived, Instagram has
unfortunately become a perpetual cycle of of posting, viewing, liking and commenting that both fuels our selfesteems and feeds our insecurities. Instagram differs in this way from other social media sites. Unlike Facebook and Twitter, Instagram is a polished work of art with one great photo after another. Since this social media application is heavily photo-driven, it can easily foster a feeling of envy like no other. A photo of someone who seems happier, more attractive, or more successful than yourself can instantly trigger jealousy and those #fomo feels. But the selectivity of Instagram fails to hich capture both the negative and positive aspects of people’s’ lives, and instead creates literally picture perfect worlds. When our lives don’t live up to those standards, disappointment ensues. With that being said, Instagram cuts much deeper than any other social media platform. Another aspect of Instagram’s facade are the filters. The ease with which one can add a filter to their photo gives users the opportunity for people to present misleading depictions of their lives. Everyone has that one friend who seems to have the “Insta-perfect” life with trendy clothes, houses, and travelling experiences. Seeing these photos encourages us to have unrealistic expectations of our own lives. Take the ever-so-popular term, “goals”, as an example. “Goals” can describe just about anything that we could possibly aspire to. But what we fail to see is that some aspirations are simply unrealistic. Yes, everyone is entitled to his or her own dreams; however, we have to be careful about letting “Insta-perfection” make us feel perpetually discontent with our own lives. Every seemingly Instaperfect photo isn’t actually perfect, or is one version of 300 less-perfect photos also taken that day. With all things considered, maybe we should give our thumbs a break from constantly refreshing our feeds. Instagram was not created with bad intentions. It was never meant to make us feel insecure about our lives. The only ones to blame for these repercussions are ourselves. So, let’s not allow social media platforms to control what we think about our lives and those of our friends.
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WHY
2016 IS LITERALLY THE BEST YEAR FOR
MILLENNIALS sierra rinaldi
GETTING OLDER IS NEVER EASY, but it’s especially hard when you’re a part of a generation that grew up with amazing pop culture relics. From Silly Bandz and Livestrong bracelets, to being the first of your friends with a Hotmail account, to feeling cool AF when you finally got a pink Razr, there were so many iconic moments for us Millennials. Growing up as a kid in the 2000’s couldn’t have been better, and that’s why it is especially difficult for us to let go and become ‘real’ adults.
Fortunately for millennials, the year 2016 is filled with a slew of revivals, reunions, and sequels that make you more nostalgic than the full matching denim outfits Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears wore at the 2001 American Music Awards (you know the ones). This year is like waking up to a Nintendo DS on Christmas morning and playing Cooking Mama into the night. Here’s just a few things us millennials have to be excited about in 2016:
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FULLER HOUSE
“You miss your old familiar friends, waiting just around the bend…” and boy, have we sure missed the Full House cast. By now, you’ve probably binged watched the first season when it was released on Netflix. It was cheesy, it was predictable, but it was amazing. Watching the Full House cast reunite almost feels like coming home after spending a long time away. Needless to say, season two couldn’t come faster.
GILMORE GIRLS REVIVAL
If you (like me) idolized the original Gilmore Girls series, then this is a dream come true. Rory Gilmore was everyone’s favorite overachiever, while Lorelai was perfection as a hot mom who handled her burgers like a man and drank coffee like water. Everyone is returning to Stars Hollow--and yes, that includes all three of Rory’s boys, Jess, Logan, and Dean! So much hype has surrounded this reunion already, so I am curious to see if it will live up to its former magic.
MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING 2
If you haven’t watched the trailer 10 times yet, put some Windex on it because you’re definitely doing it wrong. Our favorite Greek family is back, and I for one cannot wait to see what kind of shenanigans Tula and her many relatives get into this time around. The film didn’t receive great reviews upon its release in March, but the charm and nostalgia of this movie is enough to excite fans of the original. Can you say ‘Portocolis’?
Just after celebrating High School Musical’s 10-year anniversary this past January, Disney announced the release of a fourth film to the franchise. Admittedly, this revival is a bit less exciting, since the original films may be a bit tired and each sequel never really measured up to the first. But I guess we will just have to wait and see. Disney Channel is currently casting to discover the newest Troy Bolton!
THE BFG
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM
Although this isn’t really another Harry Potter movie, it’s close enough. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is a spin-off novel of the Harry Potter series that details the magical creatures that can be found in the wizarding world, including some notes written by the gang: Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry Potter is something you can talk to every millennial about, and so a movie even remotely close to it is going to be nostalgic. Eddie Redmayne is also an unbelievable actor who is perfect for the lead role of Newt Scamander. The trailer alone hauntingly brings back Hogwarts vibes with “Lumos Maxima” as the opening line. I know that going to the movies to see this will be filled with flashbacks of seeing all 7 of the Harry Potter movies… ah, the glory days.
FINDING DORY
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 4
Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming towards the release date of this highly anticipated sequel. It is crazy to think that Finding Nemo came out in 2003, which was 13 years ago. I still remember when my Finding Nemo DVD was my most prized possession. I know all my 90’s and 2000’s kids are hyped for this movie, even if you feel too old to admit it. Ellen Degeneres, the voice of Dory, is a comedic genius and I can’t wait to relive my childhood through the adventures of this little blue fish.
The classical Roald Dahl book you read over and over as a kid has finally come to life and to the big screen. Let’s be honest here, who didn’t wish they were Sophie, a girl who had her own big friendly giant? I can still picture reading this on the rainbow carpet in my 4th grade class, amazed by the distinctive and iconic artwork on the cover. The trailer is so magical that I can’t help but feel like I’m 9 years old again. Director Steven Spielberg is sure to make the retelling of this beloved story perfect.
THE PRINCESS DIARIES 3:
It’s official: Amelia Minounet Thermopolis Renaldi is back and better than ever. This movie series was a staple at elementary school sleepovers (the best part was Mia’s makeover, of course). We all wanted to discover that we were related to royalty, go mattress sliding at the palace in Genovia, and have our own Fat Louis. What better way to live out that fantasy than by watching Princess Diaries 3? This movie is still in the early stages, so we might have to wait a while for the return of this beloved story to the big screen. But it will be worth the wait. Although we don’t want to admit it, we are all growing up and getting ready to face the world as adults. The media and movie releases for the year of 2016 are a powerful reminder of who we once were and how the things we grew up with have made us who we are. It is comforting to revisit the stories and characters we connected so much with while growing up. While we cannot go back in time and become kids again, as much as we may wish we could, the revivals of some of our childhood favorites will make us feel 10 years old again--even for only only 120 minutes.
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summer
TRENDS 2015VS2016 alanna fichtel
AH SUMMER. The warm, sunny weather and time spent at the beach is a dream--especially for Cornellians, for whom three months without class and schoolwork is much needed. These are summer trends that will never go out of style. But for some fads that were all the rage in 2015, it’s out with the old and in with the new. Here’s an idea of what people might be talking about this season:
SUMMER SPORTS
Last Summer, Canada hosted the women’s football tournament that was all the rage for several weeks. If you didn’t personally care about the games, friends or coworkers who did probably got you into it by the end. The U.S. won the championship, right before the 4th of July, giving everyone, regardless of their interest in sports, an extra burst of patriotism. This year, the Summer Olympics will be the event to watch. The games will begin on August 5th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The big events like gymnastics and swimming will be sure to get everyone talking as usual. But maybe this time you’ll get into some of the new sports added this year, like rugby and golf. Athletes from 206 nations will be participating, including Kosovo and South Sudan for the first time.
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MUSIC FESTIVALS
The Governor’s Ball music festival held in New York City has been a summer favorite since its debut in 2011. If you personally have never attended, you probably know at least 10 people who have. Last year’s show put up big names like Drake, the Black Keys, and Florence and the Machine. The lineup for this year’s festival on June 3-6 is sure not to disappoint fans, featuring artists like Kanye, the Killers, and the Strokes. Think Slope Day, but times 100. This summer, however, New Yorkers have the opportunity to experience yet another, new festival called Panorama. Brought by the creators of Coachella, the lineup--which features Kendrick Lamar, LCD Soundsystem, and Arcade Fire--will give East Coasters a taste of what all their California friends rave about. Panorama will be held at the same location as Gov Ball, Randall’s Island, but later in the summer from July 22-24. The directors of Gov Ball expressed some concern over the hype of this new festival, so it will be interesting to see how the two events fare with viewers.
MOVIES
The summer’s big names in the box office might remind you a little of last year’s. Last summer’s The Avengers: Age of Ultron was about the Marvel Comics superhero team, with actors like Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. making it a success. Now the characters are back this summer in Captain America: Civil War. Marvel is trying to top all their past work by having the most heroes in one movie to date. Many believe that the response from fans could either make or break Marvel. The coming months also have anticipated book-to-movie adaptations. Last year, fans of John Green got to see the book Paper Towns portrayed on the big screen, but were left a little disappointed. This summer seems more promising, with New York Times bestseller Me Before You, which tells the story of a woman who falls in love with the paralyzed young man she is taking care of. If you haven’t read the book yet, you still have time to enjoy this romantic novel and convince your significant other to see the movie before it comes out on June 3rd. Summer is always a big time for sequels--which are enticing, but are often hit or miss. While 2015 saw the comedy Ted 2 bring back many of this teddy bear’s fans, summer 2016 will see the return of the similarly raunchy Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. Stars Zac Efron and Seth Rogan return to deal with their new sorority neighbors. Grab some of your frat brothers or sorority sisters and join the party on May 20th.
SMORGASBURG
Last summer, this Brooklyn food flea market became a popular hotspot among New Yorkers. If you’ve never been, think Ithaca Farmer’s Market, but on a larger scale (shout out to Ithaca Hummus making it big!) This festival was held in various locations in New York City, and was packed on weekends throughout the summer. While New Yorkers can return to Smorg again this year, West Coasters can also experience the hype. Smorgasburg L.A. is opening this June, and could end up being bigger than New York’s market, with a bigger space as well as additional events and fun activities to do. No deal unless they have Ramen burgers, too.
SUMMER ALWAYS BRINGS LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TOO, SO PAYING ATTENTION TO THE NEW TRENDS IS JUST ANOTHER WAY TO GET HYPED FOR THE SEASON. WITH SO MANY FUN ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR, YOU WON’T BE BORED DURING THE FEW MONTHS AWAY FROM THE HILL. SLOPE MAG • LIFE & CULTURE • 32
we dedicate this issue of slope media magazine to the late president elizabeth garrett. may she rest in peace. thank you for inspiring all of us.
SLOPE MAG • SPRING 2016 • 33
Helen Elizabeth Garrett June 30, 1963 – March 6, 2016
SLOPE MAG • 34
SLOPE MEDIA GROUP • MEDIA WITH AN EDGE • SLOPEMEDIA.ORGG