VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 2
Advice Advice Index
Advice p2 Advice Local p3 5 Unhealthy Foods that Seem Harmless How Safe is Glenforest? Mental Illness Awareness Assembly was Pretty BOSS The HUB Sauga The Villain Behind the Hero Global p6 Not Your Typical Beauty Queen Police Brutality The Migrant Crisis: A Humanitarian Tragedy 1400+ Pilgrims Dead in September 2015 Mecca Crowding Incident Editorials p8 Online Harrassment Against Women Feminism: A Case Study A Distorted Perfection Stress Sound the Trump-et, but not Until 2016 Culture p12 Movie Industry is Exploiting You: The Sequel Costume Don'ts of Halloween The Fault of the Dream Vacation Why Humans Enjoy Fear Science p14 The Fitbit Craze: A New Generation in Technology Vaccines Don't Cause Autism : De-bunking the Myth Horoscopes p15 Comics p16
Credits Teacher Supervisor Mr. Gordon Ms. Axon
Editors in Chief
Srobona Podder Linwan Song
Copy Editors
Julie Cho Michelle Wei Vivian Mai Jovana Pajovic Shankhalika Srikanth Ramya Eyer
Layout Designers
Evelyn Ku Saamia Ansari Suchithra Shenthil Sam Lu Christa Hu Rebecca Lee Ruobing Yu
Photographers
Munaam Naveed Khushi Nansi Farah Khan Vivian Li Tram Nguyen Sara Imam Aryan Shah Annie Zou
Cover Design
Amanda Yang
I "Can you give
think everyone in high school has at one point asked their friends this question. How on earth are you supposed to navigate the huge workload, procrastination, the television shows you just need to watch, familial obligations, a social life, volunteering, and work? The list seems to go on and on, without an end in sight. First off, let’s establish the fact that everyone is different and requires different means of motivation. Just because something works for someone else, doesn’t mean it'll work for you. Let’s simulate an average school night for a student. You have an after school club meeting that runs until 4, and you get home at about 5. Pencilled in your agenda are some questions for math, an economics presentation, two pages of physics questions, and a very important chemistry lab report that’s due a day later. You are also dead tired as you slept at 2 in the morning, trying to complete a physics lab that you didn’t understand at all. So what are you going to do? The first step is to turn off all your notifications your social media. I know, I know, it's hard but let’s be real; you're going to keep on checking them either way. At least now, there's less temptation. Take a half hour break when you get home, but don’t open up something that you won't be able to stop, especially Netflix. Make sure you have a proper study area—working on your bed is going to make you sleepier and lazier. Now organize: what classes do you have first? Physics and economics. The most important piece of homework tonight is your economics presentation; start it first, and work on it till you're done. It's not smart to sit and finish every single physics question, so do a few easy ones and several hard ones. Half of your homework is now done and it's probably around 8 in the evening. Take a break, go detox. Do some yoga, some simple stretches, talk to your mom, play a video game, watch that TV show you were dying to watch—this is your reward. You should start work again at around 8:45; make sure you work on the chemistry lab first, and get two thirds of it done. Depending on how well you understand it, it'll be finished at around 10:00PM. Almost there! I would recommend doing around 5 questions of math, and working on the rest of the questions the next morning or at lunch the next day. Now practice your economics presentation for a little bit, and you're done! Personally, my motivation is a book I'm dying to read, and, of course, sleep. So go do what you’re dying to for the next little bit because this is your personal time, something everyone needs. Whilst this sounds all well and good, it is immensely difficult to follow through, so don't be too hard on yourself at first. We're all in this together. Sincerely, Jill
students realistic ways to manage their time and get motivated to work?"
M
aking sure your teachers recognize you as a bright student is important not only because they’re the ones marking your work, but also because a detailed teacher reference goes a long way, even beyond getting into University. The most important step to take is developing a solid work ethic—this includes skills like organization, responsibility, and self-regulation. Working on your learning skills will prove to your teachers that you’re serious about learning and understanding the course content, and that you’re trying your best to excel in their classes. Showing up to class on time, having the course materials that you need, and taking notes all may seem like simple things, but are undoubtedly noticed by your teachers. Don’t get me wrong, a good work ethic isn’t just for your teachers’ sake—it also helps you get your work done efficiently and to the best of your ability. Ask your teachers questions whenever you need to. Their job is to answer your questions, help explain any concepts you’re having difficulty understanding, and make sure you end off with a good mark. There’s nothing wrong in asking for help if you need it, because in the end, if everyone does well on a test, teachers don't dock marks for the this regardless of the outcome of the test. Get the help you need—your teacher will recognize your initiative, and it’ll show when you ace that test. It’s much more beneficial to genuinely want to succeed in your classes than faking it for your teachers— not only will you be recognized for it on your report card, but doors open up and opportunities arise when you make the effort. Sincerely, Jack
"How do I build a good image of myself for my teachers?"
"What cake C should I get for my birthday? I’m really indecisive."
hocolate Mousse Bombe. Actually, forget the whole cake idea, just go and grab a lemon meringue pie, or a blueberry pie and vanilla ice cream. But if you really want the cake, there's always the uber-delish ice cream ones, or go crazy and buy the plum and kiwi cake you've always been tempted to buy. Go for those mud pies your parents never let you try! You're only ever going to celebrate this birthday once in your life—each one deserves to be as wild and original as you wish it. It's your birthday, so let this be a celebration about you. Get the cake you really want. Sincerely, Jill
S
orry if your birthday’s already passed, but thanks for asking this question because it’s a predicament all of us face once a year, every year. Personally, I think it’s difficult to decide on a cake until the day of—it all depends on what you feel like having that particular day. Maybe you’re craving something fruity? Something chocolatey? (In my opinion, you can never go wrong with cookies & cream.) Good luck and happy (belated(?)) birthday! Sincerely, Jack
Got a question for our Advice Columnists? Have a suggestion to make Talon Times better? Or do you just want to comment? Either way, send it to us through our box in the Library or through our Advice and Feedback form, which you can access with the QR Code or at goo.gl/forms/Cym8tgGD6r. It's all completely Anonymous!
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 2
Local 5 Unhealthy Foods That Seem Harmless
Photo : Mother Earth News
U
By: Maha Kanwal
nsurprisingly, a can of Coke has 42 grams of sugar, 24 Ruffles Original Potato Chips contain 160 milligrams of sodium, and a bar of Hershey’s Milk Chocolate is made up of 220 calories. Obviously, if you want to eat right, you should stay away from junk food. However, it may not be the typical cheese burgers and fries that are building
up your calorie count, but the nutrients. The following are 5 seemingly harmless foods that are actually unhealthy. 1. Granola One cup of granola has 420 calories and 11 grams of fat. Even if granola is a source of fiber, the amount of added sugar it encompasses counteracts whatever good it does for your body. In fact, storebought granola has 25 grams of sugar.
2. White rice White rice is not only a pure carbohydrate, but it is a fast carbohydrate. In other words, it briskly breaks down into sugar when consumed. Furthermore, just 1 cooked cup has 53 grams of carbs, no fiber, and no nutrients. 3. Multigrain bread Nowadays, multigrain bread is made using refined and enriched flour (from which white bread is also
made). For that reason, multigrain bread does not provide the full benefit of wholegrain bread, as it is so commonly believed; this means that you get the sugar spike without the nutritional value. 4. Dried fruit Yes, dried fruit has tons of fiber. On the other hand, in order to preserve the product longer, it is manufactured with added sugar and sulfur, with three times the calories
than its fresh correlative. 5. Pretzels Even with 10% of the fat that chips have, pretzels have the same amount of sodium. More importantly, they are made with white flour which rapidly converts to sugar in your bloodstream. This does not fill you up, causing you too eat more and more calories. Take the information presented into consideration
How Safe Is Glenforest? L
By: Ghaid Asfour
ockdowns, fire drills, anti-bullying posters. How effective are all these strategies? Glenforest is considered one of the safest schools in the Peel District School Board. Due to all the safety methods implemented by the school, "serious incidents and their numbers, are rare and the numbers are not tracked," reported the Peel District School Board. Perhaps one of the most important practices, that is reinforced twice each
semester to ensure the school’s safety, is the lockdown. Together with Peel Police and the Dufferin-Peel Catholic School Board, Peel developed a lockdown procedure. During a lockdown, classroom doors are locked, students and staff are asked to turn the lights off, stay away from the windows, and refrain from using their cell phones. However, students don't seem to see the purpose of these practices. "Even if we don't use our cell phones, how does that make a difference?" said Manahir Rashid,
a grade 11 at Glenforest. According to Peel, students must not use their cell phones during a lockdown because "cell phones can create a safety hazard by attracting attention to the area of the school where the phone is being used." Also, in an unlikely case of an actual lockdown, parents are not allowed to enter the school, but can stay updated by visiting a Parent Information Site to get further details about the lockdown. A survey taken by students at Glenforest showed that the students are more
prepared for an actual fire than actual lockdowns. In case of a fire drill, students and staff are asked to leave the building using the nearest exit and stay outside until given further notice. For that purpose, a chart, indicating which exit the students should take in case of a fire drill, is posted in the classrooms around the school. "When the school environment is safe, " said an executive of the “Building Our Safe Schools” (BOSS) initiative at Glenforest, "students are more comfortable to par-
take in events, as well as perform better academically." Out of the 45 students that were asked to rate the safety of Glenforest in terms of bullying, 37 of them gave it a rating of 7 or higher. This illustrates the effectiveness of the anti-bullying posters seen around the school and all the efforts of the administration. The Day of Pink, Bullying Prevention Week, and Mental Illness Awareness Week are just some of the events organized by the BOSS team in cooperation with the school to help promote safety and inclusiveness.
when deciding on what to eat, but keep in mind that moderation is pivotal. If pretzels happen to be your favorite snack, you don’t have to quit them entirely simply lessen the load, and be mindful of what else you put in your system.
Photo : Munaam Naveed
In the end, students play the key role in making Glenforest a safer community. Adhering to the commands during a lockdown or a fire drill and treating each other with respect are two major contributors to school safety. At the end of the day, students reported feeling safe and comfortable at Glenforest, which is just the way it should be.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 4
Local
Mental Illness Awareness Assembly was Pretty BOSS Photo: Kimberly Lu
By: Vivian Mai
Mental Illness Awareness Week (Oct 4-10) was recognized by communities nation-wide, including Glenforest’s own Building Our Safe Schools (BOSS) team, who organized a school-wide assembly to bring awareness to the importance of mental health. The event featured guest motivational speaker, Anthony McLean. McLean opened with an issue most teens know well: body image and the pressure
to live up to the media’s impossible beauty standards. From a young age, society tells us that we have to look a certain way to be perceived as healthy and attractive. This distorts our perception of what it means to be healthy, creating insecurities and anxieties in our minds that really don’t exist at all. McLean then proceeded to explain how good physical health can lead to good mental health. The four components act like a “compass,” pointing “N, E, S, and W.” 1) Nutrition - It is im-
portant to consume foods that are good for your body. However, keep in mind that “healthy” is not synonymous to “meeting impossible beauty standards.” 2) Exercise - Engage yourself in a physical activity that you love, so that it doesn’t feel like exercise. 3) Sleep - Especially nearing university application deadlines, students tend to prioritize grades over what should be 9 hours of sleep. Our minds and bodies need that time to recharge, and no coffee or en-
ergy drink can replace that. 4) Water - To stay healthy and hydrated, our bodies need at least 8 glasses of water every day. By keeping your body as healthy as it can be, you will stabilize your own state of mind . In addition to staying physically healthy, McLean stressed the importance of knowing your own value as an individual, and to not constantly be clouded with thoughts of your own failures and others' successes
Photo: Huffington Post
(or rather, the successes they highlight on social media). Before wrapping up his presentation, as a final nod to Mental Illness Awareness Week, McLean noted the importance of breaking the stigma around mental illness, and treating it like we would any physical illness. While it may not be an issue concerning the majority of his audience, he emphasized the necessity of providing those with mental illnesses a supportive and caring community. Overall, McLean proved
himself to be a very effective speaker, because he knew how to communicate his information effectively to a group of teens. He spoke about the issues that were most relatable to us, because he knows how to think the way we do. From raps, to touching anecdotes, to pop culture references, his ability to speak to the students of this school so directly was what made the assembly so powerful, and frankly, pretty BOSS.
Photo : Time
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 5
Local
The HUB Sauga T
Photo: Aryan Shah
o some people, hip-hop connotes drugs, materialism, and violence. Yet, in a day and age where unorthodox practices to improve youth lifestyle are applauded, Mississauga’s The HUB stands out. The host, a young man named Marcel, believes that hip-hop has much to offer youth in terms of teaching collaboration, initiative, and creating something from nothing. The HUB uses hip-hop as a medium to connect with youth and allows them to relieve stress and work through everyday problems. The HUB is not only a stress reliever, but also a way to hone your hip-hop skills. Whether it is beat-boxing, rapping or the countless other forms of art, there is a way to express yourself at the HUB. According to Marcel, “By sharing elements of hip-hop culture, we help youth cross-pollinate and try
The Villain Behind The Hero T
By: Srusht Patel
erry Fox, a hero we have all learned about since we first started school, is talked about every year in September. We talk about his “Marathon of Hope,” his legacy, his dream, his determination, but do we ever talk about his cancer? Cancer is the person who shows up to your house uninvited, forcing you to keep them company. It is the person who doesn't get up from the couch to leave, pressuring you to deal with them even though you don't want to. Terry Fox, like many others, was unfortunate to be visit-
ed by this persistent guest; however, he handled it better than many before him. It is important that every individual is aware of how to deal with cancer; it is believed that having a positive emotional and mental state makes it more likely for an individual to emerge victorious in battle. According to the American Cancer Society, it is helpful to have coping skills when diagnosed with cancer. Learning more about cancer and being informed of the different forms of treatment enables people to understand their situation and gain perspective of their illness. Furthermore,
emotional expression, gaining support from friends and family, and exercising are all ways to stay afloat in these dangerous waters. If a loved one is affected by cancer, the best way to help them is to stay positive and let them know that you are there for them. Depression is a huge problem faced by those diagnosed with cancer; therefore, it is always a good idea to seek help by talking to others or a professional. This year, Glenforest raised a grand total of $5561.85 which will be donated for cancer research so that we can continue our search for a cure. Dr. Jay Wunder, a
surgeon in Toronto who specializes in sarcomas, the same cancer which knocked on Terry's door, said, “Now the cure rate [of sarcoma] is almost up to 80% in younger patients. In older patients it's more like 70%. So that's a pretty big turnaround in a couple of decades.” Years ago the five-year survival rate was less than 5% but with the work of fundraising, researching, and advanced technology, the chances of someone beating cancer is much higher. It won't be long until the hero puts the villain behind bars for good.
Photo : sooyeonlee.com
By: Ali Nisar
Photo : AM980
something different to fit their style. This all leads down to teaching them how to conceptualize about working with each other and understanding what they are doing”. The HUB has been sponsored by many companies, but the main support comes from Unity Charity, which uses hip-hop to positively impact youth. The HUB will take place in City Hall every Thursday for the next two years, with artists both local and international doing guest lessons. The real innovation of the HUB is the creative use of mediums, challenging youth to be creative in order to connect with the same youth that will lead tomorrow’s world. Youth empowerment programs like these impact the youth lifestyle in an unimaginable way. Whether you like rap or not, join the HUB to express yourself freely and learn something new.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 6
Global
Photo : Global News
Not Your Typical Beauty Queen B y: Shankhalika Srikanth
T
here are currently many negative connotations attached to being the winner of a beauty pageant; the idea that a woman is simply the product of an outdated tradition of female objectification, and that her only purpose is to stand and look pretty. But don’t jump to conclusions just yet: Ashley Callingbull is not your typical beauty queen. The 25-year old Cree woman from Alberta was crowned Mrs. Universe on August 29 in Belarus, becom-
ing - not only the first Canadian - but also the first indigenous woman to earn this title. Callingbull wasted no time in taking advantage of her newfound fame. Just a couple of days following her victory, she sent out a tweet urging First Nations people to vote in the upcoming election and to elect a new Prime Minister. This drew criticism from several people, who disapproved of her becoming “too political too fast”, to which she responded with, “Did you really think I was going to just sit there and look pretty?
Definitely not. I have a title, a platform and a voice to make change and bring awareness to First Nations issues here in Canada. I’m getting all this media attention and I’m going to use it to the best of my ability. I’m not your typical beauty queen. Look out... I have a voice for change and I’m going to use it!” In addition to trying to get First Nations people to vote, Callingbull is working to raise awareness of other Aboriginal issues in the country, such as the need for proper housing, clean water and access to ed-
ucation. She is also addressing the need to take action on the crisis of the hundreds of missing and murdered Aboriginal women in Canada. Her first public official appearance as Mrs. Universe was at Fashion Speaks, a fundraiser held in Kamloops, B.C. for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). The MMIW cause relates back to the theme of the Mrs. Universe pageant, which was “Domestic violence and reflection over children”. This is what attracted Callingbull to the pageant in the first place,
as she herself is a survivor of childhood physical and sexual abuse. Growing up on the reserves of Maskwacis and Enoch in Alberta, Callingbull lived in poverty and was abused from the age of 5 up until her earlyteen years. Living in fear for a large portion of her life, she was able to overcome her pain and trauma only after attending traditional ceremonies and reacquainting herself with her Cree culture. Now a professional actress, model, and motivational speaker, Callingbull has worked with many organizations dedicated to assist-
ing aboriginal youth, including SOS Children’s Villages, Stollery Children’s Hospital, and Dreamcatcher Charitable Foundation. When asked whether she has any ambitions to run for office herself, she says, “I like to speak out, I’m a very outspoken person and I speak my mind [...] as a child I never knew I’d become Mrs. Universe; you never know what’s going to happen for me in the future so...stay tuned.”
Police Brutality Photo : iPolitics
N
By: Seyma Bulut
early every month or few weeks, you'll see a new name appear as a hashtag on Twitter, Tumblr or Facebook. Why? Typically, it’s because they've been beaten, abused, or even murdered by the people whose duty it is to protect us: the police. While it's painful to admit, these crimes are usually the case of racial profiling. Almost all recent cases of police brutality have been against people of color, usually those
of African-American descent. Racist crimes have gotten so scarily common that it led to the creation of #blacklivesmatter. Now, most reported incidents of police brutality have happened in America (or “Amerikkka” as some activists have dubbed it). Michael Brown, an honor student about to start university, was shot in the summer of 2014 in Ferguson by police officer Darren Wilson, who then left his dead body on the streets.
Darren Wilson was later found innocent in court and awarded $500,000 from supporters. This led to the Ferguson protests, which were peaceful protests depicted as savage riots by the media and police, who threw tear gas at protesters and wore military grade equipment. You may have heard of the more recent case of Sandra Bland who was allegedly found hanging in her jail cell July 13, 2015. Many people doubt the truth of the police’s statements, as Sandra Bland was a human
rights activist, strong willed, and never wilted or wavered in front of the police. Many people have found issues with the police’s statement on Bland's death, as there are many discrepancies between their claims and the actual conditions of Bland's death. While the cases mentioned above are American, Canada isn't completely exempt from police brutality either. Thankfully, there aren’t nearly as many cases here, but we should never forget what
happened on Dundas West on July 27, 2013. Sammy Yatim, an 18-year old boy, was shot eight times by a police officer, nine times if you count the shot that missed him. Since Sammy was only armed with a 3-inch knife, one shot to a non-fatal area should have been sufficient, but he was then tasered, as if the previous nine shots weren’t overkill already. A memorial stands at Yonge-Dundas square, complete with written notes and flowers.
Why is it that the police, a group of people meant to ensure the public's safety, resort to using a lethal amount of force so quickly, especially on people who are unarmed? More people are beginning to take a stand against the rash and prejudiced actions of the police, and that’s exactly what we need. It’s time for the officers who have committed these acts, and the officers who will invariably commit them in the future, to face proper justice.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 7
Global The Migrant Crisis: A Humanitarian Tragedy
Photo : Internation Business Times
By : Omar Hammamieh
T
he migrant crisis; a tale marred by tragedy that only seemed to reach the public’s conscience through the images of the drowned Syrian boy, Alan Kurdi. However, many do not understand the scope of this humanitarian tragedy nor how it started. In short, the ‘Migrant Crisis’ is the massive migration of people (the largest since World War II) from Africa and various parts of Asia, to countries within the European
Union in order to seek a better life. Many of these migrants are refugees from Syria, who are fleeing a 4 year civil war that has left more than 250 000 Syrians dead, 6.5 million internally displaced, and another 3 million in neighbouring countries. Due to poor living conditions in refugee camps and the desire for a better future for their families, Syrians began heading to greener pastures in Europe. The Syrians’ flight to Europe prompted thousands of
people from other countries to follow. Libya, suffering from internal strife, has allowed the trafficking of people across the Mediterranean in rickety boats, causing more than 2 000 to drown in 2015 alone. After Germany temporarily suspended the Dublin Agreement for Syrian refugees − allowing Syrians asylum regardless of where they have been fingerprinted in Europe − on August 21st, even more migrants have tried to reach Germany. This has prompted human traffickers and smugglers to
sell Syrian refugee passports for as little as €200 to €300 apiece. As a result of the surge of people at the gates of the European Union (350 000 in 2015), countries on its borders have taken anti-migrant measures. Hungary has constructed fences on its borders with Serbia and Romania and has either deported migrants or placed them in camps similar to those of the Nazi concentration camps. Austria, Croatia, and Slovenia have closed their borders to migrants as well,
and are sending thousands of refugees back and forth between them. These measures have resulted in legitimate refugees, such as Syrians, to be deprived of much needed asylum, while others posing as Syrians have already been granted refuge. To top it all off, the United Nations Security Council has approved legislation to allow the sinking of migrant boats off the Libyan coast as of October 11th, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the Mediterranean.
As of a few weeks ago, Canada’s stance was to take in 10 000 refugees. However, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has stated that no more Syrian refugees will be allowed into Canada, due to the possibility of them being ‘terrorists’. Overall, the plight of the migrants, especially the Syrians, is dire, and it seems like there is no end to this situation in the near future. Only time will tell if a solution to alleviate this true humanitarian crisis can be reached.
1400+ Pilgrams Dead in September 2015 Mecca Crowding Incident O
By: Ahnaf Ahmed
n September 24, 2015, disaster struck the neighbourhood of Mina in Mecca, Saudi Arabia when extreme overcrowding resulted in over 1 400 pilgrims being crushed to death. Hundreds more were injured in the incident, and over a thousand simply listed as missing. This disaster took place during the time of Hajj, an annual Islamic pilgrimage to the city of Mecca, which all Muslims must undertake once in their lifetime. During this time, the city streets are often crowded with thousands upon thousands of moving pilgrims from all around the world, concentrations reaching as high as 7 people per square metre in some places. Near the Jamaraat Bridge, one such crowd fell into chaos and disorder, resulting in upwards of 1470 people being crushed in the immense pressure caused by the mass of bodies. Incidents such as this are sadly not uncommon
during the time of Hajj, with similar crowding accidents happening countless times. The most notable instances in recent years were in 1990 and 2006. Even this year, on September 11, ten days before Hajj began, 118 died and another 394 were injured as a result of a crane collapsing on top of the Great Mosque. However, this incident has been by far the most deadly, with the number of confirmed deaths rising over time. It is still disputed as to what the precise cause of the accident was, as a number of conflicting eyewitness accounts were given. However, it should be acknowledged that the problem was greatly compounded when a number of important streets and routes were closed throughout the city, and the Saudi Arabian government and military made no real attempt to prevent or mitigate the catastrophe. Many reports claim that soldiers were merely standing by and not helping any of the pilgrims. Initial government records falsely stated that only
Photo : Tech Insider
about 700 people had died in the incident, causing outrage and claims that the government deliberately played down the accident. The incident has resulted in a considerable amount of backlash from nations such as Iran, Turkey, Pakistan, Syria, and Lebanon, all of them criti-
cizing the Saudi Arabian management system and lack of adequate response. Despite the fact that the government spent over $60 billion in efforts to expand key parts of the city and hired tens of thousands of security guards in an attempt make the journey safer, the situation has not im-
proved and similar incidents continue to occur every year. Many believe that the responsibility for the safekeeping of Mecca should be transferred to a different nation or organization. In a time when the Middle East suffers from political turmoil, wars, and natural disasters, it is dif-
ficult to know what the future holds for the annual Hajj pilgrimage and the city of Mecca.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 8
Editorial
Online Harassment Against Women Photo : usahispanicpress.com
By: Marquela Nunes
B
efore we begin, it is important to acknowledge that harassment online is, unfortunately, something that most, if not all, people who use the internet have faced. Whether it's a creepy message on Facebook or someone sending unwanted, sexually explicit pictures to your email, online harassment is something that is easy to fall prey to in this day and age. In 2015, more than ever, we are connected to the internet which, while it is a source of joy, can also serve to be a great danger. For some people, the issues that occur on the internet can become debilitating and damaging even offline. In order to observe this issue, we must first discuss the harassment that people face online, and specifically, the kind that abuses women. While it is true that both men and women face harassment, the fact is that women
tend to end up receiving not only most of it, but the worst of it. From being dissuaded from entering certain fields, to catcalling, the abuse that women face on the streets simply gets repeated on the internet. Studies show that women are more likely to be targeted for abuse on forums, within activities such as video games, and even on sites like Facebook. If we include the interactions on applications such as Tinder and Twitter, we find that women are also more likely to receive violent and/or sexual responses, compared to men. It is unknown when the problem began, although it could be said that the targeting of women by unsavory characters is as old as the internet itself. However, it could be getting worse, as more and more people have access to the world wide web. While unwanted emails, stalking, and harassment have occurred in the past, now women are
finding themselves under attack from hackers. Unlike when they target men, when hackers target women, there is usually a perverted or ruining edge to it, as demonstrated by Celebrity NudeLeaks and a new method called “doxxing”. Doxxing occurs when a group of hackers use phishing techniques to determine a person's personal information, from their address to their real name, job, and family members. The doxxer then usually posts the information to a forum, and its members will do whatever they please with the information. While anyone can be doxxed for any reason, a lot of women find themselves being doxxed as a “punishment” for stating unwelcome opinions, and sometimes even speaking up at all. What does this all mean? Why does this happen? Why does this all matter? How can we stop this? Well, the answers to these questions are simple. Firstly, the meaning is similar
Photo : Sequart
to what was stated earlier: the internet is a wonderful, yet very dangerous, place. We are connected to the intellect of the world, as well as the gutter of the world. Therefore, while we can be talking to a Nobel Peace Prize winner in one tab, we could be spammed by a bully in the next. Why does this happen? Well, why does mistreatment in real life take place? It's a question that not many can answer, because it is open to discussion. Ultimately, it is due to how society conditions both men and women to act and treat each other. If cat -calling, pushy, and disrespectful approaches are considered to be “fine”, “alright” or “just how things are” offline, then how can we expect people to treat each other differently online? Not to mention, the internet offers anonymity which makes many transgressions extremely easy to get away with, as current monitoring systems cannot trace
everything back to someone in real life. If you have any unresolved issue, tension, or hatred of or with a person, it's possible to torment them on the internet for as long as you want without any consequences whatsoever. Why does this all matter? Well for one, women are just as important as men in this society, and it's important that we act upon this to make sure that this standard is upheld and respected. How can we stop this? We can teach our young men and women how to treat each other with respect, and then we can offer programs for women on how to deal with the abuse that they face online. We should also focus on changing how society views women in real life, since on the internet, these views tend to be exaggerated without moderation. Thankfully, there have already been steps towards dealing with this issue. A recent UN summit welcomed Anita
Sarkeesian and Zoe Quinn, two women notable for receiving the ire of their own hate mob the year before, promising more protection for women online. There are multiple documentaries on the issue, and slowly the problem is getting more exposure. Finally, more and more online websites are putting moderation in place to protect both women and men from the negative masses. Slowly but surely, the internet is becoming a much better place. However, it must be said that the violence that women face online is not happening in a vacuum. It comes from the same place of hatred that offline abuse does, and it occurs for the same reasons. While we are making progress, permanent change will only come once humans fix the way they treat each other.
Photo : M.Jacobson-Gonzalez/Flickr
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 9
Editorial
Photo : Christa Hu
Feminism: A Case Study S
By: Michelle Wei
exism is over the same way racism ended when slavery was abolished; it isn’t. Instead, it just adapted and evolved, camouflaging itself so that the species may survive longer in the wild that is our society. From harmless comments such as “I only hang out with guys because girls are so overdramatic” – your choice of friends is your business, no need to demean an entire gender trying to prove you’re ‘different’ – and “I’m a guy; what are tear ducts” – because suppressing a wholly human method of emotional release is perfectly healthy – sexism thrives in its natural habitat, spawning stereotypes and gender roles. It is an efficient predator, preying on men and women alike, contributing to the rapid growth of its population and spread of its territory. The solution? Gender equality, of course. When asked, the majority, if not the entirety, of students greet the concept of gender equality with approving nods and declarations of support. And yet, the word ‘feminism’ is met with a reaction akin to hisses
and horrified screams. In fact, according to a poll conducted by YouGov, a market research company, in 2013, only 26 percent of people consider feminist to be a positive term. There is a stigma surrounding the idea of feminism – a loaded pause that precedes the disdainful “Oh. You’re a feminist” – that just isn’t there when talking about gender equality. Perplexing, seeing as they’re the same thing. According to the definition of feminism in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the true “feminist agenda” is to promote the “belief that men and women should have equal rights and opportunities”. Meanwhile, the Cambridge dictionary defines gender equality as “the act of treating men and women equally”. Key words: men, women, equal. In fact, the only reason why feminism is called “feminism” and not “gender-equalism” is the same reason why the entire history of the human race is referred to as “mankind” as opposed to “people-kind”. It’s simply because when the term was first coined in the 1890s, it was the fight for women’s rights in par-
ticular that was the pressing issue for social activists, not men’s rights. Nowadays, however, the meaning of the word feminism has expanded to define gender equality as a whole. It is no longer specific to only women although it does focus on female empowerment. The movement deems that societal repercussions for being female are still worse than those for being male and thus aims to make women equal to men. Comedian Anziz Ansari summarized the sentiment beautifully on the Late Show with David Letterman: "If you believe that men and women have equal rights, if someone asks if you’re feminist, you have to say yes because that is how words work. You can’t be like, ‘Oh yeah, I’m a doctor that primarily does diseases of the skin.' ‘Oh, so you’re a dermatologist?’ 'Oh no, that’s way too aggressive of a word! No, no, not at all, not at all.'" But the acceptance of feminism isn’t that simple. Trying to separate oneself from feminism runs deeper than the gut instinct that feminism equals bad. Feminists are the punchlines of jokes, the subject of derisive eye rolls, and
are dismissed as hysterical, exaggerating, and overemotional, a word commonly used to write off female feminists in particular. The demeaning stereotypes about feminism are embedded in society, used to mock and discredit the movement – and, judging by the reception feminists get, it works. But how many of those stereotypes are actually true? Feminists are never portrayed by society as just feminists; they are the Raging Feminist. The Raging Feminist is always angry! The Raging Feminist hates men! She will yell at you! For no reason! “Wow.” The audience chuckles. “What a feminazi.” Feminism has an image problem, one that is so widespread that it has even earned itself its very own derogatory term. Feminazi is one in a large arsenal of words used to scorn feminists as invalid, often paired with ‘over the top’ to depict feminism as irrational and emotional, rather than factually driven despite the statistics often used to back up feminist arguments. It goes hand in hand with possibly the most popular anti-feminism myth that all feminists hate
men or the belief that feminism is at men’s expense. The truth? Feminism is a movement that centers on the belief that society still places women at a disadvantage compared to men. It is about countering sexism and making women equal to men, which is hardly the same thing as hating men. Feminism is also about putting an end to societal gender roles and stereotypes that are toxic to men as well as women, so it could hardly be at men’s expense. But keep in mind that there are always extremists in any group. While it’s true that Ms. Magazine editor and feminist, Robin Morgan, said, “I feel that ‘man-hating’ is an honorable and viable political act”, don’t forget that American evangelist and anti-feminist, Pat Robertson, wrote in a fundraising letter that “[the feminist agenda] is about a socialist, anti-family movement that encourages women to leave their husbands, kill their children, practice witchcraft, destroy capitalism, and become lesbians.” In the end, the only possible debate to be had is which quote sounds more ridiculous. If we were
to base our judgement of issues on extremist opinions from each side, then there wouldn’t be a single reputable stance left in any debate. Feminism is widely misunderstood and misinterpreted, either by accident or by design, but it is crucial to recognize that the movement itself is not about hating men or campaigning for women to take over the world. It strives to make women equal to men, and even if you don’t believe in that, if you think that men and women are already equal in society and that there is no need for feminism – which is your opinion and your choice – respect those who do by knowing what you’re arguing against. As such, I am proud that I am a feminist.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 10
Editorial
A Distorted Perfection T
By: Lily Li
wo young adults look tentatively into the mirror, nitpicking every little imperfection they have. “Why can’t I be taller? Why can’t I have a more toned, athletic body? Why can’t I look more like him?” he wonders. “Why don’t I have perfect skin? Why don’t I have curves? Why don’t I have a flat stomach? Why are my thunder thighs too big; my decolletage too small?” she ponders. With an already dejected mood, both individuals take to the internet for comfort,
on which they find an abundance of body-shaming media. From controversial pop songs to viral internet videos, to Instagram photos, to website advertisements - the never-ending struggle to love one’s physique continues. With such a negative impact on youth, why then does society promote unachievable body standards? A recent Canadian study shows that 53% of females at age thirteen are “unhappy” with their bodies, which escalates to 78% at age seventeen. The male statistics are also very closely linked with these numbers.
Along with increases of youth displeasure with appearance, a more beauty-centric society has arisen. Products with celebrity testimonials, or endorsements on the packaging, or on social media platforms such as Instagram have shown greater overall sales and demand as opposed to their competitors. Magazine advertisements that showcase a well-known celebrity are far more influential than those featuring a regular model. The most popular actors and actresses are likely to generate higher-grossing films than oth-
ers. Even the music industry, which ironically is meant to be listened to, not sought after for physical beauty, has shown similar trends. The issue of body image has made its way into Youtube, the popular video-streaming site, regularly used by teenagers today. Youtuber, Nicole Arbour, uploaded a video to the site called “Dear Fat People”, a fat-shaming rant against obesity, gaining a significant amount of attention - over six million views in less than a month. Sparking controversy on social media and the news, many brave
Photo : Tram Nguyen
people defended themselves against her opinion with response videos promoting body positivity and acceptance. When searching for the underlying secrets behind the low self-esteem of one’s body image, many of the same justifications surface over and over again, such as the influence from peers to the classic blame on receiving less-than-desirable genetics. The real influence, however, is the biased media monster: targeting teenaged victims, lurking around the corner in bus stops to subway stations, and making a subtle
Stress By: Suzany Manimaran
S
tress is an unavoidable part of life. Whether it’s because of a fight with a friend, or because there’s too much to do and not enough time, we’ve all experienced our fair share of it. There may be days, weeks, even months, where it feels as if we’re drowning in it. It’s very important to handle stress in positive ways that aren’t detrimental to your mental or physical health. The first thing you should do is to figure out what the source of your stress is. Is it something you can control? If you can, think of ways that will help reduce your level of stress. In general, sleep, exercise, and a balanced diet can go a long way. You’d be amazed how much better you feel after a jog or a full eight hours of sleep. If it’s schoolwork that’s stressing you out, try to manage your time wisely. Procrastination poisons the best of us. You promise yourself that you’ll start your math homework after thirty minutes on Facebook, but then it’s 10 pm
yet significant impact that has directed even the youngest in a degrading direction. Luckily, there are many ways to combat a negative body image. Simple changes, such as wearing clothes that fit properly, keeping a collection of positive quotes, or keeping a diary to track daily thoughts are all beneficial in the long run. Alternatively, exercising in moderation and discarding your perfectionist mindset for one that accepts the beauty of imperfections will do wonders for your self-esteem.
and you’re taking a Buzzfeed quiz on which Harry Potter character you would be based on your favourite cheese. It doesn’t even matter that you’re lactose intolerant and you’ve never even watched a Harry Potter movie. It happens. Apps like 30/30, Forest, or Lanes can help keep you on track. You can stay on top of things by making to-do lists, prioritizing tasks, and avoiding putting things off to the last minute. Breaking up a big project into smaller tasks will make it look a lot less intimidating, and it will be easier for you to get started on it. Some teachers may even give you an extension if you ask ahead of time and explain that you’re feeling a little overwhelmed. As a final note, remember that your mental health is the most important thing. If you’re tired and burned out but you have a million and one things due tomorrow, it’s okay to give yourself a break. Failing one test won’t ruin your life, and a mental breakdown is not worth the A. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 11
Editorial
Sound the Trump-et, but not Until 2016
Photo: Tram Nguyen
By: Srobona Podder
K
nown for his “real talk”, Donald Trump is a highly discussed media figure who has come a long way since starting his career working as a real estate developer in his father’s company. Since then, he has become the president of The Trump Organization and the founder of Trump Entertainment Resorts. He owned the Miss Universe and Miss USA beauty pageants until NBC refused to broadcast the program after Trump made one of his standard comments about illegal aliens from Mexico in his Presidential campaign kickoff speech
earlier this year. It’s no surprise that this is the same man who filed a trademark application back in 2004 for the catchphrase “You’re fired!” in his show “The Apprentice”. Now a forerunner among the Republican 2016 Presidency representatives, Donald Trump officially launched his campaign back in June of this year with former President Reagan’s slogan, “Make America Great Again.” There have been mixed reactions from the country; his insulting comments appall many, while others describe his personality as refreshing. Of course no one likes being lied to, especially by their political leader,
but it’s difficult to tell whether Trump is simply being honest or just plain offensive. It was amusing to see his hand raised among the ten Republican party representatives during the first debate, marking him as the only candidate refusing to support the future Republican representative should it not be him. At the time, it was just another source of laughter at the breakfast table. However, what people tend to overlook when poking fun at Trump for President is his wide popularity in the media. Sure, people joke about him, but he’s also the only one anyone is talking about. Trump’s declaration ear-
Photo :Business Insider
lier this month caught many off guard as he confirmed his stance on the migration crisis. If elected President, Trump will turn back all the refugees that the US has promised to accept in fear that they are the “Trojan Horse” sent to destroy the States. He wants to watch the Middle East solve their own issues, and believes that America has no responsibility to help refugees. While there are supporters of his views, his troubling statements and the way he announces them are by far more surprising than his actual actions. Even celebrities have weighed in with what they think of Trump 2016. Hunger
Photo : Shutterstock
Games actress, Jennifer Lawrence, views Trump much the same way Katniss does President Snow. She stated in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, “If Donald Trump becomes President, that will be the end of the world.” Her co-stars agree that the 2016 elections have become something of a television show that is too absurd to be real. Other actors, including Matt Damon and Ricky Martin, also disagree with Trump’s anti-immigration views and his plans to build a 3058 km wall separating America from foreigners. America is a multicultural society, and many fear that Trump’s xenophobic outlook
Photo : Srobona Podder
may cause huge discrimination issues within the country. Politics will be politics, but for now, all the headlines can really focus on is determining the legitimacy of Trump’s toupee. This is all serious business, and the livelihood of a world superpower is at stake, but there’s still quite a bit of time until the American elections. Everyone just needs to take a breather; like Last Week Tonight host, John Oliver, said, “It’s the 2016 elections, and it’s 2015 right now. So, I don’t care until we’re in the same year of the thing I’m supposed to care about.”
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 12
Culture
The Movie Industry is Exploiting You: The Sequel
Photo: TeluguOne
By: Sarini Kumarasinghe
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equels seem like a harmless addition to any movie lineup. You would think having more screen time to explore a character’s world would benefit the series. The reality is, the majority of the time, sequels are nothing more than cash cows that only exist for the industry to exploit its consumer base. Hollywood takes advantage of original concepts and piggybacks them until they, too, seem dull and uninspired, instead of creating new ideas. And while great sequels are out there, they are few and far between. The movie industry is losing creativity and producing lower quality content, and the general consumer base either doesn’t know or doesn’t care. Ideas that are new and original are being milked for all they’re worth, making them uninspired in comparison. Consider Paranormal Activity. Now, whether you enjoyed
the movie or not, it doesn’t detract from the fact that when Paranormal Activity first premiered, it was a new and fresh concept. And while you can claim that the found footage idea was made famous by the Blair Witch Project and is thus unoriginal, it is important to remember that no concept could ever truly be one-of-akind, and originality in this day and age means putting your own spin on a created concept. The Blair Witch Project put its characters in a very specific situation, while Paranormal Activity chose to feature ordinary families, making the movie more relatable to its audience. The approach was clever, bold, and new, and while it had its flaws, it was at least interesting. The problem with the franchise as a whole is just that: it’s a franchise. They took a movie that wasn’t intended to have a sequel, and gave it one (or rather four, soon to be five,) simply based on the popularity of the original.
What made the first movie innovative is exactly what made the rest of the series boring and uninspired. Paranormal Activity 2 was almost identical to the first movie and Paranormal Activity 3 onwards consistently attempted to bring unique content to the table, but undoubtedly failed. The series left us with five movies – and counting – that essentially did the job of one. My point is not that all sequels are bad, and that franchises are ruining the industry; it’s that sequels should only be made if they add value to the series. Toy Story, for example, is a franchise whose sequels complement and improve the series as a whole. Toy Story was, on its own, a completely original concept, and did not require a sequel. But the sequels it inspired – particularly Toy Story 3 – worked to deepen the storyline and characters, while still being excellent standalone films. Toy Story 3 featured
characters you’d grown to know and love as a child, dealing with the fact that you’re not a child forever. While the talking toys angle is no longer original, the concept they introduced, dealing with the future from the perspective of those you’d leave behind, is. To reinforce the idea that sequels should only be created if they add value to the series, take a look at the Saw franchise. The first Saw movie was undeniably original. The concept of trapping characters in a singular environment, and forcing them to reevaluate their past and present circumstances in order to escape, is something that had never been done before. In the first Saw film, the killer – Jigsaw – had a very profound reason for his actions, something that was glossed over in later films. This meaningful detail contributed heavily to the plot, but was eventually completely disregarded to make room for mindless, graphic gore, that
was surprisingly left off screen in the original. These later films, however, on average grossed more money that their predecessor. Of the series’ five sequels (not including the 3D remake), its four immediate successors made a higher profit than the original, making it clear as to why the industry is more than willing to churn out sequels on a regular basis. It makes them money. Now you might be asking yourself “what’s the big deal?” Well the problem lies not with the addition of sequels, but with the sheer amount of potential films being neglected and replaced with them. The film industry thinks that it can pour out an endless stream of sequels and the public won’t notice, and for the most part it’s right. There are a predicted 269 sequels to premiere in the upcoming 5 years alone. And many of them are sequels to sequels. The money that is being spent to make low quality movies that don’t benefit,
or even devalue a series could and should be spent creating new, original content. And these original concepts are certainly out there, knowing the competitive nature of the industry, but their voices are not being heard, because they don’t have to be. If the industry can make more money with a sequel than an original script, why wouldn’t they? The consumers’ satisfaction is second to profit, and always will be as long as these sequels continue to gross as much money as they do. But what if they evened out? If moviegoers demand higher quality from the film industry, they will have to give it to us, in order to make profit. Not giving in to Hollywood’s reduce, reuse, recycle sequel process will generate better, more original content for society in the long term.
The Costume Don’ts of Halloween T
By: Andrea Josic
he transition from skin-melting temperatures to seemingly Arctic wind chills is the best time of the year, and it feels like it unofficially ends with the celebration of everything fun, scary, and sexy. Halloween is the one day during the year where it’s acceptable to act however you want, impersonate anyone you want, without judgement. Almost. Cultural appropriation is a massive issue and can essentially be defined as intentionally or unintentionally disrespecting a culture by imitating something from it while remaining ignorant to its cultural significance. It can be simplified to oppressors picking and choosing what would benefit them out of the culture of the oppressed. In relation to most people’s favourite holiday, this means corporations making money off of offensive costumes. Most culturally appropriated costumes have one of two goals in mind: humour, or sex appeal. The problem with the
“humour” in these costumes is that sometimes it takes what many people wear daily in certain cultures and turns it into a joke, bludgeoning these groups further into oppression and fortifying racism. Most of the time, these costumes emphasize ridiculous stereotypes and turn the people of a certain ethnicity into a caricature, demeaning the entire culture into one laughable cliché. The issue with the sex appeal present in these costumes is how they degrade and fetishize the women in the culture. A study of female rape victims in 2013 in America showed that the highest percentage of victims, 34.7%, were Native American, yet the female Native costumes in stores are skimpy two-piece bathing suit-like sets, modelled by white women, accompanied with giant feather headdresses. Unfortunately, this pornographic theme is present in almost all culturally appropriated female costumes, which objectifies the women of these cultures and subliminally pins them as men-pleasing novelties. It’s these conclusions that lead to the use of
cheap words such as “exotic” to describe women of colour. Some people simply don’t know how some costumes are either excuses for comedy or seduction, but through this ignorance, they are still involuntarily perpetuating racism. For example, many people don’t know what eagle feathers symbolise to Native Americans, therefore wearing a feather headdress on Halloween because it “looks nice”, especially if you are a part of the same race as the Natives’ 300-year oppressors, shows disrespect and a distasteful lack of morals. A general rule of thumb is that if your costume is based on a race or culture, it’s almost certainly to be racist or culturally appropriating. Although there is a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, what you wear on Halloween rarely supports the latter. So, before slapping that $40 on the counter, think twice before selecting a costume that depicts ethnicities in such a narrow-minded and distasteful manner.
Photo: anninvitation.com
Photo: lockerdome.com
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 13
Culture
The Fault of the Dream Vacation Photo: Global Living Magazine
By: Jovana Pajovic
T
he feeling that lasts is that of the sweet Venetian breeze brushing against your cheeks, as you drift across the Grand Canal, watching people fill the narrow streets along the city’s timelessly romantic palazzo. To your left is the melody of a singing mandolin, and to your right is the Rialto Bridge, perfectly complemented by the sunset. As you begin to settle into your new favourite place, you feel a strange tapping on your shoulder and a ringing in your ear. “Excuse me! That’s my seat.” You’re not in Venice anymore and the student from the second period class is looking at you impatiently. You decide to leave before his comments become less passive and more aggressive. The dream of travelling to a far-off land pulls us all from reality sometimes. That place
you absolutely adore could be anywhere in the world, and it could attract you for many reasons. Chances are, however, that your paradise — whether it be Venice or Rio or Giza — is also a tourist trap that captivates much of the world. Checking the Eiffel Tower off your bucket list isn’t as simple as it may seem — unless you’re rich, famous, or have some serious connections, you would probably have to shove your way through a herd of other sightseers just to get there. The next time you think about going on a tour of Paris, try to envision sharing the experience with 15.2 million of your closest tourist friends. Feeling claustrophobic? Avoiding the huge crowds might be a good idea. In that case, there are plenty of other options you should consider for your daydreaming needs. In popular culture and in the media, Western Europe
is portrayed as the region to visit in order to experience the ultimate “European getaway”. Evidently, there are some tourist attractions there that can’t be missed, but those are the places that people expect travellers to go. Eastern Europe, on the other hand, is the younger sibling of Western Europe — it might not be quite as popular among tourists that rise to the bait of the West, but it is equally as beautiful and steadily waits for its opportunity in the limelight. One of the staple cities of Eastern Europe that travellers must visit is Dubrovnik, Croatia, on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea. Although it is not as distinguished as a great many of Eastern Europe’s “hidden gems” are, vacationing in Dubrovnik appeals to almost everyone. For the history lover, the main attraction of Dubrovnik are the walls upon
which the city was founded. The fortifications, which were constructed over the 12th to 17th century, remain intact, so much so that visitors can go on a walking tour that, while tiring (with 1920 square metres to cover!), provides a magnificent view of the seacoast and the Old Town. People feeling particularly adventurous may take a short ferry ride to the island of Lokrum to explore the botanical gardens and Benedictine monastery. Meanwhile, travellers that prefer less action can relax under the sun on one of Dubrovnik’s many sandy beaches, or stroll along the picturesque cobblestone paths of Stradun, the main street in the Old Town. Southeast of Dubrovnik is Croatia’s neighbour Montenegro. Similar to Dubrovnik, Tivat is a coastal town in Montenegro that is situated on the Bay of Kotor. On its alluring beaches, tourists can rest, sun-
bathe, and swim in the warm, calm sea, which is also suitable for water sports like sailing, canoeing, and windsurfing. The hot spot for evenings out in Tivat is Porto Montenegro, a luxury yacht marina where you can dine while ogling all the boats that you would purchase if you ever became a millionaire. Sveti Stefan, an ultra-chic islet village and resort, and the medieval towns of Budva and Kotor are other places worth seeing in Montenegro. Finally, take one road trip northeast of Montenegro and you’ll end up in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia. Belgrade's unique history is reflected through its architecture, which varies from Ottoman to neoclassic structure. Its most significant landmark is Beogradska Tvrdjava, an imposing fortress at the junction of the Danube and the Sava rivers, which is now the site of the Kalemegdan park.
Twenty minutes away is Knez Mihailova Street, the main pedestrian and shopping zone, where you’re guaranteed to feel like you’re in a charming Audrey Hepburn movie all the time. You’ll find yourself walking, shopping, mingling, and sipping cappuccinos on the street-side cafés almost immediately as you become absorbed into the delightful atmosphere and culture. Although Serbia, Montenegro, and Croatia are only snippets of the beauty of Eastern Europe, they prove that there are vacation destinations that stray from the norm and that can offer as much recreation and enjoyment as heavily commercialized places. So, the next time you fantasize about your dream vacation in class, remember that Venice doesn’t have to be the only place you find yourself in.
Why Humans Enjoy Fear H
By: Annie Zou
alloween is just around the corner. Horror movies, haunted houses, and scary stories make their way to centre stage once again. Yet humans are perhaps the only living species to enjoy being frightened for entertainment. Even before the invention of motion picture and television, people enjoyed reading horror stories and visiting freak shows where all manners of strange and deformed oddities could be found. Fear is something that all beings experience. Whether instinctive, conditional, or just inexplicable, fear is a survival mechanism designed to keep us safe. What is it about that feeling of gut-wrenching terror that is so appealing to the human race? Negative experiences and distressing emotions are stored in the amygdala, the emotion and motivation centre of the brain. This creates fear associations and emotion-
al responses. In a controversial study conducted in the early 1900s, a young baby named Albert was made to fear all things furry by being conditioned to associate a scary, loud noise with furry texture. Although unethical, this experiment proved that with enough negative stimuli, distress can become a mental response to a traumatic event. “After researching this as long as I have, I have not seen any empirical evidence that people actually enjoy the emotional experience of fright," says Glenn Sparks of Purdue University in West Lafayette. "Instead, I see evidence that people are enjoying other things that go along with this experience.” Fear is all about the fightor-flight response. When it is triggered, the brain releases a rush of adrenaline, endorphins, and, oddly, dopamine – the reward chemical. The heart pounds, blood rushes, and all our senses are heightened—a self-induced high. It
is this feeling that thrill-seekers crave. Some might even describe it as feeling alive. Enjoyment of fear may not even be a conscious choice, but rather something that is wired into our brain; or, perhaps it is the morbid fascination we have with death that keep us coming back for more. The most famous monsters of traditional and modern lore are often creatures from beyond the grave—beings that violate the laws of nature. They are killers, hunters, terrifying in their power. Yet we find ourselves drawn to these monsters, writing and rewriting their stories to satisfy our curiosity. Hannibal and American Horror Story are two recent examples that have earned rave reviews for their thrilling content and horrifyingly vivid imagery. Of course, love of fear is a far cry from a universal human trait. In studies conducted by Sparks, only a third of the participants claimed to actually seek out thrills. The rest
Photo : Underworldtales
of the participants were either okay with mild experiences or avoided them altogether. Even among the connoisseurs of horror films, strongly distressing experiences cause long-lasting trauma. The movie Jaws left audiences unable to swim in the ocean. The Exorcist, one of the darkest movies in cinematic history, has even been accused of inducing mental illness-related symptoms and psychosis.
What it all boils down to is overcoming our fears. Haunted houses, scary movies, thrill seeking adventures: it is a challenge waiting to be accepted. People may wait anxiously in line for a haunted house while dreading the experience, and skydivers may get cold feet before they jump. But they walk out from the experience feeling accomplished and triumphant. It is the rush of relief and the
friendships we form during these moments of terror that make it all worthwhile. Fear is a dare, an obstacle, just another demon to be vanquished.
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 14
Science The Fitbit Craze: A New Generation in Technology
Photo : Fitbit
features, allowing you to input how many cups of water you hen you saw the word drank, see how many steps “Fitbit,” you might have you walked at the end of the been taken aback because you day, measure your heart rate, have never heard of such a and much more. Different word in your life. You could Types of Fitbits: have been thrilled because Fitbits come not only you are someone who conin a variety of shapes and tributes to one of today’s most sizes, but they come in a wide recent technological trends: range of prices, features, and the Fitbit craze. forms. One can get a mobile What is a Fit bit? version of it by downloading The Fitbit is a new type a Fitbit app and not pay a of gadget invented by Fitbit single cent, or one can buy it Inc. that is a wearable device as a wearable device that can that measures various data cost anywhere between $70 such as the number of steps and $300. Wearable Fitbits on you walk, the quality of your the market include the Fitbit sleep, and the amount of tracker, Fitbit ultra, Fitbit flex, calories you've burned. Simply Fitbit charge, and many more. put, it is a personal activity Different features make each tracker. Many people who type of Fitbit unique in its have not yet been introduced own standing. to a Fitbit device may already The Benefits and Drawbacks have experienced such forms of a Fitbit: of technology through Fitbit The main objective of apps on their phones. Most a Fitbit is to get a person systems, including iOS and motivated to maintain a Android apps, support these healthy lifestyle and gradu-
W
Photo : Telus
Photo : Technogymal
Photo : Fitbit
By: Julie Cho
ally transform him or herself into becoming a more fit and active individual. However, if you are a person who has already tried using a Fitbit, you may have encountered one main drawback: the device or app cannot tell what you have eaten or drunk. This means that you have to record what you have consumed, as well as how much, after every single meal or snack; this could very easily frustrate users. Nevertheless, if you are determined to make some changes in your life and health by depending on these types of technology, you should not hesitate to get started with a Fitbit. So if you need the motivation to live a more active and healthy lifestyle, technology has given you one more option to choose: a Fitbit.
Vaccines Don’t Cause Autism : De-bunking the Myth M
By Ramya Eyer
ost of society is familiar with the blasphemous idea that vaccines cause autism. Vaccines don’t cause autism. This myth had to begin somewhere. It started in 1998, when prestigious UK medical journal, ‘the Lancet’, published a study conducted by a scientist named Dr. Andrew Wakefield, claiming there was a correlation between vaccines and autism. He claimed that increased vaccination was responsible for increased reports of autism in the twenty years prior to the study. It sounds reasonable until it is taken note of that his study was conducted unethically. The information from the survey is based on people’s recollected memories, a group of a mere twelve children, and hand-picked results to match his original hypothesis. Essentially, the
professor’s study was conducted very much like the average high school lab report. As soon as the issue of “the Lancet” containing Wakefield’s article was released, the contents of his study spread like wildfire. Media outlets were all over it. Parents and pediatricians alike were mortified at the thought of “little Junior” contracting autism at the poke of a needle. This caused a dramatic decrease in the number of children being immunized, and an increase in children being infected with easily preventable diseases, such as Rubella, measles, and “the Mumps.” The devastating effects of the release of the study resulted in over a decade of scientific debunking. In 1999, a thorough, more scientific study was done surrounding the topic with 500 children. No link found. In 2001, another study was done with 10 000 children. No link found.
In 2002, a Danish study was conducted with 57 000 children. No link found. In 2005 and 2012, more studies were conducted ethically on 10 000 000 and 14 700 000 children. Still, no link found. It took millions of children and countless months to prove that vaccines are not giving kids autism and to also undo the damage of Dr.Wakefield’s work on the children of those who have not been vaccinated. Yet, there are still people who regard the initial study as “credible”, simply to enforce their own personal philosophies and religious views. In fact, on October 6, 2015, 3 years after the last major study regarding “links” between Autism and Immunization, it has been reported by IFLS. com that another study has been done. This time, it was funded by an anti-vaccine and anti-autism group called SafeMinds, who wanted the study
to prove that there was a link between them. Researchers injected Macaques (a species of monkey) with vaccines, had them interact in social situations to see if they exhibited “autistic” behaviour and conducted a post-mortem on them to see abnormalities in brain activity. To no avail, this was (still) not the case. It is unbelievably horrifying to realize that one scientist’s fabricated report and the unwillingness of people to accept solid evidence, is responsible for the loss of countless resources wasted, and the thousands of children falling victim to life-threatening diseases, that could have been easily preventable – if only they had taken that vaccine. Vaccines don’t cause autism.
Photo : Parenting-Journal
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 15
Horoscopes Aries You might find yourself in some trouble, so make sure you deal with the problems sensibly and realistically. Your life may not be enough to ple ase you right now, however, if you stay reasonable, you will see opportunities coming your way.
Taurus You will attract luck, but don’t let that deter you from working hard. It is also time to eliminate the toxic people in your life or they will pile up. Don’t let them hinder the positive atmosphere you are trying to build up.
Gemini Adventure seems to be in your favour, unless you try to avoid it. Be fun and have fun. Just don’t forget to let others know what you want; share your opinions without the fear of being overshadowed.
Cancer Allow yourself some time to relax by maybe reading a book or watching a movie. Especially since a lot of stress seems to exist down the road, it is important to clear your head before the chaos. Besides that, when change meets you, embrace it.
Leo People will be looking towards you for leadership and guidance for a short while; be prepared to give advice. You should also expect delays with homework as other events appear to be on the horizon.
Virgo You might be introduced to a new friend or study something that will shift the way you perceive the world. For this reason, you should be more open-minded; don’t phase out the new completely.
Libra You will uncover a new interest that might become a hobby. So take the occasion to explore different ideas or mediums. A problem out of your control may arise as well; stand back and let the people involved work it out
Scorpio Your ego and pride will hold you back, maybe from apologizing for a mistake. In order to avoid this situation, stop pushing ahead. Perhaps take some time to recharge your batteries, and tie up loose ends.
Sagittarius Happiness will come in little details of your everyday life; enjoy these moments. In fact, you will feel optimistic; you might even start planning your future. Remember to take things slowly or you might make the wrong choice.
Capricorn Look for excuses to spend more days outside; staying inside is blocking your ability to think creatively for assignments. You will also make an impulsive decision, so keep your guard up.
Aquarius You could feel lost or confused about where you are going. Understand that the possibilities are endless, and it’s important to stop doubting your interests. Later on, you will encounter people with various experiences; learn from them.
Pisces You will come across a situation you don’t know how to handle. Don’t be hesitant to ask for help or advice. Additionally, you might be confronted with someone who wants to boss you around. Get ready to stand your ground.
Sign Symbols Courtesy of Shutterstock
Comics
VOLUME 25, Issue 1 Fall 2015 PAGE 16
For the students, by the students.
By Christa Hu
By Tony Liu
By Sarini Kumarasinghe
By Kate Sanchez
By Jeffrey Xu
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