Volume 7, Issue 3 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

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THE

Associated Students, UC Santa Barbara Volume 7, Issue 3 | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23, 2012

BOTTOM LINE

‘If the House is on Fire, We Got To Put That Fire Out’ Gov. Brown Answers Students’ Questions at UC Newspaper Press Conference

Photo by Kelsey Gripenstraw | The Bottom Line Just after noon, Brown dipped out of the press conference to address students about his stance on Proposition 30 with a rally in UCLA’s Bruin Plaza. Brown linked support for higher education with affirmative voting for Prop. 30, and urged students to register to vote as soon as possible. “I’m gonna go up and down the state and mobilize everybody I can,” said Brown, amidst both cheers and derogatory inflammations from the crowd, during his speech at the rally. “With your help, we can make it better. That’s what Proposition 30 is all about. For your sake, for the future’s sake, for all of California, vote yes on Proposition 30.” KELSEY GRIPENSTRAW | Executive Content Editor

by ANNALISE DOMENIGHINI Executive Managing Editor When asked by a student journalist at today’s press conference what the lead for an article about the potential failure of Proposition 30, continued state divestment from the University of California and the competing tax initiative Proposition 38, Governor Brown replied, “This should be the lead.” Governor Brown compared California’s budget crisis to a burning house during a press conference with UC newspapers today at UC Los Angeles. Brown addressed student journalists from throughout the UC system and brought light to issues including the competing tax initiative Proposition 38, continued state divestment from the UC and the government’s plan should Proposition 30 fail in the November election. “If the house is on fire, we got to put the fire out,” said Brown about his current focus on passing Proposition 30 as a way to combat California’s budget crisis, as opposed to additionally focusing on long-term financial goals for the state. During the press conference, Brown addressed concerns of what the state legislature plans to do should Proposition 30 fail to pass, including whether he would enact the trigger cuts planned for the 2012-2013 budget or if he would push for another tax increase. “I’d like to think there’s an alternative in case Proposition 30 fails, but there isn’t—the state only has so much money,” said Brown. “When I became governor the deficit was 26 billion. We have cut away at that, billions and billions of dollars, and we’re getting close to balance, but if Proposition 30 doesn’t pass I can’t

conjure money out of thin air—there are only so many cookies in the jar, and the gimmicks of the past are not acceptable to going forward. Yes, trigger cuts will go into effect, and they’re part of the budget and it’s automatic.” Governor Brown also addressed why, to many students, it seems that during a budget crisis education spending is the first expense to be cut. “It just happens that education is such a huge part of the budget and it is less protected by federal law and so when you have a shortfall, people look to UC and Cal State and K-12 and the community colleges, because that’s more totally within the control of state authority,” said Brown. However, Brown said that he is working to slow state divestment and reprioritize education spending in future budgets, primarily by working to realign prison populations and reduce the prison population by 40,000 prisoners. “There is this need for fundraising,” said Brown on the topic of divestment from the university system and alternative solutions for funding should Proposition 30 fail.Regardless of the possibility of Proposition 30 failing and the state facing millions of dollars of cuts in January, Brown maintains a positive outlook on the future of California. “I see California as both a trend setter, but also as a state that deals and grapples with the big issues—inequality, climate change and promoting and handling the innovation that both adds to our quality of life but also undermines our sense of traditional identity,” said Brown. “I think California has to both look to its past and also pave the way for its future.”

Title IX Conference Conveys Both Progress and UC Librarians Search for Unabridged Merit Pay Goals to Wrestle Against Gender Discrimination

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by CHEYENNE JOHNSON AS Beat Reporter

Professor of Sociology Melvin Oliver compared the modern opposition of Title IX to afﬁrmative action opposition. by EMMA BOORMAN

A merry group of men and women gathered in the McCune conference room on Monday, Oct. 15, to kick off University of California Santa Barbara’s two week celebration of Title IX. Signed by President Nixon, Title IX was added to the Higher Education Act of 1965 in 1972. The act is widely known for expanding opportunities for female athletes at the college level, and it also bans sexual discrimination from any federally funded educational program or activity. Female professors, graduate school applicants and athletes, once small in numbers compared to their male counterparts, became legally protected from discrimination thanks to Title IX. Anna Everett, professor and Director of Graduate Studies at UCSB, opened the event with a reminder of available temporary tattoos and buttons promoting the Title IX celebrations. “I think we will have a wonderful opportunity to have a dialogue,” she said, speaking to her diverse audience. Chancellor Yang came to offer opening remarks about the celebration. He discussed the welcomed implementation of Title IX at UCSB and the progress made by women on campus because of the law. “Your achievements inspire us and make us proud,” he said to the female athletes in the room, “We also recognize we have a long way to go.” Nearly all the speakers acknowledged this same sentiment throughout the evening. Vice Chancellor Gene Lucas also spoke about the celebratory events and effects of Title IX on UCSB. “I think we’ve been intentional about addressing gender equity issues on campus, but that doesn’t mean we can stop there,” he said, further recognizing there is work to be done for women. Diane O’Brien, UCSB’s Executive Associate Athletics Director, provided some examples of gender inequity that exists in women’s sports in spite of Title IX. She noted 60 percent of

women’s teams’ coaches today are men. Professor of Sociology Melvin Oliver compared the modern opposition of Title IX to affirmative action opposition, being attacked for taking opportunities away from one group and giving them to another. He also noted continued disparities between men and women in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math, and encouraged support for women in those fields. “If we did it with sports, we can do it with STEM,” said Oliver. However, there is no doubt that women have made tremendous progress in American universities thanks to Title IX and the women who rose above limitations set by sexist expectations in the 1960s and 70s. Our faculty, full of accomplished women who pursued educations in spite of a rigid social structure, reminds us of the work that has already been done. Professor Janis Ingham chose to focus on the issues of her time in college. “I’m going to tell you where we were not,” she said, after describing herself as “pre-pre-pre-pre-pre Title IX.” Ingham was the first female Ph.D. student in her discipline at the University of Kansas. “I’m not bragging, it’s embarrassing,” she said. She recalled the condescending attitudes of her male classmates. “I think I got extra credit for having normal intelligence.” Pat Cohen, professor of history, experienced a similar issue in graduate school in the 70s. “I was one of about five women in a class of 50 people,” she said. “All women my age have these stories,” said O’Brien on the normalcy of the discrimination women have faced in the past. However, thanks to Title IX, women in college today are protected against discrimination on the basis of sex. Though women still face challenges in a patriarchal world, they are more equipped than ever to face them. The implementation of Title IX has been invaluable to the progress of women who attend and graduate from American universities.

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Photo by Deanna Kim | The Bottom Line

Lois Capps Hosts DREAMERS Workshop see page 2

Sundance Surf Shop Goes Green see page 3

Andy Warhol Film Series see page 5

Librarians across the University of California campuses may lose their health care and pension bargaining rights in the current round of contract negotiation. Over 340 UC librarians are in the process of negotiating their contract via the University of California American Federation of Teachers union. The UC negotiators have suspended merit increase, a salary increase awarded through a peer review process to librarians who excel in their fields, to one-third of UC librarians until they give up negotiating rights to health care, pension reform and other retirement benefits. While the current contract does allow for the suspension of merit increases during contract negotiations and has been implemented in previous negotiation sessions, the additional condition that bargaining rights be foregone was an unexpected turn for many UC librarians. “Instead of making me want to give in to the University’s position on the collective bargaining agreement, instead of causing me to cave in to blackmail, this tactic just leaves me feeling unappreciated, undervalued and yes, angry,” said UC Berkeley School of Law Reference Librarian I-Wei Wang in a UC-AFT release, “It is an unsavory and utterly unfair measure aimed at precisely those librarians who, by being granted merit increases during this review cycle, have proven our extraordinary contribution to the mission of the University.” Wang said the UC Office of the President is not denying merit increases in an attempt to help balance the budget in a shaky economic climate. “It’s a blatant attempt to cut off negotiations and bind all of the academic librarians that serve this University by holding a group of us as economic hostages…I know I deserve a raise, and I want the money that I have earned. But I’m not going to submit to outright extortion in order to get it,” said Wang. UCSB Internal Vice President Mayra Segovia presented the issue at the Oct. 10 Associated Students Senate meeting and expressed her concern for UCSB librarians. “They shouldn’t have to be working for the UC system,” said Segovia, “and have to give up their pension and health benefits because they rightfully have deserved their merit increase.” The negotiations have had an effect on many of the librarians both on the UC Santa Barbara campus and across the UC system. “It’s really a strategic error on the University’s part,” said UCAFT Field Representative Bill Quirk, “in terms of its effectiveness and in terms of the morale issues that it’s causing within the library.” For many UC librarians, the main attraction of the UC Office of the President lies in the health benefits and retirement plan, rather than salaries. Career librarians at UCSB make between $10,000 and $110,000 per year while 12-month librarians at CSU make between $60,000 and $106,000. UCSB librarian Sally Weimer said that while she greatly enjoys her job, she worries about the future of the librarian staff if the salaries are no longer compensated with high quality health and pension benefits. “The new proposal for reducing Medicaid benefits for retirees, that’s a huge change for the University. It’s going to make it hard to recruit and retain high quality librarians and faculty,” said Weimer. “We’ve lost maybe five or ten librarians in the last five years or so...I see the University as not admitting there’s a huge retention problem.” Quirk believes this trend will continue should these reforms occur without librarians and the UCOP discussing and debating the adjustments. see LIBRARIANS | page 8

Obamacare vs. Romneycare see page 6

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New Font for Dyslexic People see page 7

The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 2 | News

Isla Vista News

Isla Vista Sees Surge in Crime Over Weekend by TOMMY ALEXANDER Isla Vista Beat Reporter Another busy weekend for Isla Vista residents coincided with late nights for local law enforcement—officers responded to reports of shots fired early Sunday morning, and an officer driving a patrol car collided with a bicycle-mounted deputy at the corner of Camino Pescadero Road and Sabado Tarde Road late Saturday night. The accident occurred between a sheriff ’s deputy riding a bicycle and a sheriff unit driving a patrol car. According to Sergeant Mark Williams, a sheriff ’s department spokesman, the officers were on their way to investigate an emergency 911 call involving a fight. “The bicyclist and the car entered the

intersection of Camino Pescadero and Sabado Tarde at about the same time,” explained Officer James Richards of the California Highway Patrol. “The bicyclist and the car collided, and there were some minor injuries resulting from some shattered glass.” The California Highway Patrol is handling the collision, although neither CHP officers nor the Sheriff ’s Department could provide further detail on the incident. Police responded early Sunday morning around 1 a.m. to reports of a gunshot fired on the 6500 block of Sabado Tarde, according to Sergeant Williams. Witnesses at the scene told deputies that an unknown suspect walking down the street engaged in a verbal argument with residents near an apartment building. When the argument continued, the suspect

National News

drew a chrome semi-automatic handgun and fired one shot toward the apartment complex. No one was injured as a result of the shooting. Although police did recover an expended shell casing from the suspect’s gun, officers have not been able to track him down as of Monday afternoon. The investigation is ongoing. The suspect was described as a Hispanic male, aged 19-22, standing 5-feet-6-inches and weighing between 150 and 170 pounds. At the time of the crime he was wearing an Oakland Raiders cap, blue jeans and a grey UCSB sweatshirt that featured blue writing outlined in yellow. Anyone with further information regarding the gunshot is urged to contact the Sheriff ’s Office at (805)-681-4100.

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Photo by William Renteria| The Bottom Line Gas prices skyrocket to a new record high in Santa Barbara.

State Average June 2008 - Peak of the Recession midgrade $4.700

State Average This Weekregular $4.623

midgrade $4.729

10/14/12, 1:44am Gunshots near 6488 Sabado Tarde

10/13/12, 7:17am Man with riﬂe detained

10/13/12, 4:22am

Man with gun seen at 6684 Sabado Tarde

10/09/12, 1:27pm

Gas company seals leak at Storke Family Housing Go to https://alert.ucsb.edu to subscribe to alerts.

Record High Gas Prices May Cause Students to Find Driving Alternatives by LILY CAIN

regular $4.588

Recent UCSB Alert Messages

premium $4.799

premium $4.829

California gas prices hit a record high Saturday, Oct. 6, and continued to climb until Oct. 9, reaching $4.671 per gallon, the highest in the nation. According to The Los Angeles Times Energy Editor Nancy Rivera Brooks, the high gas prices were caused by a series of problems, most recently a power failure at Exxon Mobil’s Torrance refinery. Although the cost began to fall on Oct. 10, they are still monumentally high, and many people are feeling the burn. University of California Santa Barbara third-year student Hannah Bae commutes almost daily from Los Angeles, where she lives with her fiancé. For the time being, they find it more cost-efficient to live together and for Bae to make the 123-mile-long commute to school four days a week. However, she certainly pays attention at the pump. “I fill up every two days,” said Bae. “I actually had to choose between paying $4.59 and buying a car wash at Shell, or driving around on a low tank looking for something cheaper. I bought the car wash, but it still came out to $70.” Third-year David Haynes, who drives about three times a week and goes home to Oakland for holidays, has felt the effects of the high gas prices. “I just try to do more when I decide to drive, like I do it all at once instead of doing multiple trips like I normally would,” said Haynes. Haynes has also had to think about his budget when filling up. “If half my paycheck is going to gas then I can’t do anything fun,” said Haynes. “I definitely don’t want to spend it all on gas…but you still have to get places.” Although he considers having a car extremely

Tommy Alexander, Emma Boorman, Cheyenne Johnson, Deanna Kim, Matt Mersel, Nathalie Vera, Francesca Kentish, Sarah Good, Annalise Domenighini, Jordan Wolff, Alyssa Wall, Kevin Simms, Danielle Dankner, Selena Ross, Marissa Perez, Samhita Saquib, Joana Barrera, Patrick Sheehan, Oxana Ermolova, Courtney Hampton, Joanne Howard, Elizabeth Aguilar

Photographers: this issue

Morey Spellman, Deanna Kim, Ayeyi Aboagye, William Renteria, Kelsey Gripenstraw, Alyssa Wall The Bottom Line is sponsored by the Associated Students of the University of California, Santa Barbara. All opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff, of A.S. or of UCSB. Published with support from Campus Progress/Center for American Progress (CampusProgress.org). All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to bottomlineucsb@gmail.com.

The Bottom Line is an alternative voice on campus.... We provide a printed and online space for student investigative journalism, culturally and socially aware commentary and engaging reporting that addresses the diverse concerns of our readership and community. This is your community to build, share ideas and publicize your issues and publicize events. We welcome your questions, comments or concerns at bottomlineucsb@gmail.com or call our office phone at 805-893-2440.

convenient, Haynes says that if prices kept going up, at a certain point he would no longer be able to afford it. On the other hand, first-year Joy Lin, who drives home to Riverside once or twice a month, says that she would probably still drive even if the prices kept rising. “The [record high] gas prices haven’t affected me yet, but I just filled up the other day and it was pretty pricey,” said Lin. For UCSB students like Lin who do not drive very often, there are a variety of transportation alternatives outlined on the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) website. These alternatives include bicycle, bus, carpool and vanpool programs as well as CarShare by Zipcar and commuting by rail. Bae has discovered some ways of avoiding the highest prices. She says that gas is generally cheaper on the drive between LA and UCSB, and Costco’s gas is generally in the $3 range. However, for students who are unable to find cheaper gas around UCSB, TAP advertises to students that they can stop paying high gas prices if they join the program, which many could find extremely enticing, especially now. The Chevron station in Goleta, the closest place for UCSB students to buy gas, declined to comment on how the recent spike affected them. While the four days of record high prices have passed, and analysts predict prices will begin to fall even before the cheaper winter gas is put to use, it is uncertain when prices will return to a reasonable level. Until then, student drivers may have to reconsider how much they really want to pay for transportation. For more information on transportation alternatives, visit the TAP website at tap.tps.ucsb.edu.

Santa Barbara News Capps’ Workshop for DREAMers Raises Important Immigration Policy Questions by ELIZABETH AGUILAR Congresswoman Lois Capps hosted a workshop on Oct. 11 at the Santa Barbara City College Wake Center to assist AB540 students, or “DREAMers,” in navigating the lengthy application for deferred action, postponing their possible deportation from the U.S. A sizeable, predominantly Latino audience listened as Congresswoman Capps spoke about the application process and about recent legislation affecting the 1.4 million undocumented immigrants who, according to the nonpartisan Immigration Policy Center, would be eligible for deferred action. The workshop follows the announcement on June 15 by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, that immigrants who were brought into the country as children and plan on attending college or serving in the military could apply to be exempted from the deportation process for two years, with the possibility of renewal on a case by case basis. One of these cases is Anna Aguilar. Aguilar was brought to the states when she was just six months old. Now nineteen, Aguilar wants to pursue a biology major but is doubtful about her future. Aguilar explained her uncertainty about the application process. “I’m a very anxious person, so when I come to these things I think, ‘What if they don’t have the answers for me?’” Aguilar said. “[I just want] to feel comfortable living in this country and not have to look behind my shoulder every single time I go out or if I want to drive.” At the end of the workshop, Congresswoman Capps spoke emphatically about her stance on immigration. “It is so important that we pass the DREAM Act. I am very committed to doing it,” said Capps. Capps also summarized the dif-

ficulties of influencing immigration reform. “There are many of us who have been very impatient, waiting for the opportunity, many of my colleagues in Congress, we want to pass comprehensive immigration reform…but as of yet, we don’t have a majority in the House of Representatives or in the Senate. So, vote.” The Congresswoman’s urging comes at a critical point of policy decision in the US. It is issues precisely like the DREAM Act that could potentially sway undecided voters. Both President Barack Obama and Former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney have blamed a lack of Congressional action for leaving undocumented immigrants in a status many call “the shadow.” On June 17, President Obama gave a speech in the White House Rose Garden repeating his stance on immigration in nearly identical words to those in his State of the Union address. “I’ve said time and time and time again to Congress, send me the DREAM Act, put it on my desk, and I will sign it right away.” Two days later, Republican nominee Mitt Romney spoke in an interview regarding the decision of the White House to allow illegal immigrants to apply for deferred action. “He [Obama] called it a stop gap measure. I don’t know why he feels stop gap measures are the right way to go. I would work with Congress to put in place a long term solution for the children of those that have come here illegally and I’ve said, for instance, that those who serve in the military I would give permanent residence to.” When asked if he would repeal the decision of deferred action if elected to office, Romney replied, “We’ll look at that as setting as we reach that.” In the meantime, however, until November, people like Aguilar will simply have to continue to wait in the shadow.

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The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

Questions

by DANIELLE DANKNER

with an AS Senator

Photo Courtesy of | Tyler James Washington

Tyler James Washington Off-Campus Senator Second-year, Communications major and Spanish minor Q: What position do you hold in the Senate and what, specifically, does it entail? A: I am one of the 13 Off-Campus Senators and the Liaison for both the Isla Vista Tenant Union and the Associated Students Program Board. I also sit on the Comprehensive Child Care Advisory Committee. Essentially, as an Off-Campus Senator, I am in charge of adequately advocating and representing 1,000 constituents within the Isla Vista community. Q: How did you initially get involved with Associated Students? A: The first time I got involved with AS was the summer before freshman year. I attended the Guides Summer Orientation where I met Harrison Weber, our former AS president, and just felt that this is where I want to be.

page 3 | Features

Sundance Beach Takes Green Approach to Santa Barbara’s Surf Culture by ALYSSA WALL The local retail shop Sundance Beach, known to buzz with its vibrant atmosphere, local charm and beach-vibe clothing racks, has added a new aspect to its culture: environmental friendliness. As the first retail clothing store in California to be certified under the Green Business Act, the surf store has adopted a policy of sustainability and has taken various “green” initiatives. “I look for a surf shop that has passionate employees who are knowledgeable about not only their products, but also the sport itself and the local scene,” said Sancy Childers, a first-year biology major and surfer. According to employees, the company’s three core values are authenticity, sustainability and experience. That means they are determined to serve you—Santa Barbara students and locals alike—showing you knowledge and passion the second you enter the store. “We’re all about providing the authentic surf atmosphere and really providing a good customer shopping experience. We look for staff that live authentic beach lifestyles, who are immersed in the surf culture and therefore knowledgeable about the products we offer,” said Sales Manager and longtime employee Drew Acosta. Over the course of the last six to eight months, Sundance has revamped its recycling program, encouraged alternative transportation methods for its employees and now stocks various postconsumer and biodegradable products. These days, it seems environmental awareness is almost as trendy as the beach styles and gear Sundance provides.

“We cater towards the coastal lifestyle, primarily within the Santa Barbara region. We like providing accessories, clothes and shoes all within the surf culture, all the while taking pride in getting people prepped for the beach. We’re all about the authentic experience,” said Acosta. In a beach-oriented area like Santa Barbara and the Isla Vista community, it is important for the brand to embody a dedication to California culture as well as the gorgeous coast it thrives off of. Sundance has always been environmentally-aware; however, its certification as a Green Business has turned that awareness into a company policy. As a certified green retailer, the shop and its employees are required to meet strict standards. Recycling is mandatory, and accurate sorting and composting is expected. As surfers, the Sundance community benefits entirely from the beaches and environment of Santa Barbara. Now, they have made it their goal to give back to that environment. Many products they have recently stocked are made of environmentally friendly materials. “We carry a lot of clothing that is biodegradable. Many items are made from recycled cotton and polyester,” said Nora Nguyen, Sundance employee and fourth-year biology major at Santa Barbara City College. Even some skateboards now featured at the shop are biodegradable. In a community like Isla Vista, known to host much more bike and skateboard traffic than actual vehicular traffic, this addition is important. Rusted old bikes left to rot and cracked skateboards that have been tossed away, never to be used again, are

common sights in Santa Barbara. With Penny Organic Skateboards’ new Biodegradable Collection, Sundance can promote transportation that not only saves gas (which, according to CNN, hit a record state-average for cost this week at $4.666 per gallon), but also composts into the ground when its time comes to be retired. In addition, Sundance has established a traffic solutions program, offering incentives to employees who take alternative modes of transportation to work. Whether they travel by bike, bus or even by foot, they use transportation that does not involve extra gas and pollution. To track the progress of their green program and measure the impact they are making, Sundance has designed what they call “a productivity board.” This board, hung in the staff area of the store, gives data and charts tracking energy consumption and other reductions harmful waste they have reduced through the program. Though stricter on the “green scale,” Sundance still hasn’t lost its laid-back Southern California charm. The company hopes to progressively enhance its environmental awareness program, ultimately involving customers more fully in their program. Eventually, they intend to share things like their productivity boards with customers and anyone interested via social networking and other outreaches. Sundance plans to continue its community involvement, so be sure to check out their website at www.sundancebeach.com, join them in a future beach cleanup or stop by next week’s farmers market to snag some gear and good times.

Q: What are you passionate about in terms of helping our very unique community? A: I am very passionate about transparency, safety and academic support. College is very difficult not only to get into, but also to maintain once we get in. I feel like these are issues that, as a student government, we should all be involved and concerned with. Q: What motivated you to want to help our community? A: I have always wanted to effect change regardless of where I am and I feel like student government is the core of [University of California Santa Barbara] and coming into UCSB I learned how important it is to get your word out there. Q: What do you hope to gain from this experience? A: Holistically, I hope to learn more about the association. I was very involved with student government in high school and acquired many useful skills throughout the experience. I hope to learn more about funding and financial issues regarding the university because eventually, I would like to open my own business and these financial skills would be very useful.

Photo by Alyssa Wall| The Bottom Line Sales Manager Drew Acosta analyzes Sundance’s “Productivity Boar,” tracking energy consumption and waste reduction among other factors to meet their Green Business standards.

Partisan Political Groups Shape Student Ideologies by KEVIN SIMMS The University of California Santa Barbara’s campus is home to sunny skies and long stretches of California coastline. The campus is well-known as a warm, friendly and coastal paradise where students work hard and play way harder. Not to be overlooked is the hotbed of political action teeming with fresh, critical and investigative minds. “I browse through CNN’s top headlines, especially world news,” said second-year mathematics major Timothy Rachlin. “I try to keep myself educated and up to date on whatever goes on in the world.” College is a period of political transformation for many students. Political ideologies are challenged, transformed and strengthened during the four years students spend learning about the world and where they fit in it. UCSB’s Campus Democrats and College Republicans both catalyze and feed off of this well-established trend. The UCSB Campus Demo-

crats hosted a vice presidential debate party at Javan’s restaurant in Isla Vista on Oct. 11, which I attended in order to find out more about the organization and the way it operates. Once the debate began, a quiet, attentive air spread throughout the room. The group remained calm as the students thoughtfully followed the debate and exploded in waves of laughter and applause in response to some of Vice President Joe Biden’s more memorable lines. After the debate I got a chance to sit down with fourth-year CCS physics major and president of the UCSB Campus Democrats, Erik Anciaux, to learn a little bit more about the organization and its mission. “[Our mission is] to maximize democratic participation among the Isla Vista and UCSB campus communities,” said Anciaux. “The most important thing we do is voter registration.” Anciaux stressed the importance of getting students registered to vote and claimed that it is the

number one focus of the Campus Democrats until the registration deadline. After the deadline, they will shift their focus toward informing students about upcoming and ongoing issues. “We talk about politics, different issues that are going on in our community, how we can get involved and where we stand as a club,” Anciaux said. “We’re a really strong, close-knit community of people that identify as Democrats.” The UCSB College Republicans are also a strong community on campus. According to the group’s Facebook page, their mission includes recruiting, informing, training and empowering both existing and potential Republicans at UCSB. “College campuses today are ideological battle grounds for the future of America due to the liberal dominion over college faculty, curriculum and administration,” the page reads. Second-year political science and economics double major, Mitt Romney Campaign Volunteer and

Campus Democrasts and Republicans Strive For Common Goal

UCSB College Republican Eric Czubiak spoke about the group and some of their goals and activities. “We try to provide the national party stance on national and local issues, but since we’re on a college campus we tend to provide both sides of issues,” Czubiak said. “We don’t pressure you to choose one side or the other. We encourage you to make decisions for yourself.” Czubiak said that in order to influence students to think critically about their political ideologies, the College Republicans encourage students to think about what they believe to be wrong with the government and what they would like to see happen. He also spoke about what it is like to be a member of the UCSB College Republicans. “In our meetings we discuss opportunities for students to get involved on campus, how they can support Republican-endorsed candidates. We talk about current events, eat pizza, wear sick tanks, have social gatherings and really cool retreats two times a year where we party a lot

with Republicans.” The group makes a real effort to form a supportive community of informed and opinionated individuals. They sponsor several events that strengthen both their bond with one another and their political views. Both the UCSB Campus Democrats and College Republicans play a role in making UCSB the politically informed and active campus that it is finally beginning to be recognized as. Each group makes a difference by getting students to register to vote and by giving them the information they need to make mature and informed decisions when they do vote. Both groups strive to create a space for students to have fun, meet friends, get informed and get involved in issues that really affect every single one of us. “We [Campus Democrats and College Republicans] have a great working relationship over the past few years and really our missions are the same. We’re here to get students informed and involved in the political process,” Anciaux concluded.

The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 4 | Opinions

Hollywood Needs Another Novel Idea, Not Another Adaptation

wrong. The need for a Hollywood star in a cast of relative unknowns led to the bizarre casting of Anne Hathaway, whose Yorkshire Over the last few years Hollywood has accent was laughable. Her character Emma been adapting one novel after another. Com- is meant to be plump, with bad hair, and bine this with the endless stream of movies witty but not attractive. Anne Hathaway based on comic books, and it would appear is tall, slender and by most accounts very there is a definite lack of screenwriters in Los good-looking. The book takes a day each Angeles with an original idea in their head. year with Emma and Dexter and explores Or perhaps there are too few investors brave how life unexpectedly shapes people in a enough to take a chance on something new. sweet and sad way. The film takes each day The problem isn’t just a lack of originality; by and turns them in to overblown displays for applying the typical Hollywood formula to a cinematic effect. The eagerly anticipated “The Great novel, they’re often missing the entire point Gatsby” has been directed by Baz Luhrmann of it. “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas” is ad- and, although I am an admirer of his work, mittedly a fantastic film adaption, but the this will be the sixth adaptation of the latest Hunter S. Thompson book converted book. I’m sure the parties will be as specto the big screen is nowhere near as exhilarat- tacular and over-the-top as the dance scenes ing, interesting or funny. “The Rum Diary,” in “Moulin Rouge,” just like they should be. released last year, also stars Johnny Depp and The problem is that nuances will be missed. his performance is solid. The problem isn’t The film will probably only focus on the the actors or the writing; it’s that the book love story, and place Leonardo DiCaprio and Carey is comprised of Mulligan’s rea series of molationship at ments, which the heart of does not translate It’s time Hollywood the film. But well in to film. It challenged itself with there are bigger is not the same themes at play drug -induced, new ideas and stopped in the book; adrenaline ride as relying on popular ﬁction the fall of the “Fear and LoathAmerican ing,” but it tries a for their blockbusters. dream, feelings similar style. The of the outsider result isn’t a bad and class issues. movie, it’s just These themes too slow paced, non-cohesive and lives up to neither the bril- will most likely just become a backdrop liance of the previous movie and certainly rather than the driving force of the film. The not the book. A book allows over a period trailer suggests the glitz and glamour of the of reading for moments to build in to a big- twenties, but without any of the depth of ger picture and leave an impression upon the the book. It’s not that film adaptations are necreader. Two hours in a movie theater simply essarily bad movies; it’s that they lack the can’t do this. Some will argue that films boost book subtleties of the books they’re based on. sales and introduce people to books that they This often distorts the narrative of the would never read otherwise. Yet the books story. The beauty of a book is that it allows chosen for adaptation are usually best sellers the reader to imagine a whole new world, in their own right. Harry Potter was a phe- but a film can never capture your personal nomenon before the films, every other stu- perception of that world. The cliché is true; dent reads “The Great Gatsby” in school and the film is never as good as the book. Film “One Day” spent three months on the New is a wonderful medium, but it’s time HolYork Times best-seller list before the film re- lywood challenged itself with new ideas lease. “One Day” is a perfect example of how and stopped relying on popular fiction for Hollywood’s treatment of books often goes their blockbusters. by FRANCESCA KENTISH Staff Writer

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Not Seeing Inventiveness in Hollywood? Then Stop Fueling the Unoriginality a slow day, we may as well go see ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon.’” You, the one who camped out for hours just to see the Twilight These days, it seems impossible to have movie at midnight. The reason studios make a discussion about movies without some- these half-baked movies is because they know one lamenting Hollywood’s apparent lack of they can get away with it. The money keeps creativity. It’s clear why some share this be- pouring in, so the terrible films just keep pourlief; it seems that just about every big release ing out. If Michael Bay could break box office nowadays is a sequel or a novel adaptation. records with the Transformer franchise, why wouldn’t he want “Twilight,” “Hunger to try it with anGames,” “Transformother Hasbro toy ers,” “Paranormal The reason studios and create “BatActivity”—you name tleship”? It’s not it. Often cited is the make these half-baked entirely his fault. statistic that not a “But Matt,” movies is because they single one of the top you might say, ten grossing films of know they can get away “how can I help 2011 was an origigiving money to nal—the first origiwith it. these awful movnal film comes in at ies if they’re the number fourteen, only ones I ever with “Bridesmaids.” Has Hollywood finally scraped the bottom see advertised?” Well, young grasshopper, of the creativity well? Are we doomed to a you’ve come to the right film major. Let me new era of horrible sequels and half-baked direct you to some of the most incredible releases of the past year, none of which are adapnovel adaptations? tations. “Looper” is one of the best and most No, you guys. Chill out. Yes, many of the blockbuster films re- gripping films of the decade, a sci-fi thriller to cently have not been original. However, be- rival even the best. “Moonrise Kingdom” is a fore claiming that American filmmaking has wonderful and quirky exploration of adolesno future, we need to explore Hollywood’s cent struggles. “Ted” is one of the funniest past. Let’s look at some great releases of the movies ever made. I could dig deep into the past years. Who didn’t like “The Wizard of smaller releases, directing you toward “The Oz”? “Psycho”? “How about The Godfather”? Master” and “Sleepwalk With Me,” but I don’t “Shawshank Redemption”? “No Country even have to in order to make my point. If you For Old Men”? “Fight Club”? “The Shin- still need another example, just think about ing”? These are some of the greatest films the endless hours you spent discussing “Inception” with your friends. Good premise, huh? ever made. To reiterate my point, this is not an isAnd every single one is based off of sue of waning creativity on Hollywood’s part. a book. We can do the same thing for sequels, There are plenty of brilliant minds behind too. “Empire Strikes Back” is the best Star the cameras that can continue to bring audiWars film. “Terminator 2” blows the original ences new, clever and interesting premises for out of the water. “The Lord of the Rings” is big blockbuster films. The reason that the box getting a promising prequel in “The Hobbit,” office is stuffed full of horrific reboots and and “Planet of the Apes” was successfully re- terrible novel adaptations is because studios booted to great acclaim with “Rise.” And do know that they can get away with it. Rather we even need to talk about the Dark Knight than blame filmmakers, it is time for audienctrilogy? No one seems to care that these films es to readjust their viewing habits. If you don’t are sequels and adaptations based on their like a movie, don’t pay to see it! Stay home exceptional quality. So why are adapting and from the theaters or support an indie movie continuing franchises just now becoming is- that looks interesting. The last time that happened on a significant scale, we were blessed sues in Hollywood? There’s a hard truth to accept here. It’s with “Juno.” Hollywood isn’t dead. not Hollywood’s fault that the box office is We just need to show filmmakers that we saturated with crappy remakes. It’s your fault. Yes, you, the one who thought “Whatever, it’s care about quality. by MATT MERSEL Staff Writer

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Online Classes: A Positive Trend? Examining How the Internet Allows for the Education of the Masses by JORDAN WOLFF We live in a world dominated by computer technology. Most of us have grown up with a keyboard in hand and a 15-inch screen staring back at us for as long as we can remember. Let’s face it. We are the computer generation. And since we live in a society dominated by the Internet, it’s only fitting that classes experiment in the online world as well. Online schools like the University of Phoenix seem to be popping up everywhere. According to a recent study held by the Babson Survey Research Group “31 percent of higher education students now take at least one course online.” That’s 6.1 million college students taking online classes. The study also states that “65 percent of higher education institutions now say that online learning is a critical

part of their long-term strategy.” Online universities aren’t the only ones testing these virtual waters. Prestigious universities like the University of California Berkeley, Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology continue to explore the possibilities of an online education. Just last spring, these universities announced the start of a program called EDX. The program offers free online classes this fall to thousands of students from all over the globe. Stanford University is also offering 16 free online classes this fall, a radical new concept to the online world. Even the University of California Santa Barbara tried experimenting with four online classes this summer, though unfortunately, they were not free. Okay, so why the sudden boom in online classes? There are a cornucopia of reasons, but universities are becoming increasingly fond of online classes

because, for one, it could save them a ton of money. Think about the possibilities of enrolling hundreds, even thousands of students into one online class. This means more enrollments, more campus space for classes and, above all, more tuition. There is also the interest in experimenting with different forms of teaching methods. Could online classes be a good thing for students? In moderation, yes. Online classes offer a lot of conveniences and opportunities for people of all different backgrounds. If you can manage your Facebook page, you can manage an online class. I, for one, would not be here at this fine establishment if it weren’t for the help of online classes at my local city college. Online classes allowed me to be flexible with my time and they created room for other time-consuming activities. Many people need to work while attending school just so they can help pay

for tuition. Think of the flexibility offered with no set times for certain classes. You could do your homework whenever convenient. As a result, if managed appropriately, you could simply get more done in a day without things interfering with one another. It’s true that online classes require a great amount of self-discipline and accountability, but doesn’t college sort of demand that anyways? Plus, you wouldn’t have to start your early mornings with a rude awakening lecture on Gertrude Stein, like I do twice a week. Did I mention the hopeful possibility that online classes might actually reduce tuition costs? I know, crazy right? If online classes are such a good thing and offer an education to people that wouldn’t be able to come by it otherwise, then why is it not more prevalent at major universities? Just give it time;

implementation of online classes requires a major system change and a lot of experimentation. Universities would need to be sure that an online education meets the standards of supreme higher learning. There is also the major fear of educating a generation to learn in an overwhelmingly isolated environment. This is a great point and possibly the biggest obstacle for implementing online classes. This is why the key to effective use of online classes is moderation. Nothing can replace the classroom environment, so we shouldn’t kid ourselves on the matter. Lawrence S. Bacow a member of the Harvard Corporation eloquently states, “Online education is here to stay, and it’s only going to get better.” So it’s that simple, computer generation. Just keep doing what you do best: cling to your computers, and be on the lookout for a whole new way of learning. I promise it won’t bite.

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The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 5 | Arts & Entertainment

First Person: Seeing America by EMMA BOORMAN Have you ever wanted to travel back to your high school history class, when your teacher would reserve two sessions just to watch a video about the Dust Bowl, the Civil War or Native American subjugation? No? Would musical accompaniment from a gnarly folk band help? A little? Okay, how about actor Lilly Knight and narrator Bill Pullman; yes, that’s right, Lone Starr from Spaceballs? I’m glad we’re on the same page now. All of these elements were blended together in Campbell Hall on a chilly Wednesday night during a production called First Person: Seeing

America. Along with a primarily middle-aged to mature audience, I experienced a lively view of America’s history, something both noble and, much of the time, regrettable. Lily Knight and Bill Pullman brought important but lesser-known poems, letters, and stories to life with the assistance of the sounds of Ensemble Galilei and evocative photographs from The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The performance, though not entirely chronological, began from the beginning of American history with a Navajo prayer. The prayer, seemingly free from any influence of the outside world which would come to decimate a great portion of a population, was a poignant reminder to a largely Cau-

More a Reminder Than a Lesson

casian audience of the tragic roots of American history. Though the introduction was not somber, with stunning photographs of natural American landscapes and exciting music from the ensemble, it was difficult not to feel uneasy and think about what would become of this prayer later in the performance. Another reminder of genocide followed when Lily Knight skillfully acted out the part of Calamity Jane Hickok, communicating with her distant daughter. Hickok was depicted as an American folk hero, though she is known for being a frontier woman who fought Native Americans. The entertaining, iconic depiction of Jane see FIRST PERSON | page 8

Philosophy in Motion The Captivating Dance Power of Akram Khan

Warhol Film Series Shows Different Side of the Prince of Pop Art by DEANNA KIM Andy Warhol is a man most renowned for leading the American Pop Art movement with his platinum blonde hair, nautical stripes and unconventional artistic flair. His five-year period dabbling in film, however, is something that may come as a surprise to many. Not only did Warhol change the face of Marilyn Monroe and the Brillo Box, but he also produced around 650 films in a span of five years. Four hundred seventy-two of these films are silent, black and white film portraits or screen tests. Warhol locked his films away from distribution in 1970 and his films only recently became available to the public, thanks to The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Museum of Modern Art. The lesser-known side of Warhol was showcased at the first part of Pollock Theatre’s Andy Warhol Film Series on Wednesday, Sept. 10, where Warhol’s film “Screen Tests” made its debut. “Screen Tests” features many avant-garde artists, musicians, writers, actors, actresses, dancers and models such as Edie Sedgwick, Imu, Paul America, Lou Reed, Nico and Bob Dylan. Using 16 mm film, Warhol showcased each person anywhere from 3.8 minutes to 4.6 minutes. Some remained completely still and transfixed at the camera, while others would squirm and fidget in the spotlight. The screen tests were originally shown at Warhol’s New York studio, The Factory, in complete silence. To fill the aural void, Dick Hebdige, an art studies professor at the University of California Santa Barbara’s and the director of the campus’ Interdisciplinary Humanities Center, prepared a playlist to accompany the screen tests; he admitted with a laugh that the music was contrived together last minute. see ANDY WARHOL | page 8

by OXANA ERMOLOVA That the Akram Khan Company differs starkly from other contemporary dance groups was shown by the intensity and conceptual clarity exhibited in their performance of “Vertical Roads” at the Granada Theatre on Sunday, Oct. 14. “Vertical Roads” explored spirituality’s influence upon humanity. The choreography of the piece exemplified a powerful blend of the poetic and the abstract, raising questions and demanding that the audience engage with the work in an earnest manner. A Rumi poem provided the conceptual through line of the piece. According to company tour manager Arthur Laurent, choreographer and company founder Khan researched and prepared his ideas for a year prior to creating “Vertical Roads.” Subsequently, it took about three months of intense studio work, with workdays spanning10 to 12 see AKRAM KHAN | page 8

Photos Courtesy of | Lauren Ziegler

Photo Courtesy of | Carsey Wolf Center

You Had Me at Wait! Save Room for Dessert! COOL VANILLA BEAN “Breakfast” by JOANNE HOWARD

by COURTNEY HAMPTON

My favorite meal of the day is breakfast, very closely beating out second breakfast and brunch. So, when I saw that Crushcakes & Café in Isla Vista served breakfast all day, I was sold. This spacious café nestled in the Loop on Trigo Road is whimsical and bright. Mellow modern rock music plays in the background, while students study or grab a bite to eat with friends. Cafés like this could easily become frou-frou, but street art-esque decorations give Crushcakes an edge. Although mostly known for its cupcakes and desserts, Crushcakes also serves breakfast, soups, salads, sandwiches and paninis. I ordered “The Lucky Goat” from the breakfast menu, which has scrambled eggs, goat cheese, sautéed greens, chunks of potato and avocado wrapped in a grilled whole-wheat tortilla for $9.95. I adored the creamy goat cheese and the crispness of the tortilla, but I thought the potatoes did not match the texture. This breakfast burrito also suffered from the typical burrito flaw: all my favorite ingredients hid in one corner of the burrito instead of being evenly distributed throughout. On the side, I ate a mixed green salad topped with diced tomatoes and pumpkin seeds, which added a pleasant crunch. For a caffeine boost, I ordered “The Dark Side,” a $4 extra dark chocolate mocha served in a large java cup. White cream speckled with bits of dark chocolate coated the top, and the rich chocolate was powerful but still harmonized with the coffee flavor. Friends around me raved about the Adult Grilled Cheese Sandwich. Melted cheddar and jack cheeses with sautéed onions, jalapeños and bacon on grilled sourdough for $7.95 is the perfect meal after a night of traversing DP. Pair it with a warm bowl of tomato soup on a rainy day to warm you up. I came to Crushcakes hungry and left full and delighted by the bright presentation of the food, but the steep bill was a little dissatisfying. This is a fun café to splurge on, so save Crushcakes & Café for a date night or for when parents or out-of-town friends come to visit. Crushcakes & Café 6533 Trigo Road #105 Isla Vista, CA 93117 Open Sunday - Wednesday 9 a.m. -7 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday late night menu until 2 a.m.

While I have a pretty small sweet tooth, I was eager to try out Crushcakes & Café’s main attraction. Its cupcake display case is the first thing you see when you enter, and I was craving a treat that I wouldn’t normally allow myself. In fact, I decided to make it a special occasion and ordered a variety of cupcakes to bring back to my roommates and sample them together. I rated each cupcake on a scale from 1 to 10 in the categories of taste, presentation and consistency, then averaged the numbers for a final score.

HALF BAKED First I reviewed the Half Baked cupcake. According

However, sometimes understated is okay; that’s what I liked about the Cool Vanilla Bean cupcake. While it was only vanilla cake with vanilla frosting and a dash of white sprinkles on top, its minimalism was conservatively decadent. I gave its taste a 10 because I loved the warm, comforting smell of vanilla that wafted from the frosting. The unpretentious presentation was a 7, while the consistency earned a perfect 10: not too moist, and certainly not dry and crumbling

rating: 90% see CUPCAKE | page 8

to the Crushcakes & Café Facebook page, it is a “vanilla cake filled with homemade cookie dough topped with caramel chocolate chip frosting!” The tantalizing presentation, with the gooey caramel drizzle and the chocolate chip detail, was the main reason it was selected from the display case. Therefore, its presentation deserves a 10. It earned a 9.5 for consistency; the cookie dough center gave it the moist, soft quality that is most desirable in a cupcake. Lastly, its taste deserved a 9. Overall, the rich and decadent caramel, chocolate and cookie dough elements mixed well together to create a balanced, harmonious cupcake.

rating: 95% CHOCOLATE BLISS Next I tried Chocolate Bliss; the menu’s description promised “rich chocolate cake topped with creamy vanilla bean frosting.” I gave the classic yet uninspired presentation an 8 for its understated simplicity. I would also describe the taste in the same vein; simple flavors of chocolate and vanilla, with nothing unexpected. Taste earned a 7. Lastly, I did not find the same harmony of consistency that I found in Half Baked. The center was perfectly moist, but the outer layer of the cake was dry. For this category, I gave it a 6. Overall, I thought this cupcake was hardly better than what my elementary school classmates would bring to school for their birthdays. If you’re going to a place that specializes in cupcakes and charges $3 each, I’d choose something more adventurous.

rating: 70%

Photo by Ayeyi Aboagye | The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 6 | Health & Lifestyles

Meningitis Outbreak: Student Health Workers Speak Out by SAMHITA SAQUIB The rare meningitis outbreak in the United States has now affected 155 people, with an additional 14 fatalities. Meningitis is an inflammation of the membranes that protect the brain and spinal cord. It is usually caused by infection through viruses, bacteria and microorganisms. However, this specific type of meningitis, called fungal meningitis, was spread through the use of a contaminated injection that was manufactured by a Massachusetts compounding facility. Approximately 14,000 people were injected with this potentially adulterated treatment, which has been recalled as of the past week. On Thursday, Oct. 11, the first lawsuit was filed against the facility.

Symptoms include terrible headaches, neck stiffness, fever and vomiting. It is important for people to monitor themselves for symptoms, because if they are infected, the earlier they get diagnosed, the higher their chances of being successfully treated. The longer they wait, the worse the infection gets, and, much like any other disease, the more fatal it becomes. Although bacterial meningitis can be prevented by vaccination, antibiotics or avoiding contact with other infected individuals, fungal meningitis requires a more careful route. Mary Ferris, the director of Student Health on campus, advises students to “ask [their] doctors questions about what exactly [they] are being injected with and what the source of it is.” Patients tend to blindly trust

their doctors to treat them with whichever products their doctors deem best, but Ferris emphasizes that it is okay to ask questions. She also says that this type of meningitis is not contagious, since patients can only be infected with it through the use of the contaminated injection. The pharmacy manager, Diane Bell, reiterates Ferris’ point to ask questions by encouraging patients to be better informed about what they are being treated with. “Look at what the drug was that caused it, and ask, was it commercially produced or was it compounded?” said Bell. In response to the population’s outrage regarding this rapid spread, she says, “You should never judge until you have all the information to make an accurate judgment. I think what needs to be looked at is what

were the manufacturing processes at place that were missed, that allowed that error to occur at their level.” A recent CNN video took a closer look at the facility that distributed these tainted products, and found that the workers there were very adamant about not letting reporters anywhere near the building. The reporters were ushered away from the facility, and the investigating members of the FDA refused to make any comment. However, these reporters went to a back lot, and discovered that this very place that was being used to make medicinal products, was also a garbage dump. “It’s very alarming to hear about a contaminated medicine being sold in America. We don’t tend to think that’s going to happen here, and it exposed a vulnerability in the regulation of drug manufacturing, that I

think the federal government needs to correct, and they need to include those compounding pharmacies under stricter regulation in the future,” said Ferris. However, she reassures students about the outbreak by claiming, “It’s not going to happen here [at UCSB]. At our pharmacy, we would never purchase products from compounding pharmacies. We purchase our medicine from FDA approved manufacturers.” Ramiro Quintero, a secondyear economics and accounting major, works at the information desk of Student Health, and admits that he had initially worried that meningitis might hit someone at UCSB, but after hearing what Ferris explained, he says, “I haven’t really looked into it, but it feels good to know we won’t get it.”

Yes, We Did (Sort Of): Romneycare Votes Itself

What is Obamacare and How as a Potential Successful System for the Nation Does it Affect Students? by MARISSA PEREZ

fact that it is a tax rather than an actual monetary penalty. This individual mandate is one part of the bill that opponents of Obamacare have specific issue with. “An argument I hear a lot is that ‘Oh, everyone has to buy car insurance, but this is [when] you’re born, you need to buy health insurance,’” said Chris Babadjanian, a fourthyear political science major and president of the College Republicans at UCSB. “My mom travels the country and she meets people who don’t believe in American pharmaceutical medicine, they’ve got their own cultures. Despite the way you want your family and yourself to heal your body, you have to do it our

by JOANA BARRERA

gard to the health care system. Romneycare provides any business that has 11 or more full-time employees with health insurance. However, unlike Obamacare, Romneycare does not offer tax credit to small businesses that choose to offer health coverage to t heir laborers. The Medicare program with Romneycare developed a “premium support” idea. It behaves as a solution to paying off health care providers. Such beneficiaries would then obtain vouchers to buy personal insurance from private insurers. These vouchers are monetary contributions from the government to support the people applying for private insurance. It makes it more affordable for people to pay for their health insurance plan. Romney’s health system also touches on the topic of low-income families. In Massachusetts, where Romney served as governor and enacted his policy, residents of the state receive Medicaid if they earn 150 percent or less out of the Federal Poverty level. According to an article by Brad Burd of the Huffington Post, Romneycare certainly allows young adults to benefit from the policy. Although Obamacare allows young adults to stay on their parents’ health coverage plan until the age of 26, Romneycare is a little different. With Romnneycare, young adults 26 years old or younger receive reduced benefits on the Massachusetts connector if only they are unemployed. However, Romney said that he will try to allow young adults to remain on their parents’ coverage plan until the age of 26. Romney hopes to use Romneycare as a strategy in designating a specific health care system nationwide. He says he is willing to fund each state with an amount of the government to come through for the disadvantaged population. According to an article by Abby Goodnough in The New York Times, Romney also guarantees a possibility for people with preexisting conditions to also take advantage of the health insurance. However, this only pertains to those citizens who have had coverage for a long time without a significant gap. Romney says that this strategy plans to fund each state with an amount of money from the government to come through for the most of the disadvantaged population. In other words, each state will have different health care regulations accordingly to how many residents it has, along with other similar details. Though many Americans are presented with the idea that Romneycare is slightly more restrictive than Obamacare, these plans are more similar than different.

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The United States of America is the one of the only three developed nations in the world that do not currently provide universal healthcare, according to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The other two are Mexico and Turkey. Nations with universal healthcare even include a few developing nations like Costa Rica and Kyrgyzstan. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, more commonly known as Obamacare, is the latest answer to a call for better healthcare for a greater number of Americans. A number of features of the Affordable Care Act are beneficial to students, including, but not limited to, increased access and affordability. “The Affordable Care Act was a much needed reform to our health insurance system that ensures that people cannot be denied coverage due to preexisting conditions and cannot be kicked off their plans for being sick,” noted Erik Anciaux, fourth-year College of Creative Studies physics major and president of Campus Democrats at UCSB. “It also prohibits insurance companies from charging women more than men and allows young people to stay on their parents’ health insurance plans until they turn 26.” These specific parts of the bill seem popular with Republicans and Democrats alike. In an interview with Meet the Press, Romney stated that he agrees with the idea that no one should be turned away because of pre-existing conditions and that he likes the idea of people being kept on their parents’ health insurance. At the Republican National Convention, Romney promised to repeal Obamacare on day one of his term if elected. He promises alternative health care reform to replace Obamacare founded strongly on these principles, similar to those he instituted in his home state of Massachusetts. Obamacare also provides additional benefits that Governor Romney has not spoken out in support of. These benefits include additional healthcare services for women (including a provision that contraceptives such as birth control must be covered by healthcare providers, counseling for domestic violence, and HPV screenings), a mandate requiring that 80 percent of insurance premiums must be spent on subscribers and coverage of preventative services for children such as checkups and immunizations. The Affordable Care Act also includes an individual mandate that requires every citizen to have health insurance or instead pay a one percent income tax. This provision of the bill was ruled constitutional largely because of the

If Mitt Romney gets elected and Obamacare gets repealed, voters will have to decide on a new system deemed “Romneycare.” “The comparison between the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act and a future Romney policy on health care can’t really be carried out in a definitive way,” said M. Stephen Weatherford, a political science professor at University of California Santa Barbara. “Since it poses a contrast between detailed, enacted legislation and what, at this point, amounts to a clear but vague ideological difference along with a couple of lines

ROMNEYCARE

OBAMACARE

Demands coverage of contraceptives, HPV screenings and counseling for domestic violence. All young adults can stay on their parents’ insurance until age 26.

BOTH

Provides insurance to businesses with 11 or more full-time employees.

Unemployed young Penalizes individuals adults can stay on their who refuse to buy parents’ insurance until health insurance. age 26.

Tax credit for small businesses that offer coverage to laborers.

way, our western medicine way.” Babadjanian also stated that government programs are always costly to the taxpayer. “Students, the younger people, the workface, we’re going to have to pay off this deficit,” said Babadjanian. “Every time the government adds a program, the middle class pays a lot of taxes.” He expressed a very real concern that companies forced to provide more benefits for their employees would be less willing to bring in new hires. This is something that concerns students entering the workforce in a few short years. There are a number of provisions of Obamacare have yet to be phased in—mostly conditions relating to the rights and responsibilities of individual states, tax credits for small businesses and some taxes for high income individuals such as a 0.9 percent tax on those making over $200,000 a year. Though some of the most popular benefits of the Affordable Care Act have already been put into play, the expected date for the full bill to be in effect is set at 2020.

Government issues vouchers for people to buy private insurance.

thrown off in the last presidential debate.” Romneycare and Obamacare are fundamentally the same type of health care system. Both systems require penalizing those individuals that do not obtain health insurance, demand employers to provide health plans to employees and plan to expand Medicaid programs. Additionally, they focus in on how young adults are affected by the issue. Romneycare, as well as Obamacare, has individual mandates that require those individuals without health insurance to be taxed an extra fee from the IRS. It is a tax penalty of $19 per month or $228 per year as of the year 2012 for the individual that brings in an income at 150 to 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG). Those with an income of 300 percent or more in the FPG will pay $105 per month or $1260 per year. This penalty system secures citizens acquire health insurance for the health of the nation. There still remain residents who would rather pay for a penalty fee than a health care plan. Businesses receive their share in re-

Ocean Health Index Offers New Perspective on Marine Conservation by PATRICK SHEEHAN How do we know when our ocean is healthy and when it is sick? How do we define what is “healthy” for an ecosystem that consists of so many complex and varied species, including ourselves? These are some of the questions Ben Halpern and his team have been grappling with over the past three years as they pieced together the new Ocean Health Index. The construction of one comprehensive metric to determine the health of the world’s oceans was a colossal task, indeed. With a team of about one hundred across the country and across the world, Halpern has finally put forward, among many more particular calculations, one number to signify the composite health of the oceans of the world: sixty. Sixty out of one hundred. The new Ocean Health Index

(OHI) is not only another hard science report on the ocean; its approach to research holds serious implications for the future of marine conservation efforts and our conception of man’s relationship to nature. “We are really trying to reframe the discussion and approach as to how people think about managing the ocean, so its not just about locking up nature and trying to get to a pristine ocean, because it’s not possible anymore.” Halpern said of the project. “How do we [manage] in a way that’s still sustainable and meaningful and healthy for the ocean, but also for people?” The Ocean Health Index represents a conservation paradigm that is relatively new. Whereas most conservation research in the past has focused on understanding what ecosystems could look like free of all human activity, the OHI defines and studies ocean health in terms of

how people value and interact with it. According to Hunter Lenihan of the Marine Science Institute, this shift is a recognition of humans’ global impacts today. “We have realized that we basically live now on a completely human dominated planet,” Lenihan said, “so it is hard to keep humans out of the equation.” Constructing that equation has been the hard part. Once we accept humans as integral components of so see OCEAN HEALTH | page 8

Photo by Morey Spellman | The Bottom Line

The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 7 | Technology

New Font Helps Dyslexics Read Clearly by SELENA ROSS

“Open Dyslexic,” a font designed for people with dyslexia, has recently been made into an app called “OpenWeb,” which allows users to load Internet browsers in the new font. Developed by Abelardo Gonzalez, the font’s characters have “gravity,” or heavyweighted bottoms that prevent the letters from wiggling or flipping upside-down, which is a common effect of dyslexia. Dyslexia affects one in 10 people, according to the International Dyslexia Association. The unique shape of each letter is designed to prevent them from flipping or swapping places, an effect that can understandably make reading difficult or nearly impossible. Gonzalez, a New Hampshire-based mobile app designer, released the font open source—free and available for anyone to download. In a BBC News interview Gonzalez explained his decision to rele-ase the font for free, saying “I had seen similar fonts, but at the time they were completely unaffordable and so impractical as far as costs go. I figured there’s other people who liked the same thing but had the same issues, and so I though I’d make an open source one that everyone could contribute to and help out with.” On the font’s website, a link welcomes users’ suggestions for improvements and criticisms. So far, the font seems to have had success. “The response has been great; I’ve had people emailing me saying this is the first time they could read text without it looking wiggly or has helped with other symptoms of dyslexia,” said Gonzalez. Despite the positive response, Gonzalez

has been threatened with a cease-and-desist letter from font-maker Christian Boer. Boer accuses Gonzalez of copying a commercial dyslexic-targeted font Boer had developed a few years prior. On his website, apathyonline.net, Gonzalez laments Boer’s orders and instead praises another purchasable dyslexic font: “If you do wish to purchase a font, I instead recommend Gill-Dyslexic… He also never once threatened me for making similar.” Gonzalez has continued to release his font for free in spite of Boer’s letter. In Gonzalez’s words, “No good deed goes unpunished.” Although developed at the end of last year, the font has recently become more popular, partially due to its adoption by popular mobile app “Instapaper.” Instapaper allows users to download and save web browsers to read later offline and now offers the option to download read pages in the special font. Another unique feature of the font is its use of italics. Generally, people with dyslexia avoid italics, owing to the difficulty of trying to read wriggling words that are already slanted to the side. Instead of the italic style, dyslexics typically use “slant x% for italics.” But OpenDyslexic’s italic style has been designed to allow for its use while still maintaining readability. The Disabled Students Program (DSP) at University of California Santa Barbara works with students with a range of disabilities and handicaps, including dyslexia. With the praise that OpenDyslexia has received, perhaps DSP will begin to use the font. So if letters seem to be moving of their own accord, consider adding some weight to their bottoms—it’s worked for many using OpenDyslexic.

Open Web uses several techniques to increase readability on any website of your choice. Everything on this screen is written in the specialized font.

“The response has been great; I’ve had people emailing me saying this is the first time they could read text without it looking wiggly or has helped with other symptoms of dyslexia.” - Abelardo Gonzalez, Developer

PETA Speaks Reshaping the ‘World’ with Out About ‘Mists of Pandaria’ Pokémon by MATT MERSEL Staff Writer It’s time for the king to prove itself once again. It’s no secret that “World of Warcraft” has ruled the roost of MMORPGs (that’s “massively multiplayer online role-playing game,” for the uninitiated) since its release in 2004. Many challengers have tried to dethrone it, with just about every new entry failing to conquer the juggernaut that basically reinvented the online role-playing wheel. Even today, the rookies just keep on coming, with giant productions like “Final Fantasy XIV,” “Star Wars: The Old Republic” and “Tera” all falling flat in comparison. Let’s remember something, though. It’s almost WoW’s eighth anniversary. It’s getting kind of old. And with the bombastic release of “Guild Wars 2” (which I’ll be tackling next week as part of my two-week MMO-fest) and the announcement of the online iteration of the celebrated Elder Scrolls series, WoW needs to reassure its fan base that it still has what it takes to compete. The MMORPG landscape is changing. Three expansions (“The Burning Crusade,” “Wrath of the Lich King” and “Cataclysm”) for WoW have already been released. Can “Mists of Pandaria” possibly change the World even further, and for the better? The short answer is yes. The long answer is a bit more complicated than that. Mists of Pandaria immediately shows its dedication to change by completely redesigning the character skill customization systems. Gone are the old “talent trees” that gave three distinct paths to take as you leveled up your character. In place now is a “specialization system” that gives you a clear-cut choice between three styles once the player hits level 10. For example, a mage must now decide straight out if it wants to specialize in arcane, fire or frost magic. It may seem to be almost blasphemous from the eyes of a veteran, but all that Mists of Pandaria is doing is embracing the conventions that the original WoW helped to create. The “holy trinity” of the tank, healer and DPS roles is still intact, but certain classes no longer need to conform to the supposed “perfect” build. There is much more

room for creativity now. Skills come automatically (no longer requiring a trainer and gold), but every 15 levels gives a choice between three new talents, and the glyph system allows a flexible set of buffs to be applied at any time. Veterans won’t miss the talent trees for long. The new system is easy, intuitive and fun to experiment with. For the new players, it is simple to grasp.

Graphics from the new ‘world.’

maximum level 90. In continuing with tradition, new and challenging instances and raids have been added, and a new challenge mode has been added that rewards groups for completing them in the shortest time possible. It all amounts to a good addition to the end game experience. The new additions hit all of the right notes. Even the minor add-ons like Pokémon-style pet

Photo Courtesy of | World of Warcraft

Also new in the expansion is the Pandaren race and the continent of Pandaria. The Pandaren is the first race to not be allied with either the Alliance or Horde from the start; that decision is made once the character leaves the new (and gorgeous) starting zone. The monk appears as a strange and agile hybrid class that bluntly gives you the choice between being a tank, healer or DPS as its level 10 specialization. They’re powerful, but almost any race can be one, so no harm is done. Pandaria is the new landmass available for exploration as high-leveled characters make the jump from level 85 to the new

battles are nifty. However, the big question still remains: should you get it? Veterans, I now speak directly to you. We all know you’re probably going to get this, if you haven’t already. It’s a great expansion, and you won’t regret it. For newcomers wondering if it’s time to finally join the World…it’s not. Mists of Pandaria is an awesome addition, but if you haven’t been sold on WoW in the past, the changes here are not drastic enough to warrant another look. The landscape is changing and promising new challengers are on the way…including Guild Wars 2. Stay tuned.

Mistreatment the game. As the game is a parody, there are few grounds for legal action, though Ninetendo People for the Ethical has made statements on PETA’s Treatment of Animals (PETA) previous efforts like Mario Kills is known for their attention- Tanooki, telling magazine Eugrabbing promotions and adver- rogamer, “Mario often takes the tisements—and this time they’re appearance of certain animals after your childhood favorites. and objects in his games,” in reThe organization is garnering sponse to claims that Mario was a burst of online attention for depicted as wearing Tanooki a parody game they’ve released, fur. In this latest effort, you “Pokémon Black and Blue,” a play off of the newest Poké- play as Pikachu, battling bottle mon titles, Pokémon Black and and bat wielding trainers with familiar attacks like ThunderWhite. PETA states on their web- shock as well as PETA creations site that “[i]f PETA existed in like “Group Hug,” “Shame” and Unova, our motto would be: “Protest.” At the end of every Pokémon are not ours to use or battle, there is a brief speech abuse. They exist for their own about the rights of Pokémon reasons. We believe that this is and the some details about the message that should be sent cause of Pokémon liberation—a to children.” In a press release, thinly veiled metaphor about PETA Director of Marketing the group’s actual focus on aniInnovations Joel Bartlett added, mal liberation and welfare. The “[g ]ames such as Pokémon send game also contains several “treasure chests” that contain various prizes. PETA has heard you “like Mudkips” and of“Pokemon are not fers that “Mudkips bear gifts” in the ours to use or abuse. form of Pokémon They exist for their Black and Blue desktop wallpaper. own reasons. We beOther prizes inlieve that this is the clude your own set message that should of Pokémon Black and Blue trading be sent to children” cards available for - PETA Website download and a bonus PETA video depicting conditions the group kids the wrong message that exploiting and abusing those finds fault with, shot in locawho are defenseless is acceptable tions like slaughterhouses, aniwhen it’s not. But with Poké- mal testing labs and so on. The finale of the game mon Black and Blue, children can experience the great feeling comes when you battle your that comes from saving others former trainer, Ash, dressed up in a bloodied ringmaster’s unifrom harm.” In the past, PETA has form, holding a whip and a bullreleased other games such as hook. The last screen congratu“Cooking Mama: Mama Kills lates you for the fact that “you Animals,” “Mario Kills Tanoo- crushed the trainers’ resistance ki,” “New Super Chick Sisters” and have succeeded in giving (a Mario Brothers parody), as them a higher calling,” suggestwell as several other games tar- ing what PETA’s aims are for the geted at raising awareness of game itself. How successful the game animal welfare. They’re all relatively simplistic in terms of ac- is at raising awareness of animal tual gameplay with a heavy focus rights issues and bringing people on getting out the organization’s to the cause is uncertain—but Pokémon fans are likely to be less core message. Representatives from Nin- than thrilled with the message of tendo have yet to comment on Pokémon Black and Blue. by MARISSA PEREZ

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The Bottom Line | Oct. 17 - Oct. 23

page 8 | Continuations

OCEAN HEALTH, continued many ecosystems, the question becomes: how do we valuate those systems and our behavior within them? Halpern and the OHI team say that we must begin with human subjectivity and human values to answer such a question. Reaching outside of the normal sphere of work for scientists, they studied a myriad of public documents from around the world and compiled a list of ten “widely-shared socio-ecological goals.” Steve Gaines, Dean of the Bren School of Environmental Science and Management and contributor to the OHI project, emphasized the comprehensive nature of the inquiry. “This is really trying to think collectively at society as a whole,” he said. “What is the range of things that people value?” The public goals they decided upon are intended to be a reflection of common core values. They include things one would normal associate with scientific data, such as carbon storage ability and biodiversity, but also some things you don’t usually find in scientific jargon such as “sense of place.” With these value-laden goals as a starting point, the team then set off to determine how effectively different coastal waters, and the global ocean in composite, are at meeting each these human goals on a scale of 1-100. Valuating nature is a contentious topic among conservationists and environmentalists. Historically, the environmentalist movement has argued for the intrinsic value of nature—value that cannot be calculated in human terms—and thus the need to preserve and protect nature for it’s in own sake. The OHI, however, contradicts this tradition in some sense as it tries to quantify these notions. According to Gaines, humancentered calculations like the OHI are part of a growing trend in conservation science in the last 15 years— what is called “ecosystem services.”

Essentially ecosystem service analyses are concerned with evaluating natural systems to assign them economic values based on the benefits they offer people. The OHI methodology, however, does not see these two perspectives as irreconcilable. Halpern, lead scientist on the project, agrees that the intrinsic value of nature is an important part of why we must conserve, but, he said, “it can’t be the sole purpose.” The breadth of the 10 public goals attempts to incorporate considerations of intrinsic value alongside cold economic value. “At least two of the goals, the biodiversity goal and the clean water goal directly come from the fact that people value nature for nature’s sake,” Halpern said. The intrinsic value aspects are stuffed into the OHI calculator as naked numbers—a contradiction of their original meaning. While some of the content of the research may pay respect to intrinsic values, the quantitative form of the index as a whole threatens to subsume those notions in a very different logic. Nevertheless, the OHI ethos is one of practicality, attempting to bring together the disparate ways that humans value nature for a working tool that people can put to use and build upon. “Its not even close to being perfect,” Gaines said, “You put it out there and it creates an incentive for people to do better and better through time.” The OHI is a significant step forward in the practical application of conservation science. The people behind it realize that scientific data alone is a tool, not a solution. Halpern believes collectively held human values are, in the end, central to these issues: “It’s not a scientific problem, it’s a public policy problem. What is it that people care about?” - PATRICK SHEEHAN

Akram Khan, continued to actually choreograph the piece. Khan collaborated closely with composer Nitin Sawhney from the outset of the creative process. Another important member of the creative team was dramaturge Ruth Little, who helped develop a coherent conceptual arc for the piece. The close collaboration of the choreographer, composer, costume designer and lighting designer was evident in the clarity of the artistic vision presented. The Santa Barbara performance was the 166th showing of the piece. The ability of the dancers to keep their movement authentic reflected their professionalism and loyalty to the choreographer’s vision. Though touring is an arduous process, the stirring musical score provided a powerful impetus for dancers to overcome physical exhaustion and perform the piece to the utmost of their abilities. “Music gives me the power to go on,” shared company dancer Andrej Petrovic. Khan is one of the most prominent contemporary choreographers working in Britain. His classical Indian Kathak dance training, along with modern dance influences, defines the company’s movement aesthetic. Khan’s choreography was featured in the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony. The Akram Khan Company was founded in 2000 with the goal of creating uncompromised artistic narratives. It continues to innovate by amalgamating diverse movement and thought traditions to create intellectually and visually provoking works. “In a world moving so fast, with the growth of technology and information, I am somehow inclined to move against this current, in search of what it might mean to be connected not just spiritually, but vertically,” reflected Khan in the program description of Vertical Roads. The piece indeed embraced stillness and seemed to transform the audience’s time perception. Powerful symbols present throughout the piece included black tablets being stacked and knocked over in a domino chain that resonated in the dancers’ movement and the progression of the piece. According to Petrovic, the choreographer originally considered using real religious texts instead of tablets, but the notion was considered to be too literal and potentially divisive. This performance was the company’s second visit to Santa Barbara. The work’s intelligent commentary seemed to resonate with the Santa Barbara audience, warranting a standing ovation. Khan’s work is art of the highest caliber, rich with philosophical exploration and creative genius.

OXANA ERMOLOVA

Librarians Search for Merit Pay, continued “They have a plan they are going to be implementing in July of 2013 and that plan will significantly reduce retiree health care coverage in terms of premium coverage and things like that for the University,” said Quirk. “They want to get the employees to pay as much of the pensions costs as possible…Their strategy now is to carve off as many of the unions as they can.”

UCSB librarian Gerardo Colmenar said the negotiations have caused a stir amongst his colleagues but that he hasn’t seen a decrease in productivity and professionalism among them. “It has a negative impact on some of my colleagues,” said Colmenar, “especially the ones that are deserving the merits and they don’t have them yet… They’re probably pretty upset but I

don’t think they let the negotiations affect how they work. We have to keep the library going.” While morale has reminded high, Colmenar agreed that the UC system would lose its competitive edge should these benefits be removed. “It’s really important that the students and the people who work in the UC and the community realize the importance of this negotiation, not just

for the librarians, but also for the other unions because while the salaries are already comparatively low, it’s the pension and the health status that really attracts people to work at UC campuses. If that is somehow diminished, then it becomes very problematic. Then what is the attraction to working on the UC campuses?”

- CHEYENNE JOHNSON

First Person, continued Hickok, communicating with her distant daughter. Hickok was depicted as an American folk hero, though she is known for being a frontier woman who fought Native Americans. The entertaining, iconic depiction of Jane inspired laughter and American pride in spite of the knowledge of her background; the performance, as a result, reflected the tendency of Americans to romanticize a past that was not entirely heroic. The performance pulled the audience forward from Hickok’s time to the Great Depression. Knight read the story of a very young girl from-= a family who had to travel from California to Nebraska and back to California again, on foot, because of the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl. Not surprisingly, Dorthea Lange photos were featured along with gloomy music, arousing a great deal of pity for the young girl in the story. A more uplifting piece about a man finding satisfaction in relinquishing his possessions during the Depression was performed by Bill Pullman. The actors and musicians brought the audience back to the Civil War era after intermission. The pieces performed reflected all the tragedies of the Civil War: the high death toll, the division of the nation and, of course, the struggle of slaves. The poems, letters and speeches performed during this segment were dark, but President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address wrapped up the show with a feeling of hope and reverence for America. Though I was thoroughly entertained by the music and moving performances of the actors, I cannot say “First Person: Seeing America” made me see America from a new, more personal perspective. The narrative of the three central events was the same many young people heard in elementary and high school. However, I can see why it may have been a treat for the adults who were told Columbus discovered America. Perhaps this discrepancy is a positive reminder of the ever-broadening, more inclusive nature of American history lessons.

- EMMA BOORMAN

CUPCAKES, continued PEACE CAKE

Lastly, I sampled the Peace Cake. It stood apart from the others because it had psychedelic, colorful frosting and sprinkles. Though the presentation was unique, I found it unsophisticated and childish and only worth a 5. I gave the taste a 6 because it reminded me of typical, average birthday cake. Finally, I gave the consistency a 7 because although the cake itself was soft, the sprinkles added an unwanted chalky crunchiness. Final score: 60 percent.

rating: 60%

Overall, Crushcakes and Café satisfied my already easy-to-please sweet tooth. However, with some less-thanexciting flavors and slightly high prices, I don’t think this crush will last long with this critic.

ANDY WARHOL FILM SERIES, continued The exposition of the film was accompanied by Bob Dylan’s “Like a Rolling Stone,” as Edie Sedgwick gazed into the camera with her alluring and captivating doe eyes for 4.5 minutes. The song was delightful and complementary to the screen test, especially considering that “Like a Rolling Stone” is rumored to be about Sedgwick and Warhol. It was a bit uncomfortable at first, gazing into the faces of daunting, massive black and white faces, but as each screen test appeared

and faded away, I quickly felt awe of Warhol’s work. It was like staring at one of his works of pop art and admiring it for its unconventional simplicity and originality. Only this time, Warhol had full control of the audience, telling us what to look at and for exactly how long. I could see why Warhol aroused so much controversy. His work was so simple—too simple, it seemed—and purely superficial. He pretty much had celebrities sit in front a camera and remain still or natural for a couple minutes; even

the screen changes were choppy. Yet, his work remained hypnotizing. It was refreshing that I only needed to use my most basic senses to view the clips, where I did not have to think about a story line or fictional people. The only factors I thought about were the aesthetics of each person displayed and their influence in the entertainment industry and culture of that time. Their mannerisms, face expressions and occasional drag of cigarette were completely mesmerizing. The playlist itself was great

and a pleasant artistic spin for Screen Tests, but after awhile I felt it took away from the original technique of silence. Professor Hebdige seemed to have read my mind, because partway through he began to turn the music on and off. This enabled the audience to enjoy the screen tests both in their original state and with good music. Some of the songs did enhance Warhol’s films as the vocals and melodies took us back to Warhol and his friends’ reign over the 60s, but in hindsight I wish that the majority

of the film portraits were displayed in complete silence. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy Queen’s “Fame” and The Velvet Underground’s “I’ll be Your Mirror” and “Oh! Sweet Nuthin’.” It was during those moments of complete silence, when I could only hear the reel of film sputter in the back, that the clips truly began to speak for themselves. There was no color, no noise and no distraction from the raw energy and beauty of each person captured by Warhol. - DEANNA KIM