Fall 2019, Issue 3 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

OCTOBER 23, 2019

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE III

SHIPWRECK PHOTOSTORY

PAGE 12

Photo by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

CAMPUS POINT COFFEE Check out TBL's piping hot review of the newest coffee shop/study space in I.V.!

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FEATURES | PAGE 4

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SECURITY OF TINDER Ever wondered why your devices know so much about you? Kyle Dent takes a deep dive into the strange, wonderful world of data mining. S&T | PAGE 9

UCSB READS ANNOUNCES "RISING" AS

Official Book Selection JESSICA GANG | Executive Content Editor

n Oct. 14, the UCSB Library (in partnership with the Office of the Executive Vice Chancellor) announced that the official book selection for UCSB Reads 2020 would be "Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore," a creative nonfiction novel by acclaimed author Elizabeth Rush. "Rising" examines the severity of rapidly rising sea levels across the United States by capturing first-hand accounts of life on the so-called “New American Shore” — an all-encompassing term that refers to coastal areas like the Gulf Coast, Miami, and New York City. Of the six novels on the short list, "Rising" best fit the conditions set forth by the UCSB Reads book selection criteria, which dictate (among other requirements) that the committee’s chosen novel must be “intellectually stimulating,” able to be “incorporated into the UCSB curric-

2 | NEWS

ulum,” and capable of “enabling strategic partnerships between the library and campus or community entities,” according to the Library website. The decision by the UCSB Reads advisory committee marked the end of a comprehensive selection process. The advisory committee first convened last spring and began soliciting advice and book suggestions from faculty, students, and staff before finally settling on a short list during the summer of 2019. The importance attached to the annual selection of each UCSB Reads novel is reflective of the impact that the UCSB Reads program has not only at UCSB, but also in the city of Santa Barbara. The UCSB Reads program began in 2007 as a way to introduce UCSB, along with the larger community of Santa Barbara, to a thematically-rich, interdisciplinary novel written by a living author. Each year, community members and UCSB residents

have the chance to attend a variety of free events centered around the novel, including faculty-led panels, film screenings, and book clubs. The 2020 UCSB Reads program will officially kick off during winter quarter with a free book giveaway for students on the first floor of the library. From January until May, the library will sponsor a series of free events exploring "Rising’s" themes. Faculty members are encouraged to incorporate the novel into their classes, and every student enrolled in those classes will receive a free copy of the book. In the library’s recent announcement, the selection committee specifically acknowledged “the power and relevance of the book’s stories about the people and communities most at risk from sea level rise.” "Rising" is especially poignant for Santa Barbara residents and UCSB students, who come from all different areas of California, the country, and

the world but are bound together by a shared appreciation of the beautiful Santa Barbara coastline. In an interview with The Rumpus, Rush stated that her goal was to explore this sense of forced camaraderie through the “the lived experience of climate change.” “People all over this country [the United States] and the world — we’re all finding ourselves in the same soggy position with a set of limited options,” Rush added. Students interested in hearing more about Rush’s message and her vision in regards to the novel will be able to hear from her directly when she visits UCSB on May 4, 2020 for an intimate Q&A session hosted by the UCSB Library in conjunction with the Arts & Lectures program. In addition, UCSB Reads is hosting a winter and spring art exhibition in 2020 for the first time in the program’s 12-year history. The showcase will solicit student,

faculty, and staff contributions for an exhibition centered around "Rising’s" themes. The Q&A, art show, and the general events are all part of the program’s vision, which aims to create a more interconnected, stimulating, and thought-provoking dialogue throughout the community. Editor’s note: A full calendar of UCSB events centered around Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore can be found here. If you are interested in participating in UCSB Reads events or contributing to the selection process for the 2021 UCSB Reads novel, please contact Alex Regan, Events and Exhibitions Librarian at UCSBReads@library.ucsb.edu, or fill out the suggestion form here. Illustration by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator

EXECUTIVE ORDER

COMBATS VAPING

EPIDEMIC JADE MARTINEZ-POGUE | National Beat Reporter

n Sept. 16, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an executive order aimed at combating the vaping epidemic in today’s youth. The order followed the Centers for Disease Control’s (CDC) publishing of the thousands of illnesses and multiple deaths resulting from the use of vaporizing THC and nicotine devices. This is a nationally recognized problem that U.C. Santa Barbara (UCSB)’s Alcohol and Drug Program is attempting to bring awareness to as well. “We certainly have been noticing over the last couple years that more and more students are coming in with concerns about vaping and how it has impacted them in more severe ways than they would have ever expected,” said Jackie Kurta, director of UCSB’s Drug and Alcohol Program, in an interview with The Bottom Line. The CDC has confirmed about 1,299 lung injury cases associated with the use of e-cigarette or vaping products as of Oct. 8 of this year. There have been 26 confirmed deaths across 21 different U.S. states.

This problem is so prevalent that Governor Newsom has launched a $20 million public awareness campaign to inform of the dangers of using vaping nicotine and cannabis products, as well as to cease the sale of these currently-legal devices. While the studies show that vaping THC is more closely related to these illnesses, it is also being urged to stop vaping nicotine devices as well. “We must take immediate action to meet the urgency behind this public health crisis and youth epidemic,” said Newsom while announcing the campaign. On Oct. 9, UCSB’s Student Health office sent a public health advisory email to all UCSB students. This informed the consequences of using vaping products, and it shed light on the California Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) issuance of a health advisory to abstain from vaping. “The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) in Sacramento issued a health advisory today urging everyone to refrain from vaping, no matter the substance or source until current investigations are complete,” the

TBL 2019-2020 STAFF REDACT: In the previous issue, we incorrectly credited an illustration on page 3. The correct illustrator is Esther Liu.

email reads. “As of September 24, 2019, CDPH has received reports that 90 people in California who have a history of vaping were hospitalized for severe breathing problems and lung damage, and two people have died.” Aside from mass emailing, UCSB has begun to implement multiple awareness programs of their own. The Alcohol and Drug Program will introduce “Reduce the Juice” workshops, which will be available around week seven of this quarter. Such workshops will allow students to come in on their own time to learn about coping and behavioral skills that will help decrease their vaping urges. Some of these skills include mindfulness, yoga, and urge-surfing. This is a free and confidential four-week program that will provide tools for students who are ready to make healthy changes in their lives. “Basically it’s just helping students look at their vaping habits and educating them about what we do know, as well as giving them the skills to deal with those habits,” said Justin Smith, director of the program and Counsel-

or/Educator for the Alcohol and Drug Program. As of this year, a vaping/nicotine portion has been added to Gaucho FYI, a mandatory college-life workshop for incoming freshmen and transfer students. Due to the vastly widening problem, this is the very first year that UCSB has had to implement that section. According to a study done by the University of Michigan, in the past 40 years, vaping marijuana is one of the greatest one-year proportional increases of substance use among college students. This growing problem is the sole reason college campuses are making their best efforts to bring awareness to the dangers of the habit. Along with “Reduce the Juice” and the Gaucho FYI workshop, UCSB’s Life of the Party student group has been tabling on campus and around the Isla Vista community to increase awareness leading up to their own peer-led vaping workshop. “We’re hoping that everybody can get the idea that this is an epidemic and not just a casual activity,” said Omari Pryor, the Alcohol and Drug Program’s communication manager. The availability and casualness of these products is part of the reason these devices are being perpetuated as a casual activity. “I will hit it when I’m drunk because I’m in a social setting where others are doing it too,” says fourth-year UCSB student Jane. “I am aware that this is not the best thing for my body, but neither is binge drinking.” UCSB students can take self-assessment tests on the Alcohol and Drug Program’s website to assess their vaping habits and

see if they should consider it a problem. These assessments can be found under the resources tab of the program’s website. While many efforts are being made to raise awareness and prevent vaping habits, the Alcohol and Drug Program’s main goal is to help students make decisions that will not harm their future health. “We are a student service. Our goal is primarily safety and student health and well-being. We’re not here to promote abstinence, we’re here to promote awareness and safety,” said Kurta. Illustration by Charlotte Hovey | Contributing Illustrator

Opinions expressed in TBL do not necessarily represent those of the staff or UCSB. All submissions, questions or comments may be directed to editors@bottomlineucsb.com

Art Director | Alyssa Long Layout Editor | Melody Li Pages 4, 5, 6 Layout Editor | Amanda Wang Pages 10, 11, 12 Layout Editor | Christine Ho Pages 7, 8, 9

NEWS | 3

Campus Point Coffee

Brings Quality Drinks to Isla Vista NICOLE LUU | Contributing Writer

ampus Point Coffee recently opened on 6560 Pardall Rd. in place of Coffee Collaborative. Moderately priced and well-decorated, the new shop has become a desirable spot for food and drinks among students and members of the Isla Vista community. The smell of coffee welcomed me into the shop, beckoning me toward the espresso bar. With its light-washed wood tabletops and white chairs, the shop embodied Isla Vista’s beachy vibe. Adorned on the far wall was a mural of the IV coastline to complete the minimalist decor. The furniture seemed to only contribute to the stylistic element of the store, since, to be honest, the indoor seating was limited and uncomfortable. The seating options outdoors were just as uncomfortable, but

4 | FEATURES

allowed customers to enjoy the nice weather. On the other hand, the free public WiFi made up for the furniture. Although there was no music playing, a gentle choir of joyous conversation filled the room. The employees were friendly and quick to answer my questions as well as recommend menu items. The menu showcased a variety of standard drinks like lattes, espressos, and cold brews, as well as a surprisingly large selection of specialized drinks. Per the barista’s recommendation, I ordered a nitro cold brew with vanilla syrup and soy milk, a blended Thai tea with their homemade whipped cream, a Del Mar, a glazed donut twist, and a coffee donut. I’m not a fan of strong and bitter coffee, so their homemade nitro cold brew satisfied my need for a smooth yet light coffee. For

those looking for variety, their cold brew is highly customizable with several options for different syrups and milks. Unlike regular Thai tea, Campus Point Coffee’s blended Thai tea was not too strong or overpowering. Their homemade whipped cream topped off the drink, with a smooth and creamy texture and hints of vanilla. My favorite item was the Del Mar, a blended drink made with chocolate, almonds, and milk. Similar to a milkshake, I loved the Del Mar for its chocolatey and nutty notes, as well as the bits of texture from the almonds. It also featured Campus Point Coffee’s homemade whipped cream, which complimented the already outstanding drink. The two donuts, however, were a bit of a let-down. Their pastry box was disappointing-

ly empty, and aside from other pre-packaged snacks, donuts were the only food items in sight. Instead of a flaky coating, the glazed donut was covered in what was more like a frosting than a glaze. The cake inside did not bounce back like a normal yeast donut is supposed to, which gave me the impression that the pastries were not as fresh as I had thought. From a flavor standpoint, the donut was satisfactory and not too sweet. Although the coffee donut had more qualities of a standard yeast donut, it lacked flavor. The barista advertised it as a coffee donut when it tasted more like basic cinnamon sugar. It was coated in a standard glaze and topped with a crumble. Even so, biting into the donut, I was able to identify the layers and air pockets within the dough, which were reflected

in its light and airy texture. Campus Point Coffee is a perfect fit for the Isla Vista community, with its friendly and laidback atmosphere. It has become a study place away from campus as well as a go-to social spot where on select days of the week, the shop even hosts social events like open mics and a pop-up thrift store. In comparison to other coffee shops, Campus Point Coffee might be a more expensive option, but worth the quality. For those willing to splurge a little for top-tier coffee and drinks, this new beach-side coffee shop is the place for you. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

Searching for the

Perfect Açaí Bowl in Isla Vista RICK ZHANG | Contributing Writer

hen it comes to taste and healthiness, compromise may seem inevitable in the search for a satisfying snack. Luckily, açaí bowls provide people with a great option to achieve that balance between taste and health. Açaí bowls have been trending for the past couple of years. They are usually composed of a thick smoothie made by blending açaí berries, topped off with various fruits and toppings like oatmeal or honey. The ingredients for both the smoothie and the toppings are flexible, giving the bowl plenty of freedom to be diverse and creative. Searching for the perfect bowl, my friend and I chose to try Cajé and i.v. drip, hoping to

crown a winner. While they share lots of similarities in ingredients, there are still some subtle differences in taste between the two açaí bowls. Both locations present visually appealing products, laying out sliced fruits such as bananas and strawberries over the smoothie base and topping it all off with granola. The variety of ingredients form a colorful layout, successfully attracting consumers who want to post photos of their bowls on social media. Scooping up a few spoonfuls of the smoothie, fruit, and nuts — either in separate spoonfuls or mixed together — I found a great balance of taste in my mouth from Cajé’s açaí bowl. The slight saltiness came from the mixed nuts mixed with the natural sweetness

in the smoothie. Similarly, the softness of the fresh fruits and the crunch of the granola all brought me an enjoyable feeling that was perfectly balanced when I chewed them together. Cajé, as a bigger store, has more options in the types of bowls offered. Besides the signature açaí bowl I ordered, there are seven other kinds of bowls, such as “Green,” “Cali,” and “Little Bowl Blue,” while i.v. drip only has three choices of açaí bowls. When interviewed about the specialties and difference in tastes, “I think we are definitely special,” said Kirston Carol, the food handler in i.v. drip. “Everyone has their own different formula.” The smoothie in the i.v. drip bowl has more ice, giving a kind of melted ice cream feeling in the

mouth, whereas the Cajé smoothie tastes thicker. Also, i.v. drip açaí bowls are less sweet than bowls from Cajé, though the sweetness level can be adjusted by using different toppings and excluding honey. For the “açaí bowl” in both, Cajé put more types of food in the bowl such as strawberries, blueberries, and bananas, not to mention the granola had more variety. Açaí bowls from i.v. drip are relatively more basic, made up of strawberries and bananas with simple oatmeal. In addition, the size of the bowl is also smaller, which can be reasonably attributed to the price, since Cajé set the price for all the bowls around $10 while all cost $7 at i.v. drip. Though the price is not low

at either place, I would say both are still worth the purchase, since they can serve as full meals. It could either be an abundant breakfast, a delicious and healthy lunch, or dinner as well. Needless to say that as a dessert in the afternoon, the serving size is big enough for two people to split. No matter which store the açaí bowls came from, they all brought me happiness and satisfaction after finishing the whole bowl with nothing left. The delicious tropical fruit açaí that had been blended in seemed to have a waking effect instinctively, which is completely in accord with the vibrant vibe of Isla Vista. Photos by Rick Zhang | Contributing Photographer

5 | FEATURES

WHERE'S THE MOUNTAIN LION?

SPOOKY AUTUMN PLAYLIST

Illustration by Trieu Nguyen | Contributing Illustrator

Illustration by Drew Buchanan | Contributing Illustrator

6 | ILLUSTRATIONS

Movie Review:

Joker SOFIA LYON | Contributing Writer

We converse on

oker is a dark, nihilistic look into the reality many individuals suffering from severe mental illness face. With cinematic homage to Martin Scorsese, director Todd Phillips’ world-building, coupled with Joaquin Phoenix’s performance of a lifetime, succeeds in creating a complex character amidst a brutalistic backdrop, leaving audiences in a bewildered state of intrigue, awe, disgust, and terror. The plot centers around tormented Arthur Fleck, a man suffering from an unnamed mental illness, a symptom of which is uncontrollable, chronic laughter. We then witness his slow, tedious descent into the role of the titular “Joker”. Phillips stylistically includes elements reminiscent of Scorsese’s films, namely Taxi Driver, replicating its score and violence. The shadow of Scorsese’s influence is noticeable even if it’s not relevant to one’s opinion of the film. The cinematography and score are the film’s most effective devices in conveying the instability

of its main character. With shots that hold on a scene, movement, or expression paired with a sinister score, the audience is pulled into the moment with Arthur, forcing them to confront the severity of his state. There is a tangible sense of dread and tension built by these elongated shots, producing an uneasy atmosphere in an already dark environment. “Gotham” also provides a dark and dreary environment for the many insufferable, dangerous characters residing in it. Joaquin Phoenix is perhaps, indisputably, the most salient aspect of the film. To watch this film is to watch an abused, troubled individual fall into an extreme state of disassociation and insanity -- the entire time, begging him not to descend further, only to remain powerless in preventing his ultimately inevitable mental decline. This creates an extremely troubling and uncomfortable sensation for the viewer, making the film’s events physically difficult to watch, accept, or digest. Phoenix gives an utterly compelling performance,

more common, more invisible conditions including depression and anxiety, but there remains a revulsion or ignorance to mental illness which pervades one’s behavior noticeably. For those individuals such atrocious abuse and harassment can easily be a reality. To call it unfavorably bleak misses the point

and the aforementioned effects would be impossible to achieve without his dimensional talent. Joker’s critical response was largely unexpected, with countless critics calling it overly cynical and only earning a 69% on Rotten Tomatoes. However, perhaps the “cynical” characterization is misguided; in a social climate which seeks to advocate for mental health awareness, the discussion does not often extend to those suffering from more severe, trauma-induced illnesses. We converse on more common, more invisible conditions including depression and anxiety, but there remains a revulsion or ignorance to mental illness which pervades one’s behavior noticeably. For those individuals such atrocious abuse and harassment can easily be a reality. To call it unfavorably bleak misses the point entirely. It is impossible to discuss this film without addressing the controversy surrounding it. Following the film’s premier, concerns arose regarding the film’s potential to inspire persons with similar back-

grounds and inclinations towards violence. Several theaters went so far as to hire security guards on opening night. Given the severity and scale of crimes committed within the last few years, these concerns are certainly reasonable. Yet, upon viewing the film, the violence is hardly romanticized -- in fact, it pushes back in the opposite direction. The audience does not want the character Arthur to act so viciously. As a result of Phoenix’s compelling performance viewers can sympathize with him in a sense, but they in no way actively encourage or condone his actions. In fact, the film seems to show us how we ought to help those suffering; how we ought to treat each other if we want to avoid such a fate. Illustrations by Krystal Chen | Contributing Illustrator

entirely.

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

MICROSOFT REVEALS T

he enormity of data within our modern-day society both aids and facilitates the lives of many individuals, but questions arise as a result. How can we effectively and efficiently sift through enormous amount of available information? What kind of innovations would allow the general public to derive the most useful information in the easiest manner? On Thursday, Oct. 17, Nick Ray, a UCSB alumnus and technical program manager working on Microsoft’s Bing search engine, gave a tech talk hosted by UCSB’s Institute of Electrical and Electric Engineer (IEEE) Student Branch and Data Science at UCSB, providing us with a possible answer — visual search, the next revolution of web searching. In theory, it grants the user faster and easier researching methods. This evolutionary technology has been widely applied to multiple powerful and entertaining trends and functions, such as “explore landmarks,” “identify dogs and flowers,” “shop for items you see,” and “Celebs Like Me.” By incorporating machine learning (a data-analyzing method achieved through a repeated process of testing and debugging), the visual search engine is trained to generalize relevant information through features identification and classification. While this powerful artificial intelligence has generated a beneficial modern approach to efficiently search and reach results, multiple troublesome issues and challenges remain to be addressed. The search engine can only provide output based on data that is previously taught, which requires technicians

8 | SCIENCE & TECH

to equip the engine with sufficient background knowledge of different subjects. This is often done manually, with people going through images and classifying them so the visual search can identify new images from examples. This process of inputting and guiding the program to perform tasks accurately is both time-consuming and problematic. In the presentation, Ray demonstrated this by showing various images of flowers, and asking the audience which were roses. People called on picked one or two of the images, but all turned out to be roses, demonstrating the limits of a program trained by human classifiers. There were also examples of how machine learning misinterprets pictures. These were not only hilarious — depicting images like dogs dressed as cats, and fail to recognize a plate of pasta as database only stored well-decorated pasta dishes — but also provided the audience with a concrete idea of how programmers train machines to reach results: through open-ended adjustment and continuous testing. Along with the interesting introduction of Bing Visual Search, Kristin Straube, a university recruiter for Microsoft, gave a short presentation on her company and their opportunities for undergrads. Carrying the mission of “empowering every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more,” Microsoft supports employees to pursue their own interests and elevate their personal passions, while working hard on their position. “We encourage students to utilize the Microsoft as a platform to boldly explore what they love, and enthusiastically learn from mis-

takes,” Straube said. To understand and satisfy the different needs of their global consumers, Microsoft stresses the diversity and inclusiveness of their working environment. The company welcomes global applicants with various backgrounds to make a difference. The talk is organized to appeal to general students. “Although students with engineering background would be preferred, all the UCSB students with interest are welcomed to participate in our event. Mainly, we hope our event to provide students with a deeper grasp of and better connection with successful companies, and find the one that suits them best,” said Brian, the president of the Data Science @ UCSB club. Illustration by Christine Ho | Layout Editor

NEW VISUAL SEARCH ENGINE at tech dinner KRYSTAL CHEN | Contributing Writer

Take Caution Before You KYLE DENT | A.S. Beat Reporter

ating in I.V. is difficult (at least for the facially impaired — don’t rub it in), and wading through hordes of frat boys, unicycle kids, woo-girls and uwu-girls has led many college students to enlist the help of dating apps like Tinder. However, dating apps come with a hidden price: the app developer’s access to an undying web of every choice, message, and personal fact entered on the app. Upon signing up for Tinder, the app warns you that the information you enter will be saved, but that it’s all “standard practice,” and you can download a copy of the data they have on you at any time. This wasn’t always the case — a user’s ability to access Tinder’s file on them only came after Judith Duportail’s extensive legal process to get access to her own data. In late 2017, Duportail — an European Union (E.U.) resident — appealed to the E.U.’s Data Protection Act to get her file, and only received it after much resistance from Tinder. She was sent an 800-page document, detailing nearly every second of her time on the app. Tinder’s website states that they “won’t compromise with your data,” and — in an interview after the Cambridge Analytica controversy — Tinder C.E.O. Elie Seidman stated as much: “We don’t sell data,” he said. He clarified that the company does not “rely” on advertising. However, within Tinder’s privacy policy, the organization states

that “you should not expect that your personal information, chats, or other communications will always remain secure ... [we] also share some users’ information ... with other Match Group [Tinder’s parent company] companies … ” which include websites like Plenty of Fish, Hinge, Match. com, and OKCupid. Furthermore, advertising is a powerful revenue stream for Tinder, according to Match’s V.P. of communication. The company’s annual revenue is only four percent, but this still culminates in roughly $53 million a year earned from selling user information. So what is the information Tinder collects on you? It includes everything from when you use the app, for how long, the age filters you’ve chosen for yourself, the ages of those you typically match with, your education, your amount of swipes and matches, every message you’ve sent, when and where you sent them, and your jobs. If you link other social media accounts to Tinder, like Facebook, Spotify, or Instagram, Tinder’s file gets even bigger. They’ll also have access to much of the information you enter on Facebook, as well as posts you’ve liked. Instagram users will find that Tinder has every picture you’ve ever uploaded — including the ones you deleted —

and if you link Spotify, Tinder has much of your listening history. Tinder clearly states they can share this data “with ... advertisers and investors ...

general business analysis, advertising, marketing, or other business purposes,” and also that your data may be transferred to countries with leaner data laws than your own. This sounds like vague legal

jargon that may not affect you, but Tinder and its owner Match, take action on these promises. As detailed in a 2018 Vice article, an arts and information group called Tactical Tech used a “data broker” website called USDate to buy one million full dating profiles for only $153 — less than 1/10th of a cent each. Deals like this happen every day, and these aren’t underground or shady proceedings either — they happen on USDate’s public website, in large sets, or niche packs, that only include those within a certain nationality, sexuality, or set of personality traits — ostensibly, to sell products to you as efficiently as possible. The site SaleDatingProfiles.com even has annual spring and summer sales on their data sets. Tinder, however — along with the majority of Match’s products — is free. Perhaps offering up your data anonymously is just the price we must accept to use these services, but it’s undeniable that these sales can leave users exposed. A researcher at Carnegie Mellon University

claimed he could match up private details and histories (such as prior drug usage and kinks) that he found within these niche packs to 10,000 specific users — with 90% accuracy. Match Group services aren’t the only companies that may leave you vulnerable. Some Grindr users have found that hackers have been able to access their information and send messages with their account. Unfortunately, this is a growing reality. Many apps are limiting opportunities to opt out, and these drawbacks continue to grow. The U.S. has few laws in line with the aforementioned E.U. privacy statute, and regressive legislators are not taking any steps towards that future. If your privacy is important to you, never fear. There are some steps you can take to protect your personal information, which include: refrain from linking other accounts to your dating profile, and trying to use separate pictures from those you put on other social media. By taking these steps and being more cognizant of your digital footprint in general, hopefully we can all engage more in happy (and safe) swiping! Illustrations by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

I'm

NOT

Like Other Girls

LAUREN LUNA | Contributing Writer

he “I’m not like other girls” cultural phenomenon is a reaction against typically feminine stereotypes — that is, makeup, fashion, fitness, and the like. Some girls who don’t fit said archetype attempt to separate themselves from the female population, hence the phrase “I’m not like other girls.” The “I’m not like other girls” claim isn’t a recent issue; we’ve just seen it occur in different forms across the decades. In the 1950s, the “greaser girl” emerged in response to the staunch conservatism of its time. In the late 1980s and 1990s, the “grunge model” type grew in popularity, idolized for her unapologetic attitude towards self-expression and societal constructs. Our current version of this phenomenon is the “quirky-relatable teen.” The rise of “relatable”

YouTubers is a direct response to the widespread popularity of beauty gurus, who began their reign in 2012. This trend originated with smaller YouTubers like "enjajaja" and is now made up of influencers like Emma Chamberlain, Haley Pham, and Hannah Meloche. “Relatable YouTube,” with its sardonic humor and emphasis on minimal effort, initially proved to be a breath of fresh air when compared to the perfectionism of social media. However, “I’m not like other girls” culture does court controversy. Most young boys attack the movement through comedy; a few years ago, a popular Vine trend was smushing cake on one’s face and saying “no makeup!” which was an obvious jab at girls who prefer a fully made-up (but still “natural”) face. Modern feminism acknowl-

edges that the “I’m not like other girls” movement carries hints of internalized misogyny, when girls proudly claim that they “are not like other girls," it suggests that this “other” breed of girls is generally shallow and vapid with no other interests besides fashion, fitness, or beauty. A popular subversion of the “I’m not like other girls” subculture celebrates young girls for all their interests whether they’re conventionally feminine or not, thus giving girls the chance to explore different parts of their identities without feeling ashamed, or needing to categorize themselves into one stereotype. Most teenage girls either buy into the subculture or experience it briefly and cringe as they look back on it — I know I did. It’s not always the case that the girls who adopt this subculture actively try to put down their peers, but

the very act of conscious separation subliminally attacks people who do have “basic” interests. What we must remember is that feminine and non-feminine things are not mutually exclusive. While the actual interests of this subculture are fine, the intent behind it may be an issue if improperly understood and used for

malicious means. Celebrating our differences is wonderful, but letting other people enjoy what they enjoy is key to maintaining a positive presence amongst your peers and the world at large. Illustration by Shruthi Satyanarayana | Contributing Illustrator

"Not Like Other Girls" A Tale of Modern Feminine Identity SOFIA LYON | Contributing Writer

oung women today live in perhaps the most tumultuous and unprecedented time for women their age, creating a confused sense of femininity and womanhood. With the advent of VSCO girls, e-girls, and more, there are countless categories of femininity, all existing more or less in contradiction to one another. There is a simultaneous resistance to all things “basic;” alternative women and girls are a mainstay in current media, acting as protagonists in films, novels, and television shows. These characters are often troubled, with an inexhaustible fervor for life and

10 | OPINIONS

experience. On the opposite end of the spectrum is where we would presume “basic” would lie. Despite its frequent application, the term, style, or personality lacks any concrete denotation. What “basic” seems to imply is some ordinariness, or perhaps something relatively uncontroversial. But given its vague parameters, “basic” may just describe women who do not see external expression as their primary method of self-identification, making its scope incredibly broad. Despite attempts to diverge, the trend toward this eclectic model remains an image to be

desired; one that has the potential to be as harmful as its basic antithesis. There appears to be a problematic tendency to conflate complexity with difficulty, that being angsty or sad is intriguing and exciting. However, there remains the issue of plainness — which often results in a superficial perception of young girls with more ambiguous identities. Ultimately, what we are left with are slightly variant sets of standards that pervade and govern youth culture, whether for image or behavior. Regardless of these contentious aesthetics, the intention remains: to consolidate and

simplify the otherwise vast and shapeless experience of femininity in the 21st century. So perhaps it is not a question of whether being “basic” or its converse is permissible, but why polarization between women exists. Historically, the future of women was never uncertain; their directions were more or less contrived for them. Only recently has the world begun to open itself to all women and the diverse skills they possess. In a time of endless possibility and a promising future ahead, the comfort and camaraderie of appealing to a binary is a practice in grounding oneself in the physical.

To say one is “not like other girls” is a misrepresentation of how femininity manifests in the modern world. The act of identifying with womanhood is more complicated and dimensional than we can communicate with language. There is no cryptic collective of “other girls,” existing singularly and similarly. We are all the other girl in the nebulous feminine identity, a solely independent experience.

Hollister Target Meets the Mark SHEILA TRAN | Senior Copy Editor

n Sunday, Oct. 20, Target held its long-awaited grand

opening. Located on Hollister Avenue, the new Target store takes over the location that was formerly home to K-Mart. Although it isn’t the first Target store in the region — a small-scale version opened in downtown Santa Barbara in April 2019 — it’s the first accessible, big retailer to settle down in the suburbs of Goleta. The new store is approximately two miles from the UCSB campus, which makes it significantly more accessible than the downtown location. The new location, however, is perhaps too favorable. Shoppers can expect to be greeted with the unpleasant sight of lines of cars packed behind

each other, limited parking spaces, and difficulty with navigating and leaving the parking lot. Unfortunately, the former K-Mart parking lot simply isn’t built to manage the sheer quantity of consumers attracted by the typical Target store. Target’s unpleasant parking experience is easily made up for by its selection and size. In comparison to the Target in downtown Santa Barbara, the Hollister store is significantly larger and more conducive to casual shopping. This location features a wide selection of items that are typical to large-scale Targets, which include household items, electronics, clothing, and food. The location is even home to its own optometric center, which offers eye exams, glasses, and contact lenses.

The new Target store most notably excels in offering an affordable, high-quality selection of items that are sold by specialty stores in the area, such as Ross and Staples. The store offers trendy home decor, a comprehensive selection of new electronics and books, affordable school supplies, gift items, and a plentiful makeup section. Customers who would usually have to drive to multiple stores to meet their shopping needs can instead schedule a onestop trip to Target. Shoppers familiar with largescale Target locations, however, will be slightly disappointed by the size of this store. With its low ceiling and cramped aisles, the Hollister location isn’t nearly as spacious as most suburban Target stores. The grand-opening crowds and shopping cart traffic jams

further added to the difficulty of navigating the store. How does it measure up to its nearby competitor Albertsons in price? While Target was generally cheaper for household items and toiletries like shampoo ($6.49 vs. $7.49 for Head & Shoulders shampoo), it was actually on-par or more expensive for food items. A 16-count box of frozen Foster Farms corn dogs sold for $8.99 at Target and $8.49 at Albertsons. For a pack of refrigerated sausage brand Lit'l Smokies, both stores listed the same price. Price, however, isn’t the main factor for many individuals who shop at Target. “I’d honestly pay more for Target,” said fourth year art major Vy Nguyen in an interview with The Bottom Line. “It’s more about the ambience and experience.”

That much is true. The interior of the store is bright, its selection and branding is modern and colorful, and the store is also home to a hard-working and large staff. I had no issue with finding employees to assist with any of my questions. And despite the large crowds, going to Target felt refreshing and fun, almost like a field trip. While Target is more expensive than some of its counterparts in the area, it fulfills the long-needed demand for a onestop, relatively-affordable center for a variety of items. Shoppers can expect to pay for an experience at Target — one that I’d say definitely meets the mark. Illustration by Vy Nguyen | Contributing Illustrator

Comic of the Week Comic by Jake Ortega | Comic Artist

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Shipwrecked At Coal Oil Point Photos by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor SAMUEL YANG | Staff Photographer

A temporary and unwelcome but beautiful addition to the reefs, the ship has been marked for removal. This vessel graced the shores of Isla Vista last week, compelling curious students to explore the hidden gem in their own backyard.

The sheer size of the ship has lead many to wonder about the story behind itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s abandonment at Coal Oil Point.

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