Fall 2019, Issue 8 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

NOVEMBER 20, 2019

UCSB STUDENTS' SELF CARE Recently, the term “burn-out culture” has been used to describe young people and the phenomenon in which working non-stop is seen as a praiseworthy practice, while taking time off to relax seems like an act of weakness. FEATURES | PAGE 4

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE VII

CHAMBER MUSIC CONCERT On Nov. 15, the UCSB Chamber Players put on a beautiful performance at Karl Geiringer Hall to the delight of many students. The student ensembles performed pieces by renowned classical composers. A&E | PAGE 6

ADVENTURE

is out there! PHOTOSTORY PAGE 12 Photo by SANNE MOLENAAR | Contributing Photographer BottomLineUCSB.com @tbl.ucsb facebook.com/tblucsb/

UC CHALLENGES

DACA REPEAL DANA DE LA CRUZ | Staff Writer

ASHINGTON D.C. — The University of California appeared before the Supreme Court on Tuesday, Nov. 12, to challenge the Trump administration’s repeal of a program that protects over 700,000 undocumented immigrants — including about 1,700 UC students. Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was created by UC President Janet Napolitano during her time as President Obama’s Secretary of Homeland Security. The program shields Dreamers — immigrants who were brought to the U.S. unauthorized as children — from deportation after meeting certain criteria and passing an application process. The Trump administration announced its recall of the program in late 2017. In question at the Supreme Court was whether the administration followed proper legal procedure in repealing DACA. The legality of the program itself is not in question, so a ruling in favor of the UC will not protect DACA from repeals in the future. The future of Dreamers hangs in the balance. Already, DACA-eligible Dreamers who had not applied at the time of the repeal have been barred from applying to the program. If the Trump administration is allowed to move forward with the rescission of DACA, recipients will lose their work authorization and protection from deportation. “These are young people who

2 | NEWS

have done all that has been asked of them,” UC President Napolitano said just before the hearing. “To remove their DACA protection … and to make them subject to eviction from the only country they know as home is not only not legally required, but it is inconsistent with good immigration policy and inconsistent with our values as a country.” Outside, temperatures that morning approached freezing. But that didn’t stop warmly-clad protesters from gathering outside the court steps in support of DACA. Mittened hands banged on drums and held signs declaring “Home is here.” Eventually, the rally grew large enough for police to block off part of the street. They were joined by over 50 UC students. Many of them are spending the term in Washington, D.C., through the UCDC program. Others traveled from their home campuses to attend the rally. “It’s important for me to attend because, essentially, my life is on the line,” said Maria Vazquez, sociology and political science major and DACA recipient from UCSB. Vazquez graduates this quarter after completing UCDC and hopes to attend law school. But she’s concerned that the Supreme Court could rule in Trump’s favor, jeopardizing her work authorization and making her vulnerable to deportation. Still, Vazquez is “really glad” the UC was willing to “stand in

solidarity” with undocumented students and their families. Joining Vazquez at the rally was her housemate, UC Davis student Jenny Rodriguez. Rodriguez said she wanted to her support as an ally. Rodriguez completed her degree in sociology and Chicanx Studies last spring. Like Vazquez, she’s spending her final quarter in the UCDC program. “I have a cousin who has DACA who claims and loves this country more than I do,” Rodriguez said. “These folks are just as patriotic—if not more—because despite being born elsewhere, they consider [America] their home.” Vazquez and Rodriguez listened and cheered as speakers ingited the crowd and demanded a legal pathway to citizenship for all undocumented people. Both recalled feeling a strong sense of community. Inside, attorneys for the UC argued that the Trump administration acted arbitrarily in its repeal of DACA, which was announced with little justification

in a memo by then-Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Elaine Duke. The Administrative Procedure Act allows courts to nullify any federal agency action deemed “arbitrary, capricious,” or “unsupported by substantial evidence.” The Trump administration defended the repeal as legal and well-reasoned because DACA was intended to be a temporary measure. After oral arguments ended just before noon, the plaintiffs and DACA supporters inside the Supreme Court walked out onto the steps with linked arms. The crowd outside chanted, “Undocumented and unafraid.” Now the country holds its breath. The Supreme Court has until the end of June 2020 to release a ruling. "The justices might be motivated to rule earlier in the spring to avoid influencing the presidential election," said Alexander Berengaut, one of the attorneys representing the UC, at a UCDC event. Several national media organizations, including the New

York Times and the Washington Post, have predicted that the conservative-majority court will rule on the side of the Trump administration, clearing the way for a full DACA repeal. But if that happens, Berengaut said, it’s “unclear” how much the administration can achieve in “the middle of an election year.” This uncertainty of the future makes Rodriguez feel “anxious.” Her housemate, Vazquez, feels numb. Though her DACA protections are at risk, she said, “whatever happens will happen.” “The end goal is bigger than DACA,” Vazquez said. “We need a comprehensive immigration reform. A policy that is not based on this ‘good immigrant vs. bad immigrant’ narrative.” Rodriguez shared the same view. “Their home is here, and that’s the end of the story,” she said. Photo Courtesy of WikiMedia Commons

PACE offers

JOURNALISM TRIP JADE MARTINEZ-POGUE | National Beat Reporter

t the end of this academic year, UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) students will have the opportunity to strengthen their journalistic skills through an international reporting course that will take them to Jerusalem for three weeks. Although the program is not offered through UCSB, students on the trip, which will take place from June 28 to July 19, will receive transfer class credit from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem that can be applied to either the Journalism Certificate Program or serve as a prerequisite for the Professional Writing minor. “In terms of international reporting and foreign correspondent work, Jerusalem is one of the most important posts because a lot of news emanates from there.” said Nomi Morris, UCSB writing professor and former Middle East Bureau Chief for Knight Ridder Newspapers (now McClatchy). “It’s a really great laboratory to learn journalism skills,” Morris said in an interview with The Bottom Line. UCSB has partnered with the already-existing Institute for Education in International Media, ieiMedia, to give students this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

There will be four preparatory class sessions during spring quarter of 2020 leading up to the trip that allow students to receive four transfer credits during the spring quarter and the summer. This international reporting trip is designed to give students the opportunity to gain firsthand experience with foreign correspondence. Students will be able to report on stories happening in Jerusalem that they believe will be relevant to an American audience back home, as well as obtain interview and multimedia journalism experience. Along with reporting and writing articles, students will have the opportunity to develop their photography skills by having the chance to take photos that relate to the subject material of their articles. They will also have opportunities to gain experience with videography and Twitter and Instagram coverage. The trip will cost students $3,745 for the three weeks, plus their own airfare and most meals while on the trip. A similar course was first offered last summer, when Morris took a group of students to Berlin, Germany, through UCSB’s Professional and Continuing Education Pro-

TBL 2019-2020 STAFF Today, TBL marks National Transgender Day of Remembrance , which remembers the cotinued violence endured by transgender people.

gram (PaCE) for an international reporting trip. Morris said the base price of this year’s course is somewhat more than last year’s because the reporting trip is one week longer abroad. There is an application process through ieiMedia, but there are no academic prerequisites for this course, which means that it is open to the entire UCSB community. Students will not have to submit writing samples nor interview to gain a spot on this trip. Morris does highly recommend that students have journalistic practice in the quarters preceding the trip as it will encompass "advanced reporting situations." Morris chose Jerusalem as the location for this year’s reporting trip in large part because of her vast level of knowledge and familiarity with the area. “Like Berlin, it’s another place where I have been a foreign correspondent. So, I have a comfort level and a lot of experience in that area,” Morris said. Morris was a foreign correspondent in Jerusalem from 1998-2001, where she wrote for Knight Ridder Newspapers, the second-largest newspaper chain in the country at the time. Although there is Palestin-

ian-Israeli conflict in Jerusalem, Morris trusts her colleagues in the program and has checked the itinerary to make sure the trip will be safe for the students and also provide them the experience they need. “Because I know the people that run the program and I’ve looked at the itinerary, I felt that it has the right balance between safety and still giving students the opportunity to observe and interview Palestinians,” said Morris. Students will be staying at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, which technically lies on the Israeli side of the region. Despite this, field trips to the West Bank are also scheduled to enable students to complete balanced reporting. “As a journalist who was a foreign correspondent in the Middle East and having gone back and forth between these communities, I think it’d really key to the experience that we’re giving students,” Morris said. Chelsea Yupico, a fourthyear UCSB student that went on the international reporting trip to Berlin last summer, says that her experience on the Berlin trip helped improve her journalistic skills profoundly.

“I jumped into this with very minimal journalistic experience, so I was really learning the interviewing and writing process as I went along,” Yupico said. “Having Nomi as a guide who gave me pointers and also helped with the editing process was great.” Students’ work will be published on Medium under The Jerusalem Project, a category on Medium built specifically to house the work of student journalists. The process of researching, reporting, writing, editing, and publishing before and during this trip will give students firsthand experience in the journalism field. “Don’t be intimidated by how much work everything seems to be because it’ll all work out in the end. It’s a great experience, [I] would recommend to a friend,” Yupico said. “Just wear shoes that won’t kill your feet after walking for at least five miles a day.” For more information about the trip, visit the UCSB ieimedia flyer. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

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

Layout Editor | Melody Li Pages 4, 5, 6 Layout Editor | Amanda Wang Pages 10, 11, 12 Layout Editor | Christine Ho Pages 7, 8, 9 Social Media Coordinator | Esther Liu

Marketing Director | Madeleine Korn Advertising Director | Jonathan Chavez Web Editor | Darragh Burke

NEWS | 3

How do UCSB Students Practice CHRISTINE HO | Contributing Writer

s the end of the year creeps up on us, it’s easy to get caught up in the frenzy of midterms and papers. The days are getting shorter and the time spent in the library is longer. In a tweet by the account @ BarstoolGauchos, the fall frenzy is summed up as: “November’s a stressful time at UCSB. You suddenly have a midterm or assignment due at least every 2 days, it’s cold now (??), everyone is panicking and it’s dark all the time.” Recently, the term “burnout culture” has been used to describe young people and the phenomenon in which working non-stop is seen as a praiseworthy practice, while taking time off to relax seems like an act of weakness. Young people are expected to push themselves to their limits in order to achieve success in the

4 | FEATURES

workplace. This working culture encourages individuals to sacrifice mental and physical health in order to get farther in their goals. Abigail Coy, a third-year chemistry major, believes burnout culture means that if we’re not burnt out then we’re doing something wrong. She admits that she often feels pressured to work harder than she probably needs to. “I’m privileged enough to have parents who are able to pay for my tuition and living expenses,” she said, “but I still work two part-time jobs because I feel like if I don’t work really hard then I don’t deserve to have my parents pay for my education.” UCSB is no exception from burn-out culture, as is the case for communication graduate student Chantel Haughton, who says the

rigor of her graduate program demands constant stress. “It’s a very prestigious program so the expectations are very high,” said Haughton, “and pushing yourself past a point that’s healthy is so common for a lot of us.” On top of school work, students at UCSB also experience stressors from their personal lives. Students can fall under the impression that as a part of UCSB, they must develop a “work hard, play hard” attitude, in which they are just as active socially as they are academically. “I derive stress from my social and personal life more than my academic and work life,” explained Aniket Mehrotra, a firstyear pre-economics major. “So being at UCSB, where everyone always seems to be having fun, it becomes easy to fall into a mindset that ‘I’m not having enough

fun’ or even FOMO (fear of missing out).” Fourth-year computer engineering student Griffin Danninger said, “I see it as a cycle, where people practice self-care only because they have to in order to go back to work. Self-care is an enabler of burn-out rather than an independently meaningful activity.” Although being a student at UCSB could be stressful, the campus also offers several resources to help students decompress and practice self-care. Multiple students also credited the campus’s surrounding nature in having helped them relax during overwhelming times. Olivia Berriz, a fourth-year English major shares her tips for self-care. For her, going to therapy is a very effective method, as it helps her learn how to handle

“toxic” situations in a healthier way. “It’s also important to set boundaries for yourself,” said Berriz. “Prioritize what makes you feel comfortable and communicate what you need with others. Don’t worry about coming off as mean or hurting the other’s feelings, it’s more important that you feel comfortable.” Going into finals season, it’s important to remember to take some time out of our busy days to take care of our physical and mental health. Even though it may seem easier to drink another Yerba Mate and pull an all-nighter, don’t forget to prioritize what you need to break out of the cycle of burn-out. Illustration by Annie Huang | Copy Editor

Searching for the best

Iced Latte in Isla Vista LINDA CHONG | Copy Editor

offee can easily be the highlight of your day. It’s just a matter of where to go. That’s where I come in. I’ve already done the walking, the spending, and the tasting so that you’ll know where to get your perfect cup of joe in Isla Vista. In order to keep things consistent across different coffee shops, I ordered the same iced hazelnut latte with oat milk in every store. If you have never tried oat milk, you have not lived long enough nor have you tasted the elixir of life. So without further ado, here is a guide to the best iced hazelnut latte with oat milk in I.V. CAJÉ: The latte itself was well-rounded. The drink wasn’t grainy or too strong, but smooth and creamy. The syrup of the hazelnut combined with the oat milk brought that nutty flavor any coffee drinker would go crazy for. For those

who prefer sweet coffee, you’ll be happy to find a small selection of simple syrup and other sugar alternatives at CAJÉ. The ice was a nice crescent shape that melts into bite-sized chips. Everything seemed reasonable, but the only downside I found to CAJÉ's latte was the bitter price of $6.62. The coffee was satisfying, but not worth the price.There’s an extra $0.50 charge for the latte to be iced. Unacceptable. My final verdict? 3.8 out of 5 baristas. i.v. drip: The famous place to get ice cream in I.V. surprisingly also has a selection of sandwiches, treats, and I oop — coffee. At first, the drink was a lukewarm, separated concoction of hot espresso and cold oat milk. As for the taste, the espresso in this coffee seemed a bit burnt — or bold I should say because technically, all beans are “roasted.” The hazelnut wasn’t

too prevalent in this drink, but still nutty. In short, the coffee was average, and just satiating. The price of my latte came out to be five flat, which is acceptable, but not too thrilling. Final verdict? 3 out of 5 burnt coffee beans. Campus Point Coffee: Campus Point meets every mark that defines a coffee shop. It has good coffee, the price is average, and the vibes of the actual store is meant for studying, meeting, and socializing. The iced hazelnut latte with oat milk is truly set apart. The espresso has a strong presence in the drink, and is uplifted and amplified by the oat milk. The oat milk delivers an overwhelming, but anticipated nutty flavor, all in sync with the hazelnut syrup, a subtle backstage presence that packages the entire drink into one. The ice is that nice crescent shape, later sweet remnants of the latte.

The overall cost of the experience was $5.66, which is the average price of coffee from your local coffee shop. Final verdict? 4.5 out of 5 days-I-debate-getting-campus-point-coffee. IV Bagel Cafe: Not only did Bagel Cafe have decent lattes, but they also had a surprising range of flavors and different alternatives for milk. The espresso tasted creamy and the hazelnut flavor combined well with their barista-blend oat milk. They hinted their eco-friendliness through paper-straws — we know how people feel about paper straws — and had a limited selection of sugars. Although they aren’t really known for their coffee, at least they serve one that wouldn’t disappoint. For the price of $4.20 with the additional $0.50 for oat milk, this is a good option for those who want to enjoy good coffee for the price of boba or a sand-

wich. Final verdict? 4 out of 5 paper straws. Spudnuts Donuts: Spudnuts unfortunately didn’t have iced lattes but they did have iced coffee with available hazelnut cream. It’s not surprising that they didn’t have oat milk because they cater to an audience that comes for donuts. The coffee was $2.25, which is unreasonable for the quality. The coffee tasted old and burnt, almost like they refrigerated their old hot coffee and called it “iced coffee.” But with the purchase of a donut, the coffee wouldn’t be too bad. Think of it this way: Spudnuts’ usual audience wants a donut, not coffee. Final verdict? Donut get coffee here. This is the first of our series, The Best of I.V. Keep a look-out for upcoming articles! Illustration by Echo Dieu | Contributing Illustrator

5 | FEATURES

An Evening of Chamber Music at UCSB ADRIAN HINOJOSA | Contributing Writer

n Nov. 15, the UCSB Chamber Players put on a beautiful performance at Karl Geiringer Hall to the delight of many students. Led by lecturer Jonathan Moerschel, the student ensembles performed pieces by renowned classical composers such as Mozart, Schubert, Brahms and many others. These performances demonstrated the tireless practice and study the student ensembles have dedicated to learning these classical pieces. To the great pleasure of many, the students’ hard work paid off as the UCSB Chamber Players interpreted these works with ease and fervor worthy of any professional musician's salt. Musical director Jonathan Moerschel led the event and is also responsible for coordinating the various student ensembles in the department. Moreover, Moerschel assigns various coaches to each ensemble and works as a coach himself. Present at this event were two guest judges: violinist Han Soo Kim and pianist Kevin Kwan Loucks. Their evaluation determined which ensembles would move onto the next chamber performance UCSB is holding on Dec. 2. The event was free and open to all UCSB students and faculty. Among the crowd were performers’ family and friends who came out in support of their endless dedication. However, many at-

tendees seemed to be general fans of classical music and not necessarily affiliated with the performers. Either way, everyone showed incredible enthusiasm throughout the entire night, supporting fellow classmates and family members In particular, the audience was moved by composer Caroline Shaw’s "Dolce Cantavi" performed by a madrigals ensemble consisting of Lauren Vanderlinden, Cloe Gentile, and Megan Williams. The ensemble’s elegiac voices merged together into a euphoria of glossy harmony that simply blew the audience away. Furthermore, flutist Madison Kolkow and pianist Tyler Park’s rendition of Benjamin Godard’s Suite "de Trois Morceaux, op. 116" also left a solid impression

6 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

on the audience. Kolkow’s masterful control of her instrument allowed her to express with striking detail the weightlessness and impassioned phrases within the piece. The night eventually culminated into the judges’ final verdict. Loucks and Kim determined that the crowd-favorite madrigal ensemble that performed Shaw’s Dolce Cantavi would be moving forward. Alongside the madrigals ensemble, the ensembles that performed Anton Arensky’s "Piano Trio in D minor, Op. 32," Claude Debussy’s "Sonata for Cello and Piano" and Franz Schubert’s "Quartettsatz" would also be moving forward to the Chamber Players concert in December 2nd. When asked about personal

teaching philosophies in an interview with The Bottom Line, Moerschel responded that “the key to improving is to be curious.” This philosophy is something he actively teaches to his students as he encouragingly stated that “I want my students to [be able] to teach themselves.” When TBL asked Loucks about the theme of independence in chamber music, Loucks stated that “it’s so nice to hear individuals shine but also blend in togetherness in an ensemble…[and] the advantage of chamber music is to be able to hear all those individual voices and hear how they interact with one another.” Certainly the level of independence required to teach oneself is necessary when attempting to blend together as a musical unit; the performers

clearly demonstrated an ability to achieve exactly that. Furthermore, speaking to the performers revealed an intrinsically relatable side to their performance: they are university students through and through. “As a 3rd year chemistry major,” Olivia Langner stated in an interview with The Bottom Line, “I am usually on campus 12 plus hours a day and then I go home and do homework. [But] I really appreciate the different aspects that music brings to my life, along with chemistry.” It’s clear that for many students like Olivia, the life of a student musician is no small feat. Ultimately, the UCSB Chamber Players left the audience in awe and invigorated for classical music and the quality student ensembles deliver upon. The music department frequently holds events throughout the year, so students can look forward to attending events similar to this concert. In fact, the ensembles selected by the judges will return as previously mentioned alongside the UCSB Chamber Orchestra on Dec. 2, 2019. For a full list of events, check out the music department website. Photo by Adrian Hinojosa | Contributing Photographer

MultiCultural Center's

Open Mic is

Inclusive to All Students LAUREN LUNA | Staff Writer

ast Wednesday, the MultiCultural Center (MCC) held their quarterly Open Mic event at the Biko Garage in Isla Vista. A night meant for liberating expression, MCC’s Open Mic provides students of all backgrounds a welcoming platform to share their art through spoken word, poetry, and music. Poet and sustainable fashion designer Roni (@poetronigirl) hosted this quarter’s Open Mic night. She has MC’d multiple Open Mic events in the past, her first being at the Hollywood House of Blues in 1995. Much of her inspiration comes from 70s music, namely from singers including Nina Simone and Stevie Nicks. She even kicked off the night reading her own poetry, set-

ting the scene for a soulful sharing of stories. Open Mic’s placement in Biko Garage wonderfully reflects the mission of both entities. The Biko House, a housing co-operative designed especially for students of color, strives to provide a safe and welcoming environment for students to share opinions about what matters to them, from social justice to cultural awareness. Open Mic holds these values close to heart as they strongly advocate openness and sensitivity within its space. The event lasted for about two hours in Biko Garage. Its turnout was impressive to say the least; the audience stuck out from the back of the Garage just to engage with the performers, who took turns gracing the stage to present

their art throughout the night. One of the most striking features of Biko Garage is the artwork adorning the walls. From an enigmatic child-and-wagon motif to a loud, direct “WAKE UP ISLA VISTA,” the walls form a beautiful anthology of artistic statements. If the band Sublime was a place, it would be Biko Garage. The slightly claustrophobic yet warm and cozy atmosphere created the perfectly real and eclectic environment for students’ words to be spoken and songs to be sung. Before the start of the event and in between transitions, the DJ played whimsical mixes of alternative rock and indie music. Some people opted to sit in plastic fold-out chairs while others squished together on a black

leather couch — a classic college-esque seating. The students weren’t shy with their presentations. From an unapologetic embrace of one’s inner hoe to a song about a “casanova boy” to a poem all about lattice energy, performers drew upon a myriad of experiences for their work. Some students stood onstage with stanzas fully committed to memory, firmly planting their feet into the ground with conviction. For other students, it was their first time performing or their first time reading spoken word. Some poems had distinct rhythm or rhyme schemes; others built up with artfully disorganized tension and culminated with jarring resonances with the audience. “I come back because I love

hearing diverse voices from diverse people,” said MC Roni. “For me, the inclusivity of the event is my favorite part.” Even through the small voice cracks, occasional word forgotten, or one wrong note played on a chord, each student delivered their messages with life and an intensity that encourages others to speak their mind and have an active voice in this student community. Illustration by Lauren Luna | Staff Illustrator

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

ave you ever wondered what personal impact you could have on your local environment? In areas where structural change and policy are ineffective, the largest impact can often be achieved by individual lifestyle changes. In Isla Vista, a community where polystyrene bans have not been instituted, bringing reusable Tupperware containers to restaurants could be the key to eradicating polystyrene use. Polystyrene, sometimes referred to as styrofoam, is a non-recyclable material derived from petroleum. Over the past half-century, it gained popularity in the food and beverage industry because of its light, insulating properties and its low cost of production. However, studies conducted by the EPA have linked its usage to cancer, neurological issues, and other harmful health effects. In recent years, the hazards of using polystyrene for food storage have come to light and appear to be much worse than originally thought, as explained in an article by Business Barbados. The breakdown process for polystyrene begins the moment it’s created. Styrene particles can be absorbed into the body through inhalation or touch, so even handling unused polystyrene containers is dangerous. Once food or liquid is added, the decomposition of the polystyrene is accelerated, leading to food contamination. These harmful health effects do not disappear once the containers are thrown away -polystyrene continues to release hazardous chemicals as it breaks down in landfills (a 500-year-long process), leading to drinking water contamination in surrounding communities. The past decade has seen a wave of polystyrene bans that swept across the country, increasing the popularity of compostable containers and spreading awareness about the dangers of polystyrene. Many Californian cities have passed this ban in recent years, including San Francisco,

8 | SCIENCE & TECH

San Diego, Santa Cruz, and Santa Barbara. Isla Vista remains exempt from this ban because of its status as an unincorporated community of Santa Barbara County. Neither Santa Barbara nor Goleta have annexed Isla Vista, so it is subject to only state-wide and county-wide bans, and contains many businesses that continue to use polystyrene. These include Naan Stop, Dumpling King, Spudnuts, Aladdin Cafe, Deja Vu, and Pho Bistro. Though some establishments are attempting to transition to more sustainable container options, the extreme price difference between polystyrene and compostable materials is too steep for some. WebstaurantStore, a website that sells bulk takeout containers, prices foam containers at around $17 per 200, while compostable containers are around $40. Spudnuts, a local donut shop known for its potato-based baked goods, has stacks of both polystyrene and paper cups on the counter. In an interview with The Bottom Line, the owner of Spudnuts, who declined to be named, explained that the store is in the process of transitioning to more sustainable containers, and is almost polystyrene-free. When asked about how he has managed the increase in container expenses, he said that there could be product price increases in the future to balance out the cost. Although Spudnuts is an example of an in-progress success story in the movement towards more environmentally-friendly living, not all businesses are in a financial position to begin this change. Naan Stop, a popular Indian restaurant known for its delicious curries and friendly staff, is one such business. In an interview with The Bottom Line, Sunny, the assistant manager of Naan Stop, explained that while he “hate[s] styrofoam,” and understands its hazardous health effects, a transition to sustainable plates would “triple the price” of menu items, affecting business. Sunny

also added that although Naan Stop has tried moving away from polystyrene rice bowls, and now uses recyclable plastic, “there’s not much difference between styrofoam and plastic… they’re both bad for the environment.” When businesses are financially unable to transition to sustainability, consumers must create individual change. Sunny mentioned that some students have started “coming in with their own containers,” and added that the management

encourages this. If most patrons brought in their own reusable Tupperware to be filled, it would eradicate the need for disposable takeout containers in the first place. Although compostable containers are a far better option than polystyrene, the most sustainable option will always be the reusable one. So, buy a cheap, reusable container, share it with a roommate, and reduce the need for wasteful food storage. Most businesses in Isla Vista that still use polystyrene do so out of necessity, and are therefore open to more sustain-

able options presented by consumers. Until California is able to pass and enforce a state-wide polystyrene ban, consumer lifestyle changes are essential to improving community and environmental health. Illustration by Melody Li | Layout Editor

in Isla Vista ZARA FURTADO-QUESENBERRY | Contributing Writer

A.S. Media Hosts

Video-Editing Workshop VY DUONG | Contributing Writer

n an age of digital abundance and self-made content creators, video editing has emerged as an increasingly sought-after skill for those looking to create original content. On Nov. 13, the Associated Students (A.S.) Media Center held a video-editing workshop in the A.S. Annex. The workshop is one of many in A.S. Media’s weekly Wednesday workshop series, which aims to familiarize students and staff with a variety of expressive media, from podcasting to photography. Hosted by Jalia Carlton-Carew, a fourthyear film and media studies major at UCSB, the video-editing workshop focused on acquainting attendants with the basics of Adobe Premiere Pro, one of the most popular video editing software on the market. In an interview with The Bottom Line, Jalia explained how she became involved with editing while pursuing career broadcasting and video/audio journalism at her high school in Atlanta. “I started out with Final Cut X,” she said, referencing another popular editing software, “before moving onto Adobe Premiere Pro.” Jalia noted that she picked up editing knowledge working on various projects and gigs, a testimonial to the often informal education structure for many editors. The workshop was centered on the production of a “Nos-

talgia Compilation,” featuring clips from classic TV shows such as "Rugrats," "Kenan & Kale," and "Everybody Hates Chris." “I think we’re all going through a nostalgia for the early 2000s and the 80s right now,” Jalia said, when asked about her reason for choosing this subject. Her sentiment was echoed by the attendants who watched with rapt attention and amusement as Jalia walked them through the process of selecting and cutting clips. Through the process of creating the compilation, the workshop touched upon key basics of using Premiere Pro, from importing to rendering, in addition to stylistic touches such as transitions and title overlays. The result of the workshop was a short video titled “Blast From the Past,” splicing together hysterical highlights from a slew of classic TV comedy scenes. When the floor opened up for questions, attendants were curious if Premiere Pro was a film-industry standard. Despite Adobe’s household name, Hollywood still stands by Avid, a complex, non-linear editing system. Avid’s prestige comes with a heavy price tag. The full package of Avid’s software, Media Encoder, along with additional hardware support, can rack up to tens of thousands of dollars. In comparison, Adobe Premiere Pro can be accessed through a subscrip-

tion to Adobe’s Creative Cloud for as low as $19.99 per month with student discount. “American cinema has a very formulaic way of doing things,” Jalia said. She pointed out that Adobe Premiere Pro can perform many of the same functions as Avid, even without Hollywood’s stamp of approval. The accessibility of the program, accompanied by a plethora of internet-facilitated resources, enables amateurs and hobbyists to tackle a once niche skill and produce their own video content. Indeed, many of the workshop’s attendants only had editing experience with iMovie — a more basic software costing $14.99 on the Mac App Store — and were interested in developing their skills with a more advanced program. Jalia has hosted a few workshops in the past, but she noted, with a laugh, that this was the first without technical difficulties. Upon being asked about plans for future workshops, Jalia expressed her interest in conducting a workshop on color grading, the process of altering the color of a video to improve its appearance. She intends to host a video-editing workshop once every quarter as part of the Wednesday workshops. Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

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SCIENCE & TECH | 9

The rise of

Plant-Based Eating LAUREN LUNA | Contributing Writer

or the past decade, plant-based eating has steadily gained popularity with the public. From Alicia Silverstone to Jay Leto, many celebrities have even adopted the lifestyle, whether it be for ethical, environmental, or health-based reasons. But, not all approaches to plant-based eating are the same. Pescetarianism, for example, still includes fish and other types of seafood. Ovo-lacto vegetarians, who won’t consume any meat or fish, still consume dairy and eggs. Vegans, on the other hand, reject animal products altogether, getting all of their nutrition from fruits, vegetables, beans, grains, and seeds. The plant-based track may seem limited at first glance, yet more and more options within the diet are becoming available. The Impossible Burger, for instance, is a meatless burger patty made with a special protein called heme, which almost perfectly replicates the taste of beef. Vegan ice cream, donuts, and pizza are on the rise, and believe it or not, some of our favorite guilty-pleasure snacks, including Sour Patch Kids and Pringles,

are completely vegan, even if by accident. One of the biggest incentives for adopting a plant-based lifestyle are the environmental concerns surrounding animal agriculture. Animal agriculture is responsible for 18% of carbon dioxide emissions, and over 660 gallons of water go into the process of making one hamburger. With the increasing threat of global warming and the water crisis in California, many have ditched meat as a favor for the future. Pe o p l e have also t u r n e d towards plant-based foods for ethical concerns. Living conditions and treatment of livestock, as shown by documentaries including "What the Health," "Cowspiracy," and "Food, Inc." are enough for some

Comic of the Week Comic by Jake Ortega | Comic Artist

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to shift their habits. Health concerns have also provided people with reason to change. Plant-based foods typically have lower sodium levels and fatty acids than their animal-based counterparts, and cholesterol is completely absent. Studies estimate that these boons may indicate lower risk for

heart disease and cancer among vegetarians and vegans. While these reasons on their own are convincing, the world of plant-based living is not entirely simple. Restaurants have

yet to offer more food to cater to the plant-based masses, and exclusively vegan food is not always accessible. Some argue that the lifestyle is simply too expensive, which is true when buying only specialized vegan foods from brands like Gardein or Beyond Meat. In fact, when buying the right items in more efficient ways (buying in bulk is a sustainable option), plant-based eating can be even less expensive than a regular diet. T h e

“standard” American diet thrives upon an abundance of heavy foods, especially meats and fats. For this reason, many Americans worry about the content of a plantbased diet; they may contend that plant-based eating leads to

deficiencies in certain nutrients. Almost everyone is familiar with the preemptive question — “What about the protein?” While animal products are excellent sources of protein, they aren’t the only sources around; legumes, beans, and even certain grains are chock-full of the beloved macromolecule. Even vegan athletes, like Venus Williams or Colin Kaepernick, testify to the success of the plant-based lifestyle. For others, the availability of exclusively plant-based foods is the greatest struggle, especially for teens who live with their parents and cannot buy their own groceries. Some come from families where meat is a key part of their cuisine, and some live in places where plant-based foods aren’t even an option. In cases like these, the best thing one can do is simply what they can. Even by not eating red meat one day a week, someone can make a difference. Illustration by Drew Buchanan | Staff Illustrator

The Buffet of

DEMOCR T C

OPINION

ARTURO SAMANIEGO | Managing Editor

ike an all you can eat buffet the Democratic primary has provided voters with a variety of options, but like a patron of a buffet you may find yourself asking: are any of these options actually good? The answer will vary depending on your political ideology, but for the most part voters can expect to find a candidate that suits their particular taste. With that said, some candidates outshine others in regards to policy authenticity, and ideology, while others fall flat on all fronts. Like any buffet there are certain dishes that will catch your eye over others, and in this Democratic primary, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Bernie Sanders, and former Vice President Joe Biden are the crème of the crop, but which one is the best? Warren, without a doubt is the best candidate to emerge out of this crowded primary field. She has received a lot of flak concerning the feasibility of her plans. Still she is the candidate that has best expressed a vision to restore the middle class in America, and has provided detailed plans on how she would go about doing it. To start off Warren has provided a detailed plan to address the disparity between the richest American households and average income households when it comes to paying taxes. As stated on her website “the

families in the top 0.1% are projected to owe 3.2% of their wealth in federal, state, and local taxes this year, while the bottom 99% are projected to owe 7.2%.” To address this issue Warren has proposed an Ultra-Millionaire Tax that would tax individuals 2% on every dollar of net worth above $50 million, and 3% on every dollar above $1 billion. This is just one example of Warren’s meticulous policy proposals that seek to transform the nation for the better of middle and lower income Americans. In concerns to authenticity many will ride off Warren as a phony, especially for her use of DNA testing to claim having Native American ancestry. This without a doubt was a drastic misstep on Warren’s part, but she has since gone on to apologize for the incident. The next best option on the table if Warren is not to your liking is Senator Sanders. The Senator has proven his worthiness to lead the Democratic Party to victory in 2020, just by the fact that he has radically transformed the party in the last few years. Where once Democrats triangulated on policy and legislation, being overtly ready to compromise liberal and progressive values for the sake of reaching deals with conservatives, they now, thanks to Sanders, are waging hard press battles on a variety of issues from

climate change to DACA. The hard turn towards progressive and liberal values the party has undergone in the past few years should be credited to Sanders, and his 2016 presidential campaign that showed what were once thought to be fringe liberal policy positions as actually quite popular with the public. Already this primary cycle, Sanders has gotten his opponents to adopt his stances or mimic them. This is seen in how an assortment of candidates now support Medicare for All, or have gone on to craft similar plans. Sanders has shown that progressivism and liberalism is not yet dead in this nation, and for that deserves some consideration for the democratic nomination. Of the top tier candidates, the least worthy of consideration is Biden. Biden does deserve praise for the years he faithfully spent serving as Obama’s VP. He helped get important legislation and reforms passed and implemented, such as pushing college campuses to implement stronger policies regarding Title IX. At the same time a look at his overall record from his years in public service casts doubt if he is the right person to hold the presidency. From his early years in the Senate where he opposed busing as a means of desegregating schools to his later support for the Iraq war, Biden has often supported positions

that were popular at the time, but proved short-sighted in the long term. Democrats need a nominee who is willing to advocate for positions not because they are popular, but because they are right. Though there are still many democratic candidates voters can choose from, these three at the moment are the most likely to face off against Trump in 2020. When choosing a candidate to support for 2020, you should not just consider electability, but also what vision and policies they will provide for the country over the next four years. Photos courtesy of Gage Skidmore

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Adventure Program Photos by SANNE MOLENAAR | Contributing Photographer

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