Spring 2020, Issue 3 by The Bottom Line (UCSB)

OCTOBER 10, 2019

VOLUME XIV, ISSUE XX

E-LECTIONS AS Interview With the President

Are Celebrities Out of Touch?

UCSB - Before and After COVID-19

The Bottom Line sits down with AS Sen-

Celebrities are under fire over the past few

The impact of social distancing is evident in

ate candidates to learn more about their

months for their attempts to come off as

the contrast between UCSB during a typical

platforms. NEWS | PAGE 2

Photo by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor Illustration by ALYSSA LONG | Art Director

BottomLineUCSB.com @tbl.ucsb @tblucsb

relatable, while ignoring their privilege. OPINIONS | PAGE 10

school day and UCSB under quarantine. PHOTOSTORY | PAGE 14

2020 ASSOCIATED STUDENTS ELECTION

CANDIDATES FOR

PRESIDENT AN INSIGHT ON FUTURE PLANS KYLE DENT | Assistant News Editor

ccording to the UC Santa Barbara (UCSB) Associated Students (AS) website, AS exists to “voice student concerns and express student opinion to the UCSB administration, UC system, our community, and state and local governments.” Beginning April 20, UCSB students will be able to vote for a student body president that they feel will best represent their interests and concerns within our campus community. The three candidates this year include Daniel Segura-Esquivel, a current off-campus senator and third-year sociology major and educational studies minor running under the Isla Vista Party; Daevionne Beasley, UCSB’s current External Vice President for Statewide Affairs (EVPSA) and a third-year sociology major running with Campus United; and Austin Foreman, a pro-temp UCSB senator and second-year biological sciences major running unaffiliated. According to the AS Elections Code, the AS president’s responsibilities include acting as “chief executive officer” of the Associated Students, serving as a representative for UCSB’s students in campus, system-wide, and local affairs, appointing the chair people of “all boards, commissions, committees, and other agencies,” forming a budget for the Senate, and more. This is to say that the position is a bit nebulous and entails many opportunities, but few mandates. In an interview with The Bottom Line (TBL), candidate Segura described the office in his words, stating “their place is to be the strongest advocate students have,

2 | NEWS

and addressing their needs with administrators.” Segura spoke about his desire to build communication and discussion between the administration and the student body, acknowledging that administration will privilege the president’s voice and desires when making decisions regarding students simply because of the title. According to him, administration doesn’t always understand the needs of students, or know how to address their issues. To this end, Segura built his platform around his communication with student groups and marginalized communities — to listen and hear what they need and relay that to decision-makers, to hold them accountable, and ensure students are taken care of. Listening to communities and making sure they have the resources they need to be successful is at the heart of Segura’s campaign. One direct strategy he discussed to provide resources is a school supply vending machine, open 24/7 “even after the bookstore closes” where students can grab Scantrons, blue books, pens, and the like throughout the day. Along that same track, he mentioned how he intends to finish the current President Allison Sir’s project to bring a healthy-dining vending machine to campus to ensure students always have direct and cheap access to food. Of course, food and supplies are only the most basic needs a student needs; Segura also repeatedly brought up his desire to reach out to marginalized communities, like Black students, survivors

of sexual assault, and first-generation students before they need to reach out themselves. Segura has already taken on some of this work on in his time as a senator, attending sexual assault town halls, Cost-of-Living Adjustment demonstrations, and the like to make sure he is bringing them the best help he can. By speaking to these communities, understanding the resources they need, and bringing them into the conversation, Segura hopes to create a better campus community. He points to “breaking out of that AS bubble,” and “bringing unheard voices into discussions they previously weren’t invited to.” These ideas are highlighted via the work he did on as an off-campus senator this year. Candidate Daevionne Beasley also sees the necessity of bringing resources to students. He cites his previous work, such as allocating student funds towards student-led groups and organizations on campus, and lobbying for summer financial aid in Sacramento in past years. Advocating for student resources has been important to Beasley’s political career thus far, and he hopes to continue that work as president. Beasley also points to a desire for transparency regarding student fees, and where they go. “[As EVPSA] I’ve made my budget available to all student organizations as they see fit … like visiting conferences or bringing in speakers … If no one knows about the massive amount of student fees they’re paying and where it’s going, what’s available to them … then I’m not doing my job.”

Listening to communities and making sure they have the resources they need to be successful is at the heart of Segura’s campaign. Beasley also discussed his strong desire to convince Chancellor Yang to withdraw from working on the board to create the Mauna Kea Telescope and to stop the inquisition on Native land in Hawaii. “People mention the possible scientific advances, but when it comes to the expense of people, especially native people who’ve been the target of persecution for

… centuries? Having Yang on that board makes it hard for native students — students of color — to feel comfortable navigating this school, thinking ‘they don’t even care about me, my identity.’” Beasley believes he is the best candidate for the role because of his years of experience working towards politics and advocacy, mentioning the relationships he’s

constant wait times, and after a few visits, they simply outsource you to another facility — one not always covered by insurance, sometimes including co-pays,” said Foreman. Foreman believes CAPS needs a boost to meet the needs of the entire student population. “It’s already difficult to get the help you need, and with growing over-enrollment, it’ll only get worse.” Foreman also mentions that current President Sir has made advances towards better mental health services, including collecting a large amount of survey data from the student body. Foreman hopes to use this data to create a true response to student needs. Foreman also discussed his desire to eliminate the UC system’s move towards a cohort-based tuition model, which would effectively make tuition cost more and more for each new graduating class. Foreman believes we already pay too much at this university,

and feels that this new system would “reduce from the unifying power” students previously had by “separating the graduating classes further.” This would make it harder for students to come together and fight other issues as well. While seen to some as a junior candidate, Foreman possesses much experience. As second pro-temp of the current senate, he helps run AS Senate meetings, and therefore knows his way around AS legal code. For greater context on Foreman’s contributions in AS Senate, TBL compiled a retrospective on all of the resolutions and bills authored by each Senator this year (in which Foreman is listed under on-campus senators). He also worked as a liaison for the AS Bike Committee, passed legislation as a senator, and got a head start by beginning work with his Boards Committees and Units (BCU) in the summer before the beginning of the academ-

Advocating for student resources

Foreman’s main focus as potential president is creating a better mental health care system at our school to ensure students are consistently getting the help they need and that their care grows with them.

has been important to Beasley’s political career thus far, and he hopes to continue that work as president. built with administrators and leaders, and how he wants to continue them. “Much of my work happened off campus, with faculty and admin only having a small hand in my work — they see my face, my history of advocacy, but now they’ve seen me work. They’ll remember, ‘Hey, this is the student that came to me and asked about getting the transcript fee waived, this is the student that helped get aid for the summer Cal Grant.’” Austin Foreman is the final candidate for the AS presidency.

As a second-year biological sciences major and current on-campus senator, Foreman is on track to graduate early and is the youngest candidate. Foreman’s main focus as potential president is creating a better mental health care system at our school to ensure students are consistently getting the help they need and that their care grows with them. “As a Senator, many students have spoken to me about CAPS [Counseling & Psychological Services]. It’s always full, there are

ic year. Mirroring Segura-Esquivel’s description of the position, Foreman states that it’s a “wonderful opportunity to work with the administration” and mentions the value in “building personal relationships” and “communicating the needs of students” with those in power. According to Foreman, many of these changes must happen at an institutional level, and building a bridge between administration and students is the best way to start. Voting for the 2020 AS General Election opens on GOLD at 8 a.m. on Monday, April 20. Students will have the opportunity to vote for all of the candidates, including the Office of AS President, until 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 24. Noe Padilla contributed reporting to this article. Images Courtesy of the Candidates Themselves.

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 A & E Editor | Sheila Tran Science & Tech Editor | Xander Apicella Opinions Editor | Raymond Matthews Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda, Arianna McDonald Photo Editor | Graeme Jackson Art Director | Alyssa Long Campus Beat Reporter | Madison Kirkpatrick

A.S. Beat Reporter | Kyle Dent I.V. Beat Reporter | Edward Colmenares National Beat Reporter | Jade MartinezPogue Investigative Beat Reporter | Andrew Hernandez Layout Editors | Melody Li, Amanda Wang, Esther Liu, Brian Nakajima, Olivia Berriz, Krystal Chen, Sofia Lyon

NEWS | 3

CLASS OF

2020

A Gaucho Profile on Grant Bianchi KAYLA CURTIS-EVANS | Contributing Writer Responses have been lightly edited for clarity. n honor of the class of 2020 who had their senior year sadly cut short, every week for the rest of spring quarter, The Bottom Line (TBL) will be interviewing a member of this year's graduating class. Here in this issue, TBL sat down for a virtual interview with film and media studies major Grant Bianchi from his home in Isla Vista, where he is soaking in his last quarter at UC Santa Barbara. He provided some candid insight about his quarantine routine and what it means to him that his final quarter is completely remote. How have you been spending the extra time you’ve gained while quarantining? Is this time constructive for you at all? Perhaps planning for post graduation? "Yes, I’ve been spending most of my time writing. I’m a film and media studies major, so I’m working on a few screenplays before I graduate. I’ve been

4 | FEATURES

getting a lot better at cooking too, but that hasn’t changed my daily breakfast … it’s usually cinnamon Eggo waffles. In terms of postgraduation plans, my girlfriend has actually recently made me join LinkedIn so I can start connecting with professionals in my industry — I’d always been pretty lazy and put it off but it seems like a good resource." What was the biggest event of spring quarter that you were looking forward to? "Honestly, I don’t think anything in particular, but just the possibility of having more free time during my last quarter to hang out with my friends. Maybe even getting to join the 'Dub’s Club.'" What is the “Dub’s Club”? "If you go to [Dublin's Sports Grill] 40 times in a quarter, you are a part of the 'Dub's Club' and they put your name on a plaque on the wall. But it’s kinda bullshit because they wipe the walls clean every year anyway." Do you feel that having your

last quarter at UCSB remotely has negatively affected your college experience as a whole? "I miss biking to and from classes and getting to be on campus every day. I didn’t realize the last time I left class winter quarter would be my last time on campus. However, I have to say that being able to sit in my living room and play Wii while on a Zoom lecture hasn’t been all that bad. Most of my studying and work gets done outside on my deck, and there are definitely worse places I could be. But no, I don’t think this has ruined my whole college experience. I think people who are letting this ruin four years of memories and experiences are forgetting that they lived in paradise for three and a half years and that can never be taken away from them." Were you looking forward to being a part of the actual graduation ceremony or are you rather indifferent about missing that experience? "I was excited to do senior

sunrise with my friends, but to be honest the idea of sitting in a hot field for hours already halfway to a hangover wasn’t something I was particularly interested in. I will say, I feel much worse for my parents and family who were excited to come visit me and see me graduate, since I am from the East Coast and they haven’t had many chances to visit. Having a graduation ceremony over Zoom is a funny idea though." Being a film major, how do you think COVID-19 will affect the movie and film industry and your ability to break into the industry post-grad? "I definitely feel like the first year coming out of college is going to be incredibly difficult in breaking into the industry, if not impossible. However, we have seen Hollywood struggle in economic downturns before and it always seems to come back stronger. Especially now, with the power and funding of streaming services, like Netflix, I am optimistic that there are more

avenues than ever before to create and to get your story out there. Hopefully in a year or so, studios and production companies will start hiring in mass again, and by then I’ll have the experience necessary to be hired." Has this pandemic possibly spurred any interesting movie ideas for you? "About the pandemic or virus? No, but I definitely think the additional time I have to conceptualize and develop my ideas and write in my free time is invaluable." What piece of advice would you give the class of 2021 now that you’ve almost completed your college career amidst a global pandemic? "Don’t take a single second in Isla Vista for granted." Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

"I.V. HUSTLES" Facebook Page Supports

Student-Run Businesses CARMIYA BASKIN | Staff Writer

C Santa Barbara (UCSB) students and residents of Isla Vista have been hit hard financially since the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order came into effect. To alleviate these hardships, two UCSB students recently created a Facebook group called “I.V. HUSTLES” in order to spotlight student-run businesses in the neighborhood. “People just don’t have jobs anymore or are missing out on hours of work, and potentially have more free time,” explained Lea Toubian in an interview with The Bottom Line (TBL). Toubian, a third-year political science and environmental studies double major, and Tianna White, a third-year political science student, launched “I.V. HUSTLES” last Friday. Both Toubian and White are running for executive positions within Associated Students (AS) for the upcoming school year, and White specifically noted that she started the page as part of her election campaign to bridge the gap between the UCSB student body and Associated Students. ACCORDING TO THE GROUP’S DESCRIPTION, ITS PURPOSE IS TO SUPPORT SMALL AND LOCAL BUSINESSES, AND “KEEP OUR LITTLE COMMUNITY THRIVING.” WHITE

TOLD TBL, “IT’S ALL ABOUT ESTABLISHING THE HUSTLE NOW TO SUPPORT CURRENT AND FUTURE GAUCHOS.” Communication takes place between the buyer and seller, but both Toubian and White monitor the page to ensure everyone practices social distancing and that posts better suited for different outlets are advertised in those respective groups. Unlike “Free & For Sale,” UCSB’s largest social media online market, “I.V. HUSTLES” is focused on students and Isla Vistans who have businesses and services to offer. Rather than selling items like clothing, textbooks, and furni-

ture that may be gone within a few days, Toubian said that she wants the page to be sustainable, continuing long after the quarantine has been lifted. So far, the page has over 600 members and several posts with many positive reactions. Adam Chohan, the president of the UCSB chapter of Quokka Brew, a student-run coffee company selling the first fully caffeinated jitter-less coffee, told TBL in a virtual interview that the group provides an effective way to reach UCSB’s population outside of other pages like housing and rideshares. Other members have also posted on the site publicizing

their products like vegan edible brownies, handmade jewelry and masks, and services such as resume-building tips. “‘I.V. HUSTLES’ came about at the perfect time for helping people gain more traction and income for their businesses,” said Chohan. “After the quarantine, it will still be a great way to keep people updated on what [Quokka Brew] is doing.” White also mentioned that affordable beauty services, like hair and nail salons, are in high demand among students due to the scarcity and high prices of existing shops in I.V. Toubian echoed her, underscoring the advantage that Isla Vista’s isolated nature

brings as “not everyone has the time to get a job and there’s so much talent on this campus.” While the page is intended for Gauchos in and around the Isla Vista area, White said it is acceptable for a person outside of this community to make a post as long as it is legitimate. As the page continues to grow, she said she would like to consider implementing community guidelines, especially regarding political posts. “I just want to support students and don’t want the page to get confused with something that already exists like ‘Free & For Sale,’” White noted. In the future, she would like to recruit more students to be moderators and administrators of the page, to maintain and expand it in order to continue helping students. “All I can hope is that students enjoy it and benefit from it.” Toubian added that “so much of our lives have been disrupted so now, more than ever, it is important that we continue to support each other and local businesses.” White echoed her sentiments, “We go through a lot of ups and downs at UCSB so if ‘I.V. HUSTLES’ even helps just one person, that’s a win in my book.” Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

FEATURES | 5

Streaming

DANIEL KU | Contributing Writer

New and Rediscovered Pastimes of UCSB Students

QUARANTINE HOBBIES: 6 | FEATURES

alifornia’s stay-athome order means the loss of jobs, classes, and community activities. Many students are using their spare time to adopt new, rediscovered, or existing pastimes. Whether for fun or for -self-development, hobbies are outlets to express individuality and satisfy the need for excitement and growth. Through online interviews, The Bottom Line asked three students at UC Santa Barbara to share with us how they’re spending their time indoors, including tips for those interested in following their steps. Paul Lee, a fifth-year communication major, started streaming “Super Smash Bros. Melee” and “League of Legends” during spring break, a pastime that mirrors the work of a content creator. “I’ve been streaming and have tried the whole content creator thing [by] creating multiple avenues to grow my stream,” Lee explains. Streaming is a process in which content is created through the use of live footage, whether it’s someone playing video games, reacting to other content, or just chatting with their viewers. Using platforms such as YouTube and Instagram to increase his viewership, Lee talks about the enjoyment he gets from streaming. “Creating [an] image and brand and trying to market through Twitter and Instagram feels like a business,” says Lee. “Trying to be better than other streamers is fun and interesting. It feels good when I’m randomly streaming and people come watch and talk to me.” For Lee, simply trying to grow his streaming community is a rewarding experience. For those interested in getting their foot in the streaming community, Lee suggests first turning off your viewer count. “You don’t want to get too focused on how many viewers you have and instead want to

focus on creating the best stream possible. Just have fun streaming. Try not to just stream [just] the big games but games you actually enjoy playing. The people who enjoy watching those games will find you.” Follow Paul Lee’s stream at twitch.tv/ paulman00103.

Gaming

Second-year Ebony Givens spends her spare time during quarantine playing video games, namely “Pokémon” and “Animal Crossing,” to relieve boredom and stress. “’Animal Crossing’ happens in real time and there’s not a linear storyline to follow, so you can play it during different times of the day and see how time changes,” Givens explains. “You can also do things like fish and catch insects, which I find relaxing.” Amid lockdowns, game sales have grown 44 percent due in large part by recent releases like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” As Givens says, playing the game is a great way to pass the time when there’s nothing else to do. “I usually play a game for about 20 minutes before switching to something else, but will play for an hour or so if I enjoy it at that moment. ‘Animal Crossing’ is getting really popular now and many people seem to like it, so I’d recommend looking into that if people are curious.”

Drawing

Hoang-My Tran, a first year studying physics, expresses her creativity through art and comics. Although she’s been drawing for a long time, she’s only recently had the time to get back into her hobby. The lack of stimulus during spring break as well as the trending art challenges on Twitter motivated her to start drawing again. “The stay-

at-home order reignited my passion by giving me more free time,” Tran explains. “It made me feel more locked up in my mind. I usually relate my thoughts and feelings to stories that I write in my mind and I feel like the quarantine gave me more free time to think.” FOR TRAN, DRAWING IS MORE THAN JUST PENCIL ON PAPER. SHE ENJOYS CONCEIVING ART BECAUSE IT ALLOWS HER TO USE HER IMAGINATION TO CREATE AND RECREATE CHARACTERS AND SITUATIONS IN THE WAY SHE ENVISIONS THEM. “I enjoy the storytelling, world building, and making my experiences and feelings come to life. I feel like I can understand myself better if I question my own ethics, morality and perspectives [and] apply those thoughts to the characters I create.” Tran has some advice for those interested in learning to draw: don’t hesitate, just start drawing. “Don’t look at [your art] and be like ‘oh my god, my art is so shit compared to everyone else.’ The audience isn’t thinking that. For example, let’s say you’re drawing a cake and another person also draws a cake. The audience is just thinking there’s two cakes. Practice makes perfect.” Illustrations by Esther Liu | Social Media Coordinator

Music Under Quarantine How Local I.V. Bands are Surviving the Pandemic MAILE BUCKMAN | Contributing Writer

nyone who has lived in Isla Vista (I.V.) knows that the local music scene is a force to be reckoned with. On any given Friday night, groups roaming the streets can witness houses and garages aplenty coming alive with the magnetic music of beloved I.V. bands — it’s no surprise that a school that produced such notable alumni as Jack Johnson and Steve Aoki would cultivate a thriving music culture. But, in such unprecedented times with online courses and social distancing measures, performances are out of the question. So what’s an I.V. band to do during quarantine? One local group, Careless Cub, has a solution. “GauchoJam,” an online music performance happening on Saturday, April 25, from 9 p.m.-10:30 p.m., will allow Gauchos near and far to satisfy their craving for Isla Vista music. Although the sets will be pre-recorded, “it’s going to have a live feeling,” shares Rachel Henson, fourth-year microbiology major and drummer for local indie-rock group TasteGood, in an interview with The Bottom Line. Part of the proceeds will go towards donations for the Santa Barbara food bank. Although solutions like these are creative and pioneering, Henson also admits some disappointment accompanying the restrictions on gatherings. Graduating this spring, she says “This was kind of like the last hurrah … the

last quarter for me to play with my band.” The group had planned to release an extended play with some of their original songs during spring quarter. “Now we don’t know if we’re going to do that … because the place we wanted to do it at is now closed,” Henson says. But this isn’t the end for I.V. music. Acclaimed in their own right as defending champions of this year’s UCSB “Battle of the Bands,” TasteGood has instead taken a different approach to music release. “We haven’t been playing as often as usual, but we’ve made one iMovie,” which can be found on their Facebook or Instagram. Henson is referring to the group’s "Quarantine version" spoof of “Tequila” by the Champs, in which the band sings “Corona” instead of the original lyric “Tequila.” “We plan to do more songs like that, just like little clips of songs and … post them,” Henson says, adding that the current situation makes it somewhat easier to collaborate. Before, the band members’ busy schedules made it difficult to plan practices. Jacob Pabalan, second-year history major and lead singer for the psychedelic funk band Art Official, said that the sudden increase in free time has allowed their group certain benefits as well. With no physical classes, they orchestrated an early release of their first album Live at the Jazz House, which became avail-

able on SoundCloud and Bandcamp on April 13. “We’ve been getting in touch with a producer … based in L.A.,” he shares, adding that they are planning to record in the studio sometime in the future. For now, though, with many businesses closed, the group (which still resides together in Isla Vista) does demos in Pabalan’s van. “There’s obviously a sense of displacement [with the situation], but we usually take a break at the end of the quarter anyways … so it’s a good time to recuperate,” Pabalan says, adding that the band is taking the quarantine as an opportunity to look to the future and plan ahead. Despite their differences in adapting to the situation, it seems that all bands are sharing their nostalgia for past shows. Henson shares her favorite, saying “’Fuck Frats’ was amazing,” — referring to the “Fuck Frats Fest” of Nov. 16, 2019, a concert and benefit show in which both bands played sets to raise money for sexual assault awareness. “We raised like $2000, which was … awesome,” Henson says. “The thing I’m going to miss the most is just the feeling of it all — getting hyped to play and … the euphoria … the high of playing in front of people,” Henson shares. Pabalan also esteems his band’s experience at “Fuck Frats” but says that his favorite memory is headlining their first show, where they played with friends in San Luis Obispo-based band

AutoPipe. “I’m so glad and thankful that [our fans] come to boogie with us, because they’re why we do it … because music’s a conversation,” Pabalan shares. And although that conversation may be paused for the time being, fans and listeners can still check out TasteGood on their Facebook or Instagram, and Art Official (or Pabalan’s solo album, The Ballad of Jimmy Pebble) on SoundCloud, Bandcamp, Spotify, and Apple Music. “Gaucho-

Jam” can be found on Facebook under the event name “GauchoJam Food Bank Fundraiser.” “It’s pretty cool to like know that people actually enjoy our vibe and want to see where we’re going,” Henson says, “and I wish we could give them more than what we are dealing with now.” Photo by Graeme Jackson | Photo Editor

Jam” can be found on Facebfy,

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT | 7

The Perfect

Podcast

Banish Your Quarantine Boredom ANALISSA NUNEZ | Contributing Writer

s Gauchos around the world practice social distancing, the amount of free time that some students have has increased dramatically. Without the regular face-to-face interactions that come with commuting to campus, it seems that our days may be filled with more silence than normal. Thankfully, we live in the age of podcasting, where a good story can provide virtual companionship — and perhaps even the chance to gain new knowledge. Listed below are some prime listening material recommendations for your days of social distancing.

4. “Crime Junkie”

The first podcast on this list is “Crime Junkie,” made for those who can’t get enough of true crime content. From famous murders, kidnappings, serial killers, to cold cases, this podcast uses unique storytelling methods that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Aside from famous cases, the show appreciates sharing lesser-known cases to help bring justice to victims and their families. New episodes are released every Monday and can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Stitcher.com. Recommended Episode: “Amy Lynn Bradley” — Twenty years after going missing during a cruise, credible sightings suggest that Amy Lynn Bradley is actually alive and being held captive.

3. “The Moth”

The next notable podcast is “The Moth,” an organization that hosts live storytelling events around the world. For those who can’t travel, the weekly podcast features the organization’s best stories. Each story is limited to five minutes, making it the perfect show for those who may be in a hurry. “The Moth” is unique because it portrays a range of emotions in each episode, which makes the show compelling to listeners. Weekly episodes, released every Tuesday and Friday, can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and their website. Recommended Episode: “Wake Up Call” — An actress discovers something sinister about her partner and decides to get sweet, glorious revenge on him.

8 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

2. “Terrible, Thanks 1. “Supernatural with for Asking” Ashley Flowers” Another podcast worth mentioning is “Terrible, Thanks for Asking,” which examines honest answers to the question “How are you?” Host Nora McInerny was inspired to create the show after losing her husband to cancer and having a miscarriage in the same year. For those who are currently dealing with grief, this show will help you process your feelings. New episodes are released every Wednesday and can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or on Stitcher.

The last show is “Supernatural with Ashley Flowers.” This series aims to uncover the truth about mysterious and bizarre occurrences. For those who are interested in unexplained events, this show is a great choice to binge. Each story is told clearly and logically enough to keep listeners enticed throughout the episode. Every Wednesday on Spotify, Apple Music, and Parcast, listeners are treated to a different mysterious occurrence — where everything is not as it may seem.

Recommended Episode: “Emily and Chanel” — A sexual assault survivor speaks in detail about the worst night of her life and her struggle with living two identities — the one before the incident, and the one after.

Recommended Episode: “THE UNKNOWN: Dyatlov Pass” — Nine mountaineers are found dead with unexplainable injuries outside of their tent. To this day, no one knows what happened that night in Russia.

The shows listed have a wide range of topics: crime, thought-provoking stories, grief management, and solving the unknown. Although all different, each podcast provides an outlet for those who are searching for a story with twists and turns. Let these podcasts set your mind at ease and let your imagination drift to a new world. Illustration by Alyssa Long | Art Director

SCIENCE & TECH | 9

magine: Celebrity, Life, and Death In just the past few weeks, the world we once knew has been rendered vulnerable. Societal issues deeply embedded in our reality have risen to the surface, no longer free from scrutiny and reform. Underlying class and wealth disparities have become more visible and difficult to ignore. But the unveiling of these issues has gone beyond those of universal healthcare, wage inequality, and job security; what has become increasingly apparent over the past month is just how little America values lower economic classes. And conversely, how those in the high upper classes are protected. It is difficult to deny that the U.S. maintained a uniquely romantic idea of celebrity even prior to the current pandemic. We have several media platforms, such as TMZ or Entertainment Tonight, dedicated solely to the existence of and intrigue with celebrities. A great deal of American marketing relies on celebrity status as a propaganda ploy via brand deals. And of course, celebrities play an alarmingly large role in modern U.S. politics. So it is no surprise that in times of an unprecedented crisis, the mentality of value directed towards celebrities, and all members of the upper classes for that matter, would extend beyond moral boundaries. The unequal value judgements presented by COVID-19 are far more severe than glorification of celebrity status. They now, for many, bleed&nbsp; into the ethical territory of life and death. Public figures such as Kris Jenner have sought out COVID-19 tests despite exhibiting no symptoms and in spite of the shortage of available testing kits. While many, regardless of their symptoms, pre-existing medical issues, or even if they are in critical condition, are forced to wait days or even

10 | OPINIONS

weeks in order to receive testing and obtain their results, these celebrities are miraculously able to get tested fairly quickly. This disparity demonstrates that the institutions put in place to protect and serve the lives of the humans who rely on them are only interested in protecting the lives of the wealthy and famous. When it comes to Justin Bieber’s ignorant comments about wealth or Gal Gadot’s quaint video of her fellow stars singing “Imagine,” it’s all just a symptom of the bizarre and toxic celebrity culture that is inextricably weaved into the American consciousness. As per Bieber’s social media message, celebrities should not feel guilty for flaunting wealth during the current circumstances because they worked to earn what they have. But this statement only reinforces the distance between celebrity culture and the reality of working-class Americans. Defending one’s ability to brag while many have lost their jobs and are struggling to manage their financial obligations is not only out of touch, but sorely privileged. It ignores the systematic privileges in place which favorably award certain opportunities to specific individuals, namely those who are born into wealth or those who are born conventionally beautiful. However, it is not a matter of whether celebrities worked for their wealth or not. It is the absurd egotism which infiltrates the minds of many celebrities and pervades their culture. It is the belief that those who are struggling to get by or afraid for their loved one’s lives can be helped by seeing a video of a few major celebrities singing a melancholy song. Perhaps had the present circumstances been any less drastic or widespread, that kind of action would be acknowledged as charming and endearing. But what the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed about celebrity

Glitzand

Glamour

Are Celebrities out of Touch? SOFIA LYON | Layout Editor

culture and the amount of resources dedicated to protecting the wealthy cannot be mended by such a hollow gesture. Moreover, the ignorance of the gesture itself speaks more to the extent many celebrities are out of touch with the public — perhaps they believe it will make a difference in people’s lives because they do not sense any real threat from the pandemic. As shown by the medical system’s quickness to attend

to celebrities as well as their wealth and access to healthcare, the wealthy are effectively protected from illness. Needless to say, it seems apt for the public to grow tired of the endless stream of celebrity tweets complaining of boredom while enjoying amenities many could only dream of. While it is difficult to imagine how the world will change by the end of this unusual time, it will hopefully trigger a shift in the celebrity paradigm

which pushes us away from the romantic attitudes that elevated them into superhuman status in the first place. Illustration by Lauren Luna | Staff Illustrator

TOXIC BODY IMAGE STEREOTYPES Do Not Pass The Vibe Check LINDA CHONG | Copy Editor

We’ve all seen it: an hourglass figure appears on the screen, claiming that her secret to perfect abs and a tiny waist is to drink green smoothies with apple cider vinegar followed by 15 crunches a day.

eneration Z has progressed so much within the past few years; we’re so open-minded and accepting, loving all body types and exposing all socially constructed traditions! All the evil forces that work to body shame will be snuffed out, and we’ll all be equally loved as long as you keep circulating positive messages on social media!” Yeah, absolutely not. People may claim that we’ve stopped scrutinizing women’s bodies and there will always be encouragement to accept your curves or non-curves — but that’s a big fat lie. Teens and tweens are turning to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram in order to connect and to grow networks, yet they find themselves unconsciously being encouraged to change their bodies. We’ve all seen it: an hourglass figure appears on the screen, claiming that her secret to perfect abs and a tiny waist is to drink green smoothies with apple cider vinegar followed by 15 crunches a day. Public celebrities swear by their makeup brands and the magic within that will plump

your lips and lift your face. As a result, we see women commenting&nbsp; that they’ve discarded the chips they were eating, and falling under the social pressure to whether we should be participating in this “self-betterment.” Compared to the past few decades, some might say we have progressed. Our generations have moved past bullying high school girls or discriminating against job applicants based on appearance, right? We don’t condone drinks or pills that promise to burn fat and we certainly do not pressure girls into being thin, right? Who has even heard of a new extreme diet in this era? Those days are over! Ironically, 20 million women have eating disorders out of the 30 million confirmed cases in America. 10 percent to 20 percent of women

develop an eating disorder when entering college compared to the four to 10 percent affected men, and the usual suspects of this mental illness are between the ages of 18 to

21 years old. Teens and young women are being influenced to change their appearances, and the numbers are still high after all these years. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying men aren’t affected either — but the numbers are quite one-sided. Although there’s much to say about the socially constructed burden to look thin, I must give credit to where it’s due. Many Gen Z folks have figured it out; we live in an unequal world with disproportionate expectations on people based on gender, race, and age. They know that society has been injecting us with daily doses of Julia Roberts and Disney princesses, and there’s now a community that exposes the underlying hierarchy of body types. Women are posting more about the act of loving one’s body before expecting love

back, or eating what you want without feeling guilty. Stretch marks and cellulite are being honored, and any hint of negative energy is quickly dissolved by comments of body image activists. There’s a strong force of women supporting other women in our misunderstanding of bodies, and it’s important to realize that no one thought there was something wrong with them until patriarchal society deemed what was the ideal body shape. In conclusion, yes, we are subject to this pressure and it’s honestly unavoidable. Social media will not ban girls from posting their smoothie bowls or new yoga mats. There will always be people with more socially “ideal” figures, and people who absorb this and want to change. But realizing your individual characteristics and quirks — and accepting them? Only a boss bitch can do that. Illustration by Sophia Zhou | Contributing Illustrator

OPINIONS | 11

AND

The

OF INSTAGRAM CHALLENGES KATELIN GODBOLD | Contributing Writer

oday, millions of people are social distancing and staying under quarantine in their homes. With people spending less time going out and habits changing, many have turned to social media trends, creating long chains of “Instagram challenges.” Everyone from friends, family, strangers, and even celebrities have jumped on this trend of doing a challenge and proceeding to “tag three friends!” People search Instagram story templates that provide bingo for a countless number of topics for people to fill out, and then they can challenge their friends to fill them out as well. In other challenges, one person will draw a random doodle, tag their friends, and challenge them to draw the same thing, creating long chains of ridiculous-looking doodles on Instagram stories. One Instagram challenge that many participated in was the “until tomorrow” chain. In this challenge, people were tagged by friends to post unflattering pictures of themselves and leave them up until the next day, hence the name “until tomorrow.” Challenges and hashtag trends have been around for a long time and have become a characteristic of Instagram (I mean, who hasn’t done #ThrowbackThursday). But with many cooped up inside, the number of challenges and posts have increased. This growing number of posts has caused some to think of these challenges as annoying

12 | OPINIONS

and “cringey.” To counter those opinions though, Instagram challenges should not be considered a bad thing. With the current situation, much of the world currently finds itself in, anything to look forward to and find entertainment in is a positive thing. These challenges are, in their own way, an emotional outlet for people to connect with others that they are not able to see right now. People post a bingo sheet and fill it out, tag their friends, and watch as they post their versions. Friends and family can communicate this way and learn about each other in an entertaining way. Besides being an outlet for communicating and connecting with others, these countless Instagram challenges provide a distraction from the stresses that many are experiencing. Many are facing new challenges and a way to distract from that every so often is beneficial. For those that find these challenges annoying, their points are valid. They may not find it entertaining, and seeing everyone post the same thing may not be appealing. But the beauty of

Besides being an outlet for communicating and connecting with others, these countless Instagram challenges provide a distraction from the stresses that many are experiencing.

social media is that those people do not have to participate in the challenges, and can just scroll past them if they want to. hese Instagram challenges are an excellent example of how social media provides an emotional outlet for so many during these confusing times. The growing number of ways to use social media to support others and stay connected can be seen through these challenges. People love to participate in them and they even add a bit of a silver lining to our current situation. Illustration by Grace Park | Staff Illustrator

we humans are social creatures but pandemic lurking, we retreat behind locked gates of stocked shelves and deliveries forthcoming. some with families thick with love or spontaneous irritation; some in hollowed homes threatened by housemates returning for remote schooling. we taste photons behind windows, watching the world churn to life behind photo screens: wild elephants do not frolic on lands claimed by humans for years, crows and black phoebes do not host dance parties when cars rush by, but there are no cars now. even cars grow nests and streets erupt with wildflowers. we may wilt pale and plumply, but human recoil is gratitude when nature recolonises and blesses our planet as the good place again.

Poem by CELINE PUN | Contributing Writer Illustration by ALYSSA LONG | Art Director

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ILLUSTRATIONS | 13

UCSB

Before and After COVID-19

14 | PHOTO

Photos by GRAEME JACKSON | Photo Editor

Spring quarter's sunny weather and longer days typically mean all areas on UCSB's campus are bustling with foot and bike traffic. With this year's transition to remote instruction, campus sits eerily vacant, void of the vibrant student life that has inhabited it's buildings and walkways for so many years.

PHOTO | 15

16 | ILLUSTRATIONS

Illustrations by SOPHIA ZHOU | Contributing Illustrator

The Bottom adle Illustration & Recipe by Drew Buchanan | Staff Illustrator

Some Recent Good NEws

Illustrations by Aiyana Fraas | Contributing Illustrator

ILLUSTRATIONS | 17

Chaotic Coloring Illustration by DREW BUCHANAN | Staff Illustrator

18 | ILLUSTRATIONS

For a chance to be featured on The Bottom Lineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s social media, print, color, and submit your masterpiece (along with your Instagram handle, if you want!) to illustrations@bottomlineucsb.com.