University of California, Santa Barbara || Volume XIII, Issue XIII || Feb. 13, 2019 || BottomLineUCSB.com
NEWS
FEATURES
OPINIONS
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
SCIENCE & TECH
SPORTS
VIDEO
IT’S A SWEET ONE... OPINIONS
Pages 10-11
Valentine’s Special Illustration by Annette Ding | News Editor
Hugh Hefner’s Documentary
The Science of Love
SBIFF audiences saw a new side of Hugh Hefner, showcasing the Playboy founder as a civil rights and free speech advocate.
From ancient philosophy to modern neuroscience to studies on prairie vole monogamy, TBL walks you through the science of love.
A&E
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S&T
Page 8
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
PREVIEW:
2 | NEWS
Illustration courtesy of UCSB’s Womens’ Center
ALONDRA SIERRA Isla Vista Beat Reporter This Valentine’s Day, the Women’s Center invites students to embrace and explore the medley of love and romance beyond the traditionally heterocentric and non-binary commercialization of the holiday for a celebratory fair inclusive of all identities, preferences, and sexual desires. “A Valentine’s Day Affair,” will be held on Thursday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Student Resource Building (SRB), offering students an opportunity to interact with the many educational booths. Topics include sexual health, romance, and “other aspects of self-pleasure, forging intimacy, and feminist motivated modes of pleasure,”
as described by Jeremy Chow, Graduate Student Assistant at the Women’s Center and doctoral candidate in the English department. Campus groups including The Health and Wellness Center, The Resource Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity (RCSGD), Womxn’s Commission, I AM THAT GIRL, and Campus, Advocacy, Resource and Education (CARE) will be running themed booths at the fair. Those curious about orgasmic masturbation and the how-to of sex toys will have the opportunity to participate in and explore the differing means of selfpleasure for all types of genitalia. Anytime during the event, students may anonymously submit their romance or pleasure-related
TBL 2018-2019 STAFF
questions to be answered. Students wishing to learn more about the spectrum of sexuality, romanticism, and relationships — aromanticism vs. biromanticism and polyamorous vs. monogamous relationships, for example — can seek out the RCSGD’s archery booth. To promote sexual awareness and safety, CARE will be giving away “consent valentines,” grams with powerful images and consensual phrases to highlight the importance of consent when it comes to both platonic and intimate relationships, according to Samantha Vega, CARE peer educator. For the last hour of the event, Urban Dance Company’s Shante Boudaghi will lead a burlesque dance class to focus on body
positivity and self-love — central themes that the Women’s Center highlights in their annual Love Your Body Week carried out fall quarter. “The [dance class] will focus on body positivity and loving the skin that you’re in, especially when it comes to forging these different intimate connections,” said Chow. Boudaghi, a third year religious studies and communications double major who has been dancing professionally for seven years, believes sensual dancing empowers others, regardless of prior experience. “A lot of people feel too shy dancing sensually because they feel like it’s either too much or they don’t want individuals to look at them a certain way,” said Boudaghi.
“But at the end of the day, who’s there? You. Why not become more in tune with yourself and let loose for your own sake!” The dance class, as Boudaghi noted, isn’t a performance or competition, but a space for students to jump out of their comfort zones and have fun with their bodies. In addition to creative forms of self-love and inclusive Valentine’s Day themed crafts and games, the Women’s Center will be giving away sex toys, external condoms, lube, and, among other treats, grilled cheese sandwiches. Students can attend this free event from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the SRB this Valentine’s day.
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
Editor-in-Chief | Alex Yam
Features Editor | Victoria Penate
Sports Editors | Juan Gonzalez and
Web Editor | Docean Park
Managing Editor | Mable Truong
Arts & Entertainment Editor | Addison Morris
Jacob Wong
Layout Editor | Elaine Chen
Executive Content Editor | Lauren Marnel
Science & Tech Editor | Hannah Maerowitz
Photo Editor | Juan Gonzalez
PAGES: 4, 5, 6
Shores
Opinions Editor | Jessica Gang
Campus Beat Reporter | Minh Hua
Layout Editor | Chrissy Cho
Senior Layout Editor | Mikaela Pham
Video Editor | Fabiola Esqueda
Isla Vista Beat Reporter | Alondra Sierra
PAGES: 7,8,9
Senior Copy Editor | Spencer Wu
Advertising Director | Tanya Gosselin
National Beat Reporter | Jacob Wong
Layout Editor | Vivianna Shields
Co-News Editor | Arturo Samaniego
Marketing Director | Erica Kaplan
Copy Editor | Sheila Tran
PAGES: 10,11
Co-News Editor | Annette Ding
Copy Editor | McKinsey FIdellow
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
3 | NEWS
h t l a & e h l a u ex s
Y SAFET
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sexual health
STUDENT HEALTH
Any Gaucho with the UC Student Health and Insurance Plan (UC SHIP) are welcome to free STI tests at Student Health, as well as free contraceptives and Plan B. For transgender specific health services, students can call (805) 893 - 3087 and ask to make an appointment with Dr. John Landsberg (with no need to say why), to have their specialized health needs met. WEBSITE: http:// studenthealth. sa.ucsb.edu/
PHONE NUMBER: (805) 893 - 5361
2
A.S. PARDALL CENTER
Another excellent location to access contraceptives is the wellness vending machine in the Pardall Center (6650 Pardall Road). The machine offers everything from general medical supplies, such as bandages, to over the counter contraceptives like Plan B, providing students with access health resources at the same cost as the Student Health pharmacy but with more open hours. WEBSITE: https://pardallcenter.as.ucsb.edu/
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PHONE NUMBER: (805) 770 - 3145
RHA SAFER SEX PEERS
RHA’s Safer Sex Peers provides dorm residents access to free condoms, dental dams, lubricants, and sexual health information at the luxury and convenience of simply walking down their hallway.
HEALTH & WELLNESS
UCSB’s Department of Health and Wellness offers educational workshops relating to sexual and relationship health. In addition, they manage a free and confidential HIV testing clinic, once a quarter, to help connect students with sexual health resources. WEBSITE: http://wellness. sa.ucsb.edu/ sexualhealth
PHONE NUMBER: (805) 893-2630
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RESOURCE CENTER FOR SEXUAL & GENDER DIVERSITY
The RCSGD, located on the third floor of the Student Resource Building, provides students free access to contraceptives and lubrication, as well as sexual health information. The RCSGD serves as a liaison between LGBTQ+ organizations on campus and the rest of the university. WEBSITE: http://rcsgd. sa.ucsb.edu/
PHONE NUMBER: (805) 893 - 5847
5
WOMEN’S CENTER
The Women’s Center is dedicated to providing support, education, and advocacy for gender equality. Situated on the first floor of the Student Resource Building, the Women’s Center has free access to condoms, dental dams, and lubrication. Also nestled inside is the Campus Advocacy, Resources & Education (CARE) office, where those affected by interpersonal violence can seek confidential counseling and advocacy. CARE provides emotional, academic, financial, medical, housing and reporting assistance. WEBSITE: http://wgse.sa.ucsb.edu/ WomensCenter/home PHONE NUMBER: (805) 893 - 3778
S E C R RESOU
survivors of interpersonal conflict
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ANONYMOUS REPORTING
Individuals have the option of filing an anonymous report through the CARE website, which will be forwarded to UCPD. Law enforcement will keep the information on file, including the name of the perpetrator and the type of crime. An anonymous report typically cannot lead to any law enforcement action unless the individual chooses to then press forward with charges. But creating such reports allows law enforcement to help recognize an assailant’s pattern, or to support a survivor’s story if he or she decides to pursue charges at a later date.
OFFICE OF EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & SEXUAL HARASSMENT / TITLE IX COMPLIANCE
While it is not a confidential resource in that it may share information with campus administrators or investigative participants on a need to know basis, Title IX handles sexual assault, sexual harassment, and gender discrimination cases within the university, including any acts of retaliation. Reports can be filed through their website.
CAMPUS ADVOCACY, RESOURCES & EDUCATION (CARE)
CARE offers confidential advocacy to individuals affected by dating/ domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. As stated on their website, they meet with survivors to provide “emotional, academic, housing, medical, reporting, and/or financial support and guidance,” in order to help individuals understand what resources and options are available to them. Unlike the Title IX office, their objective is not to remain a neutral party, but rather a trusted resource to provide support for survivors.
UC POLICE DEPARTMENT
UCPD and IVFP provide reporting and investigation options for survivors of interpersonal violence. They the power to forward reports to the District Attorney to pursue legal action, and can provide information about restraining order and referrals for forensic exams.
OFFICE OF JUDICIAL AFFAIRS
The Office of Judicial Affairs offers “no contact orders” between complainants and respondents. In addition, they are granted the power to pursue university charges against student perpetrators after a Title IX investigation is completed.
4 | FEATURES
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
a ucsb ’ s valentine ’ s day West Wind Drive-In Theater Perfect for anyone looking to add a bit of a retro element to their Valentine’s Day celebration this year, the West Wind Drive-In located on South Kellogg Drive (just a few minutes down the highway from campus) will be open and running on this upcoming Thursday night. The outdoor theater will be screening “The LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part.” While this is admittedly not the most romantic movie for the occasion, the setting may provide some added cuteness as you enjoy some snacks from the comfort of your own vehicle with someone you care about. You may even feel that you are in a romantic 50’s movie yourself.
DATE Ice in Paradise
Would you like to show your significant other or friends that you will always be there for them as an uplifting force during their times of struggles? If so, consider celebrating your Valentine’s Day with them at Ice in Paradise, an indoor ice skating rink located on Santa Felicia Drive in Goleta. Ice skating will make the ideal setting for catching your loved ones as they fall, or maybe being caught yourself, all depending on your respective levels of coordination. And then, if you grow tired of the sustained effort to remain upright, Ice in Paradise now also includes MJ Cafe, a good spot to warm up and enjoy a conversation over some hot chocolate.
Zodo’s Bowling & Beyond Zodo’s, the local bowling alley located on Calle Real in Goleta, has re-emerged after a period of renovation and now sports a bright, glowing aura on the inside and out. This spot makes a good environment to celebrate Valentine’s Day because of the variety of activities offered. From the obvious row of bowling lanes,to a selection of classic arcade games and a full bar, this spot lives up to the “Beyond” in its name by offering something for nearly everyone — even those who aren’t the biggest fans of bowling. This may make a good choice if you’re not quite sure which activity you’d like to do. For some preemptive celebration, if going out the night before Valentine’s Day is more fitting for your schedule this year, it may be worth checking out Zodo’s College Night event which happens every Wednesday night.
Written by Victoria Penate | Features Editor
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
5 | FEATURES Whether you are looking forward to it or dreading the hype that surrounds it, Valentine’s Day can be a great occasion for appreciating the love in your life — whether you will be spending it with a partner, friends, or on your own. Below are some of the cutest spots in and around Goleta, where you can make this Valentine’s Day your best one yet.
IDEAS Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History/Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
For those willing to venture out of the immediately surrounding area and into lower Santa Barbara, there is a variety of options for a vibrant Valentine’s Day surrounded by the charm of nature, whether it is curated at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History or alive and growing at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. Both of these notable Santa Barbara tourist attractions make great spots for a Valentine’s Day date because each provides in its own way a natural flow of conversation topics if these begin to run low. And, while each also provides an opportunity to appreciate and learn more about nature, these spots are still conducive to dressing up nicely, making a special occasion of the visit.
Crushcakes Cafe Coffee dates are ubiquitous as a first date idea because they are casual, not too intensive of a time commitment, and generally made comfortable by the soothing ambiance of a coffee shop. Crushcakes Cafe, located on Hollister Avenue in Goleta, offers one of the cutest settings in the area for this type of get-together. The star of the show at Crushcakes, as may be inferred by its name, is the array of fresh cupcakes, as delicious as they are adorable. In addition to these, there is a menu of breakfast items as well as a coffee selection which includes the classics such as vanilla or mocha flavored espresso drinks. Canine friends may also be brought along during your visit to Crushcakes, as they have a dog-friendly patio behind the main structure.
Illustrations by Mable Truong | Managing Editor
6 | OPINIONS
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
Dating App
As someone who identifies as a homebody, I decided to try out a dating app called Coffee Meets Bagel in an attempt to be “adventurous” during my last year of college. My very first “bagel” was a good-looking physical therapist who was pretty much my polar opposite — fit, spontaneous, and the life of the party. At first, I paid little attention to him, assuming that I was not his type. I described myself as a “creative weirdo, Studio Ghibli fangirl, and café enthusiast” in my dating profile — three descriptions that don’t exactly scream “attractive” to a ravegoing, gym enthusiast like himself. My highly cautious mind decided he was not for me — until I received this message in my inbox: “Hey! What type of café do you like?” With that begins the story of an exhilarating, unlikely first date between a sheltered homebody and adventurous socialite. We met at a cute café and, luckily, I was not catfished. Personality-wise, he was very cute, despite his intimidating 6’4” height and muscular build. We had a fun conversation for about 30 minutes before I noticed he had two motorcycle helmets with him. I spent the next 10 minutes trying to come up with excuses to NOT ride on a motorcycle in my head. But wait — wasn’t this the type of adventure I had been looking for? The next thing I knew, I was riding on the back of a motorcycle speeding towards L.A., with my arms wrapped around his waist, clinging on for dear life. As I slowly opened my eyes, I thought to myself, “I must be in a Korean drama right now.” The scenery was phenomenal. The twinkling lights of L.A.’s nightlife scene paired with the feeling of cold wind rushing through my hair was amazing. I didn’t care that it was two hours past my 10 p.m. curfew, because this was the most fun I’d had in my 21 years of life. Indeed, this was the adventure I had been waiting for. He was a complete gentleman throughout the rest of the date and I insisted on paying for dessert. When we parted ways at the end of the night, I knew I had a lot to thank him for. He opened a world of spontaneity for me, and made my first dating app experience a memorable one.
- Enlightened Lady Gaucho
In the modern day, no discussion of romance can be complete without acknowledging the many wacky, weird, and sometimes wonderful experiences that come with online dating. Whether you’re a first-time user looking for love or an experienced veteran interested in something more casual, dating apps are an essential element of the college dating scene. In honor of Valentine’s Day, please enjoy this compilation of five of our best dating app stories, which range from laughably mystifying to unexpectedly eyeopening to delightfully sweet. Illustration courtesy of Barroa Artworks
I downloaded Tin birthday because as I w new opportunities my new me, I realized that the only exc dating apps. With my high school graduating I was amazed by all of the options I sa from buff surfer dudes that went to UCS bands. In the face of all of these options, I decid a Louis Kahn exhibit at Balboa Park with a g I went on my first date with a girl. I had a ton opportunities to practice bantering. I also lea with me — something I definitely did not kno I endured some odd dates, but I learned a flow of new experiences. As someone who n an opportunity to meet other gay people wi whether or not the gay vibes I detected wer opportunity to explore. I’m currently dating someone I met on good to be real, which we both laugh ab months now. I’ve road tripped to India We can still talk for hours at the expe fantasize about the highly impract Although the odds are stacked, real after a lot of swiping rig -
Seasoned
When I first heard of Bumble (a dating app that empowers women), I was intrigued. After trying out Tinder my freshman year, and confirming its reputation “geared toward hookup culture,” I doubted that any dating app would yield matches interested in actual dating. Optimistic but still wary, I downloaded Bumble. It turned out to be a lot of work. Since women initiate the conversation to confirm a match, the task of coming up with concise and clever openers now rested on my shoulders. It gave me a whole new appreciation for all the guys who manage to come up with anything more than the perfunctory “hi” with an emoji. Believing that you only get as good as you give, I didn’t mind. After fielding five different conversations, it seemed my efforts were paying off after one match looked promising. Since I don’t remember his name, we’ll just call him Tom. Tom was relatively good looking, with wavy brown hair that reminded me of Orlando Bloom, my first childhood celebrity crush. He was a polite, engaging conversationalist, and as a plus, we shared a mutual acquaintance. “All good signs,” I thought. Then Tom asked me for my Snapchat. I wasn’t keen on sharing it with someone I barely knew and hadn’t met in person yet; but then again, who was I to judge? “He’s probably just very comfortable with his social media,” I thought. I added him and he immediately sent a photo snap. At this point, the grain of salt I’d been carrying through this endeavor grew as more salt crystallized. I opened it. It honestly wasn’t as bad as I imagined: just a selfie of a sculpted torso with a dimly lit room as background, with the beginning of a suggestive hip shadow. Considering the alternative, it was actually quite aesthetic. I chatted him back: “What are you doing?” “I’m just out here for nudes,” came the nonchalant reply. I considered simply removing and un-matching him, but decided to take the opportunity to give my phone to my housemate Rosie, an experienced comeback artist. After consulting Google, Rosie snapped him a barrage of nude lipsticks in various shades. Unsurprisingly, Tom promptly removed me first. While this story ended in a whopping disappointment, it is not to say dating apps cannot help in making real connections. But rather, like any good thing, it takes a few stumbling blocks to get there.
- One Jaded Gauchette
7 | OPINIONS
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
p Anecdotes
On what would’ve been a normal night last quarter as I muddled and struggled my way through homework, I looked down at my phone to see that I had one new Tinder match and one new message: “Hey man, wanna shuck a coconut?” Obviously, the answer was yes, and 20 minutes later I found myself hammering my way through a coconut with a stranger at 8 p.m. on a Wednesday night. Considering that our one connection was the coconut, it should have been no surprise to me that with the coconut, went our great love connection. Without the coconut to distract me, I stopped to take a better look at him — more specifically his tar black feet on my freshly cleaned floor. It turns out, coconut boy didn’t believe in shoes, amongst other principles of basic hygiene. As he inched closer to me and put his arm around me, I found out that he also didn’t believe in deodorant, because it hides our “natural pheromones.” Soon after, I also discovered that he didn’t believe in toothpaste, but firmly believed in onion bagels. Not wanting to seem rude, I breathed through my mouth and started asking him about himself; I learned that he’s “figuring all this shit out as it flies his way.” Sensing that he hadn’t won me over just yet, he decided the best course of action would be to invite another gay bachelor into this situation. Figuring that it couldn’t get any worse, I agreed with the signature catchphrase I use before making any bad decision, “Okay!” So, when this new guy came over, I was just relieved to meet a man who didn’t smell like onions and “pheromones.” This, combined with the fact that we had genuine chemistry, made me forget all about coconut boy, much to his dismay. Eventually, after realizing that he’d lost me for good, coconut boy grabbed my hand, put it in his friend’s hand, grabbed his keys and left. Now, I can’t begin to describe how romantic it is to be left holding hands alone with a stranger in a state of utter confusion — it’s the stuff of true romance. Thus ends the story of my date with the deodorant denying, shoe scoffing, hygiene hating, masterful matchmaker-coconut boy.
nder on my 18th was thinking about what wfound adult-ness afforded citing ones were tattoos and
class consisting of under 100 people, aw after I set up my profile, ranging SD to girls who played guitar in indie
ded to go on a bunch of dates. I went to guy I ended up dating for nine months. on of strange conversations and a lot of arned that people wanted to go on dates ow in high school. a lot about who I liked and had a consistent now identifies as gay, Tinder also gave me ithout being plagued by the question of re “I wish she was gay” vibes. It gave me an
n Tinder. Initially, I thought she was way too bout now. We’ve been together for eight anapolis and back to meet her family. ense of sleep and sometimes we tical idea of getting a dog together. , it’s possible to find something ght.
- One Adventerous Gaucho
d Gauchette
After my most recent breakup at the beginning of summer, I decided to swear off serious dating for a while. As I was venting to my friend Mari one evening, she began telling me how she had recently taken to the dating app world to forget her own heartbreak, and that I should do the same. I initially laughed off the suggestion, but a part of me was still intrigued, so when Mari made it her personal mission to drag me down the online dating rabbit hole, I indulged her. The following weekend, my friend, my roommate, and I all squeezed on my couch as we assembled my perfect Tinder profile. After adding a few cute lines about how I liked to read, paint, and internet-stalk dogs, along with an obligatory Harry Potter reference and a closing line pun courtesy of my roommate, my profile was ready to go. As someone new to the casual dating world, I felt a spike of fear and excitement shoot through me when, after only five minutes of my profile being live, I saw a message pop up in my notifications. I opened my phone to a line asking to see a photo of my most recent painting, and bonus points if it included a dog. As if the universe was preparing me for that moment, I just so happened to have finished a rainbow corgi painting the week prior. I replied that I didn’t know how to send photos through the app, to which he responded saying that he knew it was probably too early to ask, but inquired for my phone number. After we exchanged numbers, the two of us made plans for a beach walk later that week and I closed my phone feeling surprised at how quickly I had managed to set up a date. The day of the big date arrived, with effortless conversation, jokes about space pirates ready to reveal themselves through the mysterious fog that had just rolled through Isla Vista, and lots of shy smiles on my part anytime he referred to bunnies on the beach trail as “lil buns” or “cute cotton tailed bois.” We ended up spending the entire afternoon and evening talking together, finally ending with chicken bowls at Hana Kitchen and him walking back me to my apartment. We spent every day of the next week together, and eventually a few days of every week, leading to this present moment as we’re planning our Valentine’s day evening plans downtown together. -
Wholesome Lady Gaucho
8 | SCIENCE & TECH
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
Science of Love
JESSICA GANG Opinions Editor
Picture this: you’re walking through the Arbor on a sunny Santa Barbara day when all of a sudden you see him/her: the person of your dreams! You might be separated by throngs of harried-looking students just trying to get to class, but chances are, your palms just started sweating, your mouth felt dry — and, dare I say it? Your heart skipped a beat. Believe it or not, these are all biological reactions. Forget an achy-breaky heart because, as it turns out, you’ve got love on the brain. For centuries, scientists, philosophers, artists, and writers (along with pretty much everyone else) thought that feelings of love, lust, and other emotions were the results of varying levels of four “humors” in the body. The theory behind these humors — black bile, yellow bile, phlegm, and sanguine (blood) — was originally developed by Hippocrates and his followers, and eventually became the dominant theory of Western medicine until the Renaissance. When the humors were in balance, good health and a calm temperament prevailed. When a person’s humors fell out of balance, however, ill-temper and unhappiness prevailed. If a person experienced feelings of sadness and depression, for example, it was assumed that these feelings were the result of a predominance of black bile. Similarly, an excess of yellow bile would make someone angry or impulsive. It was only recently — as the field of modern medicine took shape — that scientists discovered that love and its related emotions are the result of chemical and hormonal changes in the brain. According to scientific experts, love can be broken down into three basic emotions: lust, attraction, and longlasting attachment. Lust is ruled by testosterone and estrogen, which are secreted from the testes and ovaries. Attraction,
Illustration by Alyssa Long | The Bottom Line
occasionally confused with lust, has notable differences. You can lust after someone and also be attracted to them, but this certainly isn’t mutually exclusive. In its most basic form, attraction is just interest. It’s possible to be attracted to the colors, flavors, and physical attributes of a delicious sandwich without wanting to see what it looks like without its bread on! High levels of dopamine and norepinephrine are released by the hypothalamus when we experience attraction. That explains the giddiness and the euphoria that you feel when you first fall in love. Attraction also leads to a decrease in the production of serotonin, a hormone involved in controlling appetite and mood, making it possible to be so in love that you can’t eat and have difficulty sleeping. Long-term attachment is primarily dictated by the hormones oxytocin and vasopressin. Oxytocin, also known as the “cuddle hormone,” is released in large quantities when humans participate in activities that relate closely to bonding — things like having sex, breastfeeding, and giving birth.
But what about heartbreak? Is there any biological explanation for why love ends and why it hurts when it does? Well, we might have to ask pop singer Kesha about that one, because apparently, your love really can be my drug. In the same way that an addict suffers as the result of drug withdrawal, when the brain suddenly stops pumping out the elevated levels of dopamine and oxytocin, we experience similar negative effects. Studies have shown that breakups can actually affect the area of the brain that processes physical pain. Surprisingly, the key to understanding heartbreak might actually lie in an unexpected source: the prairie vole. Prairie voles (also known by the dubiously affectionate nickname “potato chips of the prairie”) are the only breed of 155 species of vole to pursue monogamous relationships. This is especially startling given that their biological cousins, the meadow voles, are fairly promiscuous. Prairie vole relationships mirror human relationships in unexpectedly similar ways. Prairie voles meet, fall in love, and have the occasional tryst with another partner, but for the most part,
seem to be affectionate partners and parents. Interestingly, when one-half of a prairie vole relationship dies, their partner rarely seeks another replacement and tends to exhibit characteristics in line with mourning. In a test conducted by Oliver Bosch, a neurobiologist who studies vole separation, when dropped into water, prairie voles separated from their brothers paddled maniacally, a behavior characteristic of the animal drive for survival. Voles who had been separated from their female mates, however, simply “floated listlessly.” Much of this unprecedented monogamy can be attributed to the fact that prairie voles have a denser field of receptors for oxytocin and vasopressin than their meadow vole counterparts. Dr. Larry Young, a neurobiology professor at Emory University, avidly studies prairie voles in the hopes of one day helping humans to better cope with the loss of loved ones. For now, all we know is that being separated from someone you love hurts. However, sometimes it helps to understand that our feelings are all part of the way our bodies are built. We might never have a concrete explanation for the complicated emotions that come with romantic loss, but one thing’s for sure: loss is a necessary part of falling in love, which in turn, is just one of many parts of the big, wonderful machine that is the brain. Lust, attraction, and attachment are necessary parts of helping us understand so much of life—from what it means to love your friends and family to what it means to really fully appreciate the beauty of a good sandwich. So the next time you see someone with the best smile or the cutest outfit you’ve ever seen, you might want to consider taking a swig of water and wiping off your sweaty hands, because you owe it to your brain to go over and introduce yourself! Who knows what might happen next?
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
9 | SCIENCE & TECH
How to Sustain the Love on Valentine’s Day CARMIYA BASKIN Staff Writer
On Feb. 14, numerous couples will express their love for one another with mass-produced gifts and excessive public displays of affection (PDA). Single folks might take this day to feel empowered by their independence or stuff their face with chocolate out of sadness. Regardless of how people choose to spend it, Valentine’s Day is a holiday filled with romance, consumerism, and a significant amount of waste. While you’re celebrating with your partner, your pals, or yourself, be sure to spread the love across our earth as well! Here are 10 sustainable Valentine’s Day gift ideas and activities to keep the love and the earth alive.
1.
According to the National Retail Federation, people spend $1.8 billion on chocolate and candy on Valentine’s Day. If you must contribute to this lofty sum, consider buying from a company like Theo Chocolate, which sells organic, soy-free, fair trade, and non-GMO certified chocolate — they’re even offering Valentine’s Day chocolate bars!
2.
For single folks, take the day to relax by yourself in a warm bubble bath. Support cruelty-free brands and reduce the amount of harmful pollutants released into the air by purchasing or DIY-ing organic products such as vegan soaps and all-natural candles.
3.
Repurpose clothing you already own through Project Repat, a company that specializes in turning old shirts into handcrafted quilts. This way, you can preserve your favorite tees while keeping cozy with your significant other.
4.
Speaking of fashion, surprise your partner by wearing eco-friendly lingerie made from organic cotton and bamboo jersey. Brands like Naja pay its workers above market wages with healthcare benefits and donate a small percentage of its revenue to local charities that provide education for marginalized women. With these styles, you can feel and look good on multiple levels.
5.
Skip eating out and cook a homemade meal instead. You’ll save time and money and it’ll give you and your partner a chance to bond in the kitchen, try out new recipes, and cook a healthy dish. For sustainability purposes, use locally-sourced and organic ingredients and put your food on real dishes — no paper plates here! You can find whole and natural foods at the Isla Vista Food Co-op.
6.
The National Retail Federation reports that $933 million is spent on greeting cards on Valentine’s Day — that’s a lot of money and paper wasted on a gift that can easily be handmade. Think back to your elementary school days and exercise your artistic skills by creating a special handmade card for your loved one, but be sure to use recycled paper to decrease waste. You can also ditch the card altogether and opt for a more original declaration of your love such as a spoken word piece or a song.
7.
If you’re feeling even more crafty, make jewelry from recycled items. You can do this together with a romantic playlist on in the background or you can create one beforehand and present it to your significant other as a unique and personalized gift.
8.
If you’re set on the traditional ceremony of giving flowers to your partner, visit your local farmers market to see what flowers are in season or pick flowers you see along the way when you’re walking through Isla Vista. Most of the flowers you give your beloved might be picked by overworked and underpaid workers so consider the above options instead.
9.
At the end of the day, cuddle up with your honey on the couch and crack open a bottle of eco-friendly wine. Check the label to see if the wine is made from organic grapes or at least grown sustainably.
10.
Keep it simple and take one of the many hikes in the Santa Barbara area or stay local and venture out of your 1000 square foot apartment to the beach or the lagoon. No smelly gas fumes needed — just you, your partner, and the great outdoors.
At the end of the day, the sweetest Valentine’s Day gift or activity doesn’t require you to produce any waste or spend a lot of money. Instead, you can just use the holiday as an opportunity to tell your partner three special words — “I love you.”
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
10 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT PLAYLIST
Love Songs All Day Long: Valentine's Day Playlist A classic and timeless holiday, Valentine's Day is a day of expressing love and thankfulness to everyone from friends to family to dogs! To celebrate this beautiful day, The Bottom Line presents a playlist of love songs that range from jazz oldies to modern R&B tunes. Happy listening! We wish you all a happy Valentine’s Day! Created by: Vanessa Su
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10 songs, 35 min
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Best Part
Daniel Caesar ft. H.E.R.
2019-02-14
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Blue Moon
Billie Holiday
2019-02-14
Loving is Easy
Rex Orange County feat. Benny Sings
2019-02-14
Vintage
NIKI
2019-02-14
Love on the Brain
Rihanna
2019-02-14
Electric
Alina Baraz feat. Khalid
2019-02-14
Right There
Ariana Grande feat. Big Sean
2019-02-14
Cuz You’re My Girl
Yung Heazy
2019-02-14
Belong to You
Sabrina Claudio feat. 6LACK
2019-02-14
If I Ain’t Got You
Alicia Keys
2019-02-14
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Currently his most popular song on Spotify, Daniel Caesar’s “Best Part” combines his velvety vocals with H.E.R.’s soft, ethereal voice to produce a love song perfect to listen to over a cup of hot coffee with a loved one. A legendary jazz singer who helped pioneer jazz music during the 20th century, Billie Holiday sings about finding her newfound love in the moonlight while accompanied by jazz riffs and gentle piano. Rex Orange County sings about how “loving is easy when everything’s perfect” in his catchy collaboration with Dutch musician Benny Sings that relies on light instrumentation and usage of drums and keyboard. A singer under the mass media company 88rising, NIKI croons about missing the good memories of her previous relationship with trap beats and melodious harmonies in the background. Nine time Grammy award-winning artist Rihanna sings about the painful temptation her lover is to her in this R&B ballad with hints of inspiration from old soul music. This song focuses on toxic love, as Rihanna croons that she “can’t get enough” despite “fist fighting with fire.” R&B artist Alina Baraz collaborates with Khalid in a romantic duet about the electrifying intensity of love in a world that seems like outer space. Like Baraz’s usual style, “Electric” relies heavily on the usage of hints of techno influences along with simple guitar riffs.
From her 2013 debut album, “Right There” contains Ariana Grande’s breezy R&B vocals accompanied by Big Sean’s casual rap style to produce a romantic love song about always being “right there” for loved ones. With soft guitar and tropical vibes, Yung Heazy confesses his strong feelings of love to the woman who “relieves [his] stress whenever [she’s] around” in a slow ballad that contains a climactic, energetic break down. An up-and-coming artist who became popular through her musical releases on SoundCloud, Sabrina Claudio collaborates with rapper 6LACK to sing about her loyalty to her lover and craving his company in this soft R&B track. Last but definitely not least, Alicia Keys reminds her listeners of the importance of treasuring lovers, family, and friends in an emotional, jazzy R&B ballad. The simplicity of the piano and horns allow Keys’ vocals to easily shine through while relaying her raw emotions to the audience.
11 | ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT
TBL | Feb. 13, 2019
Hugh Heffner’s After Dark
Photo Courtesy of Cliff | Flickr
SABRINA BUI Staff Writer
Hugh Hefner is nearly synonymous with Playboy, the controversial magazine that has been a comfort for army service people and lonely souls alike. However, Hefner solidified a legacy that goes beyond the provocative. He was also an advocate for freedom of expression and civil rights, something the documentary “Hugh Hefner’s After Dark: Speaking Out in America” seeks to highlight.
The film was part of a free viewing at the Lobrero Theatre last Thursday for its run at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF). It was produced by Brigitte Berman, an Academy Award-winning director, and her late husband Victor Solnicki, a pioneer of Canadian cinema. The film focuses on a different side of the Playboy founder. It hones in on his political activism during the 50s and 60s, a part of his legacy that many are unaware of today. “He’s known for being
Mr. Playboy and all that goes with that,” Berman said in an interview with TBL. “But that’s only one side of him and I was very fortunate to get to know another side. I got to know, along with my husband, a very, very bright man who was aware of everything going on around the world.” The 101-minute documentary showcases clips from his successful talk shows Playboy’s Penthouse (19591961) and Playboy After Dark (1969-1970). It also features
commentary about Hefner’s life and work from stars who knew him, such as legendary musician Smokey Robinson and Emmy Award-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg. According to the documentary, Hefner was not afraid to push boundaries, particularly in the realm of civil rights. The tumultuous social and political climate of mid-century America was an important driver for the documentary as Berman wanted to highlight Hefner’s political work in the era. “The reason he did those shows was because things were going on in America politically and socially that he did not approve of,” Berman said. “He wanted to have activists and people who were not allowed to speak on television and give them a place where they could speak out.” The documentary highlights Hefner’s pushback on the strict television regulations in regard to interracial performances and the House of Unamerican Activities, as well as his staunch support for the civil rights movement. Hefner’s television shows went against the grain of conservative 50s and 60s American values. The documentary made sure to show his resistance by using clips of black and white musicians performing together, interviews with artists and individuals who had their content banned in other forms of mainstream media, and satires of American politics and politicians. If audiences are expecting to see more about Hefner’s work with the sexual revolution and Playboy, they won’t find much in “Hugh Hefner’s After Dark.” But the omission wasn’t Berman’s choice; it was Hefner’s. His self-produced shows displayed his devotion to giving a platform to the marginalized better than anyone. Even so, Berman has acknowledged that Hefner’s reputation as a sexual provocateur has affected the way the documentary is initially perceived in the post #MeToo era.
“In the ‘me too’ era, not every festival wants to invite it,” Berman said. “‘Me too’ and Hefner don’t seem to get along on the surface.” But, the interesting part about the documentary is that the intention is not to convince anyone otherwise about Hefner, according to Berman. “What I would like is that people understand a little bit more about who he was,” she said. “I don’t want to change anybody’s mind. But don’t just see one side, take a look at the other side as well. You might be surprised.” Ultimately, the documentary is an effort to show a more nuanced view of man whose legacy has often been reduced down to womanizing. “People are complex and a man like Hugh Hefner is extremely complex,” Berman said. “You can’t just throw the baby out with the bathwater. You miss a great deal.” The Santa Barbara International Film Festival is not the documentary’s first rendezvous. It has toured around the world before its stint at SBIFF with much success. In Santa Barbara, it was no different. The nearly full theater for the Thursday screening gave the film an enthusiastic round of applause at its conclusion. Berman’s documentary is a look inside the life of man who has predicated his legacy on controversy, and whose work has been met with a critical eye in contemporary times. Hefner in the film exemplifies how the truth lacks simplicity. Hefner said in a 1967 Look magazine interview about the creation of the iconic Playboy logo, “The rabbit, the bunny, in America has a sexual meaning; and I chose it because it’s a fresh animal, shy, vivacious, jumping — sexy.” He took the American perception of the rabbit and saw another side to it, much like Berman took Hugh Hefner and gave audiences the chance to see a different part of him in “Hugh Hefner’s After Dark.”
3 Photos by Docean Park | Web Editor Reporting by Jacob Wong | Sports Editor
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3 Sophomore guard Deveari Ramsey made two out of three free throws in the last seconds of the game, but by then it was too late. 4 Junior guard Max Heidegger paced the Gauchos with 11 points, five assists, and no turnovers. 5 Sophomore guard JaQuori McLaughlin scored 10 points and added four assists, three steals, and four rebounds.
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A second-half comeback fell just short for men’s basketball team on Saturday evening as they fell to UC Davis 61-57 in a nationallytelevised matchup. After jumping out to a 17-10 lead over the Aggies (8-14 overall, 4-4), the Gauchos (17-6, 6-3) struggled on offense for the rest of the game, only mustering 8 points for the rest of the first half, and finishing the night shooting 39.2 percent. The Gauchos chipped away at the Aggies’ lead in the second half, even tying the game at 53 with 2:56 to play, but a Joe Mooney three-pointer two possessions later put the Aggies up for good. Max Heidegger (Jr.) led the Gauchos in scoring with 11 points while TJ Shorts II (Sr.) scored 21 points for the Aggies.
2 1 Graduate guard Ar’mond Davis scored nine points with four rebounds and one steal. 2 Junior guard Max Heidegger rushes past the Aggies with a driving layup in the second half of the game.
A THUNDERDOME HEARTBREAK
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