Acadia’s Student Newspaper, since 1874 April 14th, 2016 Issue 78.10
EDITORIAL childcare page 2
NEWS
island abortion page 4
ARTS
...art? page 8
OPINIONS revolution page 13
atheditorials
The Athenaeum Acadia University’s Student Newspaper Issue 78.10
ASU Box 6002, Acadia University Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R5 Editor-In-Chief: Andrew D. Haskett Email: eic@acadiau.ca Office Hours: Tues & Thurs 1:30-4:30 Advertising Inquiries: connell.finance@acadiau.ca Business Inquiries: 116765m@acadiau.ca
Section Editors Management Arts & Culture: Adam Langille Creative: Rebekah Hutten Distractions: Thane Mullen Features: Hope Latta News: Hannah Hutchinson Opinions: Kody Crowell Sports: Sam Gillis Online:
Senewa Sena
GOODNIGHT AND GOOD LUCK Andrew Haskett Editor-in-Chief
Goodnight, and Good Luck: It’s not often that an event in your life dramatically shifts who you are, what you want to be, and how you express yourself all in one entirely unkempt package. Luckily for me, this is exactly what the Athenaeum
has given to myself and I would dare say a select few others. I am at this moment finishing my second year at Acadia University, and throughout it all I have been an absolute basket case for this newspaper, this university, and the people who occupy it. I am in no way perfect (read: overly good) at my job as the Editor-in-Chief of
this fine fishrag, but with this title I carry every ounce of enthusiasm and pride that my pale, ginger body can muster. My team and I have devoted countless hours to making and breaking the deadlines that we’ve set for ourselves and have in the process done our finest to espouse the opinions, concerns, and abilities
of the Acadia University student body. With that, I’d like to thank you all, dear readers, for dealing with our lust for discourse and meaningful discussion. We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. Goodbye for now, Andrew D. Haskett Editor-in-Chief, the Athenaeum.
Production Robin Lawson Photography Anjuli Ripley
Advertising Theresa Connell Business Robyn McMillan Copy Editor Tyler Nelson Editor-in-Chief Andrew Haskett
The Athenaeum is the official student newspaper of Acadia University and is published in print and online year-round at theath.ca. The opinions expressed herein do not represent the Acadia Students Union or the staff of the Athenaeum, they are held by the individuals who contribute to the Athenaeum as essential members of our completely student-run newspaper. We pride ourselves in publishing and participating in a diverse community, and we are more than eager to work with anyone, regardless of age, economic situation, race, creed, sexual orientation, or any other defining or diversive human trait. In the spirit of great debate we will argue with you and your opinions to the ends of the earth if we deem it necessary. Articles submitted will be published at the discretion of the editorial board. If there is content that we feel will not add to the philosophy, dialogue, or tone of our newspaper, it will not be published. We’re always looking for controversial and rowdy material that challenges society and its norms, but any material deemed offensive or hateful will be met with scrutiny. That being said, all of our staff members look forward to working together with writers to improve their quality of writing, and to make sure the Athenaeum remains professional and well-rounded. The Athenaeum may accept submissions from any student or member of our campus, present and past, and is always looking for more writers and photographers. If you are looking for coverage of an event or story, would like to notify us of a complaint or correction, or would like to submit a letter to the editor, contact Andrew D. Haskett at eic@acadiau.ca The Athenaeum, since 1874. Call it like you see it. On the Cover: This week’s cover was taken by Racehl Sparling ***The photograph containing nudity on page 9 is being published with the full permision of the artist who is over 19 years of age.***
2
www.theath.ca
Issue 78.10
Photo doctored by Theresa Connell
THE CHILDCARE DILEMMA: Post -Secondary Childcare at Acadia University Erin Esau Contributor There are not many of us, but we are here. Most of the time I am not even sure how I have managed to navigate a system that assumes its participants are young, relatively unattached, and childless. It makes trying to balance the demands of university with the needs of my children hard; I’ll be honest, they come first, but it feels like the way university is set up it screams to come first. Which means there is often conflict between these two parts of my life, because there is only so much of me to go around. The incompatibility between parenthood and academia – whether as a student, like me, or faculty – has become an increasingly common topic of discussion in the academic literature. I recently wrote a paper about it for one of my classes, and although it is a topic that I think about often – for obvious reasons – the research directed my thoughts in a different direction. Most often the literature narrows in on faculty and graduate student parents’ needs for flexibility and support. These
conversations are increasing awareness and pressure to make appropriate changes to the way parents navigate those particular branches of academia. Of course, these groups need support too, but it has become obvious to me that the parents struggling through their undergraduate levels are too often forgotten.
Why is there a persistent assumption that undergraduate students generally fit a particular mould in terms of age, life course, lifestyle, and responsibilities? Could one reason be that the low numbers of parents (or other socalled “alternative” students) working on their undergraduate degrees on campus, participating in classes, and contributing to the university community is due to the way the system is designed? Even though I am here, nearing the end of my degree, after four long years and two children (ages 2.5 years and 10 months), it is in spite of this flawed system. I generally consider myself to have been lucky. Lucky enough to have made it to most of my classes, lucky enough to complete all the
necessary requirements for my BA, lucky enough to be able to get by without having my children in daycare. But, there have still been consequences. There are always consequences, sacrifices. Recently, a fellow student parent had to leave an exam unfinished to make it to her son’s daycare before it closed. I have heard other stories, like lost loans from taking the bad advice of well-meaning staff who are not informed on the complexities of navigating university as a student with children. Acadia is by no means the only university that makes little effort to accommodate parents, but obviously that is little comfort to those of us trying to get by in our programs, and less so for those who do not even feel able to apply. It is a problem, it is unfair, and troubling on levels I have not even broached in this short piece. Yet, there is a relatively simple solution, or at least the beginnings of one: childcare support on campus. Between students and faculty there is more than enough demand. Sure, there are a few daycares in the surrounding community, but
like many other areas across the country, there is a shortage of spots. There are also the ridiculously high costs, age minimums, and inflexible schedules and hours, among other problems. What we really need is childcare on campus, with hours, rules, and flexibility more suitable to the particularities of university schedules and demands. Recently I heard rumblings that the university moved faculty offices and made space to accommodate a community program for some sort of after school care program. It seems they really went out of their way to rent this space. The program or the space it is occupying is not necessarily the problem. If the story is true (I could not find any official confirmation), then what is a problem is that the university can find the space and make the effort when they can charge for it, but staff and student parents are left to fend for themselves within both the woefully underequipped national state of childcare and a university environment that maintains its long-standing incompatibility with parenthood. So, what’s up with that, Acadia?
athnews
www.theath.ca
IN OUR OWN BACKYARD: The Suicide Epidemic in Pimicikamak, Manitoba. Anjuli Ripley Photography Manager When one person feels that their life is no longer worth living and makes the choice to end it, it is an unfathomable shame – that is not to be denied. However, when an entire community has to label suicide as an epidemic among their youth, that is absolutely deplorable. These are the facts for the Pimicikamak Cree Nation in Cross Lake, Manitoba. In a community of only 6,000 people, there have been six youth suicides in just the past three months; 140 people attempting or threatening to kill themselves in a recent twoweek period and more than 100 kids on suicide watch. Some are as young as 15 years old. What circumstances would allow for such a high rate of suicide in such a small community? How has this gone unnoticed for so long? Fact is that aboriginal youth are six
times more likely to commit suicide than their non-aboriginal peers. When news of this epidemic reached the ears of the national community, political leaders responded in a predictable fashion. Indigenous Affairs Minister Carolyn Bennett, vowed to get additional mental health workers on the Pimicikamak reserve along with Manitoba Premier Greg Selinger who visited and pledged to strengthen health services in the community. Putting additional mental health services into Cross Lake and communities like it is definitely needed and is a step in the right direction, but it is not addressing the real problem. Counsellors will not be able to solve the socio-economic whirlwind that these teens are thrown into. For many young people in isolated northern communities, the reality is that there will never be a thriving economy which means the future can look very grim. For those living in Winnipeg, it is hard to think that
there are communities where there is very little hope for the future and absolutely no job opportunity.
move to a large, urban center and get a job away from their community and culture or stay with their family and face a future of joblessness and poor With the unemployment rate quality of life. in Cross Lake being 80%, teens are faced little options These choices alone point to for jobs and/or entertainment. the fact that mental health As a result, they are turning counsellors are not the only to drugs and alcohol for some resources needed in Pimicikaform of entertainment. This mak Cree Nation. There is an creates a continuous cycle of outcry for community centers disparity and anguish. Youth and in-school programs along are living off inadequate fed- with mental health awareness. eral social assistance cheques More pressing is that attenthat do not fill the void that tion needs to be given to the a sustainable income. Young economics of this community women are increasingly be- and others like it. A few poscoming teenage mothers and sible solutions that are more without the means to provide reasonable than what is curfor their children, or the fam- rently being proposed are as ily structure to nurture them, follows: first, there needs to the children are being thrown be some degree of governinto the children and family ment involvement to increase services system, once again the job opportunities for those repeating the cycle of hope- who decide to stay in these lessness. Teens and young communities, thus giving the adults are reaching a point economy a boost. Secondly, where the road ahead be- there must be programs and gins to split and their choices support systems created for are laid out in front of them: those youth who make the
brave choice to leave their community in search of opportunity and a more hopeful future. Either way, there needs to be a better support system for the indigenous youth of Canada. How can a country who boasts about being multicultural and kind allow this kind of thing to not only happen, but go unnoticed for so long? There needs to be a dramatic change in our society, one that will require us to look at the many injustices that are occurring right in our backyards. We are allowing the indigenous peoples of our country to have very poor quality of life, a fact that should unsettle every single Canadian. The fact that they are choosing suicide over living in these conditions shows that their cries for help have been ignored. When will our government answer these cries? Or will another six youth have to take their lives for reasonable action to be taken?
APPLES TO APPLES:
Annapolis Cider Company Comes to Town Hannah Hutchinson News Editor
Good news for cider lovers you will soon be able to enjoy locally sourced, freshly pressed, and most importantly delicious apple cider (of the alcohol variety) courtesy of Annapolis Cider Company. The cider company, opening its doors at the end of this month, is located on Main Street and will offer tastings, cider for purchase, as well as a tours of the facility to learn about the cider-making process. I met with three of the four individuals behind the business last Wednesday, to learn more about the exciting new venture. The 4000 square foot building, painted bright red, decorated with apple-orchard paraphernalia features a tasting bar and a balcony that overlooks a fermentation tank and a peek of the on-site processing facility. Husband and wife Sean Myles
and Gina Haverstock combined their passion for local enterprise and individual expertise to get the business up and running. Working alongside the couple are manager Katie Barbour and cider-maker Melanie Fledman. Myles, a Dalhousie University appleresearcher, and Haverstock, a sommelier and wine-maker at Gaspereau vineyards, said that they drew their inspiration from local wineries and microbreweries in designing their venture. Myles emphasized their passion and commitment to supporting local. The cider is locally-sourced, made from 100% Annapolis Valley apples, pressed down the street at Stirling Fruit Farms, and fermented in house. Fresh is an understatement, as the first time the cider hits air is when it comes out of the tap at the tasting bar.
fermented cider and combined with sweet apple juice, and “Crisp and Dry” (7.7% alc.) that contains only a hint of the sweet apple juice. Alongside these two staple products, there will be a third batch, “Something Different,” that will vary from batch to batch, presenting a unique and exciting flavour with each batch.
has been in the works, Myles replied “it’s been planned since birth.” It is clear that these first-time business owners and entrepreneurs are passionate about their product and the community they plan to serve. The two live in
Wolfville, and want to focus on keeping things in the town they know and love. There is talk of outsourcing product to NSLC in the future, as well as hopeful plans to partner with existing local restaurants to serve the cider on tap.
Myles described the design of the cider company as “tastebuy-leave… and refill”. For 5$, you get to sample each of the ciders at the tasting bar. The product will be available for purchase primarily in 750 ml refillable glass bottles. Similar to other microbreweries (think Growlers at Paddy’s), there is a 6$ initial fee for the reusable glass bottle, but after that it is yours to keep and refill as you wish. There will later be a bottling service that will sell pre-filled recyclable 650 ml (non-refillable!).
There are two types of ciders that will be available year- Although construction ofround: “Juicy and Sweet” ficially began in November, (5.6% alc.) is made from dry when asked how long the plan
Photo by Anthony Chu
April 14th, 2016
3
athnews
www.theath.ca
ABORTION AC C E S S I N P. E . I : Better Late Than Never Ally Smith Contributor Pro-choice advocates of Prince Edward Island can finally relax. They put down their picket signs and let out sighs out of relief because future generations of women will not have to jump through hoops to have basic access to surgical abortions on the Island. It has been nearly thirty years since abortion was decriminalized across Canada, but Prince Edward Island just agreed to lift all barriers, allowing an abortion clinic to be set up in-province. In January 2016, Abortion Access PEI, a pro-choice advocacy group, launched a lawsuit against the government accusing them of denying women rights based on a moral choice they don’t have the right to make. The
provincial government announced on March 31st that they will not fight the lawsuit after being informed that they would not be able to win the legal battle since they have an obligation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms to offer surgical abortion services. Abortion Access PEI hopes to have the first abortion clinic open by the end of 2016. There is no denying that this is a great accomplishment for pro-choice advocates and the health care access in Canada, but why did it take the local government so much longer than the rest of Canada’s provinces to get on board? While the rest of the country was setting up clinics to provide women with access to this procedure, Prince Edward Island’s government
CNDN HISTORY PSA: Sir Aurthur Currie
Katerine MacCaull et al. unmatched. When Great Britain gave over command of Contributors the Canadian Expeditionary
As you may have noticed, posters pertaining to Canadian history have recently been placed around campus. These posters are a part of a public awareness campaign being put on by students in HIST 2783, Canada Since 1867. Its purpose is to spark public interest in our nation’s rich history by highlighting key events, ideas, and individuals that helped to shape Canada. Our group chose to focus on Canada’s involvement in World War I, specifically the contributions of Sir Arthur William Currie. By doing this public awareness campaign, our hope is that as the centennial anniversary of the war progresses, Canadian citizens will be more interested and informed as to why key moments and individuals like Sir Arthur Currie are so important to our history. We cannot permit ourselves to forget the cost and impact of the Great War on Canada. In a time when Canada’s identity was at stake, Sir Arthur Currie gave us a name and a reputation that was
4
Issue 78.10
Force to General Currie, the war took a turn for the better. His approach was efficient. systematic, and resulted in many lives saved. His leadership was instrumental in enabling Canada to stand victorious at Vimy Ridge, the Somme, Passchendaele and many other pivotal occasions throughout the final 100 days of the Great War. He never lost a battle and he held the safety of his troops as an utmost priority. His leadership was a serious matter - a Canadian officer had never before led Canadian troops and Currie demonstrated that we were more than capable as a nation to go head to head with major European powers, and in many ways, outperform them. His influence during WWI would help shape the Canada we know today. In his own words, “I am a good enough Canadian to believe, if my experience justifies me in believing, that Canadians are best served by Canadians.”
was passing a nonbinding resolution to not offer abortion on the island. Since this measure was not binding, it was not a legal measure the government made, but a moral one. One suggested motive is the strong affiliation between Christianity and the pro-life movement. Pope Francis, on behalf of the Catholic Church said, “Among the vulnerable for whom the church wishes to care with particular love and concern are unborn children, the most defenseless and innocent among us.” Christianity is by far the most dominant religion on the island; according to Stats Canada over 80% of residents on the island are Christian. This could have an effect on the moral stance of the government of Prince Edward Island who has been vocally pro-life
in the long and heated dispute. The effects of lack of access to abortion services have been tragic for the women of Prince Edward Island. The government only recently started paying for the procedure for some women after they met the requirements of two doctors. Other women were forced to pay out of pocket for abortions that can cost up to $800. This does not include the cost of leaving the island, transportation, and hotel stays that are often necessary after the surgery. The financial strain is tremendous but there are also physical barriers such as bridge closures due to inclement weather conditions, preventing women from getting to their appointments. Women have turned to unsafe methods of home abor-
tion methods that range from inserting a coat hanger, knitting needle etc. into the uterus as well as chemical pills. There have also been cases of women physically assaulting themselves by punching their uterus, falling down stairs, and even taking their own lives. Finally, the women of Prince Edward Island will be granted the same right to access to abortion services as the rest of their fellow Canadians. Regardless of your stance on abortion, we can still wonder why it took the government of Prince Edward Island thirty years to make a decision that the rest of the country made so long ago, especially when this decision denied citizens the rights ensured in our Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
athfeatures
www.theath.ca
SUMMER DAYS:
The Top 10 Tips for Enjoying Summer Vacation as a University Student Rachel Watts Contributor
As this semester comes to an end and summer vacation approaches, I cannot help but think about how fast this school year has flown by. The one question that seems to be on everyone’s mind is “What are am I doing this summer?” I thought I would take the time do some research and provide you, my co-students, with some great summer ideas in order to effectively take complete advantage of every drop of summer vacation. Here are the top ten tips that I have for you: 1. Enjoy time alone. Yes, it can be fun to live with your friends, and moving back in with your parents can be challenging (if that is your situation). If it is, then this change can result in a lot more time alone. My advice to you is to take complete advantage of this alone time, for it does not last long. Soon enough you will be back at those books and spending every day amongst your class mates. 2. Sleep. This one goes hand in hand with enjoying time alone. If you are finding yourself spending time alone, why not relax and take some time to catch up on those hours
of sleep that were lost during late night study sessions and writing numerous labs/ essays? Yes, those under eye bags may be “designer” but you can only deprive yourself from rest for so long.
would be nice). Most university students cannot afford a trip to a five-star resort or exotic destination, but even travelling to a cottage by the lake or visiting a city that you have never been to can be a great and memorable summer experience. Road trips are a very inexpensive way to travel, so why not call up a few friends and plan one together? Remember to document this trip, and a great idea is to buy a cheap disposable camera, fill it with photos and then get the photos developed in ten years’ time!
3. Reconnect with old friends. Remember those old friends from high school that you lost contact with after graduation and haven’t talk to for months/years? Why not give them a call and meet up for drinks? I’m sure they are thinking the exact same thing. Nothing is better than making new memories with old 6. Try something new. friends! Do you have something that you’ve always wanted to try? 4. Spend time out outdoors. If there is one thing that I What about that hot yoga learned growing up in a small class, sky diving session, or town, it is that spending time maybe even rock climbing? outside IS good for the soul. There is no better time to take Summer is the time to take part in these activities than advantage of the sunshine, summer vacation. Stress and warmth, and laying on the timelines are non-existent, beach or by the pool. Noth- so carpe that diem and get out ing is better than sitting by there and do those things that a campfire on the beach with you have always been interfriends, beers, and a guitar. ested in but could never find May 2-4 weekend is quickly the time for. approaching, so why not take the time and organize a camp- 7. Work and Save. As students it is extremely iming trip with friends? portant to have some money aside during the school year in 5. Travel to a new place. When saying this I do NOT order to provide some sort of mean going all out and trav- security instead of depending elling to a new country, or on on the bank of Mom and Dad. a European tour (however that Summer jobs are a great way
to save up some funds with little to no stress as your main focus can be working instead of studying. 8. Volunteer. Nothing looks better on a resume than some volunteer work! Not only does volunteering make you feel like a positive contributor to society, but it also helps others in the process. Organizations such as SPCAs or Big Brothers and Big Sisters depend on volunteers in order to keep them afloat. So why not get out there and make use of your time by assisting others?
take a break, you need to break away from this toxic mindset and just take a breather. As I have stated earlier in this article, summer time is the perfect time to do so. Some see a break as relaxing on the beach, lying in bed watching Netflix, or even disconnecting from social media entirely. Whatever your definition of a break may be, take one. It seems like the older you get (even though I am only 20), the faster the time goes by. It has been one roller coaster ride of a year, and I hope that you all have an amazing summer full of adventures, fun, and TONS of relaxation. As this is my last edition of the year, I look forward to writing for you all in the fall!
9. Enjoy home cooked meals. I cannot say this enough, living on my own is great and makes me feel like an independent young woman, but I do miss my miss my mother’s With Love, cooking. For some reason, I Rachel can never make a Hungarian dish just like hers, and my garlic mashed potatoes never turn out right. Take advantage of home cooked meals as much as you can, because chances are, your parents have missed you at the dinner table. 10. Actually take a break We students have spent the past eight months molding our lives around hectic work schedules and for some reason we see idleness as a sin or sign of laziness. In order to actually
Photo by Jordan Mahaney
THE D-SHIRT:
Expanding Wearable Technology Hope Latta Features Editor
Wearable technology has only started to emerge. The wave began with watches and fitness bands. This trend is predicted to continue over the next couple of years. “Smart garments” are expected to become more popular than the current nonelectrical clothing that people wear. A prominent example of the future generation of wearable technology is the D-Shirt. Sensors in the shirt are able to detect movement, changes in heart rate, how fast you breathe, and your location. The sensors are woven into the fabric and are predicted to hit markets in the next couple of years. The fabric of the shirt allows the wearer to bring technology much closer to hu-
man life. Since sensors are so close to the skin of the wearer, they are able to collect accurate data. An example of such data would be the full wave of a heart beat instead of just one pulse. Technology in clothing doesn’t just have to be about exercise. Teflon coating makes jackets waterproof, which allows athletes to use them while training. This particular jacket will power lights so that cyclists will be seen more clearly by passing cars. Similarly, the SmartBackpack has a waterproof coating and a battery pack. It contains USB cables so that tech can be stored inside with a power supply. The possibility of using a headband to control the lights in a t-shirt as also been explored. The t-shirt would change color based on the wearers mood. This con-
cept has also been explored with reference to fabric that changes color with changes in air quality, temperature, and UV light.
dren. The technology uses an FM transmitter to send data to an external station, and this keeps electronics at a far distance. The external station also can be used as a nightlight. While there are many promising avenues for smart clothing, there are also issues with battery control and making tech smaller. These problems would need to be addressed before wearable technology becomes mainstream.
Most uses for wearable technology fall into one of two categories: personal or professional. Personal usage would include fashion, fitness, health, recording energy levels, and media. Professional usage would include communication, navigation, and synchronization of data. Perhaps one of the most challenging questions that CEOs Baby clothing has also been face is the idea that consumers explored. Smart pajamas for believe that they do not need babies have also been dis- technology like that. Accordcussed, with value in monitor- ing to Business Analysts, this ing temperature, movement, is one of the primary reasons and heart rhythms. This tech- that Google Glass failed. nology would be used to help parents look after their chil- Wearable technology causes
people to understand that there is a divide between technology and what is normal to consumers. While it may seem unappealing to change the structure of clothing and fashion, this could be the same sentiment that people experienced when switching from homemade clothing to industry produced clothes. Sentiment plays a big part in a lack of enthusiasm for technological advances. While technology can be daunting, it can also be helpful. While there are no clear indicators that the future of technology will change how we think, there are always going to be new expansions of lifestyle that take place when people begin to ask an important question: “What if?” Technology gives people a chance to practice open mindedness and embracing change.
April 14th, 2016
5
athfeatures
www.theath.ca
HONOURS THESIS PREPARATION Tips and Tricks from Someone Who’s Been There Rebekah Hutten Creative Editor The summer prior to the final year of an Honours degree can be stressful. Though practices differ across various disciplines, I know that before my first meeting with my thesis supervisor I was quite unsure of how the process would work. Other than writing twenty-page papers, I had not researched, written, or edited a large body of work before writing my thesis. Having now completed my thesis defense (and having been granted the gift of hindsight!), I would like to suggest some ways in which those writing honours theses can prepare for this gargantuan task the summer beforehand. These suggestions are based off my own experience as a musicology honours student; other disciplines may not require this kind of preparation, but many of these suggestions could be helpful across various fields of academia. Create a Working Bibliography If you are lucky enough to know what field you will be focusing on, one of the most beneficial things you can do to help yourself in the future is to start a working bibliography in the summer. This is a low-maintenance but highlyeffective way of getting start-
ed and setting a high standard of organization. You don’t even have to read the sources you are adding to your bibliosimply keeping track of them (in alphabetical order and in proper citation format!) will allow for more preparation when you have to begin your literature review and research come September. Throughout the summer months you’ll still have access to JSTOR and other journals through Acadia (thank you, VPN!), as well as the surprisingly helpful Google Scholar. Keep an “Ideas” List By writing down any idea you have regarding your thesis or academia in general, you will be able to go back to those ideas when you’re having a dry-spell to spark your imagination and creativity. A list of ideas also ensures you won’t forget any cool thoughts on future research (or maybe an additional chapter in your thesis!). Keeping your ideas in one place can help organize and clear your mind; instead of having additional ideas crowding out what you “should” be focusing on, you can put them down on paper and move on with communicating the essence of what you are trying to say.
ment If at any point while doing research or writing you come across a question that challenges your thesis statement/ argument, write it down. Ideas that challenge your argument may come up in your defense (they sure did for me!), and preparing to address those contradictory stances will help strengthen your own argument. This will prove to be helpful when crafting your conclusion. By addressing any weaknesses in your argument, you will convey to the reader that you have thoroughly considered a variety of alternative interpretations, ideas, and opinions. You can also use weaknesses in your argument to point towards future research (i.e. “future research may consider x and y and z”).
Set Aside a Space Preparing a clean, neat space in which to do research and writing will help both mentally and physically prepare you for the task of writing your thesis. This space does not have to be stationary; know where you work best, be it a café in town, a quiet (or loud) corner of the library, in your room, wherever. Coming back to a space where you know you Write Down Questions That can be productive is an imporChallenge Your Thesis Argu- tant part of the research and
writing process. Outline: Breaking it Down As soon as you have a flushedout area of focus, construct a rough outline. Outlining the focus of each chapter breaks down what can often seem like an overwhelming task. When I first began, I was thinking long-term: “finish the five chapters, done!” This mentality soon proved to be unhealthy and unproductive. There was too much to think about. By breaking down each of my chapters into manageable sections, I was able to set more productive and feasible goals for myself. After doing the bulk of research, I’d break down each chapter/section into five-ten page increments, giving myself the goal of writing one-two pages a day. Breaking down the thesis into sections can relieve a massive amount of stress when planning your thesis. Write Now, Edit Later Once you begin the writing process, don’t stop. Get your ideas and research down on the paper. Don’t worry about cohesion of ideas or grammar quite yet. Write it down. Once it is all down, print it off, and go crazy with the red pen. This is not only satisfying, but, for some people, a productive way of getting started. In my own experience, starting to write
was the hardest part. Once I started, it was much easier to keep going. Even if you know that you will make significant edits and cuts to what you are writing, it is better than not writing at all. Ask Your Supervisor for Deadlines This is specific to certain disciplines: if your supervisor does not give you deadlines, ask. You may even want to email at the end of August to start the conversation. Having a deadline for each chapter/ section will give you smaller goals to work towards within the broader goal of finishing your thesis on time to submit for external review. Do Something Else (but bring a notebook!) Some of your best ideas for your thesis might come when you are doing something completely unrelated to your thesis. Go for walks, exercise, read a novel for fun, paint, go out dancing, anything: live your life, but bring a notebook to keep track of your ideas! You might be amazed at your own brilliance (boost ego here) when you’re not even trying to think about your research. Most of all: good luck, remember to breathe deeply, roll back those tense shoulders, and keep on writing.
ON THE COLD WAR
tions. While the United States if countries did not stand with led to further distrust between supplies to the region. As a reNiyati Sharma and Britain both wanted Ger- the United States, then they the nations. The third factor sult, the Berlin wall was built International Contributor many made strong through stood with the Soviet Union was the Marshall Plan, which by the Soviet Union in 1961 to
The Cold War was the result of crippling distrust between two national superpowers, namely the United States of America and the Soviet Union. The main ideological clash between the two was their adherence to communism versus democracy. After the Second World War, the victory of the “Big Three” (which included Britain, United States of America, and the Soviet Union) had differing views on the future of the countries involved. The future of Poland and Germany were deemed to be of maximum importance and for this purpose, a conference was held in Yalta where it was evident that there was a major difference of objectives between the three na-
6
Issue 78.10
means of militarization and Poland to be a free democracy, the Soviet Union, fearing the rise of Germany, wanted it to be a communist nation, saving themselves from a possible future threat. After the war, Germany was split with the Soviet Union in control of East Germany and France, Britain and the United States taking over West Germany. This division was bound to lead to future problems. The untimely death of Franklin Roosevelt was the turning point for relations between the United States and the Soviet Union. Harry S. Truman, the successor to Franklin Roosevelt, was staunchly against communism and claimed that
and were seen as their adversary. This was the beginning of the straining ties and dubiety. When a superpower refuses to accept the neutral status of other countries, the global community falls on either one of the extremes, making it difficult to return to balance.
was drawn up by the United States to remodel Europe in 1947. Under this plan, United States was willing to impart aid to any country as long as they put a stop to communist activities within their borders. This was a direct challenge to the Soviet Union.
keep people in the East permanently locked out from the West. This action by the Soviet Union strained ties to the extent of no return: the United States would take this as a challenge and would resort to any means necessary to combat the spread of communism.
There were three major factors that led to loss of faith between the nations. Firstly, Stalin believed that the United States took longer than required to set up a second front in the midst of the war, deliberately allowing Germany to enfeeble the Soviet Union. Secondly, the exclusion of the Soviet Union during the creation of the atomic bomb by Britain and the United States
Both nations stood firm in their beliefs. The period after the Second World War was one full of threats, dangers and uncertainty, giving rise to what came to be known as the Berlin Crisis. The Soviet Union had decided to block the entry of supplies into West Berlin through means of land and rail. The United States and Britain resorted to means of air transport to carry and drop
This article was submitted to the Athenaeum in collaboration with NSIT MUN group of Dehli, India. The winner of the group’s annual conference contest is Niyati Sharma. Thank you, Niyati, for submitting your piece to us. We hope you as readers enjoy her work.
...
***The remainder of this article can be read over at theath.ca***
atharts&culture
www.theath.ca
MARCEL D’ENTREMONT:
Acadia School of Music Alumnus Returns from Performing Famous Opera in France Rebekah Hutten Creative Editor
Acadia School of Music alumnus Marcel d’Entremont recently returned to Nova Scotia from the opportunity of a lifetime: performing as a tenor with Opéra de Rouen in Normandy, France. Marcel spoke with me about his time performing with this opera company, offering an exceptional depth of insight into a performing opportunity that many Acadia music students dream of one day achieving. RH: How were you offered this gig performing in France? MD: I was offered the role for Don Giovanni in France very shortly after I had auditioned for the Jeunes Ambassador Lyriques program in Toronto, in March of 2015. The director of the Opéra de Rouen was on the audition panel and he just happened to be looking for a Don Ottavio. I received a phone call two days after my audition, offering me the role, and I only had two days to decide! A stressful two days. RH: Describe your overall experience in France: MD: My time in France was a real roller coaster as far as experiences go, with many wonderful and some less wonderful things happening while I was there. However, if I had to give a general summation of the experience, I would definitely say that it was one in which I learned so much about singing, but also about being on stage, how to interact and behave around directors, musical directors, and peers, and also about what the industry is all about. The opportunity to perform in France was amazing and I am so grateful to have done it, but it was also a very lonely time. I was very far away from anyone that I knew, in a country whose language I didn’t speak, by myself. I discovered that singing is a very small component of the industry; it takes a lot of mental toughness to succeed! RH: Are musical standards expected of a French opera company comparable to expectations in Canadian musical organizations? What was it like performing alongside musicians who may have had longer careers? MD: I would say yes; the expectations are very similar in
France as in my experiences of working in Canada. My biggest issue is that I have so little experience in opera! I didn’t do an opera degree at any point in my education, so my knowledge of the repertoire and the craft is limited. I had to play catch up for the first week or so, just to understand the lingo as well as the method of performing recitative, which was totally foreign to me, but I feel like this is the expected standard in Canada as well. Now I’ll know! I was so grateful for having the colleagues that I did, as they were of a varied age and experience level. I was the youngest, and saw people who were starting to really blossom into their careers as well as people who are at their peak, and are singing at the Met and being nominated for Grammy’s. It was exciting to be able to work so closely with this varied group of people and to see how they all worked. I learned a lot just from watching. I won’t pretend that it wasn’t intimidating at times, but they were all very nice. RH: What musical engagements are you currently preparing for? MD: I have a few things that I’m preparing for now. My first priority is the Atlantic Young Artist Competition which is happening on April 23rd, and then I’ll be preparing music for the Lunenburg Academy of Music Performance, the National Arts Centre Young Artist Program, The Royal Nova Scotia Tattoo, the Toronto Sumer Music festival, Magic Flute with Opera Kelowna, and La Traviata with Jeunesses Musicales.
Rushton quite frequently, and it wasn’t particularly difficult to make changes or find extra times to work here and there. This is not the case in a city like Toronto, and I quickly saw the value in doing an undergrad at Acadia, where I was a person and not a number. RH: In what ways did the Acadia School of Music prepare you for a career in performance?
MD: I honestly believe that the single greatest thing that Acadia was able to offer me in preparation for a professional career was the opportunity to work with Dr. Christianne Rushton. Her expectations of me were consistently high, and I knew it. Every week I was performing new repertoire from memory in studio class. I was expected to have a calendar prepared for my collaborative pianist, outlining when I was going to work on different repertoire, and when I expected it to be performance ready. I had to translate all of my music and IPA [phonetically alphabetize] it. It was
demanding work, and more work than I’d ever had to do. But through all of this, I never felt as though she was being aggressive and instead always felt supported and encouraged. I wanted to do more, and to be better, because I didn’t want to let myself, or Christianne, down. There were times when I hadn’t prepared as well as I should have, and by the end of my lesson, without ever having to yell or tell me directly, I was aware that she knew. Yet, I didn’t feel discouraged or belittled. She left me feeling like I wanted to go make this right instead of giving up, and she continues to inspire and teach me now!
Aside from Dr. Rushton, I was also able to work closely with Dr. Heather Price, whom I still collaborate with, and she was an equally influential force in my life, though in a different way, as she was not my voice teacher. She also continues to inspire me; in the way that she lives her life, and in the way that she uses music as a tool for healing and bettering. Two amazing ladies who shaped
my life in different ways!
RH: Do you have any final words, thoughts, or ruminations on the role of music and the performing arts in society in general? MD: There are so many ways that music makes for a better society. It brings joy, brings people together, inspires, and induces emotion. There are so many ways that we can share this with other people and a career in performance doesn’t necessarily equate to being successful in creating these emotions and experiences for others. Find a method that works for you and allows you to impact other people in a positive way. Sitting at the piano in a senior citizen’s home can be make as much of an impactful as singing at the Met. Don’t let what others are doing with their music discourage or dissuade you from following your own path. Try to find joy in what you are doing; making music is a lovely way to be able to make a living!
HUMANS OF ACADIA: A Talk with Scott Brison
“Being a part of a generation that’s made so much social progress in my lifetime is something I don’t take for granted. I remember the debates in the House of Commons in the 1990s I participated in, extending same sex pensions to the public service. A few years later the marriage debate, and being a part of the Cabinet that passed that law. I look at that with some level of pride. When I became a Cabinet minister in 2004 I became Canada’s first openly gay cabinet minister, and in 2015 I became Canada’s second openly gay cabinet minister because there were none in between. I just feel very fortunate to live in a country where I’ve been able to serve as a politician, be open and honest who I am, be elected 7 times in a rural small town riding, get married, and have a family.” –Scott Brison
RH: What advice would you offer to Acadia music students who aspire to perform professionally? MD: It’s difficult to offer any single piece of advice that I think could resonate with anyone who wants to perform professionally, since each individual has such a unique method of learning. However, I would say that being at a smaller school, like Acadia, may seem like you’ll end up with less opportunities, but in reality you are able to get so much more individual attention for that exact reason. Instead of fighting for times to practice and see my teachers/ coaches, I was able to see [vocal instructor] Dr. Christianne
April 14th, 2016
7
atharts&culture
www.theath.ca
. ..ART?
The Twilight Series vs. Kody Crowell Adam Langille Arts & Culture Editor
Stupid question, but what is art? I mean, okay, the Mona Lisa, we can agree that is art, yeah, cool. Art is also music and movies and stuff, so then it also includes The Weeknd, Zootopia, and Justin Bieber’s new hairstyle. Wait what, so Bieb’s dreads are art? Why not? Do you follow any hairdressers on Instagram and admire all of the excellent scalps they sculpt? So do you think of that as art? If we plastered a collection of Instas around an art gallery, would you consider them art then? But, nothing has really changed! Man, what is this shit. So there is basically just a thing (whether it be a canvas meticulously treated with various substances, a complex arrangement of frequencies blaring out of ten dollar earbuds, or Ryan Reynold’s clenched buttocks) and an observer of the thing (that’s you). The thing can be interpreted by many different observers who have different opinions on said thing. Art to one person may not even be considered art by
another (maybe Andy prefers Zayn’s butt). So then, the “art” of it all can’t be objectively within the thing, or else we’d all just agree, right? So is the art in us? Fuck, what does that even mean? Well, we don’t just sit and think about nothing and say to ourselves, “What great art, woooooow.” So it isn’t within us exactly (although our imagination could be pretty cool yeah? But I guess that is just based on things we see so that doesn’t count as just us either). So it must be between us and the thing the relationship between our brains and the stimulus we are letting stimulate us (consensually of course). When we interact with something, we are processing that information relative to everything we’ve experienced that day, and last week, and basically just our whole lives to an extent. Memories and experience change how we feel about new things - like if you threw up that one time you had beet salad, you are gonna remember that when you see beet medley on the menu. Similarly, when you see a piece of art like The Persistence of Memory by Sal-
vador Dali (the one with the melting clocks), that affects you the way it do ‘cuz u kno clocks man and they don’t do that in my house. This is why we are so integrated with what we consume - we gravitate towards things we can recognize and relate to, and we make a web of connections between those things and there that’s art. Woo. Pretty subjective though. Odds are I’m wrong. Who knows. This is related to why we do have certain standards and objective measurements of artistic craft etc. etc. etc. etc. etc. Certain complex relationships that some refined artist or author might build their work off of might only be caught by some higher-ups on the board of “cool good art council.” We can probably agree that yes, Hemingway is a better writer than Stephenie Meyer, but why? Ernest was a lot more earnest in fiddling with language and crafting particular relationships, and Steph was mainly thinking of how preteens like sparkly dudes. Hemingway got a Nobel Prize, Meyer got three movies and permeated all of North Amer-
Put economic policy into practice MASTER OF APPLIED ECONOMICS
Achieve success on your own terms. Apply now for Fall 2016 entry.
Call Dr. Ather Akbari for information: 902-420-5670 or MAE@smu.ca
LEARN MORE: sobey.smu.ca/mae
8
Issue 78.10
Photo by Mahmoud Istanbouli ica with a Jacob vs. Edward Idk. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ debate. We think more highly of Hemingway, but talk more (b4 u ask y is dat art? answer about Meyer. Is one more valu- me dis - y is not art?) able than the other?
FACULTY FEATURE: Dr. Jennifer MacDonald Sarah Atkinson Contributor Dr. Jennifer MacDonald is our resident medievalist in the department of History and Classics. She teaches a variety of classes, including courses on the Vikings, Tudors, AngloSaxon England, and even the Renaissance. Her area of research includes Anglo-Saxon travel. She is very enthusiastic and passionate about the subjects she teaches, and this is certainly reflected in the classroom. I was so lucky to have Dr. MacDonald as my academic advisor in my first year. She took the time to get to know me a bit, and learn about my interests. She suggested I take her Medieval Europe survey class, and then I was hooked. She is always open to visitors during her office hours, and is so helpful in guiding you to find the right essay topic. I always leave her office with a sense of excitement for learning more about the topic, and creating an effective essay. After graduating last year, I decided to come back for a victory lap and write a thesis. This was an exciting decision, but it was also mildly terrifying. It was a really big word document. Even though she was not my thesis advisor, Dr. MacDonald was always around
the fourth floor BAC to offer an encouraging word. She has often told me and the other thesis students to “go home!” at 6pm on a week-day, and to get some sleep and eat real food. Not only is Dr. MacDonald a passionate and enthusiastic professor, but she also genuinely cares about her students. She has made my life here at Acadia much more rewarding, and has left me with a desire to apply my skills, knowledge, and creativity to meaningful historical research. Fun fact: She is a direct descendant of one of Acadia University’s founders, Theodore Seth Harding. Favourite historical film: A documentary, “Blood of the Vikings” Quotes from students: “She does a really good job with including the Classics students in the department, and making sure we feel invited.” - Carly Rae Hall “Dr. MacDonald is incredibly passionate about what she teaches, and her enthusiasm has affected so many of us through the years. I’m very fortunate to have had her as a mentor this year and throughout my degree.” - Kelsey Comeau
athcreative
www.theath.ca
Water
by Danielle Duchin
holds babes and breaks quick swaddle it in the bath wean it into a riptide gurgle salt water tend that sore throat boils not when watched burned? hold it under the tap tap a leak in the house drain the wreck it holds small bones cursed by cupidity raised by unknown custody
I Thought We Were Exes by Amy Parkes
Give to me the softsharp press the moons of your nails at the dip of my spine, please give me a reason. I am hollow, choked on the uncertain breath of waiting. I could swear it was your voice in the night behind the moon. But when the air cleared, clouds passing, you were gone. I have but one answer for all this trembling air: I heard your voice in the night. The uncertain breath off your lips moved behind this curtain of waiting.
Twilight Song
by Rachel Sparling
Fireflies dance a waltz Beneath the honey moon’s light To the twilight song
Kayla Westhaver-Covin Self Portrait
April 14th, 2016
9
atharts&culture
www.theath.ca
GAY WITH A D O W N B E AT Shelby Marshal Contributor
Being a musician has always been a significant part of my identity. It’s how I describe myself to others and to myself, as well as how I plan to live the rest of my life. More recently, however, I’ve discovered and explored other parts of my identity, largely my sexual identity. In the last few years, I’ve become really comfortable sharing my sexual identity and truly being who I am. I have made a point of not keeping it a secret and living my life as un-apologetically as possible. As I embark on the next step of my musical training, I have started to question the professional viability of this “outof-the-closet policy,” especially given the career path I intend to pursue as a musician - an orchestral conductor. Norman Lebrecht wrote in his book The Maestro Myth that “in enlightened societies where discrimination has been outlawed, concert platforms remain above the law, bastions of masculine, Caucasian supremacy.” Historically, conductors have always been older, straight, and white men. This is slowly changing, but classical music has lagged behind the progression of equality in the rest of society. More and more women have been breaking into the conducting field, and that is amazing. I haven’t even considered conducting unavailable to me because of my gender. Homo-
sexuality and conducting, on the other hand, is almost never discussed. Homophobia and discrimination based on sexual orientation have been issues in the conducting world for a long time, and continue to be issues today. Open homosexuality has brought an end to the career of many, while being closeted has allowed success for others. An example of this is the conductor Dimitri Mitropoulos (1896-1960). He was wildly successful at the beginning of his career, and immensely talented. He premiered with the Berlin Philharmonic in 1930, became director of the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra. He was there for 12 years, before gaining the coveted spot of music director of the New York Philharmonic. Mitropoulos did not get the success he most likely deserved in New York. As well as having issues with his musical choices, critics despised him for his homosexuality. Mitropoulos was not entirely discreet about his sexual preferences, and his preference for men was an open secret in the musical world. He was driven from the orchestra, and replaced with a man that was considered more masculine and embodying of the heterosexual image. Ironically enough, the man who replaced Mitropoulos was the hugely popular and successful Leonard Bernstein, who was gay himself. The dif-
MINIFEST 2016 Zachery Craig Contributor
Through all the wonderful experiences university has to offer, at the end of it all we are looking to move on from it and try our hands at our chosen fields. Every year the Acadia Theatre Company gets the opportunity to experience the overwhelming, rewarding, and stressful life of putting on its own mini festival of one act plays. Entirely run by students from across campus and faculty, this year’s Artistic Director Kira Awrey leads in more ways than one having picked up the role of Technical Director as well. “It’s an important part of the program, to see what
10 Issue 78.10
Photo by Rachel Sparling ference between Bernstein and Mitropoulos? Bernstein kept his sexuality a secret from nearly everyone, and was incredibly discreet. Another successful composer/conductor who prospered despite his homosexuality was Aaron Copland. Again, he wasn’t at all “out” by today’s standards, and never commented publically on his sexuality. As a woman, the odds are stacked against, so is it wise to promote my sexuality if I have a desire to have a successful conducting career? Given the blatant discrimination of the past, it would seem unwise to do so. I would hate my tal-
we can do without faculty franticly put together the six intervention” student director’s ideas within weeks. One of the stage manThis tradition of one act fes- gers Jessica Norder says of her tivals moves into it 23rd ren- experiences: dition and looks to continue even stronger next year. A “I think that organization great way to end a busy year by the stage manager is for the company, those inwhat helps guide the crevolved get a true sense of the ative output, and somework required to put on a times explosion created show with all its many facets. by the director. They assist in guiding all the posProduction Stage Manager sible colours needed into a Chris Mcewen is the mediabeautiful painting, and the tor between the artistic and actors are the paintbrushtechnical sides of the Minifest. es that make it all come Working with crews and othalive.” er stage managers, he and the technical director run The artistic side of Minifest is the backstage of Denton Hall. exposed to many challenges With sets to build and cos- when asked what the biggest tumes to sew, the backstage one was Awry responded:
ent and skill to be overlooked because someone else can’t get over their prejudice. After all, plenty of others have hidden who they are in order to succeed. On the other hand, my girlfriend and the family we have built together is an enormous and important part of my life. To try to hide that part of who I am, to try to hide something that means so much to me would be impossible and unfair to the person that I love so much. I also don’t think any amount of career or financial success would be worth being untrue to who I really am and who I really love. Also, if I were to succeed as an openly gay conductor, it would
“Plague.”
be so great to have that kind of representation for the LGBTQ community. I don’t have definite answers to these questions yet, so for now I will keep living my life and loving openly and unapologetically. I don’t have to make this decision yet, and I hope by the time I am confronted with it, society and the musical community will have progressed far enough that it will be a choice that I don’t even have to make. I hope when the time comes I am able to make the choice that is best for my loved ones, the community, the music, and for me.
a fourth wall destroying one act, Maddi Mackinnon shining as a southern belle, Anna Vanhoof with a hilarious performance and Paige Trueman and Stephanie Clervi telling the story of a young woman meeting the legendary Oscar Wilde.
With several key members of casts being hit with a strong flu, some creative solutions had to be made. Notably, the Director of “Rise and Fall,” Connor Lafarge, had to step into the lead role of his play a priest going through a wonderful ecstasy trip in Spain. The 23rd international Minifest is a wonderful opporMany talented actors are giv- tunity for students to particien the opportunity to excel pate in the creation of theatre within their given roles var- and is welcome to all students ied as they are, but Minifest in any faculty of experience specifically gives first years a level. chance to see the stage. With some wonderful additions to To everyone who enjoyed the the company coming through shows, either watching or bein this first year class; Keisha ing a part of them, the Acadia Lent, Ashley Wells, and Dun- Theatre Company thanks you. can “D- Money” Pileggi in
athopinions
www.theath.ca
A CHRONIC OPTIMIST: On Happiness and Shaking Off Adversity Nolan Turnbull Contributor
The road to happiness is the sloppiest piece of shit road I have ever been on, and that’s saying a lot. I’m from Manitoba, where they invest more money into Slurpee’s than into the roads you drive as you stare off into the prairie skies of nothingness. People have told me that I am “the biggest optimist” that they know. If you know me, you probably have been very annoyed by me on more than one occasion. At 5’6” and 110 lbs, I have enough energy to propel the Axemen Football team to a winning record (just kidding guys), but I haven’t always been like this. In fact, I once was quite the opposite. Like many of my peers here at Acadia, I am in a constant battle with mental illness. This doesn’t always make the whole “be happy” thing any easier. When I first arrived at Acadia I was not in the greatest mental state. I tried making friends, but constantly found myself going back to my room Friday evenings, depressed and alone. Then one day something special happened: I did the one thing that I recommend everyone should do in order to be happy… I took a chance. I was feeling really down while studying one night so I decided to head down to a hockey game. At the game I ran into a hilarious guy from a class, met a few wonderful women, danced to “Shake It Off,” made a fool of myself, and in the process made some of the best friends I have ever had. It all came down to one simple decision. I got up from my chair, went for a walk, and took a chance. Since that day, I have been a chronic optimist. That day and those people gave me hope for that night, and that night turned into a weekend, a semester, and now a life time. My challenge to you is to get up, and take a chance. Take a chance on yourself. You never know what kind of masterpiece you may discover in the process. I am not saying it will be easy. I beat my depression, but I still struggle with anxiety every day. I like to think that being an optimist is as easy as waking up with a smile on your face, but in reality, this is not always the case. It is hard when expectations and situations limit you, but sometimes you
Photo by Mahmoud Istanbouli need to accept circumstances as they are. By accepting reality, you provide yourself with the tools to learn from it and build upon it.
are, and putting yourself out there. University is all about learning, and the most important learning and growing you will do is as a person.
Sometimes accepting reality means accepting help. It is okay to have a bad day. I am stubborn as an old mule, but the most important thing I have learned this year is that if you want to do your best and be there for other people, you need to first take care of yourself. The way I have done this is to reach out and take advantage of the many resources on campus. Self-care is key to self-happiness. You need to be okay in order for you to be better. Take time for you. Read a book, colour, write, workout. Do whatever you can that you enjoy to help you relax and live a little. There is an old saying that goes “life begins when you stop taking it so seriously.” So be crazy. Be spontaneous. Make mistakes. No matter what you do though, do it for you and love it. Do not regret a moment of it. Every moment is a learning experience that moulds and shapes us. We may start out as a pathetic lump of clay, but we have the potential to become a beautiful sculpture. It starts with accepting who you
In chemistry they taught us that electrons flow from negative to positive. What they did not teach us is that focusing on the positive will give us the spark to succeed. As far as growing as a person, I believe the most important thing you can do is be yourself. You do not need to fit into the box of ideals that society labels us with. Be uniquely you. I know that this is easier said than done. We all have our own stories filled with triumphs and hardships. This being said, I truly believe that shifting your focus to the positives is integral to being happy. Optimism alone has propelled me to grow tremendously throughout my time at Acadia.
when you’re having a bad day doesn’t make you fake. It means you are choosing to focus on all the reasons you have to be thankful.” Those of you who know me probably have rolled your eyes when you heard me say “every day is a good day.” I accept that this is not realistic, but I do believe that there are good things in every day. If you look around, we are blessed to go to a great school, have decent food (*cough cough* meal hall), and shelter over our heads. As cliché as it sounds, the tiniest things can make the biggest difference. Jane McGonial offers the following advice: “if you experience three positive
emotions for every negative emotion… you drastically improve your health and your ability to successfully tackle any problem you’re facing.” So while all this advice may be sappy… I challenge you to get out there and say “every day is a good day.” Happiness is a journey, not a destination. Similarly, when you find yourself driving on Manitoba roads, you must slow down in order to enjoy the sunset and the crazy adventure that is happiness. If you learn to shake off adversity, you too can appreciate that every day is a good day.
Happiness is all about your mindset. Everyone is subject to circumstance, and everyone is subject to their state of mind. Happiness is not easy. It comes through a lot of hard work. You have to be motivated and have the attitude of wanting to be happy every day. Dave Willis once said “choosing to smile even
April 14th, 2016 11
athopinions
www.theath.ca
THE BUDGET IN 2016:
A Growing Concern B.B.O. Contributor
With all the salacious news stories covering the United States’ elections, it is easy to forget that the Minister of Finance, Bill Morneau, has presented his first federal budget – the first of the new Liberal mandate. A federal budget is a complicated piece of governmental policy, but is an effective way for governing parties to translate their ideology into public policy. Each budget is hundreds of pages long, and covers numerous issues. I will glance over the most prominent points of this budget for students, but more important than those individual pieces is the politics behind it all. In their press release, The Canadian Alliance of Student Associations (CASA) highlighted the positives and negatives of the Liberal budget as it pertains to student issues. On the positive side, the Liberals have increased the maximum Canada Student Grant amount for low and middle-income
families by 50%, increased the Repayment Assistance Plan income threshold to $25,000, and increased work integrating learning opportunities for greater employment outcomes. However, according to CASA, the budget fails to address the increasing financial need of graduate students, and while it does invest $8.4 billion for Indigenous peoples, the budget does not explicitly remove the 2% cap on annual increases to the Post-Secondary Student Support Program for First Nations students. What is really troublesome with the Federal Budget is the deficit that the Liberals are projecting. As everyone knows, the Liberals broke the mould during the federal elections, when they promised a $10 billion deficit for the next three years instead of pledging to balance the budget as every other political party had pledged to do. The deficit was pitched as a means of stimulating the economy with targeted spending on things like green and social infrastruc-
ture, and the Liberals added an additional promise of returning to balanced budgets by the end of their mandate. Voters overwhelmingly accepted their pitch, as a Liberal majority government was projected after all of Atlantic Canada went red. The Liberal’s infrastructure spending came through, however the promise for a modest deficit did not. Instead of a $10 billion deficit, the Liberals are projecting a $29.4 billion deficit for 2016-17. Additionally, while the Liberals had promised to return to a balanced budget by the end of their mandate, they are now projecting a $14.3 billion deficit for 2020-21, with no stated plan to return to a balanced budget. The budget has been praised by some for being the most progressive federal budget ever seen, and many have recognized that the projected deficit of $29.4 billion is a consequence of the Liberals efforts to keep their many progressive campaign promises, after they were given the lack-lustre books by
Canada’s Bank Deposit Confiscation Proposal
Canada’s Bank Deposit Confiscation Proposal also referred to as the “Bail-in” Elke Willmann The Conservative Government’s proposal (under Jim Flaherty in 2013) for a Canada Bail-in Regime is now becoming reality with page 223 in the 2016 omnibus budget bill just released by our new Liberal Government. http://www.budget. gc.ca/2016/docs/plan/budget2016-en.pdf This is how the “bail-in” is explained by the MSM: “Typically, it refers to funds that a bank draws upon to stabilize itself in a crisis – funds that come from within the organization itself. And it differs from a bail-out, in which the bank receives emergency capital from an outside source, such as the
12 Issue 78.10
government.”
But this is what this bill really proposes: If a Canadian bank starts to fail, it would be allowed to seize your personal bank account (your bank deposits) to pay its bills. This is exactly what happened in Cyprus three years ago when bankers made risky loans to Greece. In a back-room deal, politicians and bankers decided to pay off the bank debts by seizing 10% of everyone’s bank deposits. Only when the masses started to protest was it decided to seize any amounts over $100,000. Of course, well-connected insiders got all of their cash out in time. Once the “bail-in” law is passed in Canada, banks can single-handedly decide whose personal bank deposits they will take to fund their felonious fractional reserve banking practices.
However, during the campaign, then-Prime Minister Stephen Harper openly mocked Trudeau’s promise to run three modest deficits, and former Conservative Finance Minister, Joe Oliver, recently said the most difficult yet important skill in drafting a budget is the ability to set priorities. The Liberal deficit could be seen as an inability to set clear priorities and be fiscally responsible. Whether a $29.4 billion deficit is still a modest, or even a necessary one, the inability to set more clear priorities and stick to the promised $10 billion deficit allows the Tories to paint the Liberals as reckless and irresponsible spenders. With their overwhelming majority in Parliament, the budget will pass without issue. The only actual opposition will be rhetoric, since neither the NDP nor the Conservatives have the numbers to vote it down. What the budget needs, though, is follow-through. If the deficits are manageable,
and help grow the economy, the Liberals win. However, if the deficits continue to grow and add to the national debt throughout the Liberal mandate, then a reactionary wave of new conservatism may rise as a result. I would like to reject the notion that the only political decisions that affect students are PSE related. The economy affects us all, and students are not immune to its ups and downs. Before we are students, we are Canadians, and we should care about the political decisions that are being made, not just decisions about education. Student issues are important, but students should be politically literate on all issues so we may have a more responsive political system. I would argue that it is beholden of us all to have some sort of opinion on the Liberal deficit – positive or negative – because federal spending affects everyone in one way or another.
BREW REVIEW:
“BAIL-IN” Elke Willmann Contributor
the outgoing Conservatives.
We are also duped into believing that Canadian Bank deposits are insured up to $100,000 by the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) but here are the facts: The CDIC claims it is covering deposits up to $100,000 ostensibly, however, they only have 2.5 billon dollars in assets to cover 650 billion dollars of deposits. This means they do not even have coverage of 0.5 % of all insurable deposits in Canada. Furthermore, the investment folio of the CDIC is just more government debt, and any insurance payments paid out would still be funded by taxpayer’s money because they are funded by government’s debt. This means the Canadian taxpayer is on the hock twice for bailing out the banks. What to do? Hold on to your pockets once the “bail-in” law is passed by the liberal government next week.
Nine Lock ESB Jon Smith Nice lad, likes to drink
This is it, eh? This is gonna be the last Jon Smith beer review for the Athenaeum. It’s been a good two years of this complete nonsense, so writing my last article is kind of bittersweet. Thanks to Andrew Haskett for being an absolute madman, and to Kody Crowell for stuff. I can’t wait to see what kind of stupid title you bastards have for me on this final article. Today I’m reviewing the Nine Lock Extra Special Bitter, because I’m very bitter but I’m also very special according to some choice relatives.
mel taste coming through and a hint of chocolate. The maltiness is strong here, giving it that characteristic English ale vibe. The body sits solidly in the nook between light and dark, like Kylo Ren or Obama. The aftertaste holds a trace of grassy hoppy bitterness, and what I imagine wood tastes like. This beer is alright, I guess. I probably should have chosen a more flamboyant and wild beer to end off my reviews. It’s the kind of beer I’d have after a good long day at the factory when I take the tram into town and sit down with my chaps at the pub just having a laugh about the absolute rubbish Manchester United score last night. Even though I’ve never been to England, there’s something identically English about this type of beer - it awakens the blood of my extremely white ancestors. Far be it from me to ignore such a calling, so I’m off to get even more drunk (drunker?). Hope you had a good year!
The beer pours an amber brown, like contaminated water but much tastier. On the nose there are hints of light caramel, and a mild nutty/oaky kind of scent. The mouthfeel is standard and inoffensive, with some pesky bitterness poking its head through. There is a slight unpleasant sourness to the beer but I’m sure if I was much drunker I’d mind it less, like being at the Vil or watching live folk. The taste is very Pairs well with: Fish and chips, nutty, with more of that cara- loud parliamentary politics
athopinions
www.theath.ca
A CALL FOR REVOLUTION Luke Ehler Contributor
Human beings (Homo sapiens) are a relatively young species compared to others on the planet. Some species of crocodiles and sharks have been around for millions of years, remaining relatively unchanged from an evolutionary perspective. Primitive Homo sapiens appeared in Africa only 195,000 years ago, to provide some context of scale. However, in the short time humans have been walking the Earth, we have accomplished many wonders and made huge leaps towards advancing ourselves as a species. We have harnessed the power of fire, domesticated plants and animals, built complex machines such as the printing press and the automobile, discovered electricity, landed on the moon, created an instantaneous global communication and information system (more commonly known as the internet), and we have even unlocked the secrets of molecular science including mapping our own genome. We are studying objects out in space that have never been seen before, but we can measure and calculate them. We have come quite a long way from that original primitive ape who dared to leave the safety of the trees in order to find scarce food on the African plains. Indeed it seems we sprang into action as a species and ushered in a new age of global human dominance. We invented better and faster ways to benefit ourselves and support our growing population, but in doing so we lost touch with the ancient knowledge our ancestors possessed about living in harmony with the land. The knowledge that if we do not respect the environment in which we live and do not preserve and protect it, it will degrade and resources will become scarcer due to our
actions. However, for our African ancestors and essentially every generation that has followed, this has not as big of a problem because there was always an option to simply pick up one’s things and move to a new pristine location to start over again. The problem for our generation within the last few hundred years is that we have become a global species and are beginning to fill more remote locations of the Earth, the result being that we are running out of places to move to start over again in a new untouched location. So would it not make more sense for us humans to live in balance with the land we rely on to survive? From a survival perspective this behaviour seems necessary for any global species, or else they will soon find themselves extinct. Sadly, sustainable practices are still seen as something that can be debated, or factored into an equation instead of a consistent truth by which we all must live by. To some, this idea of sustainability seems evident. For others some convincing is needed. Perhaps by understanding what challenges and difficulties future generations will encounter, a clearer image of what must be done and why a revolution of the human spirit is needed now more than ever. The millennial generation, the next generation to inherit the responsibility of taking care of the planet, arguably faces the greatest challenges ever encountered by humankind. The collective advancement of humanity since our species’ arrival has led to our current predicament. Modern environmental destruction, biodiversity loss, social and political unrest, and wealth inequality are all issues that have been building up and unfolding for generations but now seem to plague our everyday lives. It is the responsibility of a genera-
Photo by Rachel Sparling tion to recognize the faults of their elders and correct them for the present, and to do so in a way that does not compromise future generations to come. That is the basis of a sustainable generation. In recent history the advancement of the human race has been exponentially increasing towards a future that is not only unstable environmentally, but socially and politically as well. Our air, water and soils are more polluted than ever, species all around the globe are disappearing, the wealth gap between the poor and the rich is getting larger and larger, prisons and war are considered business opportunities, and democratic political systems are more of a bidding war for the mega-rich than a platform for the people to elect the best suited leader with new and innovative ideas. It is only recently that the idea has been suggested that this trend may not be in our best interest. But as the signs become clearer and clearer about how constant growth is affecting the natural world and the balance between nations, many people are realizing the drastic harms a society based on limitless growth can have on their host which is finite. I truly believe that in the not so distant future the human race will be in one of two scenarios. In the first I see that we continue to indulge upon our desires and lead with ignorance and impulsiveness. I see that we fail to recognize the significance of our effects and stop them from getting worse, and because of this, parents would need to explain to their children that it was partially due to their inaction that led to
the current state of the planet. We would need to apologize to them for the failure of our generation and ourselves to preserve a world fit for them to live and thrive in. Now I must ask the question, can you imagine having the same conversation with your children? Telling them that they cannot go fishing because there are no fish to catch, that they cannot go for a walk in the woods because they are all cut down, that they must wear a mask to breathe or that they cannot drink from a mountain stream because it is polluted. It seems unthinkable for most, yet billions of people may have to have this conversation as this becomes their reality. The second alternative for humanity is a much more positive one, and that is having the privilege to explain to younger generations that it was in part due to your actions that the world was saved from a dangerous and uncertain future. You could explain how you were a part of one of the most exciting moments in human history and that it was because of one revolution that the outlook for the future of the entire human race and even the planet shifted. This seems to be a time that will test the true resilience of humanity and see if we can manage to put our differences aside and unite as a planet and as the human race. The time has come to no longer overlook the effects our actions have on the planet but rather to embrace this knowledge and make informed decisions about what kind of changes we need to consider and what kind of future we want for ourselves and generations to come. This needs to be a serious discussion in today’s mainstream
society. As of right now, we do not currently possess the ability or option to leave planet Earth and inhabit another planet, so Earth is all we have to call home. Therefore, contentment with ignorance in the face of knowledge is never justified, no matter what your allegiance. Where ignorance over-looks, knowledge sees all, where ignorance denies, knowledge accepts, and where ignorance forgets, knowledge remembers. Knowledge is a double edged sword that has the power to do great evils, but also to free anyone who embraces its power with reason and responsibility. Ahead of us we have the greatest opportunity any person could ever hope to be living through. We are currently witnessing one of the greatest moments in human history and don’t even realize it! Generations from now will talk about these years being the turning point in our existence, the generation that saved us. An example of human triumph on a scale never seen before, our indomitable spirit that always finds the correct course even amidst the darkest times. The climax of global unity, dawning a new age to a promising and prosperous future, leaving our past behind us as history but never forgetting the lessons learned. We must take responsibility for our actions and take the necessary steps to correct them, a sure sign of maturity for us as a species. A billion whispers are easy to ignore, but one unanimous cry for change can never be overlooked. Now is the time to decide what kind of world we will pass on to future generations. Now is the time for change. Now is the time for revolution.
April 14th, 2016 13
athsports&wellness
www.theath.ca
ATHLETE AUCTION 2016: A Hazy, Delightful Memory Samuel Gillis Sports Editor On March 31st, the Athletes Players Association was able to throw the party of the year. The line was out to the curb of Highland an hour before the doors even opened. Axe Staff did a great job, until they lit a whole pizza on fire. The Athlete Auction is an event where all the varsity teams on campus come together to raise money for SMILE and desperately needed new gym equipment. Traditionally the two participants from last year nominate two teammates, who show off on stage for a bit then are open for purchase. One night, dinner at the Port Pub - super romantic. The auction hosts, Cam and Paloma, absolutely killed it. They opened and closed the show with enthusiasm. If you weren’t able to make it, I’ll do my very best to give you a quick act-by-act recap. Warning, details get significantly fainter throughout the eve.
Tall Guys
The Basketball team fired the night up with the first performance. A classic duet, solid vocals by both but definitely slicker with the dance moves. Erik and Andrew definitely warmed the crowd up.
Mermaids
The reps for The Girls Swim Team, wow. Jaw-dropping dancing which made me still believe in swimming. That worm was A+. Alison and Rebecca were a tough act to follow. As they both broke the hundred-dollar mark, a big stage in the night, things were getting serious.
Track Stars
Wild cheers for the two track stars, Jodi starring in her own event - red alert, we’ve got a hot commodity on our hands. Her and Matt did a great western dance rendition. This athletic combo had a couple fiery moves peaking with a redneck circus flip smack in the middle of the performance. Matt brought on the first take it off! Cheers. Jodi was the star though, as she opened the first big tab. 405 dollars. Unreal.
Jocks
The football players did a good job at their classic
14 Issue 78.10
“jocks with a soft spot” approach. Hayden surprised the crowd as he belted out “Die a Happy Man” with one of his buddies from back home. Top notch sing along.
twerk squad starring Vanessa and Higgs got a solid ATAT chant throughout their performance. They definitely gave those Iggy tunes some justice. The Hockey team went all out for their favorite Joggers trainer and dropped a grand The cross country gals total of $420. stepped up with a solid mashup. The crowd was into Tall Girls it from the bat, “clap your To be honest, these volleyhands everybody if you got ballers did not start off on what it takes.” They had the right foot. Their lame what it took for sure, sur- beginning did not define prising the whole Axe with the rest of their odd reggae some great stage utilization. dance routines. Totally went Ellen was lucky enough to be for it: kicked the chairs over, purchased by the prettiest first wall twerk, A1 kind of boy at Acadia, John Atten- stuff. borough.
The Squad
The boys, Men’s Soccer had some large shoes to fill. Joel stepped up. Hilarious performance, full blown europop dance combo. Straightened hair fluorescent outfits somewhat sums up this spectacle. Really enhancing the flamboyant rep of the toughest team on campus. Well done, Joel.
Our Heroes
The Athletic Therapists definitely the most valuable humans in this joint. The
are a dangerous combination. They shook it off Taylor Swift style, and racked up quite the excitement during the bidding period.
“Paloma the Auctioneer” Photo by Anthony Chu
Our favorite female ballers got the curtain closing spot this year. Paloma couldn’t have set them up for success any better. Alyson pulled off a pretty good worm midAUS Champions performance, but Miss Berry The last Maddie Mack show. was the show stopper this Hands down best perfor- time around. They closed off mance of the night. That may the night with some purpose. be because I was just so happy I didn’t have to sit through Just as we thought it was all Danielle Wisen dancing like over, we got a surprise peran idiot again. Chapman formance. Cam takes off his had her Alicia Keys braids in suit jacket and goes in for the and proved she can do a lot final performance. Couldn’t more than just lip sync. The have turned out to be a betduo sang their own remix ter night, I vaguely rememof Empire State of Mind and ber getting shoved out of the rocked the place, let’s hear it way by a girl trying to fetch for Wolfville! Maddie Mack Cam before the boxers came Figure Skaters was sold for 500 bucks; it off. Mission accomplished The Hockey players put two was hard to hear the bidders when she bought him for the of their finest rookies up to over the MVP chants. night, must be love. bat. Dressed in the proper grease lightning attire, they Backstreet Girls Hands down one of the best put on a good show. The Backstreet’s back? Yeah, nights of the year. Plus, the highlight of their perfor- Emily and Maddie told me Athlete Players Association, mance was the quick chan- last night. The Soccer Girls we’re able to raise nearly geup from smack that to were clearly well-rehearsed $6000 for some great causes. grease lighting. Chance and and focused, really putting Thank you Jodi, Sarah and Liam both went for 200 plus, on a show. Our host Cam got Matt especially for doing so no surprise. the crowd fired up to steal much work. Cam and PaloCrousey’s girl, no way he ma, you guys killed it, and Mermen said. Putting his foot down everyone who helped a little Oh the Men’s swim team is by buying a $250 date with bit brought this night to full up? Bathroom break. his girlfriend, love it. potential. Especially the guys These guys did phenomhanding out bracelets at the enal, speedos and bowties Ballers front door, you guys rocked.
athsports&wellness
www.theath.ca
PORN SEX vs.REAL SEX Anya K’Nees Sex Columnist
Pornography. A $13 billion dollar global industry that commands 25% of all daily Internet searches in the United States. Pornhub alone receives over 1.68 million visits per hour, and in 2010, 13% of global web searches were for sexual content. Yet, how healthy is our obsession with porn? The word pornography originates from Greek roots, and roughly translated means “a written description or illustration of prostitutes or prostitution”. The word Pornographie was in use in the French language during the 1800s, and entered the English language by 1857. Many historical Greek and Roman sculptures, frescos, and other art forms depict heterosexual, homosexual, and oral sex. Perhaps the most historically famous sexual text is the Kama Sutra. This Hindu text was composed by Vātsyāyana between 400 BCE and 200 CE, and primarily presents itself as a guide to virtuous and gracious living, not, as commonly assumed, exclusively as a sex manual. However, soon after the invention of the Gutenberg Press, books on purely sexual subjects were being published. In 1524, the first book of erotic engravings, entitled I Modi, was published, and in 1748, John Cleland wrote the erotic novel Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure. In the 1900s, videos of pornographic acts made their debut and thus the early 20th century became the era of “stag film.” Such films were illegally produced, distributed, and consumed and relied on disjointed narratives and vivid depictions of raw sexuality. They were frequently viewed during bachelor parties, fraternity events, and other exclusively male gatherings. In 1951, the X-rating was formally introduced. In December of 1953, Hugh Hefner founded Playboy magazine. Around the 70s, porn finally went commercial and in 1973 the first international porn flick, Behind the Green Door, was released. But, as popular as mainstream films were, viewers lacked the ability to enjoy them in a solo sexual context. That all changed in 1976, when video technology became easily obtainable. By 1978, 75% of videotapes sold were pornographic. The next revolution
in pornography was the Internet. The first porn site became active in 1994, and by 2007 Kim Kardashian’s sex tape would become the mostviewed video of all time.
Nowadays the Internet dominates the porn industry. Many individuals’ introduction to sex is through online pornography at a young age, and teenagers around the world report using porn to gain information about real-life sex. This can lead to a skewed view of what comprises a realistic sexual relation. Keep in mind that pornography is a business where everything is exaggerated. In porn, women are often tan, busty, made-up bleached blondes who enjoy a variety of perverse sexual acts and have the flexibility to achieve them. To men, average penis size may appear larger than it truly is. Average penis size in North America is about 5 to 6.5 inches erect while most adult film actors measure somewhere around 8 inches erect. Male porn stars can also achieve and maintain erections at will, and should be able to ejaculate on command. Sexual acts are performed in front of a camera and crew, so like any movie, effort is put into displaying the actors at their best.
bad. Whatever you watch, keep in mind that pornography is a partial image, and above all else, a business. Sex sells, so companies portray only the overtly sexual aspects of any scene. Be it a one-night stand or a long-term lover, in real life you should always establish consent, and be aware of all participant’s mental and physical boundaries. Porn can be used to assist in solo sexual activities, which can lead to a host of benefits. Achieving orgasm increases relaxation, lowers blood pressure, maintains mental health, and offers no risk of STI’s or pregnancy. Solo porn viewing also allows you to become more comfortable with yourself and your sexuality on your own terms, and can help you discover what you are most attracted to. It provides a safe space to work out your kinks, because exploring your sexuality is how you find out what you like.
your partner view porn together as a natural transition into foreplay, or like to have it playing in the background during intercourse. Porn can also be used when you want your fantasies created for you. And, just as aspiring concert violinists learn how to better their craft by watching others play, your own sexual repertoire could similarly benefit from watching porn. More amusingly, porn can be hilarious. Sex is sometimes funny and not always perfect - not because of the participants, but because sex, with its unanticipated noises and bodily fluids, is inherently funny. If you want a really good study break Google “Indifferent Cats in Amateur Porn.”
If you are into porn, but worry about the unrealistic body types portrayed, amateur porn counteracts some of these issues. For women, delving into the world of online porn can be difficult. Many sites cater to men, Porn can also be used in a meaning women can have a healthy partner based rela- hard time finding images they tionship. Perhaps you and relate to. Googling “female
friendly” porn usually results in primarily “lesbian” findings. If this is not your preference, keep searching! There is some really beautiful erotic work out there and once you find it, it will be worth it. A good site to start your search at is joybear.com. Now it’s time for some athnowledgments. Much like porn, these articles don’t always show the whole picture. Prior to this column’s climax, one final note is needed; Anya is not just me. She is an amalgamation of willing sounding boards, editors, friends, and proofreaders. As I write this orgasmic completion after a year of fun and informative pieces, I wanted to thank everyone who was involved in Anya’s column for their dedication, hard work, and willingness to contribute. Most of all, thanks to you dear readers, whose continuous dedication to reading this column have kept it alive. So, wherever your life may take you, keep is safe, sane, consensual, and sexy.
Not only does porn foster unrealistic body images in all genders, a lot of online pornography focuses on abusive and sexually demeaning acts towards women. Pornographic depictions of fetishists often focus heavily on the physical aspects, neglecting to display the necessary mental preparations. As many as 88.2% of top rated porn scenes contain aggressive acts, and in 94% the aggression is directed towards a woman. Some studies have found that after repeated exposure to such pornographic material, males are more prone to acting in a sexually aggressive manner, and display a decreased empathy towards sexual assault victims. Some countries have even gone so far as attempting to ban porn, with predictable results! Addictions to pornography are also a very real thing, with approximately 200,000 Americans being classed as “porn addicts” (defined as one’s pornography viewing habits negatively impacting physical, mental, social, or financial well-being). Yet watching porn is not all
Photo by Anthony Chu
April 14th, 2016 15
athdistractions
www.theath.ca
Mega Crossword
All Puzzles and the majority of mazes for this year have been made by Thane Mullen
ACROSS
1) Insurance Company 4) Pikachu’s trainer 7) Musician Dylan 10) Special effects 13) Microsoft’s web portal 16) Uppity person 18) Weapon 20) Headwear 22) Window feature 24) What a fisherman hopes for 25) Mufasa’s brother 26) Angry 27) Ready to go 28) Bird of prey 29) Base’s antagonist 30) Graduates 32) Conversations 34) Baker’s number 36) Spring occurrence 38) Winter event 39) Tortoise’s rival 40) Defeat 41) Verbally attack 42) Above 44) Oily medicine 46) Plant genus 47) Contest 50) (34 Across) squared 51) Utilize 54) Flower 56) Resort 59) Art form 61) Make a mistake 62) Hunting tool 64) Annoyed grunt 65) Vegetarian staple 67) Loud noise 68) Toronto team 71) Broken bone result 72) Female sheep 73) Clump of milk protein 74) Burn 76) Subject of Sisqo’s hit song 78) Package 81) Savannah tour 84) Gatsby’s obsession 85) Bellows 87) Age 88) Politician Cruz 89) ‘Take the _____’ 91) Trinket 93) Pop 95) Author Morrison 96) Facial expressions 99) Gift tag word 100) Representative 103) Great disturbance 105) April Fool’s Day baby 108) Grade 110) Plentiful gas 111) Paramilitary group 112) Buddy 113) Baseball player Ripken Jr. 114) 1/365.25 of a year 115) Information 117) Nebraska city 119) Christmas song 121) Dog genus 123) Uncommon 124) Original inhabitant 126) Singular of (32 Across) 128) City known for crooked architecture 130) Edmonton team
16 Issue 78.10
1
2
3
16
4 17
5
6
18
25
7 19
31
32
50
51
61
62 70
76
34
53
45 54
77
78
79
100
110
94
101 102
103
111
115
116 124
118
125 133
137 138
157
164
165 166
162 163
177 178
193
201
202
194
132) (136 Down) 134) Sin/Cos 135) Sibling 136) Key component of geography class 137) Moses’s brother 139) Increases 142) Trade 144) Recipe instruction 147) Famous Chipmunk 148) Came into being 149) Buddy 151) Pants ignitors 153) Storage area 155) Snake 156) Buddy 158) Baseball stat 159) Actor Troyer or author Jules 160) Where science happens 161) Concealed shot 164) Calculator setting 165) Play setting 168) Consume 169) Ideas 171) Garbage bag company 172) Footwear 173) Metallic element 175) Other 176) Close 179) Type of cheese 180) Tonal fluttering made by felids 182) Region 184) Schedule 186) Deserves 188) ‘___ and the Pussycats’ 189) Agriculture worker
152
168
145 146 153
154
169 170
174
175 181
182 183
188 196
203 207
144
160
180
195
131
136
167
187
189 197
198
204 208
192) Unpleasant place 193) Turn aside 195) Type of beverage 197) Director Ridley 199) Playing cards 201) Rocks 202) Fracas 203) Winter wear 204) Window feature 205) Carpet type 206) Large amount 207) Louse 208) TV network 209) For each 210) Decide
DOWN
109
123
159
173
186
192
130
151
179
184 185
122
143
158
98
114
129
142
172 176
97 108
121
149 150
171
206
120
141
156
90
113
135
155
75
84
105 106 107
134
148
60
96
128
147
161
74
89
104
119
139 140
59 67
95
126 127
132
58
83
112
117
57
66
88
93
99
82
49
37
73
87
92
36
56
81
48
15
24
47
65
80
14
29
46
64
13
41
72
86
23
35
55
63
12
22
40
71
85 91
52
11
28
33
44
69
21
39
43
68
10
27
38 42
9
20
26 30
8
1) Word that the Ath lets me use to describe a person, but not a body part 2) Atahualpa, for example 3) Objective 4) Spring occurrence 5) Body of water 6) First Survivor winner Richard 7) Containers 8) Horse food 9) Actor Pitt 10) Family groups 11) Joke or choke 12) ‘British _____’ 13) “Of ____ and Men” 14) Mix 15) Homer’s neighborino 17) Musician Mars and Cinderella’s dog
190 191 199
200
205 209
210
18) Tangent/Cosine 19) “Celebrity ____ with Dr. Drew” 20) 60’s game show “___ the Truth” 21) Son of Zeus and Leto 22) Gaggle components 23) Pinniped 24) Alfred’s boss 31) Janitor tools 33) Common sight in the Middle East 35) Moves quickly 37) Epic story 42) Word frequently found on red octagons 43) Jewish scripture 45) Example 46) Fireplace sight 48) Mythical King 49) Poet Dickinson 50) Semirigid colloidal dispersion 51) Western Canadian school 52) Dove and Ivory 53) Anna’s sister 55) Scatter seed 56) Insult 57) 2015 terrorist target 58) Combine 60) Complete 63) Not moving 66) Wolfville university 69) Discussion site 70) (16 Across) 74) Mentally healthy 75) Apple product
77) Showcase 79) Dove noise 80) Extremes 82) Unit of matter 83) Wetland 84) Actor Ackroyd and newsman Rather 86) Life plan 90) British poet 91) Movie “Life of ____” 92) Major artery 94) Baseball stat 95) Army group 97) Military tool 98) Gaseous balls 99) Trend 101) Period 102) ‘I guess not’ 104) Hockey player Bobby 106) Electronics company 107) Actor McKellen 109) Storm feature 116) Pacman console 117) Sealed baking chamber 118) Oscar field 119) Walking stick 120) Bart’s sister 121) Medieval stronghold 122) Natural fibre 123) Return to default 125) Metallic element 127) Possesses 129) Knight’s title 131) Musician del Rey 133) Scent 136) (129 Across) 137) “All ___ the Watchtower” 138) Benefit 140) Parched 141) Hectic outburst 142) Sudden attack 143) ‘Ireland’, in Irish 145) Greek god of endurance 146) Actress Keaton 147) Six-pack components 148) Tavern 150) 70’s sports league 152) Collection 154) TV network 157) Different 159) Roman goddess 162) Committees 163) Famous garden 166) Torments 167) Bad deal 169) Colleague 170) Camels’ American cousins 172) Countertop type 174) Coffee _____ 177) Inhabitant of (163 Down) 178) Poe’s bird 179) Hat 181) Summary 182) “Happily Ever _____” 183) Rodents 184) Chocolate bar 185) Long, deep valley 187) Subgroup 188) Mason’s containers 190) Sound reflection 191) “You__whatyou(55Down)” 192) Type of dog or chocolate 194) Movie “Book of ___” 196) Taxi 198) Square root of one 200) Military rank (abbrev)