Acadia’s Student Newspaper, since 1874 October 4th, 2016 Issue 79.2
EDITORIALS
the strike so far page 1
NEWS
human trash page 3
ARTS universal love page 9
OPINIONS evil vs. evil page 10
ath atheditorials The Athenaeum Acadia University’s Student Newspaper Issue 79.2 ASU Box 6002, Acadia University Wolfville, NS, Canada B4P 2R5 Editor-In-Chief: Andrew Haskett Email: eic@acadiau.ca O�ce Hours: Tue & Thu 1:30-4:30 Advertising/Business Inquiries: tompkins.biz@acadiau.ca wile.biz@acadiau.ca Section Editors
Management
Arts & Culture: Sidharth Kondapuram Creative: Kelsey Crosby Distractions: Thane Mullen Features: Zoë Strutt News: Allison Smith Opinions: Emma Hughes Sports: Zachery Craig Science: Hope Latta
Production: Adam Langille Photography: Anjuli Ripley Business / Ads: Noah Tompkins Business / Ads: Colleen Wile Managing: Hannah Hutchinson Copy Editor Kody Crowell Editor-in-Chief Andrew Haskett
The Athenaeum is the official student newspaper of Acadia University and is published in print and online yearround 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 If there is content that we feel will not add to the philosophy, dialogue, or tone of our newspaper, it will not be published.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 There are open story meetings every Wednesday at 5pm in the Athenaeum office, room 512 in the SUB. Everyone is welcome, and we encourage you to join us! The Athenaeum, since 1874. Call it like you see it. On the Cover: This week’s cover was taken by Anthony Chu.
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EIGHT MONTHS AND COUNTING
A Brief Summary of the Halifax Typographical Union’s Herald Strike Frank Campbell HTU Vice President That’s the length of a full academic year at university, a full National Hockey League or Major League Baseball season, complete with playoffs. And that’s the length of the work stoppage at the Chronicle Herald. Sixty-one newsroom members were forced to walk away from the province’s newspaper of record on January 23rd. The company had proposed a contract that would strip away all job security and render our union, the Halifax Typographical Union, completely toothless and ineffective. We had no choice other than to launch a defensive strike. The Herald had rejected outright our offer of concessions that included a five per cent across-the-board wage cut. The company, among its more than 1,000 proposed changes to our expired contract, wanted to eliminate that job security, slash pensions and to cut the newsroom staff in half while significantly reducing severance pay and contracting out work. Many of our striking reporters, editors, photographers and support staff have been proud to build and promote the Herald brand during our long years of service. The Chronicle Herald has been a Nova Scotia institution, reaching citizens in all corners of the province. Striking newsroom workers have written, photographed and edited the local stories that Nova Scotians want to read and that keep people informed about their communities and their province. We have provided the true stories about health care,
politics, medical wait times, education, sports and entertainment. We have held government and business accountable so that residents and readers get a fair shake.
ing for its workers and the disturbing direction that ownership is willing to take this onceproud publication. The only weapon we have at our disposal in fighting the company is to reach out to advertisers and to readers in order to offer a viable alternative to reading the Herald. We have done all three. A letterwriting campaign to advertisers asking them to suspend advertising in the Herald until a deal is reached has been followed by a series of information pickets in front of the businesses of advertisers who continue to patronize the Chronicle Herald.
But all that came to a screeching halt in January. While the newspaper’s president and CEO downplayed our contributions in open letters to Herald readers, the quality of the newspaper and online product took an immediate nosedive as it continued to publish with inexperienced and often-times incompetent replacement workers. Errors, inaccuracies and inept reporting have become commonplace in the We have been doing a new-look Herald. lengthy campaign with The company has re- flyers and door-hangers fused to move from its to reach out to readers initial bargaining po- to ask them to cancel sition of almost a year their subscriptions unago. In the meantime, til the real journalists the union offered to have returned to work. move away from the defined benefit pension plan and to make a bevy of other concessions in an effort to reach a deal. It has never been good enough for the company, which wants it all, including ridding the newspaper of our union. The past eight months have been both stressful and enlightening. The stressful part comes in the disruption to a normal lifestyle and the dark places that striking workers can find themselves in when there is seemingly no end in sight. The enlightening part comes from learning about the resilience and resolve of fellow members and the generosity of other unions and concerned readers and residents. We have also learned a harsh lesson about our employer, about the Herald’s lack of compassion and car-
And, most importantly, we have launched the Local Xpress, an online publication produced by our striking newsroom workers. This publication not only allows us to do what we love to do and showcase our talents along the way, but also provides an alternative to reading the Herald. And, with the limited respect due to the current newspaper, we think the Xpress shows readers what they are missing at the Herald during this strike
and what real journalism is all about. Our numbers have been reduced to 55 now, with six members leaving the fray to accept other employment. Still, we are fighting our fight for journalism, to maintain it as the independent voice that it ought to and must be. But make no mistake, we are also fighting for our jobs and the lifestyle that those well-paying jobs have provided. The company had proposed an arbitrary pay scale that slashed some employees’ wages by 20 per cent while maintaining others at their pre-strike scale. This was absolutely unacceptable. So, as you settle in for another academic year, as the NHL players take the ice for their preseason preparations and as the major league baseball players get ready to swing for the post-season fences, we hunker down for what could be another long, cold winter on the picket line. Frank Campbell Halifax Typographical Union vice-president f r a n k . c a m p b e l l @ ns.sympatico.ca 902-883-9048 (h); 902-497-0057 (m)
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FIRST AMERICAN PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE 2016 No Clear Winner? Nathaniel Kimball Contributor The first US presidential debate took place on Monday evening of September 26th, 2016, featuring a much anticipated and polarized pair of candidates, Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton. Being the first time that Trump and Clinton have taken the stage together in this type of setting, the debate revealed the presidential nominees’ ability to address today’s issues, how they di�er from one another, and how their philosophies appear to add up. Both candidates bring a lot to the table. Between taxation, trade, and foreign policy especially, there is a lot to be said about their di�erences. In brief, Clinton advocates a more or less traditional and neoliberal view of these a�airs: tax the rich, enhance and facilitate free trade arrangements, maintain strong ties with our allies, and always engage in diplomacy at first instance. Secretary Clinton views the importance of building the middle class, with much of her policy aligning with this outlook. Her education and experience in the political sphere should warrant her much credibility for her plans, being very careful of the political implications of the POTUS’ actions on the national and international level and not suggesting any radical policies that could potentially compromise
any number of political or economic institutions. Trump sees things di�erently. Straying from convention, Trump proposes not to tax the upper class, rather provide tax cuts for purposes of encouraging corporate reinvestment in technology, growth and employment. On the trade front, scrap free trade agreements and start taxing foreign entities for trading with the US. And for those who wish to move and produce in China to then sell back to America, they will experience heavy penalization. His stance on foreign policy also possesses an interesting economic perspective: to engage with and support our allies is important, but relationships within organizations like NATO need to be equal, and nations need to provide equal funding toward global e�orts. In short: our money is ours, not yours, and we will not be pulling any dead weight anymore. Both candidates possess di�erent but valid outlooks on America’s future. It should be granted that Trump does have an understanding in the workings of business, economic imperatives, and the world from a capitalist’s eyeview. Many people find him appealing in this way. For one, the assumption that big business will necessarily reinvest their capital in growth is not ridiculous: in competitive environments it is in fact an imperative to a certain extent. Indeed he is right. Hilary Clinton is also right,
Sarah Bachar Contributor
On September 19, 2016, activist Rob Greenfield ceased throwing his garbage out— in the traditional sense, anyways. Rob has decided to wear all of the garbage that he produces over a 30 day period in order to make a point about over-consumption. This project, aptly named “Trash Me,” is right on-brand for Greenfield, who has made it his mission to inspire a healthier earth by using attentiongrabbing tactics. Walking around New York City wearing every piece of garbage he creates should do just that. Greenfield told news outlet TakePart that he “wanted to come up with a visual way
tions is the major influence that the political sphere can have on a nations economic well-being. Relationships matter. In light of Trump’s views emphasizing the US as the main priority between tax, trade, and foreign policy, his contention on the standing economic relationships between global partners make his foreign policy focus seem merely ‘domestic’. Hilary Clinton makes it clear to international partners during the debate that the word of the US is good. Under a Clinton administration, global relationships will be maintained, and the focus will not only be on growing America’s core middle class, but as-
sisting their international partners as well. It is hard to criticize one for this double standard, especially considering where the US fits into the global scene, and it takes much consideration for policy goals to strike a balance between the two. However, the American public have been seeing things di�erently. It seems that post-debate polls indicate no clear winner, many claiming Clinton was the stronger debater, others indicating Trump was the winner. Even after such a determinative event like this, the nation is still divided.
Photo by: Colin Mitchell
HUMAN TRASH Chips Are Garbage
however, in the sure bet: tax the wealthy more to ensure services and programs are provided to the public. Trump also places heavy emphasis on America making better deals and earning their fair share, which illustrates the thin line that Trump ultimately walks on between the economic and the political. The United States sits near the top of the global economic and political pyramid, but to build a strong global leadership role depends on maintaining and strengthening relationships between states, whether through trade or diplomacy alike. What Trump may ignore in international rela-
to get people thinking about how much trash they create,” and so, with clear plastic bags strapped to his person, Rob has been continuing with his every-day life in New York City (albeit a bit slower due to his “baggage”), while simultaneously raising awareness about the impact of garbage and material waste on our environment. In order to remain accurate, Rob will not be turning down any trash that is o�ered to him — not flyers, not plastic bags, nothing. Inspired by the shocking figures by the US Environmental Protection Agency, which state that each person in the US produces about 2.1 kg of solid waste every day, Rob is resolved to eat, shop, and consume “just like the average American person” throughout the duration of this project by producing ap-
proximately that amount (2.1 kg) of waste each day. Trash Me is a reaction (which, some may say is an extreme one), to the convenience of our waste-disposal systems in North America. Greenfield is attempting to take the convenience of “out of sight, out of mind” that comes with garbage disposal and put it right back into people’s line of vision — attempting to create individual accountability for the severe environmental degradation that is occurring thanks to our waste. Using the production and disposal of a bag of potato chips as an example, Greenfield highlights the deep implications that our wasteful habits have on the environment, noting that: “that bag might last for five minutes of eating—five minutes of enjoyment. But the thing about it is, to get that plastic packaging to you, that meant that there had to be mining of vir-
gin materials from the Earth. That had to be shipped around the world, created in a manufacturing center—all of that taking fossil fuels, electricity, and emitting greenhouse gases and pollution. Then, once you eat the chips, the packaging goes to either the landfill or the ocean. To get it to the landfill, garbage trucks need to drive around using fossil fuels [and] once it gets to the landfill, its life isn’t over. It’s going to live for about 500 years. Or possibly eternity.” Rob has, of course, run into obstacles throughout his project— including the smell, the societal reaction, and the actual weight of the trash. Despite his knowledge on the figures of how much waste we create, Greenfield states that he too was shocked at the sheer amount of trash that that 2.1 kg manifests into, not realizing “how quickly it would add up just doing normal things.”
While it’s easy to look at the extreme statistics on waste of our neighbours to the South, it is important to recognize that the amount of waste created by Canadians is directly comparable to that of Americans. According to 2011 figures by Environment Canada, Canada produces approximately 30 million tonnes of municipal solid waste each year, amounting to 1.8 kg (or 4 pounds) created each day per person. Comparing this to America’s 2.1 kg (or 4.62 pounds) per person, Canadians can hardly take the moral high-ground. While it may not be in vogue to wear garbage, thanks to Rob Greenfield, we now know what it looks like. Further updates on Trash Me (projected to last until October 19, 2016) can be found at http://robgreenfield.tv/trashme/.
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BACKLASH OVER BREED-SPECIFIC LEGISLATION Ann de Ste Croix Contributor
Fo u r months a f t er a br u t a l d o g a t t a c k t h a t cla i m e d t h e l i f e o f a 5 5 yea r o l d w o m a n , M a y o r Den i s C o d er re a n d t h e Ci t y C o u n c i l o f M o n t r ea l ap p r o v e d a c h a n g e t o t h e cit y ’ s a n i m a l c o n t r o l b y law s t h i s T u es d a y . T h es e ch a n g es i n c l u d e a b a n on n e w o w n e r s h i p o f p i t bu l l o r p i t b u l l - t y p e d o g s as w el l a s r es t r i c t i o n s o n th o s e a l r e a d y o w n i n g t h e br e ed . T h i s c o m e s a s a n ef f o r t t o i n c r ea s e p u b lic s e c u r i t y . T h i s b y l a w req u i r es t h a t t h e s e d o g s be s t e r i l i z e d , m u z z l e d a t all t i m es w h i l e o u t s i d e, be k ep t o n a 1 . 2 5 - m etre- l o n g l e a s h , a n d t h a t ow n e r s o b t a i n a s p ec i a l pe r m i t . A l l p i t b u l l - t y p e do g s c u r r en t l y i n s h el ter s o r f o u n d a s s t r a y s wi l l b e eu t h a n i z ed . T h i s ba n w a s a p p r o v ed d es p i t e ou t c r y f r o m a n i m a l r i g h t s gr o u p s a n d a d v o c a t es w h o cla i m t h a t b r ee d - s p e c i f i c leg i s l a t i o n i s d i s c r i m i n a tor y a n d i n e f f e c t i v e . T h ey po i n t o u t t h a t s i m i l a r leg i s l a t i o n h a s b ee n a d op t e d b y o t h e r c i t i es b u t ha v e s i n c e b e en r ep e a l ed . Th e Q u e b ec O r d e r o f V e t eri n a r i a n s h a s s t a t ed t h a t ve t s w i t h i n M o n t r ea l a r e un d e r n o o b l i g a t i o n t o eu t h a n i z e p i t b u l l s a n d th e M o n t r ea l S P C A h a s th r e a t en ed t o en d d o g co n t r o l s er v ic e s w i t h i n th e c i t y . O n W e d n es da y , t h e M o n t r e a l S P C A an n o u n c ed t h a t i t w i l l lau n c h a l a w s u i t a g a i n s t th e C i t y o f M o n t r e a l , w i t h
t h e i n t en t to suspend the a p p l i c a t i o n of this ban in o r d er t o t h en have it ruled i l l e g a l b y Quebec’s Super i o r C o u r t . In its statem en t , t h e animal welf a r e o r g a n isation claims t h a t t h i s ban is contrary t o b o t h a rticle 898.1 of t h e C i v i l C ode of Quebec, w h i c h g r a nts animals the s t a t u s o f s entient beings, a n d t h e Animal Welfare a n d S a f e t y Act. A judicial r ev i ew o f t he Montreal pit b u l l b y l a w is to be heard b y S u p e r i or Court Jus-
112 Front St, Wolfville
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tice Claude Champagne on Monday, October 3rd – the same day the ban goes into effect.
In the mean time, many are taking to social media to voice their anger and disappoint towards the ban, including celebrities such as Cyndi Lauper and Sophia Bush. Petitions demanding for its repeal have begun circulating the Internet and have amassed as many as 150,000 signatures
from people all over the world. Animal welfare organizations throughout the country are also doing their part and attemp ting to get as many dogs as they can out of the city’s shelters before it is too late, including many organizations from Nova Scotia. BSL, or Breed Specific Legislation, highlights the ongoing debate surrounding particular breeds of dogs such as pit bulls and rottweilers. Many argue
that these breeds are inherently more aggressive compared to others, while some disagree and state that the issue boils down to irresponsible owners and inhumane treatment. Whatever the case may be, those who oppose the ban believe that the City of Montreal has the responsibility to act impartially and not be influenced by stereotypes when passing legislation.
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M E E T T H E C A N D I D A T E S For Wolfville’s Next New Councilor it together! I ask for your vote on October 15th!
Allison Smith News Editor
As promised in the previous issue, I would like to introduce you to the candidates running for Councilor in the upcoming Municipal Election. They have all answered the same question in an e�ort to tell you, the student residents of Wolfville, about their platform and why they deserve your vote. The question they were asked is: What is the most important reason that students should vote in the upcoming municipal election and why should that vote be for you? Oonagh Proudfoot Currently: Senior Alumni Officer, Alumni A�airs; Part-time Lecturer, Kinesiology; Acadia University [Students should vote] because they are a part of this community. [Students should vote for me because] each student is permitted six votes as there are six seats. Those six votes should go to the six people (of the ten) that the student believes can contribute to a meaningful conversation about each of the issues that are brought forward to the council for review, discussion and decision. Wendy Donovan Currently: Deputy Mayor Town of Wolfville; Recreation Planner/Owner Recreation & Library Consulting Firm Formerly: Municipal Recreation Planner Cities of North York and Burlington ON; Recreation Planning Consultant to municipalities across Canada Municipal councils establish policies, the budget being the most significant, that govern how taxpayers’ money is spent, e.g., are there recreation programs, which roads are most in need of maintenance, what streets have sidewalks, what events receive Town support, how is land zoned, where are parks. Council policies create the type of Town Wolfville will be – now and into the future. A few years ago Acadia students created a Word Cloud of reasons they choose Acadia. COMMUNITY was the most frequent word. Students said programs like SMILE, the small town feel, festivals and events, contribute to this sense of community. Many policies take years to bear fruit,
and voters need to consider how decisions will play out over the longer term. Your vote contributes to the kind of community you would like to live in now, as well as after graduation. I would like a Wolfville where students want to remain long after graduation.
I support policies that contribute to: safe and a�ordable housing, neighbourhoods where all residents feel they belong, fair partnerships with business, institutions and organizations, managed growth and infrastructure renewal, and opportunities for residents to enjoy the things Acadia students say brought them to Wolfville. Wil Lang Currently: Co-Owner/Operator, Troy Restaurant, Member of Wolfville Town and Gown Committee, Member of Town of Wolfville Design Review Committee
Hayden McKee Being both a recent Acadia Grad and a current Acadia student I can perhaps relate better than any candidate to the plight and feelings of many students. Acadia students make up an important part of the future of this great country and this great town of Wolfville - they are the ones able to stand up and make a di�erence if they so choose. When they do rally behind a cause their voice can drown all opposition out and their power is deafening. In this election students can vote for the first time, in a long time, for one of their own, some one they can relate with and feel at ease bringing their issue to. Because the same issues that e�ect many students are also experienced by myself. I believe it is high time that the students of Acadia University once again have a voice on town council, and I would be humbled and honored if they choose me to represent them. It is my hope this Oct 6th -11th and 15th they vote for change, vote for the future.
Formerly: Committee Vise President - Wolfville Business Development Corporation, President of Wolfville Business Jodi MacKay Development Corporation, Currently: O�ce/Finance ManFor me it is all about embracing ager in the health care sector. your voice. The Acadia community is why Wolfville is where it’s I feel strongly that students at! That fact is something that should vote because they can needs to be embraced by this contribute to their communities town! As an Acadia Alumni who in a tangible way. Knowing who has chosen to make Wolfville my your community’s government home, I want to see more oppor- o�cials are is valuable, as they tunities for Acadia students to are making decisions that immake the same decision. Wheth- pact your daily life. Decisions on er that means staying to work for planning, housing, bylaws, and the summer in between school safety all have a direct e�ect on years or staying after gradua- your days, and you can contribtion to start your own business, ute by voting for the policy makWolfville needs to provide the ers you believe in. Wolfville is a opportunities that make staying vibrant, active university town and I appreciate Acadia students viable and exciting! taking the time to contribute to Originally from Ban�, Alberta, I our community. I believe a comfirst came to Wolfville to attend munity is made up of and can Acadia University in 2005. After only thrive if we have a varied leaving to complete my Master’s demographic, as we all have Degree in Architecture from the something to contribute. I beUniversity of Calgary, I chose to lieve we can all coexist and lend return to Wolfville with my two our strengths to enhance our young boys to raise them in what community. I have an open mind I truly believe to be one of the and am committed to lifelong great communities in our coun- learning. Positive change and innovation are two of my favorite try! I have resided in the downtown things. It never ceases to amaze core since returning to Wolfville me what our next generations and I am the Co-owner and op- can do! More details about myerator of Troy Restaurant. I see self and what to look for in a canan exciting future for Wolfville didate can be found on my Faceand I will be passionate and book page: Elect Jodi MacKay as dedicated to helping us achieve Town Councillor – Wolfville.
Adam Fraser
Mercedes Brian
Everyone should vote in the municipal election, especially under-represented students. It’s your chance to influence the grassroots level of government regarding issues like water quality, roads, sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, fire protection, recreation opportunities, growing local jobs, having safe, a�ordable housing, an e�ective, respectful, police presence, lively festivals, … I can go on! My love for Wolfville and Acadia began when I stepped o� the train in 1978. Now I am a married mother of four young adults, an artisan fermented food and drink producer, and a huge fan of outdoor recreation, local food, and local culture. A vote for me is a vote for experience and enthusiasm. As a councilor, I volunteered for hard work. I chaired the Planning Committee and continue to be a member. I chair the inter-municipal Kings Transit Board (we now have on-board Wi-fi and a new route through Port Williams). I chair the Audit Committee, where we have the first and detailed look at Wolfville’s finances. I’m also a member of the Source Water Protection Committee and attend the Environmental Sustainability Committee, which speaks to my commitment to clean air, pure water, healthy soil, and addressing climate change through alternative energy strategies and e�ciencies. Carl Oldham My name is councilor Carl Oldham. I have lived in the Town of Wolfville for the last twenty years. I am also a business man, owner of the Carl’s Independent grocery store, with my son, Carl Jr. I have been a councilor for the last eight years in the Town of Wolfville, and I sit on a number of committees. I bring lots of experience to the town with my last eight years on the town council. I am also very active in the community, taking on lots of volunteer work. For example: Wolfville Lions Club, Mud Creek Rotary Club, Wolfville School, Wolfville Food Bank. Our store sponsors many events and teams at Acadia University. These include the hockey team, football team, and the girls’ rugby team. I am a very community-minded person who cares about his community. I love the energy that Acadia University brings to the town. I would love your support on October 15th.
Four years ago my wife and I moved to Wolfville to start a family. We wanted to be part of a growing, vibrant, and young town. Part of the appeal of Wolfville is having Acadia University on our doorstep. Having a regular influx of young, motivated, and educated people is part of what makes our town so special; however, I have found that sometimes a friction exists between full-time residents and students. This has resulted in discussions about the town “cracking down” on students and talks of additional by-laws regarding student housing and noise. It is almost like the town council has forgotten that you are residents as well. It is my goal to work with our university and its students to create solutions rather than focusing on restricting by-laws and enforcement. I think that it is time for some new, young minds to be part of the discussion. It is time for a fresh perspective. I encourage you all to take the time to cast your vote on October 15th, and start being part of the discussion. Wendy Elliot Acadia students living in Wolfville have the right to vote in the upcoming municipal election. I urge all students to consider voting on October 6 at the advance poll, or on election day October 15. Municipal government is the closest government to all of us (next in line to the ASU for students) and impacts our lives here every day; it’s where we as voters can have a real impact by paying attention to the issues of local government. Balancing “Town and Gown” concerns are no less important than when I graduated from Acadia. In fact, finding a mutually-beneficial blend for sustaining both populations is absolutely vital to the future of the Town and the University. We are linked in many important ways and each needs to make the e�ort to understand the other. I have been covering Wolfville town politics since 1980 as a reporter for the local newspaper, now the Valley Journal Advertiser (I used to be a sta�er on the Atheneum while at Acadia). Being a good listener and a long time resident, my motivation for running for council is to help broker better understanding. These are your candidates for councilor in this municipal election. Now all you have to do is decide which six best represent your values and hopes for the town of Wolfville. Advance polls are at the Student Union at 8:00pm, see you all there!
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ACADIA PRIDE THANKS YOU FOR COMING OUT You Do You, Darlings! Max Janes ASU Pride Exec.
I first came out to my parents when I was the ripe old age of thirteen. I had been grounded, for what I saw as a horribly unfair reason, so I decided that I would have a yelling match that involved me accusing my parents of being homophobic of their queer child (i.e. me). Some time later, I was kicked out of the house. Mine is not a heart-warming tale to say the least. Thankfully, not all stories are like mine. Unfortunately, some stories are much worse. “Coming out” is most commonly defined as the act of disclosing your sexuality or gender identity to a person for the first time. The need for coming out comes from the assumption that we all are heterosexual and cisgender (when you agree with the gender assigned
to you at birth). There are as many different coming out stories as there are coming out stories at all. No two experiences are the same and there is no wrong way to come out. National Coming Out Day is October 11th, so in the spirit of coming out of the closet I’d like to offer some of my thoughts on this event. 1. You in no way have to come out. Ever. And I mean that. Some people believe that they aren’t really gay or trans or anything until they tell someone, and that is simply untrue. In all cases, your identity is completely valid and real before, during and after disclosing your identity to someone. 2. If you choose to come out, it will likely happen more than once. Even though coming out will happen many times over your life (assuming that you decide to at all), there will always be more. Many
ORO! ORKESTRA! We P l a y ! Yo u D a n c e ? Rachael Fitzner Contributor Once a month on a Friday night I suit up in black, slip on a pair of red socks and head to the farmer’s market for some good clean fun. Honestly, there is no better way to wrap up a stressful week of school and kick start a good weekend than by attending an Oro dance. Oro Orkestra is a Wolfville based group that shreds up TurkoBalkan dance musik under the direction of local musician Ken Shorley. Heidi Kalyani brings the music to life by leading the mostly eager, sometimes nervous guests in dance. Ken and Heidi are
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Issue 79.2
truly some of the kindest most welcoming people you will ever encounter. They run the group together on their own time to share their love of music and dance with the community and to just have a good time! Last Friday’s dance marks one year of attendance for me and I will definitely continue to go for as long as I can. There is something about the Oro dances that I find incredibly uplifting. It really takes you away from the stress of everyday life for a couple of hours. The music and dance combination is mentally stimulating in a way that you lose yourself in the moment. The band plays music mostly
people start by coming out to their parents or best friends, then move up to the more “challenging” discussions, where they may receive pushback, such as grandparents and employers. It is important to remember that even if you decide to come out to someone, it does not force you to come out to anyone else. You can tell your pall that you are gender fluid, but that doesn’t obligate you to tell your parents. If you come out as polyamorous to half the town, it still doesn’t mean you have to tell your grandparents. You call the shots in your coming out story. 3. It’s OK to change your mind. If you come out as bisexual when you’re 19, but at 22 feel like you’re actually pretty gay, that’s completely okay! You can keep this information to yourself if you are more comfortable that way, or you can come out again! This won’t happen to everyone as some folks do keep the same
from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Greece, and Turkey. This music strays in many ways from what most of us may be used to hearing in terms of western music. The different rhythms and modes satisfy a craving for novelty and the groove keeps the dancers on their feet. The dances are simple, fun, and almost entirely composed of footwork. Heidi begins by standing in the middle and quickly running through the steps before the music starts. Although for the most part it’s trial by fire. Everyone joins hands in an open circular formation with Heidi at the front leading. Often times more experienced dancers will stand with her to help demonstrate. There is usually a fair amount of staring at each others feet in attempts to dance in
identity their entire life, but there are innumerable cases of people discovering new things about themselves that gives them the need to have a new label to identify themselves with! It’s the same with food. You could be a deep dish pizza person, but later in life with different body chemistry and life experience you could identify as a thin crust lover! Change happens, and it is healthy and ok. 4. When someone comes out to you, you are responsible for your reaction. Coming out is a big deal, as you may be able to tell by the existence of this article for a day of celebration around the topic. If someone discloses their identity to you they have a reason to, and it is your job to react appropriately. It does not matter to me if you feel that being queer is unnatural, but it does matter to me how you treat people who identify as such. If someone comes to you to disclose
unison. The dances always start off with simpler movements and progress in complexity throughout the night. They seem to be planned in a way that anyone with any amount of experience can show up and really participate. The dances are very inclusive; open and welcome to the public. At each dance there are people that attend regularly and there are always some newcomers. Some of these newcomers arrive with the notion that they will sit out and observe from the sidelines. This usually changes once the music starts. These dances are unlike a class where if you were unable to attend you would be behind. They are usually quite similar to previous ones
this great personal detail about their life it means that they care about how you feel, and want you to know this important fact about them. It does not mean they are hitting on you or want you to be queer, it just means that they want you to know. 5. Your LGBTQ+ identity is not your entire you. Once you come out, you may feel that you have to “act gay” or bi or trans or whatever you identify as. You are more than that. You may also identify as a student, or a parent, or a pizza lover, or a cat person, or as anything-butacat person. Being queer is just a piece of the big, beautiful puzzle that is you, and it’s important to remember that. You only need to be your authentic self, and if that is following a stereotype, go for it. If it isn’t, then don’t. You do you darlings.
which makes for a low stress environment. One of the best parts about Oro Orkestra is, of course, the people. So many of the community members who participate share Ken and Heidi’s warmth. I never worry about who I will stand beside because it has always been such a positive experience. It is a great way to meet new people. Guests become united by possible confusion over foot maneuvers, love of music and dance, or perhaps food. Many people bring tasty treats to share in between sets and keep everyone full of energy! Admission is $10 and $5 for students. If you are interested don’t hesitate to check out the Facebook page “ORO! Orkestra”.
ath athfeatures
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FLY ON THE WALL: Art Gallery Opening Review Lioz Sebastian Contributor I killed a bee once, in a hot July day. My arms bracing my body weight as I heaved my twelveyear-old body out of the pool and on to cement. The bee, had been hovering near my palm and in my laughter and fraught to get out of the chlorine, I crushed her dead between the stucco. It stung me of course, then died in fashion suited mostly for Greek plays or nineties soap operas; but at the time I thought nothing of it. There was a brief period in my history where I thought of the bees, the insects and all other creatures, godly or otherwise af-
fected by earths ever changing climate but it was not until this exhibit that I pondered it so wholly. Embracing the title “The insect lady,” Jennifer Angus depicts what from afar seem to be intricate wallpaper designs. Walking into the gallery, there is an air of familiarity— ornate wallpaper seen in reference books of the Victorian Era, or, for those more privileged, bathrooms at country clubs. But as you approach it at close range, the details of symmetrical wings, thorax, and abdomen of a multitude of sects are displayed, still ornate, but evoking what is for some a disturbing image. “Good!” She responds
to the notion that her work may make individuals uncomfortable. She follows up with, “We are opening discussion, any discussion is good discussion,” hoping to draw upon our cultural discomfort around insects. What is even more fascinating than her extensive collection of insects is her use of pattern. Though she feels pattern is the main focus of her art, her own analysis of her use of patterns and insects is what is most fascinating. She draws upon man’s nature to control and order nature, so as to make it less ambiguous, to make it more “human,” and then flashes in your face a slide of a previous exhibit where in insects are swarm-
ing, out of sync with the pattern and control previous slides had focused on. Her work with patterns utilizes the delicate nature of the insect, mirroring the delicate patterns that are created throughout nature. However, she upholds that her work is primarily focused on patterns, as a way of reconstructing memories of her late mother. It is through this pattern that she transforms the usually harsh nature of the bug into a truly intricate work of art. Her use of the negative space around her patterns paradoxically points out the positives of bugs in the environment. Our survival hinges upon insects to restore order to what we as humans do, and Angus’ reverence for the work of
the insects is conveyed with adoration. I came to this exhibit, focused on bees. Would I see them? Would there be corpses like the one I created, the ones, by my own consumption, I create? Would I feel like myself, twelve, swimming ignorant in a pool, fearful of what I did not know? But leaving the exhibit, I found that restored sense of justice for the bees, for the insects. This sense of justice to not try and align everything in a way that makes me comfortable, but to embrace my own discomfort. You can enjoy and ponder Jennifer Angus’ “Hope is the Only Bee.. That Makes Honey Without Flowers” in the Acadia Art Gallery, until December 6th.
Photo by: Emily Hains
October 4th, 2016
7
athcreative Choices Duncan Pileggi
You, Me, and Bitter Co�ee: A Love Story Benjamin Pierce
Get ready get set it’s time to go fighting a battle but only you know
A good typical love story has a happy ending, a good typical love story is made, not written at three in the morning mere hours before the start of a busy work day. This story is not that. Like the co�ee it contains, it is mostly bitter and without enough milk or sugar to suit my tastes.
Constantly watching never stopping Desperately wanting A new way out No reason to stay they all went away no one will pray or hear you shout The one that’s inside never dies It will take over don’t close your eyes Fighting through all the deceit and lies Its finally time to cut loose those ties Just keep on walking bring your demise For all around it is no surprise Look around as nobody tries to help you out the outer you cries Grab the knife start the fire maybe get wood for the pyre Everything everyday falls upon you You try to handle don’t know what to do and before your voice breaks through You let the rope snap your neck in two But here is the thing life did not end Tell me why that is my dearest friend. Could it be that the world has won? Is this a sign your time is not done? Look around you what do you see, Family and friends in agony, Your mother crying on what you would be, Your father grieving down on one knee, Your brother or sister clinging tightly To the bed where you lie formally. Why do I bother to tell you these facts Look at how much your loved ones react! You are young and have a reason to live The world might take much more than it gives but know that your life is not a pawn not just an item sprawled out on the lawn Everyone matters Everyone should care. Think one more time and don’t just stare At that image in the mirror saying give in. Life is a gift and the line is too thin Put on a smile lift up that chin Don’t let the evil win You are as beautiful as the stars of the night, but now it’s time, You choose what’s right.
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Issue 79.2
It begins at an ending. High school graduation we sat next to each other, not by choice. Our last names happened to align. Maybe some day, if things are di�erent between us, I will include them here and be proud of the story I’ve written about how I fell in love with you. As things currently stand I don’t expect that to be the case. The ceremony begins, I don’t remember it. I remember the photo I took of us, the selfie you instructed me on because I had never tried to take a good one. That photo remains only in my memory. Every dark and subtle detail of the two of us in cap and gown exists only in my mind. Deleted in one of my ever more frequent attempts to rid myself of the feelings deep within me that only you bring to the surface. The highlight of my evening was in two parts. The thrill of tearing open my gown on stage to reveal the skin tight batman shirt I had on underneath was not one of them. The look of excitement, wonder, and joy I got to see from you when I returned to the seat beside you certainly was. I am absolutely certain that is the same look I gave you upon your winning of the highest academic achievement award. However shallow of me it may be, it was then that I first took you seriously. Not because of the award, but because of your reaction to it. You almost seemed embarrassed, and that was a feeling I knew well. With that reaction it clicked to me that we could be good for each other. The record will show I was certainly correct in some sense on that point - though not exactly in the way I had wished. We went to safe grad. Somehow, I had managed to get your number during graduation and we texted on and o� throughout the night, it was pleasant. As hard as I tried, I couldn’t seem to find you that night. At the time I thought I had blown a great opportunity, and I may have done so. Summer went along and we kept in touch, something I rarely did even with established friends, but you were special already, so that is of little note. It was during this time I know I started to fall for you. I was on a very boring, mostly empty city bus. I sat facing backwards beside the window, I had my nose in a book. Looking up I happened to catch the world in a rare perfect moment. The sun glistened o� the harbour far below, not a single cloud to obstruct it, only a few to provide it with a frame to sit in. The air suddenly was lighter and smelled of sweet grasses, not diesel. I had only one thought in that moment. And so I texted it to you. I meant to put the words here but I don’t dare remember because I know pain is all they will bring. Not serious nor terrible pain. Just the pain a child feels when letting go of a helium balloon - just that pain, except in my heart. That particular scene on that particular day remains my favourite of all the moments I have ever lived, and my only desire in that moment was to share it with you. I’ve since shared wonderful and incredible times with you, but they have all been tainted by texts sent later in the summer, and the messages they carried to me. At first you didn’t feel like it was a good time to date, and so I waited. Then there wasn’t anyone you wanted to date and so I was the closest friend I could be. And then you got a girlfriend, and I was heartbroken. Thankfully you provided the distraction I needed from the news along with the news. My mind still reeled for days, actually that’s a lie. I still don’t have a good grasp of it many months later. I’m getting ahead of myself, skipping the relationship I had with you that you never signed up for. We started at university together, finding comfort in one another’s company in a strange new world. You needed a friend, and I simply needed you. Our walk through the gardens was the most cliché and romantic date I could think of. It would have only been better if it were actually a date. We debated what types of flowers grew where, which ones were prettiest, and the entire time I simply hoped to have our fingers intertwined instead of simply brushing together. I gave up on the second try, or at least I planned to. The discovery of the small and simple waterfall changed that. We were both equally excited about it, you because of the waterfall, the natural beauty of it. I was of course excited because you were excited, and saw that bring out your own natural beauty. I fear now that any time I go there I will only be able to think of you, and without a great change I wouldn’t dare bring anyone else there. It ended the way most of our time together has - and will continue to end - with my insisting to walk you home making sure you are safe. You bring out the best in me – my confidence, comfort, and strength. It takes more than I can manage to image what I will do without you in my life, you’ve been a great advisor and an even better friend, and I honestly wish that was all I wanted you to be. Midterms would bring co�ee back into our story. You were a huge fan of it, it did everything I wanted to do for you - it kept you warm, helped you succeed, it was there late at night and early in the morning, it even helped pay the bills. That may be a bit of a stretch, but then everything was for me when you were involved. I gave you 110% and I think enough time has passed that I can admit my grades su�ered because of how I felt, my friendships as well, even my partying was reduced, though that is likely for the better. I spent more time studying with you for your courses than I did my own, I pushed myself harder for you than I ever did for myself. In return I got homemade sodas and co�ee, neither I really liked, but I loved them both because I associated them with you, and when I had them I was with you. I’ve seen exactly one scene from the Notebook, it’s the one with them laying down in the middle of the road watching the stoplights. Our town didn’t have stoplights, but it did have something even more romantic: snowstorms. I personally believe that our walk on that stormy night down the middle of the road beat the hell out of any scene in any movie in terms of chemistry, it also beat the hell out of my mark in chemistry. It was beautiful, it was exactly everything I hoped I would be able to o�er to you as a partner in your life. That didn’t line up with what you needed and I’m not going to cry now thinking of you and your girlfriend being together. I have also just realized I can never send you this. You are too good a person, you’d feel guilty and I can’t ever put those feelings on you. That’s a rough outline of what I want to say, though there is more of course. The time we got shitfaced on rum and eggnog and you sat quietly and su�ered with your secrets while we all spilled ours, the time you told me you were ace. The day I feel the worst about, the lunar eclipse. Job hunting, lunch at the cafe, open mic night at T.A.N., our adventures to Three Pools and all over the Valley. Our story isn’t one continuous love story. It’s the story of a simple, foolish boy falling in love with the most beautiful girl in a totally di�erent way every single time they meet.
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Untitled Sephine R. it is tiny and insignificant and it can fill you with fuel and send you up in flames. it is ignorant, arrogant, and insolent and most unfortunately – indifferent. you are a tower with sound supports, weathered granite casing, weak inner walls, and locked doors. it can be found in the lines on your skin and the tightening of your throat when you try to eat. it is not enough for your heart and too much for your stomach, concaving your chest and exploding it at once. it is him and you are me.
It Is Easy Kelsey Crosby You can dwell Twisted in the dark, sinuous vines Of disappointment. It is easy To let them hold such Power over you. And it is hard To gain power over yourself. It is even harder To realize you always hold Power over yourself. It is easy To allow yourself to scream And cry And swear And say things you’ll Regret When you’re angry. And it is hard To smile instead. It is easy To succumb to the sharp talons Of sadness. It is easy to do Nothing. To sleep it o�, Or to drink the hurt. And it is hard To see the world By yourself When you feel desolate. It is hard to Appreciate Silence. But you can. And if it were easy Everyone would do it.
ath atharts&culture
COMET:
An Analysis of Love in Parallel Universes Sid Kondapuram Arts Editor
Comet tells a story of love that spans over six years and over a few parallel universes. I’d like to start off by applauding it for the bold stylistic choice used to represent it. The non-linear timeline flashes forward, backwards, and sideways.
Yet, the story remains coherent and connected, in heavy part due to the two main leads Kimberly (Emmy Rossum), and Dell (Justin Long). The movie tracks a break-up, a getting-back-together, a proposal, and a story of how they met, all of which is done non-chronologically. Why shouldn’t it? It remains an engaging description of love and relationships. There’s no concrete linearity between the ‘big’ moments in a relationship; they just happen. Looking back at any big relationship in your life, it seems impossible to piece together a ‘timeline’. Sure, you remember the coffee you
ARE CARS ART?
Get A Hot Date With A Ferrari Jarod Campbell Contributor
When you think of movies for car guys, you think of the Fast and Furious series, Smokey and the Bandit, some direct-to-T.V. thing about Steve McQueen. As you think of those movies, you also judge the people they represent. You think about straight-piped Honda Civics, sticker-bombing a minivan, the horsepower wars, your dad explaining in his hand-wavey dad-logic way why traction control is actually a hazard. To someone who doesn’t understand cars or who isn’t involved in the culture of them. These movies depict the reasons why people love cars, their need for speed, for nostalgia, for being free and in control. These are the reasons people like cars. But they aren’t the heart and soul of car culture. The heart and soul of car culture has been accurately recorded exactly once. The occasion was August 1976, when in the early morning hours Claude Lelouch drove a Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 around Paris with a hard-mounted camera on the hood. This footage was paired with the song of Lelouch’s Ferrari 275GTB. There was no closed course, no permissions. He simply told his girlfriend to meet him at the Sacré Coeur and filmed the drive there. Everyone who enjoys cars wants this experience. Red lights don’t matter here, traffic is a minor concern.
People who like cars crackle at the excitement of a yellow light they can make - some even accelerate dangerously, chasing the thrill so completely captured in the eight-minute drive recorded on 1000 feet of 35mm film. Cars are an extension of your personality and ego. The drive, the speed, the pedestrians who run across the street as they realize
guys picked up, the way her hair danced to a summer breeze, the first time you had sex. But if you were asked to piece it together into something that had some semblance of a coherent timeline, it would seem impossible. They’re just moments dancing their way around the cosmos, and they never seem to return to us the way we want it to—we’re left forever chasing. It is this feeling that I believe this movie aims for: moments that you cherish that somehow get thrashed away in an unrelenting wave of nonlinearity. But nonetheless, it’s still cherished by the mind. you aren’t slowing down, the sound - good God, the sound. It represents you running high. Yes, that barista totally checked you out. Yes, you told your boss you wanted a raise and were just CC’d on an email from the guy above him. Its better than you’d expected, better even than you’d hoped. Yes, you weren’t the problem in the relationship and you are ready to move on. When you drive a car in such a way that you are the only limiting factor, it is exactly like realizing your ego is justified, you are above the crowd.
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The movie ends with Dell’s tirade on the irrationality of trying to get Kim back. This moment is complimented by some stylistic cinematography, as the scene progresses a second sun begins to peak its head out into a sky that seems to be an amalgamation of fading colors. And slowly, the scene begins to evolve into a static picture—a painting. I think everybody should be able to connect with this on many levels. There’s always going to be an idealistic hope to win an ex back, and it’s always irrational. It’s a chase back into the past, and the past always remains an abyss that never C’était un rendez-vous. It was a date. The date being referred to certainly is not with the blonde woman embraced at the end of the drive. The date is with you, your car, your city. A date with success, with being the most important person in the room while being outside. It is a date free of doubts. A honeymoon with your decisions in life. It is someone way out of your league pulling you close to whisper “oh yes, you’ve made the right decisions, look at this car, this city, look at me. We exist for you,
lets go. And in the end it will devolve into a static picture, an apt metaphor for the seemingly static period when you think you found happiness. But you can’t move forward, because the stasis you think you want is that which suffocates you. In a lot of ways Comet plays out like a dream, a movie that is interwoven with jarring details that you’d rather remain nondescript. But you have to take it as a whole, inculcating these seemingly irrelevant details, because in the end, it’s what you’ll wind up remembering.
because you matter.” The engine purrs like this hypothetical idealized person. It wants you and only you. You deserve this pleasure. Downshift. Yes, you’ve felt that sound. Your first real kiss, when she puts her tongue in your mouth. That’s the sound. If that feeling had a sound it comes from downshifting a Ferrari 275GTB. The complaints screaming from the tires bring you back there.
Photo by: Colin Mitchell
October 4th, 2016
9
athopinions THE ACADIA AESTHETIC:
An Age of Generalizations, Subjugations, and Lack of Accountability Emma Hughes
Before I proceed, I will begin by stating that I am not, and never will be, a varsity athlete. I will never be a mathematician, I will never be a concert pianist, I will never be a surgeon. I will never be a lot of things; however, I will be an academic. The last four years at Acadia have coerced me into a new way of understanding the world. In the words of a very influential and intelligent professor from the Politics department, “our aim is to teach you to you to think about the way you think.” So here I am, thinking about the way I think, and thinking about the way others think. I will proceed without any biases, and it is my hope that by the end of this article, students at Acadia will understand the importance of the phrase, “never judge a book by its cover”. As I was just recently told by a second year student from Chipman House, the first thing the majority of people notice when they meet you is how “hot” you are. “Hot” is an interesting mark of a person. What, aesthetically, constitutes being “hot”? I was walking to the BAC the other day with five layers on, and I was on fire. Unfortunately, I do not believe that was the definition he was aiming for. After having a discussion with this student, who will remain nameless, I began to
understand how he could resonate with this sentiment. We are all part of a generation who reduces and subjugates one another down to singular stereotypes based on our physical appearances. It is rather easy to meet someone for the first time and decide what type of character they possess based on the way that they physically present themselves. However, after the thrills of binge-drinking and acting like a degenerate started to wear away for me, I began to ask myself: what constitutes being more than the sum of your parts? Was it your physical appearance, or would it be the fullness of your heart and the content of your brain? I had decided upon the latter. WhenIbeganmydegreein2013,Iwas majoring in Kinesiology. Those of you who know me personally may laugh at the thought of me in any kind of “Kine” class; however, from that experience I had learned that I was not in the right place, and that it is more than okay to go against the grain for the sake of fulfilling yourself academically. In my Foundations of Kinesiology class, I found myself looking around the room and wondering what each person sitting in Huggins 010 was like and, more specifically, if they were more than the sum of their parts. It would have been extremely easy for me to see a plethora of football players at the front of the class
and think, “no substance”. I could have assumed all of the soccer players were kissing ass because some of their coaches were involved in the Kinesiology department. It would have been easy for me to look at the hockey players and develop cynicism towards them on the preconceived notion that they are favored above everyone. As I said before, it is extremely easy to form opinions on other people based on their outward appearance, what they do, and what classification they fall under, an example of the Acadia Aesthetic. However, I had made a very great attempt to keep my thought processes from falling under this jurisdiction. As difficult as it was to not judge, maintaining peace of mind and letting each individual form their own opinion of themselves for me has proved to be rather useful in situations such as this one. During my short yet sweet time in Kinesiology, I made friendships that I value greatly, ones that I still have to this day. A lot of the friendships that I had made were with varsity athletes. In the Athenaeum edition 79.1, an article titled “Non-Varsity Blues” was published under the Sports & Wellness section. This article was presented in a very generalized manner, and although the intention to generate discussion was present, it was deemed by some as highly
HILARY AND DONALD: Emma Hughes Opinions Editor
Although the majority of us are not American, there has been a particular enchantment with our Southern neighbor’s election. Could it be the particular rhetoric that has caught our attention? Or perhaps it is simply the fact that there is little discussion over domestic and foreign policy, automatically generating more interest with younger voters? Interest in this election is not exactly coming from a passion for politics, but rather, it is being generated from the spectacle that Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have created. Name-calling, belittlement, and theatrics have been embedded in the foundations of each candidate’s campaign. It is no wonder that after Bernie Sanders was beaten for the Democratic Nomination that young people across America have explicitly stated that they would be wasting their ballot. It leads me to wonder if these practices are inspired by anarchistic behaviors regarding capitalism and feminism. The mannerisms of Clinton and Trump have created a pretense for dissident behavior amongst Generation X, with changes in thought processes that have become deeply embedded. It is no wonder that so many young, progressive Americans have become extremely disengaged in this election.
10 Issue 79.2
During the primaries, Bernie Sanders captivated our generation with his promises of a more democratic socialist America. Sanders built his platform from the bottom up, speaking directly to students, the working class, and liberal activists. The Sanders campaign was not built upon donations from big-shot executives and other members of the prestigious 1%, and not from any connections that he had made during his time as the Senator for the state of Vermont. What Sanders had offered to us was a vision for a more equal society, one where our issues would be valued and considered in regards to the formulation of policy. Although Hillary Clinton aims to address issues of income disparity, gender inequality, and foreign policy, a scandal involving her email on a private server as well as some other mishaps when she was Secretary of State has deemed her untrustworthy. As for Donald Trump, it is rather obvious why the majority of the world has concluded that it will be the end if he is elected. After Bernie Sanders had been beaten, it almost felt as though our generation lost a little hope in humanity. Anarchism is essentially a political philosophy that emphasizes a functioning society with no governing body, one with self-governed institutions that oppose authority and hierarchical institutions and structures.
Anarchism sounds rather ideal after evaluating the current presidential candidates; however, it is not exactly realistic. The youth of America are not advocating for the collapse of government, but their behaviors are emulating the core concepts found within anarcho-capitalism and anarcha-feminism. After all, America is the “most democratic nation on earth”, God forbid a little dissidence ever present itself in today’s society. In order to circumvent confusion, I will explain how Clinton and Trump have coerced young voters into an anarchic-like thought process. Let me begin with each candidate’s economic policy. Hillary Clinton has continuously advocated for growth of the middle class, she has discussed creating jobs for the middle class, increasing spending in areas concerning job training, community college, infrastructure, and clean energy renewal. These seem like lofty goals, and Clinton has yet to detail how she plans to carry them out. Perhaps it is due to the fact that she couldn’t get a word in over Trump constantly yelling “Wrong!” during the first presidential debate. Donald’s plans include large tax cuts, reducing regulations, and renegotiating trade agreements. Again, his plan includes little specifics on how he actually plans to get these things done. Anarcho-capitalism concerns the elimination of state favor for individual sovereignty in the market. Inflation and the everdeclining job market are two cen-
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inarticulate. In short, the article discussed the anonymous author’s, issues with varsity athletes and their relations towards the rest of the university campus. Some of the major issues Anonymous had with varsity athletes included, but were not limited to: their personal locker rooms, free team clothing, free tutors, financial assistance, and blatant favoritism. Normally, I would have turned a blind eye to such an article, as it would have just been an opinion generated by somebody who was angry because they assumed weren’t getting their fair share of the university pie. However, I am unable to hold my tongue in regards to the comments made relating to the blatant favoritism of athletes based on their physical attributes. Although the value people place on physical attributes is extremely high in contemporary society, it is very difficult to accept that type of favoritism in university. Varsity athletes, more often than not, are very fit. From the information I have gathered from neighbors, friends, and classmates who have been a part of a varsity sport, they spend an average of 2-4 hours per day either on their respective playing field or in the gym practicing their sport of choice. Typically, their physical appearance is not a natural characteristic, but rather the product of hard work and dedication. To achieve this attribute requires time, dedication, and patience. Although Anonymous carefully constructed a generalization about var-
sity athletes, he failed to recognize that in doing so, he was discrediting athletes who are heavily involved in extracurriculars that enrich campus life and the community. Programs such as S.M.I.L.E. and KinderSkills bring in a wide range of athletes. Each varsity team has different focuses on issues that they bring light to; some of these include Bell Lets Talk, Get Real, and Alzheimer’s awareness. Their involvement and ability to participate in these programs is not predicated on the foundations of their physical appearances. Our generation is faced with the task of navigating a complicated landscape. Our values are generated from outward images that we see on the Internet, and more often than not, we have a very difficult time explicitly stating our opinions out of fear that they will go against the grain. This aim of this article was not to attack Anonymous, but to shed light on the crisis our generation is faced with. We must begin looking at humans as just that: human. By looking at a person as more than the sum of their parts, we are able to make deeper intellectual connections, ones that are built upon the content of a person’s heart or the intellect they present. The mark of a person’s character in university, and the real world, should not be decided based on their outward appearance. It is important for us to remember that looks do not last forever, and that there really is true value in not judging a book by it’s cover (or in this case, an athlete).
tral concerns for young adults. Both candidates are highly distinguished members of the 1%, and although there is communication about what they intend to change, there is a lack of detail to support these claims. Although young voters are not fighting for the fall of the capitalist system, there is a growing concern that capital flow will continue to benefit the 1%. This is a huge deterrent for young voters - does it even matter who is elected? Will anything in the American economic structure ever change? Donald Trump has had no issue degrading women in public forums. Hillary Clinton has no issue using Donald Trump’s opinions to exploit him. Although this could be considered good campaigning, the back and forth nature of each candidate has successfully created a spectacle that pulls the attention away from key issues regarding feminism. It is important to hold Trump accountable for each statement he makes, but is real change happening through commercial advertisement? No. Changes require discussion, but it also requires action. Feminism is a discussion that we should all be having; however, using this discussion for personal advancement is a little bit questionable. Anarcha-feminism discusses how patriarchy is rooted in the foundations of a hierarchical government, and is an essential part of the class system in America. Young adults may be discouraged to vote due to the misogynistic behaviors of Trump. This
behavior just goes to show that even if you are a woman who is extremely close to becoming the leader of the free world, there is a very good chance that you will still be treated with some degree of disrespect. Young women (and men) have vocalized their desires for the restructuring of society, one that is more inclusive and accepting to all. Seeing Hillary Clinton in the White House would be an amazing step forward for modern feminists, and would absolutely put a massive crack in the “glass ceiling”, but young voters have a difficult time seeing beyond her (what is considered to be) shady past. Many believe her to be untrustworthy while the rest just consider Donald Trump an erratic playboy whose highly gendered ideals would only further permeate the hierarchical systems of government. Overall, it is difficult to determine why young people have become less inclined to vote. Perhaps it is out of ignorance, but I personally believe that it is out of pure frustration. It is difficult to put your faith in a candidate that is untrustworthy, and it is also challenging to believe a candidate whose ideals have been built around the politics of hate and oppression. This article is not intending to imply that the only solution for America is anarchical reform, but instead is offering a different perspective on the dissident behaviors of young adults in relation to their stances on voting in the upcoming presidential election.
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A LIBERAL ARTIST TRAPPED IN THE PAST Justin W. Macleod Contributor
Walking through the Beveridge Arts Centre (BAC) for the first time should be an experience that inspires wonder for those entering a degree in the fine arts, humanities, or social sciences. The reality however is drastically di�erent, where new and perspective students are treated to a building far past its prime. Decades old furnishings, bathrooms in a sorry state of disrepair, and a library designed in the 1960’s consisting of straight lines and an o�-grey colour palate portray the arts as tired, old, and boring. It even lost its most unique attraction, Quizno’s subs. But fear not, the University is actively improving the campus as in the past three years funding has been
found for upgrades to the hockey arena, Patterson Hall, and thanks to the new Liberal government, $22.2 million for upgrades to Huggins and Elliot Hall. However, the BAC did receive two new sets of doors and a water fountain so I guess there is not much to complain about. Projects such as these do require significant amounts of funding, and if a well-to-do alumnus is nowhere to be found there is really no other option outside of government or corporate funding. The government has shown interest in spending on education, but the major concern for the Liberal government is to reinvigorate Canada’s science community that was largely eroded during the nine-year term of Stephen Harper’s Conservatives. In terms of financial assistance from the
business and corporate sector, there is little interest in funding a building that houses departments that are often critical of their various dealings. The fact of the matter is that degrees outside of science and business are often associated with wishful thinking and eventual joblessness - young leftists who have yet to adapt to the real world. The BAC houses classes in creative writing, the history of American women and social reform and on the issues and consequences of globalization. These classes are deemed by those with money to not contribute to any form of financial advancement, and are populated by spoiled kids expressing their anger at a world that won’t listen to them. Our studies are simply tolerated as an underlying necessity to
bring in revenue, as opposed to a section of the university that looks at the world from a di�erent perspective. I think that the state of the BAC is an accurate representation of not only the university’s feelings toward the arts, but also of the popular opinion that an arts degree is a waste of money and in the end resources. This is not to suggest that I think that my area of study is above science or business, but higher learning should not be limited to certain perspectives. If we lose the ability to think critically, which is how social scientists are predominantly trained, then arguably there would be no academic resistance toward undesirable scientific or business practices. How could we move forward as a society if we forget to look at how the past has shaped the present? And
a world without literature and poetry is one that has lost its soul and passion. Now this may just be the ramblings of a politics student disillusioned with the world around him, and maybe the BAC is next in line for a fresh coat of paint. However, the trend seems to be leaning toward siphoning funding traditionally reserved for the arts o� for more profitable ventures. The passage of time is the key variable for now, hopefully there can be a renewed interest in funding the arts so generations following us can express their views outside the laboratory or the boardroom. For now, all we can do is continue to study our craft, and hope that the paradigm can shift back toward the centre.
AN OPEN LETTER TO SHERIFF DARREN WHITE Hayley Phoenix Contributor
Note to the reader: Audrie & Daisy is a Netflix original documentary that explores the effects of online bullying and the stigma for victims of sexual assault. Sheri� Darren White had quite a few things to say about Daisy’s case, and I have quite a few things to say to him. While the entire documentary of Audrie & Daisy was di�cult to watch, it was your commentary that stung the most. When you first appeared in the film, accompanied by your two daughters, I had a few moments of hope that perhaps this would be a rape case that would not simply be dismissed like all the others. You proved me wrong, as many other figures of authority have done before. In the documentary, you state the following: “Nothing that night never, ever, of the elements of the crime, rose to the level of rape. Whether we agree with this or not, the people of that age, in the state of Missouri, can have consensual sex. Forcible compulsion is the primary component of the crime of rape.” When the interviewer asks “So forcible compulsion doesn’t apply if you have sex with somebody who is unconscious or semi-conscious?”,
you roll your eyes and trip over your own words when you say “that’s a whole other element for lawyers and legislatures and people like that to figure out”. Well luckily, Sheri�, they did just that. According to the state of Missouri, rape in the first degree is defined as “sexual intercourse (penetration of a vagina by a penis, even if slight or without emission) with a person who’s incapacitated, incapable of consent, or by force (includes date rape drugs)” (code section 566.030, in case you need to brush up on the state laws you are supposed to be enforcing). Considering that Daisy Coleman was severely intoxicated with a blood alcohol level of nearly twice the legal limit, that Matthew Barnett admitted to giving her more alcohol, that Barnett admitted to having sexual intercourse with the 14-year-old… I’m going to go ahead and use the word rape, and I will not falter in my words as I do so. Unlike you, who seems to have some kind of moral trepidation with calling it what it is. Rape is not a grey area. Rape is rape. Even so, you still manage to say “don’t underestimate the need for attention, especially young girls”. Do you honestly believe that this is the type of attention Daisy Coleman wanted? To be ridiculed by
her peers, made an outcast of the town, and called a liar by the very people who are supposed to be protecting her? Her multiple suicide attempts tell me otherwise. And of course, you had to add in that “it’s not always the boys…girls have just as much culpability in this world as boys do”. Yes, you are correct. However, in this particular case where it was the boys who committed the crime, perhaps we can stay on track here and not turn this around on the victim. This is something the interviewer indicates to you, reiterating that the crime was committed by boys. Your face breaks out into a grin as you say “were they?” ….and then you begin to laugh. Not only have you successfully played into a rape culture cliché, you also have the audacity to sit there and giggle. As if the violation of our bodies is a joke, and trying to seek justice for this violation is the punch line. This is why rape victims would rather su�er in silence than to report the crimes. This is why, as hard as it is for us, we would rather live our lives without uttering a word to anyone about the atrocities that happened to us. Here’s the thing about rape, Mr. White. The crime itself is di�cult to get through, but it is the aftermath that is excruciating. The taunting from people who you thought
you could trust, the people who stare at you and then whisper amongst themselves about the girl who lied, and the victim blaming mentality: ‘why didn’t you do this?’, ‘you could have gotten away’, ‘what did you really expect to happen?’. I assure you that, no, we do not expect to get raped. But when it does happen, we do expect the backlash from people like you. We have heard the stories and seen what being a victim of sexual assault really means. It’s the comments made by o�cers such as yourself, the people who are sworn to protect and serve, that does some of the most damage. We are made to feel worthless. It is a dehumanizing experience, and in these moments it is no longer the rapist that makes us feel this way. It is you. But the most gut wrenching comment you made is what I saved for last: “As near as I can tell, the boys are the only ones that have decided that they want to put this behind them, and try to move on with their lives, and try to make something of themselves…” The boys who weren’t even convicted of the crimes they so blatantly committed? The boys who were able to continue to play football while Daisy was kicked o� the cheerleading team and made to be an outcast? The boys who were able to continue living their
lives guilt free while their victim was overdosing on pills? The boys who have deep family connections? Didn’t you say at the beginning of the film that one must be extremely careful about who you talk about in Maryville because you never know who said person is related to? Those boys? Of course they were able to move on with their lives. You, and everyone else in that town, let them. Rape culture let them. It is clear that this case, and so many other cases like it, was never about justice. It was about politics. It was about saving face and protecting not only the boys’ reputations, but Maryville’s as well. It was the stereotypical ‘home town hero’ mentality where the stars of the football team are the only ones who matter. Sheri� White, I pray that your two daughters never have to go through the tragedy that Daisy had to endure. But if they do, I hope with every fibre of my being that the person who is appointed to their case handles it far better than you handled Daisy’s. You are a perfect example of what is wrong with the justice system. You are a perfect example of rape culture. You are a perfect example of the type of man we will teach our sons not to be. The type of man we will teach our sons to protect women from.
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GLOBAL WARMING A HOAX? Why the Environmental Movement Has Been Hijacked Elke Willmann Contributor There are many carcinogenic toxins coming from burning fossil fuels like car exhaust, which we breath in daily while waiting for the bus, or crossing a street, or sitting in a side walk café enjoying our fair trade organic coffee, but carbon dioxide (or CO2) is not one of them. When Barack Obama blames his daughter’s asthma on CO2 emissions, he is wrong. In fact, carbon dioxide is a life-giving gas. It is an essential plant food, as important as oxygen and water in sustaining life on the planet. Carbon dioxide is essential in the process of photosynthesis in plants and in the production of life, giving oxygen, without which humankind could not survive. As part of the photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. Humans breathe in oxygen and release carbon dioxide which the plants then use to produce oxygen. Hence, carbon dioxide is an important link in a beautifully interconnected system that sustains life on the planet for plants and humans alike. While carbon dioxide helps to support life, the following substances, which also come out of the car exhaust or the burning of fossil fuels, do not. In fact, they are so toxic that they are well placed within the group of deadly gases or highly toxic carcinogens. They are: carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, benzene, formaldehyde, and polycyclic hydrocarbons. These are the ailments they can cause: pulmonary and respiratory distress, cancer, cardio-vascular diseases or right-out death (carbon monoxide). Therefore, it is no question that as long as these harmful toxic substances are being released by
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the burning of fossil fuels, those toxins must be eliminated through green energy and alternative technology. But it must be clearly stated that carbon dioxide is not one of these toxic substances. Freeman Dyson, a mathematical physicist and scientist at Princeton University, started studying the effects of Carbon Dioxide on vegetation 37 years ago, and his work has shown how the increase in CO2 has been overall very beneficial to the Earth. His research shows that the effect of CO2 is highly favorable for the increase in agricultural yields, forests and all kinds of growth in the biological world. This makes sense, because CO2 is nourishing plant food and therefore has a positive effect on plants and therefore our food production, and consequently, is not a pollutant. The supposed danger of CO2 does not stem from any toxicity but from the fact that it acts as a greenhouse gas by trapping the earth’s heat and causing global warming. We must then ask how much CO2 is emitted and trapped into the Earth’s atmosphere before sounding the alarm bells. CO2 constitutes 38/1000th of 1 percent of atmospheric gases. Ivar Giaever, Nobel Laureate in Physics, explains the following: “Consider a very large room (20 square feet x 10 feet height). Imagine you wanted to create in this room the same CO2 emissions that all the cars in the world belch into the atmosphere during the whole year. How many matches would you need to burn daily, weekly or in total over the whole year to inflict on this room what all the world’s cars do to our atmosphere in a year?
THE ANSWER: One single match lit in the room is the equivalent to 20 years of car driving by all the cars in the world.” This is why scientists like Dr. Don Easterbrook, Professor Emeritus of Geology at Western Washington University, asserts that with such minute amount in the total atmosphere, CO2 is incapable of acting as a greenhouse gas. And even if the amount of CO2 in the atmosphere would double, it still would only come to 76/1000th of one percent. He further explains that the highest temperature records in the last century were set in the 1930’s, before the rise of CO2 and that since 1998, according to ground and satellite measurements, a global cooling is presently in effect also called “The Pause”. This is affirmed by the former White House national policy advisor and NASA headquarters consultant, John Casey, who investigates solar activity and concluded that we are now in a phase of global cooling for the next 30 years to come because of a reduction of solar output from the sun also referred to as solar hibernation. What is it then with the data showing dangerously global warming? The data confirming dangerous trends in global warming due to CO2 are derived from computer generated CLIMATE MODELS rather than MEASURABLE DATA. This is how it works: assumed data is fed into the computer on which a climate model is produced and then published as scientifically proven with “scientific consensus”. If we were dealing with facts, we would not need a consensus since facts speak for themselves. Indeed, true scientific method is never based on any consensus but on empirical data, which are absent with the climate models.
The problem with these models is that if the primary data on which models are based are false, then the end result will be false as well. And so in order to make the facts fit the models, the cart is put before the horse, and the data is adjusted to fit the model of global warming predictions. When Professor Friedrich-Karl Ewert, a retired geologist and data expert from the University of Paderborn in Germany, said that when he examined publicly available archived temperature records from 1,153 weather stations around the globe going back to 1881, he found evidence of “massive” tampering by the Goddard Institute for Space Studies between 2010 and 2012 to create the illusion of dangerous global warming. In 1989, the United Nations predicted global warming would destroy entire Nations by the year 2000 due to rising sea levels. Now we are
in 2016 and these apocalyptic climate predictions have not proven to be true. No islands, like the Maldives, are under water as predicted, nor entire nations, no polar bears are going extinct. In fact, they are thriving, and no polar caps have disappeared, as predicted would be the case by 2012 by Al Gore. In fact, the Antarctica’s ice grew in 2015 according to NASA. Dr. David Evan’s research, main modeler of carbon dioxide from 1999 – 2005 in the Australia’s atmosphere shows that empirical data from ENVISAT (European Satellites) reveal how the sea level is rising 0.33 mm per year (3.3 cm per century), far below the modeled predictions of the IPCC (International Panel of Climate Change led by the United Nations) of 26-59 cm per century or the Al Gore’s fear-mongering predictions of 20 feet per century.
Photo by: Janani Chandramouli
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WILL THE MOON BELONG TO CHINA? A Nod to the Cold War Hope Latta Science Editor American and Soviet forces have dominated space activity for the last couple of decades, and China will soon join them. The solar system represents a political and economic source of power. The nations that have successfully explored the moon are honored on earth with more prowess. Space exploration is seen as a symbol of success and a reflection of scientific development. To truly understand the beginning of Chinese rocketry, it is important to understand Qian Xuesen. Xuesen attended MIT in America after finishing at Shanghai Jiaotong University. He moved to Caltech to finish his PhD in the 1940’s. He helped to study jet propulsion when the U.S. went to war, and produced technology to counter German rockets. He also co-founded Caltech’s jet propulsion lab. After being accused of being
a Communist sympathizer (he firmly denied political involvement) he was denied an application for U.S. citizenship. He was detained from America, and lost his U.S. security clearance. His trip back to China was the beginning of China’s assent into spatial power. Unfortunately, it was also the beginning of China’s opportunity to surpass the United States. In the current age, China is doing many things to increase their solar power. In the next 10 years, China is planning to reach the dark side of the moon, something that both American and Soviet space agencies have failed to do. The Chang’e 4 lunar mission is taking shape rapidly and will be a highlight of solar exploration in coming years. The mission team is currently deciding on a landing location as well as an instrument package. Human objects have not gone that far to date, and this will catapult China’s stance
on a global level. This mission will hopefully lead to a ‘South Pole-Aitkin Basin’ sample return. The Chang’e 4 will focus more on Physics than Geochemistry, which was the primary focus of the Chang’e 3. When the Shenzhou 5 went into space for 21 hours, China began its rein. While NASA’s space budget is roughly 19.3 billion and widely outshines China, China had 19 successful space launches in the last year, which was the second highest in the world. Russia pulled ahead with 26, and America fell behind with 18. It is a very realistic possibility that China will surpass NASA in a couple of decades. James Lewis, a director at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, says that he, “… doesn’t worry about China suddenly leapfrogging [America] I worry about us being distracted and waking up to realize that they have a much more powerful position in space.” The QUESS satellite will likely be in orbit by the time this article is pub-
lished. Standing for ‘Quantum Experiments at Space Scale’, QUESS marks a first in quantum encrypted information successfully passing between an orbiting satellite and the earth. By encrypting information in quantum states of particles like photons, all security threats are immediately visible to both the sender and receiver. Quantum encryption is academically unbreakable. During a time of immense global surveillance, the sort of attack that this network could withstand would be immensely strong. It would allow the Chinese military to keep an eye on spies and to swap information. Since China is the only nation using quantum communications in the atmosphere, it puts them ahead by a lot. China’s rising spatial capabilities have lead to a conflict between Beijing and Washington. China’s space program is repeatedly cited in U.S. security reports as a growing source of trouble. China might have people
walking around on the moon sooner than the U.S. China has also been interested in aligning with nations that aren’t as directly tied to Washington. Nigeria, Venezuela, and Pakistan have all used China’s military satellite navigation system, and this may lead to China aligning with these nations further in the future. Since NASA is unable to cooperate with China due to a congressional ban, it’s unlikely that the U.S. will benefit from these strides. However, many current partners of the U.S. may realign with China if it continues invite other countries to take part in its projects. In addition, if the expiring International Space Station closes in 2024, China will be the only nation up there. It is possible that these activities could be a catalyst for international peace. Since the solar system is becoming increasingly crowded, new decisions will need to be made to navigate a common frontier.
THE IMPORTANCE OF A FIELD COURSE A Pre-Med’s Journey into the Real World Amy Prescott Contributor In my m i n d , I a m t h e type o f b i o l o g y m a j o r who kn o w s t h e y a r e g o ing to m ed i c a l s c h o o l . I am t h e t y p e o f b i o l ogy ma j o r w h o h a s t h i s deep, p r o f o u n d i n t er e s t in mi c r o b i o l o g y r a t h er than m a c r o b i o l o g y . I a m the typ e o f b i o l o g y m a j o r who is i n c l i n ed t o f o c u s upon t h e c o m p l e x a n d intrica t e w o r l d o f t i n y things a s o p p o s ed t o t h e way t h a t m u l t i c el l u l a r organis m s r e l a t e t o o n e anothe r . I a m t h e t y p e to prid e o n e s el f i n t h e ability t o d i s t i n g u i s h b e tween t h e c o n v o l u t ed b i ologica l p r o c es s e s o f c e l lular c o m m u n i c a t i o n a s compar e d t o t h e s o m e what i n d et e r m i n a t e s c i ence o f h o w o r g a n i s m s relate t o o n e a n o t h e r . O r so, I th o u g h t . Try as I m i g h t t o i g n o r e it, we ex i s t i n t h e w o r l d as it i s , l i v i n g , b r e a t h -
i n g , a n d d ec omposing. T h o u g h w e c a nnot exist w i t h o u t o u r m icroscopi c d e t e r m i n a n ts - the l a r g e f i el d i s where we g a i n o u r c r e d i bility and t h e r ef o r e o u r existence. O n e t en d s t o f orget this, a s w e a r e f o c u sed in the a c a d e m i c p u r s uit of scien c e a n d k n o w ledge. As b u d d i n g s c i e n tists, we h a v e a t en d en cy to foc u s m o r e o n s maller and s m a l l e r p a r t i c l es. Howev e r , s c i e n c e exists at a l l s t a g es o f c o mplexity, w h e t h e r i t b e t he smalles t s t a g es o f l i fe, or the l a r g e , m u l t i c e l lular org a n i s m s t h a t constitute t h e s t u d y o f b iology as w e k n o w i t t o d ay. While i t i s i m p o r t a n t to und er s t a n d o u r o rigins, we ex i s t i n a l a r g e r ecologic a l p i c t u r e, a n d we affect s a i d e n v i r o n m ent as we m o v e t h r o u g h our world ea c h a n d e v er y day. I w a s f i r s t d r a wn toward t h e B o n P o r t age field c o u r s e a t t h e p ersuasion
of a close friend. As BIOL 3013 counted as a full three hour a week class, an additional fall credit, and as it was apart of the biology core as a biodiversity course, what more could I ask for? All that was required of me was two weeks sacrifice of my summer, and the course enrollment fee. What I drew from the course was more than I had bargained for. Bon Portage renewed my passion in biology, the passion that had me signing up to dedicate 100+ hours to the course load. When you are removed from the real world experience, one tends to forget the real world applications of a biologist’s actions When thinking from a purely scientific approach, it is easy to remove yourself from the natural world. However when immersed in the field, one can visibly see the interactions
between our objective understandings and the living, breathing ecological world. The Bon Portage field course reminded me of the reasons why I fell in love with the scientific study of life in the first place. Bon Portage gave me hands on experience to view biological processes that I would have only had the privilege of learning the theory of in class. Before, the idea of waking up before the sun to tag birds trapped in towering nets among the forest’s understory would have unsettled me. I could not have pictured myself stomping through worn down mossy trails hunting mycorrhizal fungi fruiting bodies and actually enjoying myself. Never would I have seen myself reaching into a dark, damp, mysterious burrow in search of a fluffy petrel chick and measuring its physical properties for population estimates. Bon Portage showed me how to be
comfortable sleeping in the confines of arachnids despite my initial unrest. The island taught me how to live without taking a shower for fourteen days and still remain completely at-ease in a worn out baseball cap and a sweater that I had not changed for three days on end. I expected myself to finish the Bon Portage field course with an additional credit to my diploma and extra time on my fall course load agenda. Instead, the Bon Portage field course taught me how to remain immersed in the field as compared to comfortable in the realm of theory. For all Acadia Biology majors looking to extend their realm of understanding, I implore you to enroll. Bon Portage not only left me with a newfound understanding of my own environment, but with a renewed context of myself in relation to my environment.
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C A N A DA G O E S U N D E F E AT E D : Wins World Cup of Hockey Andrew Donaldson Contributor With the conclusion of the World Cup of Hockey comes the realization that the sport still belongs to its founder, Canada. There was really never any doubt as to who was going to win the world best-on-best tournament, even from the time it was announced to the final buzzer. Despite a few blemishes, the Canadians cruised their way to an undefeated round robin followed by a semi-final victory over Russia and two game sweep of the overmatched Team Europe. Besides Canada’s domination, there were some other important takeaways from the tournament as well.
better than this tournament. Maybe it’s the fact that the Olympics put people in the competitive spirit, or the fact that other Olympic athletes are in the seats cheering on their fellow countrymen. Whatever the case may be, there is simply no way to match the Olympic craze that brings a nation together to watch hockey, especially Canada. The World Cup lacked this competitive spirit, one that Canadian hockey fans long for. With the International Ice Hockey Federation still considering whether it will send NHL players to the next Olympic event in South Korea, fans should be concerned about the lack of entertainment the World Cup o�ered.
It’s Not the Olympics
Canada Really is That Good
Well, of course it’s not, but I’m talking about the hype around the tournament. There’s just something about the Olympic atmosphere that makes it so much
Canada is handsdown the hockey capital of the world and it showed why in this tournament. Despite not having arguably the best defenseman in the world
in Duncan Keith and Dallas Stars’ goal-scoring tandem of Jamie Benn and Tyler Seguin due to injuries, the Great White North still picked other teams apart with their incredible depth. The top line of Crosby-Bergeron-Marchand was by far the best, leading the way up front for the Canadians. On the back end, all six defensemen, including 2016 Norris Trophy winner Drew Doughty, contributed to an outstanding shut down system that nullified the few chances other teams did get. If they were lucky enough get past the Canadian skaters, they still had to try to put the puck past the best goalie in the world in Carey Price. Not an easy task, to say the least. Overall, the Canadian depth is something no other country has and is really the di�erentiator in international play. The fact that Braden Holtby wasn’t even dressed exemplifies the amount of skill Canada has. He won the Vezina trophy last year for being the best goalie in the NHL!
There Were Some Awesome Surprises You probably could have guessed that the youngsters from North America were going to be fun to watch, but seeing it actually happen was far better than anyone could have imagined. Connor McDavid, Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, and so on and so forth, all skating for the same team - something we may never see again. Although they didn’t quite have enough to make it to the playo� round, it was very fun to watch while it lasted. Their overtime win over Sweden capped o� an unreal tournament for the young guns. None of these guys were over the age of 23. The future of North American hockey looks very bright indeed.
Stephanie Clervi Contributor Coming to university is a considerable milestone in life. Every student at Acadia who lives or has lived on campus knows the struggle of maintaining a healthy balance throughout the duration of their freshman year. Everyday, the men and women who work at Wheelock Dining Hall witness students’ eating habits. Meal hall o�ers food that is considered “unhealthy”; however, a wellbalanced diet can con-sist of the odd splurge every now and then. It only becomes an issue once a “treat” turns into an everyday occurrence. For instance, having dessert doesn’t make you an unhealthy person. If you have dessert after lunch and dinner on a regular basis, then you will gain the freshman 15. To gain one pound, one must eat 3,500 calories more than a person’s recommended diet. Avoid that by cutting desserts down to one or two
times a week. It’s all about making the healthier choice. What’s your version of a healthy choice? The answer varies from person to person. If you eat peanut butter and jam toast for breakfast regularly at home, then do not be surprised if you are gaining weight if your breakfast at Acadia consists of scrambled eggs, home fries, and three sausages. Base your diet on gender, age, and weight. A diet is not cutting out half of your caloric intake for the day, the scientific definition for diet is the individual person’s food choice and intake patterns on a day-to-day basis. The “MyFitnessPal” app by UnderArmour is a great way to maintain a healthy and well-balanced diet. Download it from the app store for iPhone and Android. Chartwell’s has foods on “My Fitness Pal” app, so students can track their caloric intake and macronutrients (energy yielding nutrients) ingested throughout the duration of the day. Along with MyFit-
All in all, the two-week long tournament showed the entire world why Canada enters these kinds of tournaments as heavy favourites. Sure they’ve had their struggles in recent World Junior Championships, but the fact remains that in the world best-on-best games, Canada is 16-0 since their preliminary round loss to the United States at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Yes, that’s two full tournaments without a loss. Should Canada be worried about this streak coming to an end? Connor McDavid might have something to say about that.
The other great surprise of the tournament came in the form of 8 di�erent countries. Team Europe not only exceeded expectations, but they defied the logic of chemistry and showed how guys from all over the world can come together to achieve
AVOIDING THE FRESHMAN 15: H20 Is The Way To Go
a common goal. They were certainly overmatched in the final against Cana-da, but if it weren’t for a 3-minute span when the train came o� the tracks, they would have pushed the series to a deciding game. Anze Kopitar, Mats Zuccarello, and Tomas Tatar can all be applauded for their hand in carrying their team of rela-tively average players all the way to the finals against an incredible Canadian team. Bravo to Team Europe for their outstanding success that was inspirational for all underdogs.
nessPal, UnderArmour o�ers apps that can connect with one another. The UnderArmour: Record app is connected to MyFitnessPal, and in addition to tracking calories and macronutrients, this app tracks physical activity, sleep, and steps. It is a perfect app for any university student! In regards to gaining that mu�n top or expanding those thighs, alcohol consumption is a leading contributor to weight gain. Binge drinking is very common in a university setting, and not only can it make someone gain weight, it increases long term risk factors in health. Weight gain is short term. Heart disease is long term. Of course, people want to have fun. In the vibrant town of Wolfville (Wolfvegas) Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights are when the largest quantity of alcohol is consumed. Sure, it’s fun to kick back and keep it social with friends, but is it a ‘healthy choice’ to go out every weekend? Going out and drinking every weekend is taxing on
the body, and there are negative e�ects on the diet and a student’s bank account. After going to the Vil and the Axe every weekend, a student will begin to show the Freshman 15. Another way to help maintain a healthy diet: watch out for snack foods! Packaged poison is fun every now and then, but it is not healthy to eat a bag of chips on a regular basis! People eat when they are hungry and/or when food is available. Hunger and appetite are two very di�erent things. Hunger is our means for survival and appetite is our lust for something savoury or sweet. Beating the Freshman 15 is not solely dependant on one person’s diet. Going to the gym 3-5 times a week can make considerable di�erences in the health and diet. After exercising, the body releases endorphins, and it is easier to make healthier food choices with a clearer mind. Although going to the gym is not for everyone, there are plenty of ways to stay active while living on and o� campus. Know that going to the gym is not the only solu-
tion to staying fit. Try going for walks on the dykes with friends, hiking through trails, and maybe even spontaneously going to a yoga class at the Athletics Complex. For those who did not know, the Acadia Athletics Complex also o�ers Aquafit on Sunday mornings and Zumba on Tuesday nights. Perfect ways to meet other students with common interests and stay fit. For those living on campus, join intra-murals! They’re a great way to add physical activity into a healthy lifestyle. In addition to intra-murals, Acadia o�ers plenty of clubs that include physical activity such as dance, cheerleading, sports, etc. Is the sky really the limit? There are so many ways to conquer the Freshman 15 and it really comes down to balancing caloric/macronutrient intake, daily physical activity, and sleep! Set goals, create routines, and eat in moderation. Those are some of the key principles in avoiding the wretched 15 pound weight gain. Remember: 10% mental, 10% physical, and 80% hydration!
October 4th, 2016 15
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THANE’S NO-PAIN-NO-GAIN CROSSWORD TRAIN Thane Mullen Distractions Editor
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