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MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013
VOLUME 100, ISSUE 1
Aztecs have eyes on innovative telescope
campus Sofie Casillas Copy Chief
The San Diego State astronomy department recently announced it received funding to build a $1.5 million telescope to replace the small, 45-year-old research telescope at the Mount Laguna Observatory. The telescope is expected to take approximately a year and a half to construct. Once the telescope is completed, SDSU faculty and students will be able to utilize the new technology. Additionally, a portion of the observation time will be granted to The University of Kansas, the project’s partner and investor. The new telescope, which is the largest in school history, was funded by a bequest from SDSU alumnus and former member of the Mount Laguna Observatory Associate Phillips Claud. When Calud passed away, he left $670,000 from his estate to fund the construction of the telescope. Because of Claud’s financial support, the telescope will be named after him. In addition to Claud, there were many other investors interested in funding the project. The Brenda and Dave Rickey Foundation, a charitable organization, provided $100,000 to the project, which went to purchase raw glass to form the telescope’s mirror. Other investors included The San Diego Foundation, Justin Rennilson, Astronomical Research Cameras, Inc. and donations from SDSU alumni and observatory mem-
A view of the Large Magellanic Cloud. The new telescope will provide astronomers with out-of-this-world technology.
bers. The telescope is expected to have many new features that will help the SDSU Department of Astronomy—which is the only department of its kind in the California State University system—to expand current research projects. SDSU Astronomy Department Chair Allen Shafter said one of the features many people are looking forward to in the new 50-inch telescope is its robotic abilities. These will enable the telescope to be operated remotely, allowing for more precise and thorough research projects. “A robotic telescope will be far more effective than a traditional telescope, and so we can do a lot more with it, even if it is roughly the same size,” astronomy professor William Welsh said. “It’s like the difference between a word processor and a typewriter—both give the same output, but one is a
heck of a lot better.” Because of the telescope’s new features, faculty members will have more time devoted to studying various astronomical objects. “The real advantage of our new telescope will be in the way that it is scheduled, and in the availability of large amounts of telescope time for our faculty to study timevarying astronomical objects,” Shafter said. In addition, the telescope’s ability to automatically record data will benefit faculty members working on time-consuming research projects during the semester. “It is really a pain to work all night, get maybe two hours of sleep, drive an hour to campus, teach and work with students, then go back to the observatory to work all night again,” Welsh said. “This gets old real fast, especially in winter when the nights
courtesy of esa- hubble
are very long. So having the telescope automatically take the data will really help when classes are in session.” Along with its robotic abilities, the telescope will collect approximately 50 percent more light than the Mount Laguna Observatory’s current telescope, allowing for fainter objects to be seen. SDSU astronomy professor Jerome Orosz said the Phillips Claude telescope will have a more advanced optical design, allowing for larger regions of the sky to be seen. Overall, the Phillips Claude telescope will be instrumental in advancing research from the SDSU Department of Astronomy, in addition to searching for different stars and clusters in the Milky Way, finding planets around other stars as well as locating supernovae and novae in distant galaxies.
Book award grant- A.S. announces ed to SDSU sleuth new judicial council campus
campus
Arturo Garcia Sierra
Camille Lozano
Assistant News Editor
Contributor
San Diego State anthropology professor Seth Mallios was honored this summer at the San Diego Book Awards. Mallios received the Best Local Interest award for his book “Hail Montezuma! The Hidden Treasures of San Diego State.” The award was given on June 22 at SDBA’s annual ceremony after three judges scored his book the highest ranking in the local interest category, President of SDBA Kate Gurney said. “The San Diego Book Awards receives many excellent books in the local interest category, including many with a very specific focus or niche topic about Southern California. We hope to increase attention to such local interest books through recognition of excellence in our annual contest,” Gurney said. The book, which chronicles the untold history of SDSU, examines artifacts and stories brought to light through the “digging up” of
courtesy of newscenter
various spots around campus as well as memorabilia donated by of the SDSU community and alumni. Mallios has wanted to examine the campus underground since interviewing for his position in 2000. “I told the faculty I wanted to dig up campus and they were very surprised. They didn’t believe anything was here,” Mallios said. “So BOOK AWARD continued on page 2
San Diego State’s Associated Students appointed one chief justice and six justices to its new Judicial Affairs Council (ASJAC), which was formed as part of the governmental restructure implemented this summer. Criminal justice senior Sean Guardian, who also ran for A.S. president during the spring semester, was appointed chief justice. ASJAC will be replacing the Rules Committee of the previous structure, but it will be much more than its predecessor, Guardian said. “The whole goal for this year is to create something more tangible and extensive to make sure people are using the position,” Guardian said. Guardian said the Rules Committee would essentially review the three requirements A.S. council members are responsible for, which include an hour of tabling for A.S., attending college council meetings and one cultural event on campus. According to the A.S. website, the Rules Committee also reviewed complaints brought against any council
monica linzmeier , photo editor
or board member in relation to ethics, conduct or bylaws. But, ASJAC plans to expand its responsibilities to the campus community. One of Guardian’s ideas is to become involved in the process dealing with students who get in trouble with the university, Guardian said. Guardian said he plans to have his council take the judicial officer training provided by SDSU. COUNCIL continued on page 2
july 8, 2013
monday
Austism study’s practical potential campus
Hannah Beausang News Editor
Researchers at San Diego State have made groundbreaking strides in diagnosing autism. The research, fronted by SDSU and University of California San Diego Joint Doctoral student Aarti Nari and SDSU psychology professor Ralph-Axel Müller, could help target autism at early stages of development. The study incorporated functional and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging methods along with diffusion tensor imaging to investigate links between the cerebral cortex and thalamus. With the use of the different types of imaging, the team examined the functionality and intactness of connections in the brains of patients with and without autism. Sensory information—including vital elements such as vision, attention hearing and motor control—that is processed by the brain enters through the thalamus and is directed to other regions of the brain. Nair said the thalamus has not been examined in-depth during other autism studies because it is housed deep within the brain and is difficult to observe. “It has a pretty crucial role in the brain,” Nair said. “This is a brain region that has surprisingly not been studied much in autism.” Müller, the senior investigator of the study, who has been involved in autism research for more than 20 years, enunciated the importance of the inner brain connections. “It’s been known for a long time that the cerebral cortex is like a map,” Müller said. “When you look at prenatal brain development, these connections between the thalamus and cerebral cortex are actually heavily involved in telling the cerebral cortex how to specialize.” The study revealed that connections between the thalamus and the cerebral cortex of children with autism were affected. The cerebral cortex, the outer layer of the brain, is crucial in high-level cognitive functions as well as sensory functions, such as motor control. The study examined 50 children ranging from ages 9 to 17 who were recruited from local clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Alan Lincoln, from the community and through advertisements at SDSU and UCSD Visual evidence from the study showed reduced connections that tied in with autism traits and symptoms in the observed children. Nair said autism research is moving toward the investigation of sensory motor skills, which were examined in this study. “If you look at the trend with autism right now, both the changes in the diagnosis and the Diagnostic and Statistics Manual as well as the measures used to diagnose autism, there’s a bigger RESEARCH continued on page 2
2 | news
Volume 100, issue 1 | monday , july 8, 2013 from RESEARCH page 1
focus on the sensory motor skills now than there has been in the past … the sensory motor skills are some of the initial symptoms that develop,” Nair said. Nair said the findings from the research could potentially be utilized to devise an intervention or a type of neuro-feedback training to specifically target the thalamus, reducing future symptoms in autistic children. The team is now examining more specific regions of the brain to fine-tune the study and apply the findings to a more encompassing age sample. They also plan to observe metabolite levels in the thalamus in order to mea-
sure the neurotransmitters and compare the results from autistic patients and normally developing patients. “If we can detect this risk very early, then providing these kids with interventions that target sensory and movement abilities could possibly be very beneficial,” Müller said. “It could help them to not develop autism with the severity we would normally see.” The research was funded with a grant from the National Institutes of Health as well as the Autism Speaks Dennis Weatherstone Predoctoral Fellowship and was published in the June edition of Oxford Journals BRAIN Journal of Neurology.
from BOOK AWARD page 1
I wanted to find the history … through artifacts.” In 2004, two Works Progress Administration murals were uncovered in Hardy Tower and were then salvaged and placed in Love Library. The find legitimized Mallios’ claims and gave him traction as the community gained interest in helping to uncover SDSU’s past. Alumni and both former and current faculty and staff contributed to the book by submitting memorabilia such as ticket stubs from President John Kennedy’s 1963 campus commencement address and offering their personal stories that were connected to the discovered artifacts.
In one particular case, Mallios described how a WPA plaque stolen from Aztec Bowl was returned to his office late one night with “a note explaining that the reason (the plaque) was returned to me was because they were so excited that someone cared about their history.” In addition to the local contributions, the Special Collections and University Archives aided Mallios extensively by providing historic photos and The Daily Aztec issues dating back to the school’s opening in 1897. Special Collections Division Head Robert Ray explained the significance of Mallios’ book as a careful documentation of the “extraordinary web of inter-con-
from COUNCIL page 1
“We could prep students how to come correct to a judicial meeting and be able to address who they are speaking to,” Guardian said. “We can tell them how the judicial process is supposed to go and what they will be asked.” The ASJAC was appointed by six outgoing A.S. council members, five outgoing AS executive officers and five incoming A.S. executive officers, Guardian said. He also said candidate’s requirements were to satisfy a minimum GPA of 2.0 and have no outstanding judicial issues with the university. The ASJAC is also comprised of an Awards Committee and Elections Committee. Guardian said ASJAC will also hold council members accountable for reaching out to students and promoting the services students can at-
nection” that can be found in the relationships made at SDSU in the past and present. “In order to communicate everyday relationships, to find out what it was like back then, you need to have the ordinary—the documentation on a day-to-day basis. With this book, Seth Mallios has made the ordinary extraordinary,” Ray said. Mallios, who is currently working on his next book detailing the Rock and Roll history of SDSU, is elated to receive the award for Best Local Interest publication. He hopes that the book will “generate interest and excitement, and promote active conversation about SDSU’s history.”
tain from A.S. “As chief justice, what we are hoping to do, is ensure college council and campus life representatives, who represent different facets of San Diego State, are to their fullest potential reaching out to the students on campus,” Guardian said. “If we notice someone is not doing that, or slipping on their duties, we would have a mediation.” Guardian, who was part of the previous Rules Committee, said ASJAC will take advantage of its current “unspecified powers” to expand its obligations with students. Holding council members accountable for outreach is one way ASJAC will do this. “Everyone was elected for a reason,” Guardian said. “People supported them in their decision to take on that role, and it is now their responsibility to fulfill the duties of that role, so we are here to make sure that happens.”
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sports | 3
monday, july 8, 2013 | Volume 100, issue 1
Franklin scores ideal NBA home with Grizzlies
column
Matthew Bain Staff Writer
What began as a seemingly disappointing development for former San Diego State junior guard Jamaal Franklin has unfolded into something quite wonderful. Franklin, who is an extremely athletic guard, was projected to be picked anywhere from the midto-late first round of the 2013 NBA Draft on June 27. Franklin watched with fellow NBA members and former Aztecs, Kawhi Leonard and Malcolm Thomas, as team after team made stunning draft picks, beginning with the Cleveland Cavaliers selecting the University of Nevada, Las Vegas forward Anthony Bennett first. NBA Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer Adam Silver finally announced Franklin’s name as the 41st overall selection by the Memphis Grizzlies, making him the first Aztec since Leonard to be drafted in the NBA. Should Franklin be disappointed? No. Absolutely not. In fact, this is probably the best thing that could have happened to him. Yes, Franklin slid into the second round. However, he plays his best when he is doubted, so perhaps the slide will help his career. More importantly, the Grizzlies don’t see Franklin as a secondround choice. Memphis tried to negotiate a trade into the late first round to select Franklin, but the negotiations fell through. Lo and behold, on an absolutely insane draft night, Franklin fell into the lap of the Grizzlies as the 41st overall
monica linzmeier , photo editor
pick. Memphis CEO Jason Levien told Memphis media he feels very lucky to have been able to select Franklin and that he “(thanks) the basketball gods” for it. According to U-T San Diego, soon after Franklin heard his name announced, he received a call from Grizzlies executives who told Franklin, “You’re our first-round pick and we’re going to treat you like one.” Those executives did not lie; they truly are thrilled to have Franklin. Levien told the U-T that “Franklin is going to add to our grit-and-grind mentality. Franklin is just a big-time competitor, big-time toughness at the highest levels.”
The Grizzlies have even given Franklin a nickname: “The Grindson.” Tony Allen, a Grizzlies player whose style of play Franklin admires, is nicknamed “The Grindfather,” and is the fan favorite who coined the Memphis motto this year: “Grit and Grind.” Before Franklin has even played his first game, he is being identified as the younger version of the Grizzlies beloved Allen. He is seen as a young star who exemplifies what it means to be a Grizzly, which bodes very well for Franklin. In addition, Allen recently signed a 4-year extension with the Grizzlies, so Franklin will have an incredible opportunity to
learn and play alongside him. “The Grindson” is a perfect nickname for Franklin. He plays with such determination, such will to stop his opponent no matter the cost. He is a defensive juggernaut with the capability to excite on offense. He grinds. There’s no other way to describe his style of play and that’s exactly how the Grizzlies play. He’ll fit right in as a cog in what is becoming a very powerful machine in the Western Conference. As a Grizzly, Franklin will play and learn with Allen and arguably the best frontcourt in the Western Conference including players such as Marc Gasol, Zach
Randolph and talented point guard Mike Conley. He’ll be playing in a very exciting city where the people love their basketball. The FedExForum in Memphis, Tenn. is one of the loudest and most exciting professional venues in basketball. Franklin’s rookie year prospects look very good. Most of the Memphis roster is set in stone: Conley at point guard, Gasol at center, Randolph at power forward, and Allen as a guard or forward. The fifth position on the court, shooting guard, isn’t as defined. The Grizzlies’ best shooting guards are Jerryd Bayless and Tony Wroten. Both aren’t bad, but they definitively aren’t locks to start every night. I see Franklin competing with them for the starting shooting guard spot. Even if he doesn’t start, Franklin will get significant minutes coming off the bench to play shooting guard, or even trade minutes with Quincy Pondexter and come in to replace Allen at guard and forward positions. Franklin could even become the Grizzlies’ sixth man. Honestly, the Grizzlies are a perfect match for Franklin. His style of play meshes wonderfully with that of Memphis and he’s being welcomed to the Grizzlies community as its prize of the 2013 NBA Draft. Things are looking very good for this former Aztec. How did Franklin celebrate this successful draft? Well, according to the U-T San Diego he went to go workout at the gym to prepare for the NBA. That’s Franklin for you and that’s why he should have a successful career in the NBA.
SDSU track and field athletes thrive internationally track and field
Kristi Vettese Contributor
From Jamaica to Canada to the U.S., three San Diego State track and field athletes and one former alumna competed in three major championship meets across the world during the last two weeks of June. Junior Allison Reaser and Aztec alumna Whitney Ashley were participants in the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships that took place in Des Moines, Iowa. In 2011, Reaser placed first in the USA Junior Track and Field Championships in the heptathlon. This year she competed in the Women’s Heptathlon Senior and placed No. 14 out of 17 participants. Reaser went head-to-head with athletes from all across the country in a seven-event competition that began on Thursday, June 20 and ended the following day. Despite being sick, she started off well and placed third in the 100 meter hurdle with a finishing time of 13.35 seconds. Later that day she placed fifth in shot put after a 12.08 meter throw. By the second day, Reaser was struggling and finished No. 14 in long jump, No. 11 in the javelin throw and No. 13 in the 800-meter run with a time of 2 minutes 19.93 seconds. Ashley, who competed in the discus throw, finished second in the Women’s Discus Throw Senior competition on Sunday, June 23 with a final mark of 200 feet, 9 inches. Ashley’s performance at the USA
Championships qualified her for the International Association of Athletics Federations World Championships, which will take place in Moscow from Aug. 10 to 18. SDSU had two other track and field stars competing in championship meets outside the U.S. as well. Freshman Nicole Oudenaarden competed in the Canadian National Championships and junior Shanieka Thomas participated in the Jamaican National Championships in Kingston and Saint Andrew, Jamaica. Oudenaarden finished No. 10 among 11 competitors in the Women’s Shot Put 4kg Championship on Friday, June 21 with a 12.45 meter throw and ranked No. 10 among 12 competitors in the Women’s Javelin Throw 600g Championship the next day. Thomas, who was also competing in her home country, entered the meet on Sunday, June 30, following one of the most successful seasons in her career and with experience from the 2012 Olympic trials in which she competed in the triple jump event. Thomas placed third out of four entrants in Women’s Triple Jump with a final jump distance of 13.97 meters. Thomas enjoyed several achievements on and off the field this year. She was most recently named the 2012-13 Mountain West Female Athlete of the Year, which makes her the first Aztec to win the award. On July 9, the star triple jumper will represent Jamaica at the World University Games in Kazan, Russia.
whitney ashley, sdsu news center
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entertainment | 5
monday, july 8, 2013 | Volume 100, issue 1
Summer flick brings laughs, emotion way way back
pass the popcorn
David Dixon Entertainment Editor
Charlie Chaplin’s legendary silent film “The Kid” began with the opening words, “A comedy with a smile—and perhaps a tear.” That classic line is a perfect way to describe the refreshing coming-of-age story “The Way Way Back.” Duncan (Liam James) is a shy 14-year-old boy who is forced to go on a summer trip with his mom, Pam (Toni Collette), to a nicely furnished beach house in East Wareham, Mass. The problem is that they are staying with Pam’s jerk of a boyfriend, Trent (Steve Carell), who treats Duncan like dirt. One random afternoon, Duncan befriends Owen (Sam Rockwell), a laid-back manager of the water park Water Wizz. Duncan soon gets a job at the park and loves the environment so much that it becomes his home away from home. The key to the success of “The Way Way Back” is the funny duo, Nat Faxon and Jim Rash. The Oscar winners not only wrote the script, but directed the picture and even co-starred as two employees at Water Wizz. What is remarkable is how masterfully they use different styles of humor throughout Duncan’s journey. Outside of Water Wizz, the laughs are generally low-key and have the same authentic vibe that was displayed in Faxon and Rash’s script of “The Descendants.” The exception to the rule is Allison Janney’s hysterical performance as Trent’s neighbor, Betty. She has so many well-timed one-liners that it might take several viewings to catch all her jokes. At Water Wizz, the comical-
ness is significantly broader. The wit tends to come at a significantly faster pace and there are even some priceless physical sight gags that happen at unexpected moments. The balance between these two contrasting tones is smartly handled and could not have been possible without Faxon and Rash. A lot of early buzz has been focused on Carell playing the most unsympathetic role of his career to date. It’s a rather gutsy depiction because right off the bat it’s clear that Trent is a pain in the butt, who is disrespectful to Duncan. Trent is the kind of guy who comes across as insincere even when he is trying to be nice. James is likeable and authentic as the antisocial Duncan. His arc is moving, especially when he begins to develop confidence, which he expresses subtly. As good as Carrell and James are, Rockwell is simply a force of nature as the fun slacker, Owen. He has the delivery of a great stand-up comedian and says many good-natured, memorable quotes. What makes Rockwell shine even more are some of his final moments with James. His interactions with the young performer are so genuine and powerful your eyes might mist because of these bittersweet encounters. “The Way Way Back” is an impressive debut for directors Faxon and Rash with a lot of universal appeal. Be sure to check out this
REVIEW Director: Nat Faxon and Jim Rash Release Date: July 12 grade:
courtesy of claire folger / twentieth century fox /mct
Faxon and Rash bring humble wit to the big screen up close and personal
David Dixon Entertainment Editor
Nat Faxon and Jim Rash visited the W San Diego Hotel to promote the hilarious and poignant comedy, “The Way Way Back.” Rash is best known for playing Dean Pelton on “Community” and both Rash and Faxon wrote “The Descendants” along with Alexander Payne. Faxon and Rash wrote, directed and costared in this crowd-pleasing, but deeply personal summer flick. The Daily Aztec: How did the two of you come up with the idea for “The Way Way Back?” Jim Rash: It was a combination of things. The first scene of the movie has Trent (Steve Carrell) asking Duncan (Liam James) how he would rate himself on a scale from
added up to inspiration. DA: “The Way Way Back” is maybe the only other film to come out this summer besides “This Is The End,” directed and written by a well-known comedy team. Would you encourage more screenwriting duos to try directing? Nat Faxon: If they’re passionate about it, certainly. Film is a director’s medium and often the director may not share the same ideas as the writer. The only way as a writer to protect your material, or at least see your vision from start to finish, is to direct a movie. It’s a big task and wrought with many obstacles and challenges but it’s also extremely rewarding. You get to do it on your own terms. JR: As partners you have two heads. Especially when you’re di-
Jim Rash and Nat Faxon are known for writing the Oscar winning script of “The Descendants” along with Alexander Payne. They wrote, directed, and costarred in the dramatic comedy, “The Way Way Back.” one to 10. That actually happened. My stepfather had that conversation with me when I was 14. We launched with that and then we also have affection for growing up in the East Coast. All these things
recting, it’s nice having someone there to bat around thoughts and take a little bit of the stress off. DA: While watching the film, I noticed how many hysterical oneliners there were with Sam Rock-
courtesy of claire folger / twentieth century fox /mct
well and Allison Janney. Were those characters written that way or was there a lot of improv that happened behind the scenes? JR: On the page, they were originally written that way. Janney’s role was certainly supposed to speak with a stream of consciousness just as Rockwell’s was written like a quick-witted Bill Murray character. That said, we had two actors who understood these characters. We
were open to them adding things in when they had an idea that they wanted to throw in or have some fun with one of our takes. We had some nice moments from that and would catch us off guard. DA: Any advice for San Diego State students? NF: Pursue the things that make you happy. Set goals for yourself and try to accomplish them. Don’t wait for someone else to do them
for you. JR: Exactly, be proactive. Listen to people’s advice, but it’s all about being creatively proactive. There are so many ways to be original with Internet media, so why not take advantage of it? NF: As Owen says (in the film), “Choose your own path.” Information about “The Way Way Back” can be found at foxsearchlight.com/thewaywayback.
6 | features
Volume 100, issue 1 | monday , july 8, 2013
Which popular internet radio app is best for you?
SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Elisse Miller Features Editor
When Apple announced the launch of iTunes Radio last month, many were left wondering if another music streaming service is really what radio lovers wanted. With the large number of these services already in existence, it can be difficult to navigate each venue and what each offers. To guide you, here’s a quick rundown of the most popular online radio apps and the costs and benefits of each one. iTunes Radio To be released in Fall 2013, this service promises to be perfect for those who depend on their iTunes library for all things related to music. According to the Apple website, personal radio stations will be curated based on items already in the user’s iTunes library and will change with every iTunes purchase. Information will continue to be gathered when users listen to various iTunes radio stations, all combining to
create the most personalized experience possible. Because iTunes Radio is directly linked to one’s iTunes account, users will be able to easily purchase any song that plays on one of the stations, and instantly download it to their iTunes account. Pros: Users with devices containing Siri will be able to use it in conjunction with iTunes Radio. Siri will play, pause, stop, skip, and play any requested station at the command of one’s voice. Cons: The selection of songs that will play on the radio stations is limited to the songs that Apple has rights to, meaning no Def Leppard, Garth Brooks or various indie releases. Pandora Pandora creates cohesive stations using its Music Genome Project, a system that uses approximately 450 unique musical characteristics in order to group similar songs together. Users create stations based off any artist, album, song or genre, and Pandora identifies elements in the selected work and plays other songs that contain similar elements. Users can refine their stations by giving a thumb up to songs t h e y like,
or giving a thumb down to songs they dislike and wish to skip. Pandora is available both online and through a mobile device app; however, users are limited to 40 hours of free listening a month on the app. Any additional time can be accessed by paying 99 cents for the remainder of the month, or $3.99 a month for an advertisement and limit-free Pandora One account. Pros: Pandora contains a music feed feature that allows the user to follow the exact songs and stations their Facebook friends are listening to, making it a great way to discover new music. Cons: On top of the limited mobile hours, users can only skip or give a thumbs down to songs six times per station, per hour or 12 times across all stations per day. Spotify Spotify is an ad-supported application for computers and mobile devices that offers full songs, albums and discographies for your free listening pleasure. Along with the pick-and-choose library of songs, Spotify offers its own radio service. Spotify radio can create sta-
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tions based on specific playlists, genres, artists, albums and songs. Recently launched, Spotify Discover finds similar artists and albums the user may like, and also notifies the user of nearby concerts of his or her favorite artists. Spotify has also recently made its services available through your Internet browser of choice, avoiding the hassle of launching an application. Pros: “Private session” setting hides your Spotify activity from your Facebook feed. Listening to *NSYNC alone on a Friday night? Only you and your laptop will know. Cons: Only Spotify’s radio service is available through the app. Mobile streaming of Spotify’s extensive library is only available through the purchase of a Spotify Premium account, which costs $9.99 a month. Songza Songza is a musicstreaming platform that takes a unique approach in forming playlists for its users. Once l o g -
ging into Songza via app or web, the program will detect the time and day of the week, list potential activities the user is engaged in and suggest playlists based on the selected activity. Is it Saturday night? Songza has playlists for pregaming with your friends or drinking at a bar. Monday morning? Songza has playlists for singing in the shower or waking up happy. If you wish to bypass Songza’s concierge playlist creator, you can access a myriad of other playlists by selecting a specific decade, genre or even your mood. With kooky playlists such as “The Worst Songs of All Time” and “The Twerk Tape” Songza is equal parts fun and useful. Pros: Songza plays with no audio ads—only your selected tunes will come through your headphones. Cons: Users can’t request specific songs, artists or albums to base their playlists off of.
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opinion | 7
monday, july 8, 2013 | Volume 100, issue 1
Hashtags enhance For Franklin, NBA is smart move Facebook experience sports
Kenneth Leonard
social media
Opinion Editor
A
Maria del Carmen Huerta
n idealist may say education is, in and of itself, a gift that keeps on giving. There’s no way to overemphasize the importance of education, and here at San Diego State, many of us feel very strongly about the inherent value of the educational process. For several students, it’s not the destination, but the journey that defines collegiate success or failure. For more pragmatic students, time spent at SDSU is a means to an end. The reason they are here is to prepare for their future careers, gaining skills and experience required by employers. For these students, it’s all about the diploma. Neither approach to school is any better than the other. When our
Staff Columnist
H
ashtags are a necessary evil. Although I cringe at the sight of them on a Facebook post, their purpose is to enhance the social media experience. With the recent introduction of hashtags on Facebook, users can finally interact with people outside of their own Facebook “friends” list. Even though Facebook’s idea of introducing clickable hashtags is not an original or particularly innovative one, it’s obvious why Facebook jumped on board the hashtag bandwagon. Twitter, Instagram, Google Plus and Pinterest have all utilized hashtags successfully, making them an important part
ism and media studies senior David Frerker said. With all the positive press SDSU has received during the past weeks there’s no reason for students to not publicly support SDSU via Facebook and connect with others using hashtags. Social media is an effective tool SDSU students and alumni should engage with to promote school pride. Recently, #WeAreAztecs has been one of my favorite SDSU-related hashtags, as well as #AztecsForLife. These hashtags bring unity to the SDSU community and have the versatility to be used for a wide variety of SDSUrelated achievements.
The power a hashtag generates may transform a trending topic into a moment capable of uniting people from different communities around the world. of Internet culture. Facebook is using hashtags to enable users to participate in “public conversations,” as stated on its Newsroom website. The power a hashtag generates may transform a trending topic into a moment capable of uniting people from different communities around the world. “Hashtags can unite groups of people to a specific cause. An example is the #SDSULovesBoston and #SDSUlovesWest campaign we had on Twitter. Hashtags can also be used during live sporting events to get increased engagement,” San Diego State journal-
“The hashtag #WeAreAztecs is a perfect umbrella term for SDSU. Not only will current students be able to apply the hashtag but alumni will also be able to use #WeAreAztecs,” Frerker said. Anything can become a hashtag, which is what makes them appealing and unique for social media users. Students who use social media should already be familiar with hashtags, so using them on Facebook should be a no-brainer. Even though I am not a fan of overusing hashtags, I respect the enthusiasm the SDSU community shares on Twitter and other social networking sites.
If we approach college as a proving ground where young people acquire skills to prepare for a career, Franklin has met this goal in stunning fashion. He’s been our on-court valedictorian, and the skills he’s honed here at SDSU will enable his success in the NBA.
fellow Aztecs make major life decisions it’s important to be aware of the various reasons why we are all here. With this in mind, let us consider the implications of SDSU men’s basketball standout Jamaal Franklin’s decision to forego his senior year of college in favor of entering the NBA draft. Whenever a talented athlete chooses to leave school for a shot at a career in professional sports, talking heads pop up out of nowhere, ready to criticize his or her decision. It’s really annoying and they usually have nothing original to say. The question of whether or not athletes should finish college before turning pro has been controversial for decades. For basketball players specifically, this question has even been debated in the U.S. Supreme Court. In 1971, the Supreme Court ruled against the NBA’s requirement for athletes to wait out their four years of collegiate eligibility before turning pro, thus opening the door for opportunistic athletes such as Franklin. Several athletes, from Moses Malone to Lebron James, have transitioned successfully from high school directly into the NBA, bypassing college altogether. For some people, such as James, Kobe Bryant or Kevin Garnett, going straight into the NBA was a great decision. For others, such as Sebastian Telfair and Eddy Curry, the choice may not have been so smart. The point is, it’s not possible to predict how well an NBA career is going to play out. Because nobody knows what will happen once a player enters the NBA, it’s a smart move to enter the draft while at the top of one’s game,
which Franklin was last year. Consider the following: Last year, Franklin was the only player in the U.S. to lead his team in four statistical categories, averaging 17 points, 9.5 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.6 steals per game, and he did all this while leading the team to an NCAA tournament berth for the third consecutive year. He’s been Mountain West Conference Player of the Year and a two-time all-MW first-teamer and Associated Press All-American. He’s got nothing left to prove here at Montezuma Mesa. If we approach college as a proving ground where young people acquire skills to prepare for a career, Franklin has met this goal in stunning fashion. He’s been our oncourt valedictorian, and the skills he’s honed here at SDSU will enable his success in the NBA. For those who look at SDSU as a place where memories are made and the collection of memorable experiences is more important than the accumulation of job skills, let me ask you one question. How great does it feel to play in the NCAA tournament? Oh, wait. You have no idea, do you. Me neither. Maybe Franklin’s collegiate experiences are something we’re not necessarily qualified to comment on. At the end of the day, Franklin made the best decision for his future, and I commend his commitment to excellence on the court. It’s good to see another Aztec make it to the pros, and we should all be proud of our student-athletes’ accomplishments. All the haters out there need to figure out their own futures instead of worrying about Franklin’s, anyway.
S W NE RYONE EVE DS REALY DAI
8 | BACKPAGE
Mordecai’s guzzle of victory
fiction Eric Dobko Staff Writer
A
s the quicksand pulled him under, Mordecai struggled to finish his bag of Sour Cream and Onion Flavored Ruffles. They were very delicious. He knew there was only a moment’s time left for him to savor his greasy crinkle-cut treat, and that afterward there would be no more Ruffles … only darkness. With a salty mouth like the rim of a margarita, he shouted at the swirling cyclone of sludge. “Not today quicksand, these are my Ruffles! It is I who paid $1.09 at Chevron, not you! You are just dirt; you can’t even handle money!” The Earth had smelt his delightfully greasy snack food and had opened up its terrestrial mouth to take a bite. This giant face of dirt was slurping Mordecai down like a warm, slippery spaghetti noodle. But it was getting harder and harder to dump handfuls of potato chips into his mouth, now that his elbows were submerged in the thick muck. With arms trapped in the quicksand’s grimy grasp, he was unable to bring his trembling, grease-covered hands to his mouth. He began to fling the chips at his face. The Sour Cream and Pnion Ruffles somersaulted through the air like a small acrobat at a Cirque du Soleil show, and one bad toss could mean disaster. And sure enough, a fatal flick of the wrist sent a potato chip twirling 2.3 degrees too far to the left. The chip rolled across Mordecai’s cheek, slicing a trail of grease into his face. It ramped off of his ear like the Evel Knievel of processed snack foods and fell, catastrophically, into the quicksand. “You don’t even have taste buds quicksand, feeding these potato chips to you would be a waste! I would never squander such savory flavors on you, you unconscious mud toilet! My crunchy cuisine,
so scrumptious and sweet, never would I ever let you sink to my feet.” But before the sinkhole’s gluttonous gullet could covet Mordecai’s prize, he savagely stabbed forward with his head toward the landing site and scooped a mouthful of quicksand muck with his quivering mouth. He realized the dangers he faced, but there was no turning back. “This is it,” he thought. “It’s time to bite the big one.” His jaw tightened. His teeth violently crashed together, creating a deafening thunderclap and sending the jungle creatures miles away scampering for higher ground. “Om nom nom,” he said. He anticipated a foul, abhorrent taste to plague his senses with pain, but what he got instead was anything but. The flavor was incredible; the tang simply sang. This combination of Ruffles and quicksand tasted like a vat of God’s body odor, stirred by angels. With a face full of dirt, Mordecai chuckled like an overweight warthog. “Well, well, quicksand, it looks like I’ve found your weakness— you’re utterly delicious.” But he hadn’t gotten out of danger yet. Swallowing a mangosized glob of quicksand could mean death; the chunky groundchowder could potentially cling to the inner linings of his esophagus, impede the flow of air inside his windpipe and suffocate him. But if there was one thing that Mordecai knew, it was that to live a life without Ruffles would be worse than no life at all. Slapping fate across the face, Mordecai took a deep breath and swallowed. The muddy clump of sludge slammed into his gag reflex like Gallagher taming a watermelon. “Keep it down, keep it down!” he exclaimed, in his thoughts. The quicksand made its way around the bend toward his throat. The moment of truth was upon him. If it clung to his throat,
he would breathe his last. But, to his amazement, it slid on through and deposited safely into his stomach. His esophagus was so coated in canola oil and grease that he had paved the way for the mire with their lubrication. And at that moment, a beacon of hope was ignited. Mordecai let out a fierce battle cry. “Get ready for a taste of your own medicine, quicksand!” Like a human vacuum, he wildly began to eat his way out of the quicksand. Fighting the rising tide, he eventually freed up his right arm. Using a potato chip as a shovel, he rapidly ladled slimy chunks of gunk into his face, eating the executioner before it ate him. Soon thereafter he had freed both arms and was madly double fisting quicksand at lightning speed, alternating one after the other. “Left, right, left, right.” It was down to his belly button. “Left, right, left, right.” It was down to his knees. “Left, right, left, right.” It was down to his ankles. “Left, right, left, right.” It was down to his feet. It was time for the finishing blow. Unhinging his jaw like a Burmese python, Mordecai lodged the remainder of the quicksand into his mouth and guzzled down victory. He had defeated the nefarious quicksand, valiantly protecting his Ruffles from a meaningless death. He did a little dance and went into soliloquy. “Slain in my belly, you will suck no more wicked quicksand! With your demise, my life’s hourglass has been refilled,” triumphed Mordecai. “And now, liberated from your trap, I can continue to partake in what my heart perpetually beckons me to do, I may once again indulge in the one thing by which I am satisfied, I shall feast on my only antidote for this poisonous world … interpretative ribbon dancing!”
XOLOS WIN AT PETCO PARK
Volume 100, issue 1 | monday, july 8, 2013
HOROSCOPE
by Nancy Black, Tribune Media Services
Today’s Birthday (7/8/13) - Forge ahead with passion this year. Generate stability as secrets get revealed. Renew friendships for spiritual and moral support. Creative manual work satisfies. Consider long-term impacts of changes before making them, and find peace in routine, meditative practices. What do you want to learn? And where do you want to explore? To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging. Aries (March 21 - April 19) - Today is a 7 - A practical work matter moves forward now. Test your idea for a blinding insight. Household difficulties ease, with Saturn direct for a year. Completion and fresh beginnings develop romantically. Begin your relationship anew. Taurus (April 20 - May 20) - Today is an 8 - Listen to a creative associate, and finish up a project. Advance to a new level. It’s getting easier to make progress at home for a year. Talk things over, and follow through on tasks. Gemini (May 21 - June 21) - Today is a 9 - Ask probing questions. You’ll especially love learning this year. A sense of discomfort leads you to errors. It’s a good time for brainstorming. A new door opens regarding career. Cancer (June 22 - July 22) - Today is a 9 - It’s easier to collect debts for a year. You understand things newly. The rules of the game may have changed. You’re especially powerful and confident. Outrageous suggestions abound. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22) - Today is a 7 - Consider consequences before taking action. Love is all that matters. Plan a writing project. Clean up your stuff. Your experience pays. It’s getting easier to get agreement.
Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sept. 22) - Today is an 8 - Respectfully advance your agenda. Obtain bids or advice. Amazing developments occur. Adjust your attitude as needed. Let others know what you need. Move forward with personal planning. It’s easier to stick to the rules and finish old business. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22) - Today is an 8 Advance in your career. Your team is hot. Let someone else take the lead, and support them. New information gets discovered. Review details in private. Onward and upward. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 21) - Today is a 9 - Someone’s extra persuasive now. Finalize communications. Progress eases for the next year, so help set the rules. Provide facts, and acknowledge the team. Make long-term goals and long-distance connections. Sagittarius (Nov. 22 - Dec. 21) - Today is an 8 - Career responsibilities become clear. Expand your territory over the next year. Venture farther out. Listen for opportunities. Review resources, with the Cancer New Moon. Opposites attract even more so now. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19) - Today is a 9 - The kitchen is the heart of the home. For the next year, financial planning saves money and time. Try not to get impatient, impetuous or angry. Get terms down in writing. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18) - Today is a 9 - It gets easier to work efficiently for the next year. Discover a new point of view. Listen carefully, and gather data. Do it for love, not money. The competition is increasing, too. Pisces (Feb. 19 - March 20) - Today is an 8 - Focus your intention. Imagination works wonders. It gets easier to understand your sweetheart’s rules later. Keep track of the money, and stay in communication. For the next year, streamline your routine and simplify. ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
SUDOKU
by The Mepham Group, Tribune Media Services
Difficulty Level: 1 out of 4 Instructions: Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit 1 to 9. Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com ©2013, TRIBUNE MEDIA SERVICES INC.
WWW.THEDAILYAZTEC.COM CROSSWORD
monica linzmeier , photo editor
GENERAL INFORMATION ALL kicks OTHER PLEASE VISIT Ecuadorian soccer player :Fidel FOR Martinez theCONTACTS ball at the ,net. The Xolos
thedailyaztec.com 619.594.4199 team member played Central America Saturday night at Petco Park, where they won 5-2. PLEASE NOTE :
The views expressed in the written works of this issue do not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Daily Aztec. Letters to the editor can be sent to letters@thedailyaztec.com
Across 1 __ acid: antiseptic cleaner 6 Raindrop sound 10 Hunter’s quarry 14 Texas shrine 15 Civil rights icon Parks 16 Mortgage adjustment, briefly 17 Figure of speech 18 Waikiki’s whereabouts 19 Aunt Bee’s grandnephew 20 Countdown kickoff 21 Wild West showman 24 Makes small talk 26 Did some pressing work? 27 South Pacific island 29 Spotless 31 Sent packing 32 Egyptian portrayed by Liz 34 Prize with six categories 38 Dwarf wearing specs 39 Sack on a red-whiteand-blue truck, which can hold the ends of 21- and 54Across and 3- and 35-Down 41 Savings option, briefly 42 A parolee may wear a monitor on it 44 Vehicle on runners 45 Door opener 46 Muse who inspires poets 48 Barcelona buddies 50 Phase 53 NFL replay aid 54 Character written in kindergarten 57 Foldable sleeper 60 Criticize severely 61 Good-sized home site 62 Arcade pioneer 64 Dust Bowl refugee 65 Send, as packages 66 Enticed 67 Asian holidays 68 Does better than 69 Grasslike marsh plant Down 1 Angler’s bucketful 2 Shoppe adjective 3 Ticket from a postponed ball game
by Rich Norris & Joyce Lewis, Tribune Media Services
Solutions available online at www.thedailyaztec.com 4 “If you ask me,” in texts 5 Battle 6 Univ. employees 7 Waste time 8 Dept. of Labor protection arm 9 Talking parrot of film 10 Free, as legal work 11 Fasten anew 12 Use TurboTax, say 13 Triangular traffic sign 22 New York city 23 Malaysian ape 25 Stayed out of sight 27 “I did it!” 28 Neural transmitter 29 Yo-Yo Ma’s instrument 30 Ear part 33 Marketgoer’s memo 35 Game accessory with 24 numbered squares
36 Suffix with switch 37 “CSI” facilities 39 Pharmaceutical giant 40 Allan-__: Robin Hood cohort 43 Bloodsuckers 45 Actress Basinger 47 “It’s about time!” 49 Fable conclusions 50 Monk’s superior 51 Quench 52 Assume to be true 53 Staircase units 55 Canyon feedback 56 Lose one’s footing 58 Calif. neighbor 59 Ocean motion 63 Wed. preceder