The Daily Texan 2017-10-02

Page 1

Serving the University of Texas at Austin community since 1900

MONDAY, OCTOBER 2, 2017

@thedailytexan | thedailytexan.com

Volume 118, Issue 34 CAMPUS

UT Police offer Ride Along for hands-on experience

CITY

By John Melendez News Reporter

noel mahouch| daily texan staff

Thousands banded together on Saturday night with flags, balloons, and smiles to celebrate Austin Pride. The parade served as a reminder of the LGBTQ community’s strength, especially in light of the defeated SB 6 “bathroom bill.”

Pride Parade takes on new meaning By Chase Karacostas Senior Reporter

Thousands of people lined the streets of downtown Austin on Saturday night to celebrate the LGBTQ community after Hurricane Harvey forced Austin Pride to reschedule its annual Pride Parade a month ago. For some, this year’s parade took on a new meaning following the defeat of Senate Bill 6, informally known as the “bathroom bill.” SB 6, also known as the Texas Privacy Act, was introduced during the 2017 legislative session. If passed, the bill would have required

Texans to use the bathroom corresponding to the sex listed on their birth certificates. Proponents of the bill hailed it as a protective measure to ensure the safety of women’s bathrooms. Those who stood against it, including Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, said it was unnecessary and would only damage the lives of transgender Texans. With the bill in the rearview mirror, attendees said this year’s parade in Austin stood as a reminder of the LGBTQ community’s growing strength against adversity. “Being here, surrounded by all

the rainbow, it makes me feel amazing,” said Auston Carlson, health and society freshman and first-time Pride attendee. “I know the bill wasn’t defeated for exactly the right reasons. I know there was economic backlash, and that was probably the majority of the reason why it got defeated, but the fact that it did get defeated was just amazing. It feels like a triumph for the LGBTQ community — specifically trans people.” CEOs of dozens of companies, including AT&T, Southwest Airlines and Texas Instruments, banded together to urge lawmakers to derail the bill or risk tarnishing the

state’s economy. In the waning days of the regular session, Straus refused to give the bill a committee hearing, effectively killing the bill. “This is the right thing to do in order to protect our economy from billions of dollars in losses and more importantly to protect the safety of some very vulnerable young Texans,” Straus said in a news conference three days before the legislative session ended. “There is no reason to make a tragic and a costly mistake.”

PRIDE page 2

Although the UT Police Department uses various initiatives to promote community outreach, one of the lesser-known options is the department’s Ride Along Program. The Ride Along program allows students to shadow a senior police officer as they go about their patrols. These ride alongs are available almost any time and are beneficial to the community for a number of reasons, said Cpl. Joseph Bishop, who has been on the force for three years. Bishop said Ride Along participants encounter many different kinds of scenarios depending on the time and call. “We wear a lot of different hats,” Bishop said. “On some calls we’re there for a criminal reason … a lot of us are trained as mental health officers. We do a lot of that … we’re kind of like a mix of counselor and police.” Ride Along participants may also be on foot at the discretion of the officer. Bishop said that walking around is one of the best ways to learn about problems within the community. “We (talk) a lot with the businesses,” Bishop said. “Sometimes the

RIDE ALONG page 2 UNIVERSITY

CAMPUS

Former UT president urges Third annual Public Art Dog students to go international Walk advocates adoption William Powers, former UT President and current law professor, encourages students to study a second language and study abroad during their time at UT.

By Grace Speas News Reporter

From the Bahrain Island to Kashmir, former University president William Powers, currently a UT law professor, has been all over the world. Despite his experiences abroad, Powers said his one regret looking back on his career is that he never fully absorbed a second language. He now urges students to study abroad and accomplish what he never could. “I think when students are in school, their schoolwork and making progress within the University is probably the most significant

courtesy of william powers

By Mason Carroll News Reporter

Volunteers and rescue dogs returned to campus on Sunday to walk and address an issue. The third-annual Public Art Dog Walk hosted by Landmarks, the organization handling UT’s public art collection, and Blue Dog Rescue, a nonprofit dog shelter, returned to the 40 Acres to see many of the University’s famous pieces of art and showcase the importance of adopting a rescue dog. “The best part is just the art, coming out in the community and

letting these dogs experience that group of people and dogs,” said Tina Meines, Blue Dog Rescue board member. Each year, Blue Dog Rescue brings some of their own dogs to the walk to let them socialize with people and other dogs. “Our goals are to find the best homes for each dog individually, and our main goal in the community is that people know about responsible dog ownership, spay, neuter and pet safety,” Meines said. “All of our dogs are microchipped and up to date on all their vaccinations — all medically cleared — so we have a

priority, but it’s not the only thing you do in college,” Powers said. Powers was a guest speaker at this year’s

University Lecture Series “Turning Points” three weeks ago. Powers spoke

NEWS

OPINION

LIFE&ARTS

SPORTS

Panel discusses failures of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. PAGE 2

Thoughts on changing majors and getting involved outside UT. PAGE 4

Local band Duncan Fellows got start in North Campus garage. PAGE 8

Unbeaten streak finally over for Texas soccer. PAGE 6

6348/UT Athletics; Process color

STUDY ABROAD page 2

pretty good idea about what kind of dog you would be adopting.” Landmarks’ education coordinator Catherine Zinser said the organization hopes to spread awareness for foster dogs and the art around campus, and has seen the event grow over the past three years. “We hope to have more foster dogs on the tour this time so they really are featured and put on a spotlight during the tour, and we really want to spread the word about the (art) collection really,” Zinser said. The dog walk drew

DOG WALK page 3


2

Monday, October 2, 2017M

PRIDE

continues from page 1 This issue of The Daily Texan is valued at $1.25

PERMANENT STAFF Editor-in-Chief Laura Hallas

Assoc. Photo Editor Gabriel Lopez

Assoc. Editors Cuillin Chastain-Howley, Caleb Wong, Jaree Campbell, Liza Anderson

Senior Photographer Carlos Garcia, Angel Ulloa, Brooke Crim, Katie Bauer, Gabriella Lanza

Senior Columnists Emily Vernon, Noah Horwitz, Michael Jensen, Josie MacLean, Sam Groves, Emma Berdanier, Ryan Young

Life&Arts Editor Morgan O’Hanlon

Forum Editors Vik Shirvaikar, Janhavi Nemawarkar Managing Editor Michelle Zhang Assoc. Managing Editor Matthew Adams, Natalia Ruiz News Editor Ellie Breed Assoc. News Editor Catherine Marfin, Kayla Meyertons News Desk Editors Paul Cobler, Hannah Daniel, Lisa Dreher, Lisa Nhan, Wesley Story Senior Reporters Chase Karacostas, London Gibson, Jenan Taha, Reagan Ritterbush, Ashley Liu, Maria Mendez Enterprise Reporters Forrest Milburn, Will Clark Copy Desk Chief Bella McWhorter Associate Copy Desk Chiefs Ryan Steppe, Taylor Presley, Morgan Kuehler, Kirsten Handler Design Editor Rena Li

Assoc. Life&Arts Editor Justin Jones, Daisy Wang Sr. Life&Arts Writers Stephen Acevedo, Chris Duncan, Acacia Coronado, Albert Zhao Sports Editor Michael Shapiro Assoc.Sports Editor Trenton Daeschner Senior Sports Reporters Alex Briseno, Drew King, Steve Helwick, Dalton Phillips Double Coverage Editor Vanessa Le Comics Editor Geovanni Casillas Assoc. Comics Editor Melanie Westfall, Victoria Smith Senior Comics Artists Channing Miller, Rachel Tyler, Alexis Acevedo, Amber Perry Social Media Editor Alexandria Dominguez

Senior Designer Mallika Gandhi, Mingyo Lee, Aaliyah Jenkins Video Editor Thomas Negrete Assoc. Video Editor Monica Silverio, Courtney Joyney Senior Videographer Faley Goyette, Petyon Young, Van Hershey, Taylor Herselman, Audrey Black Photo Editor Juan Figueroa

Sr. Social Media Editor Giselle Suazo, Carlos Garcia

Assoc. S&T Editor Freya Preimesberger, Sarah Bloodworth Senior S&T Reporters Areeba Khwaja, Aditya Singh Podcast Director Zeke Fritts Assoc. Podcast Director Sam Groves, Morgan Kuehler, JT Lindsey Digital Operations Director Anna Wang Editorial Adviser Peter Chen

ISSUE STAFF Columnists Noah Horwitz, Josie Maclean, Elzabeth Bratten

Sports Writers Alexander Thompson, Matthew Truty Justin Martinez

News Reporters Meara Isenberg, Mason Carroll, Allyson Waller, John Melendez, Brooke Sjoberg, Grace Speas

Comic Artists Danielle Henderson, Hyeyun Jeong, Andrew Choi, Annette Meyer

Designers Clio Harralson, Eva Frederick Photographers Anthony Mireles, Pedro Luna, Noel Mahouch

Featured photo

Assoc. Social Media Editor Forrest Milburn

Science&Tech Editor Julianne Hodges

Associate Design Editor Sunnie Lee

thedailytexan

Copy Editors Jason Lihuang, Madi Schimmel L&A Writers Chris Duncan, Sofia Mendiola

STUDY ABROAD

to students about meeting short-term goals while making big strides for the future, one of them being to learn a second language. “It’s not clear whether a certain course may or may not be outdated, but speaking another language is likely to be useful,” Power said. “That was my point.” Powers’ advice for students wanting to study abroad and still graduate on time is that it can be

RIDE ALONG

continues from page 1 (Austin Police Department) is backed up and we can show up a lot quicker. We show up, we try to solve the problem. Stopping and talking to people and having some community relations helps a lot.” Physics and astronomy senior Dray Luckadoo said the program could be a way to prevent tension between students and campus police. “It sounds like a PR thing,” Luckadoo said. “I

CONTACT US MAIN TELEPHONE (512) 471-4591

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Laura Hallas (512) 232-2212 editor@dailytexanonline.com

MANAGING EDITOR

Michelle Zhang (512) 232-2217 managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com

NEWS OFFICE

(512) 232-2207 news@dailytexanonline.com The Texan strives to present all information fairly, accurately and completely. If we have made an error, let us know about it. Call (512) 232-2217 or e-mail managingeditor@ dailytexanonline.com.

HI LO

HI 85º LO 74º

i think all these years of poor posture is finally getting to me

BUSINESS & ADVERTISING (512) 471-8590 advertise@texasstudentmedia.com Director Gerald Johnson Business/ Operations Manager Frank Serpas III Advertising Manager Emily Cohen Assistant Advertising Manager Colten Crist

Account Executives Tim Bauer, Brady Beal, Paulina Siller Product Manager Stephen Salisbury Senior Graphic Designer Amanda O’Brien Production Zac Crofford

THE DAILY TEXAN MAIL SUBSCRIPTION RATES $60.00

One Semester (Fall/Spring)

$120.00

Two Semesters (Fall & Spring)

$40.00

Summer Session

One Year (Fall, Spring and Summer) $150.00 To charge by VISA or MasterCard, call 471-5083. Send orders and address changes to Texas Student Media, P.O. Box D, Austin, TX 78713-8904.

By Meara Isenberg News Reporter

The word cyborg often brings to mind tech-enhanced half-humans, such as the Terminator or Robocop, but doesn’t usually elicit thoughts of a person with a kidney transplant, drug enhancement or even someone with a cell phone. However, this was how Borgfest executive director Richard MacKinnon described cyborgs during the First Annual Law and Technology Symposium in the UT School of Law courtroom Friday

Monday

Wednesday, 12 p.m.

Tuesday

Thursday, 12 p.m.

Thursday Friday Classified Word Ads

D

c

jarrid denman| daily texan file

UT Police Department’s Ride Along program allows students to shaddow a police officer during their patrols.

Friday, 12 p.m. Monday, 12 p.m. Tuesday, 12 p.m. 11 a.m. (Last Business Day Prior to Publication)

COPYRIGHT Copyright 2017 Texas Student Media. All articles, photographs and graphics, both in the print and online editions, are the property of Texas Student Media and may not be reproduced or republished in part or in whole without written permission.

The Daily Texan, a student newspaper at The University of Texas at Austin, is published by Texas Student Media, 2500 Whitis Ave., Austin, TX 78712. The Daily Texan is published daily, Monday through Friday, during the regular academic year and is published once weekly during the summer semester. The Daily Texan does not publish during academic breaks, most Federal Holidays and exam periods. News contributions will be accepted by telephone (471-4591), or at the editorial office (HSM 2.120). Entire contents copyright 2017 Texas Student Media.

morning. MacKinnon’s panel, “Cyborg Rights and Third-Party Doctrine,” set out to debate the future of human privacy with the overwhelming presence of technology and information sharing. MacKinnon said “cyborgs” can refer to anyone with body augmentation, performance enhancements or wearable technology. “A lot of people become cyborgs through medical problems, traffic accidents or war,” MacKinnon said. “They enter as patients and consumers and veterans.” MacKinnon was joined by

law professor Matt Tait and attorney Matt Powers, who debated the question of what happens when civil liberties do not extend to our possessions, such as cellphones. What most people do not realize, Tait said, is that information-sharing devices such as smartphones have become “an externalization of our consciousness.” “Most people have this existential dread when (their) battery gets to 3 percent,” Tait said. “The way that you interact with the world is significantly tied to your device. The way the law is structured is that you have a lot

of rights (but) your phone has no rights. What we have to be thinking is, ‘Where does the person end, and where does the device begin?’” Tait said the third-party doctrine of the Fourth Amendment stipulates that people cannot be guaranteed the privacy of information they give to third parties such as cell phone companies. “The amount of data that we are producing involuntarily,” Tait said. “The quantity of it is now so large that we are starting to see people with access to it able to make significant inferences about things in your life.”

MacKinnon said the phone companies that obtain your information “are now the custodian of your rights in a very significant way.” Law student Kathleen Barrett said she left the panel with concerns about her future technology use. “It’s really eye-opening when you look at how this is going to change how our legal system works, in terms of constitutional protections and invasion of privacy,” Barrett said. “If our legal system doesn’t change, it will probably lead to a point where our rights are in jeopardy.”

NATIONAL

Panel discusses Secretary Rex Tillerson’s position By Allyson Waller

ADVERTISING DEADLINES

Wednesday

“It helps enhance the community connection to the police,” Ephraim said. “They don’t always have to look like the big guy trying to keep the law, but they look like someone actually trying to relate to the kids.” Anyone interested in the program can set up an appointment with the UTPD office. Participants are required to sign a liability waiver and undergo a criminal background check prior to the ride, according to the UTPD policy manual.

experiences fit into her time at UT. “I plan to shadow the company for two or three days before I leave to become more familiar with their projects, and when I get back, I can start working for them,” Kessler said. Kessler’s eagerness to budget in a study abroad trip mirrors Powers’ advice. “I would worry about getting high-quality experiences more than worry about something that goes on a resume,” Powers said.

Law and Tech Symposium discusses third-party doctrine

TOMORROW Oct. 3

89º 75º

can see why they would perceive the inevitability of some sort of conflict between students and the police just because it’s sort of a nationwide thing going on.” The program is open to anyone but would be beneficial to anybody who wants to become a lawyer, future police officer or go into public administration, Bishop said. Kinesiology freshman Enebong Ephraim said the Ride Along program makes the department more transparent.

scholarships and preparing themselves for the climate of a non-English-speaking country. “When students go abroad, they truly are immersed in the language,” Singer said. “They leave the classroom and they’re still using the target language they are trying to study. That experience is invaluable.” Civil engineering junior Rachel Kessler initially passed on an internship for next semester to study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark, but made both

UNIVERSITY

AUSTIN WEATHER TODAY Oct. 2

done — if planned ahead. Powers said his main objective while president was to remove obstacles in advising and class availability to give students options during their college experience. “I think it just takes a little planning,” Powers said. “Do a little homework.” Senior academic adviser Sarah Singer said students can make studying abroad easier by checking whether they can obtain credit for courses abroad beforehand, researching

continues from page 1

anthony mireles| daily texan staff Longhorns went airborne this past weekend at Helotes’ 2nd Annual BalloonaPalooza festival.

The bill, and other versions of it, died during the regular session in the spring. The summer’s special session attempted to revive the bathroom bill, but Straus’ opposition continued, and the bill was doomed. Mary Blanchard, design freshman and Pride attendee, said she was mortified as she watched the bill go through the legislature last year. It was unbearable to listen to her transgender friends’ fears of the bill, Blanchard said. “It was really scary. I have a lot of trans friends, and I didn’t want anyone to get hurt or feel like they didn’t belong when they’ve come so far,” Blanchard said. “It was really disheartening because they had fought so much, and they were finally so proud of who they are. It wasn’t right to make them feel closeted again, being forced back.” With the bill defeated, Blanchard said this year’s Pride Parade meant more to her. Blanchard said even as new obstacles cropped up, Pride stood as a reminder that no hardship could truly stop the community from fighting for their rights. “We’re even stronger than we were before, so (there’s) definitely a lot to look forward to,” Blanchard said. “We definitely are kind of like a phoenix from the ashes. There’s no bringing us down.”

News Reporter

Greg Engle, a former U.S. Department of State official, said four things in Rex Tillerson’s orbit are affecting the UT alumnus’ tenure as Secretary of State: President Trump, U.S. foreign affairs, the department itself and the press. “The impression becomes that (Tillerson is) ineffective,” said Engle, lecturer at the LBJ School of Public Affairs. “That’s what the contacts that I have in the state department suggest. Morale in the state department, as I understand, is very low right now.” Politico reported that about 23 percent of Americans approved of President Trump’s appointment of Tillerson. Tillerson is reaching his nine-month mark as

secretary, and The Washington Post has described him as “outside the inner circle” of the White House. Prior to and following the UN General Assembly last month, speculation grew around UN Ambassador Nikki Haley potentially replacing Tillerson as Secretary of State because of her connection with President Trump, according to The Washington Post. “That’s all speculation at this point,” government lecturer Michael Mosser said with regard to Haley as a replacement for Tillerson. “But I will put it this way, she is certainly not hurting her chances.” President Trump’s outlook on foreign policy has had a deep effect on Tillerson’s performance as Secretary and the choices he has made, Engle said.

“(President Trump’s) cabinet, including Secretary Tillerson, they find themselves in the position of having to respond to the president’s unorthodox public diplomacy,” said Paul Miller, associate director of the Clements Center for History, Strategy & Statecraft. Tillerson has traveled to 20 countries so far, according to the Department of State’s website. However, Tillerson has yet to establish strong foreign ties like previous heads of state, Engle said. In August, The Chicago Tribune reported the Department of State will eliminate 36 of its 66 special envoys. The Trump administration proposed a 32 percent cut to the department’s budget, a misstep according to Engle and Miller. “I agree that the state

emmanuel briseno| daily texan file

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is aproaching his ninemonth mark in his tenure.

department needs reform and overhaul. But the way to do that isn’t to cut its budget by a third,” Miller said. Mosser said Tillerson is attempting to put the interests of the United States first and the interests of the department second. “Maybe there’s some

goodness in bringing a private sector mentality of efficiency and thrift to the state bureaucracies of D.C.” Miller said. “Who’s going to disagree with that? On the other hand, maybe some of the traditions of the state department exist for a reason.”


3

Monday, October 2, 2017

NATIONAL

Health care workers doubt abilities in disasters By Brooke Sjoberg News Reporter

Health care workers are reluctant to come to work during a disaster because they doubt their effectiveness in recovery and response efforts, said Johns Hopkins University professor Daniel J. Barnett in a lecture on Friday. UT’s Center for Health Communication hosted a lecture in response to recent natural disasters around North America. , Michael Mackert, CHC director and associate professor of advertising, said Barnett’s talk became more relevant and pressing in the context of what is going on with hurricane relief. “When we chose to invite Dan, we did not expect it to be as timely as it is,” Mackert said. Barnett’s research shows health care workers, such as nurses, EMS and FEMA workers, are less likely to come to work if they perceive that a disaster poses a greater risk to them than any benefit resulting from their involvement, an idea Barnett referred to as response efficacy. “Long story short, my willingness to come work at a weather disaster may not be equivalent to my own willingness to come to work at a radiological disaster, or a ‘dirty bomb’ disaster,” Barnett said. “Our working hypothesis was that the leading reason someone would be unwilling to come to work would be concerns about acquiring (an) illness and transmitting it to one’s

DOG WALK

continues from page 1 people from all over the community and even UT alumni, such as Celeste Villarreal who brought her four rescue dogs. “This is the first time I’ve been on this walk, and I’m really looking forward to it because campus has changed a lot in 30 years, and this artwork wasn’t here when I went to school

e r y

h e

n o m . t d e

illustration by geovanni casillas | daily texan staff family ... to our surprise (that wasn’t) the most important. The most important, actually, was response efficacy.” Budget cuts to government programs also play into the issue of responders’ perceived efficacy, as adaptive trainings

here,” Villarreal said. Zinser said one of the challenges of the tour is having to stay outside, but that they make it a fun and enjoyable experience. “We’ll just do a loop around campus and by turtle pond and up and down the mall just to make it a fun, casual walk,” Zinser said. “Everyone’s just always in a good mood on this tour.”

5845/The Castilian/ American Ca; Process color

and staff are cut, Barnett said. “The governmental public health infrastructure is generally underfunded, and there are multiple interlocking agencies, requiring public health agencies to do more with less,” Barnett said. Biomedical engineering fresh-

man Justine Le, a medical assistant with the Seton children’s clinic, said she recently experienced doubts of her own effectiveness while at work during Hurricane Harvey. “Obviously, through Hurricane Harvey, we had Both Floki and his owner, Nedda Hall, not pictured, spent a sunny Sunday morning touring some monuments around the UT campus.

anthony mireles daily texan staff

patients that had to be transferred over to our hospital facility,” Le said. “I felt like I couldn’t help as much because my position wasn’t at the hospital, it was just the clinic, so there wasn’t much opportunity for me to help.”

RECYCLE

your copy of


4

LAURA HALLAS EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

@TexasOpinion

Monday, October 2, 2017

COLUMN

Willet nomination may resurrect an ugly past By Noah Horwitz Senior Columnist

On Thursday, Don Willett, an associate justice on the Texas Supreme Court, was nominated by the president to serve on the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, the federal appellate court that represents Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Like all federal judgeships, the term of office is for life. Willett is something of a celebrity among certain circles on Twitter, being a prolific tweeter of dad jokes, pithy comments and other assorted minutia, and has been afforded platitudes such as “Tweeter Laureate.” Willett’s online persona, as well as his bona fides as a conservative jurist, have earned Willett a cult-like following on the right. When news of Willett’s nomination broke, I saw virtually all of the conservatives I know — those

on the middle and those on the farright, those on the Trump Train and those who revile the man — laud the decision’s brilliance. Too few people understand the reactionary doctrines for which Willett stands, and why, if such doctrines are implemented nationwide, we could all be in for trouble. In 1905, the Supreme Court decided Lochner v. New York, which involved the Court striking down regulations on working hours. The subsequent 30 years were known as the “Lochner Era,” a dark period of jurisprudence wherein economic regulations — including the minimum wage and the prohibition of child labor — were deemed unconstitutional on the basis of economic liberty. It took the Great Depression and President Franklin Roosevelt’s threat to pack the Supreme Court for this shameful chapter to end. Even conservative firebrands such as Robert Bork rightly repudiated this

COLUMN

era, calling it an “abomination.” Willett begs to disagree. In the 2015 case Patel v. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation, Willett joined with a majority of his fellow justices on the Texas Supreme Court in striking down an overly onerous requirement of training for eyebrows threaders. But Willett went on to rehabilitate Lochner, declaring that economic liberty was a valid path to striking down laws. “What you don’t know with Willett is whether a decision like Patel is kind of the camel’s nose under the tent,” law professor Sanford V. Levinson told the Texas Observer earlier this year. “Is he going to keep going on and on with this opinion and become far more interventionist?” The grand irony, of course, is that conservative legal thought has ostensibly prided itself on restraint, while denigrating the so-called “judicial activism” of the left. Chief Justice John Roberts and the late Antonin Scalia

surely preached this view, even if their own jurisprudence didn’t exactly match up with it. I do not mean to impugn Willett personally. He seems like an affable family man, and those who have worked with him speak highly. But there is simply no getting around the Lochner era’s deleterious effect upon this country. A return to the Lochner era, which Willett’s jurisprudence suggests he is open to, would be nothing short of a travesty. It was an era in which child labor was needlessly extended and the people’s will was stymied by — to borrow a phrase from the right — unelected, activist judges. I don’t want to go back. I suspect few others do either, which is why all the veneration of Willett for his kind persona, while ignoring his unkind jurisprudence, is all the more saddening. Horwitz is a second-year law student from Houston.

COLUMN

Students’ involvement Uncertainty is a natural part should extend beyond UT of the college experience By Elizabeth Braaten Columnist

illustration by andrew choi | daily texan staff

By Josie Maclean Senior Columnist

Last summer, I studied climate change and human dynamics in Botswana. While the majority of what I did there is relevant to my resume, some of what I learned I’m unlikely to use again. Feel free to hit me up if you ever need to know about elephant tracking. Despite the sheer randomness of some of the information I picked up in the scrubby Kalahari, my study abroad experiences are still on my mind back on campus. Now I know a different world that coexists with the one I’m in every day. But you don’t necessarily have to go continent skipping to understand life’s d u a l i t y. Back in Austin, the volunteering I do in local elementary schools is the way I maintain my understanding of life beyond my bubble. Whether the second world you find is in another country or 10 minutes down the road, if you don’t get involved in programs and organizations that reach outside of UT, you’ll never understand anything beyond your small existence. “Students who are at UT don’t get as full an experience with organizations that are just within the school.” Cristina Gonzalez, education coordinator for the nonprofit Austin Tan Cerca de la Frontera, ACTF, told me. “As soon as I graduated, I got a job here two months later, and now we hold workshops and panels at UT, and we try to find a lot of crossover opportunities with student orgs.” ATCF specializes in leading delegations down to the Texas-Mexico border in order to increase awareness and ad-

vocate for workers in the factories, or maquiladoras. “A lot of people from Austin don’t know the reality of what it’s like to live that way.” Gonzalez said. Getting involved doesn’t have to mean fighting the system. Students such as Jonathan Markel, who is majoring in aerospace engineering and currently in Washington, D.C., learn how to work in the industry by interning and taking classes through the Archer Fellowship Program. “As far as the experience as a whole, working nine to five is much more of a skill than people anticipate it to be.” Markel said. He added that learning the ins and outs of a new office culture is an underappreciated skill. Similarly, mentoring in the East Austin community has helped me build my ability to become comfortable in someone else’s cultural space, a skill that is invaluable to any job. More imp o r t a n t l y, I’ve been a friend to a young girl who needs one, and in doing so, both she and I have become better people. UT classes outline the world, but getting involved outside the university gives you the experience to fill in the details. If you can find the patterns that hold across interactions in different places, you can become more effective at advocating for your own pursuits or passions. “It’s been interesting to see how the issues I see on the border play into the Black Lives Matter movement and getting rid of DACA,” Gonzalez said. “I know now it’s the grassroots organizing and listening to those who live the experiences that is going to change the world.” MacLean is an advertising and geography junior from Austin.

My study abroad experiences are still on my mind back on campus. Now I know a different world that coexists with the one I’m in every day.”

LEGALESE | Opinions expressed in The Daily Texan are those of the editor, the Editorial Board or the writer of the article. They are not necessarily those of the UT administration, the Board of Regents or the Texas Student Media Board of Operating Trustees.

You’re standing in line at Starbucks, walking to class with your headphones in and a smile on your face, or on 6th with your friends, when suddenly, that painfully uncomfortable, stomach-lurching feeling of uncertainty hits. You try to suppress those negative thoughts, but soon you’re attacking yourself with questions that you have no real answers to. What am I really doing in college? Is what I’m majoring in actually how I want to spend the rest of my life? And, if it’s not, where do I go from here? As college students, it seems as if everywhere we turn, we are bombarded with the famous saying that these “are the best four years of our lives.” These words can seem cruel, as we constantly try to decide how to spend our Friday nights, let alone the next fifty years of our lives. What we all share, however, is a point in time where each of us feel completely lost and unsure of where to go. During these times of hopelessness, it’s helpful to remember that uncertainty in life is not only normal, but can be soothed by the excellent resources offered through the University. The decision to change majors is often anxiety-inducing for many students, whether for fear of disappointing their parents or the belief that they’re too far along in their chosen path, even if they feel it’s not a good fit for them. Although this decision can trigger feelings of loneliness and isolation from peers that seem to have it all figured out, studies show that switching majors is not at all uncommon and actually produces positive results. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, about 80 percent of students change their major at least once during their college career, while on average, students switch majors an estimated three times before graduation. Furthermore, a study done by the Education Advisory Board found that college students who finalize their major later in college were about 4 percent more likely to graduate than students who did not.

These statistics demonstrate that changing majors while in school is not only normal, but can also have a positive impact on your success. “Ultimately, I think my decision to switch was smart. I don’t regret it at all, and as a peer academic advisor on campus, I use my own fears and experiences to help freshmen who are also in that situation,” junior Faith Simon said, referring to her decision to transfer from neuroscience to biology. While feelings of disillusionment

illustration by priyanka kar | daily texan staff

and uncertainty are inevitable in college, it helps to remember three things: you are not the first person that has ever questioned themselves, you are ultimately in control of how you spend your days and your time here is meant to be spent discovering your passion just as much as your career. If you’re feeling like you’re stuck in limbo, unsure if your chosen major is really for you, the Vick Center for Strategic Advising & Career Counseling offers free, confidential major and career advising to all students Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in Jester A115. Braaten is an international relations and global studies junior from Conroe.

GALLERY

SUBMIT A FIRING LINE | E-mail your Firing Lines to editor@dailytexanonline.com. Letters must be more than 100 and fewer than 300 words. The Texan reserves the right to edit all submissions for brevity, clarity and liability.

illustration by yulissa chavez | daily texan staff

RECYCLE | Please recycle this copy of The Daily Texan. Place the paper in one of the recycling bins on campus or back in the burnt-orange newsstand where you found it. EDITORIAL TWITTER | Follow The Daily Texan Editorial Board on Twitter (@TexanOpinion) and receive updates on our latest editorials and columns.


5

Monday, October 2, 2017

FOOD

Far East Fest features flavor-filled food, fun By Steven Acevedo

simmered in kreung, which is a combination of herbs, and prahok, which is a Cambodian fish paste, and served with some fresh cucumber and rice. Despite looking a bit off-putting at first glance, this dish proved to be a wonderful aggregation of contrasting flavors. It also proved to be genuinely spicy, so the rice and fresh cucumber were extremely appreciated.

Senior Life&Arts Reporter

Sunday marked the inaugural installment of Austin’s Far East Fest, which brought together some of the city’s best Asian cuisine to give hungry attendees all-you-can-eat samples. Despite it being Far East Fest’s first crack at the Austin festival scene, the festival succeeded in proving that it can go on to become one of the city’s more popular events in the years to come. In addition to the delicious food samples, great activities kept patrons entertained as they took the occasional break from inhaling tasty treats. Some of the entertainment included a live art demonstration by Sapporo Beer, a basketball tent with the Austin Spurs and a noodle-eating contest judged by Texas Secretary of State Rolando B. Pablos. Naturally, there were a few convenience hiccups, specifically the long line for the drink ticket station, but these were issues that an expanded staff could easily remedy in the future. The lack of shade in the Austin American-Statesman’s parking lot also made the Texas heat a bit troublesome, but everyone seemed too ecstatic about all the food to care that much. Overall, the Far East

BAND

continues from page 8 the crowd jamming to their music. “We never had that discussion of whether or not we wanted to stop, we kind of just kept on pushing forward,” Hagen said. Although it took some time, things started falling

Mama Kong Cambodian Soul Food — Prahok Ktiss This was a pleasantly interesting dish consisting of spicy minced pork

Cho Sushi Fusion — A variation of sushi and nigiri Stopping by the Cho tent and watching the chefs work was a treat in and of itself. And then there was the food, which made the longer line completely worth the wait. As opposed to most other participating restaurants who served only one dish, the folks at Cho were cranking out a rotating variety of unique creations from behind their sushi bar. Some of the more notable ones were the cajun escolar with a phenomenal spicy sauce brushed over it, the shrimp nigiri with cocktail aioli and the spicy Texas roll topped with a chunk of raw tuna and mango salsa. They were also serving a great spicy tuna poke salad that was nice and refreshing in the midday heat. It was a cool move on Cho’s part to put all that effort into offering attendees so many samples.

to release. “We wanted to make an album that meant a lot to us artistically, from a lyrical standpoint,” Trevino said. “But we also wanted to make something that, if we played it live, was going to be a great time.” The band said they intended for Both Sides of

the Ceilings to reflect the Taoist concepts of yin and yang. Although Jack said they continue to face battles within their own lives, including balancing their jobs with the band and their own relationships, they continue to work toward gradually surpassing these imbalances.

carlos garcia| daily texan staff

Far East Festival hosts a noodle-eating competition in which 10 volunteers have to eat noodles without any hands. The festival took place outside the Statesman’s parking lot on Sunday afternoon and sought to promote Asian diversity within the Austin community.

Wu Chow — Honey Pecan Prawns Fried to perfection with a wonderfully crispy

breading and a delicious honey glaze, these massive prawns were easily one of the major highlights of the day. The chunks of pecan made them a little more specific to Texas, and a whole lot more tasty. At a festival that consisted of a whole lot of raw seafood, some outstanding fried prawn was a great change of pace in between sushi samples.

Rosarito — Ahi Tuna Tostada There was a whole lot of fusion going on at Far East Fest, but this example definitely managed to stand out from the crowd. The sample featured chile toreado dressing, serrano-soy marinade, yellowfin tuna, avocado and fried red onion all atop a crispy corn chip. It was a great blend of

in place for the band after the Fellows successfully sold out the release show for their second EP, Marrow, in 2015. “I remember after that show was the first time we felt we had gelled the set on stage as a full band,” Harman said. Moments like this

showed the band members they could become a visible band within the local community. “As Duncan Fellows, we all cared about it immensely, and when we saw other people vibing to our music, it just became a lot easier for us to make it a main thing,” Trevino said.

In August last year, the band headed to Redwood Studios in Denton, Texas, to work with Brack Cantrell, a musician who helped them develop and record songs. The fellows gained more studio time than they had ever had before, and kept redoing recordings to shape the album they all wanted

Fest was a huge hit and went above and beyond in delivering on its promise of not letting any attendees leave with an empty stomach. That said, here are The Daily Texan’s picks for the best dishes sampled today.

Asian and Latin flavors and a creative way to serve raw tuna. The decision to serve this sample was a great one that surely encouraged attendees to go back and see what else Rosarito has to offer in the future.

CLASSIFIEDS; Black

The Capital of Texas Postcard Club Presents

Antique Postcard, Photo & Vintage Paper Show

October 6 & 7, 2017

Frank Fickett Scout Center 12500 N. IH-35 at Parmer Lane • Austin 78753

Fri: NOON – 7:00 PM Austin PostcrarSdhow Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM & Pape Admission $3.00 (under 12: Free) Buy – Sell – Appraisals www.ctxpc.org • www.facebook.com/ctxpc

CACTUSYEARBOOK.COM

MEDICAL

Donate Sperm, Get Paid! Healthy men, age 18-39 apply at

TTTTTTTTTETTTTTTTETTT

GET SOCIAL WITH TSM

Texas Student Media will keep you connected with daily links to the news, sports and culture stories shaping the UT community.

Kick for a Cure: Wear pink to support breast cancer awareness!

SATURDAY, OCT. 7 | 6 P.M.

FOOTBALL VS. K-STATE ETTTTEETTTTTETEETTETTTTTTTTTTETTTTETTT

Students with tickets in sections 26, 27 and 28 must claim a wristband for entry at Myers Stadium Gate 4 starting at noon on gameday!

UT STUDENTS!

THE BIG TICKET TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

{

TO PURCHASE AND SHOW YOUR SUPPORT VISIT WWW.SINCE1791.US

FRIDAY, OCT. 6 | 7 P.M.

SOCCER VS. TCU

YOUR PURCHASE SUPPORTS STUDENT JOURNALISM THE DAILY TEXAN LONGHORN LIFE TEXAS TRAVESTY CACTUS YEARBOOK BURNT X KVRX RADIO TSTV

THIS WEEK IN TEXAS ATHLETICS

Just $175 gets you access to all regular season Texas Athletics home events. That's over 120 games, matches, and meets on the Forty Acres!

TexasSports.com/BigTicket TexasSports.com/FacStaffTix TexasSports.com/Tickets 512-471-3333 digest.texasstudentmedia.com ADVERTISING TERMS There are no refunds or credits. In the event of errors made in advertisement, notice must be given by 10 am the fi rst day of publication, as the publishers are responsible for only ONE incorrect insertion. In consideration of The Daily Texan’s acceptance of advertising copy for publication, the agency and the advertiser will indemnify and save harmless, Texas Student Media and its offi cers, employees and agents against all loss, liability, damage and expense of whatsoever nature arising out of the copying, print-ing or publishing of its advertisement including without limitation reasonable attorney’s fees resulting from claims of suits for libel, violation of right of privacy, plagiarism and copyright and trademark infringement. All ad copy must be approved by the newspaper which reserves the right to request changes, reject or properly classify an ad. The advertiser, and not the newspaper, is responsible for the truthful content of the ad. Advertising is also subject to credit approval.

Reduce • Reuse • Recycle


6

MICHAEL SHAPIRO SPORTS EDITOR

@texansports

Monday, October 2, 2017

SOCCER

Texas wins thriller, then snaps win streak By Matthew Truty Sports Reporter

A season-high crowd of more than 1,600 stood elated Friday night, as sophomore striker Cyera Hintzen sealed yet another Longhorn victory with a goal outside the 18-yard box. Texas emerged victorious from the high-scoring competitive bout against Texas Tech to open up Big 12 competition. At the final buzzer, the burnt orange squad sealed a 3-2 victory over the Red Raiders in a game that mirrored the Longhorns’ victory over Northeastern earlier in the year. “I barely even remember the play,” Hintzen said. “I just knew that we wanted to put the game away, and that we wanted to end it. We only needed a few seconds.” Texas came away with a win on Friday, but the Red Raiders’ physicality gave the Longhorns one of their toughest battles of the season. No Longhorn ran free throughout the field — the players often faced a slew of Texas Tech defenders. “Coach (Angela Kelly) addressed that in the meeting (at halftime), and

carlos garcia| daily texan staff

Sophomore striker Cyera Hintzen defends Texas Tech’s Cassie Boren. Hintzen scored the game-winning goal over the Red Raiders on Friday night at Mike A. Myers Stadium in a 3-2 finish.

I think we adjusted to it well,” Hintzen said. “It got tough, but we fought back. I think that it was good for us. It woke us up a little bit, and we knew that we needed to go.”

Texas’ defense had been stout entering the contest with Texas Tech, allowing just four goals in its previous 10 games. But after allowing two goals against the Red Raiders, the Longhorns needed to

reclaim their defensive prowess against Oklahoma on Sunday afternoon. And reclaim it, they did. In 90 minutes against the Sooners, Texas allowed zero shots on goal,

dominating on defense throughout. Texas controlled possession through the majority of both halves, but couldn’t find any offensive success against the Sooners. The two teams entered

overtime tied at 0-0. Texas appeared to have the edge, entering Sunday’s overtime 3–0 in such contests this season. Oklahoma had played in three overtimes this year before Sunday, ending two matches in a tie and leaving with a win only once. Sunday’s matchup would mark the Sooners’ third tie of the season. Much to the dismay of Kelly’s “1-0” mentality, the Longhorns would settle for a 0-0 draw, its first of the season. With the tie, the Longhorns remain unbeaten at 11–0–1. They’ll leave Oklahoma and head back to Austin in anticipation of a battle with TCU on Oct. 6. The Longhorns’ win streak has now come to an end after 12 games. And Kelly’s program is now looking past the regular season and toward something greater — a shot at the national championship. “I won four national championships in college and learned a few things in coaching along the way, thinking that way,” Kelly said, “Here, at the University of Texas, that’s the only thing we think about.”

CROSS COUNTRY

VOLLEYBALL

Texas takes sixth at South Bend

Johnson leads Longhorns to sweep over Kansas State

By Alexander Thompson Sports Reporter

Texas ran this week at the Joe Piane Invitational hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana, in one of the most competitive meets of the season. In the 5-mile Blue division, the men’s team finished with an impressive No. 6 place overall, while the women’s team finished No. 12. “The men performed just outside of where we wanted to as a team,” head coach Brad Herbster said. “We have high goals for the season, and after today, I feel we sure have the squad to achieve those goals.” Freshman Connor O’Neill led the Longhorns, ending his day at No. 13 overall with a time of 24:03.9. Separated by a trio of runners, junior Alex Rogers was just behind O’Neill at No. 16, finishing in 24:05.5. Freshman Sam Worley finished No. 33 for the Longhorns at 24:25.8. The Longhorns made a statement in their first meet of the season, beating three ranked teams. Texas outlasted No. 11 Washington State, No. 29 Eastern Michigan and No. 30 North Carolina State. Herbster said the weekend’s meet proved his

emmanuel briseno| daily texan file

Several members of the women’s cross country team participate at the Texas Relays on March 30, 2016.

team can be competitors in meets, even against some of the best programs in the country. “We were able to beat No. 11 Washington State and ranked NC State,” Herbster said. “We have some areas we need to tighten up, but for the first big meet of the year it was a solid start.” While the men faced stiff competition in South Bend, the women squared off against an even tougher slate. The Longhorns battled seven ranked teams at Notre Dame, including four squads ranked in the nation’s top 10. The women’s team finished No. 12 overall, with sophomore Destiny Collins leading Texas over No. 12 Notre Dame with a time of 17:04.2,

6340/Capital Metro; Process color

good for No. 33 overall. Fellow sophomore Abby Guidry was next for Texas, finishing at No. 45 at 17:13.7. “Destiny took about 35 seconds off her time from this meet last year, but she has a lot more in her,” Herbster said. “Abby Guidry stepped up. We were off our goal as a team, but if someone is not feeling well that day, we have people that can step up, and today that was Jordan Welborn moving up to be our No. 5 spot.” Texas will head home for the next two weeks before the Pre-National Invitational in Louisville, Kentucky. There, competition will begin on Oct. 14. Two weeks later, the Longhorns will host the Big 12 Championship in Round Rock.

katie bauer| daily texan staff

Junior middle blocker Morgan Johnson sets up freshman outside hitter Lexi Sun for a spike during a match at Gregory Gym. Johnson has posted 58 kills this season.

By Justin Martinez Sports Reporter

Junior middle blocker Morgan Johnson elevated above the net, drilling the ball down the heart of the Kansas State defense with a thud that echoed through the stands at Gregory Gymnasium. The ball made a beeline for the hardwood, landing just past the outstretched hands of the diving Wildcats and igniting a roar of applause from the crowd. Johnson pumped her fist, feeding off the electric atmosphere. Moments like that seemed to replay on a loop on Saturday afternoon as No. 5 Texas swept Kansas State 3-0. The Longhorns were aggressive from the start, recording 17 kills at .531 percent in the first set. Sophomore outside hitter Micaya White led the charge with four kills in the 25-17 victory. Defense was the house special in the second set, as Texas gave the Wildcat attack fits with five blocks in the 25-12 victory. Senior middle blocker Chiaka Ogbogu got in on the action, tallying 1.5 blocks. In the third set, Texas combined its stingy defense with offensive firepower, cruising to a 25-16 victory. The Longhorns didn’t have to sweat much in dispatching the Wildcats,

advancing to 11–2 (3–0 Big 12) on the season. “There’s no complaints from any facet of the game,” head coach Jerritt Elliott said. “I thought we were good in every aspect. As a result, it was a very good performance and a good 3-0 win.”

It’s just a matter of buying into the system. Our hard work is paying off, and we’re starting to hit our stride.” —Morgan Johnson, Junior middle blocker

White finished with a team-best 14 kills and 10 digs, marking her third double-double in the past five matches. But it was Johnson who most efficiently exploited the holes in the Kansas State defense, tallying eight kills at a season-high attack percentage of .889. “Morgan is the player that (opponents) ignore a bit more,” Elliott said. “But what they don’t know is how much punishment she can do. You better respect her, or she’ll put up numbers.” The Longhorns never

trailed against the Wildcats — an impressive showing that they hope to display more and more as they reach the halfway point of the season. “After going five (sets) at West Virginia, we kind of met with ourselves and decided that when we’re up we’re going to stay up,” senior outside hitter Ebony Nwanebu said. “We’ve applied that in the last two games since then.” After a short two-game homestand, the Longhorns now prepare to hit the road and begin a challenging stretch of three matches in six days. That test begins with a match at TCU on Oct. 8, followed by a top-15 showdown at No. 11 Kansas on Oct. 11. Texas will then finish out the week with a home match against No. 18 Iowa State on Oct. 14. “It’s a brutal week,” Elliot said. “There’s a lot to be said in that one week of play, so we’ll have to do a good job as a staff to make sure everyone is rested and feeling good.” But Texas enters this daunting week on a fivegame win streak, and the Longhorns look as ready as ever to take on the challenge. “It’s just a matter of buying into the system,” Johnson said. “Our hard work is paying off, and we’re starting to hit our stride.”


7

Monday, October 2, 2017

CROSSWORD; Black

Today’s solution will appear here next issue

5

8 8 3 7 2 1 4 3 9 2 3 1 6 4 6 3 2 5 8 3 1 7 2 6 2 8 3 9 6 4 7 3

SUDOKUFORYOU 6 2 8 5 3 4 9 1 7

5 4 1 8 9 7 2 6 3

9 7 3 2 6 1 4 5 8

2 1 5 7 8 6 3 9 4

4 8 9 1 2 3 5 7 6

7 3 6 4 5 9 8 2 1

3 9 4 6 1 2 7 8 5

1 5 7 9 4 8 6 3 2

8 6 2 3 7 5 1 4 9


8

MORGAN O’HANLON LIFE&ARTS EDITOR

@thedailytexan

Monday, October 2, 2017

MUSIC

UT alumni Duncan Fellows release debut album By Sophia Mendiola Life&Arts Reporter

In their hot and stinky garage, Colin Harman and Cullen Trevino stayed up late during their college days writing songs that would someday be come the hits played by their band, Duncan Fellows. Formed when Harman and Trevino were sophomores still playing out of Trevino’s house on Duncan Lane north of campus, Duncan Fellows now has five members and recently released their first full-length album, Both Sides of the Ceiling. “(The album) was all this act of our lives being so much more complex as we got older,” said Jack Malonis, Duncan Fellows keyboard player and vocalist. Trevino said Duncan Fellows has come a long way from the two EP’s they released prior to

graduating in 2015. Alhough Duncan Fellows started off as a fun escape from the pressures of class, the band soon realized they wanted to play their songs in front of a live audience. “It’s such a slow thing, from sending tons of emails, playing some shows, getting a chance with a couple of people and having to prove yourself, in taking that next step,” Duncan Fellows drummer Tim Hagen said. During their first college gig as Duncan Fellows at local nightclub Red Eyed Fly, the band faced their first hurdles, from dealing with playing the mandolin for the first time to restarting songs because of sound malfunctions. Despite these obstacles, the band continued to push through as they witnessed

JUMP page 5

gabby lanza| daily texan staff

Alternative band Duncan Fellows practice and record at Sonance Rehearsal Studios. Colin Harman and Cullen Trevino formed the band when they were sophomores living in North Campus.

ALBUM REVIEW | ‘YOUNGER NOW’

Miley Cyrus debuts cliched cookie-cutter album ‘Younger Now’ By Chris Duncan Life&Arts Reporter

Although many pop artists change their image from project to project, few make as massive leaps and bounds as Miley Cyrus, and on her newest album, Cyrus has tried and failed once again. Whether it’s the teen idol of her early years, the provocative pop star from the Bangerz era or the downright insane psychedelic personality from her collaboration with the Flaming Lips, every year brings a different, distinct iteration of the Cyrus brand. Now, with Younger Now, the 24-year-old opts for a softer pop sound, bringing in country influences in a failed attempt to pander to

her original fans and establish a more mature image. Of all of Cyrus’ miraculous transitions devised by label professionals, this one makes the least sense. Just a little over a year ago, Cyrus performed dressed in a diaper while sucking on a pacifier and riding a massive inflatable hot dog, singing about what can only be explained as a strange acid trip. But now, listeners are expected to believe she’s magically transformed into the most mature 24-year-old of all time, longing for her youth and a simple life. Surprisingly, Cyrus and her team put forth a strong effort to convince listeners of this transformation — it’s pretty easy to be tricked into thinking this album

6265/Trojan Condoms c/o Flytede; Process color

is good. After one spin of this record, it sounds like it could be Miley Cyrus’ debut as a serious pop artist. With more due diligence, however, it becomes apparent that Younger Now is nothing of the sort. Employing simple tricks, such as a feature from Dolly Parton on “Rainbowland” or often-pandering lyrics on tracks such as “Miss You So Much” and “She’s Not Him,” Cyrus’ main goal with this album is to prove maturity through an outward facing, down-to-earth personality while focusing on renewal and simpler times. On almost every one of the 11 songs on Younger Now, Cyrus resorts to cliche lines, canned phrasing and basic pop song structure to

accomplish this goal, crafting a run-of-the-mill pop experience marketed toward as large of an audience as possible. Songs such as “Malibu,” the lead single of Younger Now, use imagery in an attempt to weave a tale of renewed love, resorting to simple stories of long walks on the beach and watching the sunset. The worst line of the song comes before the second chorus when Cyrus commits an unforgivable sin of the music world, referencing the lyrics she’s writing when she sings, “I would’ve never believed you if three years ago you told me I’d be here writing this song.” In an attempt to mix things up, Cyrus writes most of her own lyrics in the country spirit, but that element falls

flat on its face as well. Country relies on its storytelling — some of the best artists in the genre thrive in bringing the listener into their world and laying out exciting and engaging tales of joy and heartbreak. Cyrus manages to bring none of this onto Younger Now, making the listener question Cyrus’ roots in country music beyond the obvious link with her father Billy Ray Cyrus. Song after song, Younger Now puts forth failed efforts, one after another. It’s never been a particularly difficult or joyless task to listen to one of Cyrus’ country pop albums, but this project’s novelty wears out as quickly as the taste of Bazooka bubble gum. It’s painfully boring to have to listen to all

YOUNGER NOW ALBUM: Younger Now ARTIST: Miley Cyrus SCORE:

Courtesy of RCA Records

41 minutes of its runtime, as boring as chewing rubber. Not a single song is worth listening to more than twice. Anyone who is lazy enough to submit and believe the shtick Cyrus and her team devised will enjoy the pop tunes of Younger Now. Everyone else is going to roll their eyes and move on with life.


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.