VOL. CLXXVI NO. 27
RAINY HIGH 48 LOW 32
OPINION
ROCCHI: THE VALUE OF SYMBOLIC ACTION PAGE 4
DAVIDSON: IN DEFENSE OF DARTMOUTH ATHLETES PAGE 4
ARTS
REVIEW: ‘MINIMALISM’ CONVINCES AUDIENCES TO FOCUS ON HAPPINESS PAGE 7
REVIEW: ‘AVENGERS: ENDGAME’ DELIVERS A SATISFYING CONCLUSION PAGE 8
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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
HANOVER, NEW HAMPSHIRE
2020 Democratic Alumni donations to fund new presidential candidate NAS professorship, arts programs Castro visits campus B y LUCY TURNIPSEED The Dartmouth Staff
Former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development and Democratic presidential candidate Julian Castro visited campus Sunday afternoon to have lunch with about 30 students in the Faculty Lounge of the Hopkins Center for the Arts and kick off the New Hampshire College Democrats Convention. Speaking to students about
his policies and taking questions from students, Castro discussed topics ranging from the current tax code to climate change. The most recent polling for the 2020 Democratic primary from Mor ning Consult shows Castro with just one percent support nationwide, and polling for the New Hampshire primary from the University SEE CASTRO PAGE 5
Earth Day panel discusses Dartmouth’s sustainability efforts B y JOEY CHONG The Dartmouth
On the evening of April 22, a panel convened in Filene Auditorium to discuss Dartmouth’s sustainability progress. The meeting, held on Earth Day, marked two years since the publication of the “Our Green Future: The Sustainability Road Map for Dartmouth” report — the result of a task force created by College President Phil Hanlon to make Dartmouth a “leader”
in sustainability. Following an introduction from Hanlon, in which he argued that the College can help form solutions to sustainability challenges, the panel began its formal presentation on Dartmouth’s progress with “Our Green Future.” The panel included vice president for institutional projects Joshua Keniston, sustainability assistant director Jenna Musco ’11 SEE SUSTAINABILITY PAGE 3
DARREN GU/THE DARTMOUTH
Dartmouth’s Native American studies program is located at Sherman House.
B y HANNAH JINKS The Dartmouth Staff
College President Phil Hanlon announced earlier this month that as part of Dartmouth’s ongoing “The Call to Lead” capital campaign, large gifts from donors will lead to the creation of a new professorship in the Native American studies program and the revitalization of the College’s Arts district. The College commenced the capital campaign, which aims to raise $3 billion in service of Dartmouth’s educational and philanthropic goals, last April. The fundraising effort reached a major milestone earlier this month when donations surpassed $2 billion.
A gift from Mae Hueston ’86 andJohnHueston’86willendow the Mae and John Hueston Distinguished Professorship in Native American Studies — currently one of the smallest departments at Dartmouth. This endowment will expand the department through the creation of one of the few senior academic professorships in higher education focused on studying indigenous peoples around the globe. “We always knew we wanted to give to the College,” Mae Hueston said. “We finally narrowed it down to [the new NAS professorship] because I had worked with the College since I graduated to improve conditions for Native American students.”
Mae Hueston stressed the critical position Dartmouth occupies as a global leader in comparative studies of indigenous peoples. She added that the expansion of the NAS program will help inform Dartmouth students of their peers’ backgrounds. “I had a very difficult time coming to Dartmouth from a remote reservation and I think a lot of the ,time people don’t understand [Native American students’] experience,” Hueston said. “Not only do we endure culture shock, but we also encounter people who don’t understand our culture.” NAS program chair Colin SEE NAS PAGE 3
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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
DOC Trip leaders selected from pool of over 500 candidates B y FELIPE OPAZO SARAVIA
volunteers that we started last year and expanding that to focus on mindfulness on Trips itself,” Waters Over 300 students were accepted said. “So, Trip leaders are going to as volunteers to be Trip leaders and be doing some activities related to Croo members for the Dartmouth that in their Trip-leader training.” Outing Club First-Year Trips Another change to this year’s program, according to Trips director program will be the addition of Maddy Waters ’19. a new trip, “Explore the Upper This year, around 520 applications Valley.” The trip will be targeted were submitted to be Trip leaders and towards incoming first-year students Croo members, an approximately 13 who may not have the comfort level percent decrease from last year’s 600 or physical ability to participate applications. in more rigorous Despite the trips, according to decrease in “We are continuing Waters. applications, with the mental health “They’ll get to Waters said drive around and t h a t s o m e training for volunteers explore local places s t u d e n t s that we started last like the Vermont were still antique market and year, and expanding waitlisted or get a sense of a not accepted. that to focus on knowledge of a new G r a n t mindfulness on Trips place,” Waters said. Croo captain She added that the W i l l i a m itself.” Trips directorate is Kirby ’20 planning on working said that in with different -MADDY WATERS ’19, addition to offices on campus considering TRIPS DIRECTOR like the Student the general Wellness Center, a p p l i c at i o n Dick’s House and s c o re s, c e r t a i n c ro o - s p e c i f i c the Sustainability Office, with the qualifications are taken into account goal of increasing communication in the selection process. between the Trips program and the “We not only have to look at how rest of Dartmouth. an application scores, but we have Waters said that the Trips to look at dynamic skills that people directorate is also looking into bring into [the] table,” Grant Croo improving openness between captain William Kirby ’20 said. Trip leaders and trippees on the “Because [Grant Croo is] in charge individual trips. of people’s safety on the water, we “We’ve been thinking this year also have to make sure our croo has a lot about giving trippees more enough people who are experienced agency,” she said, “Just having Trip with white water to make sure we leaders share the trips itineraries can lead beginners down safely.” with them, and just being more open One of the priorities for Trips this to [saying] ‘This is the experience year is the expansion of the current you’re going to have,’ in order to mental health training program, acknowledge that [the trippees] are according to Waters. essentially our peers coming in [to “ We a r e c o n t i nu i n g w i t h Dartmouth].” the mental health training for All prospective Trip leaders must The Dartmouth
CORRECTIONS We welcome corrections. If you believe there is a factual error in a story, please email editor@thedartmouth.com.
MADDIE DOERR/THE DARTMOUTH
Robinson Hall houses the Dartmouth Outing Club and is the starting location for the First-Year Trips program.
go through CPR training, three levels of community building and wilderness training and two more general informational sessions. Trip leader trainers are also hoping to host office hours for Trip leaders so that they can get to know the trainers outside of training.
Leah Johnson ’22 said that she applied to become a Trip leader because she enjoyed how her own Trip leaders wanted to make her feel welcome at Dartmouth. “I really appreciated that my Trip leader s answered ever y single question I could have about
Dartmouth, and then once we got to campus, they facilitated reunions and had lunch with us,” Johnson said. “It was just nice to know upperclassmen that would see you and say hi and make you feel you have a home at Dartmouth. I am very excited to do that for the ’23s.”
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
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Alumni donation seeks Panel finds decrease in water usage, little to bolster NAS program progress in sustainable landscaping email interview. “I am hoping in my coming years that people see more Calloway said the endowment holds funding and support of Native-led particular significance for Dartmouth projects and programs that cater to as an institution originally chartered more than the Native community.” Erin Bunner ’22 said that Native to educate and instruct Native American representation and American students. “Mae and John Hueston’s major acknowledgment should extend gift … represents a milestone in beyond the NAS program. “Dartmouth is moving in the Dartmouth’s 250-year history as a college established with the right direction by expanding the avowed purpose of educating Native department, but it’s not enough,” Bunner said. “What A m e r i c a n s, ” about having an Calloway said. “Mae and John indigenous speaker “It also serves at the 250th as an important Hueston’s major gift ... marker for the represents a milestone commencement or constructing a land continued acknowledgment g ro w t h a n d in Dartmouth’s 250somewhere on future direction year history as a campus?” o f NA S a t college established Hanlon also Dartmouth.” announced that For nearly with the avowed a $15 million the first 200 purpose of educating commitment by years of the members and C o l l e g e ’ s Native Americans.” friends of the existence, only Hopkins Center 19 Native -COLIN CALLOWAY, NAS Advisory Board American will help edge s t u d e n t s PROGRAM CHAIR the College’s Arts graduated from district toward Dartmouth, according to the College’s Native completion. The gift will contribute to American program website. However, the performing arts center’s proposed the College revitalized its original $75 million revitalization. In January, the Hood Museum dedication to educating Native American students in 1970 under of Art reopened after a threethe leadership of then-President year renovation and expansion John Kemeny. In the nearly 50 years project, which aimed to create a that have elapsed since Dartmouth’s learning environment that “fosters re-commitment, over 1,000 Native t r a n s f o r m a t i v e e d u c a t i o n a l Americans from over 200 different encounters with art for everyone,” tribes have attended the College — according to the museum’s website. a larger number of students than In his announcement of the new all other Ivy League institutions funding, Hanlon stressed that this combined have seen during this time revitalization project enables the College to provide more space for span. Some Native American students “creative expression.” The $75 million renovation and said that they appreciate the new professorship, but they hope to see expansion of the Hopkins Center will allow for the creation of flexible, more changes. “Dartmouth has a good Native technology-driven performance population compared to other and maker spaces within the Arts Ivies, but that does not justify [the district while encouraging creative College] saying that is enough,” collaboration between students and Caileadair Holmes ’22 wrote in an art faculty from various departments. FROM NAS PAGE 1
FROM SUSTAINABILITY PAGE 1
and director of sustainability Rosalie Kerr ’97. They addressed the College’s sustainability impact through the categories outlined in the report: energy, food, landscape, transportation, waste and water. According to the Dartmouth College Waste Report published in 2018, the College hit its peak waste production in 2016 with 3,885 tons. Since then, waste production has decreased, but not enough, according to Musco. “We produce about 3,500 tons of waste on campus,” Musco said. “Looking at our goals to date, you’ll notice we’re not achieving our goals.” Musco also discussed the decrease in Dartmouth’s diversion rate — the proportion of waste diverted from the landfill into sustainable waste facilities, such as recycling plants. Musco said that the diversion rate peaked in 2015 at 48 percent, and the report set a goal of 50 percent for 2019. However, she added that the diversion rate has remained around 32 percent over the past two years. In an interview following the forum, Hanlon expressed his opinions about waste sustainability at Dartmouth. “I’m really proud of the progress, because a lot of people put a lot of effort into it, and that includes students as well as many of our staff and faculty experts,” Hanlon said. “I think that there clearly are areas where we’re not hitting our objectives — waste being one of them.” After discussing waste, the panel detailed the College’s food and water consumption. Musco said Dartmouth spends about $8 million on food annually and serves about 13,000 meals daily. She added that as part of Our Green Future, Dartmouth Dining Services is encouraging students to choose more sustainable food options. Furthermore, Musco said that the dining halls have also had a large impact on water consumption. “When we renovated [the Class of ’53 Commons], it produced a significant decrease in our water consumption,” Kerr said.
Kerr also acknowledged the that the project requires. lack of progress that the College “Transitioning to hot water will has made in regards to sustainable mean we have to transition buildings transportation and landscape upkeep. to hot water,” Kerr said. “That means Kerr said that while College had we’re going to have to do a lot of participated in town efforts designed construction. It’s going to be the kind to control invasive species in the area, of construction that you’ll notice, Dartmouth had not focused much on where we’re in buildings having to sustainable transportation. replace heating systems.” The majority of the forum Beyond the sustainability progress, focused on the sixth and final topic, Kerr explained how the hot water energy, which Kerr said the College system could improve residential life devotes most for students. of its efforts “I’m really proud of “It’s also going to and has more mean the ‘Moaning the progress, because Myrtle’ sounds that explicit goals. During the a lot of people put happen in the dorms forum, Kerr with the steam explained how a lot of effort into system will stop,” D a r t m o u t h it, and that includes Kerr said. c u r r e n t l y students as well as After hearing the produces panel discuss both energy. The many of our staff and the progress and C o l l e g e ’ s faculty experts. I think stagnation of “Our existing G re e n F u t u re, ” heating plant, that there clearly are some of the audience which has been areas where we’re not members said they used since appreciated the hitting our objectives 1898, burns acknowledgment No. 6 fuel oil — waste being one of that there are areas t o p ro d u c e them.” in sustainability steam. This that require more steam runs attention. t h r o u g h -COLLEGE PRESIDENT PHIL “It’s a dual view turbines to into the progress HANLON generate that has been made,” e n e rg y a n d Maria Smith-Lopez also provides ’21 said. “They also heat to nearly every building on very heavily emphasize that there is campus. This system is approximately still a lot more progress that needs 55 to 65 percent efficient, Kerr said. to be done, and they’re very aware The panel presented the proposal of the areas that they’re weakest in to transition the College to a hot water and the kinds of progress they need heating system powered by a biomass to make.” plant, which will cost around $200 Katherine Salamido ’19 expressed million. Keniston highlighted the her optimism that sustainability will importance of this transition. eventually become ingrained in “The headline to me is the hot Dartmouth’s student culture. water conversion — the work we’re “I think that sustainability is more going to do to transform all of and more emerging as something our buildings, to transform all of that the student body values and the pipes that are in the grounds,” connects with,” Salamido said. “I Keniston said. “That’s where we get see sustainability being knit into a 20 percent increase in our overall the essential, core story of what efficiency.” Dartmouth is as an institution as a Kerr also discussed the construction huge opportunity and path forward.”
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TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
THE DARTMOUTH OPINION
GUEST COLUMNIST LIAM DAVIDSON ‘20
GUEST COLUMNIST CATHERINE ROCCHI ‘19
In Defense of Dartmouth Athletes
The Value of Symbolic Action
Why athletes add value to the campus community.
I am a student-athlete, and I received one of the “likely letters” that Osman Khan took issue with in his article last Friday in The Dartmouth. I’m not ashamed of that fact, nor am I ashamed that I wasn’t the top student in my high school class. That’s because, despite the derision with which Khan treats student-athletes at Dartmouth, I believe that our college is enriched by a diversity of experiences and abilities. There is a real and meaningful conversation to be had about increasing opportunity for historically disadvantaged groups at institutions of higher education. Unfortunately, this guest column does little to contribute to it. The crux of Khan’s argument revolves around three points: Dartmouth doesn’t produce many professional athletes; athletes aren’t a significant source of revenue for the College; and athletic admissions are systemically unfair. Let’s start with the first point. It’s true! Dartmouth hasn’t sent a player to the NFL or NBA in a long time. But we also have rosters full of talented female athletes –– none of whom Khan seems to regard as worthy of mention –– representing Dartmouth internationally in the Olympics and on professional sports teams. Beyond that, Khan’s assumption that the primary end of athletics is to participate in them professionally misses the point. The values of perseverance, hard work and commitment –– in both victory and defeat –– to a group larger than oneself are lifelong lessons that I’m grateful to have received. To Khan’s point that athletes don’t provide a major source of revenue to the College –– who, exactly, cares? At what point did Dartmouth decide, as a liberal arts institution, that something’s worth is dependent on its monetary value? Would
Khan also advocate we do away with our music department on the grounds there isn’t much money to be made by playing the cello? That we do away with the O-Farm because there isn’t much cash in local agriculture? To suggest that the value of something depends on its ability to produce revenue assigns worth where it doesn’t belong. Dartmouth, like our broader society, benefits from a variety of talents and skills that will never break even. To his final point, I understand Khan’s criticism, but believe he designates blame inaccurately. Here, he rightfully criticizes Dartmouth for failing to do enough to provide adequate opportunities to historically marginalized groups. The College is one of 38 institutions that has more students from the top one percent of the income distribution than the bottom 60 percent. That should rightfully make us angry. Additionally, minority underrepresentation on campus –– from our student body to our faculty –– is a reality that all of us must answer for. This is especially true for those, like me, who have benefited from generations of unjust race and class-based superiority. There is a legitimate argument to be made that athletic access often and unfairly benefits the white and the well-off. But targeting athletic recruitment as the main cause of systemic inequality on our campus is misguided and detracts from the larger goal. On the occasion of our 250th anniversary, we should recognize that Dartmouth has the capacity to lead the world of higher education by making serious investments in institutional equity. Expanding financial aid packages for both domestic and international students is a good start. SEE DAVIDSON PAGE 6
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Divestment will yield broader institutional change.
In a recent Verbum entitled “Symbolic Sustainability,” The Dartmouth Editorial Board derides the campus fossil fuel divestment campaign as performative activism that undermines Dartmouth’s other environmental initiatives. This argument is misguided. Here’s why. Dartmouth has removed its investments from a variety of harmful institutions. In 1989, in protest of the oppressive apartheid regime, Dartmouth famously divested $11.5 million from companies doing business in South Africa. The College divested again in 1993, 2005 and 2012 from the James Bay Hydro-Quebec dam project, companies operating in Sudan and tobacco corporations, respectively. The fact that Dartmouth has divested in the past does not prove that divestment is an effective change-making strategy. The Dartmouth Editorial Board was correct in writing that Dartmouth’s direct holdings in fossil fuel-related assets amounted to just $43 million in 2016 — hardly a drop in the bucket of Dartmouth’s $5.5 billion endowment and the $4.5 trillion global fossil fuel market. Moreover, as the Editorial Board points out, other investors could rapidly scoop up the discarded stocks. No one believes that Dartmouth’s divestment from fossil fuels would drive Exxon-Mobil to bankruptcy. Yet, divestment is a tried-and-true tool used to shift norms and effect political change. We can look to our own history to see how these “symbolic” movements work. Take apartheid, for example. In the 1980s, many American universities divested their endowments from companies operating in South Africa. As with the fossil fuel movement, these individual divestitures did not immediately impact the South African economy. However, they did draw global attention to the apartheid problem. Other institutions began to follow suit, including cities, counties and states. These divestments were key in creating the political momentum that led to a series of UN-sponsored economic sanctions being imposed against South Africa, including the United States’ Comprehensive Anti-Apartheid Act of 1986. Economic turmoil weakened the apartheid regime, which capitulated to the resistance movement in the early 1990s. South African apartheid is not a perfect analogue to the global fossil fuel industry. However, the two divestment movements share common tactics. Both use social stigma to encourage companies to abandon harmful practices. Moreover, they contribute to the political will that enables governments to throw their economic weight behind social justice. In the 1980s, our government responded to a divestment movement with economic sanctions against South Africa. Today, we can hope for a national cap-and-trade system
or a tax on carbon. According to its Facebook page, Divest Dartmouth asks that the College cease to invest in “coal, tar sands and the Climate Action List of the most harmful oil and gas companies identified by the Fossil Free Index and Union of Concerned Scientists.” Corporations on the Climate Action List are continually evaluated according to their public transparency, actions to reduce their carbon footprints, integration of climate science into company governance and affiliations with third parties that spread misinformation about climate change, among other factors. Divestment would allow the College to direct investments away from the most egregious perpetrators of environmental and social degradation and toward those companies that reform their practices. In recent years, the College has engaged with climate change through research and changes to physical infrastructure. These steps are critically important. They are also in no way mutually exclusive with fossil fuel divestment. Many students involved with Divest Dartmouth are also engaged with sustainability on campus in other ways — through their academic studies, working with the Sustainability Office or co-authoring the report that precipitated the new biomass plantand other operational improvements. And, as noted above, direct investments in fossil fuel companies make up a tiny fraction of Dartmouth’s endowment. Divesting won’t put our returns, renovations or programming at risk. If Dartmouth’s investments are a negligible slice of the behemoth fossil fuel market, then our 2018 emissions of roughly 58 thousand metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are next to nothing compared to the nearly 6.5 billion emitted in the United States in 2017. This isn’t to say that we should give up physical divestiture from fossil fuels. However, it does mean that the main value of these changes, as with financial divestment, will lie in the example that they set for others. Dartmouth can best combat climate change through a suite of complementary approaches, including symbolic action. Fossil fuel divestment is an opportunity for Dartmouth to demonstrate leadership and leverage its influence to effect systemic change. Rocchi is a member of the Class of 2019 and a member of Divest Dartmouth. The Dartmouth welcomes guest columns. We request that guest columns be the original work of the submitter. Submissions may be sent to both opinion@thedartmouth.com and editor@thedartmouth.com. Submissions will receive a response within three business days.
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
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THE DARTMOUTH NEWS
Castro calls for U.S. leadership in human rights and democracy FROM CASTRO PAGE 1
of New Hampshire does not pick up Castro. “With so many Democratic candidates being in the race, I want to know what separates them,” said Ndalaku Okolo ’22, who was present at the lunch. Castro opened the lunch, attended by both Dartmouth students and Saint Anselm College students, by thanking the students in attendance for their commitment to bettering their community and state. “In 2020, it looks like people are stepping up, and you’ll have another chance to make big strides,” Castro told the audience. Castro detailed several parts of his platform before visiting each table of students and taking questions. Castro said his priorities included creating “a 21st-century safety net,” addressing climate change and reforming the tax code. His safety net proposal includes universal healthcare, universal prekindergarten, an improved public education system, a system to relieve student loan debt and instituting free tuition at public universities and community colleges. He emphasized
that he understood how student loan debt affects individuals, saying that he had $81,000 in student loan debt after law school. “We need to make it so people can go further, no matter how much money they have,” Castro said. Addressing the issue of climate change — one of his priorities in the campaign — Castro said that his first executive order, if he were to be elected, would be recommitting the United States to the Paris Agreement — a 2016 accord signed by 195 countries calling for a reduction in global pollution — and rededicating the country to reducing carbon emissions and using reusable energy. Castro also addressed the current federal tax code by saying the U.S. needs a new policy that “rewards work instead of wealth.” Citing that Amazon grossed $11 billion in the last fiscal year but did not pay any federal income tax, Castro said that the current system reflects “priorities that are wrong.” Castro took several questions from students after he discussed his policies. In response to a question about immigration reform, Castro said he would end family detention,
decriminalize crossing the border and create a pathway to citizenship for all undocumented immigrants — as long as the individuals had not committed a serious crime in the United States. Castro also said he would work with Central America to make the region a safer place with greater opportunity, which he said would eliminate many peoples’ need to come to the U.S. He also said that he would institute a program similar to the Marshall Plan, which Castro said would be mutually beneficial to the United States and the targeted Central American countries. The Marshall Plan, otherwise known as the European Recovery Program, was a U.S. program that gave economic assistance to western Europe in the aftermath of World War II. Responding to a question about how he plans to curtail the opioid epidemic, Castro said he hopes to enact prevention policies as well as provide the affected communities with the appropriate treatment resources. “I want to ensure we’re the smartest, healthiest, fairest and most prosperous nation on Earth,” Castro said. He also said that he would
HERE COMES THE SOLAR POWER, AND I SAY IT’S ALL RIGHT
MICHAEL LIN/THE DARTMOUTH SENIOR STAFF
Construction crews work on solar panels atop Silsby Hall.
LUCY TURNIPSEED/THE DARTMOUTH STAFF
Castro spoke about a range of issues, including climate change and taxes.
address “environmental racism,” such as the water crisis in Flint, MI. Castro also said he plans to crack down on human and drug trafficking coming through legal points of entry into the United States as well as to legalize marijuana. Va n e s s a S o n c c o ’ 1 9 , wh o questioned Castro on his immigration policy, believed Castro’s answer was “standard” for a Democratic candidate. However, she added that once politicians actually gain the positions of power for which they campaign, they more often than not are unable to make the goals they ran on become reality. Answering a few questions posed by The Dartmouth, Castro discussed worries about the next generation of Americans, voting rights and American exceptionalism. When asked about the concern that the next generation of Americans would be worse of than their parents, Castro referred to his plan for a new safety net as the answer to their worries. He also affirmed the concept of American exceptionalism. “I want us to lead in human rights, and I think we have a lot to be proud of when we think about that issue,” Castro said. “We’ve also made a lot
of mistakes, but we have a leadership role to play to ensure human rights and democracy are preserved around the world.” On the issue of voting rights in New Hampshire, Castro said that if elected, he would do “everything” to stop legislation such as the recent law passed in New Hampshire that bars most out-of-state college students from voting in the state. Castro also said he would appoint individuals to the Department of Justice and judicial positions who fully support the Voting Rights Act. Yliana Beck ’22, who is from Castro’s hometown of San Antonio and lived there when Castro served as a city councilman and mayor, expressed concern that the Latino voters would split between Castro and fellow Democratic presidential candidate and for mer Texas Congressman Beto O’Rourke. After Castro’s introductory remarks at the convention, he invited all students to apply for internships on his campaign. “I’m happy to see how seriously you all take this process,” Castro said. “There’s a power in your youth and a power in wanting to serve your community that people will look favorably upon.”
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THE DARTMOUTH EVENTS
DARTMOUTHEVENTS
SELFIE ON THE GREEN
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
CECILIA MORIN ’21
TODAY
9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.
Thesis Presentation: “Postnatal developmental changes of the orexin system and its potential role in neurogenic hypertension in a rat model of essential hypertension,” by Savannah Barnett, sponsored by the Program in Experimental and Molecular Medicine, Vail Hall, room 614.
4:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Discussion: “US-Russia Relations: Is Another Reset of Relations Possible?” sponsored by the Department of Government, Haldeman Hall, room 41.
4:30 p.m. - 6:45 p.m.
Panel: “Empowering Energy Innovation in New Hampshire: Moving from Theory to Reality,” by Tom Burack, April Salas and Henry Herndon, sponsored by the Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy and Society, Moore Hall, room B03.
TOMORROW 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Exhibit: “Let’s Get Lunch: An Exhibit for the Discerning Palate,” sponsored by the College Library, Class of 1965 Galleries, Rauner Library, Webster Hall.
10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Thesis Presentation: “Putting Your Foot Down - Plantigrady and the Hominoid Calcaneus,” by Ellison McNutt, sponsored by the Department of Biological Sciences, Haldeman Hall, room 41.
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Pets: “Visit from Winston, VT Therapy Dog,” sponsored by the Student Wellness Center, House Center B.
FROM DAVIDSON PAGE 4
But the College should go even further, such as addressing food availability on campus and following Wesleyan’s lead in declaring the school’s campus to be a sanctuary community. These are the consequential and relevant steps the College should be taking to further its commitment to equal opportunity and fairness. Dartmouth, as a liberal arts institution, should seek to include a broad array of identities, abilities and experiences in its student body, since those things necessarily enrich and enliven our community. Dartmouth should be a leader in higher education when it comes to issues of equal
representation. However, the notion that those who participate in athletics here at Dartmouth –– from the champion women’s rugby team all the way down to our lesser-ranked sports –– contribute less to our school is fundamentally misplaced. Davidson is a member of the Class of 2020. The Dartmouth welcomes guest columns. We request that guest columns be the original work of the submitter. Submissions may be sent to both opinion@thedartmouth.com and editor@thedartmouth.com. Submissions will receive a response within three business days.
ADVERTISING For advertising infor mation, please call (603) 646-2600 or email info@ thedartmouth.com. The advertising deadline is noon, two days before publication. We reserve the right to refuse any advertisement. Opinions expressed in advertisements do not necessarily reflect those of The Dartmouth, Inc. or its officers, employees and agents. The Dartmouth, Inc. is a nonprofit corporation chartered in the state of New Hampshire. USPS 148-540 ISSN 0199-9931
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
THE DARTMOUTH ARTS
PAGE 7
Review: cult-classic sci-fi film ‘Alien’ remains relevant 40 years later B y Ryan zhang The Dartmouth
Reaching its 40th anniversary this year, “Alien,” directed by Ridley Scott, is widely regarded as one of the most influential scifi/fantasy films of all times. The film’s symbolism, grand setting, relatable extraterrestrial horror and the metaphysical questions it raises all contribute to a complex and thrilling viewing experience. Forty years since its release, the movie’s profound message still echoes with human identity and remains relevant today. As a devout “Alien” fan, I will review “Alien,” the first movie of the namesake series, but I will also provide a brief guide on the correct sequential order in which to watch the iconic movie franchise. The movie’s plot is actually quite simple: the cargo spaceship “USCSS Nostromo,” while on the way back to Earth, is programmed to stop by a distant planet, where
the passenger s encounter an abandoned alien spaceship. After one of the crew members is infected by an alien egg, a Xenomorph — a deadly alien creature — bursts out of his chest and swiftly hides away on-board the spacecraft. After witnessing the entire crew slaughtered at the hands of the Xenomorph, the protagonist Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, blows the spaceship up to kill the Xenomorph. She then escapes in a space shuttle with the crew’s cat, Jones. For those who have never watched the movie, this plot may seem predictable and almost boring — “another alien-themed sci-fi movie, except it’s vintage,” you might think. But allow me to explain why this is not the case. First of all, the grandiosity of “Alien” can only be fully manifested through the whole “Alien” movie series. It is especially important to watch the two prequels to “Alien” — “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant” — before
watching “Alien.” The prequels set up the grand setting of the full “Alien” story by revealing a secret about the origin of humans: Humans were created by an alien race, the so-called Engineers. However, humans discover that the Engineers intend to wipe out the human race using Xenomorphs for reasons unknown to humans. Bearing in mind the fact that the Engineers intended to destroy the human race with these dreadful Xenomor phs, our fear as the audience is intensified and elevated to an existential level. Throughout h i s t o r y, h u m a n s h ave b e e n perplexed by this ultimate question concerning our origin, giving rise to great theories, studies and research. We have struggled with the process of finding the answer, during which we have given little thought to how we might react to what we find — something the “Alien” series reminds us that humans may not quite like. Regardless of whether the answer might be imminent or
not, the fear “Alien” instills in my mind is more than relatable. Before an ultimate answer is found, all fears or hopes are simply baseless or whimsical, but when a cruel truth is at last revealed, the extent to which the existential dread can fill people’s hearts may be beyond our notion. Xenomorphs are symbols of human destruction; therefore, the thrill and fear “Alien” brings about become both visual and psychological — or even existential. Although Xenomorphs are as horrifying as they are depicted onscreen, they are not merely killing machines. If we take a close look at Xenomorphs’ physical features and modes of killing, the sexual implications made are more than obvious. Xenomorphs are organic creatures that thrive solely through sexual reproduction. In “Alien,” the crew member who was first infected was attacked by a Facehugger, whose mouth closely resembles the female reproductive organs, which then injected its eggs into
his body. Throughout the entire “Alien” movie series, different kinds of Xenomorphs all share this characteristic — the destruction of humans is simultaneously the reproduction of themselves. The cycle of life and death is crudely presented to the audience, and it instigates our biological fear. We humans have long stood at the top of the food chain; however, Xenomorphs have toppled this human superiority. Watching an almost invincible creature exploiting human lives for the sake of their own survival allows us to recall the ancient fear of being unable to resist a superior power in the food chain. W h i l e m a ny a c k n o w l e d g e the stunning artistic style and production in “Alien,” it’s difficult to describe the movie’s complexity and its many profound messages. Regardless, I will say that if you are looking for a movie that creates multiple layers of fear and thrill, then “Alien” is perfect for you.
Review: ‘Minimalism’ convinces audiences to focus on happiness B y Ryan zhang The Dartmouth
At the beginning of this term, I noticed just how much stuff I had accumulated after several years of dorm life in a boarding school. I have used all of my closets and other storage spaces to the fullest, yet, I still have many books, jackets, random electronic devices and documents on the floor. Sometimes, I struggle to dig out the t-shirt I want to wear because my closet is literally full of clothes; other times I am tripped by the Amazon boxes on the ground or I cannot find the right cable among millions of cables all of which have become so intertwined that they may never be separated from each other. This is what a pair of filmmakers called the “Minimalists” refer to as “clutter.” The Minimalists, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, produced a documentary called “Minimalism: A Documentary
About The Important Things,” back in 2016, when it was released in roughly 400 theaters in the United States and Canada. Recently, the documentary became available on Netflix, and I came across it at exactly the right time. To be frank, my cynicism kicked in right before I watched the film. “This is probably just another superficially inspirational documentary that somehow moves the viewers by saying a bunch of meaningless rubbish in a pretentiously serious way,” I thought. It turns out that I was wrong — “Minimalism” is, actually, a very well-made documentary that addresses contemporary issues of people and society from a unique yet practical angle. Although the public may perceive minimalism as a “chic” or rather “useless” aesthetic ideal, the documentary presents minimalism as a simple lifestyle that can be or should be lived by everyone. Millburn and
Nicodemus do a good job explaining why that is. Millburn and Nicodemus, before adopting this lifestyle, were the kind of people society would deem “successful.” Millburn was a young manager on track to manage even more stores, while Nicodemus was a corporate executive. In the eyes of a commoner, their six-digit salaries and titles are more than desirable. However, beneath the surface of their successful lives, they both suffered. In the case of Millburn, he lost his mother and his marriage in the same year. Not until then did he realize that because of his job and all the material desires he had, he had forever lost the time he could have spent with the ones he truly loves. Such a case is not unique to Millburn. Almost no one can escape this hideous pattern of wanting. We are constantly driven by the desire to do well, to have a good job — and, for what? To buy and own more things
that we think we need to be happy? “Minimalism” reminds us that as we march forward tirelessly, we tend to neglect an essential question: Do we really need so much to be happy? Millburn’s own life attests to the fact that happiness is not a direct result of material wealth. The Minimalists reason that when we reduce our items down to the absolutely essential ones, life can become easier. When we are no longer troubled by the clutter around us, we can finally have the time to talk to the people we truly care about and love. As they point out, a minimalist lifestyle is not just a lifestyle, but could also potentially serve as a cure to the disease of modern society. Indeed, people feel the need to demonstrate to the Internet that their lives are successful or that they are wealthy without noticing that they were conditioned to do so. Our current society’s disease is materialism. The general economic
atmosphere encourages everyone to buy more watches and fancy clothes by convincing us that owning more will makes us happy. But does it really? I doubt it. I’ve bought an excessive amount of unnecessary items and they all turn out to be much less satisfying than a good conversation with a dear friend. A minimalist lifestyle may help us see through the deception of capitalism and find what we truly need. I will not spoil any more of the documentary, but what I will say is that if you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the things and voices around you, take an hour off and watch this documentary. It is surprisingly relaxing, and the featured stories of people finding what they want are more than relatable. In addition to their solid reasoning, the solution Millburn and Nicodemus provide in “Minimalism” is highly feasible — I’ve already thrown out two boxes of item since I finished the documentary.
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THE DARTMOUTH ARTS
TUESDAY, APRIL 30, 2019
Review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ delivers a satisfying conclusion B y Sebastian Wurzrainer
undoubtedly a dozen more films in various stages of preproduction. That The Dartmouth Staff being said, “Endgame” does seek to “Avengers: Endgame” is one of be a proper ending to the franchise’s those odd films that everyone wants current overarching storyline; the past to talk about, but, in a sense, no one 21 films have all tangentially revolved does. Fans fear that critics will spoil the around the all-powerful infinity experience for them, and critics fear stones. the wrath of these fans, resulting in a For the uninitiated, in the previous cycle that does its very best to curtail “Avengers” film, “Infinity War,” any actual conversation about the the mad titan Thanos managed to film or its content. Thus, while I will successfully collect all six infinity stones certainly strive to and used them to avoid spoilers eradicate half of throughout this “That being said, life in the universe review, I always ‘Endgame’ does seek in the hopes of want to talk to be a proper ending c o m b a t t i n g about some of overpopulation t h e t h e m a t i c to the franchise’s and limited and narrative current overarching re s o u rc e s. A t implications the start of of the film. To storyline; the past “Endgame,” paraphrase video 21 films have all Thanos has essayist Dan essentially gone tangentially revolved Olson, if you don’t into retirement, want spoiler s around the allbut the surviving for “Avengers: powerful infinity Ave n g e r s a re Endgame,” don’t none too pleased go see “Avengers: stones. with the new, Endgame” apocalyptic because it is wall status quo, and to wall with spoilers for “Avengers: collectively devise a plan that will Endgame.” hopefully allow them to bring back all Seriously though, just go see the film. of the lives that were lost. I dare not The long and short of it is that if you’re reveal their plan, but it suffices to say it a huge fan of the Marvel Cinematic is inelegant from a narrative perspective Universe, you’ll be satisfied. And if but deeply satisfying from a thematic your relationship with the franchise is perspective. And while I might be somewhat less dedicated — as is the a minority among filmgoers on this case with me — you’ll still be satisfied. front, I’ll take thematic cohesion over “Endgame” is fun, mostly well-made, a bulletproof plot structure any day. and a touching send-off for this era of Speaking of structure, “Endgame” is the franchise. three hours long and neatly segregates Of course, the notion of “Endgame” itself into three very distinct acts, such being a genuine end for the MCU is to the point that I wonder if it quite something of a bad joke. The MCU literally adds up to an hour per act. is going nowhere; they already have Regardless, it makes the film feel more “Spider-man: Far From Home” like a three-episode miniseries than a slated to come out this summer, and single film — but I don’t necessarily
mean that in a bad way. Unwieldy though the film’s runtime may be, this structure allows each act to provide the MCU with various different sense of closure. The first act deftly manages to take the outcome of “Infinity War” seriously, speculating as to what a world would look like if suddenly half the population disappeared. Wisely, the screenwriters choose to focus less on a global catastrophe angle, instead exploring the increasingly broken lives of the remaining Avengers. As a result, the ending of “Infinity War” is still allowed to resonate due to its monumental impact on the survivors, even as the entirety of “Endgame” seeks to reverse that very ending. If the first act provides a sense of closure for the events of “Infinity War,” then the third act provides a sense of closure for the fans. As film critic Bob Chipman notes of the very first “Avengers” film, the final 20 minutes or so, during which all the heroes are assembled for a massive action set piece, doesn’t really progressive the film’s narrative. But, Chipman contends, after four years and five films, the filmmakers and audience are allowed to indulge in 20 minutes of pure fun because watching all of the heroes team up for a big showdown is why the film was made in the first place. Much the same can be said of the final confrontation in “Endgame,” which puts its predecessors to shame in terms of scope, scale and ambition. And while there are some genuinely show-stopping moments scattered throughout, it also makes the third act easily the weakest. It’s the only place where the three-hour runtime really begins to register as excessive. Then again, after 11 years and 21 films, you’re allowed to make your final act as bombastic as possible. Of course, the perceptive reader will have noticed that I deliberately
skipped any meaningful discussion of structureless. And the film generally the film’s second act, which is — by lacks the thematic depth and finemy estimation, at least — where the tuned filmmaking precision of “Thor: film really shines. The second act Ragnarok” and “Black Panther,” which creates its sense of closure by essentially I will continue to insist are easily the performing a nostalgic victory lap for two best films to come out of the the MCU while simultaneously using MCU. Likewise, for all the wonderful that victory lap as a facilitator for a character beats hit in “Endgame,” series of well-balanced character arcs. one also senses that the Russos and This entire portion of the film is about screenwriters Christopher Markus the Avengers actually putting their and Stephen McFeely are more adept plan into action, and without spoiling at handling certain characters and anything, I think it’s safe to say that the threads in contrast to others. As with solution devised by the writers allows “Infinity War,” the Guardians of the “Endgame” to reminiscence about the Galaxy once again feel largely misused. franchise’s highlights in a way that is And whereas Thor’s character arc was fun, quirky and unexpectedly touching among the best thing about “Infinity all at once. Moreover, these moments War,” here it’s among the worst. of nostalgia never feel too gratuitous Yet these are all minor quibbles. What because they are all anchored by strikes me most about “Endgame” is moments of character growth. As how sad and yet also gratified I felt many fans noticed, “Infinity War” in response to its decidedly poignant ended with the six original Avengers ending. In my reviews, I’ve always tried from the first film (Iron Man, Captain to be open about my mixed feelings America, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and regarding the MCU. Like so many, I was Hawkeye) all still initially thrilled alive. And while “What strikes me by the shared they certainly universe concept. aren’t the only most about ‘Endgame’ But as time went major players is how sad and yet on, the franchise in “Endgame,” continued to also gratified I felt the film very expose more d e l i b e r a t e l y in response to its and more of its places a spotlight decidedly poignant inevitable flaws. on each of them And while those during the second ending.” flaws haven’t gone act. If nothing anywhere, I also else, it serves as a realize now that reminder that the MCU’s real stroke I’ve taken the MCU for granted. of genius was creating memorable It’s far from perfect, but it somehow characters, and thus it makes the notion managed to succeed far more often of “Endgame” as the end of an era all than it failed. And given that 10 years the more palpable. ago the very premise of the MCU Of course, the film isn’t without sounded ludicrous, that’s honestly its flaws. Directors Anthony and Joe pretty impressive. In that sense, Russo are adequate filmmakers, but “Endgame” ultimately feels like a fairly their work is rarely visually exceptional. perfect embodiment of the MCU as As I’ve already alluded to, the third act a whole; flawed, but also consistently is so extravagant that it almost feels better than it has any right to be.