S
INSIDE >> >> NEWS // FOSSIL FUEL DIVESTMENT // PAGE 9 >> SPORTS // MEN’S VOLLEYBALL // PAGE 27 >> ANDY // MASTER OF NONE // PAGE 30
The Silhouette Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Tuition
gets low Your MSU President wants to make tuition more affordable. Is this possible? - Page 6 -
S
FOLLOW US
The Silhouette
Volume 86, Issue 13
/THEMCMASTER SILHOUETTE
@THE SILHOUETTE
/MCMASTER SILHOUETTE
@MCMASTER SILHOUETTE
MCMASTER THESIL
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 McMaster University’s Student Newspaper
LOOKING BACK
EDITORIAL BOARD editor-in-chief | thesil@thesil.ca
Amanda Watkins @whatthekins managing editor | managing@thesil.ca
Ana Qarri @anaqarri production editor | production@thesil.ca Michael Gallagher @michaelradar online editor | online@thesil.ca Shane Madill @shanemadill sections
Rachel Katz @RachAlbertaKatz news reporter Patrick Kim @patrickmkim news reporter Alex Florescu @alexxflorescu features reporter Daniel Arauz @DanielArauzz opinions editor Talia Kollek @TaliaKollek sports editor Sofia Mohamed @itssofiaAM sports reporter Jaycee Cruz @_jayceecruz lifestyle editor Jason Woo lifestyle reporter Michelle Yeung @yeung_m andy editor Tomi Milos @tomimilos andy reporter Vannessa Barnier @vjbarnier news editor
media
Jonathan White @j_white.jpg (Instagram) photo reporter Jason Lau @jasonlaucker video editor Philip Kim social media coordinator Esther Adjekum @esturr
photo editor
staff writers
Steven Chen, Sunanna Bhasin, Christine Chow, Trisha Gregorio, Charlie Coë sales ad manager | sgiordan@msu.mcmaster.ca
Sandro Giordano
CONTACT
LEGAL
MUSC, Room B110 McMaster University 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, ON L8S 4S4
The Silhouette welcomes letters to the editor in person at MUSC B110, or by email at thesil@thesil.ca. Please include name, address and telephone number for verification only. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters and opinion articles. Opinions and editorials expressed in The Silhouette are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editorial board, the publishers, the McMaster Students Union or the University. The Silhouette is an editorially autonomous newspaper published by the McMaster Students Union. The Silhouette Board of Publications acts as an intermediary between the editorial board, the McMaster community and the McMaster Students Union. Grievances regarding The Silhouette may be forwarded in writing to: McMaster Students Union, McMaster University Student Centre, Room 201, L8S 4S4, Attn: The Silhouette Board of Publications. The Board will consider all submissions and make recommendations accordingly.
Executive (905) 525-9140, ext 22052 Production Office (905) 525-9140, ext 27117 Advertising (905) 525-9140, ext 27557 10,000 circulation published by the
SEPT. 25, 1964
Hey andy In 1964, The Silhouette introduced its first arts and entertainment section, The Silhouette Review. 34 years after the first paper, this new section involved coverage of “The twelfth Straford festival,” “Cool jazz” and changes to McMaster’s sculpture garden. This section is now known as andy, a play on the term A&E.
IS THERE A STORY FROM MCMASTER’S PAST THAT INTERESTS YOU? Email us at thesil@thesil.ca and we will try and feature it in our “Looking Back” section.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
In this
issue:
Feature: catching up with the MSU President’s Let’s Talk Tuition campaign point Pages 6-7
The Silhouette
News
| 3
McMaster considers fossil fuel divestment Page 9
Investigating addiction McMaster professor and St. Joe’s psychiatrist is looking into the reasons behind the high number of Canadian women with opioid addicitons
“
Alexandra Florescu News Reporter
Dr. Zena Samaan hopes to tackle the stigmatization surrounding drug addiction with her recent study on opioid addiction in women. Samaan, a Staff Psychiatrist at St. Joseph’s Healthcare and Assistant Professor at McMaster, noticed an alarming trend when speaking to patients about their mental health challenges. Many patients reported opioid prescriptions. Opioids are painkillers that Dr. Samaan has seen given to women post-childbirth, with back pain or have suffered a trauma like a car accident. Painkillers can be prescribed for many years. “The striking part was that many of them didn’t realize they were addicted to these medications,” said Dr. Samaan, who looked at opiate users within Canada to find a common thread among their addiction. In order to gather participants for the study, investigators reached out to community treatment clinics. Participants were then asked to identify the factor that first led them to opiate use. After interviewing 500 people, Dr. Samaan found that 52 percent of the women were first exposed to opiates in the form of a prescription from a physician. This trend was found to be less prevalent in men, with only 33 percent receiving a prescription for the same exposure. It was also found that male and female addicts had different life circumstances. For example,
We need to do better in tailoring treatment to what women need and what men need. The treatment at the moment is ‘one size fits all.’ Dr. Zena Samaan Assistant Professor and St. Joseph’s Staff Psychiatrist
C/O DAILYNEWS.MCMASTER.CA
women with opioid addictions were more likely to have childcare responsibilities. Many of the women in the study were also found to have received an education but not be working, putting them at risk for financial assistance. The difference might stem from the fact that women are more likely to reach out for medical assistance than men.
Furthermore, social stigmas classifying men as risk takers may contribute to a decreased likelihood for men to receive a prescription for painkillers from physicians. This finding calls for a need in the development of better treatment programs. Dr. Samaan explained, “We need do better in tailoring treatment to what women need and what
men need. The treatment at the moment is ‘one size fits all.’” Nor is the current treatment protocol exactly a quick fix. In the population used for the study, treatments lasted for an average of three years but can extend beyond that. “At the moment, when somebody has an addiction to opioids, they cannot just stop it. Withdrawal symptoms can be very dangerous — they can have convulsions, seizures, [or lapse into a] coma. The treatment is to substitute what they have been using with a synthetic opioid such as methadone.” From there, doses are decreased, the ultimate goal being to wean them off drug dependence. Other medications like opioid antagonists do also exist,
however methadone remains the first line of treatment in Ontario. “Some services may have some counselling, but mostly related to how do we make you stop using the drugs rather than what other needs do they have.” In women, this ties back to challenges posed by child bearing responsibilities as well as increased likelihood of familial struggles. The services do not cater to these types of problems at the moment,” laments Dr. Samaan. With about half of the patients attending treatment centers also suffering from psychiatric problems, there is a dearth of psychological support in treatment. “What we are advocating for is to have a more comprehensive treatment service [that melds] addiction treatment with mental health [strategies] and social service treatment,” explained Dr. Samaan. This would involve counseling and the cooperation of child protection agencies and social services. Another option would be to limit the prescription of painkillers in the first place, the use of which for more than a few days is not recommended. “The other thing this work is showing us is the stigma associated with opioid addiction. People often think that these are young people going out on the streets trying to get high, but in many of these women it is medically induced rather than because of risk-taking behaviours.” @alexxflorescu
4 |
NEWS
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
OUSA releases report on LGBT students in Ontario New OUSA study identifies areas of strength and areas of improvement for LGBTQ+ students in the province
Patrick Kim News Reporter
The Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance recently published a report publicized as the largest-ever survey of LGBTQ+ university students in Ontario. The report, which based its findings on a public survey from November 2014, identified both the positive progress and areas of improvement for post-secondary institutions to evaluate as well as improve upon. The survey received 311 official responses over a one-week period, and was open to any student enrolled in a post-secondary institution in Ontario at the time. MSU VP (Education) and OUSA President Nestico-Semianiw noted that with the uncertain number of how many students specifically identify as LGBTQ+ in our communities, the amount of feedback they received was particularly valuable. “[We wanted students] to describe their own personal experiences, because although one person's experience isn't going to be representative of everyone … I think it's important to be able to make sure that we're actually representing what those students would like to see in post-secondary education,” he said. The overall culture and environment at universities had the most encouraging feedback from those surveyed, where 80 percent of respondents indicated that they felt comfortable and included on campus, and 81 percent also indicated that they felt welcome at large university events or activities. However, 38 percent of respondents also reported that they sometimes were made uncomfortable in class by comments or assumptions regarding their orientation or gender by their professor. One in five respondents also noted that healthcare providers on campuses were not respectful
or professional and “lacked the knowledge necessary to provide good care.” While the majority of respondents who accessed on-campus services did not report having poor experiences, a general theme amongst the negative reports indicated that healthcare professionals were uncomfortable with the needs of LGBTQ+ students. In addition, although the press release on the OUSA website touts the survey’s success, the report itself acknowledges the significant limitations in sample size as well as the bias inherent in the type of students who choose to participate in such a survey. The survey results come on the heels of a recent Maclean’s article that ranked McMaster University number one in Canada for its mental health services. Although positive steps have been made on campus, Nestico-Semianiw reiterated the room for improvement in the
way that the university provides a safe space for its marginalized students. “I'm someone who likes to celebrate the progress we've made . . . but that being said, our number one designation [for mental health services] does not mean we are finished the race,” he explained. Zachary Rose, Executive Director with OUSA, echoed many of Nestico-Semianiw's sentiments in an email to The Silhouette. “Overall we were very pleased with the level of engagement in the survey,” he said. “Our methodology means we have to be quite cautious about the claims we can make, but I'm pretty confident that the results give us good indications of where administrators and policy-makers can make improvements to increase inclusion on campus.” Rose went on to say, “I think the results really demonstrate how broader problems
like ignorance can make so many things difficult in so many different ways, that those of us who don't live through it would never be able to guess.”
“
I think it’s important to be able to make sure that we’re actually representing what those students would like to see in post-secondary education. Spencer NesticoSemianiw MSU VP (Education) and OUSA President @patrickmkim
The report at a glance
84%
of students
“STRONGLY AGREE”
“Assumed gender binaries and assumed heterosexuality makes my own identity feel sidelined and unimportant”
Canadian campus news Steven Chen News Writer
Five Canadian universities make global employability rankings Five Canadian universities placed in the top 100 of the 2015 Global Employability University Rankings. An annual assessment done by Times Higher Education, this year’s results show the steady influence of Canadian universities in an international standpoint. University of Toronto was ranked tenth, McGill University placed 21st overall and the University of British Columbia at 39th overall. University of Montreal and our own McMaster University secured the list at 44th and 86th respectively.
New study questions connection between teaching quality and institutional prestige Results from a recent study at the Association for the Study of Higher Education has raised questions on the assumption that courses taught at “prestigious” colleges and universities are of superior quality than their more modest counterparts. In the preliminary study, researchers showed that prestigious institutes outperformed less prestigious institutes in only one aspect — the cognitive complexity of the course work, while less prestigious institutes even achieved better results in two other measures.
and
63% LGBTQ+ “AGREE”
that universities should have more
FULL-TIME staff to run
spaces, events and groups
of
LGBTQ+ STUDENTS
felt uncomfortable “sometimes” or “often/always” about their identities in class due to a professor’s language or assumptions
“[CA’s] should express that homophobic slurs will not be tolerated”
uWaterloo breaks ground on new engineering building Construction of a new $88 million engineering building has begun at the University of Waterloo. The contemporary building will be designed to enhance student-driven innovation and research in the field of emerging technology. The financial funding will come from the university’s Educating the Engineer for the Future campaign, along with the recent $1 million funding from General Motors Canada.
NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
| 5
National sales competition reaches more students in its second year The Great Canadian Sales Competition aims to foster a greater interest in sales careers among students Saad Ejaz Contributor
The second annual Great Canadian Sales Competition is underway this year. With 60 participating schools, the competition is beginning to gain momentum. This is partially due to its major sponsors, which include Google, Air Canada, Xerox and Purolator. The GCSC is one of Canada’s biggest national student competitions, and invites universities and colleges across the country to take part this year. The aim of the competition is to make students more aware of the sales industry. Sonya Meloff, the cofounder of the Sales Talent Agency and Great Canadian Sales Competition believes this will help a new generation become interested in sales. “There is so much misconception of sales as a profession. There is a real lack of knowledge, and sales just isn’t highlighted as an area of study . . . Our intention with the competition was really to highlight sales as a profession, celebrate sales as a profession and promote the profession. And we hope to be a conduit to getting students in front of amazing employers and hopefully getting as many as possible into amazing job opportunities,” said Meloff. The competition consists of three rounds, and participants are required to use their sales skills to advance through them. To enter the competition,
students are required to submit a video pitch about a product or service of their interest. After making it to the second round, participants work with one of the competition’s big-name sponsors to create a pitch for a novel product or service in line with the company’s interest. Michael Cote, the Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Purolator showed his enthusiasm for upcoming GCSC. “It is pretty rewarding internally for the sales leaders at Purolator to help and work with our sponsored competitor and help them succeed . . . We help prepare our finalists, and where I feel that most of the fun for us next is to see them presenting in the final round and cheering them on,” he said. The final round consists of finalists presenting their pitch to a panel of judges made up of executives from Canada’s leading companies. Cote is one of the judges this year in the final round. All the finalists of the competition win a trip to Toronto, up to $7,500 and a chance to meet the executives from Canada’s leading companies. Finalist from last year’s GCSC, Rachele Benjamin, stated that although she did not pursue a career in sales, she was able to learn valuable skills and lessons from the competition. “It's important that if you're looking for a career, you approach every opportunity with an open mind. Guaranteed, if nothing else, you will learn a lot
from entering and giving it your best shot,” she explained. The ability to network, construct and present ideas are skills that are pivotal to many jobs in the workforce today. The ability to build on these skills is a fundamental aspect to learn before entering a professional setting and the GCSC hopes to continue helping students find their niche in the field.
Sonya Meloff, cofounder of the GCSC. C/O JORDANA HUBER
The finalists of the inaugural Great Canadian Sales Competition. C/O JORDANA HUBER By Levin C. Handy (per http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.04326) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
You don’t have to sit in school to stand among greatness. › Thomas Edison: Relentless Inventiveness Failure is no biggie. Just ask Edison. If he stopped at failure, he would never have moved on to invent a little thing called the light bulb. So if you’ve failed a class somewhere else, or have a scheduling conflict, come on over. You can catch up with our world-recognized online courses, then move on to bigger successes. Talk about a light bulb moment.
open. online. everywhere. go.athabascau.ca/online-courses
6 |
FEATURE
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
D R A W R O F G N I V MO WITH TUITION Daniel Arauz Features Reporter
MSU President Ehima Osazuwa’s phenomenally successful campaign last year was largely built on a distinctly ambitious platform. One of its most controversial points was a promise to address the issue of increasing tuition and student expenses. His ability to tackle a post-secondary policy giant during a one-year long mandate was met with much skepticism. In 2015, the average tuition of Canadian universities saw a 3.2 percent increase to $6,191, an increase of more than double the rate of inflation. The province will spend about $7.8 billion dollars across its post-secondary and training sector, just under six percent of the total budget for the 2015-16 year. Now well into his term, Osazuwa along with a Tuition Task Force and members of the Board of Directors, are tackling these issues through a number of specific initiatives within the MSU and with its partners. The provincial government’s current tuition framework, which outlines the post-secondary education funding model, is set to expire in 2017 and the government has launched consultations on “modernizing” the funding formula. With the province running a deficit and a projected decrease in post-secondary enrollment, the government could easily look to students to bear most of the financial burden. For the MSU and fellow Ontarian student unions, the 2016-17 school year is a crucial period to develop tuition advocacy strategies.
TUITION POLICY PAPER
The new policy paper seeks to outline a more detailed, extensive, and long-term policy to represent the MSU’s views on tuition. The recently passed Tuition Policy includes a number of requests, principles and goals, and is set to be finalized in on-going SRA meetings. The paper calls for the implementation of a tuition freeze until the federal or provincial government is able to contribute “one dollar for each dollar of student contribution.” The paper argues that as tuition outpaces the rate of inflation and the median household income, the current framework needs to see more investment from the government or at the very least, a cap on the increase of tuition in accordance to inflation as measured by the Consumer Price Index. The document stresses the need for more regulation in the face of rising student debt. “While the topic of tuition may appear divisive, the MSU believes strongly in the ability of dialogue and competing interests and protects students from cumbersome and inaccessible student debt,” declares the current draft of the policy paper. Despite its stated desire to accommodate for the diverse views on tuition issues, it does not shy away from arguing for specific tuition frameworks. The paper includes long-term recommendations, including that “the government should create a strategy to adopt a publicly funded, no upfront tuition model.” The document cites “The OUSA Paper on Alternate Cost Recovery Models,” which describes the
system of deferred tuition based in Australia and New Zealand. These models allow students to delay their tuition payments until their graduation, as well as offering several financial assistance programs. In Australia, the upfront tuition model also gives a 20 percent discount to students who choose not to defer tuition. In addition to defining the MSU’s stance on these issues, the policy paper also alludes to some of the current projects that the student government is currently undertaking.
ADVOCACY Over the past month, Osazuwa and VP (Education) Spencer Nestico-Semianiw have met with the university’s Board of Governors to present a number of requests. These include the desire to increase the amount of needs-based scholarships, which recognizes the effects financial strain can have on the academic performance required to earn merit-based scholarships. “I’d like to see some of that funding come from the four million dollars McMaster uses for merit-based scholarships,” explained Nestico. “I think that merit based scholarships are quite inequitable, so using that funding into needs-based would better target students who actually need the money.” To increase transparency, the MSU is also pushing for an activity-based funding model, which more easily allows students to understand what exactly their tuition is being used for in the university. Osazuwa believes this to be an easy change to implement. It will also be accompanied by a Tuition 101
information campaign, and a letter writing campaign directed to the provincial government in the next term.
“
At the end of the day, the best we can do is continue to lobby to the University and I think [they are] receptive to the idea of a more affordable tuition. Ehima Osazuwa MSU President, McMaster University
Osazuwa thinks that one of the MSU’s most important requests to the University is the removal of interest on late tuition payments, most often forced on students who rely on OSAP. This will likely be the most difficult request to negotiate and implement with the university, but Osazuwa wants to achieve it before the end of his term.
EMERGENCY BURSARY In addition to on-campus advocacy campaigns, the MSU has already introduced an emergency bursary for students
FEATURE
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
D in need of up to $500. The $8,000 budget allocated to the bursary program was quickly exhausted after its introduction in September, and by the end of the month, the MSU gave out approximately $12,000. The additional funds were drawn from saved money from other budget lines. Vice President (Finance) Daniel D’Angela explained that the MSU is looking to revise the program, and is considering alternative sources of funding to sustain it. So far, no definite changes have been made. D’Angela said that the MSU is not looking to make the requirements for the bursary stricter, but noted that the emergency bursary is not a sustainable solution. “I think our main goal is to provide the assistance that we’re doing through systems that we can but then work on issues to ensure that no student needs a bursary or needs an emergency bursary. I think that’s what the MSU’s goal is and what its responsibility should be. We can do some of the small things like that but I don’t think we should be just taking a lot of money from one set of students and just giving it to another,” said D’Angela.
OPPORTUNITIES & CHALLENGES While Osazuwa noted that the Board of Governors was receptive to some of the recommendations and initiatives the MSU is seeking to promote, the Board’s decision-making powers are limited. McMaster’s Chief Financial Officer Deidre Henne will discuss these requests with the Board of Directors, and is impressed with their initiatives
and ideas so far. Henne explained that currently the university gets the majority of its operating budget from tuition and grants. The province is in a deficit, and looking to change the way they provide operating grants, while the MSU and other student unions and advocacy groups are hoping to fight the increase in tuition. “There’s a real opportunity for student bodies now, at the same time that the government is looking to change the funding model in 2017, to speak with government and make sure that the province understands, not just from a University perspective … but more importantly from a student perspective of what is important to them,” explained Henne. The Board of Directors met with Henne this week, and discussed the MSU’s requests in relation to her role on the Council of Ontario Universities, and on the technical advisory committee to the Ministry of Education’s financing model. In response to Osazuwa’s personal goal to end interest fees on late tuition payments, Henne stated, “I’m going to say it’s difficult, and that’s just the truth of it because we want to collect tuition fees as early in the process as possible for the overall financing and budgeting of the university.” The university’s current financial system runs with the assumption that it will operate with most of its money paid on time. If payments were to arrive later in the term, the university would have to seek assistance from a lending facility to cover the first few months of operation. For the hope of implement-
ing a province-wide tuition freeze, Henne says that it has to accommodate declining enrollment and deficit issues Ontario is facing. Henne suggested, “what Ehima could do, is take his tuition request for zero percent increase and request the gap from the enrollment gap to be redirected as a supplement for this lack of tuition increase. It’s yet another alternative in the mixed pileup of complexities. It’s a lofty goal and I admire Ehima for taking it on. I feel his group has a lot of capability.” The MSU has put student tuition and debt at the forefront of its priorities this year, following Osazuwa’s landslide win. However, with his term coming to an end and a new presidential election on the horizon, the state of affordable tuition advocacy as a long-term priority for the MSU remains to be seen. With the Ontario government seeking input on the future of its funding formula, this is an opportune time for the MSU to be active in the tuition conversation. Osazuwa believes that both the student union and the University are interested in discussing student financial issues and stressed the need for collaboration between all stakeholders. “We can run campaigns, we can have emergency bursaries, we can have our tuition policy paper but, at the end of the day, the best we can do is continue to lobby to the University and I think [they are] receptive to the idea of a more affordable tuition. We can’t change the price of tuition just by ourselves.” @danielarauzz
| 7
8 |
NEWS
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
New outdoor gym facilities open as snow flies McMaster’s outdoor gym facilities, one of last year’s Student Life Enhancement Fund initiatives, have officially opened
Patrick Kim News Reporter
Sitting outside of Les Prince Hall is the most recent installation of the initiatives made possible by the Student Life Enhancement Fund. Officially labeled as the McMaster Outdoor Fitness Circuit and Boulder Climbing Facility, the outdoor installation is a playground for fitness enthusiasts and beginners alike. Located by the track in front of Les Prince, the circuit contains various bars and benches that allow an individual to perform a variety of strength and conditioning sets. Two large, manmade boulders are also connected by a small rope-bridge. The installation was originally built in August, but had its official launch on Nov. 12. "I think it's a cool idea because we're always talking about space and how space is a premium and hard to come by, and I think it's cool that [Athletics and Recreation] is moving outside," said MSU President Ehima Osazuwa. “Inside, there is literally no space to do anything, so we need to think about creative and new ways of utilizing space; there's a lot of outdoor space on
LARGE PIZZA $ +3 TOPPINGS + 3 FREE COKE
campus that we currently don't really utilize,” he said. The circuit was one of two initiatives selected by students as the best ideas during last year's Presidential elections, alongside a plan to enhance and optimize the space in the Student Centre. An open period for new, student submissions is currently ongoing for SLEF, and Osazuwa described his excitement for several ideas including heated bus shelters and napping stations on campus. Once the submission period ends, members of the Board of Directors will determine the feasibility of projects and present a shortlist to students to vote on during the Presidential elections this year. Once the top ideas are chosen, a suitable partner must be found to keep the initiative maintained and sustainable, like with the outdoor circuit being maintained by Athletics & Recreation. “I'm a really big fan of SLEF because I think SLEF gives people the chance to dictate where their money is going to, and also give us creative and new ideas as to where we should spend student dollars on,” said Osazuwa. However, not all initiatives necessarily have such a quick
13
Offers subject to expire without notice.
99 XL $ 3 ADD
turnaround. An on-campus skating rink has been in the works for over three years now, but has run into various issues regarding feasibility and the logistics in implementing one and maintaining it during the
winter. While Osazuwa highlighted various hurdles such as the falling Canadian dollar and the details involved in maintenance, he indicated that he was hopeful with the progress this year.
“There's been more progress compared to previous years,” said Osazuwa. Students have until Nov. 20 to submit their ideas. @patrickmkim
@patrickmkim
The Outdoor Fitness Circuit is just one of the two new sets of gym equipment made available thanks to the Student Life Enhancement Fund. JON WHITE/PHOTO EDITOR
DOWNLOAD OUR AWARD WINNING APPS!
(905) 815 MainSt. W @ Paradise www.pizzapizza.ca
NEWS
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
A greener future? McMaster President Patrick Deane looks to form a fossil fuel divestment advisory group Isaac Kinley Contributor
McMaster University President Patrick Deane is assembling a fossil fuel divestment advisory group in response to a petition demanding that the university pull its endowment out of fossil fuel investments. The petition, an initiative of Fossil Free McMaster, aimed to collect 1,000 signatures but has so far managed to garner just over 900 in the two years that it has been online. Its text warns of the disastrous effects of climate change and says that McMaster students “deserve the opportunity to graduate with a future not defined by climate chaos.” It calls on the university to halt new investments in fossil fuel companies and to divest from all fossil fuel-related investments within five years, which it argues is also a financially responsible decision. The advisory group will counsel the McMaster Board of Governors’ Finance Committee, responsible for the University’s investment decisions, on whether to divest from fossil fuels. Deane aims to form a group that is unbiased and includes both an undergraduate and a graduate student. To this end, he has contacted the Student Representative Assembly and the Graduate Students Association to ask them to provide candidates. Conner Hurd, the head of Fossil Free McMaster, feels that this lack of bias may be difficult to achieve. “There’s very few people who sit on the fence on this issue,” he said. “It’s going to be hard to find an unbiased sample.” He expects that the advisory group’s eventual verdict will be in Fossil Free McMaster’s favour, but also stresses that his group advocates an approach that will allow the University to avoid losing money. “Going forward with integrity doesn’t just mean taking the moral high road on any argument, it means being pragmatic. Ultimately we don’t want the
“
Going forward with integrity doesn’t just mean taking the moral high road on any argument, it means being pragmatic. Connor Hurd Fossil Free McMaster
university to lose out on money that comes back from endowment funds because it goes towards bursaries and grants,” he said. “Plus it is donated money, so the people who’ve donated [it] want to see it go back into the University.” Professor emeritus of economics Atif Kubursi, who has been involved with the initiative along with Biology professor James Quinn, is also optimistic about its outcome, although he said he would like McMaster to move more quickly on the matter. “We should be at the vanguard of things,” he said. “It would be terrible if the university were a laggard and always reacting to others.” He also feels that the recent 50 percent drop in oil prices may provide McMaster with a financial incentive to divest. “If they had listened to us, they would have saved a lot of money. This is an opportune moment to rebalance your portfolio by going into the kinds of investments that are sunrise, not sunset. The oil industry is a sunset industry. Sunrise would be renewable energy,” he said. “The University, even for pure financial reasons, is ill-advised to remain in fossil fuels.”
NOW on
facebook and twitter!
UNIVERSITY PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SERVICES 1.905.304.8075
OFF CAMPUS HOUSING 60 QUALITY PROPERTIES • one to eight bedroom homes • minutes to MAC
25 YEARS IN BUSINESS 1000’s OF SATISFIED CLIENTS RELIABLE, WORRY- FREE LIVING CALL TODAY!
www.machousing.com Email: houses@machousing.com
| 9
10 |
HUMANS
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
Jessica Escoto Communications and Multimedia III
What have you been thinking about lately? “Sometimes I look at my parents, and I wonder, ‘do you feel scared that you’re getting older, and that’s it?’ It’s kind of scary. As a young person getting older, I wonder if they ever think about if that’s it, that they’re on their way to exiting the world. They’re not going to be here forever, and that really sucks. Lately they’ve been talking about
Robert Rawlins Integrated Science IV
signing up for funeral insurance and stuff like that. Even though I’m 20, and I know it’s not real that people live forever, I’m kind of having a hard time accepting that we’re all growing older.” How was your childhood? “As a 20 year old now, I always think back about how I feel like I didn’t have much of a childhood because when I was young, all I wanted to do was
look for a boyfriend, live alone, and be independent and away from my parents, not thinking that I did need them at that point in my life. I mean I still do I guess — but at 14, you definitely need your parents. With that mindset, I went on and jumped into a relationship with the first guy that ever actually showed some interest in me. He was older than me at the time, and I didn’t realize how detrimental that could be for me. I
let him control my life, basically. Everything in my life all pointed towards him, and that was all that mattered to me. And I thought that I was being this independent young lady, like ‘this is how it is to be an adult, because that’s what I wanna be.’ But it turned out that it’s totally not. And it totally ruined being that young and carefree person that I really wanted to be, because there were all these problems that came out
of it that a 14-year-old should not solve on her own. People expected that I could do everything on my own. They treated me as if I was this 30-year-old woman — that I could just solve everything on my own. Now, as an adult, I think I struggle with growing up because I so badly want to take that childhood back. Little things like being driven to school by my parents, or being kissed goodnight. I just want to
What are you passionate about?
Kettles’. I play the trombone, my brother plays the tuba, and my sister plays the cornet. I actually don’t play the trombone well, but what I did was sing. I got my first solo in fourth grade choir or something, and then took lessons, but hockey got in the way. So I said, ‘okay, my voice is changing, I’ll leave it and come back.’ During my grade 12 summer, I went to camp and sang in a choir, and I was like, ‘this is the best thing ever!’ So then during my first year of university, I joined the Mac Choir. One thing kinda led to another, so then, I did the Ontario Youth Choir. I just did an opera program in the summer, so that’s actually what I’m auditioning for now — a Masters of Opera. So from hockey, to iSci, to opera — but I think I found my thing.”
“Growing up, the biggest thing for me was sports, definitely, like hockey — I was really seriously into hockey. If you asked me in the tenth grade, I would have told you, ‘if I’m not playing professional hockey, then I don’t know what I’m gonna do.’ I was really serious, really devoted. And then it started to become a stress in my life because of expectations. In grade 12, I played a year of junior A hockey, and then applied to university. When I got into iSci, I thought that I was going to go and quit hockey, which was a big deal for me. So, my family is musical, right? My mom always sang, and we were part of the Salvation Army’s brass band, ‘The
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
HUMANS | 11
MAC STUDENTS SHOP FOR LESS.
10% OFF
*
EVERY TUESDAY. 845 KING STREET WEST Jason Lau Photo Reporter
* Limit of one (1) transaction per student per day. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Offer valid at the Food Basics located at 845 King Street West Hamilton, ON. Not valid on purchases of gift cards, lottery tickets, Western Union, transit tickets, stamps, tobacco and prescriptions. Metro Ontario Inc. reserves the right to amend or terminate this promotion without notice.
be that kid, but now I have to push through, go forward, and become an adult. I always hear that when you’re a kid, you want to grow up so bad, but when you’re an actual adult, you’re like, ‘oh man. I don’t want this! I want to be young again.’ And I thought I was ready for that. I don’t think I tell myself enough, ‘oh yeah, by the way, you’re an adult, so you should let that sink in.’ Things are just moving way too fast.”
Is there anything you want to say to other humans at McMaster? “Whatever phase you’re going through in life right now, if it’s kind of chill, or if it’s really hard, I think the most important thing is: go home, and talk to your parents, or whoever your guardian is, and tell them you love them.”
You can view more photos online on the Humans of McMaster Facebook page:
facebook.com/ HumansOfMcMaster
McMaster Student Discount Newspaper Ad, 5.75” x 6.5”
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
The McMaster Students Union
PRESIDENT’S PAGE
Over the last several years, the MSU has participated in several advocacy weeks as part of both its provincial and federal advocacy organizations. Through the Ontario Undergraduate Student Alliance, the MSU has sent delegates to participate in the annual provincial advocacy week at Queen’s Park. These delegates have advocated
to MPPs, Cabinet Ministers, civil servants, and others on a variety of student issues. While the MSU was a member of CASA, this advocacy was mirrored at the federal level on uniquely federal student issues. This week, the MSU is proud to make its first foray into municipal advocacy, with a fully fledged Municipal Advocacy Week. During the week of November 16-20, representatives of the MSU will meet and discuss student issues with over a dozen municipal decision-makers, including the Mayor, MPPs, Ward Councillors, City Managers, and community foundations. First and foremost is a discussion on the role of students in the McMaster and Hamilton community. The MSU would like to discuss ways to improve neighbourhood-student relations. Student employment and retention will be key to our discussions, where we will engage on ways to better provide jobs to both undergraduate and recent graduates of McMaster University. Other areas of
The President’s Page is a space sponsored and used by the McMaster Students Union (MSU) Board of Directors (BoD) to communicate with the student body. It functions to highlight the Board’s projects, goals, and agenda for the year, as well as the general happenings of the MSU.
discussion throughout the week quests represent students’ interwill also include transit, the ests. downtown renewal, entrepreAfter the week of meetings neurship, and bylaw review. is complete, the student leadApart from the tangible ben- ers who have participated will efits of each of these meetings, compile their discussions and I strongly believe that this week the MSU will release its first provides great ever Municipal benefit to our own Advocacy Week Student emstudent leaders. Report. The goal Although other of the report is to ployment and Board members provide students retention will and I will attend with an underseveral of these standing of the be key to our meetings, the goal work the MSU of this week is also has done within discussions ... to place emerging our municipality, student leaders in as well as where the room with key municipal de- we see the MSU’s growth when it cision-makers. Members of the comes to future municipal work. MSU’s Education Team, as well There is also the exciting opporas volunteers from the External tunity to introduce some of these Affairs Committee, will have the outcomes into the upcoming opportunity to take part in these ChangeCamp conference, which meetings, and I am proud of the will place students, university impact and experience this will members, and Hamilton staff toprovide them in their advocacy gether in discussion on ways to journey. All of the agendas and continue Hamilton’s remarkable talking points for these meet- revitalization. I look forward to ings were student-driven and engaging more MSU members designed, to ensure that our re- in advocacy throughout the year.
“
”
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 13
Editorial Secret services Amanda Watkins Editor-in-Chief
A little over three years ago, I excitedly moved into my student house. I predicted it would soon become the backdrop of my soon-to-be reality TV-worthy student life, but instead I was welcomed into my new home with a slew of landlord upsets. With everything from bathroom leaks, to broken decks, to a mysterious older man who used to enter our home at night to fix the plumbing (yes, this was as terrifying as it sounds), at times my student house was more of a problem than a personal oasis. At the time, I didn’t realize that all of these issues were at the fault of my landlord, since he often asserted his authority in a way that made myself and my housemates feel responsible. We are definitely not the only students to be in a situation like this. Tenants of Westdale and Ainsliewood
homes have often fallen victim to landlord traps that place them in uncomfortable and unlawful positions. In an effort to combat this problem, the MSU’s Student Community Support Network has launched the #MacLivesHere campaign, a Twitter and recently MUSCcentric campaign that will help students become better acquainted with leasing homes and give them an opportunity to share their grievances. The #MacLivesHere campaign is, in theory, a great idea. So many students get into signing leases without knowing all their rights, and this has led to complications in the past where students end up getting the short end of a deal that is supposed to be in their favour. The only unfortunate part of the campaign is that it is run by a somewhat overshadowed MSU service, the SCSN. The MSU is a big organization. It is comprised of both large and small services, with some getting
I’m loving the #MacLivesHere campaign, but wish it and the MSU’s smaller services got more attention
more attention than others. This structure is something expected, but it also begs the question, how necessary are all of our services, and can our money be better used serving groups with the power to make campaigns noticed and accessible? The SCSN is a service that is meant to help students build positive relationships with the Hamilton community. Unfortunately, even though their aim is noble, some of their efforts and campaigns often get overlooked when larger groups take center stage. It could be a valuable and well-used service for students, but when larger promotions sidestep its actions, the group just appears to be another accessory of the MSU that helps keen students piggyback on a service to work their way towards a future fulltime job with the Union. As a person who is more informed about campus events and services than most, I still don’t know all that much about
to Ironically Edith.
to the palps. to unlawful table takers.
to microwave visitors?
to the taste of disappointment.
to loving our new home at the Royal Connaught.
the SCSN. It is one of multiple MSU services that passes just enough under the radar that very few seem to be checking up on them — this is a disservice both to them and the student body. Perhaps its time to take a good look at our services and decide which ones are worth our time, and figure out how
to SIL 4.
we can better use our resources to make those shine. It would be great to see more students exposed to the Mac Lives Here campaign, but as far as many students are concerned, SCSN hasn’t even signed a lease. @whatthekins
Get involved with The Sil! NEWS
OPINION
LIFESTYLE
SPORTS
ANDY
Are you interested in current affairs, campus events and student politics? Join our News team as a writer or photographer!
Do you have something you want to get off your chest? A pressing opinion about campus life or the community? Write for Opinion!
Are you a foodie, fashionista or pop culture enthusiast with an interst in student life and Hamilton? Write for Lifestyle!
Do you stay updated with Marauder sports? Do you have commentary to share about your favourite teams? Join the Sports team!
Are new music, movies, arts and games constantly on your radar? Get involved with our arts and entertainment section, Andy!
Send them an email at: news@thesil.ca
Send them an email at: opinion@thesil.ca
Send them an email at: lifestyle@thesil.ca
Send them an email at: sports@thesil.ca
Send them an email at: andy@thesil.ca
Or, attend their volunteer article brainstorming meeting on Tues. @ 12:30
Or, attend their volunteer article brainstorming meeting on Tues. @ 10:30
Or, attend their volunteer article brainstorming meeting on Tues. @ 11:30
Or, attend their volunteer article brainstorming meeting on Tues. @ 2:30
Or, attend their volunteer article brainstorming meeting on Mon. @ 4:30
SHEC Addictions Awareness Fair: Above the Influence When: November 19, 2015 from 10:00AM until 02:00PM
no coffeehouse will be taking place in Bridges Cafe with optional donations at entry, refreshments and Movember Swag available for purchase, and live music from your very own McMaster community provided!
Where: MUSC Atrium Join us at the MUSC Atrium for our
Bridges - McMaster Moustached Men
AbiliTEAS
When: November 20, 2015 from 07:00PM until 10:00PM
from 05:30PM until 07:00PM
Where: Bridges
Where: WGEN Space (MUSC 204)
A coffee house charity event to help
MSU Diversity Services’ Abilities pillar has a weekly series called AbiliTEAS! If you are a student with a disability, we
raise funds and raise awareness for men’s health and prostate cancer. Contact depodedr@mcmaster.ca for more information!
will be offering snacks, resources and peer support in a space where you can bond over lived experience and engage in meaningful dialogue. We are re-launching this event and it will take place in the WGEN space in MUSC 204. Come join in on a supportive space!
Bubble Beards Soccer When: November 22, 2015 from 09:00AM until 02:00PM Where: IWC Gym Support Movember Canada by joining in our
Mo’Caccino Coffeehouse When: November 20, 2015 from 04:00PM until 07:00PM Where: Bridges Cafe
bubble soccer event! Donate $11/person or $50/team of 5 to participate in a bubble soccer tournement, with 20 minute games! The event will take place on Sunday, November 22 in IWC Gym. In addition to bubble soccer fun, we will have lots of awesome Movember swag
This November 20th from 4-7 PM help
avaialble, including our beautiful 3D printed
raise funds and awareness for prostate
moustache rings!
cancer research, rock your best moustache and come out to support McMoster’s Movember campaign! Mo’ Cacci-
When: November 23, 2015 from 03:00PM until 03:00PM Where: CFMU 93.3 Tune into the SHEC Show on CFMU 93.3!
Addictions Awareness Fair!
When: November 19, 2015
The SHEC Show: The Show of Worsts
VISIT: msumcmaster.ca/calendar to view the full calendar of events!
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 15
Opinion
Nice save, Amazon C/O THE TELEGRAPH
Amazon Canada recently pulled Paul Bernardo’s e-book, but was it for the right reasons? Sunanna Bhasin Opinions Columnist
Very recently, media outlets exploded with the news that Canadian serial killer and rapist, Paul Bernardo, had released a fictional violence-filled thriller and that Amazon Canada had categorized it as a #1 Best Seller. Bernardo was convicted of murder and sexual assault in 1993. He was sentenced to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 25 years. As the 25year mark approaches, Bernardo has not only published his e-book A MAD World Order, he has also applied for day parole in Toronto three years early. The publishing of this novel — said to be filled with gory descriptions and violent crimes — is a double-edged sword: it will decrease his already near-zero chances at parole, but it has also reminded victims of his horrific crimes. Bernardo is classified as a dangerous offender, meaning that he can be detained for an indefinite amount of time. This label was given to him after being convicted mainly for two first-degree murders and two
aggravated sexual assaults of teenage girls, Kristen French, 15, and Leslie Mahaffy, 14. Ironically, Bernardo’s trial was subject to a publication ban in Canada to protect witnesses and victims, yet here Bernardo is today, more than 20 years later, able to freely publish work on the internet. While Amazon Canada pulled the novel from the site a few days ago, it is astonishing that the book was published in the first place. It only took 80,000 signatures on a petition by NEWSTALK1010 calling for the removal of the book and Amazon customers threatening to take their services elsewhere for Amazon to act and stop selling the book. Someone like Bernardo, who has committed the most despicable, disgusting crimes, including raping young women outside their parents’ homes and murdering schoolgirls, does not deserve any sort of online presence. Yet, Amazon did not seem to care about the immorality attached to the book until their business was being threatened. It is one thing for Bernardo to have needed a creative outlet to help him cope with his iso-
“
Ironically, Bernardo’s trial was subject to a publication ban in Canada.
lation, but it is another thing to give someone who has orchestrated unforgivable crimes publicity, without any sort of care for victims. Bernardo’s living victims who are witness to the publication of his book have every right to question Amazon’s much too flexible policy. Before being removed, A MAD World Order was selling for $7.77 according to the Globe and Mail, meaning that it earned 70 percent in royalties. If Amazon truly doesn’t “accept books that provide a poor customer experience” which the company states in its content guidelines, then where was the foresight when they decided it was okay to provide a platform for a convicted murderer and rapist to profit?
The fact that Bernardo was given even a minute to profit off descriptions of killings, which he knows all too well, is horrifying. Amazon’s quick decision to pull Bernardo’s e-book from the site does not seem to be out of concern for his negative influence and the repercussions his online presence has already caused, but rather out of fear for losing the bulk of its dedicated customers. The reality is that Paul Bernardo has hurt more than his chances of parole by publishing this book, but ultimately it is Amazon’s responsibility to screen what is being submitted. The book should never have been allowed on the site. Despite Amazon’s intentions being questionable, it was a smart move on their part to remove Bernardo’s book from their platform. At the end of the day, all that Bernardo’s online presence does is cause his horrific actions to be remembered, and because the nature of the publication does not represent any form of apology or regret, he should not be granted the right to sell his work. @SunannaB
Top: Paul Bernardo Bottom: The cover of Bernardo’s book, A MAD World Order C/O TORONTO SUN
16 |
OPINION
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
Control+Z the laptop ban Laptops are an important part of accessible education
Sabrina Bene Contributor
Laptops have become the norm in lecture halls as more students bring them to take notes in class. Some professors believe that they have become a distraction rather than a tool to help students learn. I believe that despite this, electronics supply students with unlimited possibilities to enhance their learning experience in lecture. With technology constantly advancing, students are able to increase the amount of information obtained, and apply it in various ways. The restriction of electronics would have more negative effects than positive. A laptop allows students to follow along with what the professor is saying, while allowing them to quickly jot down important information. Allowing laptops in lectures allows the student to clarify information that may have been confusing. Stu-
dents are able to follow along with visual data provided by the professor, and are given a chance to interact with the material. For example, the program “TopHat,” which has been introduced in select classes on campus, requires students to bring their laptops to lecture. If a student does not own a laptop for financial reasons the program provides them with one to follow along. Programs such as TopHat create a positive learning environment for all students and enhance the students’ abilities to clearly understand what is being taught. Electronics also supply students with quick access to the internet where a student can follow along with a PowerPoint on their own monitor, while also searching anything they may need clarification on. A student can quickly google words or phrases they may not understand if they feel uncomfortable asking in lecture. Despite these advantages,
laptops can also cause distractions. While in lecture many students have a bad habit of checking Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, disregarding how distracting this can be for others. This is also detrimental for the person using social media, as it is nearly impossible to browse Facebook while focusing on lecture as well. To reduce the negative impact of laptops rules can be put in place to minimize distractions. For example, students who want to bring laptops can sit at the back of the lecture hall to avoid disturbing others. Additionally, lap-tops can be banned from tutorials so that more students are able to fully pay attention to what is being discussed. Professors can also try to supply programs like ‘TopHat” where the lecture becomes more interactive, encouraging the student to pay attention rather than browse social media. It is also important that we accommodate electronics in
NEED A TAXI FAST?
C/O THE NEW YORKER
“
The restriction of electronics would have more negative effects than positive.
lecture as they can make material more accessible for students with disabilities. For example, Pear Note on MacBooks and One Note on PCs allows students with processing disabilities to synchronize information by recording lectures while taking notes. The student can then go through their notes, highlight a concept they didn’t understand in the lecture, and the software repeats the material from that point in time. This helps to increase comprehension and
the quality of notes. If laptops were to be banned entirely with the exception of students with disabilities, then they could be uncomfortably singled out. The use of electronics in the classroom can have both negative and positive effects. To eliminate the negatives professors should consider if the course requires electronics or if the material is largely verbal or written. Professors should also consider how their decisions affect students with disabilities and decide on the most appropriate way to accommodate them, creating a positive environment for all students. Through my own experience I find that the use of electronics can be extremely helpful, as it provides access to all lecture material that you can follow while listening to the lecturer. While I do believe that laptops are a distraction, I do not believe they should be banned because the positives outweigh the negatives.
CHECK OUT OUR NEW APP! • No more phone calls. • No more long waits on hold. • You pick the type of vehicle.
Search the app store:
• You pick the type of payment.
Blueline Taxi Hamilton
• You can get a fare estimate.
905.525.0000 | 525blue.com
• You can watch your taxi on its way. • You can rate your ride and driver.
OPINION | 17
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
I don’t “like” it Facebook’s new buttons are vapid at best, and dangerous at worst Emily Current Contributor
One of Facebook’s features is its “like” button, which is used to express appreciation for a post without actually leaving a comment. Now Facebook is giving us more options with new reactions — a heart, an angry face, a sad face, a smiling face, a laughing face, and a stunned face — introduced in Ireland and Spain. As it is, people already press the like button complacently. You can see the likes on pictures and other posts accumulating into the hundreds, and then far higher for posts that get repeatedly shared. With the numbers of likes on posts growing so high, these likes become essentially meaningless. People have stopped noticing that their friends liked their picture, and started looking just at the number of likes they’ve received. The introduction of Facebook’s new reactions brings up the question of whether this will be any different. Take for instance the heart button. Realistically it will probably not end up being used much differently than the like button. If people really did care about a post they saw and wanted to express that to the person
who made the post, then they would take the time and the effort to actually make a sincere comment about it. Facebook’s heart button will probably just end up being used by people who want to appear to be thoughtful and sincere, but who don’t really have anything they want to express. For the most part, it will probably be used as a gesture, just as likes are now. The outlook for the “angry face” reaction doesn’t seem much better. Why would anyone actually need an angry face to express themselves on Facebook? Do we really want social media to give us an easy way to publicly show anger? This tool could be very easily misused. The angry face could be used to express an
actual justified grievance, but it probably won’t be used in that way. If someone is genuinely angry, they’re not going to show that by clicking an angry face
button on Facebook — they will comment. It is more likely that the angry face reaction will end up being used in a passive aggressive manner, with
BEST PRICES ON CAMPUS FOR: MILK • BAGELS • SANDWICHES COLD DRINKS • GRAB N GO MEALS COFFEE & TEA • FAIR TRADE GLUTEN FREE OPTIONS & MORE! We accept cash, debit, and credit, and have long hours to serve you best.
people clicking the button on someone’s post and thinking “there, now they know I’m mad at them” thus avoiding direct confrontation. Like with the angry face and the heart, the problem with the sad face reaction is that it can’t actually genuinely be used to express the emotion that it’s meant to convey. The act of clicking a button is simply not enough of a gesture to have any meaning. If permanently introduced, the sad face reaction will probably dissolve into another empty expression of empathy. As for the stunned face, the smiling face, and the laughing face, I suppose nothing bad can really be said about them. But on the other hand, nothing good can really be said about them either. They’re harmless but unnecessary additions that will most likely neither contribute anything to Facebook nor have any detrimental effects. They’re
“
The act of clicking a button is simply not enough of a gesture to have any meaning.
just new add-ons that people might enjoy using, but that aren’t really needed. The introduction of Facebook’s new set of reactions brings up the question of whether buttons on social media should be a part of our daily interactions. The stunned face, the smiling face, and the laughing face aren’t really problematic, as people can use these reactions without having much of an impact. The heart and sad face highlight the issue of insincere emotions on social media, and the angry face is just asking for trouble. Overall, these new reactions are not an improvement to Facebook. They bring with them new issues to the already complex social media site.
18 |
OPINION
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
Sweat the small stuff Talia Kollek Opinions Editor
I’ll let you in on a little secret: feminists are sometimes very angry people. We hold signs at rallies, we swear at catcallers, and sometimes we publish aggressive opinions pieces. Often we are accused of focusing on issues that are too small. Are you moaning about the lack of female MSU presidential candidates? What about the environment! Are you upset about the wage gap? What
about genocide? Missing and murdered Indigenous women? Think about world hunger. Over the years I’ve learned that no issue is too small. Telling people that their grievances are unimportant is to misunderstand the nature of social change. Our societal flaws do not exist in a vacuum, but instead are part of a larger web of systematic barriers that feminists have simply labeled “patriarchy.” Nothing is a small issue because it is always part of a larger one. A casual sexist joke in the office contributes to the devaluing of women in the
workplace. Brushing off a Pocahontas costume at Halloween is a dismissal of the contemporary impact of colonialism. A friend who insists on hugging you despite your complaints is ignoring the importance of consent. Speaking up about these “small” issues is absolutely worth your time, and acknowledging these legitimate grievances is very important. Getting involved with small-scale issues can also function as a form of “gateway activism.” No one begins their activist career with a global campaign for social reform.
FREE WEEKLY SHUTTLE BUS EVERY TUESDAY STARTING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
Change isn’t brought about by focusing exclusively on “big” issues Instead most people start by making changes locally, or advocating for themselves on a small scale. Furthermore, issues such as racism, sexism, and homophobia are complex, and require time and effort to understand. If everyone who wanted to commit to social change began by trying to solve an entire “ism,” the process would become immediately overwhelming. Instead of trying to bite off more than you can chew, starting small means that you can learn as you work, both from others and from past mistakes. It is also perfectly valid to not graduate onto “bigger” issues. Not everyone is destined to become a contemporary Martin Luther King. Equally important are the people who strive to make meaningful changes to their own environments, be it their interpersonal relationships, or how they feel about themselves. Not everyone has to do great things to make a big difference. By focusing exclusively on larger issues we can also often lose sight of the impact of the “smaller” things. Sure, one food bank may not alleviate poverty and hunger globally, but even
FEEDBACK
“
Telling people that their grievances are unimportant is to misunderstand the nature of social change.
if the larger systematic issues remain unsolved, then at least it has made a difference in the immediate lives of its clients. A little work is better than no work, especially when the problem you are trying to tackle is multi-faceted. Often the person who tells you that there are bigger fish to fry are not frying any fish themselves. My advice to those aspiring to bring about meaningful change in this world is to sweat the small stuff. It may seem like the hydra grows too many heads, but large or small, you need to chop them off one at a time. @TaliaKollek
What is a “small” issue that matters to you?
Commons pick-up at 6:00PM | 7:00PM | 8:00PM Final drop off 9:30PM
Vanessa Lombardo
Andrew Pacheco
Biology II
Social Sciences I
“Communicating properly and respecting how people want to be referred to. “
“The treatment of animals. Especially when it comes to the fashion industry and the use of fur.”
Dena Moradi
Meaghan Dixon
Life Sciences V
History II
Mary Keyes pick-up at 6:30PM | 7:30PM | 8:30PM Final drop off 10:00PM
LOOK FOR THE
BIG YELLOW School Bus!
“One of the bigger issues in Hamilton is a lack of resources for homeless people.”
“The stigma surrounding mental health. I think it affects things on a big and small scale.”
OPINION | 19
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
A legislative Trojan horse The Trans-Pacific Partnership will have a direct impact on our lives, and we aren’t paying attention Haoda Yan Contributor
What’s the most important political issue of 2015? Is it global warming? The Syrian refugee crisis? Increasing rates of Islamophobia in Canada? Donald Trump as President of the United States? The biggest issue of 2015 is brought to you by the letters T, P, and P, an international trade agreement which will directly affect the average citizen.. If you thought the Stop Online Piracy Act — an American bill proposed to control internet activity — was troublesome, you’d be surprised at how much damage the Trans-Pacific Partnership could do. Although it is being promoted by governments as a way to foster innovation, encourage economic growth, and create jobs, the TPP instead benefits corporations, who aren’t necessarily in the business of serving citizens. Although it is clear that the TPP intends
to increase corporate profits, nobody is willing to explain just how it intends to accomplish that. The main question is why nobody involved is willing to divulge any information about the arrangement. Canadian citizens should really be concerned about an agreement where the only documents the public was privy to during its drafting were the ones released by Wikileaks. Many things become less regulated under this trade agreement including environmental policies, food safety standards, and labour laws. Food safety legislation would become moot as the TPP allows any corporation to sue any government over policies that could “impact expected future profits.” Factors that would impact profits include things like package warnings and virtually any other policy that exists to protect consumers. Under the guise of defending innovators from thieves, the TPP intends to snuff out smaller businesses by creating monop-
“
Under the guise of defending innovators from thieves, the TPP intends to snuff out smaller businesses.
olies for almost every product. Ironically, although supporters of the TPP claim it will create jobs, the agreement will actually ship jobs overseas. With no more trade barriers, corporations would be entirely free to outsource labour to countries with lower wages. This is bad news for workers, consumers, and especially students, robbing
them of learning resources, job opportunities, and much more. Are we just going to stand idly by as this policy threatens to hurt everyone but big businesses? The TPP would give multi-national firms an incredible amount of international power. Individual politicians come and go, but the Trans-Pacific Partnership has no expiry date, which is why it has to be sunk before it reaches the Pacif-
ic shore. Given that the public is still largely in the dark, the only groups currently influencing this legislation are the same self-serving corporations. Canadian citizens need to respond quickly and loudly if we want to stop this trade agreement from being fast-tracked through parliament. The TPP is a Trojan horse, and much like the Trojans happily inviting this threat into their walls, we will all suffer for it.
A map of countries involved in the trade agreement. C/O CHINA US TRADE LAW BLOG
Solidarity on a global scale We need to be critical of where our sympathies lie Alex Zavarise Contributor
The principal goal of terrorism is to spread fear through violence, attempting to induce irrational decisions in scared individuals or groups. The attackers (especially those with political aims) will often identify certain demands, anticipating that the individuals involved will make a reckless decision and comply in order to regain a sense of control. Terrorists put individuals in high-stress situations, hoping to benefit from their distress. It is gross. It is sick. It happens every day. In 2014 there were roughly 13,500 terrorist attacks in the world. That’s around 37 attacks per day. On Nov. 13, 2015, there were three terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Beirut and France, and two earthquakes in Japan and Mexico, but the Internet
only seemed to care about France. Similar to the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris this January, social media exploded with tweets and statuses showing support for the victims and their families. The hashtag “Pray for Paris” trended worldwide the night of the attacks, garnering over 2.5 million tweets. Support online for the other tragedies did not receive the same amount of attention, with Beirut only receiving about 90 thousand tweets that night, followed by Baghdad with 82 thousand. Why do certain countries receive an outpouring of support during tragedies, while other countries are largely disregarded? Iraq, for example, fell victim to roughly 3,400 terrorist attacks in 2014 alone, whereas the U.S. experienced fewer than 30. You can imagine which received greater coverage. This Friday major media
“
Why do certain countries receive an outpouring of support during tragedies, while other countries are largely disregarded?
outlets, such as BBC, CNN, CBC, and even the Vatican reported almost exclusively on Paris. News outlets are supposed to report on the news. All of it. The front pages of the
world’s newspapers mourned for Paris — news of Baghdad, Beirut, Japan and Mexico could be found amongst the game highlights, classifieds, and crosswords. Even urban landmarks were altered to show their support. The CN Tower, World Trade Centre, and Wembley Stadium are among the many buildings that changed their lighting to red, white and blue — the colours of the French flag. The purpose? To show solidarity and support for France. Nothing for Baghdad, Beirut, Japan or Mexico. And what of our world leaders? British PM David Cameron, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau and former PM Stephen Harper, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, and U.S. President Barack Obama are among the many leaders to release statements of support for France. Donald Trump also weighed in, but his comments were — in
FLAGS FROM THE LEFT: Iraq, Lebanon, France, Japan, Mexico
classic Trump fashion —insensitive and self-serving. None took the time to speak about Baghdad, Beirut, Japan or Mexico. So why does France get such a show of solidarity? Why are the other tragedies of the day not newsworthy? Why are news outlets allowed to pick and choose what story gets the most airtime? Is it important to report on Paris? Yes. Were the events in Paris a tragedy? Absolutely. But the tragedy in Paris on Nov. 13 was not the only major tragedy that occurred that day, even though the world seemed to think so. It is important to report on all tragedies, and show support for all victims.
20 |
GAMES
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
CROSSWORD
ACROSS 1. Sandwich store 5. Fundamental 10. Incursion 14. Small songbird 15. Sports stadium 16. Take apart 17. Epochs 18. Minimum 19. Visionary 20. Missing 21. Corroded 22. Took a dip 23. Forest growths 25. Use a stopwatch 27. Power source 30. Roof of the mouth 34. Common weed 39. Macaroni shape 40. Beerlike brew 41. Restores the honor of 43. Compass point (abbr.) 44. Poke fun at 46. Aggravates 48. Something done 50. Paddles 51. Urgent acronym 53. Made a choice 57. Starting at 60. Bakery items 64. Angel’s headwear 65. Adoration 66. Boise’s state
67. Sleeping 68. Fortas and Lincoln 69. Church instrument 70. Daft 71. Actor Richard ____ 72. Homes for birds 73. Toddlers
DOWN 1. Resided 2. Baseball blunder 3. Tenant’s document 4. As an alternative
Win a Pizza Pizza gift card!
5. Hay bundle 6. Locality 7. Chair 8. Map detail 9. Feline delight 10. Actor ____ Crowe 11. Once more 12. Inspiration 13. College residence 24. Sound systems 26. Eminent conductor 28. Bullfight cry 29. Skirt length 31. Assist a crook 32. Hue 33. Flock mamas 34. Computer input 35. A Baldwin brother 36. Cool! 37. Above, in poems 38. Roman emperor 42. “Mamma ____!” 45. Thai 47. Paving material 49. Country 52. San Diego athlete 54. Forbidden 55. Vote into office 56. Extinct birds 57. Old Glory 58. Housecoat 59. Ended 61. Tatters 62. “All ____ Jazz” 63. Male children
MINI SUDOKU
Tweet us a photo or bring your answers to MUSC B110. The first ten people* to answer all correctly will win a $15 gift card!
What percent increase did the average Canadian tuition see this year? _____________________________________________ Which group ran the campaign to have Bernardo’s book removed from Amazon? _____________________________________________ Which brand did So Far Gone Drake start to rock? _____________________________________________ Twin Peaks is set to return in which year? _____________________________________________
Deni Caruso Sales Representative 905.662.6666 Business 905.662.2227 Fax 877.574.7441 Toll Free
* You cannot be a Silhouette staff member, member of the Board of Publications, fulltime MSU employee or a previous winner to enter.
denicaruso@royallepage.ca
www.royallepage.ca
STATE REALTY BROKERAGE
INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED
115 #8 Highway Stoney Creek, ON L8G 1C1
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 21
Lifestyle THE SKINNY Charlie Sheen living with HIV
Dear Satanbucks
In an interview on The Today Show, Charlie Sheen has revealed that he’s been living with HIV for the past four years. The Two and a Half Men actor revealed his status after extortion attempts and a smear campaign began, despite already having paid $10 million dollars to keep it a secret. Many women who have been involved with Sheen are now stepping out with their stories and mulling a possible lawsuit led by Gloria Allred, who is also representing a group of women suing Bill Cosby. King Kunta of wedding crashing
Your new cup isn’t embracing minimalist design, it’s definitely an assault on Christmas
Kendrick Lamar and his crew crashed a wedding, busting moves to Whitney Houston’s I Wanna Dance with Somebody. Unfortunately not many people there knew who he was and the rapper was almost thrown out. Nicki Minaj to be sued by her ex
The war between the exes is not over. Safaree Samuels, Nicki Minaj’s ex, is suing the rapper for his work on Nicki’s music. Samuels says he has videos of him working with Nicki, voice memos from recording sessions, footage from studio sessions. and witnesses to validate his contribution.
Jason Woo Lifestyle Editor
The other day I came to your store to buy a seven-dollar venti low fat extra whip salted caramel mocha with coconut milk, and the biggest outrage wasn’t the price or your misspelling of my name again, but rather the fact that your cup was just plain red. I couldn’t believe it. #RedCupGate is real. I mean, I forgot what your cups looked like in past years (I’m pretty sure Jesus on the cross was on the cup last year?), but this is definitely an outrage. I can’t believe that you are against Christmas. What did Santa ever do to you? By the way, you sure as hell ain’t getting a gift from him this year (just like every past year, but that’s cause you’ve always been a bad boy). These plain red cups are so offensive. Look at it. It’s just red. The colour of blood. It doesn’t matter that you have gift cards that say “Merry Christmas,”
Christmas tree ornaments, Christmas CDs, a Christmas blend, and snowman cookies. How dare you say “Happy Holidays” to me? You must say “Merry Christmas.” I don’t care about other holidays. The Jews can get in line. Hanukkah can wait, because Christmas was here first. There are just a few of us on the #MerryChristmasStarbucks bandwagon right now, so my hope is that this letter will go viral and all the Christians around the land will rally to the cause started by Joshua Feuerstein (praise be). Most of them right now are being good Christians, spreading their faith, and being nice contributing members of society. But it’d be better if they all just dropped what they’re doing and boycott a cup. Thankfully, a lot of people out there are extrapolating the beliefs of my small dissenting group of extreme fanatics to be representative of all Christians, which makes things easier for us. Christians, if you’re reading this, the plan is to go to Star-
bucks, pay them money so you can get a drink that says Merry Christmas on it, and then post it on social media so that everyone can see it. We need everyone to be thinking of Starbucks and joining us in buying more drinks from this hellhole. Only then will they learn their lesson. Alternatively, we can do what Donald Trump said, and boycott Starbucks. Then we can take all the money saved from not buying your drinks to build a wall to push back those dirty Mexicans. Taking a page from Joshua, I’m also going to exercise the second amendment and bring my gun to Starbucks the next time I come. In fact, I’m heading to Wal-Mart right after this. Wait. We’re in Canada. Damn it. Screw this place and its polar bears. This isn’t over you Satan worshipping bastards. Praise God, The Best Christians
“
Thankfully, a lot of people out there are extrapolating the beliefs of my small dissenting group of extreme fanatics to be representative of all Christians.
22 |
LIFESTYLE
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
A completely doable 50k marathon Christine Chow Lifestyle Writer
As a month, November sucks. It’s after Halloween, weeks away from the Christmas break, and usually filled to the brim with an army of midterms lining up to punch you in the gut. But for many aspiring writers, November, not December (although it comes a close second), is the most wonderful time of the year: it’s National Novel Writing Month. National Novel Writing Month, more commonly known as NaNoWriMo, is a worldwide event that aims to promote pure, unfiltered writing in a 30-day, 50,000 word marathon. To put that in perspective, one month of 50,000 words equates to writing roughly 1,700 words or 3.5 single-spaced pages of words per day, every day. Subjecting yourself to that kind of torture on top of midterms, academic essays and
formal lab reports probably exceeds the ordinary scope of belief (and sanity), but I implore you to pledge yourself to the challenge anyway. All you have to do is sign up on their website (nanowrimo.org), which will grant you access to a profile for information about your workin-progress, as well as a meter that can be updated regularly with the total number of words you’ve written so far. Writers are perfectionists, and thus make the worst procrastinators. Memories of the English course I took as an elective last year all bring me back to the same nightmarish scenario. I would hunch over my laptop for hours in the early morning, squinting through the darkness at an awkwardly phrased sentence while my roommate continued to snore away happily in the background. When I finally finished, despite knowing I had done a relatively good job, I never once walked away feeling like it was my best.
The solution, then, seems obvious: just start writing earlier. But as a well-read writer, expectations we have for our own work are often unrealistically high. You care so much about what you write and how you write that often you end up writing nothing at all, if only because nothing, as a default, seems safer than attaching your name to whatever seemingly mediocre piece you’ll churn out. For academic writing, that equates to putting it off until the last possible minute, or writing at an unimpressive rate of one sentence per hour. The beauty of NaNoWriMo is in its ability to force you to put aside that perfectionist mentality. You write mindlessly and terribly and everything you write is basically a load of crap, but the important thing is that your word vomit doesn’t ever have to see the light of day. Adopting this strategy gives you something to work with that might eventually become your chef-d’oeuvre somewhere down
the road. Even if it doesn’t, the sheer demand of quantity from NaNoWriMo allows you to exercise writing as a skill, which is useful no matter what field of work you go into. If you’re struggling to keep up with your daily word count, try incorporating writing into your regular routine by dedicating a particular time of your day just to write. Stock up on snacks, tell your housemates to leave you in peace and find some writing buddies whose word meters you can use to motivate yourself through a bit of friendly competition. As a fellow well-seasoned NaNoWriMo veteran, I say to you: on your marks, get set, write!
HOW TO GET STARTED 1. Make a commitment. Intention is everything. Decide right now that you’re going to write a novel in November, then tell everyone you can. 2. Get some help from the experts. Speak to a NaNo coach, go on a tweet-chat or watch a webinar! 3. Review prep resources on the NaNo website. 4. Make the big decision. Are you a planner or do you write spontaeneously? 5. Interact with the NaNoWriMo community. You can post in forums and meet writing buddies in your area.
Weekly Specials MONDAY
r Lite Tall cans $4.50 MGD/Mille $5 Fox Burgers ivia 8−10pm Pub Stumpers Tr
TUESDAY
t 2/4/1 Wing Nigh ials ekly drinks spec we r ou of y an k Pic
WEDNESDAY
$5 PBR Pints s $14 PBR Pitcher t perogies ea n ca u yo all 0 $1
www.snootyfox.ca
THURSDAY
Pilsner bottles $3.25 Old Style a bottles $4.50 Twisted Te $6 Pub Fare
SATURDAY
5pm $5 Caesars until n/Stock Ale Pints dia na Ca n lso $5 Mo 5−10pm m 2/4/1 Entrees fro
SUNDAY
de Tall Amsterdam Blon $10 Fajitas | $4.50 Boys KARAOKE!
1011 King Street West, Westdale Village • 905.546.0000
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Drake’s
The Silhouette | 23
1.
Degrassi Drake
2.
So Far Gone Drake
3. Thank Me Later Drake
style
evolution The many shades of Drake that the 6 god himself has blessed us with through the years Baby Drake, a.k.a. Aubrey, can be seen sporting the slouchy hoodie and sweats combo typical to any student roaming the halls of Degrassi High. He’s just one of us. *prayer hand emoji*
4. Take Care/YOLO Drake
With the release of his third fire mixtape, Drake’s star rose with his style game. He now sports designer brands like Comme des Garcon PLAY, rocking a preppier vibe.
5. Nothing Was The Same 6. Drake
In interviews, Drake has boasted of his “obscene sweater addiction.” After the release of his debut album, Thank Me Later Drake frequented high-quality, designer sweaters.
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late/ WATTBA Drake
Michelle Yeung Lifestyle Reporter
Take a moment to reflect on a time in your youth where you were unsure of your identity. If you were anything like the rest of us, you’ve probably made some bad calls re: what you wore. It’s okay. We’ve all had dark times. When one is not yet comfortable in their own skin, they’re more susceptible to the toxic influence of trends, or what everyone else around them is wearing. Remember spending $70 on that moose-adorned, Abercrombie & Fitch plaid shirt in grade nine? I rest my case. To those who have not been living under a rock (or the pile of unfortunate clothing they once spent actual money on), you may recall the release of Drake’s Hotline Bling video this past month. The video spawned a bevy of dancing Drake memes and the Internet was quick to react with their affection or discontent. Perhaps the most important things that came from this fantastic video, however, are the rapper’s fire ‘fits — in particular, his #cozy grey turtleneck. Turtlenecks are hype. While Drake still has ways to go to be deemed a “style god” (he is no Kanye, Pharell, or A$AP Rocky after all) Hotline Bling Drake is a Drake who has great taste and is confident in his aesthetic. Drake is a great rapper. Some may even call him a hip-hop icon. Regardless your take on the 6 god, the man is capable of making some solid bangers. It’s cool to see the evolution of his style — it’s nice to know that he didn’t always wear En Noir and look this good. He’s had moments of selfdoubt, too. He’s just like the rest of us. @mich_yeung
Take Care spawned “The Motto,” which popularized the acronym “YOLO.” Take Care Drake was also hyping up his own brand, OVO, and was often found sporting one of his own pieces.
7. Hotline Bling Drake This is the era of Drake we have all been waiting for. The 6 god is sporting dope brands in subtle ways and rocking streetwear the right way – subtle, not flashy. All of his outfits in the Hotline Bling video are fire, from the Moncler red puffer jacket and Timberlands to the super cozy Acne Studios turtleneck. Way to go, Hotline Bling Drake. Way to go.
This is street goth Drake, a Drake who is really getting into the streetwear scene. En Noir, Hood By Air, Rick Owens and, of course, his own OVO gear were closet staples.
Drake collaborated with Future to stun the world with WATTBA. Aside from popular streetwear brands, this Drake frequented simple gold chains, Jordans, and cool tees.
24 |
LIFESTYLE
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
The debunked
guide to flu shots
Sohana Farhin SHEC
Settle in to your school year with
West Village Suites
CLOSE TO CAMPUS • UPGRADED 24-HR FITNESS CENTER PREMIUM UPGRADED INTERNET • STUDY ROOMS YOGA STUDIO • RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES PRIVATE BEDROOMS • ALL-INCLUSIVE LIVING INDIVIDUAL LEASES • ROOMMATE MATCHING AVAILABLE
WESTVILLAGESUITES.CA scan & learn
905.522.4066 | 1686 Main Street West
Amenities & utilities included are subject to change. See office for details.
Different from the common cold, the flu is a common term for the influenza virus, a highly contagious airborne virus that spreads rapidly in cold weather. Catching the flu can cause symptoms such as a high fever, fatigue and muscle aches, which commonly last up to two weeks. In severe cases, it can cause hospitalization and death, particularly for more vulnerable populations, including the elderly. The Public Health Agency of Canada reports that there were 591 deaths due to the flu last year. Despite this, many wonder if it is worth it to get the vaccination. In simple terms, the flu vaccination is an injection of inactive virus particles into your body, which generates a specific, but mild immune response. This primes your body to respond more effectively when you contact the real virus. But, there is a catch (or two) to it. Although the flu shot is highly effective against the influenza virus, it does not guarantee protection. The influenza virus is a quickly mutating and evolving virus with many strains. It would be impossible to vaccinate against all strains and as such, the flu shot is a trivalent vaccine, designed to protect from the three major strains of the virus for the current season. As well, your body requires approximately two weeks to effectively generate antibodies to combat the virus. This means that the flu shot won’t be in full effect until two weeks after vaccination. There has been growing concern and misconception that a preservative called thimerosal, which can often be found in vaccines, is linked to autism. However, studies have conclusively shown that there is no such link between the two,
and the initial conclusion was based on scientifically invalid evidence. Another misconception is that you can get the flu from getting the flu shot. Though some people may feel some mild flu-like symptoms as a result of the antibody response being generated. As a result, it is advised that you are healthy before receiving the flu shot. However, there is no possible chance of acquiring the flu from the vaccination because the virus is inactive. If you are allergic to eggs, there is a slight chance of having an allergic reaction since the vaccine is cultured in a low amount of egg protein. However, it is possible to request an “egg-free” flu shot. There is also a nasal-spray vaccine for those with a fear of needles! The National Advisory Committee on Immunization recommends the flu shot to everybody who is over six months old. From a public health perspective, protecting yourself from the flu, protects more vulnerable people around you, including those who cannot receive the vaccine. Flu shots are available for free in Ontario and McMaster students can get it by booking an appointment with the Student Wellness Centre. The Student Health Education Centre is here to provide you with information and resources that you need to make a decision about the flu-shot. If you have any more questions, visit us at MUSC 201 and we will be there to provide resources, referrals and support.
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 25
You’ve got an (online) friend in me Sasha Dhesi Contributor
When I was in the eleventh grade, I befriended a girl named Neba. It was a pretty typical friendship: we were two girls who understood each other’s situations, had mutual interests and talked every other day or so about our lives and whatever was taking up our time, whether it be school, music or anything else two 17-year-old teenagers would encounter. It was a typical friendship, save for one thing: we met online and have never seen each other in real life. With the advent of new technology come innovative ways of using it. Many people will join online communities based off of a mutual interest, whether it’s something as simple as a mutual love for a TV character to sharing the same political beliefs, and it is common for people in these communities to reach out to each other and form relationships. Unlike many real life relationships, the friends you make online definitely have something in
common with you. Despite this, when you say, “I met so-and-so online,” you’re met with many discouraging questions surrounding the validity of your friend’s identity and their true intentions. Shows like Dateline: How to Catch a Predator and Catfish serve as aggressive reminders to what could happen to those who trust too easily. But these are extremes that shouldn’t represent the norm. More often than not, online communities give people a chance to explore their interests with like-minded people and build lasting relationships when their offline world is depressing. This is especially true for LGBTQ+ folks who have the misfortune to live in homophobic areas or are uncomfortable talking about their sexuality with people in real life. This is also true for a kid who really likes art but couldn’t share it with her offline friends. If you were to interact with someone a few times a week for a year who connects with you in a way that people in your offline world don’t, that person is a friend. It
doesn’t matter that those interactions occurred over a forum, a blog or a chat room. In my experience, online friends give you an interesting perspective on your life: they’re aware of it, but due to the physical distance, they’re often able to give an impartial view. Your offline friends may be swayed by how charming your cruel boyfriend is, but your online friends, assuming you tell them what’s going on, will tell you what you need to hear. More often than not, the distance allows people to be more candid about their lives and garner the emotional support they need without the risk of having it brought out to their community. Online friends give people an outlet to express themselves without fear. However there is room for this to be abused. There have been many cases in which people take advantage of someone’s vulnerability and hurt the person beyond compare. But this is a risk that is undertaken whether the relationship is online or off. To be in any sort of relationship, platonic and
romantic, means to put yourself at risk of being hurt. A friend knows your fears and intimate details about you. It’s just as likely that you’ll meet a horrible person at a bar as it is online. The Internet is a wonderful tool to find people who share your interests, and carries its own risks. Many friendships are formed through it, and even something as simple as recog-
nizing someone’s username in a forum can lighten someone’s day. As for Neba and I, we’re still friends today despite the fact that we both stopped using that forum last year, and both of us continue to have offline relationships of our own. Balance, after all, is key.
C/O CHIBIRD.COM
ONLY AT
@MSU_1280 T W E LV E I G H T Y O W N S T H U R S D AY S .
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 19TH WITH:
DJ TEEZY
$2 COVER BEFORE 11PM | $4 COVER AFTER 11PM
FEATURING:
DOORS OPEN AT 9:30PM $4 DOMESTIC BEER | $4 RAILS (VODKA, RUM, RYE, & GIN)
EARLY BIRD
TICKETS
ARE NOW AVAILABLE!
VS
VS
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21
WOMEN’S AT 6PM | MEN’S AT 8PM BURRIDGE GYMNASIUM
WOMEN’S AT 6PM | MEN’S AT 8PM BURRIDGE GYMNASIUM
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 27
Sports “Happy, but not satisfied”
LEAGUE AT LARGE Men’s Basketball CIS Top Ten 6. WESTERN 7. CALGARY 8. DALHOUSIE 9. McMASTER 10. THOMPSON RIVERS
1. OTTAWA 2. CARLETON 3. McGILL 4. BROCK 5. RYERSON
Women’s Basketball
Men’s volleyball has areas for improvement despite two weekend sweeps
CIS Top Ten
Jaycee Cruz Sports Reporter
This past weekend, the CIS no. 1-ranked McMaster Marauders took a road trip to Toronto and beat the Varsity Blues and Ryerson Rams in straight sets. It looks good on the surface. “If you look at it from a pure results point of view it looks awesome,” said Marauder Head Coach Dave Preston. “But from our standpoint it was far less than awesome. We played average against Toronto. We served poorly, passed okay and hit alright. But from a gameplan and defensive point of view there were certain things that we wanted to accomplish, and I don’t think we did that.” McMaster’s performance against Toronto on Saturday, Nov. 14 was graded “okay” by Preston, but the team’s win on Sunday, Nov. 15 against Ryerson received more praise. Despite only having a film session between the Toronto and Ryerson game, the Marauders rallied around each other and made sure they didn’t allow a onegame problem to stretch into a second game. “Sunday’s improvement was 100 percent due to team leadership,” said Preston. “Alex Elliott, Danny Demyanenko, Stephen Maar and Andrew Richards are our leadership council right now. During our film session preparing for Ryerson those guys really spoke up and got other guys engaged. That came from within. It wasn’t me harping on the team.” The experience that this Marauder team has is one of its greatest strengths. The majority of players on this team have played on big stages like the
OUA and CIS championships, and a number of them have national team experience. Eight of the seventeen players on the roster have been with this team for three or more years. Leadership is not measured on the boxscore, but locker room conversations and influences in team huddles play a big role in what appears on the court. It’s one of the vital intangibles in team sports. McMaster responded to the call from their locker room leaders with a JON WHITE / 3-0 (25-19, PHOTO EDITOR 25-19, 25-13) win over Ryerson, hitting a solid .400 Coach and committing only 12 Dave Preserrors, while racking up 42 kills. ton believes They also had five service aces that there is and 21 digs. more beyond “Our attention to detail in the surface to terms of our gameplan about be considered. what we wanted to do in cer“Happy, but not tain situations when they had satisfied” were the certain players on the floor was words he used to describe his better against Ryerson,” said thoughts on his team despite Preston. “Our defense, serving two victories, 19 consecutive and offensive schemes were set wins, a 7-0 record and a top exemplary. By the end of the national ranking. There is more first set Ryerson had to adjust to be done. because we exposed them.” Those sentiments aren’t Earlier this season I unfamiliar to the McMaster introduced the concept of the community. After last year’s performance standards that this Yates Cup victory, McMaster team uses as a benchmark for football Head Coach Stefan their success. Although the box Ptaszek was quoted as saying, scores and raw stats commu“It’s okay to be proud. It’s not nicate “easy” victories, Head
okay to be satisfied.” We’ve heard this before and it is a shared attitude among McMaster coaches regardless of sport. You could say the bar is high at McMaster. But realistically, where else should it be set? The Marauders Men’s Volleyball team has medaled at three consecutive CIS national championships and has been ranked no. 1 for all of this season. One thing that has evaded them, however, is CIS national gold. If you want to get something you’ve never had, you’re going to have to do some things you’ve never done. So yes, you can leave the bar that high for this team because their potential demands that. “It’s not just about wins and losses,” said Preston. “It’s about maximizing your opportunities and playing at your potential. We didn’t do that against Toronto, but we did that against Ryerson. The Toronto game was a little bit uncharacteristic of us. We have a couple more gears that we haven’t reached yet.” This week the Marauders have big conference games against Windsor and Western on Nov. 20 and 21, respectively. Both games start at 8 p.m. in Burridge Gym. @ _jayceecruz
1. SASKATCHEWAN 2. McGILL 3. RYERSON 4. McMASTER 5. SAINT MARY’S
6. REGINA 7. BROCK 8. LAVAL 9. ALBERTA 10. WINDSOR
Men’s Volleyball CIS Top Ten 1. McMASTER 2. ALBERTA 3. MANITOBA 4. CALGARY 5. LAVAL
6. UBC 7. SASKATCHEWAN 8. WINNIPEG 9. TRINITY WESTERN 10. MOUNT ROYAL
Women’s Volleyball CIS Top Ten 1. ALBERTA 2. TRINITY WESTERN 3. UBC-OKANAGAN T4. TORONTO T4. MONTREAL
6. UBC 7. McGILL 8. SHERBROOKE T9. DALHOUSIE T9. McMASTER
Men’s Cross Country CIS Championship results 1. VICTORIA 2. GUELPH 3. LAVAL 4. McMASTER 5. WINDSOR
6. TRINITY WESTERN 7. StFX 8. QUEEN’S 9. CALGARY 10. McGILL
Blair Morgan scored 7th overall and earned second team All-Canadian honours
Women’s Cross Country CIS Championship results 1. TRINITY WESTERN 2. GUELPH 3. CALGARY 4. QUEEN’S 5. DALHOUSIE
6. McMASTER 7. VICTORIA 8. ALBERTA 9. LAVAL 10. LAURENTIAN
McMaster’s Maddy McDonald won the Community Service award
Men’s Soccer CIS National Championship 1. YORK 2. NEW BRUNSWICK 3. UBC 4. UQAM
5. McMASTER 6. CAPE BRETON 7. VICTORIA 8. TORONTO
Mac’s Ross Genovese was nominated for the Community Service award.
NEW HOME FOR YATES
Guelph beat Western 23-17 to win their first Yates Cup since 1996. They host Montreal in the Mitchell Bowl, with the victor heading to the Vanier Cup.
28 |
SPORTS
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
Women’s basketball rebounds from loss After a tough loss last weekend to Ryerson, the team rose up for a win against Toronto
A previous game against Brock. JON WHITE/ PHOTO EDITOR
Sofia Mohamed Sports Editor
Great teams are able to turn any loss into a lesson. Though a disappointing 74-64 loss against the Ryerson Rams last Wednesday night ruined the McMaster Women’s Basketball team’s perfect record, the Marauders were able to get back into a winning mindset this past weekend when they welcomed the Toronto Blues to Burridge Gym. With a gym full of fans, the Marauders headed back into their locker rooms with an 87-79 win against the Toronto Blues. When both teams first met this pre-season, the Marauders took that win by over 30 points. This game was a tougher competition between the Marauders and the Blues. At the end of the first quarter, both teams were tied at 22 points. The game slowly changed in favour of McMaster as the halftime score was 48-40. In the final quarter of play, second-year guard Linnaea Harper helped strengthen McMaster’s offense. The second-year forward led the team with 24 points and ten rebounds. Because of her great performance, Harper was
named a Pita Pit Athlete of the Week. Another noticeable mention goes to second-year guard Hilary Hanaka, as she scored 15 points and is continuing to find her rhythm after time off the court due to an injury. Danielle Boiago and Rachael Holmes were also able to put points on the board, adding 19 and 15 respectively. While the team walked out of that game with a win, only 19 of the team’s 87 points came from the bench. As the season goes on, fans can hope to see more opportunities for bench players to produce and that is crucial for the team’s development and success. The season will only get more competitive for a team fighting for an OUA banner. Currently ranked fourth in the nation, the talent of this young team can definitely take them back to the number one spot they held just weeks ago. With the team holding a record of three wins and one loss, it aims to continue its winning streak on the road as McMaster plays Queen’s and York this weekend.
Hey, Present your valid McMaster I.D. on
ANY TUESDAY & receive a
10% DISCOUNT on almost everything!
@itssofiaAM
Valid at 1579 Main Street W. & 50 Dundurn Street, HAMILTON locations only.
SPORTS | 29
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Marauders give Toronto the blues
Men’s Basketball’s rebounding and defense leads to convincing win over U of T
JON WHITE/ PHOTO EDITOR
Jaycee Cruz Sports Reporter
Shots from a previous home game against McGill. JON WHITE/ PHOTO EDITOR
WANT TO INSPIRE THE NEXT GENERATION?
With OISE, you can.
Canada’s only all-graduate school for education offers world-class programs for future teachers. Apply to the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education by December 1st. oise.utoronto.ca
After losing to Ryerson a few days before, the McMaster Marauders came out on Saturday, Nov. 14, bent on making sure the outcome was different against Toronto. The Marauders built a healthy 26-13 lead in the first quarter and never allowed Toronto to score more than 18 points in a quarter. Mac won 89-64 and lifted their overall record back to .500 at 2-2. McMaster forced Toronto into 24 turnovers and scored 28 points off of them, also pulling in an impressive 19 steals, 13 of which came courtesy of guards Aaron Redpath (three), and Trevon McNeil and David McCulloch who contributed five apiece. The need for tough defense to force turnovers and lead to points is exactly what Marauder Assistant Coach Seth Wearing called for last week. “We need to use our length and our athleticism,” said Wearing. “We need to turn people over and get easy scores. It has to start with our defense and our ability to turn people over.” Toronto’s 18-point third quarter was the only blemish against the McMaster coaching staff ’s benchmark of 17-point defensive quarters. The only game in which McMaster has held a team to 17 or fewer points in each quarter for the whole game was at Algoma on Nov. 7. “We want to be able to hold our opponents to under 17 every quarter,” said Wearing. “Our goal is to limit teams to 17-point quarters and we want to score 24 or more each quarter. If that works out we should win by 30 and dictate the whole time.” McMaster beat Toronto by 25 and mostly satisfied Wearing’s offensive and defensive
“
It has to start with our defense and our ability to turn people over. Seth Wearing Assistant Coach, McMaster Men’s Basketball
benchmark. If McMaster does meet those standards, they definitely should be dictating the games they play. On the glass, forward Troy Joseph grabbed a monstrous 16 boards (five offensive, 11 defensive) to go with his 13 points, completing his first double-double of the season. Joseph’s strong rebounding accounted for a striking 35 per cent of McMaster’s total output of 47 rebounds. Of those 47, 19 rebounds came on the offensive glass, which gave McMaster extra possessions. McMaster took advantage of those extra possessions and turned them into 18 second-chance points. Fourth-year swingman Leon Alexander had his best scoring performance of the young season, dropping 26 points on a stellar 11-for-18 shooting from the field, while adding six rebounds and five assists in 31 minutes of play. Fourth-year guard Lazar Kojovic came off the bench and had an incredibly efficient game scoring 14 points in 14 minutes on 5-7 shooting (4-5 from three-point range). The CIS No. 9-ranked McMaster hits the road this weekend with a Nov. 20 matchup at Queen’s and a Nov. 21 date at York. Both games tip off at 8 p.m. @_jayceecruz
30 |
SPORTS
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
MEN’S SOCCER
SPORTS
Fifth place finish at CIS Championship
HIGHLIGHTS
(from this past week)
<<
C/O YOUSIF HADDAD
After the team beat the Victoria Vikes 2-1 in the Consolation Semi-Finals, they advanced to the CIS Consolation Finals where they beat the Cape Breton Capers 4-1, earning them the spot as the fifth-ranked team in the country.
Women’s Volleyball has been on top of their game with a three game winning streak at Brock, Waterloo and Lakehead. They’re most recent home game against Lakehead saw them win all matches in straight sets. Middle Maicee Sorensen led the team with 13.5 points scored.
JON WHITE/ PHOTO EDITOR
Player of the Match Nic Vecchi, Defender
<< HOURS OF OPERATION: TUESDAY – FRIDAY 11:00am to 6:00pm SATURDAYS 11:00am to 3:00pm
IN WESTDALE VILLAGE
11 PAISLEY AVENUE SOUTH, HAMILTON, ON
P REMI UM WINE S, B E E R S & MOR E
GRAPESANDHOPS.CA
PHONE: 905.777.1717
EMAIL: PETER@GRAPESANDHOPS.CA
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
The Silhouette | 31
andy Review: Master of None Aziz Ansari and Alan Yang’s new Netflix-exclusive T.V. show boasts a truly diverse cast, something not often seen in New York comedies. And it’s wickedly funny to boot
The Verdict Azis Ansari plays Dev in Master of None.
C/O NETFLIX
Sasha Dhesi Contributor
On Nov. 6, Netflix quietly released its newest original series to join the ranks of its predecessors: Aziz Ansari’s and Alan Yang’s Master of None. The show follows the life of a struggling 30-year-old actor living in New York City named Dev Shah, played by Ansari himself. The show explores a variety of topics, ranging from family and relationships to the appropriateness of Eric Cartman impressions on first dates. The show also stars other well-known comedians such as Noël Wells of Saturday Night Live fame and Eric Wareheim, one half of the eccentric comedy troupe, Tim and Eric.
The entire show is shot in the anamorphic format, making it feel like an indie film as opposed to comedy. Altogether, the show manages to be funny while keeping the viewer enthralled by its subtle character growth and beautiful imagery, a rare gem in television. Ansari shines throughout the entire season: his portrayal of Dev comes naturally and it’s difficult to believe that he really isn’t a struggling actor stuck doing Go-Gurt commercials as opposed to the author/comedian/actor trifecta that he’s known for. This can be said for most of his co-stars: Wells exudes the ‘cool girl next door’ persona her character Rachel has, and Wareheim brings a certain quirky charm that flows nicely with
the show. The only real sore point in terms of acting would be the casting of Dev’s parents, whose awkward presence on screen breaks the show’s sense of realism, but considering that the actors are Ansari’s actual parents, I’ll let it slide. Master of None’s sense of humour is something that television has sorely missed since the days of Seinfeld. It’s dry focus on the minutiae of life and the callousness of the characters make the show much more relatable than most of the sitcoms out today. The plot itself, though, is undeniably choppy. Each episode is its own self-contained storyline, and things are solved without the audience seeing. The show jumps from problem to problem and lacks a cohesive
feel throughout, even when binge watched while eating chips, as I did last weekend. Master of None is wildly successful in creating a diverse cast without ever feeling forced. The cast accurately reflects New York City’s multicultural population and makes an almost pointed statement to other wellknown sitcoms about a bunch of friends in New York City. This also allows for the show to explore new topics like the generational gap between immigrants and their westernized children, an episode bound to hit home for anyone whose parents have a similar backstory. The show also casually touches on the effects of racism, and even dedicates an episode to discuss Asian-Americans in the television industry
and the rampant use of brownface that still occurs today. The show manages to make episodes with serious tones like these, but also has episodes on first dates and the etiquette of texting. These ten episodes tackle a broad range of topics. Overall, Master of None is a well-done show that many people will relate to, and many more will find hilarious. The show’s cast of heavy-hitters makes it a delight to watch, and its mix of serious to light topics means it has something for everyone. So if you have about five hours to spare any time soon, I would recommend checking out Master of None.
32 |
ANDY
COMING UP
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
Review: Grimes - Art Angels
IN HAMILTON
Rachel Katz News Editor
MUSIC
When I first heard Grimes was releasing a new album, I was ecstatic. When I heard “Scream,” the first single, I was extremely disappointed and almost convinced myself I would hate the entire album. Fortunately, that was not the case, as my dancing to parts of Art Angels while writing this review proved. Art Angels begins with the ethereal “Laughing and Not Being Normal,” a short song that serves as an introduction and segue into the catchy sounds of “California.” The 14-track album continues in much the same way, with some songs seeming to serve no other purpose than to connect the stronger parts of the album. That’s not to say those tracks aren’t fantastic. “California,” “Pin” and the redux of the previously released demo of “Realiti” are Grimes at her best: poppy and quirky. With Art Angels, Grimes has clearly broken into the more mainstream pop and electronic genres without losing the soft lisp and dreamily layered sounds that set her apart from so many of her contemporaries. The chief disappointment of this new direction is that it loses some of the bite Grimes’ older music was known for. In her 2012 single “Oblivion,”
ABSINTHE NOV 20 > 90’S RAGER NOV 26 > The Lazy’s DEC 3 > Modern Space THE CASBAH
NOV 20 > Dirtstar
NOV 21 > Funkhaus HOMEGROWN
NOV 20 > Flat 5 NOV 21 > The Redhill Valleys
FILM WESTDALE THEATRE
Currently Playing > Amy > Mavis! > Stanford Prison Experiment > Meet The Patels
The Verdict
This week’s quick pick
Review: Supergirl Hess Sahlollbey Contributor
Junior Boys
“Over It” Junior Boys recently announced their new record, Big Black Coat, and now we have another single along with the titular one to tide us over until its release next February. “Over It” is another stunning glimpse into what will surely be one of the finest records to come out in 2016. The Hamilton-duo of Jeremy Greenspan and Matt Didemus don’t seem to be affected by the latter’s recent move to Berlin, boasting noticeable chemistry on the track. With both Greenspan and Didemus focusing their energy on a bevy of other projects, Junior Boys isn’t their main gig anymore. That seems to have liberated them from pressure and “Over It” benefits from it. The track is light and airy, the perfect ambient background to a night out.
One of the most highly controversial TV shows this fall, Supergirl finally aired and blew me away. From the moment the six minute preview appeared online, fans of the character were quick to write the show off as being too clichéd. Having now seen the first three episodes, I’m better equipped to judge the show than I was after seeing the preview. In Supergirl, Superman’s cousin Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist) is a fish out of water. Having grown up on Krypton, Kara has come to earth as a teenager to escape Krypton’s destruction. While she might not have been born on earth, she’s more than ready to prove that she can get by just fine without help from her famous cousin, the Man of Steel. That being said, the show did feel a little
too much like a chick flick since it had all the usual tropes: A best friend who is not so secretly in love with her, a shitty job where she fetches lattes for a Devil Wears Prada type boss, and a handsome new co-worker who can make Kara instantly forget how to speak. The suspension of disbelief can get to be a bit much when Kara has a luxurious apartment despite being a columnist with apparently no job security. Kara also disguises herself in plain sight by wearing her hair in a ponytail and glasses just like Clark Kent does. Later, she rids herself of both and receives compliments from her crush. In Supergirl, Kara has her heart set out for Jimmy Olsen. And while their flirting may be sweet, it again feels a little too formulaic. In defense of the show, this was a pilot and its purpose is to set the stage. I’m already looking forward to the
Grimes made her experience with assault very public. Even before having read interviews where she discussed the meaning of the song, it was clear how important “Oblivion” was to her. There are no songs on Art Angels that have the same feeling. She seems lost in her own music, and underneath the song itself, there seems to be very little meaning. Even the flashy video for her single “Flesh Without Blood” feels derivative and fluffy, with no real meaning behind the imagery. That said, in spite of the lack of meaning in her songs, Grimes is clearly having fun with Art Angels. Her own eclectic taste in music covers a broad range of genres and decades, from Aretha Franklin to Kanye. And despite dabbling more in the pop genre with this album, she still explores sounds and combinations many other artists would not attempt. Art Angels is an average record put out by someone with an immense amount of talent. Had Grimes not wowed audiences with her earlier work, her new release would not come as such a disappointment. The hits on Art Angels do not make up for the misses, but they give the listener traces of the creative, genre-bending Grimes we know, love and miss. @RachAlbertaKatz
The Verdict
development of their romance — it feels more natural than the usual unresolved sexual tension of a will-they-or-won’t-they that we see on most shows. Another point that interested me was the discourse between Kara and her boss, media publisher Cat Grant, over whether or not Kara’s superhero alter ego should be known as “Supergirl” or as “Superwoman.” As Superman’s cousin, Kara finds it insulting, telling Cat, “I’m a woman.” Cat, however, laughs in her face and says, “No, honey. You’re a girl. I’m a woman” as Cat attempts to take back “girl” as empowering. Later there are subtle Superman cameos that don’t take the spotlight away from Kara.
Anything from a blurry vision of him jumping in at the last minute to lend a helping hand to Kara, to the text message exchanges they have from time to time. While it would be nice to see the Last Son of Krypton, I can’t say that I miss him. Melissa Benoist is very likable as Kara all on her own. If you’ve been craving more female centric superhero shows then rejoice in knowing that Supergirl is definitely worth a watch. What I like most about it is that the show has a lot of heart. Unlike 2013’s Man Of Steel, which had audiences divided on the cynical portrayal of Superman, Supergirl is a very family-friendly adaptation of the comics.
ANDY | 33
www.thesil.ca | Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015
Twin Peaks is (almost) back
Here’s what you need to know about the upcoming reboot
Kyle MachLachan is back to reprise his role on Twin Peaks. C/O DAVID LYNCH
Trisha Gregorio Andy Writer
On April 8, 1990, Twin Peaks aired its pilot. In 1997 the episode made it to TV Guide’s 100 Greatest Episodes of All Time, and by the early 2000s, the series has been consistently named one of the best television shows of all time. It wrapped up on June 10, 1991 with two seasons and a total of thirty episodes, followed by a movie called Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me in 1992. Twin Peaks revolved around the murder of high school student Laura Palmer, whose death starts a chain sequence of events that becomes the catalyst for the show’s main storyline. As with many of director David Lynch’s works, the show does not adhere to norms of any particular genre. The show, all at once, contains supernatural factors and surrealist elements, underlined with both melodra-
ma and humour. It achieved cult movie status over the years that followed its second season, and has become widely considered a television classic. 25 years later, co-creators David Lynch and Mark Frost are bringing the series back for a new season. The sequel has been in the works for a year now, but budget issues have stalled production. Originally slated for a 2016 release, Dazed recently revealed that the third season has been pushed back to a 2017 broadcast on Showtime. Eighteen episodes have been confirmed, all shot digitally, and will continue to be directed by Lynch and co-written with Frost. The creators have stressed that the new season is not a remake — rather, it will directly follow and allude to the events of the first two seasons, chronologically set 25 years after where the last episode left off. “The story continues,” clarifies Frost. “The seeds of where
we go were planted where we’ve been.” Long-time fans are apprehensive about the changes the time skip would add to the classic small town setting the series is known for. Even more so, there’s much debate about who from the original cast is coming back after 25 years, and who’s done with the show for good. So who’s in and who’s out? Nothing’s set in stone quite yet, but last week, along with the announcement of the pushed back release, Dazed also published a basic run-down of who’s in talks to return. Unfortunately, many supporting actors have passed away since the end of the show’s last run. Catherine E. Coulson passed away earlier this year, and will not be reprising her role as the fan favourite Log Lady. Similarly, Jack Nance, who played her lumberjack husband Pete Martell, passed away in 1996.
Attention McMaster Students! You are entitled to $600 in dental coverage.
Michael Ontkean, who played Sheriff Harry S. Truman and has discreetly avoided the limelight since, also declined the offer to return. The good news, however, is that many crucial main actors are back to reprise their roles. Kyle MachLachan and Sheryl Lee are back as central characters Dale Cooper and Laura Palmer, respectively. Ray Wise and Grace Zabriskie are also set for return as Leland and Sarah Palmer, and Peggy Lipton returns to the Diner as series staple Norma Jennings. Other returning actors are Lara Flynn Boyle as Laura’s best friend, Sherilyn Fenn and Richard Beymer as the Hornes, Kimmy Robertson as secretary Lucy Moran, and Michael Horse as deputy Tommy “Hawk” Hill. Additionally, aside from the series’ creators taking complete control of the follow-up season, composer Angelo Badalamenti is also set for return. A long
time collaborator of Lynch, Badalementi is responsible for the signature Twin Peaks theme song, and will no doubt spin something new into the unsettling synth score the series is known for. With roughly two years between today and the tentative release date, all that’s left to do is to wait. To fill the gap, creator Mark Frost revealed that a book called The Secret Lives of Twin Peaks will be published before the new season’s release, meant to cover the entirety of the time skip. It might be set 25 years later and the storyline might be facing some contemporary changes, but the majority of the main cast and crew is looking to be the same quirky bunch that made Twink Peaks the television classic that it is. @tngregorio
Did You Know? Full time students enrolled in 18 units or more are entitled to $600 in dental coverage from Sept. 1st to August 31st.
FREE* Take-home Teeth Whitening Kit. * with the completion of your new patient exam and professional cleaning appointment.
1685 Main St. W. Hamilton
Filice Dentistry happily accepts the MSU Dental Plan. www.filicedental.com | filicedental@bellnet.ca | 905.529.4200
34 |
ANDY
Thursday, Nov. 19, 2015 | www.thesil.ca
At First Glance: Fallout 4 Andy plugs in to the grittier, darker version of The Sims
The Verdict
Vannessa Barnier Andy Reporter
After hearing the incredibly positive buzz about the new Fallout 4 game, I made sure I got my hands on it the minute it was released. Since last Tuesday, I have been spending all of my waking time playing this game. The fifth installment in the main Fallout series takes place in Boston and the Greater Boston Area in the year 2287. The events of this game precede all of the major points in time covered by the other games and their spin-offs. You explore a large chunk of New England accompanied by various companions — using a large-field editor to build settlements. A lot of this game is customizable with most of the map and character’s design is left up to the player. After a beautifully designed opening to catch you up to speed with the opening events of the game, you can design your character. As a lover of The Sims franchise, I was blown away by the design engine created for Fallout 4. I spent my first hour with this game constructing the faces into a male version of what I’d like to date, and then the female character as myself. The character’s faces are divided up into sections — three of
which are solely for the nose. I have seen numerous screenshots of celebrity lookalikes made by new players of the game — all of which are uncanny and hilarious. In line with the idea of the game’s demographic, it’s worth noting that this isn’t your run-of-the-mill violent shooter game. This is an adventure game, where the choices you make affect the path you’ll be taking through Fallout 4. Instead of resorting to spraying and praying with a fully automatic rifle, you can use dialogue and non-violent solutions to solve major conflicts in the game. I’m not saying that this is a preferred method — I’m just saying that this alternative is an option. As a dog lover, this game really rubs me the right way. After reaching a certain checkpoint, you meet a German shepherd who becomes your ally immediately. It’s odd, since you wouldn’t think that a dog who had just gone through a nuclear war — presumably not socialized by any humans — would be friendly to a stranger who just happened to sprint into town. But, luckily for me, this happens to be the case. You can use the dog to sniff out goodies and assist you in combat, which is a nice feature. Your dog can get hurt, but I wouldn’t advise
“
As usual, with the Fallout games, you must keep your eyes peeled everywhere you go — leave no room unchecked, leave no table unturned, leave no enemy body clothed.
wasting a stimpak on it, since, as I’ve noticed, the dog’s health regenerates on its own. As usual with the Fallout games, you must keep your eyes peeled everywhere you go — leave no room unchecked, leave no table unturned, leave no enemy body clothed. I’ve been spending a lot of my time running through rooms and opening drawers, picking up useless, heavy items such as bags of cement and broken fans, but that’s just because it’s fun and you can drop anything at
anytime in the game. Unfortunately, despite my ability to pick up random objects, I lost out on a freebie perception level-up by failing to notice a small Vault Boy bobble head on a table in the first quest. I only noticed it the second time around when my partner advised his friend to pick it up — something he knew about from his own runthrough. Frustrating as it is, there are more little perks to be picked up along the way, so be sure to stay alert at all times. This game isn’t without its bugs, unfortunately. The first glitch I encountered was in the opening scene where you have to take a drink of coffee but there is no animation to accompany the slurping sound. Everyone I have come into contact with has listened to me rave about this game. I cannot recommend it enough. It is, however, $79.99 at this point. I would suggest waiting for the inevitable Steam Christmas sale, or another means of acquisition. Another reason to wait would be for upcoming patches, which will remedy the current bugs in the game. Despite this, I will say that this game is worth every penny, and I look forward to having more exciting conversations with new players of Fallout 4. @vjbarnier
With their cheeky art style and silly poses, the Vault-Tec bobbleheads located throughout the game help to enhance the old-school feel of Fallout 4’s universe.
20 HUGHSON ST. S. HAMILTON
905-522-9799
FINDLAYLAW.CA
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS A free service provided from Findlay Personal Injury Lawyers for non-profit agencies and groups
Seasonal Volunteers Needed!
Gain Volunteer hours. Get in the Christmas spirit. Give back to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
The Lung Associationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Christmas Seals. Supporting breathing breakthroughs for over 100 years.
Canada 2015 Help us create the breathing breakthroughs of tomorrow.
Make a donation. Volunteer your time.
Canada 2015
Canada 2015
Canada 2015
Canada 2015
Canada 2015
Canada 2015
www.on.lung.ca Toll free: 1-888-344-LUNG (5864)
- Dec. 23. Learn more at
callbigbrothers.com
Are you a student who experiences madness? mental illness? the mental health system?
Do you want to connect with other students who share similar experiences?
The Hamilton Mad Students Collective meets for confidential peer support every week and connects 24/7 online to share information, support each other, and build community among students with mental health concerns.
www.hamiltonmadstudents.ca hamilton.mad.students@gmail.com
Would you like to be featured in Community Connections? Send your request to Leeann Corbeil, Director of Marketing and Community Relations. E: leeann@findlaylaw.ca
P: 905.522.9799 ext. 248
Findlay Attorneys. 20 Hughson St. S., Suite 510, Hamilton, Ontario, L8N 2A1 Findlay Attorneys will determine which agency or group will be included based on a first come, first serve basis and at the discretion of Findlay Attorneys. Findlay Attorneys cannot guarantee inclusion of any materials submitted and therefore accepts no responsibility for any ad or information exclusion. Materials should be submitted at least two weeks prior to date of publishing.
INSTAGRAHAM The future of technology is here. And it comes in the form of microwave crackers C1
THURSDAY
THE
HAMILTON SPECULATOR Fed up since 1934
NOV. 19, 2015
NOTSPEC.COM
Campus gardening club is blamed for El Niño
Many citizens are taking out their anger towards nature on innocent gardeners
This garden is a fucking bounty. Nice people made it.
MARY KROLL-SNOW Weather Woman
Local gardeners close to home have recently been victim to unlawful crimes after a group of very vocal plant enthusiasts shared a series of social media messages implying they wanted to raise temperatures and mess with plant systems. A number of citizens have started to confuse the local gardeners with this extremist plant group and have been taking their anger out on them. “El Nino is a curse on this country. There is no one to blame but these gardeners. I’m not sure who gave them a rake, but I think it’s about time we start taking those away from them,” said Dave
Johnson, an anti-Flora community member. After the recent rise in November temperatures, as well as other unpleasant changes to the weather, people have become more heated, so to say, about their beliefs surrounding these gardeners. The international gardening group that initially shared the messages and threats, Seeding Today’s Innovation, or STI, have been wording their weather threatening statements in a way that links all gardeners into their group. Because of this, many innocent gardeners have fallen victim to the hatred that has spun from STI’s actions. For those who know gardeners personally, or have even read some of the teachings taught in gardening
The Speculator is a work of satire. It does not claim to be real, nor should you think it is. Please don’t harass us on social media.
school, it is known that there is no way these horrible changes in the weather are the fault of all gardeners. There is no denying the fact that the actions and words of STI are horrible, but their small representation is not enough to stand for the full gardening population. It is absolutely wrong to blame the actions of one small group on an entire population just because of a shared interest or belief. I know this just got kind of preachy, but I’m really not in the mood to be making jokes right now. This is a serious problem.
“You seen one gardener, you seen them all. Right?” Dave Johnson Asshole
INSIDE EERIE EDITORIALS A3 CHARLIE SHEEN SCENES A4 LA PIAZZA HOSTS THE HUNGER GAMES B2 HOW TO GET AWAY WITH MOCKING JAY B4 MORE EMOJIS THAT WILL SOON REPLACE THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE B6
PER ISSUE: Respect