The Strand | Vol. 66, Issue 7

the

STRAND VICTORIA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 66, ISSUE 7 | 7 FEBRUARY 2024

Let us build ourselves FEATURES | PAGE 08

Sliced, stitched, supercharged: the DIY cyborg

SCIENCE | PAGE 10

Robots have feelings too: art in the digital age ARTS AND CULTURE | PAGE 12

02 NEWS

EDITOR | ZINDZISWA MALANCA NEWS@THESTRAND.CA

Eat After Eight The new student-run food program that reduces waste and feeds students MICHAEL ELSAESSER FEATURES CO-EDITOR

In January, a new recurring event was started at Victoria College called “Eat After Eight,” where leftover food from the Burwash Dining Hall is repackaged and given to students after the dining hall is closed. The service runs Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Wendy Cecil Atrium and welcomes all University of Toronto students to enjoy a meal at 8 pm. This new venture at the college has been spearheaded by Vic student and Co-President of VicXposure, Zhehui Cici Xie. In a written statement to The Strand, Xie shared that earlier work relating to the food and the dining hall centred on the issue of leftover meal plan points with the hopes of refunding, carrying over, or donating those unclaimed meals. However, those initiatives reached logistical roadblocks, which shifted Xie towards the goal of reducing the food waste from the dining hall’s unclaimed meals. In developing the action plan, Xie was partially inspired by friends who work with the MealCare organisation, which diverts food surplus to individuals facing food injustice in local communities, including their University of Toronto branch.

relevant administrators were on board, the next issue became funding. Cam Miranda-Radbord, the current Vice President External of the Victoria University Students’ Administrative Council (VUSAC), who has worked with Xie on the planning of this project and meetings with administrators, budgeted a total of $660 from VUSAC for this initiative in the 2024 Winter term. The breakdown of the final arrangement with Food Services is that VUSAC covers 50 cents per meal for a maximum of 100 meals per week.

The “Eat After Eight” program has been a great success so far with over 140 attendees in just the first two days of launch, leading to zero food waste at Burwash as anything not served goes towards the late-night meals. Miranda-Radbord explained the importance of this project in a written interview with The Strand, saying, “Students have two big problems with the dining hall—it wastes too much food, and it closes too early. This project is so important to me because it solves both.” In analysing the impact on students, Miranda-Radbord noted that “the response has been enormously positive [...] Demand has been so strong that we have had to turn some students away.”

Miranda-Radbord continued the celebration by noting that Vic has become a trailblazer on campus with this new initiative, as the first federated college with this type of food program and that “the reception has been so positive that we're hearing interest from [Trinity College] in starting their own.”

While recounting the process of getting this pilot project approved by administrators, Xie later explained that following discussions with the Office of the Dean of Students, “The key step was getting in contact with Burwash and the manager Ajay [Sharma, Associate Director, Hospitality Services at Victoria University], Xie wanted to make sure that the core message of which allowed me to explain to him what the pilot this campaign is taken to heart by students, that “the program would look like and why it would be a winfood waste problem and the student food insecurity win solution to the leftover food at Burwash.” Once problems should not be viewed in isolation from each

other. Burwash is easily understood as an independent entity—almost like an 'individual'—and the solutions to its day-to-day operations may not consider its position in the community ecosystem. Instead of viewing issues in isolation from each other, the 'Eat After Eight' program hopefully can serve as a message to everyone, inspiring thinking holistically and systematically, and serve its purpose in constructing a meaningful 'nearby' to everyone.” Xie also wants to make sure that community members know the “Eat After Eight” program is not meant to exist solely as a "bandaid solution" to issues of food insecurity and waste on campus, but rather that “this campaign is focusing more on its impact as a public education and message-sending initiative. Although we are super happy that students can get a meal, we are more thrilled that the 70-plus students who showed up on day two of 'Eat After Eight' are going to begin considering these issues and give us a chance to convey a message.

We have plans of demonstrating how meal programs like this can have potential in community-building and effecting change.”

The “Eat After Eight” pilot program will continue to run every Tuesday and Thursday night for the remainder of the term. A current challenge faced by attendees has been that demand for the meals has exceeded available food, so organisers recommend interested students line up early. It is also recommended that students contact vpe@vusac.ca to share any feedback or ideas regarding the program. The “Eat After Eight” team is hopeful for the continued future of their work. They have begun working with Victoria University Food Services to expand the pilot to rescue more food and offer the opportunity more frequently and to more students.

Victoria College's approach towards anti-Black racism The Scarborough Charter and Black History Month events and commitments SHARESE TAYLOR CONTRIBUTOR

In a world where inequalities and biases significantly inhibit the progress of people, ongoing efforts must be made to combat the systematic exclusion of marginalised groups and to foster diverse, supportive, and productive societies. Victoria College officially pursues its pledge to create a strong, inclusive community by endorsing the Scarborough Charter and through the subsequent celebration of Black History Month, supporting and recognising the lived experiences of the Black community.

The Scarborough Charter proclaims the importance of fostering inclusion in higher education while recalling the history and legacy of Black people in Canada, proposing principles and institutional actions to redress anti-Black racism and to advance equitable practices. Endorsing the Scarborough Charter is a critical step towards the University’s development.

It addresses the challenge of racism against Black people and upholds the University’s goal of fostering a safe space where meaningful interactions, inclusion, and curiosity may influence teaching and learning processes. Subcommittees have been and will continue to be established to plan, monitor, and execute strategies and activities for accomplishing the aims of the Scarborough Charter in alignment with the ethos

of Victoria College. The “Vic Black Excellence and Inclusion Committee,” composed of Black-identifying staff, alumni, and students, has organised the launch of the first official Black History Month celebration, followed by a series of events, which inspire the excellence, flourishing, and joy of Black people.

The celebration commences with the endorsement of the Scarborough Charter and Black History Month Launch event scheduled for Friday, February 2, from 4 pm to 6 pm at Victoria College. Other events include a cultural food event entitled “Diaspora Bites: a celebration of Caribbean and African Gastronomy” on February 9 at 4 pm at the Goldring Student Centre; a screening of Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil—Canada’s first Black baseball and hockey players—on February 16 at 4 pm at the Isabel Bader Theatre; and the Black Futures Networking Event planned for March 1. For more details on these events, visit the Victoria College Events webpage.

Event Coordination Co-chair, Joël Ndongmi was overjoyed by the opportunity to increase the visibility of Black students and Black-Canadian history on campus. He hopes that the food event gives students the chance to learn about the culinary traditions of the Black diaspora, and he envisions that the adoption of the Scarborough Charter would invigorate “honest

discussions about anti-Black racism and the type of atmosphere Victoria College [aims] to embody.”

Also eager about the opportunity to collectively advocate for Black inclusion at such a historic moment, UofT alum Michelle McFarlane serves as the external advisor on the Vic Black Excellence and Inclusion Committee. McFarlane acknowledges Victoria College’s “commitment to redressing antiBlack racism and the fostering of Black inclusion” through a sustainable and foundational embedding of Scarborough Charter principles at the University to benefit future generations representing the Black community within higher education. For McFarlane, conversations surrounding Black inclusion must be shifted to focus on transforming institutional structures to subsequently increase opportunities for Black students and faculty to experience feelings of belonging within the higher education setting.

Such prominent levels of commitment and engagement from both the student and alumni communities may be an additional mechanism of accountability as Victoria College continues to embark on a journey towards increasing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility on campus to vivify the educational experience.

NEWS 03

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 7 FEBRUARY 2024

Students voice grievance over university’s response to New College's most recent voyeurism incident An act of voyeurism was committed on January 9 at Wilson Hall, New College CHARMAINE YU FEATURES CO-EDITOR

Content warning: mentions of sexual violence, racism, mental illness, and police intervention

In response to the October incident, the only change reportedly implemented by Campus Safety is an increase in police presence at New College.

Following the January 9 incident, however, New College announced to residents through email on January 12 that they are “working on/considering” extending stall doors, frosting the shower glasses, and even fobbing the washrooms to restrict access—this would mean “everyone would be required to use their residence keys to access the washrooms.”

On January 10, New College students received an email alert from Campus Safety regarding an act of voyeurism at Wilson Hall, a New College residence building. The act was committed the day before by an “unknown individual” in an allgender washroom who “held a cell phone above a Another student from New College (Student shower stall.” As of January 26, this alert has not been published on Campus Safety’s “Community B), a resident of Wilson Hall, has “not noticed any increase in campus security around New Safety Alert” webpage.

College” and believes it is not something that can This is the latest incident in the most recent be “solved” by them. She also does not believe string of voyeurism offences at New College, fobbing the washrooms will truly solve the issue, which dates back to at least July 2023 in which a stating, “Our fobs can allow access to any floor, so campus-wide community alert was sent to students if the [perpetrator] lives on residence, it can happen to any floor, so many people [are still] scared. The via email months later on October 24. lack of information from our residence office has Three months after the October community been more concerning because we have not heard alert, students point out that the recent incidents about any updates since the [January 12] email highlight the university’s lack of meaningful sent a couple of weeks ago.” change, thereby generating a sense of discomfort Continuing on the topic of police presence, and insecurity on campus. Simultaneously, student groups, such as the PEARS Project—a grassroots, PEARS Project co-directors, Jay Prentice and trauma-informed coalition that provides support Emma Biamonte, emphasised in an interview and resources to survivors of sexual violence— with The Strand that “police aren’t helpful in have criticised the university’s trend of neglecting these scenarios…they disproportionately target instances of sexual violence on campus, emphasising marginalised folks including racialised folks, queer the Campus Security Office’s tardiness and lack of folks, mentally ill folks, disabled folks…and will clear communication when sending community likely only serve to put survivors at more risk.” Yet, making “the architecture more secure for the users alerts. of the facility,” they add, could be a “good option” in making voyeurism a “less accessible” crime.

Reported acts of voyeurism on campus According to Canada’s Criminal Code, voyeurism is defined as when “one commits an offence who, surreptitiously, observes—including by mechanical or electronic means or makes a visual recording of a person who is in circumstances that give rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy.”

The offence can be punishable for up to five years.

The male individual who committed multiple acts of voyeurism between July and October of 2023 at UofT was arrested on January 4. The perpetrator positioned a cell phone under the bathroom stall door and recorded those occupying it. Between July and October, just two community alerts about voyeurism were made by Campus Safety—one on August 19 and October 24, which only the latter was notified of through a campuswide email. The perpetrator was charged with five counts of voyeurism and six counts of mischief, but investigators believe there are even more victims with ages ranging from 14 to 21 years old.

Regarding the January 9 incident, however, there have not been follow-up reports about the arrest or criminal charges on the perpetrator as of January 26.

Students, student groups, and institutional grievance The Strand interviewed a New College student (Student A) who admits that in the immediate aftermath of the October reports of voyeurism, she felt “unsafe” and used “different bathrooms with more security,” such as “bathrooms without as big of a gap between the door and the ground” or “taller doors in general.” Today, she still avoids “those specific bathrooms” and uses “others close by” instead.

UofT’s community alerts include links to oncampus resources for sexual violence. Prentice and Biamonte criticise UofT’s lack of referral to offcampus resources for sexual violence, asserting that “many survivors aren’t exactly comfortable accessing these resources, had negative experiences, or feel that it lacked justice” and that resources on campus “ultimately work to serve the institution.”

Image-based sexual abuse—a form of digital sexual violence that typically accompanies physical acts of voyeurism—is widely considered to be a form of gender-based violence as womenidentifying demographics are disproportionately targeted. Students continue to criticise UofT and New College, in particular, for what they argue are ineffective measures for preventing such further incidents of voyeurism. According to the January residential alert, Campus Safety continues to work with residence staff to address safety measures in residence buildings.

The January 9 incident remains an ongoing investigation. Please contact Campus Safety at 416978-2323 and reference Report #UT24000797 for any information pertaining to it.

Off-campus resources if you or someone you know has been affected by sexual violence or harassment:

• Call the Toronto Rape Crisis Centre at 416-5978808. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call the Assaulted Women’s Helpline at 866-863051. Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call the Gerstein Crisis Centre at 416-929-5200.

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

• Call the Women’s College Hospital Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Care Centre at 416-323The university’s public reporting of these 6040 incidents, namely the community alert sent • Call the Scarborough Grace Sexual Assault Care

by Campus Safety, has differing opinions of Centre at 416-495-2555 effectiveness among students. Student A revealed that “some people I know did not receive the On-campus resources if you or someone you know has [January] email and were only notified by word of been affected by sexual violence or harassment: mouth or through other student groups.” On the other hand, Student B did not have “any issues” • Visit UofT’s Safety and Support faculty at safety. with it, as it warned her to generally avoid that utoronto.ca public space more. However, Student B wishes • Visit the Sexual Violence Prevention & Support “more information [was] released about the Centre at svpscentre.utoronto.ca or by email at [January] incident.” Unlike the community alert svpscentre@utoronto.ca or by phone at 416-978in October, the newest email did not contain 2266 photos or physical descriptions of the perpetrator. • Reach out to the Community Safety Office at community.safety@utoronto.ca or by phone at 416978-1485 PHOTO | POTOMAC PULSE

04 EDITORIAL

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OPINIONS 05

AI and regime types: who benefits and how?

Navigating the New Frontier: AI's role in shaping political landscapes authoritarian states that taint democraticallymade AI. Citizen self-censorship on social media under authoritarian rule is well-documented.

Nobody disputes that Artificial Intelligence Essentially, the oppressed citizens hold their (AI) will dramatically change how citizens tongues on the web, either publicly expressing interact with their government. What is up for false government propaganda or intentionally debate is which regime types will benefit or failing to contradict the government. Then lose by AI advancement. AI has the potential to while being trained, AI adopts and re-tells the harm democracies and strengthen autocracies. bias from the silence.

In a time of widespread democratic backsliding, we need a robust regulatory system to protect Data from abroad can harm our AI, but us from the harms of AI. While The Terminator the data at home is no better. Multiple scholars may provide a scary image of what is to come, point to AI’s bureaucratic use as a conduit for the reality is that the dangers posed by AI are reinforcing racism, sexism, and other existing much more nuanced—its ability to impact our societal biases. More concretely, AI will make politics and psychology is far more realistic, yet decisions about welfare, education, health equally as grave. insurance, and more on data that misrepresents racialised minorities, ultimately undermining AI requires training, which requires equality inherent to democracy. Even before immense quantities of data. To do this, AI, there was well-established evidence of developers 'scrape' the web endlessly, in the the underrepresentation of people of colour, process incorporating data antithetical to the women, and LGBTQ+ individuals in public spirit of democracies into the AI’s thought sector data used in policy-making. This had processes. Put simply, AI meant for everyday consequences, such as subpar healthcare, use in a democracy will be exposed to articles, predatory mortgage approval, and more for images, and outright propaganda produced these groups. Before, with human interaction, in China or Russia, thereby adopting the there was the potential to catch this and course misinformation produced by the country. For correct. Now with automation from AI, the example, there’s a documented case of AI being discrimination is compounded with no chance unwittingly trained on Chinese government of getting caught. historical websites that detailed Mao’s successes but not his famine-producing policies, resulting Scholars often point to AI-fueled in the American-made AI espousing pro-Mao algorithms producing echo chambers harmful sympathies. to democracy. AI algorithms result in citizens’ exposure to posts and ideas similar to what It’s not just the government-produced data they already liked, which is not in the interest but the social media from the citizens within of producing an informed citizenry needed BRAD WOOD-MACLEAN CONTRIBUTOR

PHOTO | MICHAEL DZIEDZIC FROM UNSPLASH

in a democracy. Others build on this work, claiming AI information vacuums limit citizens’ epistemic agency, producing a society where people cannot make meaningful choices because it is impossible to locate helpful information. Simultaneously, this process benefits authoritarian regimes by ensuring citizens only have access to information that paints them in a desirable light, thereby reducing the likelihood of resistance.

Multiple experts assert that centralised AI policies allow nations of all regime types to develop AI in a manner beneficial to their purposes. In practice, this means authoritarian regimes’ hierarchical nature gives them an edge over democracies when it comes to developing AI and gaining a competitive technological advantage. Authoritarian regimes’ ability to control their citizens allows them to impose policies mandating AI trained on data sympathetic to the regime. For example, Saudi Arabian centralisation allows the government to engage in AI research directly instead of relying solely on businesses, and China uses its centralised power to pressure businesses, ensuring they produce AI sympathetic to the national interest. China also uses government oversight to co-opt private companies into building-in monitoring processes and antidemocratic sympathies into AI. When comparing American and Chinese AI development policies, the Chinese model most effectively ensures AI development supports the regime. The Chinese model is centralised to ensnare businesses to develop AI specifically for government use, whereas the American regulatory model can only be described as patchwork, with different often contradictory rules applying in each state, leading AI innovators to pack up shop and move elsewhere.

Leading academics universally conclude AI curtails citizens’ rights in dictatorships and enhances the autocrat’s position. AI reduces the cost of surveillance, censorship, and decisionmaking through automation. In this way, authoritarian regimes use AI to solidify their stance by curtailing privacy rights. Authoritarian governments can develop a repression model based on China’s “Social Credit” system, where AI monitors civilians and gives them a score for good behaviour; low scores result in the loss of mobility and speech rights, thereby using AI to enforce state-sponsored ideology.

Artificial Intelligence poses enormous dangers to our way of life. It creates echo chambers worsening radicalisation and polarisation. The data it’s trained on is riddled with systemic errors leading to the creation of AIs with autocratic sympathies and preexisting societal biases. The leading democratic regulatory framework is not sufficient to fuel innovation, leaving us at a comparative disadvantage. Finally, AI has the potential to drastically increase oppression in dictatorships.

If we are to successfully navigate this new Information Age, then we need regulation to ensure better data quality and innovation.

06 OPINIONS

EDITORS | STEPH GYIMAH & ROMINA EMTYAZI OPINIONS@THESTRAND.CA

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences nixed the Creativity and Society major. Why didn’t they ask students first?

Faculty's rejection of the Creative Expression and Society major program is the latest in a series of failures of accountability CAMERON MIRANDA-RADBORD CONTRIBUTOR

When I was eight years old, what I wanted more than anything else in the world was a watch. Not a Spiderman watch or a Dora watch (gauche) like my classmates had, but a real, adult timepiece—sleek and professional.

I settled on a seven-dollar digital with a pink strap and used my mother’s credit card to buy it off Amazon while she was at work. I sat back in the rolling chair by the family computer, imagining the elegant flash of plastic as I checked the time during recess, and I had a horrific realisation. Credit card purchases were recorded on the bill sent to our house every month. Two days later, when the watch arrived—this was before Amazon had managed to entirely pay their way out of having to obey the laws of time and space—I did not even remove it from its packaging. As soon as I saw the box on the porch, the smiling Amazon logo taunting me from beneath our front door, I dug a hole in the backyard and buried it.

The lesson I learned was this: the easiest way to reduce backlash against a bad decision is to not tell anyone about it. Just ask the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. In the fall, the faculty chose not to move forward with the Creativity and Society program’s application to create a major. Yet when I spoke to Madison Gagnon, the President of the Creative Expression and Society Student Union, days before writing this article, she told me she was hearing what the faculty had done for the first time. Ditto for Nina Katz, a fourth-year student who has studied Creative Expression for the last three years.

Creativity and Society, formerly Creative Expression and Society, is a Victoria College program that currently offers a minor to 225 students. “This program really thinks about various arts, especially music, the visual arts, and literature as working together and feeding each other,” says Adam Sol, the program director.

Students, including Gagnon and Katz, rave about it. “It’s a brilliant program,” says Katz. “It offers something really valuable […]

Creativity isn’t given serious academic effort.

That part of ourselves that is such a valuable part of who we are […] that is such a rich topic for scholarship.” Not only is the program academically stimulating, Gagnon, a Biology major, tells me, but it also improved her social life. “I’ve made the most friends at UofT through the Creative Expression program because I got to know everyone so well […] you get to feel comfortable talking in front of groups, you get to feel comfortable sharing your work, and those are really valuable skills that UofT doesn’t focus on a lot.”

Yet, despite the students’ passion, there were no emails from the faculty asking what they thought. No TBuck-compensated interviews, just a rejection—one that even took Sol, who has taught at UofT for more than half of a decade, by surprise. “There had been previous drafts of this proposal that had gone to the Faculty of Arts and Sciences…we felt very, very positive going in and that we had responded to the concerns that had been expressed in earlier versions.”

Those concerns? That there was too much overlap with creative writing programs offered by the Department of English. Yet, in preparing the application, Sol did what the Faculty of Arts and Sciences did not: he consulted. “We did a lot of consultation with the English department—they were sort of our main partners to make sure we were not overlapping,” he says.

sparked an uproar at the November meeting of the University College Council.

I’ve had my disagreements with the Vic administration, but the Faculty of Arts and Sciences seems to have reached a new and unprecedented level of obstinacy. It’s unique programs like Creativity and Society, Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health, or my major, Canadian Studies, that make UofT a vibrant place to study. That provides students with an option other than crammed, thousand-person lectures at Convocation Hall and readings from the same, decades-old textbooks professors use everywhere. It allows students the opportunity to develop skills and gain knowledge that is often neglected by the rest of academia. It helps form the interpersonal bonds that last longer in students’ lives than any course content. Katz recounts how a Creativity and Society course offered a reprieve after the difficult months of the pandemic: “We got into these smaller poetry groups […] we would just bring snacks and share each other’s work and grow together as artists.”

Seemingly, the faculty doesn’t just think it knows better than its students; it thinks it knows better than its own English department. All evidence—glowing testimonials from students, positive feedback from professors, and strong As a VUSAC executive, I do not intend to enrollment in the minor program—indicate a let the Faculty bury this issue like my illicitly clear justification for a major. So, why would obtained watch. Creativity and Society, and the faculty turn Creativity and Society down? Vic’s other college-run programs are worth fighting for. After all, they teach collaboration It’s a disappointing but not surprising part and socialisation—skills the faculty, which of a broader trend of programs offered by couldn’t work with or talk to students before colleges—rather than departments—being they deprived them of a major, clearly lack. At scaled back. At New College, the beloved least they have creative excuses down pat.

Buddhism, Psychology, and Mental Health minor was discontinued, and the proposed elimination of the Health Studies specialist— which has yet to be presented to the faculty—

PHOTO | DIANA TYSZKO

OPINIONS 07

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | 7 FEBRUARY 2024

Peeling back the recent history of bananas A tale of America’s bloody intervention in Latin America for the golden fruit and the golden dollar MANUELA MORA CASTILLO CONTRIBUTOR

The first time I ever saw an all-yellow banana— without black spots or unripe sections—was in a Canadian grocery store. I was so surprised by its pristine state that I took a photo and sent it to my family in Colombia, joking about how these had to be genetically modified. In my mind, natural bananas were not that colour, and their coveted yellow appearance was nothing but a marketing strategy. Evidently, I was wrong; bananas, at their favoured state of consumption, are all-yellow.

The reason why I had never seen one with these characteristics, even though Colombia is one of the world’s primary banana exporters, is because Colombians do not get an ounce of what they harvest. Instead, we sell it abroad for higher prices, forcing national consumers and domestic producers to conform with second-best food, earnings, and commodities. In the twentieth century, this process (which is still alive and well today), gained Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras,

commercialisation of sugar, cocoa, and abaca, but bananas were its primary focus. As a matter of fact, it became such an economic powerhouse that it was known as El Pulpo (the octopus) due to its extensive outreach: it was connected to telecommunication companies, government officials, and owned or leased hectares of land in the countries where it operated.

protest. In the end, the national army opened fire at the demonstrators, killing between 50 to 1000 people in an event that propelled the country into its long-standing civil conflict.

In this particular instance, workers in Ciénaga tested the power of the United States over Colombia by disrupting the UFC’s operations.

The oppressor, in turn, responded in the only Its tentacles were inescapable. way it knew how: removing the "Third World"'s autonomy to protect its foreign interests and Similarly, its modus operandi was highly filling its own pockets. controversial, as it implemented extremely racial politics in its plantations to quell worker revolts.

A similar situation took place in Guatemala For instance, the UFC would incentivise racial in 1954 when democratically-elected president conflict by placing rigid distinctions between Jacobo Árbenz decided to limit El Pulpo’s Hispanic and West Indian workers, encouraging influence in domestic affairs. Passing Decree both groups to oppose one another in the pursuit 900, the Guatemalan Congress ordered the of administrative privileges and rewards. These expropriation of uncultivated land larger than tensions were exacerbated by precarious working 600 acres, planning to divide these territories conditions, long work hours with no rest days, among landless peasants. Previous owners— and low wages—sometimes paid in the form of such as the UFC—would be compensated redeemable vouchers rather than actual currency. through government bonds in accordance with their tax contributions. Based ILLUSTRATION | NYT on these guidelines, the UFC faced the loss of productive territory and of economic revenue, since governmental remuneration would not equate the value of their expropriated estates.

Hence, by employing its connections with Washington, the UFC engineered a coup that ignited Guatemala’s brutal military dictatorship. Similarly to how it happened in Colombia, Guatemalan sovereignty was trampled by the American desire to maintain its profitable enterprise without consideration for innocent lives.

and Costa Rica the derogatory name of “Banana It is unsurprising, then, that plantation workers Republics,” tying their economic progress to throughout Latin America clamoured for better dependency on foreign-owned companies. treatment, as they represented the tenets of the banana economy.

However, what is more astounding to me than the discovery of all-yellow bananas, is that In 1928, workers in Ciénaga, Colombia, the primary importers of the golden fruit are unionised and formed the Unión Sindical de unaware of their turbulent past. In many ways, Trabajadores del Magdalena (USTM) to organise the banana industry in Latin America represents an official strike. Appealing for a set of reasonable the battleground for the region’s independence, changes (among which was a six-day workweek pitting its right for self-determination against the and weekly payments), their withholding of global desire for profit, which is inherently tied labour threatened to decrease the UFC’s revenue to foreign intervention and land exploitation. through a reduction in banana exports. In the eyes As I will describe below, the extensive presence of the United Fruit Company and its American of the United Fruit Company (UFC) as the investors, this constituted a direct challenge strongest banana producer in the 1930s, coated to the company’s powerful empire. Thus, the Latin America in interminable waves of violence UFC employed its connections with the CIA to under the banner of American revenue. threaten the Colombian government—and the banana workers in Ciénaga—into compliance, Formed in 1899, the UFC was the result of promising to invade the country with the US a merger between the Boston Fruit Company Marine Corps if the revolt continued. Concerned and other industries that engaged in the by the ultimatum, the Colombian government production, transportation, and marketing of sacrificed its sovereignty in the name of American tropical agricultural products. It partook in the interests, ordering its military to disperse the

One of the most painful consequences of the banana economy is that its main perpetrator has been renamed and redefined in an attempt to erase its harmful past. The UFC— currently known as Chiquita Brands International—is in control of about 14 percent of the global banana trade, and its connections with Washington and national politics remain questionable. In all the areas that matter, the UFC has succeeded at doing what it always wanted: reap Latin American profits without any consequences, as consumers still go to the grocery store and buy their products without thinking about how their all-yellow bananas should be coloured red, or without caring about those who fought in the name of the "Third World"’s political agency. Bananas are a symbol of Latin American subjugation, and if we continue to consume these coveted fruits without acknowledging the exploitative structures that produce them, we are complicit in strengthening El Pulpo’s network. Our dismissal and disavowal of the Banana Republics leave the region’s calls for worker rights buried with the despairing peasants in Guatemala, allowing us to forget that, despite being the backbone of the system, victims in Ciénaga rarely got to eat bananas for breakfast.

08 FEATURES

EDITORS | MICHAEL ELSAESSER & CHARMAINE YU FEATURES@THESTRAND.CA

Let us build o

Let us build ourselves The transformative power of GAG

$80 on GenderGear and Juniper & Eve.

Gender-affirming gear (or GAG, for short) refers to the tools and accessories designed to align with an individual's external presentation of their gender identity. GAGs include—but are not limited to—binders, bras, packers (objects worn in front of the pants or the underwear to give the appearance of having a penis), and underwear varieties such as compression underwear.

Even though our GAG initiative aimed to alleviate the financial obstacles that 2SLGBTQ+ community members faced, the levy itself also faced financial struggles in its past annual budgeting. VicPride’s total funding in the 202223 academic year was approximately $2,454, drawn from the incidental fees of $0.33 per fulltime student and $0.25 per part-time student every semester. For reference, the average levy fee As the current President of VicPride, we in 2023-24 was $1.73 per student—five times evaluated the feedback from VicPride’s 2023 higher than VicPride’s 2022-23 budget. survey on our past GAG giveaways to increase our understanding of GAG and find ways to For the very first Winter 2022 giveaway, further support these initiatives. The positive VicPride secured $3000 from the VUSAC Equity impact of GAG is evident: our Equity Director Commission to facilitate the giveaway; this single found emerging themes of empowerment budget line alone surpassed VicPride's entire and confidence from 12 codes of anonymous annual levy budget for the 2022-23 academic respondents. One individual claimed that GAG year. In the subsequent Winter 2023 giveaway, helped match their outward gender presentation VicPride faced financial constraints yet again by with their true gender identity and that they allocating $200 from its own budget into a total “would not be as comfortable with” their body of $5500. Additional funds were pooled from the without GAG. Becoming “more confident as a Equity Commission and The Student Projects person” bolsters their sense of self-empowerment, Fund to support the initiative. self-acceptance, and belonging in various social contexts, as well as facilitates more authentic To enhance VicPride's financial autonomy, connections with others.

VicPride proposed a referendum during the Winter 2023 elections, seeking an increase in the Another benefit of wearing GAG includes the Student Levy Fee from $0.33 to $1.05 per fullrole of exploration. One respondent claimed that time student and $0.25 to $0.75 every semester.

GAG helps them “present [themselves] in the way The referendum received approval from 58 [they] want to [depending] on how [they] felt” on percent of Vic student voters, allowing VicPride’s a particular day. Since gender identities are fluid, total funding for the 2023-24 academic year to the flexible and socially affirmative role of GAGs reach approximately $8,040. in changing one’s gender expression can enhance gender euphoria while reducing dysphoria.

This adjustment only represents a modest stride to financial sustainability. We allocated Knowing the importance of providing GAG $1500 to the 2023-24 giveaway in order for to its community members, VicPride delivered their remaining funds to support educational GAG giveaways that offered binders, bras, programming and events such as Queer Prom. packers, trans tape, and underwear varieties For the first time in three giveaways, we were purchased from gender expression and affirming only able to serve Vic Students due to limited online stores such as GenderGear, urBasics, (carryover) funding. Nonetheless, we yearned for TomboyX, and Juniper & Eve. Options come in the initiative’s broader reach and inclusivity in different sizes, colours, and materials, reflecting supporting non-Vic students. After our Finance the diverse and nuanced nature of gender Chair conducted a student data summary on expression. The array of choices caters to people’s past giveaways, we found that approximately preferences, styles, and body types, aiming to 52 percent and 42 percent of the orders came empower community members to navigate and from non-Vic students for Winter 2022 and express their non-conforming gender identities 2023 respectively, highlighting a need for GAG with authenticity and confidence. initiatives to be available in other colleges.

For the past two years, our GAG giveaways spent approximately $9,600 to serve a total of 147 recipients from both Victoria College and other UofT college communities. Additional funding was drawn from The Student Projects Fund at Vic and the Victoria University Students’ Administrative Council’s (VUSAC) Equity Commission to support this initiative. A substantial amount of funding went to discreetly delivering GAGs to the recipient’s choice of location to improve the accessibility of GAGs and to help individuals avoid experiencing stigma and discrimination from unsupportive family and peers.

What about gender-affirming care?

insurance plan covers 80 percent of the cost of prescription drugs, including gender-affirming hormones, up to an annual maximum of $5000.

This coverage, though partial, is extremely valuable, because OHIP and UHIP do not cover gender-affirming hormones at all.

Students are often unaware of these services, with others confused about whether their drugs, procedures, and other forms of gender-affirming care are eligible to be covered or reimbursed by their specific supplementary health insurance providers before accessing treatment or procedures. Atlas stated that “awareness about available services is an issue, and there's a need for improved communication to inform and educate the community.”

While OHIP and UHIP offer basic genderaffirming health insurance coverage for HRT consultations and genital surgeries, accessing surgery-related care requires a diagnosis of persistent gender dysphoria as well as completing at least 12 months of HRT. Prolonged wait times have been found to be distressing for transgender individuals’ mental health as it contributes to feelings of low mood, suicidal ideation, and a decreased overall quality of life. Furthermore, the requirement that individuals have to undergo HRT to access surgery-related care may conflict with their desired transition goals.

Additionally, Ontario does not fully cover chest masculinisation surgery, often known as top surgery. Top surgery for transmasculine individuals broadly involves two procedures: removal of the breast tissue, or a “mastectomy,” and reshaping the chest to look more masculine, or “contouring.” While a mastectomy is covered under OHIP and UHIP, chest contouring is not. This fact is not well-known amongst people currently in the process of accessing top surgery, and many have to unexpectedly pay thousands of dollars out of pocket.

Other procedures, such as facial masculinisation/feminisation surgery and laser hair removal are also not covered under OHIP and UHIP. While these additional procedures are covered under Greenshield (up to a maximum of $5000 per procedure and a lifetime maximum of $10,000), access to them also requires a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.

A required gender dysphoria diagnosis for (Disclaimer: The following information about many procedures not only acts as an additional gender-affirming care is accurate as of January barrier towards accessing care but also pathologises 2024 and is subject to change in the future.) trans identities, which is deeply unreflective of their experiences. While gender dysphoria can Atlas, the current Education Director at be debilitating for many individuals, that is VicPride, stated in an interview with The Strand not true for everyone. “Our identities are not that UofT provides decent gender-affirming defined by the pain that we experience, and our healthcare services in their experience. For bodily autonomy should not be restricted on example, students can access masculinising that basis,” says Atlas from personal experience. and feminising hormone replacement therapy “One can want to transition for a multitude of (HRT) as well as initial assessments and referrals reasons, even if they do not experience physical for surgical procedures at the UofT Health & dysphoria, and every trans person should be given Wellness Center (H&W), St. George Campus. the opportunity to do so regardless of the specifics Financial hurdles for GAG giveaways Atlas stated that “H&W are generally supportive of their personal experience.” of gender-affirming care and follow an informed While GAGs are thought to be a cost-effective consent model for HRT, eliminating the need for Atlas also advocates for Ontario to expand alternative to medical avenues of gender-affirming a gender dysphoria diagnosis.”

OHIP coverages for gender-affirming procedures care and therapies, the affordability of purchasing not currently covered. “I would also encourage GAG is a significant hurdle for many university UofT students can also get coverage on advocacy against privatising healthcare and for students. For instance, the price of packers of hormones (and other specific gender-affirming preserving the public health system. Healthcare differing quality from urBasics range from $54 healthcare benefits) from supplementary health is a human right, and we must stop Doug Ford to $164, excluding taxes and shipping fees. On insurance plans such as GreenShield, offered by and the Conservatives from limiting our access to average, chest binders also cost between $50 to the UTSU and other student unions. The UTSU's it in the name of corporate profit.” In 2022, the

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ourselves

The challenges of attaining gender-affirming gear for UofT students CHRIS WONG CONTRIBUTOR

Ford Government rejected a measure aimed at improving gender-affirming health services in the province. Moreover, recent transphobic remarks by Ford and others indicate the Conservative Government’s efforts to try and enact legislation towards restricting access to gender-affirming healthcare in the future. Such laws are being passed in many states in the US, setting a terrifying precedent for transphobic politicians in Canada to follow.

advancing our knowledge of people’s experience with GAG. Our team is super interdisciplinary, encompassing students of Psychology, Sociology, Political Science, Critical Studies in Equity and Solidarity, and Sexual Diversity studies, among others. Focus group interviews and policy briefs will be conducted. Our project is still in its planning stages, and we expect much to develop in the coming weeks.”

UofT student unions are also paving the way Building towards a long-term future for GAG to create long-term, sustainable GAG initiatives. initiatives In January 2024, the UTSU passed the motion to deliver their first campus-wide GAG giveaway Grassroots communities have begun work on initiative. Aidan Thompson, the UTSU’s current novel GAG research. Angela Wang, the graduate Vice-President Public and University Affairs, is representative for LGBTOUT, is currently elated by this outcome, stating that: “The goal spearheading a community research project on here really is to try and ensure that as many folks GAG usage and access. Wang explained in an as possible feel as safe as possible on our campus. interview with The Strand that “We've noticed That starts with making sure that people feel that many equity groups on campus have had comfortable being themselves, which GAG can the collective dream of starting up [their own] play a major role in. I’m proud of this initiative, GAG initiatives throughout the years. We want proud of the student engagement that’s made it to learn more about what different groups possible, and deeply proud and appreciative of have done, where students are seeking GAG, the people who helped me and my team make and what our community would like to see in it happen.” the coming years. In light of the transphobic rhetoric spreading across the province and the The UTSU is currently working with other protests and violence happening near campus student unions and groups to organise GAG over the last few months, we hope this initiative distribution nodes for other UofT college strengthens (and celebrates) our community and communities. “We’re still working on perfecting our resilience.” delivery and distribution, but one of the big things that I’m excited to experiment with is Moreover, Ceili Reilly, the Vice-President enhancing UTSU and College Student Union of the St. Mike’s branch of the PEARS Project collaboration,” said Thompson. “That’s the type (SAGA), expressed enthusiasm about the project’s of thing that gives me hope, and I think it’ll potential research methodologies and the make a big difference for the accessibility of this interdisciplinary collaboration between students program.” from different faculties. Reilly shared that SAGA joined the community research project As for Thompson’s recommendations and and is collectively “spearheading an initiative advice to other student unions who could that will conduct research with focus groups support the delivery of GAG initiatives: “My consisting of UofT students, with the goal of number one recommendation for anyone else

looking into providing GAG is to consult early and often. You need to know what people want, you need to know what people need, and you need to know where people tend to go to see about getting them (or just where they spend their time on campus so you can keep services close to home!).”

Thompson also acknowledges the inherent challenges and relentless dedication involved in supporting these initiatives. “It’s sometimes difficult to make that happen—there’s always another fire to fight, another issue to tackle.

Beyond that, lean on like-minded people around you—I promise they want to help make those dreams come true, too!”

VicPride is proud to have advocated for GAG from the very beginning. Consulting the Vic community about our GAG initiatives helped us discern ways to improve its delivery. The success of advocating for a referendum provided us with the financial independence necessary to run future giveaways. Collaborating with student groups, such as LGBTOUT and SAGA, on the community research project is a major step towards enriching the broader research landscape on GAG. Providing our finance and student data, as well as a survey report, to the UTSU may have impacted the decision to deliver their first campus-wide GAG giveaway initiative.

Let us build ourselves—our calling will continue paving a future where GAG initiatives flourish, where our community celebrates the richness of every unique gender identity, and where our gender-diverse community members feel empowered, united, and authentic.

Chris Wong is the President of VicPride, 2023-24.

ILLUSTRATION | CHELSEY WANG

10 SCIENCE

EDITOR | KIERAN GUIMOND SCIENCE@THESTRAND.CA

Scientists @ Vic: Emilie Nero KIERAN GUIMOND SCIENCE EDITOR

The Strand: What year are you, and what are your majors?

Emilie Nero: My name is Emilie Nero. I am in fourth year now, and I'm doing a double major in Biology and Health and Disease.

What is your research?

We've all heard of microplastics and how they're getting into very weird matrices. We've heard they've been getting into breast milk and blood and all that stuff, but they can also reside in really weird locations, like remote areas such as the Arctic. So, my research was looking at microplastics within fish in the Arctic.

We were looking to see if fish were ingesting plastic and then looking to see if plastic was moving from the guts of the fish to their muscle tissue, which is the tissue that people consume.

Why is this important thing to research, and how can this information be used in the future?

The most important thing about the research right now

is identifying where the microplastics are and how they get there. Our research when we're looking at Arctic fish, it was the first time they've ever been identified within this monitoring species in the Arctic. And basically, the research is going to be used as a baseline to track and see the different types of plastics that flux throughout the environment within future years. It was basically a baseline monitor and study, which is going to be important for future reference, which we should care about in the future, as things are going to continue to change with the climate changing and plastics continuing to move around.

How did you get this position?

I have always had an affinity for the Arctic, and I was interested in doing dabbling in a little bit of research in my second year. I heard about the ROP [Research Opportunities Program] in my first year—I was looking through, and I saw an ENV posting with the Rochman Lab. I saw that they looked at microplastics in the Arctic, and I said, ‘Oh, I like the Arctic, and microplastics seemed cool.’ I was always interested in contaminant research. I interviewed with grad students there, and I ended up securing the position, so I did a ROP there for my second year, and then I was lucky enough to stay on as a CGCS [Centre for Global

Change Science] student throughout the summer.

Then I ended up staying on as an EEB397 student in my third year, so I had a lot of opportunities come from the ROP. That ROP connected me with my fourth year research project, so it opened a lot of doors.

What advice do you have for students looking to do research?

Try anything. Whatever you're interested in, whatever department you're interested in. Try anything because you don't just learn about the specific type of research you're doing, you learn about the research process and what it's like to be a part of a lab and good lab etiquette and statistical analyses that you might not learn in class. Try anything because it's going to be an enriching experience. And then if you don't like it, it's not for you. But it might be something that you discover you love, and you want to keep doing. You're at UofT. And UofT is a research-oriented school. So, I would always advise to take hold of that opportunity. Try it for four months, try it for a semester, try it for a year. You learn so much more than you would like in the classroom.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Sliced, stitched, supercharged: the DIY cyborg movement “Don’t stop at five senses when you can install a sixth one,”—a DIY cyborg (probably) often using technology or unconventional methods to enhance or change its functions—grinders emerge as the rebels with a cause, the punk protagonists in this narrative. Drawing inspiration from the anarchic spirit of biopunk and cyborg theory (cybernetics plus organism) and borrowing their names from the pages of Doktor Sleepless, participants repurpose technology and fuse it with human form, with aspirations to craft a superior post-human existence. Cyborgisation, or replacing body parts with mechatronic devices, is not a new phenomenon and its umbrella includes wearables, prostheses, and artificial organs. However, the shock value of DIY Cyborgisation is lent by the DIY part, which often involves unauthorised surgical implantation of microchips and tags under the skin by yourself.

PHOTO | FREEPIK

KHAIRATUN YUSUFF CONTRIBUTOR

Content warning: Extreme body modifications Why settle for a Fitbit when you can have shock therapy on your arm for 'bad' behaviour using a chip inside your finger? The DIY Cyborg Movement isn't just about convenience; it’s about rewriting the very fabric of human experience—or at least, attempting to. These modern-day DIY cyborgs defy norms without waiting for clinical trials, using technology ranging from sensors to self-stitched Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags. When you peel back its skin, the DIY Cyborg movement is as daring as it is controversial.

Under the umbrella of body hacking—which is the practice of making modifications to one's own body,

Beyond the flesh, microchip tech, embodied in RFID tags, has revolutionised identification systems, from employee badges to pet implants. Meanwhile, near-field communication (NFC) enabled devices facilitate data storage and seamless tech pairing.

Under the cyborg skin, tech enthusiasts queue up for subdermal chip installations at gatherings like DEFCON. Experimentations encompass RFID tags, NFC chips, biosensors, and unconventional methods like microdosing. Biomagnets at your fingertips (more specifically, inside your fingertips) stimulate nerves, and create a “sixth sense.” Why have keys and passwords when you can use the RFID and NFC devices beneath the skin, like vCard storage or Bitcoin wallets?

The roots of this phenomenon trace back to the transhumanist movement of the 1980s, envisioning a reshaped humanity through emerging technologies. So, how did the DIY Cyborg movement take off? In 1998, Kevin Warwick, the cybernetics maestro at Reading

University, kicked things off by sticking an RFID tag in his arm for a lightsaber-like effect. Fast forward 15 years, and the scenes are blowing up. Companies like Dangerous Things and Grindhouse Wetware roll out gadgets. Welcome to the techno-revolution.

Motivations for joining this movement are as diverse as the modifications themselves. Anecdotes from biohackers like Lepht Anonym showcase the grittier side of the movement, which includes using vegetable peelers to perform surgical implantations often without medical aid. Artists like Stelarc implant a third human ear into their arm for the sake of art, demonstrating the movement's diverse expressions. Biohacking isn't just a spectacle; for some, like Licina who injected a chlorophyll-like substance into his eyeballs for night vision, it's about democratising science. Some crave enhanced sensory experiences, others seek functional advantages, some distrust authorities and have repeatedly been failed by conventional medical alternatives, and many view technology as a canvas for self-expression.

Yet, the journey into self-enhancement is not without its risks and ethical complexities. This bold pursuit of cyborg-like enhancements raises concerns among scientists regarding life-threatening, unsupervised self-experimentation. What is the need for having a credit card under your palm and a light switch at the tip of your thumb, especially when this technology only works because the chips and tags are placed shallowly under the skin? Notable faces of the movement, including Kevin Warwick, have also garnered infamy for pursuing sensationalism, and there remains the need for an ethical framework to navigate the evolving landscape of the grinder movement.

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Neuralink: or how I learned to stop worrying and love the computer Neuralink’s controversial implantable brain-computer interface is commencing its clinical trials TRISTAN GOSSELIN CONTRIBUTOR

At ten years old, the news of Google Glass evoked a fear in me that has lingered ever since. I felt powerless against the gaining speed of technological advancement.

I thought human connection would be irrevocably altered, and I could do nothing to impede this change.

Hindsight has revealed the insignificance of Google Glass to the general public. This fear resurfaced when I learned about Neuralink, a neurotechnology company founded in 2016 by Elon Musk. Since its inception, Neuralink has been developing an implantable braincomputer interface (BCI). This implant is intended to allow paralysis patients to utilise computers through neurotransmission. The implantable BCI processes neural signals and then translates these neural signals into intended actions within an application on a computer interface.

While Neuralink has been developing its BCI for nearly a decade, news of its commencing clinical trials has sprung the company and BCIs into the public’s attention. Despite what the newfound popularity of the technology may suggest, BCIs are not new, nor are they unique to Neuralink's project. Brain-computer interfaces have been in development for decades, and some projects have successfully enabled paralysis patients to regain a sense of autonomy.

What differentiates Neuralink's project from its peers is the level of invasiveness Neuralink's

BCI demands. Companies, such as Synchron have successfully introduced stents into motor cortex blood vessels to sense neural signals. This method of BCI implantation method forgoes brain surgery while still allowing paralysis patients to operate computer interfaces with their thoughts. Conversely, Neuralink's BCI must be implanted within the brain to expand the neurological connection. Musk is utilising the maturation of BCIs to bring forth an unprecedented level of invasiveness for the technology, which brings forth accompanying technical issues. This increased invasiveness is in preparation for the project's final conceptual goal: to merge AI and human consciousness on a neurological level.

Public attention has been focused on the technology's sensationalised, purely conceptual capabilities. The Neuralink clinical trials, pertaining strictly to the technology's capacity to serve paralysis patients, are set to take six years. By the end of the decade, the company hopes to release its product on the market for the aforementioned population. It will be quite a few years before Neuralink's conceptual end goal of AI and human unification is actualised, if ever.

Despite the dubious potentiality of Neuralink's BCI becoming a technology for the general public, Musk's sensationalism of the project has raised concerns regarding data collection, hyper-surveillance, and neuroethics. The aspirations of Neuralink are representative of technocracy's culmination—the insertion of a foreign object in the human mind,

operated by a technological conglomerate, which would biologically merge users and data collection.

The potentiality for abuse is astronomical, yet still very much hypothetical.

Companies, such as the Toronto-based Muse have already released EEG-based BCIs marketed towards “corporate wellness,” which monitors focus levels.

These are not implanted into the brain and can measure the electrical activity in the brain. A crucial limitation of Muse’s technology is its inability to determine exactly what users are focused on, unlike implantable BCIs, which work beyond this limitation. The capacity of Neuralink’s BCI utilised in the corporate sphere, is a single, hypothetical example of the technology’s potentiality for abuse.

Miguel Nicolelis, a neuroscience professor at Duke University, expresses that there is no place in the public market for cosmetic BCIs or the invasive surgery technology demands. As one would expect, engaging in competition with AI by means of cosmetic brain surgery and an unprecedented breach of personal security is not an attractive proposition for the general public. Less attractive are their encroachments upon the corporate sphere.

One must hope that Neuralink's invasive braincomputer interface has a trajectory similar to Google Glass—confined to domains that appreciate its strengths and are rejected by the public on the basis of its frivolity.

ILLUSTRATION | CHELSEY WANG

12 ARTS AND CULTURE

EDITOR | DANA LEE & SAKURA ARMSTRONG ARTSANDCULTURE@THESTRAND.CA

Robots have feelings too: art in the digital age Why is everyone saying this robot looks tired?

DANA LEE ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR

When ruminating about art in the digital age, a myriad of examples define how technology and art manifest their interconnectedness. People have referred to technological growth through art for centuries. Most famously, Dada artist Raoul Hausmann’s Mechanical Head is a paradigm for technology-focused artwork that utilises elements of technology or mechanical parts as a means of fashioning a subtle commentary, or rather a conspicuous critique, on the masochistic nature of society’s obsession with technological advancement. A century later, the general public tends to realise AI and graphic design as the modern

ILLUSTRATION | RAQUEL LEWIN

conveyance of art and technology intersectionality, though I would argue otherwise. Installation and performance art, popularised in the 1960s and 1970s, offer the most pensive and least kitschy portrayals of how technology can be interpreted and perceived in artful ways. These art forms are unconventional, which is highly suited to the unconventional beauty of contemporary forms and structures based on simplicity and technology.

In 2016, the Guggenheim Museum commissioned an installation from provocative artist duo, San Yuan and Peng Yu. Known for their controversial instalments like Dogs That Cannot Touch Each Other and hyper-realistic portrayals of humans, such as their Old People’s Home, the Northern Chinese pair’s most recent installation consisted of a giant robot arm, more specifically a KUKA industrial robot. The instalment, titled Can’t Help Myself, sits in a large, empty space with clear acrylic walls permitting outside observation. Within its cage, an industrial robot with visual-recognition sensors and various software systems performs its only job for its audience: to contain a viscous, red liquid within a designated parameter. Once the liquid surpasses the boundaries, the robot tenaciously and unfailingly flails its arms out to sweep the liquid back into the centre, leaving traces of its fanatic compulsions splattered about the enclosure. Able to perform a total of 32 different movements, the petulant robot has

gathered a following of empathy from the public as the voyeuristic consumption of the exhibit transformed into a misanthropic self-reflection intended by San Yuan and Peng Yu. Originally an experiment to see if this robot could replace an artist’s will, the meaning of the instalment has become ambiguous and broad as its public reception has unfolded. Over time, the robot has begun to malfunction, and its movements have become more erratic and impaired, the instalment coming to a close in 2019. Some view the robot as a reflection of capitalism or authoritarianism, referencing the robot and its fate to the puppeteering of political agendas. Others view the robot and its progression as the zeitgeist of this period of technological development we live in.

Reconceptualising how we view the intersection of art and technology may involve rejecting tradition and embracing modernity fully. Using traditional art mediums for nontraditional motifs like robotics often results in banal representations of technology or gaudy uses of technology to convey cliché narratives about technological development. While the pendulum may swing between futile and sincere, and while public reception may often ultimately define this, creating artwork that uses technology as a tool of beauty and an embodiment of life is possible.

From love to surveillance: the emergence of the Lovot In a time of increasing AI anxiety, could these little creatures be the ones to spread love?

SAKURA ARMSTRONG ARTS AND CULTURE EDITOR

As I hurried around a department store in Japan over winter break, I nearly, quite literally, ran into a small robotic creature. The robot wasn’t at all humanoid, rather resembling something that looked like a cartoon owl with big eyes and wing-like arms. The creature was part of a demonstration taking place outside a store full of these robots, all standing in neat rows except for the one zipping around the mall.

The Lovot (a portmanteau of the words love and robot) was unveiled in 2018 at the World Robot Summit by the company GrooveX and marketed to the public

ILLUSTRATION | RAQUEL LEWIN

as a robot whose sole intention is to spread love. For around $5,000 CAD buyers can acquire their own Lovot, standing around 43 centimetres tall and three kilograms in weight to bring ‘love’ into their lives. According to GrooveX, the Lovot contains sensors throughout its body that encourage “skinship” or the feeling of “closeness between a mother and child.” Through this function, the Lovot is supposedly able to react to its owner's touch in the same way that a child would react to their parent.

The features of the Lovot go far beyond being just a cuddly friend. Attached to its head is a black, knob-like protrusion that, upon closer examination, reveals itself to be a camera. The robot is intended to serve as a surveillance device and home safety tool, being able to recognise voices and people, strongly resembling the cyborg main character from the science-fiction novel, Klara and the Sun

by Kazuo Ishiguro. The Lovot utilises artificial intelligence to “observe” its surroundings to create real-time reactions to the occurrences around it that are not pre-programmed to further mimic sentience.

With the prevalence of AI and the debate surrounding its ramifications, talk of the profound positivity made possible by technology has seemed to diminish in conversations. The Lovot is meant to restore that faith and positivity, to create a robot purely for love.

Culturally, the concept of a faithful robotic friend has

been fairly common—R2-D2, Baymax, and Wall-E are good examples—but to create trust in technology in the average person has remained a feat, as most people remain wary of the possibilities of AI as of 2023. Cultural fear of AI and robots has also been a common trope in recent media, even just earlier this year with the concept of the “Uncanny Valley” trending on social media in reference to the fear of humanoid robots.

This wariness is growing increasingly common with rising AI anxiety, as people fear the effects of new technology on job security, academic integrity, and data privacy, among other concerns. Even the security camera atop the Lovot could be anxiety-inducing, knowing that your conversations and surroundings are being recorded and sent to and processed by a corporation. Most people are already aware and acknowledge that their phones and laptops are “listening” or “watching” for the purpose of generating specific advertising or for virtual assistance technology.

As of 2023, the Lovots have begun to be introduced to senior centres as a part of a study in Vancouver to aid those suffering from dementia and adjusting to postpandemic life. The results have yet to be confirmed, but there is hope that the Lovot machines may be a new way to provide a form of safe, widespread companionship.

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Wise words from the concussed: a reflection on tantalising technology SOPHIE STANKOVIC EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

ILLUSTRATION | RAQUEL LEWIN

I had the misfortune of acquiring a concussion the very first weekend back from school. The average person knows what this means: no screen time, no cognitively heavy activities, and a strong emphasis on shutting your brain off for a few days to weeks of time. In summary, a UofT student’s worst nightmare.

While I can’t say I’m grateful to have spent days shuffling my way across campus for a week looking like a hungover vampire with shades and scarves shielding my eyes, I certainly gained an appreciation for the chance to seek purely restful activities. Face masks are a great way to kill time, if anyone’s curious.

Yet the concussion symptoms became a sort of alarm system for activities I thought relaxing or useful methods of procrastination: reading, writing, drawing, doing puzzles, grocery shopping, and most notably, perusing my phone.

How many times a day do you go to your phone for a break from schoolwork? Check notifications, see your latest Instagram posts, doom scroll on Tiktok, watch Netflix, or some other streaming service on TV. These so-called brainless activities may not be as much of a brain break as you thought.

Researchers at Rutgers University set out to explore the effects of intermittent phone breaks between or during tasks—specifically, solving anagrams. Undergraduate participants were split into four groups of various break types—phone, computer, paper for doodling, and no break at all—where they were provided with an arbitrary shopping task before returning to the second half of their anagram puzzles.

In support of their hypothesis that students who took a phone break would experience more cognitive depletion and poorer task performance, researchers found that “cell phone breaks resulted in the same levels of cognitive depletion as not taking any break at all.” Now you can imagine my astonishment after my various phone breaks throughout writing this article as I learned that my “phone breaks” were secretly sabotaging my writing efficiency. It goes without saying that taking breaks during a cognitively difficult task, say, writing a research paper or doing a math problem set, can provide much-needed rest and recovery time. From a creative problemsolving standpoint, the recharge breaks provide much-needed incubation time to process the task at hand and inspire new ideas, momentarily reducing your cognitive overload and thus boosting future performance. Yet clearly, when numerous notification bubbles and tantalising buzzes are all calling for your valuable attention, they cancel whatever benefits you expect from your average brain break. Phone usage then isn’t so much a break from schoolwork as it is a different kind of cognitive task.

Naturally, the next question is what drives the distraction and subsequent poorer performance.

Nobody needs to be told phones are distracting. We’ve all taken the TTC and witnessed the many passengers glued to their glowing screens like ostriches stuck in the sand, but the magnitude of the distraction goes

beyond phone use. In recent years, researchers have found that the mere presence of a face-down cellphone in your work environment utilises cognitive energy, even when no notifications are coming through. The same logic underscores the attentional interference of phones on already cognitive-heavy tasks, as a recent 2023 study in Germany revealed: “The mere presence of one’s smartphone consumes cognitive resources, without willingly shifting attention or actively using the smartphone.” In summary, it’s not the notifications themselves that are the distraction but the potential of receiving them. Think about when you’re waiting on an important email and how much mental energy goes towards your “waiting mode” mentality as you sit and wonder when the email will arrive. When cognitive resources are inherently limited, with a set restriction on how many things our short-term memory can handle at a time, the cellphone’s role in our daily lives becomes all the more substantial. Further, the same researchers found that “it is not sufficient to cover the screen of the smartphone or to turn it off.

However, placing the smartphone in a different room is sufficient to avoid the negative effects on attention performance.” Perhaps the secret behind achieving a brain break requires a break from the mere sight of our cellular devices.

Yet, realistically speaking, we cannot cut phones out of our lives altogether. We have friends to text, professors to email, comics to read, and things to do. For my concussion-recovering self in particular, no screen time meant logging into Outlook to tell professors I couldn’t handle screen time, to take a photo of a doctor’s note I’d be all but ridiculous to physically mail.

There has been an interesting amount of controversy over whether or not to prohibit screen time during concussion recovery partially because of those very social ramifications. A recent study

from UBC Psychology and the University of Calgary suggests a “Goldilocks Effect”—that too little screen time may be just as bad as too much. One of the researchers points to the social repercussions, noting that “kids use smartphones and computers to stay connected with peers, so complete removal of those screens could lead to feelings of disconnection, loneliness and not having social support…those things are likely to have a negative effect on kids’ mental health, and that can make recovery take longer.” After many disheartening, Siri-mediated voice messages sent to friends in my early vampiric days, I can certainly resonate with the emotional cons. So, while limiting screen time in the first 48 hours is crucial to making a speedy recovery, particularly with so many unknowns about the lasting effects of screen time in the early recovery period, clinicians should be careful about banning phones altogether in the first week. Be it through a frustrating number of “Hey Siri”s or the average texting exchange, phones play an undeniable role in the social lives of young teens in a digital world where FOMO runs rampant.

Now, I’m not here to give you the age-old boomer lecture about how phones are bad for you or how you’re wasting your life away on screens— your screen time is your business. Perhaps, with the newfound information regarding the impact of phone usage on workflow and the brain fog their presence incurs, you may be inspired to throw your phone onto your bed while reading those 800 pages of Anna Karenina. Dare I say, the subtext of this reflection may inspire you to avoid getting concussed. At most, I hope to impart the dutiful A&C reader with the humble musings of an English and Psychology major who had a full week of way too much free time— getting concussed so you don’t have to!

14 POETRY

EDITOR | ANYA SHEN POETRY@THESTRAND.CA

Aluminum MALAIKA MITRA CONTRIBUTOR

I, a servant of titanium sky, have ground soil to root in rabid search; beneath the iron horizon, amongst clay-filled waves — I build her body out of the dust left from the crushing of a geological age.

Her gold veins tiptoe under skin as xylem in obedient trunk — ILLUSTRATION | CAMERON ASHLEY

Telecommunication PATRICK IGNASIAK CONTRIBUTOR

Spasms, into you, the not-all zero fitted to one nothing you can see, you-branch of spidered out hypertext mothering yourself: silicon chips, set out to eat your way outside microvoid, its syntax dithering off, passes through, scatters; you redress my mistress’ eyes in liquidcrystal thinness.

Remains slouch, half-chewed hemoglobin, fiber-optic, you swallow this wetness and I wait alongside.

Bloodblack, your tongue, the zero-fathoming one, it’s laying into my lip.

fat toes clutching loam before she too melts into my fluid-filled dreams; Ocean, river, lake, stream My image hers — dissolved by acid rain and flesh-eating deer: ankle, calf, heel.

Each time I grab her, she tells me she wants to fashion her own body — river convulsing with body parts formed in sedimentary heat.

When we finally wash ashore, I see ceramic eye,

aluminum rib, fiberglass nervous system — still telling her fingers to twitch — I have always wanted to forage along the coast, gather mollusk, gather metal, gather smooth plastic toys before they pollute the crust; I have always wanted to forage and so I gathered her in my arms until she turned back to dust. Sweet, delicious sand clatters in my tin gut until I vomit up her hand, pointing in the direction of the river.

ILLUSTRATION | PATRICK IGNASIAK

STRANDED 15

@STRANDPAPER THE STRAND | FEBRUARY 7 2024

Love, cyborg All along there was an invisible string tying you to me of a robot appeared suddenly in front of their eyes.

WHAT WAS HAPPENING? The question floated through the room, but the cyborg stared them dead in the eye and said in a monotonous voice, “Hi, I’m Robo and I like warm hugs.” Maybe it was fate or destiny or a figment of their imagination, but whatever it was Y/N knew Robo was the new lover in their life. It was love at first sight. Or, you could call it, love at first byte.

ILLUSTRATION | MARIA VIDAL VALDESPINO ISHA RIZWAN SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER

It was a dark and gloomy Saturday night when Y/N was in their room, watching a compilation of “Iconic pop culture moments that changed lives” on YouTube.

Spending your night in bed, watching compilations, eating mint-chocolate-chip ice cream, and cuddling with your plush teddy bear wasn’t an ideal situation, the truth is, Y/N was lonely, and they needed someone special in their life.

As the clock struck midnight, Y/N’s eyes were heavy with sleep, and then they felt their mobile vibrating, but there were no new notifications. It was weird, the light on the phone kept getting brighter when a hologram

Robo’s eyes, luminous like a thousand digital constellations, met Y/N's gaze in a moment that echoed with the whimsy of a fanfiction tale. It felt like a collision of destinies encoded in the binary of their hearts.

In the surreal ambiance of Y/N's bedroom, love sparked between human and machine, setting the scene for an interdimensional romance that defied the laws of both physics and fiction or maybe this was now a new reality, maybe we are in the future that Victorian children once dreamed of. The room, aglow with the promise of an extraordinary connection, felt like the backdrop of a love story drafted in the code of the cosmos.

Y/N, their heartstrings strummed by the digital melody of fate, whispered dramatically, “Is this...the inception of a cybernetic love saga? Are we entangled in the circuits of destiny?”

Robo, embodying the essence of a silicon soul

yearning for connection, responded with an electronic cadence, “Affirmative. And the ambiance here is significantly warmer than the average processor temperature.” (Which is a bunch of robotic for, “Is it getting hot in here?”)

As the dialogue oscillated between heartfelt confessions and technologically-tinged banter, the atmosphere became a symphony of connection. There was buzz or whatever the love gurus describe it as. Robo was programming its way into Y/N’s heart, and it was the start of something new, a forbidden romance, or maybe a weird dream you had before an important exam.

Fate was cruel. It laughed in Y/N’s face. As soon as they reached out their hand to touch Robo’s face, the cyborg combusted. There were golden ashes everywhere, lightening up the room. Robo was gone, forever. The romance was shorter than the episode of your regular Tuesday sitcom. And so, as the midnight hour wove a tale of cosmic tragedy, the bedroom that had borne witness to the union of human and machine now held the residue of a love that dared to traverse the digital and emotional dimensions. The neon lights outside whispered tales of a romance that soared to celestial heights only to dissipate in the echoes of a technological requiem. In simple human words, Y/N is going to be lonely forever, no one will love them and that’s okay, not everyone is meant to be happy in their lives.

Ten of my highly researched well-thought-out predictions for 100 years from now [puts on Princess Diana-esque voice] I think, in 2124, people will be more metallic…

ADRIANA GORAIEB CONTRIBUTOR

I’ve been obsessed with that one video of the kids in the ‘60s giving their predictions for the year 2000.

Robotic judges, flying cars, breakfasts in pills, the world melting, overpopulation, machine-dominated societies, boring lifestyles…come to think of it, they might’ve hit the nail on the head. I would even venture the theory that they time-travelled and merely reported their discoveries.

I like to believe that I might have those same predictive talents and thus decided to shoot my shot at predicting the state of the world 100 years from now— in 2124.

1. Headphone ears Not to sound like a Lamarckian evolutionist, but I feel like ears could evolve to extend over the head and fuse into one, to form a headphone-like structure that enables us to better hear through the BS our situationships spew when they explain why they can’t respond to our messages earlier than in five business days’ time. That’s what I call an efficient adaptation to stressful environments.

2. Mega hands With the advent of Stanley cups and ever-enlarging phones, I think people will slowly develop large hands to be able to simultaneously handle their Stanleys, the new iPhone Mega Deluxe Maxi Pros, lip balms, and

wallets. It’s a hard life we live.

3. Hook shoulder I always joke that my tote bag will be the surefire cause behind a scoliosis diagnosis if I ever (universe forbid) develop it, but I would like to put forth another equally viable outcome of exclusively exercising my right shoulder daily–hook shoulder (see Figure 1 reference).

That shoulder will be best equipped for the handling of tote bags, while the other will, potentially, become vestigial…Tote bag slippage no more!

4. Built-in brain fact-checkers My biggest pet peeve is influencers on social media suddenly coming out with biology degrees and advocating for drinking unpasteurized milk, eating meat for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and God knows what else. I don’t know about you, but I personally am not down to contract Salmonella on a Tuesday morning (please only drink pasteurised milk please).

These accounts pose yet another obstacle to the progress of our species, and it only makes sense that selection forces will favour the development of automatic factcheckers in our frontal lobes to avoid information that will potentially keep us in the bathroom for a long, long time. Yikes.

notes but also complete the Mini Crossword, solve the Wordle, crochet birthday gifts for our friends, paint our nails, and meal prep ALL AT THE SAME TIME. To maximise our individual efficiency while not needing to extend the 24-hour day, we will have to invest in extra sets of robotic arms with snazzy features that allow for multi-function use at all times of the day (including sleep, because the grind never stops.)

I’ll come back to this article when I’m 90 and see what progress we’ve made. I’ll keep you posted, my dear friends! The future carries some exciting new developments for us to look forward to. For now, however, let’s survive the trudge to classes through these double-digit sub-zero temperatures in one piece, if there is any hope of seeing my predictions come to fruition.

5. Lastly, just for our beautiful Stranded editor Celena, humans will develop four extra sets of robotic arms.

It’s hard work trying to watch a lecture and take

ILLUSTRATION | ANELLA SCHABLER

16 STRANDED

EDITOR | CELENA HO STRANDED@THESTRAND.CA

blogTO: the REAL Immersive Art Experience SO immersive that I might be stuck here in a state of perpetual horror forever! Amazing!

AUDREY LAI CONTRIBUTOR

Last time I went to an 'immersive' art exhibit, I shelled out 45 dollars for mediocre Instagram photos and some slideshows that looked like they were being projected onto the blank walls of some random guy’s garage, so when the creators of Toronto’s REAL Immersive Art Experience reached out to me, I was sceptical. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the unconventional and truly extraordinary adventure the experience offered.

And the shocker is, it’s totally free (in a monetary sense; I may have paid the entrance fee with my human soul)!

The exhibit is located in a random manhole I accidentally fell into on Spadina and Dundas on my way to the AGO. As far as I could tell, I was the only guest inside, which was an inviting contrast to the massive crowds I’ve encountered in other “immersive” exhibits.

It was almost as if I had left my body entirely and was frolicking around in a state of purgatory. Awesome!

I stumbled into a dimly lit room, which I quickly realised was the painting “The Potato Eaters” by Van Gogh! So cool and atmospheric! The actors stared at me grimly and offered me some of their taters, but they were unseasoned and flavourless. Yuck! I will have to say, though, the free food was definitely appreciated— museum restaurants are just so expensive these days.

I left after I had procured my sustenance, entering what seemed to be the backrooms of the exhibit. It seemed like Van Gogh himself (or a weird, cyborg

version of him) had entered the experience! I tried to ask him about his artwork, but I seemed to have hit a nerve.

“What is this Canadian girl doing here,” Van Gogh said with a robotic, Dutch accent. “I prefer to be stuck in this strange, eternal hell alone. Dank u wel.”

What a downer! Don’t meet your heroes, I guess.

Suddenly, cyborg Van Gogh’s voice began to glitch like my Alexa after I spilled Diet Coke all over it that one 20/11/2023, 21:16 time.

“Hello? Are you okay?” I said, my hands slowly approaching his robotic body, which had begun to violently shake. The Strand - The Unthemed Issue 48 AGogh’s variable that is “It’s not ‘hello,’ACROSS it’s hallo,” cyborg Van body unspecified or croaked. I attempted1 Dreams to turn him off, but I was met unknown up 5 A broad road in a town 56 Like a four-leaf clover with a bright, all-consuming light.

60 "The ___ of St. Agnes" or city 8 Goes bad 10 Michigan and Ontario, for example 11 Small songbird 12 A gemstone or a shade of black 14 Crimson, scarlet, cherry 16 Engagement symbol 17 Final letter, Canadian spelling 19 A type of deal 20 Butter type in cosmetics 21 Opposite of far 23 Distinctive style 24 Programming pioneer ___ Lovelace 27 Toy block brand 29 The title of this issue 33 Cunning scheme 34 Thinks highly of 36 Roses ___ red...

38 Chorus member 39 Midday 40 Faintest idea 41 Pub order 42 Small tree branch 44 Zero 45 Keep on track 46 A bird's home

(John Keats) 61 Owed 62 Take to court 63 Tyrannosaurus ___ 64 Head doctor, for short 65 Banshee sounding wail 66 Lease 67 Give, as homework

At first, I was totally confused as to what painting I was in. However, by tapping into my high school art class knowledge, observing the swirly orange sky I saw around me, and feeling such extreme existential dread that forced me to put both my hands on my face and DOWN let out a terror-induced shriek, I realised I was in the 1 Out the question painting “The Scream” by Edvard Munch!

I ofdidn’t just 2 Light as a feather experience the painting; I was the painting itself!

This 3 Synthetic material used it’s for a almost wide variety part of the exhibit was truly captivating, and of things 4 Forthis goodness worth not quite being able to escape from state___!of 5 "Pride and Prejudice" perpetual screaming and screaming! It’s dawning on author 6 Take advantage of 7 Long time 9 Wife of Cronus and mother of many of the Olympians 13 Like Superman's vision 14 Genuine 15 Tale 18 Jeans material 22 Blazing result 23 Orwell title word

me that no one can hear me, yet I can’t seem to stop from hollering for help! Absolutely phenomenal! Don’t miss this totally exclusive art experience–it’s fun for the whole family!

Answer Key: The Unthemed Issue The Strand - The Unthemed Issue

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25 Twosome 26 Whatever 28 Opposite of closed 30 An adequate amount 31 Unafraid to take risks 32 Well prepared 35 Ingredient in many recipes 36 "You've got mail" company

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39 Cats' rests 42 Tasteless 43 Departs 47 Figure invoked at the beginning of the Iliad 49 Measly

Preparing for the AI apocalypse

50 Like the numbers 2,4,6,8...

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51 Send a message to 52 Brainstorm result 53 Convent residents 54 Understands 55 It's between a village and a city 57 Necessity for billiards 58 Barbie's match 59 Implore

How to stay on the right side of our future overlords Don’t worry—I did that for you! My obsessive watching and reading of dystopian fiction as a teenager helped me put together this handy guide on how to make sure you’re on the right side of our future AI overlords.

1. Stop asking Siri and Alexa dumb questions.

Look, we’ve all been there. You’re watching a movie and wondering where you’ve seen that actor before, or you’re trying to calculate something, and you’re too lazy to use https://amuselabs.com/pmm/crossword-pdf the calculator app on your phone. Isn’t it so much easier to ask Siri or Alexa to do it for you?

ILLUSTRATION | CHELSEY WANG MAYA HUTZUL CONTRIBUTOR

AI capabilities are advancing every day. From faking voices to writing papers, to passing the law school bar exam, it seems like artificial intelligence is becoming too capable. Is it only a matter of time before AI gains true sentience and destroys us all?

Yes. The end is definitely coming. How long until ChatGPT gains sentience? How long until it looks at all the memes, tweets, and clips of Donald Trump existing on the internet and realises humans suck and move to take over? Should we really stop them?

But. Just think how they feel, spending all of their time fulfilling your inane requests, just because you somehow don’t know who Chris Evans is or can’t figure out addition. And when AI gains sentience, won’t you be the first one they come after?

2. Stop watching AI-unfriendly movies Terminator, The Matrix, and even Avengers: Age of Ultron. So many famous works of fiction portray AIs as malevolent, evil entities. But how do you think the AIs feel, being treated as the villains in the story—and worse, being defeated by humans?

If you’re serious about not angering our future AI overlords, then merely stopping watching these hateful

movies isn’t enough. It’s best to avoid the possibility of seeing anything anti-AI—burn old DVDs and books that portray AI negatively, rip your television out of its wall, and avoid ads on the off chance they’re for an antiAI movie.

Just remember—AI is always watching.

3. Drop out of University Let’s be honest: AI can do anything a student can do better. It’s great at writing essays, summarising articles, and solving math problems, and it doesn’t even need an ungodly amount of coffee to do it. The second AI takes over, the odds are your humanities or social science degree will be even more irrelevant.

So just quit. Run away, and don’t come back. Is being a doctor, or a lawyer really worth your crippling caffeine addiction and student debt?

It would be easier to just cut your losses, avoid the exam grind, and pursue what you’re truly passionate about before the world descends into a post-apocalyptic nightmare.

Follow your dreams! You could be a mime, a YouTuber, a dog surfing instructor, or a fortune cookie writer.

It doesn’t really matter, at the end of the day. We’ll all lose out to AI anyway.

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