The Strand | Volume 59, Issue 9

the

strand VICTORIA UNIVERSITY’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER VOLUME 59, ISSUE 9 | FEBRUARY 13, 2017

7 be your own valentine

8 find true love 4 you complete me 16 how to tinder

news Vic celebrates Black History Month 2.

Science Grading disparities between Arts and Sciences 5.

opinions Bending the truth: Fake news in the Trump era 6.

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EDITOR | ERIN CALHOUN

NEWS What’s up on campus in February?

Anti-Islamophobia Week February 13th-17th William Doo Auditorium, New College Woodsworth College Student’s Associate, New College Student Council, African Student’s Associate St. George, Nigerian Student’s Association St. George, and in collaboration with the University of Toronto Student’s Union is designating a week to bringing resilience and education to students in their designated week to AntiIslamophobia. Events will occur everyday until the Friday, all focusing on ways to deconstruct fear and discuss the realities of being Muslim in Canada. Events include: “Allyship in the Ummah’ on Feb. 15th, ‘Being Muslim in Canada Open Mic Night’ on Feb. 16th (both taking place at the University College building), and “Making Canada Great Again” Feb. 17th, at the Claude T. Bissell Building. More information regarding locations, times, and event descriptions can be found at https://www.facebook. com/pg/SJEutsu/events/ or by contacting vpequity@utsu.ca The Cost of Higher Education February 16th, 10:30am-12:30pm University of Toronto Student’s Union building Minister Deb Matthews will be joining students in a free round table discussion about the rising costs of tuition. On December 15th, 2016, The Ontario Government decided that there would be a renew of tuition-increase-caps over the next two years. This allows for tuition amounts to increase, despite the “free tuition” that has been promised by OSAP for household’s who’s income is less than $50,000 annually. The UTSU has begun to meet with Ontario leaders to push for a re-freeze of the caps, limiting tuition growth.

VicPride! and VUSAC Equity present: QUEER TEXT February 16th, 7pm-8pm Cat’s Eye Students are able to congregate in the Cat’s Eye for readings of queer poetry, short stories, spoken word, or to remain a spectator.

This event is in association with Black History Month presented by VUSAC Equity.

ASSU Presents: The Beaverton February 15th, 6pm-8pm William Doo Auditorium Canadians leading satirical news source presents a panel to discuss the need for satire in the current political climate. The panel will discuss ways to use comedy to critique injustice and how it improves social awareness. Attendees must register through Eventbrite, which is linked on the event’s Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/ events/254706408312447

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Students make space for stranded refugees Refugees left in limbo by recent ban find hospitality in Canada samantha santoro staff writer

Since the inauguration of the newly elected President, Donald Trump, there has been a rapid succession of events, the ripples of which have been felt throughout much of North America.

There are reports of a significant influx of American citizens looking to become Canadian residents, perhaps permanently.

This influx includes a large number of displaced peoples, stuck within the purgatorial period of adjusting to a new country, new customs, and a new way of life. Aside from those who voluntarily elected themselves to move to Canada permanently, there are many individuals who are incapable of travelling back to the U.S. This comes as a result of President Trump’s recent executive-order prohibiting entry into the United States by citizens of seven majority Muslim countries.

Groups of Canadians have offered up their own homes as temporary places for displaced peoples to reside in until they are permitted to return to America.

Victoria College student Hiatt Differ created a Facebook group with the help of some close friends, comprised of students, and Toronto residents. The group’s purpose is for coordinating housing and accommodation offers from across the city, for those who might need shelter as a result of being redirected to Toronto’s Pearson International Airport. The group’s size grew rapidly within it’s first few days, due to shares on Facebook and attention from news outlets such as the CBC. Harrowing news of the recently implemented immigration ban sent many Canadians, especially those who share dual citizenship with countries listed on the travel ban, into a panicked frenzy—until the Prime Minister confirmed that Canadians would be exempt from this ban. In the moment, Canadians chose to make room in their own homes for those in more unfortunate circumstances.

At a news conference in Ottawa, Canadian Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said he “is not aware of anyone currently stranded at Canadian airports as a result of the ban, but that the government will offer temporary residency to anyone in Canada because of it.” Hussen’s statement is a mere part of the whole effort of several Canadians to stand in solidarity with those incapable of returning home.

The description of the aforementioned UofT students’ Facebook group encourages people to help. It states, “Donate to organizations fighting Trump’s travel ban and helping refugees, including the International Rescue Committee, the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the American Civil Liberties Union.”

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hana nikcevic

Victoria College celebrates Black History Month VUSAC Equity hosts events to honour members of the black community maia kachan news associate editor

February marks Black History Month, in which time is taken to honour the contributions made by Black members of the community, and beyond. At Victoria College and the broader University of Toronto community, a range of events are being held in order to promote discourse on this matter. On their Facebook page, the VUSAC Equity Commission described Black History Month as being “dedicated to the celebration and reflection of the many accomplishments made by black people throughout history to modern times.”

The VUSAC Equity Commission’s Black History Month campaign is themed as Canadian Black Excellence. Events will be hosted throughout the month of February. The first, taking place on February 9th, is a screening of “Black Power Mixtape 1967-1975,” and the facilitation of a discussion on being black in Canada. Amina Mohamed will be a guest facilitator for this event.

On February 14th, a screening of “Hidden Figures” will be held from 5:30-8:30 in the Cat’s Eye, along with a discussion, specific to the intersection between blackness and womanhood, and challenged-specific black women.

Intersectional identities will also be discussed on February 15th, where the Cat’s Eye will again host a facilitated discussion on the intersection between Race and Faith. This even will be hosted in collaboration with the ARDO.

On February 16th, there will be a QUEER TEXT poetry reading, cohosted with VicPride! and featuring the work and performance of black folks, and POC more broadly—again held at the Cat’s Eye. Finally, on February 27th, critically acclaimed 2016 film “Moonlight” will be screened in the Cat’s Eye, followed by a discussion on hyper-masculinity in black men by broader society.

Notable in these events is a focus on intersectionality, and the use of popular media to create conversation. Both of these are clear ways to make the content broadly appealing and accessible for students.

On the significance of Black History Month, second year student, Yasmine Shelton, remarked that “seeing underrepresented voices highlighted, is important when it’s clearly not a lack of merit that prevents exposure, now and especially in a historical context.”

With hundreds of students invited to the month’s festivities, and significant buzz around campus surrounding Black History Month, it is clear that students are eager to engage in conversations on race, intersectionality, and identity. As is said on the VUSAC Equity Commission page, “Unity and solidarity are power,” and it is encouraging to see our community so engaged in having these important conversations.

NEWS@THESTRAND.CA

NEWS

THE STRAND | 13 FEBRUARY 2017

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Trudeau renounces first-past-thepost reform Liberals abandon campaign promise due to lack of consensus among Canadians erin calhoun news editor

On February 1st, Justin Trudeau abandoned his main campaign promise to reform the first-past-the-post electoral system. This abandonment caused massive backlash from opposing parties and Liberal voters.

In a letter to the Minister of Democratic Institutions, Karina Gould, Trudeau stated, in defence of choosing not to enact a new electoral system, “a clear preference for a new electoral system, let alone a consensus, has not emerged. Furthermore, without a clear preference or a clear question, a referendum would not be in Canada’s interest.

Changing the electoral system will not be in your mandate.”

Canada’s standing electoral system is known as “first-past-the-post,” where the candidate with the most number of votes in a riding wins a seat in the House of Commons and represents that riding as an MP. The majority of a party in government is then able to elect a prime minister, which is typically the party’s leader.

In 2015, when campaigning for electoral reform, Trudeau presented his preference for a ranked-ballot system, the NDP and Green parties chose proportional representation, and the conservatives did not advocate for any change. The 2004 Law Commission of Canada’s report recommends a mixed-member proportional representation, which allows citizens to vote separately for a local candidate and a party.

Throughout his campaign, Trudeau and the Liberal party released statements on Twitter claiming their intent to reform the electoral system. On June 16th, 2015, the Liberal Party account (@liberal_party) stated, “Within 18 months of forming government we will bring forward legislation to enact electoral reform” which cites Trudeau’s Twitter account (@JustinTrudeau).

Eighteen months later, as promised, the Liberal Party account tweeted a link to a survey where Canadians could “join the national conversation on electoral reform” at mydemocracy.ca, which produced results that Canadians were not transparently advocating for a reform. UofT student and young Liberal, Zoe Ritchie states “I agree with Prime Minister Trudeau that currently there is no clear consensus on the method of reform.”

The exclusion of the reform from Gould’s mandate contradicts earlier campaign promises by the Liberals. Beaches-East York MP, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, also Liberal, states in a Huffington Post article, “I am disappointed that we have broken our promise, I strongly disagree with our governments decision to abandon electoral reform,” and elaborates that Canadians are left unrepresented in the current system.

During the voting period in 2015, UofT showed itself to be a largely left leaning school. Many students voted against Conservatives and for a new leader with an ethos that reflected theirs. Ritchie responds, “Personally, I was very disappointed and strongly disagree with the party’s decisions to take electoral reform out of the mandate”.

One negative aspect of the current electoral system is that it does not require a majority vote to put a candidate in a seat. Voters may also feel inclined to submit a strategic ballot where they vote to defeat the candidate they dislike the most, as a candidate is put in government due to the number of votes received.

“I am a firm believer that the lack of an answer regarding consensus on reform means we should be asking more questions and not ending the conversation,” Ritchie states.

UofT’s Jackman Humanities Institute’s first indigenous faculty Scholar links Truth and Reconciliation via beading and artwork alexandra lambropoulos staff writer

Dr. Sherry Farrell Racette joins the University of Toronto faculty as the Jackman Humanities Institute’s first “Distinguished Visiting Indigenous Faculty scholar” and embarks on a journey to “link past and present Indigenous culture through beading.”

Farrell Racette—an associate professor of Women & Gender Studies and Native Studies at the University of Manitoba—will be the first to take part in the department’s annual fellowship. At the fellowship, she will explore “several concepts related to the movement and transference of Métis women’s knowledge and artistic practice across time and place, emphasizing how women created and recreated communities, marked visual territory, and contributed to community economies through the commodification of their artwork.”

Through her writing, stitching, and beading, her work seeks to make that same connection with today’s communities—both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal. She takes an interesting approach, laced with tradition, in the wake of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call for post-secondary institutions to make efforts in the form of “aboriginal language programs… to help advance research in the area of reconciliation.” Universities and colleges represent a key part in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s attempt to help Canada remedy the long-lasting effects on the Indigenous community after almost two centuries worth of the residential school system.

After the announcement of the TRC’s 94 recommendations for Canadians in 2015, the University of Toronto has set plans in motion—in the form of a committee that recently released a report outlining suggested steps and changes for implementation to make the campus more inclusive and responsive to Indigenous history and culture in the area. UofT has addressed “looking into hiring more indigenous faculty and staff,” and is encouraging “the recruitment of indigenous students.”

Since the beginning of the 2017 winter semester, the University of Toronto has begun to make good on the suggestions outlined by “launching a field of study in the master of social work program devoted to Indigenous trauma and resiliency,” and hosting a string of free events across campus for “Indigenous Education Week,” which ran from January 22nd to 27th. Through these efforts, the University is finding ways to connect the past, the present, and the future of relations, to form a more inclusive academic community and to build a better legacy for all.

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chris thomaidis

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: ERIK PRESTON AND ALEXANDRA SCANDOLO

EDITORIAL

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EDITOR@THESTRAND.CA

Broken promises Why electoral reform would be bad for Canada erik preston

alexandra scandolo

news

erin calhoun

news@thestrand.ca shailee koranne

opinions

opinions@thestrand.ca tanuj ashwin kumar

science

science@thestrand.ca features

tamilore oshodi

features@thestrand.ca arts

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molly kay

culture

artsandculture@thestrand.ca film

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elena senechal-becker joshua kim

music

filmandmusic@thestrand.ca celeste yim

stranded

stranded@thestrand.ca tristan mcgrath-waugh

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copy@thestrand.ca genevieve wakutz

design

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rosa kumar

photo@thestrand.ca art

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art@thestrand.ca web

justine chen

web@thestrand.ca

arjun sawhney

editorial assistants

tyler biswurm ainsley doell amanda gosio grace king sabrina papas carol eugene park

contributors luka bellasario, kathleen chen, miranda cullen, ted fraser, maia grecco, annika hocieniec, maia kachan, josie kao, alexandra lambropoulos, carol eugene park, jenny poirier, nikita sadati, hazel sands, samantha santoro, hiba siddiqui, molly simpson, thomas zheng copy editors ainsley doell, amanda gosio, grace king, heather

mackay, carol eugene park, erik preston, alexandra scandolo design team

annika hocieniec, sonya roma

editor-in-chief

On February 1st, Democratic Institutions Minister, Karina Gould, announced to Canadians that the Trudeau government would no longer be pursuing electoral reform, a position that was a focal point of their 2015 election campaign.

In his first throne speech following the election, Trudeau himself promised that the Liberals would work to ensure that “2015 will be the last federal election conducted under the first-past-the-post voting system.” The Trudeau government has faced a great deal of backlash for repealing this decision, though it can be argued that the world in 2017 is a vastly different place than it was in 2015 (re: Trump).

Aside from the ethically dubious nature of the broken campaign promise (politicians, right?!), like many Canadians I am disheartened by the broken promise, though I am not particularly upset by this change in position itself.

Canada currently uses a first-past-the-post (FPTP) voting system, where politicians are elected based on the percentage of the vote they receive within their respective ridings. The party with the most elected representatives becomes the governing party, with their leader serving as the head-of-government (in our case, Justin Trudeau).

The issue with this system lies within the disproportionate ratio of the popular vote gained by the winning party, and the number of seats that that party holds in government. For example, the Liberals currently hold 54 percent of the seats in parliament, despite having only gained 39.5 percent of the total nation-wide vote.

Switching to a proportional representation system—the most likely outcome of any sort of electoral reform—would drastically change the way we elect our politicians. However, it is argued that the other proposed system, a ranked-ballot, would give a disproportionate advantage to the Liberal party—thus, still not solving the issue at hand.

In a proportional representation system, the amount of seats that a party holds in government is directly correlated to the portion of the vote that they receive. If in the past election we used the proportional representation system, the Liberal government would currently hold 40% of the seats in parliament.

In Canada, there is one main issue with this. We are a very large, relatively sparsely populated country with a wide range of, often competing, interests. The main complaint with the FPTP system is that it silences parties not considered to be mainstream (the Green Party, Bloc Quebecois, and arguably the NDP) who often receive a much larger portion of the vote than a portion of the seats in parliament. For example, the NDP received 20 percent of the vote in 2015, and 13 percent of the seats in parliament.

However, it is a largely-held assumption that a PR system would give rise to many special interest parties, who would then be forced to form coalition governments potentially representing an even smaller portion of the population than the current FPTP system inadvertently

does. As an example, think of a parliament where a more powerful Bloc Quebecois would be forced to coexist with a federal version of Alberta’s Wildrose party.

After staying fairly silent regarding this broken promise, Trudeau finally spoke out this week on his reasoning behind the decision— saying that he scrapped his planned reform in the name of “national unity,” and that he “will not compromise on what is in the best interest of Canada.” While this can be viewed as the typical Trudeau-style spin tactics, he does have a point.

With the Conservative leadership race in full-swing, where divisive and Trump-like candidates Kellie Leitch and Kevin O’Leary hold prominent positions in polls, it is all too easy to imagine how a reform of our electoral systems could lend more power and influence to fringe voices such as theirs. I think we can all agree that that would be inherently bad for Canada.

lynn hong

editor@thestrand.ca

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erik preston

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editors-in-chief

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darren k. cheng, rosa kumar, teagan mccanny, hana nikcevic, hiba siddiqui, catriona spaven-donn, chris tomaidis cover image rosa kumar

The Strand has been the newspaper of record for Victoria University since 1953. It is published 12 times a year with a circulation of 1200 and is distributed in Victoria University buildings and across the University of Toronto’s St. George campus.

The Strand flagrantly enjoys its editorial autonomy and is committed to acting as an agent of constructive social change. As such, we will not publish material deemed to exhibit racism, sexism, homo/transphobia, ableism, or other oppressive language.

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“You complete me” Finding love doesn’t necessarily mean always finding your other half

rosa kumar

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nedilska, yasmine shelton

alexandra scandolo editor-in-chief

When Valentine’s Day rolls around each year, both excitement and cynicism are in the February air. This holiday seems to create undue stress each year, whether you have concrete plans, hope to make some, or just “completely forgot it was February 14th already.” The old-school tradition that still dictates the need to find romance or love today is evident in our stronghold on the traditions that surround Valentine’s Day. Modern dating’s casual nature isn’t a bad thing—it can be stressful, but that’s another article, for another day—however the mix of this casualness with ideologies of the past can create confusion about what we’re supposed to want out of a relationship.

The concept of “opposites attract,” is still prominent in today’s dating world, but the phrase can lead to relationships based solely on an attempt to complement our partner’s differences.

Regardless of the fact that dating still holds on to many traditions, the formulaic approach to finding life-long love at a young age has weakened over time. There’s more opportunity to spend time working on a career or school. Working on professional development has beat tying down the personal for a while now, but living a full life means ticking off every box possible, because why not? There’s so much time to get The Career and The Significant Other. Underpinning these anxieties about this to-do list is the pressure to find someone that will complete the aspects of life you don’t yourself.

While we may not want to date an exact replica of ourselves, the idea that a partner’s interests or personality need to be the opposite of our own can be misleading. These sentiments get distorted into the idea that we need to balance aspects of our lives and identities completely, and that we are unable to do this ourselves—whether it be through our tangible hobbies and occupations, or even in terms of our own personalities. The pressure to balance it all out is very real, but there is nothing wrong with you and your partner having similarities in how you operate or where you are in life. The onus to satiate what is missing, or to be the balancing factor in a person’s life needs to be removed from the partner—relying solely on differences is harmful to individuals in a relationship with one another.

Dropping old dating habits has been good for Millennials, as it has allowed for things like an emphasis on the importance of the professional over the personal. So, why do we cling to old rhetoric?

There’s definitely an appeal about those that have interests different than ours, and these differences do help us gain perspective. However, leaning completely on a person for emotional perspective can lead to relationships based on a quid pro quo dynamic. There is a reason we cannot be everything all at once; someone may complete you, but it’s always best to think of yourself as whole already.

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maia grecco, lynn hong, shailee koranne, varvara

EDITOR: TANUJ ASHWIN KUMAR

SCIENCE

SCIENCE@THESTRAND.CA

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What’s up with the mark disparity between the arts and the sciences?

And is it a big deal? thomas zheng contributor

Have you ever complained to your friends about a low mark you’ve received in your Math class, only to have another student respond with “Oh, that mark is 10 percent higher than the highest mark in my East Asian studies class!” This probably immediately makes you feel like a jerk. However, the question that must immediately follows is how can that be?

At first glance, it doesn’t make much sense. The course average for MAT 135 last year was a B- compared to EAS 103 which was a C+. That’s only about an average 3 percent difference from 67-69 to 70-72. So if we do the math, we find an immediate problem. How does a 10 percent difference on a midterm or essay translate to only a 3 percent difference on overall grades?

Here is my hypothesis: the reason for the disparity between marks in the sciences and the humanities is that, while it is possible to get 100 on a math or science test if you know your stuff, the chance that someone can get 100% on a humanities essay is a lot lower—about the chance that quantum teleportation will move you a meter north.

How does that work? (And no, its not because science students are “inherently smarter” than a humanities student.) In fact, I would argue (self-deprecatingly) that the majority of humanities students are better off than those in science, due to one thing; communication. Sure, while knowing the differences between Sn1, Sn2, E1, and E2 reactions make you sound smart, so does being able to refer to Thomas Hobbes in a debate.

However, in life outside of the university (a truly scary thought) which is more accessible? Being able to write a complex equation on a nearby non-existent whiteboard,

or being able to seamlessly incorporate in-depth thoughts and ideas into a conversation? In fact, what is more common, a calculator or a conversation? Sure, each of us carries a calculator in our pocket by having a smart phone, and I’ll concede that over 1.4 billion phones were sold worldwide in 2015 alone. But think of it this way—there are over 7 billion people in the world. If only half of them talk to one other person for a day, that’s still 1.75 billion conversations being had in a single day. That’s more than 300 million more conversations than there are calculators being used and not everyone uses their calculator every day. Although, to be fair people don’t all cite Rousseau in their daily conversations either, but my point still stands.

I’m getting off track. Why is it easier to get perfect on a math or science midterm than to get perfect on a humanities essay? It’s because while in a math or science test, if the question asks for the final velocity of a ball, and gives you the force used on the stopped ball as well as its mass and the time, if you know the right equations, you can find the right answer—and you’re able to ensure that you get the right answer by showing your work and logic.

However, if a writing prompt is “discuss Rousseau’s social contract and its effects on right-wing nationalism,” then poor phrasing or grammatical errors can slash your mark.

And, in addition, your marking TA might simply disagree with your ideas and continue to take off marks.

If this is the case, then why is the average difference between the arts and sciences so low? I think its because that this mark disparity isn’t as big of a deal as people make it out to be. Think of it this way, if you are a B student, it doesn’t mean that you’re any less smart than an A student. University has a frightful way of categoriz-

ing us by shoving everyone into a box , while in reality, actual “intelligence” is extremely hard to quantify. Sure, on a test you may or may not be able to remember the difference between Aristotle and Socrates but you know how to write a really good persuasive essay. I think that, in and of itself, may be why the mark disparity isn’t a huge deal. Sure, it’s easier to get a higher mark in sciences then in the arts, but, by that same logic, its quite easy to fail a math test you haven’t studied for. However, even if you haven’t studied for an English exam, you still know how to write an essay, so the barebones idea will still be there. Herein lies the answer, because where in a science major the average range of marks is generally from around 30-90, the average range of marks in a humanities course would be from 40-80. Same average, but wildly different “top” marks.

These results have been compiled through interviews of about fifty students in second year with about half in a science program and half in an arts program. However, due to my small sample size and bias due to myself being in a science major, take all of these numbers with a grain of salt.

At the end of the day, the mark disparity isn’t a huge deal and you don’t need to worry about it. Sure, it may sound like the science majors are doing better, but that’s only a very tiny percent of the population. In fact, most people have around the same average, regardless of major.

In the end, anywhere you go, whether it be a job, grad school, or a different professional school, they aren’t going to look at students from other majors to see what programs achieved higher marks. In conclusion, sure, it exists on paper, but is it a huge deal? Not really.

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alastair creelman

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EDITOR | SHAILEE KORANNE

OPINIONS

@STRANDPAPER

Bending the truth

Fake news and alternative facts in the Trump Era kathleen chen associate opinions editor photo

It is widely accepted that we live in a post-truth era, in which “objective facts are less influential in shaping public opinion than appeals to emotion and personal belief,” according to The Oxford English Dictionary. Unfortunately, this is one of the few things that we can agree on. Though politicians have a poor reputation for truthfulness, Trump’s total disregard for plausibility and consistency, coupled with people’s willingness to listen to the outspoken tone of his speech, and not its content, makes posttruth politics more dangerous. In addition, post-truth accurately describes how people respond to new information; instead of constructing opinions after conducting research, people tend to search for articles which support their existing beliefs, while dismissing those containing opposite viewpoints. This psychological bias easily applies to both ends of the political spectrum.

The awareness that fake news was circulated during the presidential election, and its continued influence on public opinion, should make us wary about clickbait headlines on social media. Although the majority of fake news is conservative, there has been an increase in fake news targeted towards liberals. For instance, in early February, an article published by the website Alternative Media Syndicate claimed that police had set fire to protesters’ tipis at Standing Rock; however, the article was accompanied by a picture of burning tipis, which was found to be a still from an HBO film. Though the police evicted some protesters, no shelters were set on fire. While it is easy to classify opposing views as fabricated news, it is also easy to be too quick to believe anything that confirms our own beliefs. Moreover, the outrageousness of Trump’s words and actions makes for real news which is shocking in itself, confusing the distinction between reality, and satire or hyperbole. Fake news, no matter its political leaning, warrants caution.

However, discourse on fake news has had the unintended consequence of simplistic skepticism, with people suggesting that all right-wing writings are sensationalized, and that all left-wing articles are propaganda. Accusations of falsity become an easy means of discrediting arguments. But how can we tell what is fake and what is not? Fact-checking websites such as Snopes and Politifact are themselves vulnerable to accusations of being liberal propaganda, or at the very least, vulnerable to doubts about their methods and their claims to provide politically neutral access to

“the truth” about Internet rumours.

What is even more troubling is that Trump has manipulated public wariness of being fooled by false information in order to further his political agenda, calling traditional media outlets such as CNN “fake news.” In January, CNN published a report on a 35-page dossier containing unflattering information about Trump, and did not publish the file because it contained unverified claims which could easily be misconstrued. Buzzfeed then published the entire dossier with minimal commentary.

Trump accused both organizations of using the story as a “sad and pathetic attempt to get clicks.” Perhaps Trump is simply using “fake news” as a provocative insult to any media organization which he perceives as oppositional. However, his rhetoric builds on people’s pre-existing doubts: at a time when websites are being debunked, it is not too far of a stretch for people to doubt mainstream media which disagree with their views. In fact, when you google “mainstream media,” the first three suggestions are “mainstream media fake news,” “mainstream media fake,” and “mainstream media lies.” Since Trump’s speech varies in its degree of exaggeration, the extent to which we choose to read what he says at face value depends on our own interpretation and biases. Some people are more likely to underemphasize his bombast.

In early February, Trump indicated that he does not watch CNN because he believes that it is “fake,” but he does watch Fox News because the network “has treated [him] very nice,” exemplifying emotional post-truth thinking. The falsity of news depends on how much the reports favour him. Last week, he also tweeted that “the failing @nytimes writes total fiction concerning me,” an extremely unfounded accusation considering the paper’s famously extensive fact-checking procedure. He also claimed that “any negative polls are fake news, just like CNN, ABC, NBC polls in the election,” taking advantage of the real issues behind polling, to incorrectly argue that any news which criticizes him must be false.

Trump continues to undermine the credibility of mainstream media, while simultaneously releasing fake news himself.

He posted an article on his Facebook page, with the headline “Kuwait Issues Its Own Trump-esque Visa Ban for Muslim-Majority Countries.” This proved to be an unfounded claim which was denied by the government of Kuwait, as well as the govern-

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ments of several countries who were supposedly affected by the ban. The more people suspect traditional sources, the easier it is to believe untraditional ones, including Trump’s own communications, because Trump has demonstrated that you can, in fact, choose your truth.

In effect, mainstream media is not perceived to be politically neutral. Trump maintains that he sees them as an “opposition party.” Sebastian Gorka, Trump’s deputy assistant, claimed that the media’s objective is to “attack a duly elected President.” It is troubling that the press is unable to denounce Trump’s government without criticism being construed as an ad hominem attack.

We should be concerned about fake journalism that panders to our fears and expectations, but it is a hasty generalization to extend that suspicion to all news outlets. Trump did not distinguish between Buzzfeed’s report on the dossier and CNN’s.

Buzzfeed’s choice to publish the entire dossier “so that Americans can make up their own minds about allegations about the president-elect” presents raw information that may or may not be true. The media have the responsibility to do more than that.

First of all, they have a basic duty to provide accurate information, but moreover, journalism needs to analyse, criticize, and evaluate. When so many articles cannot even guarantee factuality, there is all the more need to have stringent standards for critical and nuanced analysis. Just as it is a mistake to conflate Buzzfeed’s article with CNN’s, it is incorrect to hold the nihilistic view that “all news is fake news.”

In an age when people consume news from social media, we need traditional media more than ever. The participatory nature of social media is supposed to promote discussion, but it has also created “echo chambers” which allow like-minded people to repeat and reinforce the same opinions, isolated from the divergent views which are necessary in a democracy. Facebook’s algorithms which promoted the most popular stories, even if they were hoaxes, were a simplistic view of democratic discussion. Democracy is not clickbait. We need the well-researched investigations carried out by traditional media, and most of all, we need to realign ourselves with the media’s mission to seek out the truth, especially when it disagrees with preconceived notions and beliefs.

Journalism will continue to survive New media isn’t killing journalism; it’s helping it adapt ted fraser associate opinions editor

The first known newspaper was a German publication, Relation, founded in 1609 by distinguished intellectual Johan Carolus. He bought a printing press, secured an office, and started producing periodicals. Since Carolus’s ingenious endeavour, the world of journalism has experienced seismic shifts, while also managing to preserve its integrity and fulfill its societal role; to inform, to investigate, and to enrich.

Finley Peter Dunne once said that the role of journalism is to, “afflict the comfortable and to comfort the afflicted.”

Indeed, journalism not only serves a political and historical purpose, but a moral one as well. A well-informed public is a key part of any functioning democracy. Max Weber agreed, claiming in his famous speech, Politics as a Vocation, that “it is almost never acknowledged that the responsibility of the journalist… is far greater than that of the scholar.”

However, journalism’s reputation has been damaged by a score of sensationalist, budget-news publications. Sites like Buzzfeed and Narcity try to appeal to younger people, churning out relatable posts, click-bait lists (like “14 Insanely Talented Athletes Who Are Currently In Jail”) and a wealth of other cringeworthy material. This abrupt switch from traditional news to attention-grabbing blurbs has rattled old stock journalists, and led many to believe that the industry is dying.

Dave Yin, in a rather gloomy piece for the Huffington Post, writes that journalism is not dying, but being murdered.

He asserts that because technological advancements have made journalism ubiquitous and subsequently free, readers regard it as worthless. Although dramatic, Yin makes a good point. Journalism is not dying out because of natural causes per se, but is rather being targeted and taken out by something else.

This is not a murder, though. Traditional journalism is experiencing “creative destruction.” Economist Joseph Schumpeter coined this phrase, theorizing that new, innovative developments replace old, inefficient ones, generating profits for the winners, improving living standards for all, and destroying less productive methods.

Similar developments appear annually. A contemporary example is taxis vs. Uber. The app uses technological advances to create a more efficient system and more profitable company, leaving yellow cabs in the dust while simultaneously lowering costs of consumption and raising transportation standards The homicide—to continue Yin’s metaphorical pattern— of dead-tree journalism by new-age media sites is a similar case. Social media sites, which are expected to eclipse three billion users by 2020, are facilitating widespread information

consumption. For example, Snapchat has partnered with various companies, including Buzzfeed, Vogue, CNN, and even The Economist. The thinking follows naturally: why pick up a copy of the New York Times for $3.25 when you can get the same information for free via Twitter?

Fortunately, it is not all doom and gloom. New age media sites circumvent some of journalism’s oldest problems. For instance, instead of waiting until morning for a print newspaper, people can receive news on an instant and constant basis.

They do not have to seek out a newspaper stand, and are instead able to read from the comfort of their own home, workplace, gym, etc. Furthermore, the increasingly lower prices and higher availability of news empowers demographics that were traditionally unable to spend money on newspapers and magazine subscriptions. These advantages arguably lead to a more aware, better informed public.

Saying journalism is dead is incorrect. It’s indisputable that there are fewer jobs, but to say that journalism is dead is misleading—it is simply adapting. The bedrock of journalism—informing, investigating, enriching—is as strong as ever. The ubiquity of news today supports that. There is still a demand for responsible, reflective writing. It is just taking an alternate route.

OPINIONS@THESTRAND.CA

OPINIONS

THE STRAND | 13 FEBRUARY 2017

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Staying silent against antichoice policies is not an option Trump’s gag order is unacceptable to me hazel sands contributor

One of the first executive orders Donald Trump pushed through in his first few weeks as the President of the United States was the Mexico City policy, also known as the global gag rule. This move came as no surprise, as Republicans have a history of reinstating the policy every time they come back into office. However, the degree to which Trump expanded this order is staggering. The gag order now affects all global health funding, as opposed to just family planning funded through USAID or the State department. This applies to a total of $9.5 billion in global health funding, rather than just the approximate $575 million in family planning and reproductive health funding that the global gag order would normally affect. This order bans American NGOs working abroad from discussing abortions, and effectively gags doctors from giving reliable and truthful medical advice to their patients. While the politics that put this gag order in place are domestic, the greatest and most long-lasting impact it has is on the women and families in foreign countries. The UN Human Rights Committee responded to Ireland’s criminalization of abortion last year by deeming it a human rights violation. Actions like this serving to prove that Trump’s restriction of this human right will have a far-reaching impact on those who need access to it most.

It has been proven time and time again that the global gag rule does little to stop abortion, but instead fosters the desperation that leads to unsafe abortions, resulting in the injuries and deaths of the women in need. The Trump administration refuses to acknowledge that the most effective measure to prevent abortion is providing accurate information on family planning and accessibility to affordable birth control.

To say this news impacted me would be an understatement. Coming on the heels of the women’s marches held across the globe, the global gag rule struck a chord with all women’s rights activists. For me, this news was burdened with

the knowledge that girls and women across the world would no longer have access to the service that saved my 17-yearold self from a bleak future of rural poverty. The global gag rule risks the health and safety of women across the globe by silencing the conversation on abortion, and restricting their access to sexual and reproductive health education, birth control, and contraceptives along with the procedure itself.

when women are given the opportunity to succeed , the whole world succeeds However, as we have recently learned from the Republican shutting down of Elizabeth Warren’s speech on behalf of Coretta Scott King, women will not be silenced, and they will persist.

The past few weeks have led me to the realization that being silent on the matter of my abortion is to the benefit of no one but myself, and my speaking out on the subject may help other young women realize that they are not alone in this world. My choice to have an abortion stemmed from a lack of options, as many do. I was young, still in high school,

from a poor family, and living in a small rural town. My boyfriend at the time was not someone I would want to father my child, and I certainly wasn’t ready to become a single mother before graduating secondary school. I am unashamed of my choice and frankly quite happy that I had decided to get an abortion.

If I did not have access to this legal and affordable procedure as a Canadian citizen, I likely would not have escaped that small town, I would not have the amazing job and internship I have now, and I would not be a few months away from graduating with my Bachelor’s degree at one of the top-ranked universities in Canada. I would likely be a single mother stuck fighting poverty in a minimum wage job. I am endlessly grateful for the Canadian laws that respect women’s right to healthcare. The stigma of abortion needs to be shaken off so that women can openly discuss this procedure without the shame or fear that surrounds our choice to do what we think is best with our bodies.

I have never felt the guilt or regret that society often dictates is necessary in the aftermath of an abortion. On the contrary, the afternoon after I had the procedure I went to a tour of the university I have called my home for the past four years. A woman’s ability to choose what to do with her own body is vital in the struggle for women’s rights, and it is hindered time and time again by governments’ inability to separate the church from the state.

When women are given the opportunity to succeed, the whole world succeeds. By restricting the availability of this procedure to women in foreign countries, Trump is taking away their agency to decide their futures for themselves, and is limiting them to the same bleak future I faced at 17. Now more than ever, we as women need to take the opportunity to stand up and face the likes of Donald Trump—and everything he stands for—and to say, “I am here, I am a woman, I will not stay silent, and I will persist.”

Be your own Valentine Don’t be afraid to celebrate self-love on February 14th carol eugene park

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shailee koranne

editorial assistant

Over the years, the “trending topics” on Twitter have become a broken record. Users can expect to see reoccurring hashtags associated with a specific month featured on their Twitter feeds. For example, every March, one reoccurring hashtag is #StPatricksDay and in May, it is #MothersDay. In February, #WhyImSingle and #SinglesAwarenessDay (#SAD) primarily dominates Twitter’s trending topics on days approaching February 14th. It’s as if Millennials on Twitter who use hashtags prepare for their Valentine’s Day related tweets in advance.

Valentine’s Day is nothing more than a fixed date on the Western calendar on which individuals who believe in its importance make extra efforts in expressing their affection towards loved ones. February 14th is only as special and socially significant as you allow it to be, and the selection of words you choose to associate it with.

There can be a lot of pressure to have a romantic date on Valentine’s Day if you are single. Restaurants almost exclusively cater their hospitality services to couples with a romantic, promotional Valentine’s Day dinner for two. Most shops, if not all, promote Valentine’s Day sales on clothing items, chocolate, and alcohol. It is no surprise that many businesses take full advantage of this day, employing the best marketing strategies for the most profit.

I am guilty of tweeting about my “singleness” and overusing #WhyImSingle in high school. I didn’t participate in this

discussion because I genuinely pitied myself for being single; I incorporated these hashtags into my tweets because everyone on Twitter was doing it. As an insecure, impressionable teenager, I thought complaining about my single status on social media was cool; in reality, I thought celebrating Valentine’s Day was a cliché.

As a single woman, I indulge in the festivities of Valentine’s Day. It’s another day that I get to pamper myself and willingly fall into the traps of consumerism. Personally, Valentine’s Day is an excellent excuse to purchase an expensive bottle of red wine and a bouquet of flowers, eat a box of assorted chocolates, and watch Sex and the City. Who ever said you had to spend time with another person when the best company you could ever ask for is yourself?

We often neglect ourselves, placing loved ones and their needs before our own desires. Assign February 14th a new hashtag, #LoveMeDay, and put in the same amount of effort on yourself as you would for a significant other or otherwise.

When reflecting on the standards of Valentine’s Day, it is also important to be conscious of the fact that not everyone is as privileged as individuals who fit into heteronormative society.

Valentine’s Day is innately heteronormative, a practice that celebrates and promotes cisnormativity. Advertisements for Valentine’s Day events rarely include representation of

LGBTQ+ peoples, much less transgender and non-binary folks. At present, Western society entertains itself with the misconceived idea that as a collective, we are inclusive and empathetic to the voices and experiences of the LGBTQ+ community; that our heteronormative society has become more aware of these marginalized voices and allowed ourselves to hear their experiences of persecution and oppression.

This belief in having achieved equality—in breaking free from our heteronormative, cisnormative ideals—is not only misleading but it also grants the heteronormative collective to feel satisfied for the progress that has been made thus far. This isn’t to say that individuals of the LGBTQ+ community cannot and should not participate in Valentine’s Day activities, but there is simply not enough representation of queerness in society. Despite some progress, the lack of acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community is evident, especially on days like Valentine’s Day. It serves as another reminder that the societies across the globe are still exclusive to non-heteronormative narratives—just another reason to deny the importance of celebrating Valentine’s Day in the “traditional” way, because “traditional” can often be shaming and exclusive.

If Valentine’s Day is about celebrating love, be unabashedly selfish and spoil yourself, just like you should every other day. Don’t throw yourself a pity party and complain about your lack of a significant partner.

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Illustrations by Varvara Nedilska

Sometimes, modern dating can be difficult to navigate. With a plethora of dating apps and sites and too many bars to choose from in a city as cold as Toronto in February, it can seem as though there’s no chance for romance for aspiring writers spending their weekends in Room 153 of the Goldring Student Centre. Campus may be cynical, but there is nothing more jaded than a single UofT student. and we couldn’t help but wonder—is there any hope for student journalists looking to find love?”—Carrie Bradshaw

Position: HBIC What’s your type? Mansplaining PoliSci Majors What do you do if someone ghosts you?

Write a longform article about it and put it on page 14 of The Strand Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Write a missedconnection™ about me being the Art Girl Of Your Dreams on the Yonge-University-Spadina Line Subway—I’m the one with the Kanken backpack and Warby Parker glasses

Position: Features Editor Biggest turn-on? Someone who can demystify British slang for me. Teach me how I can be “peng” and “butters” at the same time, as Skepta says, for the love of God Biggest turn-off? Praising mediocrity. Ariana Grande has more “range” than Mariah Carey? I can’t engage with such hate speech. Don’t take this road, be fearful…

Best way for a suitor to contact you? Morning texts if you’re expecting an afternoon reply. How else am I to ponder why 24K Magic is not getting the global recognition it deserves? [Insert Roll Safe meme]

Position: Sexy Stranded Editor; B.A. Sex; M.A. Sex; Ph.D. Sexy Sex Biggest turn-off? SJWs, snowflakes What do you do if someone ghosts you?

This would never happen to me, I am highly sought after as a lover and anyone would JUMP at and REMAIN within the chance to be with me—next question!

Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Make a donation to Black Lives Matter and email me with the receipt

Position: Senior Copy Editor (???)

Biggest turn-on? Someone who’s an inch shorter so our proportions function fine, but I’ll always be looking down on you Biggest turn-off? Someone who’s an inch taller than me Biggest accomplishment in life? I finally got my G1! I’ve had it for a year now and it makes getting drinks seem so much more adult-like! Barkeep: “Do you have ID?” Me: “I pushed buttons on a screen at Service Ontario and it said I won!”

Position: @vicecanada Jr. Reporter Tinder horror story: When former VUSAC president and Strand alum Ben Atkins messaged me asking me if I went to UofT Biggest turn-on? When a self-employed dude at Dance Cave tells me about that one time he “popped a molly” in college What’s your type? The 30-year-old Alt Bro In An Existential Crisis Starter Pack

Position: Opinions Editor—and yet, somehow still always a bottom Tinder horror story: I went on what I thought was a date with this cool girl, but then she mentioned her girlfriend. A few months later, I went on another so-called date with a different girl from Tinder, who was also in a relationship, and she ended up being the girlfriend of the first girl What’s your type? A+ Describe your perfect date: You bring me a Panera mac n’ cheese bread bowl and then leave

FEATURES

Position: Quarterback Biggest accomplishment in life? Breaking up with someone even though they owned Jane Birkin records Describe your perfect date: Gluten-free Best way for a suitor to contact you? caffiends@gmail.com

Position: Photo Editor Biggest turn-on? Beards and tailored suits [fans self] What do you do if someone ghosts you?

Ghost them back—viciously Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Carrier-pigeon, all DM slides are either ignored or sent to my friends

Position: Nudes Editor Biggest turn-on? When someone ghosts me Biggest turn-off? When someone ghosts me What do you do if someone ghosts you? Ask them if they’ve seen the Sixth Sense

Position: Arts N’ Culture Co-Redditor Tinder horror story: Fell in love… Yikes!

Biggest accomplishment in life? Being gay Best way for a suitor to contact you?

PayPal

Position: Design Police What’s your type? Bebas, baby Biggest accomplishment in life? Finally resetting my sleep schedule by staying up for 34 hours Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Anonymously pay off my student debt

Position: Editorial Assistant What’s your type? Anyone that my dad would disapprove of Biggest accomplishment in life? Inserting a DivaCup successfully (it is NOT that easy) Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Find me at Burwash Dining Hall

Position: Editorial Ass(istant) What’s your type? “Your Type,” by Carly Rae Jepsen Describe your perfect date: Us, at Ned’s, sharing a samosa Best way for a suitor to contact you?

Alphabet soup?

Position: The Paper Boy, of course Biggest turn-on? “Oh you’re from Boston? I love Boston!”

Biggest turn-off? “Do a Boston accent,” No! I’m not your parakeet!

Describe your perfect date: May the Fourth

Position: Currently last, I suck at every Mario Kart game Tinder horror story: One time, I was in the forest alone and I needed a fire, so I tried to find some dry twigs to use as tinder, but I couldn’t find any Biggest turn-off? Anarcho-capitalism Describe your perfect date: Sweet, soft and chewy??? Medjool dates are good; dates here are so expensive

Do you want to date The Strand? Of course you do! Now accepting applications at our office—we’re serious, call us.

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ARTS & CULTURE

EDITORS | MOLLY KAY & ELENA SENECHAL-BECKER @STRANDPAPER

The Strand reviews VCDS presents Afterlife nikta sadati staff writer

Afterlife: A Ghost Story is a play, written by Steve Yockey, that follows the lives of Connor, played by Isaac Lloyd, and Danielle, played by Olivia Rhiannon Nicoloff, after the death of their two-year-old son. The play is framed by a brewing storm, preparing to engulf the beach house that the couple once called home.

Director, Emma Keil-Vine, left a note in the programme that served as a perfect preface to this powerful show. Keil-Vine describes “the sigh” she and the cast felt in first reading through the play’s dark script and ends her message with the hope that, if anything, she can make us feel this very same sigh. I can assure you, Keil-Vine and her wonderfully emotive and passionate cast, made the audience feel this soul-stripping sigh from beginning to end.

The play opens with the couple entering their beach house, readying for the storm that’s brewing in the ceaseless sound-effects of waves and crashes, heard underneath the tension of the dialogue. From the moment they stepped on stage, Nicoloff and Lloyd displayed a clear contrast in body language and stance—Danielle hunching in on herself as Connor waltzes through the home, heavy footed.

These blocking choices displayed Keil-Vine’s eye for detail and characterization while the simple yet gripping set, with white walls and empty picture frames, created the eerie feeling of a place of comfort, now long lost.

The flow of the dialogue between Danielle and Connor—although at the beginning overlapping and interrupting—found its rhythm within the relationship of husband and wife, allowing for what felt like a glimpse through a window into a broken relationship. Aside from the initial speed of the dialogue, the only fault I saw in the work was the confinements of its setting. The Cat’s Eye, while it allowed for a personal experience with the actors, caused problems with blocking and projection. At times when

Rhiannon’s character sat on the stage, the audience was unable to see her movements or expressions due to the lack of elevation on the platform. Furthermore, specifically in the second half, it became difficult for the audience to hear the dialogue, hindering the effect of the story and the audience’s ability to delve deep into its emotions.

Minuscule obstacles aside, one of the most impressive aspects of the show was the complete set change between acts. As the audience left for a 15-minute intermission, set designer Abby Palmer’s vision of the “afterlife” came to fruition, as the set became wood based and the stage was split into three. The audience was invited to an intertwined storytelling between the young boy, heart-wrenchingly portrayed by three actors; William Dao, Connor at center stage, and Danielle at the end. The true scene stealer in this act was Jocelyn Kranyk in her portrayal of the proprietress. An embodiment of the “monster” in the ocean, Kranyk gave the life-taking water a human and empathetic element. Something must also be said for the makeup work in the show, as every character had their characterizations seemingly written on their faces, with a particular standout being the blackbird artistry.

The emotional journey that was the show left the audience deep in awe, especially due to the imagery of its final moments. The mirroring between father and son and the broken reflection of Danielle through the eerie character of the seamstress all came together in a devastating ending.

After unsent letters, unheard words, and unfinished conversations, a mother, a father, and a son, each took a breath and left us with one final, heart-wrenching sigh. Congratulations to the wonderful cast and crew and to VCDS for a show that left the audience feeling as if their hearts were hooked and engulfed by the ebbs and flows of Afterlife: A Ghost Story.

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teagan mccanny

Social media as activism The Strand interviews popular Instagram user Stephanie Tsui of @endcultural.appropriation annika hocieniec associate design editor

Stephanie Tsui is an 18-year-old University College student who runs a popular Instagram account—with over 36,000 followers—called @endcultural.appropriation. The Strand had the opportunity to sit down and chat with her about social media, cultural appropriation, culture in music, and how to use social media to inspire change.

almost serves as a magazine, it’s very visual.

The Strand: Was there a defining moment that moved you to create this account?

Given your experience, do you think people are becoming more willing to correct cultural appropriation as a bystander rather than someone affected by it?

Stephanie Tsui: I find that after growing up and resenting my cultural background—usually you know, people who correlate ethnicity with culture—in my case, it was my parents who instilled their culture onto me. I grew up wanting to assimilate, and then somehow, Chinese dresses or kimonos come on the [fashion] scene and people start making these Asian-inspired dresses and suddenly it’s “in”… So, after hating my ethnicity and culture so much, suddenly it’s fashionable, suddenly it’s cool. Then I decided, “Hey, I don’t want to let people decide how I feel about myself, decide to make me feel bad about myself or my culture.”

That’s when my friend and I decided we’re sick of being treated this way [and created this account].

Was there a reason you used Instagram as a platform?

Yeah, I find that Instagram is a lot more convenient. Twitter is alright but I can’t always express how I’m feeling in 140 characters or less. Images hit people on a much more in-depth level, a much deeper level... It lets you connect better because we are just visual creatures by nature. I like sharing images of other cultures as well… [The account]

Do you have any favourite Instagrams that deal with the same topics as your own that you suggest?

I really enjoy Amandla Stenberg’s Instagram account.

So yes, you can in some cases appropriate music because some genres are stemming from that groups personal experiences, and struggles in protest basically. We have people rap about injustices in the jury system, but someone comes in rapping about dumb stuff… But then we also have products of cultural diffusion, in terms of rap, if we have white people from privileged backgrounds rapping about their so-called “struggles”, isn’t that appropriation? Music is kind of like food. It can be a mix of influences, but it’s very specific to genre.

I find that more people are willing to change, not because of the people who feel offended but because it’s no longer publicly correct—it’s frowned upon. That is a large portion of [this change], but there are also people who are willing to listen to people who feel marginalized. There are people who empathize, but there are people who just do it because it’s standard. It used to be standard to appropriate culture, but I think that that is starting to die out.

What can the UofT community do to move away from cultural appropriation?

How do you feel about cultural appropriation within music?

How do you think other people can use social media for good against these issues?

So you know how food isn’t cultural appropriation? You can make it taste worse, but you can’t appropriate it. It’s very tricky with music… For example, hip-hop is actually a product of African American culture. On top of this, jazz, hip-hop rock, etc. are all a product of this same marginalized community. People often rap about their hardships and their struggles against the system that oppresses them, but then we have people who take this form of expression and make it a marketing ploy, which I find very unsettling.

I think that people who have a large audience should use that privilege to their advantage. People who are in positions of power should use their voice to shed light on issues.

Sure, we have Rowan Blanchard, Diane Guerrero, but there aren’t enough people doing this. Anyone can use their social media to shed light on these issues by just speaking up.

In my residence, there is a board with a huge statement on why cultural appropriation is wrong. They put it up right before Halloween, so they are telling you not to dress up as different cultures. I think this is already big step… [The university] should just keep shedding light on the issue.

Interview has been edited and condensed.

ARTSANDCULTURE@THESTRAND.CA

ARTS & CULTURE

THE STRAND |13 FEBRUARY 2017

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Why you should put down your digital camera and pick up some 35mm A profile of Vic students who are avid film photographers hiba siddiqui associate arts

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culture editor

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“I began shooting film about a year ago after my best friend gave me a Minolta SR-T 202 (plus lenses, bless her soul) and it wasn’t until then that I realized how film photography really is as great as some people say (read: insist) it is—for the most part. What I love, and hate, most about it is how each and every shot is final. Every time you get ready to press the shutter release and feel the satisfying metallic click, you want to make it count. Shooting film makes you consider, reconsider, hesitate a moment, and then hold your breath before you commit to taking the shot… and you still have to finish the roll and then develop it to see how things went. It forces you to learn from your mistakes and take your time to think before shooting so that the money you pour into it doesn’t go down the drain. There’s something stressful but incredibly thrilling about it that I won’t be giving up any time soon.” —Darren K. Cheng

hiba siddiqui

Have you ever thought of going back to basics with your photography? Recently, more and more people are choosing to shoot with 35mm film. They’re doing this for several reasons; first and foremost, film photography allows you to hone your photography skills because it allows you to learn how to work with the essentials. I personally enjoy shooting film because I have to put a lot more thought into what I’m trying to capture within a limited number of shots. There’s also, notably, more dynamic range with film photography, including better colour and quality. I also love the grain and vintage feel of the finished result.

Once you’ve got the concepts of exposure, aperture, and ISO down, the rest comes naturally. Used film cameras can be bought at very low prices—sometimes even under $10—and it’s easy to find cheap rolls of film. Vic students are fortunate because VicXposure, our photography club, manages film camera rentals to students. So if you’re a Vic student, interested in trying film photography, VicXposure is the best place to start. You can even get your film developed at the newly-opened darkroom, located near the Cat’s Eye. Students can sign up for workshops on developing blackand-white film.

The Strand spoke with a couple of Vic’s student photographers to ask them why they enjoy shooting film.

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hana nikcevic

“I shoot film because I like the deliberation, the suspense of not being able to see the photos you’ve taken until you develop the film, and the developing/printing process itself.

It’s nice having a tactile, involved experience that extends past the initial shooting. I also love the texture and colour of film photos, and trying out different films to see their different effects. I have two SLR cameras that I alternate between; a Pentax K1000 and a Minolta X-700. I recently ordered a multiple image filter and now I’m obsessed—90% of my photos look like they’re taken through a kaleidoscope by a deeply inebriated partygoer or a knockoff Petra Collins. Also, this is an open call for anyone that wants to teach me how to use a digital camera.” —Hana Nikčević

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darren k. cheng

Ecoachella strives to promote sustainability through art A closer look at Vic’s first-ever concert for climate change miranda cullen associate arts

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culture editor

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catriona spaven-donn

On February 3rd, the Ecoachella: Concert for Climate Change was hosted in the Cat’s Eye. The event was a collaborative effort put on by VUSAC Arts and Culture Commission, Vic Sustainability Commission, Vic Re-

cords, and Goose Fiction.

The Strand spoke with Sustainability Commissioner and MC Jamil Fiorino-Habib about what motivated the concert. He told us he was inspired by the COP21 Pathways to Paris benefit for climate change, which included both musical acts as well as speakers. Fiorino-Habib was inspired by how the event got people involved and celebrated the intersections of different forms of art and social justice.

The event had three bands, a poetry reading, as well as lots of pizza and snacks—including vegan options—as well as reusable water bottles and bracelets made of bicycle inner tubes courtesy of the Sustainability Commission. All donations and proceeds from the products sold went toward Standing Rock.

Goose Fiction presented selected poems from Sanna Wani, Kenza Vandenbroeck, and Julia DaSilva. The poets each tackled themes of environmental consciousness in their own individual way. Their performances kept the tone of the evening both reflective and intimate.

Event coordinator Jacob Peng led the search for musical acts. As a musician himself, he felt it was important to foster community connection in the music scene as well as to showcase UofT talent. He felt there was a lack of opportunities to perform on campus for students who were serious about music. Originally starting out as a fan of the band Good Kid, he discovered the band members were UofT students and graduates, like himself. EricArthurBlair was another UofT band Jacob had seen live and loved. These two bands were a natural choice, in addition to his own band Indigo Violet. All three bands agreed to perform for free. Each band brought a ton of energy and spirit to the stage, rocking out even though the floor wasn’t packed. Those who were there definitely enjoyed the music—there was lot of dancing, head-banging, and even somewhat of a mosh pit near the end of the last set.

Ultimately, the joint effort between different student organizations was a success. Ecoachella shows that students can rally together and use creative outlets to affect positive change.

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EDITOR | JOSHUA KIM

FILM & MUSIC

@STRANDPAPER

The Woody Allen club Thinking critically about Casey Affleck’s critical acclaim in Manchester By The Sea molly simpson contributor

Content warning: Discussions of sexual violence and abuse

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yasmine shelton

Every day, when I walk home from campus, I pass by an ad for the film Manchester by the Sea. When I first noticed it I thought, “Oh, man, I sure love Michelle Williams—I bet that will be great!” A couple weeks passed and I continued to walk by the ad and think, “Oh, man, that movie sure was great and I still love Michelle Williams!” However, now when I pass by the ad I think, “Oh, man, another man with a sexual harassment allegation is going to win an Oscar!” The last feeling is not a good one, but it is a reoccurring one.

The Academy of Arts and Science is about to induct another member into what I like to call “The Woody Allen Club.” That’s right, on February 26th Casey Affleck is almost undoubtedly going to win an Oscar for his performance in Manchester by the Sea. This does not change the fact that Affleck was sued by two different women for sexual harassment in 2010. It strikes me as strange that he can a) actually possess the moral indecency to sexually harass another human being, b) still remain quite rich and famous, and c) be a front runner for the most prestigious acting award in Hollywood.

However, as mentioned, Affleck is joining a prestigious club. The Woody Allen Club is a group of men who, despite numerous allegations and charges for crimes such as sexual assault, aggravated assault, and domestic violence, have managed to thrive in Hollywood.

The club is, of course, named after twenty-four time nominee and four time Oscar winner Woody Allen who has been accused of sexually abusing his step-daughter, Dylan Farrow, when she was a child. For many, these allegations were only recently brought to attention when Farrow published a letter in 2014. However, she originally accused Allen of sexual abuse in 1993 after her mother, Mia Farrow, published a complaint with the police. Why is it that while these accusations were made nearly 25 years ago Allen’s career has remained quite successful?

Allen is not the only person in this esteemed club. Roman Polanski was convicted of sexual intercourse with a mi-

nor (13-year old Samantha Gailey) in 1977 and has since been nominated for three Oscars, winning Best Director for The Pianist in 2002. Polanski continues to be defended by numerous members of the industry, including Woody Allen himself. Sean Penn, who has been accused by ex-wife Madonna of domestic violence, has been nominated for Best Actor five times, winning twice. Another of this year’s Oscar nominees (this time for Best Director and Best Picture for Hacksaw Ridge), Mel Gibson, was the subject of a domestic abuse investigation in 2010. Gibson has also been recorded making anti-Semitic comments when he was arrested for driving under the influence. Gibson has already won Best Director and Best Picture for 1995’s Braveheart.

These are all respected actors and filmmakers. I’ve enjoyed works by all of these men. So, how do we reconcile talent and abuse? Is the Academy obligated not to give Affleck the Oscar because of his sexual harassment charges? Or should the Academy not concern itself with social and legal issues at all?

Casey Affleck did, undeniably, give one of the best performances of the year, and prior to my knowledge of his charges, I would have said unequivocally that he deserved the Oscar.

Now I cannot say that comfortably. The Woody Allen club is not only a club of men who have abused women and lived to tell the tale in their Oscar acceptance speeches—it is also a club of men whose work I can no longer go to see without feeling sick to my stomach.

There are people who disagree with this idea; many believe that the Oscars should not concern itself with politics and morals. The thing is, film is inherently political in how it chooses to depict life and by extension, so are the Oscars. By giving Casey Affleck an Oscar, just like giving Woody Allen or Sean Penn the prestigious award, the Academy is implicitly condoning abuse.

It is saying that even if you rape someone, you tie them to a chair and beat them, or you harass them to the point they feel the need to sue you, you can still have a career in Hollywood.

Not only that, but you will have a career that can still flourish.

To complicate an already complicated issue, it is important to discuss the controversy surrounding Nate Parker and his film The Birth of a Nation. The biopic about slave rebellion leader Nat Turner is Parker’s directorial debut and following the 2016 Sundance Film Festival, it was looking to be a Best Picture front runner. Instead, it was not nominated for a single award.

This turn of events is a result of a widely publicized report that Parker and his roommate Jean McGianni Celestin had been accused of raping a fellow student while at Pennsylvania State University in 1999. Parker was acquitted of all four charges, but Celestin (who is a credited writer on The Birth of a Nation) was convicted of sexual assault.

News outlets, such as Variety and Deadline, ran this story and suddenly The Birth of a Nation went from Sundance darling and Oscar front-runner to a box-office failure with lukewarm reviews. I am not looking to defend Parker or his film.

But, I do want to ask why Woody Allen is allowed to make true to life films in which his teenage love interest is played by a girl half his age (Allen’s love interest in the “classic” film Manhattan was played by seventeen year old Mariel Hemingway who has stated that Allen, who was forty-three at the time, tried to seduce her). Or why Casey Affleck now has his own Sundance film to promote with little pushback from the industry.

Outside of Hollywood, a criminal charge, no matter how minor, often carries enough stigma to make getting any job difficult. But inside Hollywood, directors will continue to line up to work with the likes of Sean Penn and Casey Affleck, regardless of these allegations or charges. The controversy surrounding The Birth of a Nation raises questions about the intersectionality of race within these issues, and the lauding of Manchester

By The Sea reiterates the privileging of white, connected figures in Hollywood. Nate Parker is not a good man, but neither is Casey Affleck; yet only one of them has had their careers ruined by their criminal record.

FILMANDMUSIC@THESTRAND.CA

FILM & MUSIC

THE STRAND | 13 FEBRUARY 2017

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Media depictions of the LGBTQ community jenny poirier the xaverian weekly

We are a product of the media we consume. Whether you like it or not, you can’t fight the fact that from a very young age, the media has primarily shaped your perceptions. Every time you turn on your TV, you’re presented with a TV show that exemplifies what love is supposed to look like or what type of man or woman we should aspire to be. I am very grateful to have grown up in a household where I was encouraged to be my authentic self, but that isn’t the case for everyone. And even if it is, is it really enough? You can still fall victim to the media’s marketing ploys no matter what you’ve been raised to believe. Even though I grew up with loving and accepting parents, the truth of the matter is that my opinions and perceptions about the LGBTQ community came directly from the media. Growing up in a small, conservative town, my perceptions about everything depended greatly on the media I was exposed to, which was not a very diverse selection.

My schema for a queer person was formed entirely from watching TV shows and movies. I hadn’t even been exposed to a trans character until my later teenage years.

The first show I’d ever seen where a trans character was depicted was Degrassi, and the actor portraying this character is not trans off-screen. Furthermore, this character was killed off in a very controversial way. This tends to be a reoccurring theme. Take Dallas Buyers Club, for example. The trans woman in this film is played by a cisgender man. In Pretty Little Liars, the trans woman is played by a cis woman. The casting of cisgender actors in transgender roles is often seen as offensive and unnecessary. There’s a question that comes to mind about whether a cis ac-

tor can truly bring any level of authenticity whatsoever to the role. Would it not be better to have an actor who can relate to the character they’re playing, who can use their personal experiences to make the character more authentic? There are transgender actors and actresses who are being overlooked for roles that they are more than capable of playing. This is a huge issue when it comes to representation of the LGBTQ community, specifically the trans community, in TV and film.

I AM VERY GRATEFUL TO HAVE GROWN UP IN A HOUSEHOLD WHERE I WAS ENCOURAGED TO BE MY AUTHENTIC SELF, BUT THAT ISN’T THE CASE FOR EVERYONE We are supposedly living in an era of progression.

We have shows like Orange is the New Black and Glee that portray LGBTQ characters. Even with these existing representations, there’s no doubt that we could look at the shows through a critical lens and come up with some problematic areas. Depictions of gay men or women are often based on stereotypes. We often see lesbian women as possessing masculine physical traits and having short hair. For men, similar stereotypes exist. We see gay men

as possessing feminine qualities and leading flamboyant and extravagant lives. We have trans characters constantly being portrayed as victims. Further adding to this issue, there’s the fact that humour is usually used to cover up the deep-rooted issues that exist within these shows and movies. Shows such as Modern Family give us a look at the life of a gay couple, but the show is based on the premise that this is not a normal family. We are meant to see this as something that is humorous, which further reinforces the stereotype that being gay is unnatural.

According to GLAAD’s annual report on LGBTQ inclusion, for 2016-2017 TV shows, the characters are 95.4 percent straight and 4.8percent LGBTQ. That is equivalent to 854 straight characters versus 43 LGTBQ characters. Not only is this a huge gap, but there’s a great possibility that the 4.8% of LGBTQ characters will either reinforce stereotypes or be portrayed by non-LGBTQ actors and actresses.

No doubt progress is being made, but is it enough?

Rather than being passive consumers, we should be questioning the mass media that we’re consuming. As of right now, it doesn’t seem like nearly enough positive messages about the LGBTQ community are being sent through TV and film. The media is so powerful and it could be used for so many great things, yet we are still refusing to educate the public rather than misinform them. Representation in film and TV for the LGBTQ community is crucial. If we want to progress as a society, we need to start focusing on making inclusivity a bigger priority and we can start by revaluating the representation of the LGBTQ community in film and TV.

activism e n i z a g a m spring pitches due

9pm

feb 17 at 11:5

a c . d n a r t s e h magazine@t articles of 500-2500 wor ds: personal essays beat reporting criticism political comme ntary

art photography photo essays

poetry & prose

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EDITOR | CELESTE YIM

STRANDED

@STRANDPAPER

Tinder art bro reportedly “a complete asshole” Local cool and hot woman left deleting phone conversations and unfollowing accounts of a man she met on the dating app because “she honestly just like, doesn’t understand what could have even happened” alexandra scandolo editor-in-chief

The teens (read: grown ass adults) have been engaging in some emotionally damaging dating tactics. It’s called Ghosting—never heard of Ghosting? Congratulations on pretending like you’ve never downloaded dating app/ nightmare Silicon Valley project Tinder. This fucking dumpster fire of an app not only crashes all the time, but it will let you build a contrived relationship with someone who will leave you high, dry, and screaming at the tops of your lungs about how you “can’t believe he straight up didn’t even get back” to you!

You know what? I know this was supposed to be like, one of those joke news articles where like, you go “haha” and it’s punchy and totally not real and I say “fucking” in the first paragraph. But Christ! Honestly, this very hot, smart, and super funny joke news writer got capital-G Ghosted! Did you infer, yet, how much of a catch I am?

Because I am and if you didn’t, stop reading this because we’re friends now—you’re supposed to be on my side.

Let me break down my ultra-specific, yet still very relatable and publishable, experience with a man who literally dipped off into the sunset after taking me on not one, two, three, four, but FIVE… “Oh, shit did she say FIVE?”… (I did, sentient friend/reader voice)—FIVE DATES. Amazing, astounding, ground-breaking, hardhitting, joke news stuff. It’s like a social experiment where the end result is this shitstorm of an article and I am left pacing long hallways dramatically on Saturday nights when I’m supposed to be editing this whole fucking newspaper instead of binge-drinking like most people.

Alright, let me back this up and make this seem like I’m talking about a hyperbolic situation when it’s really just my personal life immortalized in print. You (I) met the Sad Boy of your (my) dreams on Tinder. You’re stoked to go out on a string of dates before the catastrophic misery of being left on pause hits (This story is about me). Sure, he has that Hitler-Youth haircut, but in an updated way that makes you forget that blatant Nazism is on the rise again (I didn’t really forget). He has on……..a beanie on the first date. You fucking die when he is wearing…….. a basic tee under his pea coat. Are those wire-frame glasses?

I can’t believe it, I think he went to Sunglass Hut all by himself and bought them without the advice of a woman.

Holy shit, it hits you: it’s your future ex-almost-boyfriend in the flesh. (I really hope you, my now best friend, read these with all the right pauses. They’re important.)

Sure, he’s REAL now! But, he sure as hell won’t be for long when you start checking his location on Tinder every morning at 11am and every night at 9pm. He’ll become The Concept of a Man—the skeleton of what was once an average-looking dude whose facial hair made him a weary 7 ½ and knew cute facts about you like that you sleep talk, cut your own bangs, and “haven’t done anything really casual before.” It’s like his lack of attentiveness dehumanized him, or you are literally elbowing your way out of feeling responsible for putting your eggs all in one crewneck wearing basket.

He likes “hanging with you so much,” but like, he’s just so super busy right now because his “tour starts in a week” and he “still hasn’t even cracked chapter one of Infinite Jest [his favourite book] yet.” You know, the footnotes are the most important part? Someone (a man) told me that in a class (filled with other men). It was after someone mentioned that Hemingway (who cares) is one of the most important writers and someone (same man) needed to counter it.

This 23-to-27-year- old started out conversations like any normal suitor would: “Wow, I love your freckles/fashion sneakers/taste in music.” There was also a bit of, “So, like, what year are you in?” even if he didn’t care because he just took a full-time job at a Major Publication/Firm/ Start-up or His Master’s Program Is So Hard :(

He seemed ever so normal! Is this Potential Relationship Material? Your Future itself? Why not build it up in your little head while you wait patiently for a reply to that meme you sent on Instagram.

And yet, when he ghosts you, and you think it’s all been (not) said and (not) done: he will appear out of the blue one month later because he had “a really weird dream about you.” It was a sex dream; you know it was because he told you. Only over text though, no way in hell is he going to link up in this economy—but know that he has thought of you naked when he could be seeing it IRL. It’s just because he literally has so much writing/reading/jerking it to the La La Land soundtrack to do. Sad! Something about all this hurts more than you can imagine… I wonder… Why…. Is it perhaps, the constant wave of other men littering your surf to success, constantly pooling their uncomfortable personalities and tragic clinginess to the surface? Perhaps.

These Nice Guy Exes appear in your moments of vulnerability as if you crying into your silk pillows (I’m not, like, rich, they help avoid acne—look it up) at night is a Bat Signal for “please text me about how you saw my mom at the grocery store.” Or it’s Christmastime, when he knows you’re back home from school because he still lives with his parents (this isn’t a drag, but it is a fact: all desperate ex-boyfriends live with their parents and think about texting you “Hey listen, you don’t need to respond…” as they play COD on their childhood flatscreen). He asks you to drinks, dinner, or another four years in a relationship.

You politely delete the text and hope the dude who has a mixtape coming out “in a couple months” will text you instead. Then you remember he’s ALSO dead to you because he watched your snap story but HARD flaked on your plans on the very same eve. Fuck. Cue the questioning of your own feminist values when you get stressed about this, but not your upcoming paper. The Discourse in your own psyche gets very real, very quickly—all because you thought the two emojis in his bio meant he was “fun” and “relatable” enough to get drinks with you.

Let’s review, shall we? He’s the whole package: mediocrely dressed, loves something specific enough to define his entire personality by it, and is completely emotionally unavailable. It was all going so well until he vanishes in thin air. You spend weeks thinking, “Wait a minute… Did I do something to ruin this? What did I do to this childish shell of a person to make him disappear?” But the truth is, you didn’t do anything. You shouldn’t be expected to do the emotional labour in order to make someone comfortable enough to spend time with you and/or reciprocate feelings. Ghosting you is to his detriment because he didn’t bother to get to know you and find out how much of a catch you are, like my loyal reader best friend did.

Love you, reader. Sometimes a man with a MEC backpack is just a man with an overpriced backpack—not relationship material.

Quoth the prophet of modern dating Carrie Bradshaw, “Maybe some women aren’t meant to be tamed.

Maybe they just need to run free until they find someone just as wild to run with them.” Bradshaw says this wistfully at the end of Season 2, Episode 18, entitled Ex in the City. She whips her coiffed curls around as the breeze of a sewer grate blows through majestically; Big didn’t get her weird movie reference and left her, but goddamnit, she’s free.

So my question is, O Bradshaw: what the f u c k.

Thanks so much for this hot take, 1999 Taylor Swift, it’ll really help me after talking in circles to anyone who

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lynn hong

will listen about how I am deep in my feelings. You can’t just equate wanting a balanced relationship to being “tamed”—I’m all good with the running free part, but I already checked the box on that. I just want to hang out with someone on like, a semi-regular basis—where can I get me a freak like that?

You know what, no. I’m not upset about this, I have too much work to do. I have to edit this entire fucking newspaper. Honestly, this is just tragic. For him, not me.

I’m a Hot, Intelligent, Young Editor and Woman—I really don’t need this to complicate me trying to kill it in this print-regressing world. At least I have my $40,000 liberal arts degree to keep my very cool and very educated self warm at night.

Fuck you, Jeff*. *His name hasn’t been changed because once again—fuck you, Jeffrey.

STRANDED@THESTRAND.CA

STRANDED

THE STRAND | 13 FEBRUARY 2017

15

A day in the life of Justin Trudeau josie kao contributor

justin’s big agenda 9:00 am

Wake up after a full and restful 10 hours of sleep.

9:05 am

Smile for the cameras, you never know who’s watching. (Thanks Bill C-51, glad I didn’t repeal that!)

9:30 am

Photo op while eating a wholesome breakfast with the fam. #SomebodyCallVogue

10:00 am

Practice breaking promises in the mirror while looking like I’m not really breaking a promise and I totally understand the struggles of everyday Canadians. My advisors really encourage me to spend at least an hour a day on this and I think I’m getting really good. The trick is to try to forget that I’m part of a dynasty.

11:00 am

Photo op during my daily jog around Parliament Hill. #JustPMThings

12:00 pm

Weekly haircut, gotta keep that head in perfect condition so the cameras have something to focus on other than my mouth when I break promises today.

1:00 pm

Time to get to work! Head over to the House of Commons, drop a few buzzwords on feminism and equality.

1:05 pm

Sneak out while some ministers approve a few pipelines.

1:10 pm

Hide in the washroom while another minister says “jokes” on electoral reform.

1:15 pm

Come out of hiding to tweet a picture of me welcoming refugees. #TweetingIsTheNewPolicyMaking

1:20 pm

Duck into a supply closet as some journalists run by yelling nonsense about “what happened to #RealChange” and “you killed democracy” and “we see through your haircut.”

1:30 pm

Photo op with some adorable animals to distract the media. Aww, look at those baby bunnies! #CutenessOverload

2:00 pm

Time to hit the gym for a few hours! How can I lead the Canadian people if I can’t even take care of my abs?

5:00 pm

Walk around Ottawa and pose for at least 50 selfies. #PrimeMinisterForAll

6:00 pm

Attend a fancy dinner with some nice people. After all, they were kind enough to pay money to see me, so I should at least do them the courtesy of showing up. My buddy Christy Clark says it’s worked just fine for her!

10:00 pm

One final photo op of me reading a bedtime story to the kids. Gotta get them ready for life in the spotlight. #ContinueTheDynasty

11:00 pm

After a full day of prime minister-ing, it’s finally time to tuck myself into bed. I sleep like a baby knowing that I have the full support of the American people.

A celebration of print media in 5 GIFs luka bellasario staff writer

In this brilliant GIF, we see the limitless power of the print media industry represented through amazing speed by which newspapers shoot through the printing press and into existence. Rapid, unrelenting, and vibrant with motion, this GIF truly demonstrates how even at the foundational level of production print media has yet to meet a challenge it cannot overcome.

What better way to celebrate print media than through a GIF of this genius cat doing incredible things with a newspaper.

Adorable and remarkable, this cat flips through this newspaper with hilarious poise, speed, and focus. Even cats love newspapers, I guess!

In this subtle and sumblime work for GIF-ery, we hope to celebrate the wealthy history of print media. As the book is pulled open, we see a page holding some of the oldest newspaper clippings in North American history. They are wildly colourful, unique, and beautiful, showing the rich and colourful history of the printmedia industry.

How could we forget to celebrate print media for providing us all with our first job: newspaper delivery! In this GIF we see a brash young newspaper delivery boy hit an unsuspecting man with a newspaper right in the back of the head! It is incredibly funny, illuminates the history of job creation through print media, and oh so satisfying to watch again and again and again.

Finally, and most importantly, this GIF demonstrates how vital the newspaper has been in our society when spreading vital information to mass amounts of people. As the newspaper rapidly spins into our view, we are revealed the headline: “We Did It!” Written after the end of World War II, this newspaper was used to spread the good news of the Nazi demise. And thanks to print media, the West has never seen a loud-mouthed, vile, racist, bigoted, fascist monster rise to power since.

Thank you print media!

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STRANDED

What I see on Tinder vs. what I choose to see maia grecco contributor

Being a single person in your early 20’s means you have likely had an experience with Tinder. In all honesty, the app is exhausting and depressing but, despite my valiant month-long attempts to stay atop my high horse, I delete and download it again and again. Tinder has always remained fascinating to me though, like an enormous and very grim social experiment that everyone is aware of, but doesn’t discuss. Staying within a 30 km radius, you begin to notice trends. These trends are 90% frustrating and 10% bizarre. It can be difficult to stay optimistic while trying to navigate this app which is why I’ve spent so much time thinking about what I would rather be seeing when I swipe. After careful consideration, I have decided to share what I wish I could see instead of these common types of Tinder men...

I think this speaks for itself.

It is always so humiliating to see a person you actually sort of know. Wouldn’t we all just be better off gazing upon the soothing magic of professional eyebrow maintenance?

Is it his daughter? Is it his niece? Does he know this child at all?

I am never sure what to make of this strategy. I can always appreciate a good face swap though.

Or the baby with that Viking filter maybe.

So refreshing.

Please, do this more.

I don’t know if this is only me, but I have observed that there is a much larger population of single dudes who like to fish than you might expect. It actually kind of warms my heart because they seem very proud of their catches. Unfortunately, some really nicely done hand lettering always trumps dead fish in my books.

Is it a girlfriend? Is it a strategically placed indication that girls are in fact willing to interact with him? Is it his sister?

It is so much less tiresome to admire the skillful contouring and put-togetherness standing by his side.

To be perfectly honest I should stop being surprised every time a very close up and low angle shot of a guy lying in bed pops up but unfortunately I always am. The best solution is to exit this junk app and enjoy some food porn.

I’m sure that a person who knows even one single thing about cars can probably appreciate images of boys lounging on cars more than I do but I think everyone can enjoy the magic of Lush.