UBCO’s Student Newspaper
September 19th 2016 | Vol 30, Issue 2
Lit AF fam since 1989
UBCO FROSH 2016
2
thephoenixnews.com |
Campus
News
Current Affairs Arts
UBC to Hear Appeals Against BoG and Senate Revote p.3
Obama to Veto 9/11 Lawsuit Bill p.5
Grapes and Tortiallas at KAG p.7
Brazilian President Impeached p.6
The Okanagan Story Art Installation p.8
New Cycling Path to UBC Okanagan Open p.4
The Power of Genuine Conversation p.10
Winner Unknown in Controversial Gabon Election p.4
Life
Opinions
Sports
Wine O’Clock p.14
Women and Beer Pong: A Sexist Sport p.18
Heat Soccer Looks to Use Nonis Field to Bounce Back p.22
Why Can’t I Focus? p.16
Your Article on #blacklivesmatter Doesn’t Matter p.20
Heat Hosts Second PacWest Golf Tournament p.23
A Home Away From Home p.17
A Re-election, Really? p.21
Questioning the Extrovert Ideal p.15
Make sure you check out our facebook page, The Phoenix News, for photos of Frosh 2016, and stay tuned for our video on the experience, as well as an article that will be posted on our website.
University Centre 3333 University Way Kelowna, BC, Canada V1Y 5N3 Office: UNC 132B Phone: 250-807-9296 thephoenixnews.com Cover by David Vassiliev
Managing Editor Alex Barberis managingeditor@thephoenixnews. com Coordinating Editor Jacky Deng coordinating@thephoenixnews.com Art Director Sarah James artdirector@thephoenixnews.com Production Editor Kelsi Brown production@thephoenixnews.com Senior Copy Editor Francesca Gimson copy@thephoenixnews.com Junior Copy Editor Nick Huertas huertas@thephoenixnews.com
Opinions Editor Trophy Ewila opinions@thephoenixnews.com
Web Editor Justin Kroeker web@thephoenixnews.com
News Editor Laurence Watt news@thephoenixnews.com
Photo Editor David Vassiliev photo@thephoenixnews.com
Arts Editor Paula Tran arts@thephoenixnews.com
Video Editor Riley Petillion video@thephoenixnews.com
Sports Editor Grayson B. Leahy sports@thephoenixnews.com
Visuals Editor Sarah Dowler visuals@thephoenixnews.com
Current Affairs Editor Mark Dreger current.affairs@thephoenixnews.com
Ads Sales Manager Jennifer Stolarchuk ads@thephoenixnews.com
Life Editor life@thephoenixnews.com
Contributors Nour Sallam, Shamarthi Ghosh, Fran Carruthers, Brie Welton, Michaela Sullivan-Paul, Riley Schlosser, Tasha Matar, Eddie Tat
The Phoenix is the UBCO students’ free press. Editorial content is separate from the University of British Columbia Student’s Union Okanagan (UBCSUO) and from the UBC institution at large. The editorial staff encourages everyone to submit material to The Phoenix but reserves the right to withdraw submissions from publication for any reason. “Any reason” could be material deemed to be sexist, racist, homophobic, or of poor taste or quality. The Phoenix will not publish materials which condone, promote, or express actions which are illegal under current laws. This does not include articles which provide an in-depth examination of both sides of a controversial subject (e.g. legalizing marijuana). The Phoenix is published, in part, by the UBCSUO and is an active member of the Canadian University Press.
3
News | thephoenixnews.com | Laurence Watt - News Editor
News
DUKE AND DUCHESS TO VISIT UBCO Kate Middleton and Prince William will be at UBCO on September 27 Laurence Watt - News Editor
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
UBC TO HEAR APPEALS AGAINST BOG AND SENATE REVOTE Appeal has potential to avert a revote following overturn of 2016 UBCSUO election results Laurence Watt - News Editor
After a summer without student representation on the Board of Governors or Senate, UBC is preparing for the possibility of hosting a revote anytime within the next 2 months for the senator-at-large and BoG positions. However, following appeals from candidates who ran in the 2016 elections, a hearing has been scheduled to occur on September 22 to hear the arguments against a revote. Long overdue, the hearing is expected to mark the end of a long and messy process which began following reports of irregularities during the 2016 UBCSUO elections. These irregularities included particular ballots missing relevant candidates’ names, no dividers being available for the first few hours of voting, and reports of candidates standing around the voting site in violation of the rules and regulations. After the election had concluded, the UBCSUO responded to students’ concerns by conducting and publishing a review of the election. The review ultimately concluded that
although one or two irregularities may have indeed occurred, a revote was unnecessary. This review was met with significant backlash which led to the university stepping in to conduct its own review of the election. In May, the university published its review which reported two significant student complaints to have merit: first, the UBCSUO failed to provide students with privacy necessary to ensure secret balloting and second, ballots had been distributed to individuals who had not presented valid identification. The review ultimately concluded that the Senate and BoG results be declared void and that a reelection be conducted by the University at its earliest convenience. In an effort to resolve the situation as soon as possible and avoid past mistakes, the university suggested the reelection occur in late May using its online voting system. However, the notion of a reelection in May displeased a number of candidates—both those who won and those who lost. Candidates complained that
if a revote were to be conducted in May then many of them would have no time to campaign and the voter turnout would be low. Consequently, particular Senate and BOG candidates sent off appeals in attempt to make
“
Long overdue, the hearing is expected to mark the end of a long and messy process which began following reports of irregularities during the 2016 UBCSUO elections.
”
the university reconsider its proposal. A week later, the university acknowledged the appeals and notified candidates that although the decision for a revote would be put on hold till a later date, the results of the election were still void.
Throughout the entire summer and still to this day, the Senate and BOG meetings have occurred without student representation. Fast forward to September, and the university has finally scheduled a hearing to listen to the students’ appeal and hopefully make a final decision on the matter. Although it appears that a revote is still the most likely outcome, sources have claimed that a reelection could be averted on the basis that only six candidates are still interested in the Senator-at-Large positions. As there’s only six positions available for Senator-at-large, the argument is likely to be made that it’d be easier to simply appoint the six candidates still interested rather than host an uncontested election. Either way, whether a revote is to be declared or not, what students can be certain of is that this mess is on the verge of being sorted out once and for all.
On a day that will likely exhibit long traffic delays, celebrations, and symbols of post-colonial rule, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit UBC’s Okanagan campus as part of their tour of Canada. On Tuesday, September 27, the pair will visit UBCO to recognize a new Aboriginal art installation and attend a practice game with the UBCO Heat women’s volleyball team. Kate Middleton and Prince William are expected to arrive on campus around 1pm, where they’ll begin their visit by attending a brief public ceremony in the Central Courtyard to recognize the new Aboriginal art installation commemorating the Univer-sity of British Columbia’s centennial. Afterwards, the Duke and Duchess will be heading to the gymnasium to watch the Okanagan Heat women’s volleyball team play a practice match, and meet with UBC students. With the Royal couple set to visit from 1:00PM to 1:45PM, the Okanagan campus will be much busier than usual with staff, students, and people from the general Kelowna community and beyond expected to attend. As a result, those hoping to attend are warned to expect traffic delays, parking lots to be closely monitored and limited, as well as restricted access to particular areas on campus prior to and during the visit. Despite campus expected to be more hectic than a Wal-Mart on Black Friday, UBC is still planning on giving attendees an opportunity to see the Duke and Duchess up close. In the central courtyard a public viewing area will be available and in the University Commons north of the UNC a live television screen will be streaming the event live. Ultimately, the Royal visit is not only a historic moment for UBC, as it commemorates it’s centennial, but also a once in a lifetime opportunity for students to come witness the Duke and Duchess in person.
4
Laurence Watt - News Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
News
Photo by United Nations Photo/ Creative Commons
WINNER UNKNOWN IN CONTROVERSIAL GABON ELECTION Accusations of election rigging surrounds Gabon election Mark Dreger – Current Affairs Editor
After presidential elections in Gabon on August 27, both candidates have declared themselves the winner. Gabon’s top opposition leader, Jean Ping, declared himself the winner and accused the current president, Ali Bongo Ondimba, of rigging the election. Ondimba and his family have ruled Gabon for nearly half a century. “The whole world knows today who is the president of the Republic of Gabon. It’s me, Jean Ping,” he said in a news conference. Bongo won 49.80% of the vote
against Ping’s 48.23%, a difference of only 5,594 votes out of 627,805 registered voters. After the election, protestors took to the streets in Gabon’s capital, Libreville. Clashes between opposition supporters and security have resulted in three confirmed dead, while Ping claims that between 50 and 100 people have died in the conflict. The Guardian reports that up to 10 people have died in the conflict with dozens wounded. Protestors have torched the parliament and Gabon’s presidential guard has allegedly
NEW CYCLING PATH TO UBC OKANAGAN OPEN
The opening of a new cycling path means students and staff will be wheelie happy to have a safer route to and from UBCO Laurence Watt - News Editor
Last week, the city of Kelowna officially opened its new paved Bulman Road-UBC Connector Trail, a highlyanticipated cycling lane which links the Rutland area to UBC’s Okanagan campus. The Bulman Road-UBC
Connector Trail provides cyclists with a safe route to campus, and includes an underpass beneath Highway 97. In previous years, students and staff who chose to bike to school were required to use the narrow, and often busy, Highway 97, sharing the two-lane
bombed the opposition party’s headquarters. Ping has called for polling stations to release the results, bureau by bureau, to find any inconsistencies in the election. France, Gabon’s former colonial power, has also called on the government to release the vote details in response to the rigging claims. Ondimba has denied the calls for a recount, saying that it is the up to the judgement of Gabon’s top court. “What we are asking is, under the supervision of the international
community, to count ballot by ballot, bureau by bureau,” Ping said. “And then you will see that the margin is so big that he cannot win. It’s as simple as that.” Ping even wrote an op-ed for the New York Times calling for America’s help, claiming he is “the candidate who won by a substantial vote margin” and that Ondimba is the cause of the hundreds wounded and thousands arrested. Chad’s president, Idriss Déby, is expected to lead an African Union delegation to resolve the crisis, despite being accused of rigging
elections in his own country. The EU has raised concern over a result in the southeastern province Haut-Ogooue, where Ondimba won 95.46% of the vote with a 99% turnout, compared to a 59% national turnout. According to Ping, “several thousand more [voted] than actually live in the province.” Gabon’s justice minister has since resigned over the election, raising accusations of rigging. If Ondimba remains the winner of the election, he will stay president until 2025.
road with other vehicles. The idea for a new cycling path was brought up years ago, following complaints from UBCO students and staff that the current route was both inconvenient and dangerous. However, plans for the construction of the new pathway were only set into motion last year, after Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran took matters into his own hands— or in this case feet. After accompanying other Kelowna locals in cycling to campus, Basra concluded that cycling along the Highway 97 route was too dangerous for cyclists and that the con-struction
of a new cycling path should begin immediately. One year later and the path has finally been completed and is now open to all. In total, the new pathway has cost the federal government approximately $1 million, which has been taken from the federal gas tax. Although some argue that this is too heavy a price, supporters of the new pathway argue it will result in more people choos-ing to cycle to school instead of drive or bus. Currently, Glenmore residents still have to wait until the completion of the John Hindle Drive project before they can
have their own cycling path to campus. However, following the recent injection of $11.6 million in joint funding thanks to a federal, provincial and municipal government funding partnership, the project is on the verge of comple-tion—meaning Glenmore cyclists do not have long to wait until they have safe and easy access to campus. Ultimately, the completion of the new Bulman Road-UBC Connector Trail is not only a long-overdue dream come true for UBCO cyclists, it’s also a positive sign of things to come.
5
Laurence Watt - News Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
OBAMA TO VETO 9/11 LAWSUIT BILL
News
Photo by dcblog/ Creative Commons
Obama plans to veto a bill that would allow 9/11 families to sue Saudi Arabia for damages
Mark Dreger – Current Affairs Editor
In what some see as a sick twist to the 15-year anniversar y of 9/11, U.S. President Barack Obama plans to veto a popular bill that would allow 9/11 family victims to sue the Saudi government, recently shown to have been involved in the tragedy. The bill, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act, allows families to sue the Saudi government for roles they may have played in the attacks, which gained more evidence after the declassif ied 28 pages of the 9/11 Commission Report were released mid-July. Families claim that the Saudi government was involved in the attacks and that Saudi off icials were connected to some of the 9/11 hijackers. “The families of the 9/11 victims have suffered so much and fought so hard for justice,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York. “I hope for their sake that the administration will rethink vetoing this bill.” According to White House Press Secretar y Josh Earnest, countries could use the law “as an excuse to haul U.S. diplomats or U.S. ser vice members, or even U.S. companies into courts all around the world.” “And our concern is not limited to the impact it could have on a
relationship with one countr y,” Earnest continued, “ but rather it could have an impact on our relationship with ever y countr y around the world in a way that has negative consequences for the United States, for our national security, and for our men and women in uniform.”
“ “The families of the 9/11 victims have suffered so much and fought so hard for justice.” – Senator Chuck Schumer
” The House passed the bill on September 9, while the Senate passed it on May 17. The Saudi government allegedly threated to pull billions of dollars from the US
economy if the legislation passed, and recently threatened that passing the bill risks “triggering chaos and instability in international relations and might contribute to supporting extremism.” After news broke of Obama’s veto threat, Republicans and Democrats supporting the bill plan to override Obama’s veto with a two-thirds vote in the House and Senate. Obama could override Congress’s two-thirds vote by using a “pocket veto,” which would essentially kill the bill unless Congress wants to vote on the bill all over again. After the House passed the bill, 19 family members of 9/11 victims sent Obama a letter, begging the president to not “slam the door shut and abandon us.” Others argue that if Saudi off icials did nothing wrong, then they should have nothing to fear. “All this bill ever purported to do is to confer jurisdiction to the courts to hear the evidence,” said law yer Sean Carter. “It does not determine liability. It simply says the courts have jurisdiction to hear the evidence.” Brian McGlinchey, Director of 28pages.org, said that vetoing the legislation “would give 9/11 families
their well-deser ved day in court would truly stain [Obama’s] legacy.” Despite 15 of the 19 9/11 hijackers being Saudi nationals, Saudi Arabia denies any involvement in the attacks, but the declassif ied 28 pages tell a different stor y. According to the documents, some of the hijackers in the US “were in contact with, and received support or assistance from, individuals who may be connected to the Saudi Government.” Osama Bassnan, who supported two hijackers, “received a check directly from [Saudi] Prince Bandar’s account. According to the FBI, on May 14, 1998, Bassnan cashed a check from Bandar in the amount of $15,000. Bassnan’s wife also received at least one check directly from Bandar.” Obama has until September 23 to decide whether to support 9/11 families, or protect US-Saudi relations. During his 8 years in off ice, Obama has offered Saudi Arabia an estimated $1.15 billion in weapons, many of which are likely being used in the Yemen conf lict, which has resulted in thousands dead due to Saudi airstrikes.
6
News | thephoenixnews.com | Laurence Watt - News Editor
BRAZILIAN PRESIDENT IMPEACHED
Photo by Ministério das Relações Exteriores/ Creative Commons
Brazilian Senate impeaches its first female president, one of many corruption crises in the country
Mark Dreger – Current Affairs Editor
Brazil’s first female president, Dilma Rousseff, was impeached on August 31 after the Brazilian Senate voted 61 to 20 to have her removed from office. Rousseff ’s fall is the second presidential impeachment since Brazil returned to democracy in 1985. “Today is the day that 61 men, many of them charged and corrupt, threw 54 million Brazilian votes in the garbage,” Rousseff said on Twitter after the vote. Rousseff was impeached due to accusations of unconstitutionally breaking budget laws by taking state loans to fill budget holes in 2014. She is also accused of accepting bribes from the state-owned oil company Petrobras, despite there being no evidence other than her being on the board of directors for Petrobras from 2003 to 2010. Critics claim that she did this to improve her chances of re-election in October 2014. She denies doing anything illegal, claiming that her predecessors did the same while in office. The remaining 28 months of her
term will be run by Michel Temer, who was Rousseff ’s vice-president and helped run the campaign to have her impeached. Rouseff has since deemed Temer a usurper.
“ “Today is the day that 61 men, many of them charged and corrupt, threw 54 million Brazilian votes in the garbage.” – Dilma Rousseff, former Brazilian President
” After winning the 2014 election with 51.6%, her approval ratings have plummeted from a high of 79% in March 2013, to about 10% 3 years later. Since March 2015, there have
been massive protests denouncing Rousseff ’s government, with some reaching to over a million people. Some see this as cleaning out corruption in the government, while others, including Rousseff, see it as a coup to end the 13-year stretch of Workers party power. The governments of Ecuador, Venezuela, and Bolivia all recalled their ambassadors from Brazil in opposition to the impeachment. “It is a process that reminds us of the military coup in 1964,” said Maria Mendonca, a professor at the University of Rio de Janeiro, to Russia Today. “That was not a real trial, because most Senators already had a position; they made up their minds even before the whole trial started. There was no legal basis for the impeachment.” Economic analyst David Riedel sees the impeachment as “a good move for Brazil in the medium and longer term,” as the new president is expected to be business friendly and protect the currency. The president is not the only one facing corruption allegations.
In June, new president Temer was banned from running in elections for 8 years due to committing election fraud, with the Brazilian Supreme Court considering impeachment. Brazil’s former president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, is expected to stand trial of obstructing justice regarding Petrobras. Eduardo Cunha, who also led the campaign to impeach Rousseff, was suspended as speaker of the Lower House and is being investigated for the same scandal. Aside from Olympic debt and a widespread Zita epidemic, one of Brazil’s biggest concerns lies within their economy. Unemployment is at 11.6% (11.8 million), a 3% increase in one year. GDP has declined 3.8% in 1Q2016, and government debt has risen from 53% in March 2014, to 69% in April 2016. In April, the Lower House voted for Rousseff ’s impeachment 367137, and then the Senate started the impeachment process in May, voting 55-22. The Senate then indicted Rousseff in August 59-21, and she was finally impeached later that month.
7
Arts | thephoenixnews.com | Paula Tran – Arts Editor
Arts
GRAPES AND TORTILLAS Deborah Koenker pays homage to Mexican workers Nour Sallam - Contributor
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
THE SYMPATHIZER AS VIETNAMESECANADIAN/AMERICAN Nguyen’s novel highlights generational gap Paula Tran – Arts Editor
When it was revealed that Viet Thanh Nguyen received the Pulitzer Prize, the Vietnamese American community was in shock. Partly because we did not expect a Vietnamese writer to win such an esteemed prize, and partly because we had never heard of the book before. Book sales rose. Every adult at the dinner table was talking about Nguyen’s masterpiece. Then the criticism came. The more the Vietnamese book buyers dug deeper into the book, the more they started to point out the book’s flaws. They sad that Mr. Nguyen criticized their home. Nobody likes having their home criticized. Nguyen is currently an associate professor of English and American Studies and Ethnicity at the University of Southern California. Born in Vietnam but raised in the United States, he published his debut novel The Sympathizer in April, 2015. The Sympathizer is the story of a communist spy
who has conflicting political beliefs during the Vietnam War. The spy loves Vietnam and is loyal to his employers, but he trusts the United States and friends as well. This conflict of interest caused him to make mistakes and he ended up captured and tortured by the people he trusts. While the novel garnered a lot of praise from the general audience, the older Vietnamese American community was not pleased. The novel criticized not only Vietnam, but the United States as well, and to many first generation Vietnamese immigrants, criticizing the United States is a no-go. Many first generation immigrants, the generation that my parents belong to, are Vietnamese boat people. They are the refugees who fled the communists after the Vietnam War to start a better life for themselves. The United States was seen as a land of opportunity, freedom, and
hard work. America provided them with the care and comfort that Vietnam could never afford. America allowed them to prosper and grow
“
Personally, I believe the novel is an excellent piece of written artwork. To me, the protagonist was fair in his review of both countries, but I may be biased since I am a second-generation immigrant.
”
intellectually. How could there be flaws in the United States? It is the ultimate symbol of hard
work and wealth. Personally, I believe the novel is an excellent piece of written artwork. To me, the protagonist was fair in his review of both countries, but I may be biased since I am a second-generation immigrant. The United States is not the best at everything; it may be a superpower and one of the largest economies in the world, but socially and politically the country is quite fragmented. Similarly, Vietnam is corrupt and poverty ridden, but the culture is so vibrant and beautiful. I know a variety of second-generation immigrants that share the same sentiment. It is not that our parents are wrong, we just do not see America, Canada, and other countries in the same light as they do. It can be frustrating when we talk to them about it, but that is expected. Every generation has different views, and though it may be sad, it is a cold truth of our society.
Each year, 2000 temporary migrants cross Mexico’s borders in order to work the jobs Canadian grandparents have attended to in the past. These Mexicans put their time, energy, and sweat into the Okanagan’s agricultural lands. Deborah Koenker’s exhibition, Grapes and Tortillas—running until October 30 at Kelowna Art Gallery— celebrates the sacrifice and hard work of migrant workers, and reflects on their nationalistic pride in Mexican culture. The Exhibition includes several stations, intended to share perspectives, left unacknowledged or underappreciated, of Mexican workers. Perhaps the biggest, and most extensive, part of the exhibition is the ‘Tortilla Portraits Wall’. The station consists of portraits of Mexican workers, with the subjects holding tortillas with captions, or thoughts, intended for the audience. These tortillas, translated, showcase a dominant sense of family that is attributed to Mexican culture. There are a vast majority that mention not only family but Mexican food, and fiestas. Some share simple hopes, gratitude towards the Canadian government, or displeasure towards the treatment they receive from IndoCanadians bosses. The portraits are aligned on the 80ft long wall, along with a few other photographs, as a whole. Another station, ‘La Cocina’, serves more as a room. In ‘ La Cocina’, Koenker displays a decorated kitchen that pays homage to the women who resist oppression, like Doña Vicky. The area is lined with photographs, also taken by the artist, with one portrait of Doña Vicky in her own kitchen. The Vancouver-based artist also includes a shrine reminiscent to Mexican culture, where 2000 ribbons are hung across the room. This border, ‘La Frontera’, represents the number of Mexican workers that cross their own border each year. Entirely symbolic and fascinating, this border further celebrates the sacrifices of the workers. The exhibition sheds light onto the strife of these foreign workers, who are not necessarily thought of in relation to the Okanagan’s vineyards and orchards. Deborah Koenker arranges and displays her photographs to recognize the people who are often isolated not only by language, but by limited time and long work hours. The exhibition, with an inviting background soundtrack, runs until October 30 at the Kelowna Art Gallery.
8
Paula Tran – Arts Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
THE OKANAGAN STORY ART INSTALLATION
Arts
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
The story behind Les Louis’ representation of Sylix identity Paula Tran – Arts Editor
While walking to Sunshine, classes, or the bookstore you may have noticed the newly erected wooden pillars outside the admin building. You may have asked your friend what the pillars were, and what the carvings on the wood symbolized. And you may have stared at the piece for a while, and then walked away in confusion. What you do not know is that the piece is more than just a bunch of giant logs. What you do not know is that the piece was an important part
of the Sylix identity. Funded by the UBC Centennial Initiative Fund, and the Okanagan Nation Alliance, the prominent art installation was commissioned to celebrate UBC’s Centennial. The piece was constructed and created by Les Louis, a member of the Southern Similkameen Band. He was inspired by the traditional tule mat lodges, which serve as shelter for the summer, and constructed a similar structure out of pine logs.
HOW DRONES ARE CHANGING OUR LIVES Exploring the remarkable new world of drone technology Riley Schlosser – Contributor
Drones are now becoming known as creative tools that present a whole new range of possibilities in a number of fields. Everyone should know by now that Amazon is in the planning stages of creating a drone program that can deliver packages to
your door in as little as half an hour. Drone technology is also saving money and lives in Search and Rescue efforts, enabling the searchers to remotely search regions inaccessible to, or too dangerous for, humans. Storm chasing drones have been implemented to monitor
According to a recent video published by the university, each of the seven logs represents one of the seven nations that makes up the broader Okanagan nation. Using his own interpretation and ideas, Les Louis says, the images on each of the logs are meant to represent each of the seven bands in the best way possible. The hardest part was not coming up with the idea, he states. The hardest part was deciding which stories should be used to represent the people, and how to
depict these stories in a way that viewers can create their own. As students, faculty, and staff on campus it is imperative that we acknowledge the importance and significance of the installation. The campus is on the unceded territory of the Okanagan tribe, which means the land was never formally given to the school and that we are all guests of the land. Louis’ piece not only adds to the Indigenous presence on the campus, but also acknowledges the land and territory upon
which the campus is located. It is also important, as Louis said in the university’s video, to showcase what the Okanagan Nation has to contribute to society, whether in art, tourism and business. There will be a brief public ceremony on September 27 at 1:00PM, recognizing Louis’ art installation. I encourage you to attend not only to have a better understanding of the piece, but also a better understanding of the Sylix people and culture.
weather changes and potentially collect enough information to minimize damages to life and land. Alternatively, large swarms of six-inch drones have been invented to flow with the currents of the storm, collecting valuable data as they go. 3D mapping, originally exclusive to expensive government satellites, can now be utilized by smaller companies with drones and mapping software, presenting seemingly endless opportunities. Police are now using this technology to monitor illegal activities and collect data on car crashes. Drones are being used in wildlife
conservation, monitoring animal distribution, population, and nesting grounds. They are even being used as anti-poaching surveillance, surveying African and Asian wilderness for the illegal hunting that is driving many species towards extinction. Possibly the largest market for drone technology will be agricultural. Drones can be used to identify which parts of a field need water, pesticides, and fertilizer, and are actually able to deliver and distribute them in a fraction of the time workers or a tractor would be able to do so. They can even monitor the nitrogen levels in plants and
can use thermal imaging to detect how well plants are photosynthesising. One of the most humorous uses of drones I have come across is as anti-drone security. On the set of Star Wars Episode VIII, they have reportedly deployed a net of drones to ensure no civilian drones can fly in and capture footage of the set. Add that to drone racing, drone hunting, drone waiters, and drone selfies (or dronies), and it is pretty obvious that people will keep finding.
9
Arts | thephoenixnews.com | Paula Tran – Arts Editor
FROM THE PAGE TO THE SCREEN
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
Books you should read before they get adapted to the big screen
Riley Schlosser – Contributor
If you are like me, it’s pretty much a given that a book is going to be better than the movie. It is a terribly difficult task to take all the wonderful content of a book and boil it down to a handful of key elements, and then to actually forge a good screenplay out of it. Even if you get that far, getting actors that can portray the beloved characters of books, and a director that can capture the magic of the story, can make the task of adapting a book for the screen seem nigh impossible. It has, however, been done time and time again with great success. With the right combination of brilliant people involved, the movie can live up to the greatness of the book, and sometimes can even surpass it. Here is a short list of some movies coming out in 2017 that are based on (supposedly) exceptional books, and if you are like me, you will want to read at least some of them before you see the movie.
Aveyard featuring a super-powered heroine The Yellow Birds should make for an interesting movie, with This novel by Kevin Powers is about the Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) set to brotherhood between two soldiers and direct. their struggle to survive in war-torn Iraq, and should make for a powerful film. The Dark Tower Stephen King’s classic fantasy series is Ready Player One being adapted into a film with Matthew Set in 2044, Ernest Cline’s characters McConaughy and Idris Elba. Yes, please. race to the finish in a virtual utopia where the stakes are high but the reward is unimaginable.
“
Getting actors that can portray the beloved characters of books, and a director that can capture the magic of the story, can make the task of adapting a book for the screen seem nigh impossible.
”
The Night Circus Erin Morgenstern’s hit fantasy novel of 2011 offers a quirky look into a world of magic, deception, romance, and a The Circle Dave Eggers novel about an internetmysterious traveling circus. controlled dystopia is to be adapted into a movie with a talented cast of Tom Hanks, Red Queen A dystopian YA novel by Victoria Emma Watson, and John Boyega.
Thirteen Reasons Why A commentary on teen depression and suicide, Jay Asher’s novel hit home with a lot of readers and is sure to do the same with the theatre audience. Looking for Alaska With The Fault in Our Stars and Paper Towns already adapted into successful movies, John Green’s first novel about selfdiscovery and love is now getting the silver screen treatment as well. East of Eden John Steinbeck’s classic novel of two Californian farming families locked in a feud will make for a tense but riveting film. World War Z 2 Sure the first film was pretty much nothing like the book, but it was still worth
a watch. Plus, Brad Pitt is fun with a beard. Fifty Shades Darker If you didn’t know that E. L. James wrote a sequel to Fifty Shades of Gray, you do now—and you can go see the movie. The Adventures of Captain Underpants No, this is not a joke, it is really happening. Dav Pilkey’s bizarre cartoon world is coming to the cinemas, with actors Kevin Hart, Ed Helms, Jordan Peele, and Kristin Schaal attached to voice his colorful characters. Splinter Cell The late Tom Clancy’s popular book got made into a popular videogame, and now it’s going to be made into what’s sure to be a popular movie. Live by Night If you liked Gone Baby Gone, you might like the second Dennis Lehane novel Ben Affleck is directing, tackling the gangster scene in 1920’s Boston.
10
Paula Tran – Arts Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
Arts
THE POWER OF GENUINE CONVERSATION How to have a real conversation, and why it matters so much Riley Schlosser – Contributor
As an introvert, I despise small talk. It is not that I do not like people or that I hate socializing, but rather the opposite. A thousand times a day I am asked, “How are you?” or “What’s up?” and I, like every one else, reply with the cookie cutter answers of “I’m doing good, thanks” and “Not much. You?” It drives me crazy. Conversation is supposed to be a connection, a way to actively engage in another person’s life, and it is becoming more and more uncommon. However, though most of us find it terribly difficult to genuinely connect, it can be done, and to great benefit. To do so, I have compiled some scientifically researched ways that we can engage in conversations that produce more than just mindless chatter. Be curious. A genuine interest
“ Be selfless. Going into a conversation with an agenda is a terrible way to initiate real conversation.
”
in a person can go a long way in making them want to feed into the conversation as well. Studies have shown that people can tell, through body language, facial expressions, and tone of voice, if others are actually interested in them or simply being polite. So, find reasons to ask more questions and be more attentive. Never leave a comment invalidated, and seek to understand who the other person is and why they are who they are. Be honest. Being sincere about your own situation is essential when getting others to do the same. Not only does it make them feel like you trust them, but it quickly and efficiently lets them know that you are expecting to get more than just triviality from the discussion. Being honest does not mean you have to tell
them all the deepest, darkest parts of your life, because that usually just makes a casual acquaintance extremely uncomfortable; however, it does mean you do not have to be afraid of saying that things are not perfect in your day-to-day life, because everyone else is feeling the same way. Be selfless. Going into a conversation with an agenda is a terrible way to initiate real conversation. People are not tools and they are not psychology experiments, so if you are in it to get something out of the other person, you are doing it wrong. Also, do not talk too much if it is unnecessary. The conversation will never go anywhere and you will learn very little about the other person if all you are doing is waiting for them
to finish so you can blurt out your interesting anecdote. Be invested. No matter how uninteresting a person may seem, I guarantee you could learn something from them. Ask questions that provoke people to tell a story, and then ask them about why they did certain things or made certain decisions, to gain insight into who they are. Everyone has something to say and everyone wants to be heard, so just listen and learn. In the end, a true conversation benefits everyone involved, and once you start having them, you will find that you are not satisfied with the everyday small talk. Life makes more sense when you start figuring out that the faceless masses are individuals, and they are so much more than they appear.
Ideal University Living Experience BUILT WITH STUDENTS IN MIND
Where will be living next year?
• • • • •
walking distance to classes choose your own roommate full kitchens in-suite laundry bedrooms with private baths
3 bedroom homes starting from $329,900
uthreeliving.com UBC Campus
Hollywood Road N. Highway 97
Academy Way
John Hindle Drive
UBC Exit
N
Highway 97
PRESENTATION CENTRE/ DISPLAY HOME Sat-Wed, Noon-5pm 975 Academy Way, Kelowna, BC 250-718-7072
11
Arts | thephoenixnews.com | Paula Tran – Arts Editor
THE POETRY SLAM KICKOFF CLASSIC
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
Kickstarting the new season the right way
Paula Tran – Arts Editor
On Thursday, September 8, The Well was packed. Students and guests from off campus filled every seat of the pub, and the entire room was energetic and buzzed with excitement. Drinks were ordered as small chit chat filled the empty spaces in the room. In front, a passionate writer and artist delivered an inspiring poem. Finger snaps acknowledged the artist’s creativity and message. Occasionally, there were a few hollers and cheers. Inspired Word Café’s Poetry Slam is a medium in which writers and amateurs can showcase their passion for a particular subject, ability to spin words in flowing stanzas, and talent in giving a jaw dropping performance. This season, all of their events will be held at The Well, a great opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to attend and listen to different voices, perspectives, and performance styles. For those of you who do not know what slam poetry is, it is basically a friendly competition where people
read out their poems without the use of props, costumes, or music. After performing, they will receive a score (usually from 0-10) by
“ Inspired Word Café’s Poetry Slam is a medium in which writers and amateurs can showcase their passion for a particular subject, ability to spin words in flowing stanzas, and talent in giving a jaw dropping performance.
” judges, but the judges do not have to be poets! The scores are given depending how much each judge likes the poem. In Inspired Word
Café’s take, there will be many different rounds. After each round, a certain number of poets will be eliminated, and only one poet will be the winner of the night. Each round will have a set of different poems and performances. However, it is not who wins that is important, but rather that you have fun and appreciate the work and content of each individual poem. In one of the rounds, Nigel’s poem discussed his personal experiences of being an extrovert in a small town, and how he cannot leave the house without meeting someone that he knows. His poem used rhyme and structured rhythm to reiterate the multiple conversations and types of people he talks to in a typical day out in town. He used the phrase “hey, yo” repetitively throughout the poem, again to reiterate the main point and his story. The way he performed was quirky, but it left a lasting impression in my mind. While the event started later than expected, the energy from the audience never wavered. There were a good mix of different types
of poems: some were funny, some were serious, and some were sad. Of the 12 poets performing that night, Chris Smith, Jamie, Nigel, Aaron, Joel, and Cole proceeded to the second round. Nigel ended up winning the Slam, followed by Chris in second place and Cole in third place. I did not know what to expect when I walked into the pub that night. On one hand, I was incredibly nervous about what lay ahead, and on the other extremely excited to listen to all the poems. While I was not on stage performing, I felt drawn to all the performers and felt like I was experiencing the whole event through their eyes. I could feel the emotions in their eyes, voices, and body language. The eyeopening experience, as a whole, was definitely worth the $10 fee.
12
thephoenixnews.com |
Life
QUICK HIKES FOR STUDENTS
Life
Photo by Sarah James/ The Phoenix News
Knox Mountain is not the only option
Brie Welton – Contributor
Hiking is a wonderful sport: fresh air, exercise, and guaranteed Instagram-worthy views are only a few perks of this popular pastime. Although Kelowna is renowned for its diverse landscape and breathtaking views, finding hikes can be a challenge, especially for students new to Kelowna who are unfamiliar with the area and have limited means of transport. The most popular hike in Kelowna is Knox Mountain, and it is the common go-to for University students. Accessible by taking the 97 bus followed by the 2, the mountain guarantees a long hike with beautiful scener y and a postcard view of downtown Kelowna and Okanagan Lake. However, the grueling hills and overabundance of dogs, moms, and noisy children can get old, and when that happens, it is important for students to know that Knox Mountain is not their only option. The following hikes range in difficulty and duration—some short enough to fit into a busy student schedule, some challenging enough to justify skipping leg day. All are
great options for those of you that need a break from Knox. Just an 8-minute drive from campus, Mill Creek is a great hiking choice as its length and difficulty are both customizable. The trail is mostly flat and
“ Mill Creek is a great hiking choice as its length and difficult are both customizable.
”
meanders alongside a creek overhung with mossy trees. The first part of the trail is easy to hike and takes about 15 minutes going each way, 20-30 minutes total to complete. For those who want an extra challenge, hikers can continue past the general stopping point by
clambering over large boulders and logs which frequently block the path. The path becomes ver y narrow, and hikers are forced to be cautious at risk of falling into the creek. However, the end of this hike is worth the risk—the trail leads to a waterfall that makes for a quality Insta pic. Pro tip: wear shoes than can get muddy or wet as the trail is ver y close to the water. One of the landmarks that can be seen on the route of the 97 bus, this mountain earns its name from the complete lack of trees on its summit which give it its signature “bald” look. The Mount Baldy hike is also customizable in terms of length, however, the climbing the mountain is as challenging as it is nonnegotiable. The peak of Baldy has a clear view of Glenmore, Rutland and the lake. The first half of the hike is an arguably grueling climb among sparse grass and dr y gravel. Once they reach the top the hikers can walk along the summit and descend down the back side of the mountain, which is dense with trees and shrubs. If time is a limiting factor, hikers can choose not to return via the back of the
mountain, instead returning the way they came. Tip: there are numerous trails leading in seemingly different directions, however, these trails all lead to the same place, so don’t worr y about which one to take! Phase 2 of the Mission greenway is a hike with few hills in the first half, and a grueling climb in and out of the ravine in the second half. Due to its low elevation this hike does not have a picturesque view, however, it does have ever ything else: a wetland boardwalk, a creek, three bridges and best of all, a swimming hole with a small gravel beach 10 minutes into the hike. The entire hike is 9km, however there are several points where hikers can turn around if daunted by the drastic elevation change. Tip: Be war y of the strength of the current in the creek—the swimming hole is not safe year round due to flooding and snowmelt. These are only a small fraction of the various hiking opportunities in Kelowna and elsewhere in the Okanagan valley. It is important for students to remember that you do not always have to go to Knox!
13
Life | thephoenixnews.com
4 KITCHEN TOOLS EVERY STUDENT SHOULD HAVE A crock-pot, french press, rice cooker, and food storage containers — your new best friends Michaela Sullivan-Paul - Contributor
The dream of slurping ramen noodles every night will slowly fade away and scraping the old mac n’ cheese out of the pot will prevent future craving for cheese that comes out of a packet. So, it’s time to roll up the sleeves, and make yourself a home cooked meal. Here are 4 tools that won’t only squelch your belly talking, but also keep the spending low in the process.
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
A comprehensive guide for the homesick Nour Sallam – Contributor
Moving away from home, whether you are on your own in a new city, or studying abroad, is undeniably challenging. No matter how much you try to prepare yourself, you will go through a phase, maybe a week, maybe longer, where you feel homesick. It might be because you miss Dad’s jokes, or because you saw an Instagram post with your crew you left behind. Though you may feel alone in your thoughts, UBCO has over 7500 undergraduate students, with people coming in from over 80 different countries. Chances are, you just need some tips on how to cope. Keeping in touch with family is integral. When you visit them, or when they visit you, ask them to bring you food. Keeping a taste of home in your fridge gives you something to look forward to after your lectures. For some international students, that might prove difficult. With both distance and time zones in your way, you might just have to ask for the recipe, and
have some fun times trying to get it right. I never got my Mom’s Egyptian recipes right, but I cannot admit to being a savvy cook either. It did help to make me feel better, though. Bedroom design and decoration are something to consider too. Since it is all about creating a home away from home, feeling comfortable in your environment is essential. Hanging up pictures, a flag, or bringing along your favourite fluffy pillow are simple ways to make your space homier. The best way to cope with homesickness is to partake in activities that make you feel good, at your own pace. If you really do not feel like stopping by a party, where you know you will meet a bunch of drunk people, then just stay home. You do not necessarily have to step out of your comfort zone. With that being said, you have to at least make an effort to interact with the world around you. As challenging as it may seem, you will end up finding your balance. The
great thing about being in university is that you have multiple options so as to find your place and people. You might decide that you want to join that one club that vaguely sparked your interest. It is still the beginning of the year, and clubs are always welcoming new members. Inevitably, if you put yourself out there, you’ll find people in the same boat as you. Homesickness might seem cavalier, and in most cases, it is. However, in extreme situations, it can lead to anxiety, and depression. This is especially true for those international students who are fighting the trenches of cultural shock in addition. If it becomes too much, do not shy away from asking for help. The Health and Wellness centre are a wonderful resource. Understanding and valuing your mental health, in every little way possible, reflects on your personal, social and academic behaviour. With time, the homesickness most students feel this time of year, will seem far away.
• Crock-Pot AKA the slow-cooker, which is appropriately named because it cooks your food really, really slowly. Yes, it seems inconvenient to purchase a kitchen appliance that cooks your meals for you over the course of 4 – 8 hours but on the contrary, this tool is one of the most convenient appliances one can own. All it takes is some veggies, a cheap protein and some sauce tossed into the pot before you leave for the day, pop it on and after a long day of lectures and making lattes, you get to come home a delicious, nutritious, home-cooked meal. • French Press A french press is the ideal kitchen gadget for anyone. Whether you’re living atop the Cascades hill or renting a “quaint” 600sqft. basement suite, every student needs a bold, kick you in the butt, cup of coffee. For a french press, all you need it hot water, ground up coffee beans and a little patience. The great thing about the press is you can let it brew as long as you need depending on how bold you enjoy your cup of joe. If you don’t own a coffee grinder, do not fret, as many coffee shops will grind your whole beans for you! • Rice Cooker Cheap and filling, need I say more? For something that is so versatile and will get eaten so frequently, it is important to invest in a good rice cooker. Not only will it cook your rice perfectly every time, but it is portion control friendly and you won’t have to worry about rice water boiling over the pot anymore. They come in a variety of different sizes and can make any meal you’re prepping fill you for the day. (also extremely useful for steaming vegetables, possible addendum?) • Food Storage Containers You can be an avid meal-prepper (much respect) or a graband-go snacker, either way, you’re going to need some really good containers. You can cop out and head straight to the dollar store, but you’ll probably end up with seven odd sized containers and two lids that don’t fit any of them or you could just invest in a really great set, and keep that cupboard organized. Plus, now that you’re equipped with the proper tools, you’ve got to have somewhere to store all your delicious home cooked meals! Or mac n’ cheese, if you really want… There are lots of cheap options out there to choose from when it comes to grocery day. The key is to get comfortable with a couple go-to recipes and invest in good quality tools to help enhance all your meals. You can still save some cash without sacrificing good health. Check out Amazon.ca for savings and deals on any appliances and kitchen tools and allrecipes.com for a variety of easy to make meals.
14
thephoenixnews.com |
WINE O’CLOCK NEWS
Life
Photo by Sarah James/ The Phoenix News
Channeling the spirit of wine moms can benefit your health
Brie Welton - Contributor
Studies show that moderate wine health benefits of wine, it is essential consumption, specifically red wine, to dial it down. can lead to improved health. Before Moderation, as difficult as it you get too excited, moderation is sounds, is certainly worth the trouble. key. Drinking the correct amount of wine depends on a range of factors, including your size, gender and overall health, and whether it is consumed on an empty stomach or after a full meal. However, research Drinking wine has been linked to has outlined general guidelines for reducing the risk of depression, wine consumption which are specific to each gender. Unfortunately for preventing colon and breast cancer, women, their bodies absorb alcohol protecting from sever sun burns, and more rapidly than men because they have a different level of stomach preventing liver disease. enzymes and a lower body water content. This means that women’s optimal level of wine consumption is slightly lower than men’s. According to the UK National Health Service, men should drink no more than Drinking wine has been linked one and a half large glasses per day, to reducing the risk of depression, whereas women should not pass one preventing colon and breast cancer, large glass of wine. This may come protecting from severe sun burns, and as a shock; for a seasoned wine-o, preventing liver disease. finishing the bottle is a matter of A team from various universities pride. However, in order to reap the in Spain gathered data from men and
“
”
women over a seven-year period concerning their mental health and the amount, and type, of alcohol they consumed. Researchers found that people who drank 2-7 glasses of wine per week were less likely to develop depression. Scientists from the University of Leicester, UK, found that moderate red wine consumption can decrease the rate of bowel tumors by about 50%, and researchers in Los Angeles found that chemicals in the skins and seeds of red grapes can reduce estrogen levels and increase testosterone in premenopausal women, resulting in decreased risk of breast cancer. Wine and grape derivatives were linked to a reduction in the damaging effects of UV light by scientists from the University of Barcelona. However, the most surprising benefit is wine’s preventative qualities of liver disease—the common joke amongst alcohol consumers is the ill effect it has on their liver. Yet, UC San Diego researchers reported that consistently moderate beer or liquor consumers
have over four times more risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease than those who regularly drink moderate amounts of wine. It looks like Wine Moms have had it right all along. Not only is wine linked with many health benefits, but it can be quite affordable. There are a wide variety of wines to choose from, and here in the Okanagan wineries are everywhere. However, all the fabulous effects of wine disappear when consumers exceed the recommended amount, so it is important to know what moderation is for you and to respect it.
15
Life | thephoenixnews.com
QUESTIONING THE EXTROVERT IDEAL
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
How to thrive at university as an introvert
Fran Carruthers - Contributor
The first few weeks of university may come across as a huge, daunting, social bubble, and for those of us who are introverted it can be difficult to find solid ground. There is an expectation that we throw ourselves into every social situation and embrace each opportunity that comes our way – and it can feel like the most extroverted people triumph in these first few days and weeks. Having recently read Susan Cain’s profound book, Quiet, I have made more sense of what it means to be an introvert in the demands of today’s society. “Introversion… is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology”, writes Cain. Interestingly, she found that in her study of other modern societies such as China, having a reserved character is more of a cultural norm, and the ability to listen is more highly valued than the capacity to speak out. In the U.S, between one-third and half of the population are introverts – those who prefer small groups to large social situations; who feel less of a need to speak as much as others. “Introverts
recharge their batteries by being alone; extroverts need to recharge when they don’t socialize enough” – and yet in our lives we may have been made to feel that we are ‘weird’ or ‘different’ for not wanting to socialize all the time.
“ Introversion is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology.
”
Introverts can be made to feel marginalized in a culture where we value those who speak the loudest, and yet the skills they have to offer are no less valid, their talents no less impressive. At university, it is therefore paramount that we make
space for different personalities, and endorse communities that allow every individual to succeed. If you see yourself as introverted, below are some tips for getting the most out of university, without feeling lost in the crowd. 1. Throw yourself into the craziness of the first few weeks, even if it’s not really your scene. Embrace every opportunity – you can drop out of clubs or classes as the year progresses, but you never know what might have come from the chance you never took. 2. Discover quiet places where you can step back and recharge – whether it be the gym, a favorite corner of the library or just a pretty spot on campus – sometimes it helps completely getting away from everything. 3. Learn to love your room, without tucking yourself away too much. Decorate your walls, put up pictures, and make it into a quiet sanctuary that you can retreat to after a long, busy day. 4. Reach out for like-minded people, who understand that you
might not want to spend every second of the day with them. It is likely you will meet people just like yourself, and having access to a wider community will allow you to meet a greater variety of people than at school. 5. Master the art of balance. It can be a tricky time, because whilst trying to cram in every social, academic and extra-curricular activity, it feels impossible to be alone without missing out. Know that it will slow down as the year progresses, and the initial rush will subside. There are good reasons why so many people describe university as the best time of their life. You are unlikely to find a more open-minded, forward thinking and accepting group of people, and the nature of your studies means that you’ll spend a significant portion of time alone, immersing yourself in your subject and discovering your true passions. University is one of the best places to be an introvert, and being naturally quieter won’t stand in the way of you doing amazing things.
16
thephoenixnews.com |
WHY CAN’T I FOCUS?
Life
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
The worrying impact of smartphone usage on attention span
Fran Carruthers - Contributor
Coming back to university after a long summer break may make it difficult to regain focus and get back into intensive reading and studying. And whilst it is only natural that it takes time to regain our motivation after a relaxing summer, there may be something else acting as an obstacle to our concentration. We hear it said frequently enough that we are all obsessed with our smartphones, but research has shown that the increase in global smartphone usage has led to a significant reduction in the average attention span. According to a study by Microsoft, which scanned the brain activity of 2,000 participants in Canada, the average attention span fell from 12 seconds in 2000, to just 8 seconds in 2015—less than that of a goldfish. Put simply, there is evidence to show that we are less able to concentrate than 15 years ago. As an English major, it may be unsurprising to you that my courses involve a lot of reading. And yet I can vouch for the fact that after using my phone a lot, I struggle to regain focus on my reading and it takes much
longer to get into a book. The speed, and length of time for which I can read seem to reduce, and my mind is more easily distracted. In an article published by NYU, neurologist Lady Greenfield spoke
“
with the conditions we need in order to focus for long periods of time. And whilst we are constantly attuned to the buzz or blip of a smartphone, our attention is thinly spread; since we are only able to give surface-level output when we juggle different tasks, we lose out on the skill of deep concentration. So what about multitasking?
We hear it said frequently enough that we are all obsessed with our smartphones, but research has shown that the increase in global smartphone usage has led to a significant reduction in the average attention span.
”
of the “instant gratification” that social media gives us; when we receive a notification on social media, it triggers a response from the reward centre in the brain. The unfeasible pace of this online world, accessed through our smartphones, just does not align
We may believe that we can do many things at once, but research has proven that the human brain is actually incapable of completing more than one task at a time. According to a report published by NPR, “you’re not paying attention to one or two things simultaneously, but switching between them very rapidly.” So if you frequently check social media sites whilst studying, for example, you reduce your efficiency in completing tasks, which is why it feels harder to concentrate. What is wrong with us all? I am surrounded by a highly intelligent group of friends and family—university and college students, doctors, managers, and researchers—and yet many of them admit to feeling addicted to their smartphones and social media. We exist
in a digital age where communication is instantaneous, so it is unsurprising that there is a lapse between the pace of our online and real world. When forced to read a piece of text longer than a Facebook post or tweet, it is no wonder that so many of us struggle to focus. Studying becomes much more satisfying when you put your phone aside—hey, even switch it off if you are brave enough. Go read a good book for a few hours, ungoverned by the constant technological blip of a smartphone, and see how enjoyable it is. Maybe it is time to rejuvenate our attention spans—to credit our studies with the full, unflinching attention they deserve. In our media age the myth of multitasking prevails, in spite of boundless research showing that it reduces our effectiveness at completing tasks. It is time we stop deluding ourselves and learn to tune out every now and then, to rediscover the lost art of deep concentration and reap the benefits it yields.
17
Life | thephoenixnews.com
BREAKFAST: TO SKIP OR NOT TO SKIP
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
The science behind intermittent fasting
Shamarthi Ghosh - Contributor
The old adage “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper” has been a controversial one lately. Breakfast has always been the most important meal of the day, especially for the fitness freaks. It has long been believed that skipping breakfast leads to an unhealthy lifestyle and also obesity. So, where does this idea stem from? The link between skipping breakfast and obesity was developed based on statistical grounds where it was proved that most obese people tend to skip their breakfast. However, there has been no scientific proof declaring the cause and effect relationship between skipping breakfast and gaining weight. On the contrary, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (2014) showed no effect from either eating or skipping breakfast on weight loss. Most people do not seem to get very excited at the thought of breakfast right
after waking up. Besides the fact that deciding what to eat for breakfast every morning is a real pain, the circadian system in our body makes sure that we don’t feel hungry right in the morning. The circadian rhythm in our body responds to our biological clock and regulates hormones, body temperature and digestion accordingly. The system plays a major role in causing a reduced sense of hunger in the morning and a peak in hunger in the evenings — possibly in preparation for the overnight fast. This is why many people, even after a prolonged fasting over-night do not seem to be hungry in the morning. This is when intermittent fasting comes in. Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern where one cycles between periods of eating and fasting. It is a way of scheduling our meals so that our body gets the most out of them. It does not change what we eat but
when we eat. The body likes to depend on glycogen or carbohydrates for energy because it is the easiest fuel to burn. However, to make our body burn stored fat, one must go long enough without consuming food, which forces the body to use fat as fuel. Postponing the first meal of the day is the easiest way to do this. One popular way of intermittent fasting is just having two main meals and fasting for about 14 hours in between. The fact that a healthy person sleeps for about 7 hours a day makes the process of intermittent fasting lot easier. To make myself believe that breakfast is not necessarily the most important meal of the day, I turned to the Greeks, known for their fit minds and body. Obsessed with the food process and digestion, they ate just two meals a day- lunch and dinner. No wonder many people tend to function best eating sparingly during the
day and eating more food later. Fasting triggers the sympathetic nervous system keeping a person alert, focused and energetic. When one indulges in big meals as their first meal of the day after prolonged fasting, one feels satisfied, happy and relaxed. Some people might think eating big at night and light in the day would store fat. In reality, the truth is one should avoid net fat gain by managing one’s calorie intake throughout the day and making sure that there is no calorie surplus at the end of the day. Personally, a huge advantage of intermittent fasting is avoiding the fuss of ‘what to eat for breakfast’ every morning. To conclude, intermittent fasting is a concept that has recently taken over the fitness world leaving behind a series of fad diets. It is being promoted by many popular fitness experts. However, this recent gain in popularity does not mean
that intermittent fasting is perfect and does not have any cons. Yes, it might have its benefits but those might not impact everybody in the same way. There are a range of methods of intermittent fasting. Picking one in accordance to body type, ultimate objective and lifestyle is important. Besides, not every kind of workout and diet plan is for everyone. Consulting a professional before plunging into a diet plan should be compulsory.
18
Trophy Ewila - Opinions Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
Opinions
WOMEN AND BEER PONG: A SEXIST SPORT
Opinions
Photo from The Phoenix News archives
Subtle sexism in popular party culture Natasha Matar – Contributor
It is no secret that beer is crafted for men. As outdated phrases like “be a man” are slowly becoming memories, I write this article in hopes that soon, the astonishment surrounding a woman ordering a beer over a Cosmopolitan could be buried in the same time capsule. Perhaps the gender stereotypes that lead to a woman being robbed of discovering the magical world of beer is a more tasteful topic of debate than advocating for a game that results in the privilege to drink sweattasting college beer. That argument, however, is beside the point. I am on the pursuit of hoppiness and that pursuit is absolute equal opportunities for men and women. Last evening, I attended yet another party in which I observed a familiar scene: girls breaking it down on the living room dance floor and bros lined up at the pong table
ready to win their next round. In high school, when I started getting invited to house parties, I was just another one of those girls who walked in and steered far away from the pong table until the early hours of the morning, when I would finally be drunk enough to blame my lack of coordination and experience on the alcohol. Although that never really directly affected the amount of fun I would have at a party, I now use my beer goggles differently; I now understand how this behaviour ties into concepts far beyond a silly game of red cups. This party game reinforces many socially constructed identities, and can also lead to some unfortunate events for the women who are brave enough to rise up to the challenge. The consequences of this culture include women being once again made to subconsciously believe that they lack the coordination
and ability to play sports that men are inherently born with. The game also provides another chance for men to assert their masculinity. God
“
Last evening, I attended yet another party in which I observed a familiar scene: girls breaking it down on the living room dance floor and bros lined up at the pong table ready to win their next round.
”
forbid a group of girls beats a goupr of guys at a match, because then those guys will be ridiculed by their male counterparts shouting phrases like “wow man, you let a girl beat you.” I can only imagine how unnerving this experience
can be for a male. Here I am, in my second year of university and I still suck at beer pong. My friends in high school proposed that we practice with water when we had nothing better to do on a Sunday. But why do I have to take time out of my day to train for a party game when most guys can work on this skill as they go? Not that I’m denied a place at the table, but it is a little intimidating. I fear the self-perpetuation stems from the preconceived notion that all girls have some sort of disability that makes them aim for anything other than the target, or nothing at all. A final point I want to stress is that if these ideas continue, what does this mean for girls who are constantly losing the game? They are getting more drunk and more vulnerable as their triangle loses its corners. Sure, no one is forcing us to drink every time, but if we do not, we risk getting called
a pussy, so it is better to just chug and try to catch up to our opponent. When girls are more drunk, they are no longer in a state to consent and this is when I have witnessed regrettable and unfortunate events to occur. To be brewtally honest, a great reason that I have such an interest in breaking down this stereotype is because I am such a beer lover. I love my unfiltered Trappists, filtered German blondes, and our local Vancouver Craft Ales. In fact, as I finish writing, I will probably treat myself to a frosty pint. I once dated a guy who introduced me to the diversity of beer, and at times I even expressed a greater appreciation for the art than he did. Just as a salad is no more a girl” plate than a beefy burger is a manly meal, my dream is that we move towards a world in which I am not expected to be drunk off a mickey of vodka and forever suck at beer pong.
19
Opinions | thephoenixnews.com | Trophy Ewila - Opinions Editor
Photo by David Vassiliev/ The Phoenix News
SMELLS LIKE UNION SPIRIT How union power has degraded Kelowna’s transit system
Eddie Tat - Contributor
If students had any indignation over where their hard earned money was spent, then they would certainly be outraged by the public service in Kelowna. I am talking about the ever-so-tardy BC Transit buses that, at least in theory, should promptly shuttle the bratty, chatty and, dare I say, ratty bunch of students to and from town. As run-down and stressed as we may look, we still pay $63 each term for our U-Passes and I would expect the bus drivers to understand that paying customers deserve a certain level of respect. In the weekend following the first week of classes, almost two dozen students were stranded at the Banks Road stop on the #97 bus route for almost two hours. The express route was limited to 30-minute intervals as per usual on a Saturday night. Two buses drove by the sorry bunch of boys and girls (myself included) with the same “SORRY, NOT IN SERVICE” signs. Of course, they were both full. But, why do BC Transit fail to adjust their schedules to this very obvious faux pas? The transit regime in Kelowna
has always left much to be desired. It seems unlikely that BC Transit will do anything more about it. Their justification for the raising of fares will include the need to remain financially viable and still maintain an expanding
“ In the weekend following the first week of classes, almost two dozen students were stranded at the Banks Road stop on the #97 bus route for almost two hours.
” system in the Okanagan. Better transit to and from campus would simply be too costly. Like the survivors of Lost for many tired seasons, we are left stranded by the powers that be. Despite their sometimes grumpy
behaviour toward us, I will not be pointing my accusatory finger at the bus drivers. That privilege goes to the Amalgamated Transit Union (Local 1722), one pawn of many in the chessboard of the BC’s Workers’ Union complex. When the Students’ Union set up a referendum to raise the cost of U-Passes, I wholeheartedly voted “yes” expecting an investment in public transit that I, a low-income student, can stand behind. What a fool I was. Of course there would be no change in the quality of services provided to UBCO. Of course the money would end up in the pockets of union reps and their public service lapdogs. Fare income, topped off by BC government funding, was supposed to be enough to run BC Transit like any other system. But union-backed wage increases, coupled with the constant growth of the city’s population and size, have made BC Transit nearly impossible to fund. At a time when the BC government claimed to be cashstarved, the unions asked for another pay increase last year in a 5-year
deal. At a time when BC Transit was becoming increasingly ineffective, the unions asked for a pay raise. And if the government understandably chooses not to pay more of a ransom than it already does, the cost is passed on to you. Thus, we pay more for unionbacked drivers that do too little in a town that is too big for a bus system that is too poor. Two hours at a bus stop will make the most hardcore of Pokémon Go players bored. Two hours at a bus stop will melt a block of HäagenDazs in its plastic Walmart bag. Two hours at a bus stop will drain the battery of an iPhone that has been on Tinder since morning. Like Tom Hanks in Castaway, we all seriously contemplated getting home on our own. A Ford GT zoomed past and, I swear, I thought I saw a union rep. I would have had a few words for him.
20
Trophy Ewila - Opinions Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
Opinions
Photo by ‘Ideas of a Ludicrous mind’
YOUR ARTICLE ON #BLACKLIVESMATTER DOESN’T MATTER Why your article is not relevant to UBCO and Canada (A response)
Written by ‘Ideas of a Ludicrous Mind’
Like most people on gin and of the LGBT community, Muslims, tonic (and definitely Trump on a women, immigrants, Aboriginals etc. Tuesday), your opinion piece on and assert their relevance in Canada. #blacklivesmatter is loud, abrasive, and disrespectful. Riddled with ignorance, it simply relays your shallow opinion on racial and social issues in Canada, and a lack of will to expand your perspective on the matter. Basically, there was no need There are currently numerous groups to for you to write it. raising social issues, but your weak The problem with your article is that it desperately pretends to argument bears the assumption spark an important debate about that these social struggles cannot aboriginal issues in Canada by using simultaneously exist. the issues of another community as a scapegoat. The writer is only interested in defaming the BLM movement. There are currently numerous groups raising social issues but your weak argument bears the assumption that these social What criteria would make one issue struggles cannot simultaneously more or less ‘relevant’ than the other? exist. Should we even have the scale anyway? Let’s try for a second to put these To use the struggle of aboriginals to social issues on a scale (the ‘relevance’ attempt to make another movement scale you use). Let’s take the issues illegitimate is sad. Understand that
“
”
experiences are unique to each social group. The fact that #idlenomore or the aboriginal struggle has been silenced and not given audience is not the fault of the #blacklivesmatter movement. That is a Canadian institutional and social problem. The popularity of American social issues does not in any way make the Canadian ones less relevant. You simply cannot berate the struggles of a set of people based on the popularity of one movement. Your article is characterized with bias and negative undertones. In your opening sentence, you equated the entire movement of a set of people, whose experience you clearly don’t know or understand, to drunken and misinformed ramblings. Your attempt at diminishing black Canadian experiences of social injustice by arguing that “it is would be worse in the States” or that “aboriginals have it worse” is pitiful and adds no weight to your core relevance argument. This is not a competition.
To stoop so low as to call the BLM activists “Martin Luther King (MLK) wannabees” is to undermine not only the efforts of Martin Luther King, but thousands of activists. It is preposterous and insulting to assume that the only reason the movement takes place is so a specific group of people can have an “MLK experience”. In the end, the only thing your article exposed is your distaste for the BLM movement with no substantial reason. To mimic you, I’m happy for you and I’mma let you finish, but your article is, arguably, the most toxic article in The Phoenix.
21
Opinions | thephoenixnews.com | Trophy Ewila - Opinions Editor
A RE-ELECTION, REALLY?
Photo by Sarah James/ The Phoenix News
Why I think the Senate and Board of Governors re-elections are not necessary
Trophy Ewila - Opinions Editor
There are two simple reasons why I see no point in a re- election. All the organizational issues that led to mishaps were not directly in favor of any candidate, therefore vote rigging is out of the question. Secondly, the electorate is not too interested in a re-election because the results were fairly accurate (this is how I feel as I have no way to measure closeness to accuracy). It is important to note that I did, and still do, support those who argue that the results were invalid. The mishaps produced results that were not 100% percent accurate. However, if 80% accuracy still produced results representative of the electorates desires, there is no point in a re-election. Last year’s Students’ Union, Senate, and Board of Governor elections were marred with controversy. Complaints included double votes, lack of privacy for each voter, and alleged breaking of election rules and regulations by candidates. One of the proposed
solutions was a re-election. I for one was not in favor of this. It is better to learn from our mistakes and move on.
“ To me, the major issues were organizational and not a product of candidates breaking rules and regulations.
”
The Returning Officers received the most of the blame. To be fair to them, most of the difficulties faced could not have easily been anticipated. First off, they did not have much power over nature. The weather at the courtyard was not
too helpful in keeping the personal voting separations still. The alleged double votes in my view came from people receiving more than one ballot paper. This was completely unintentional and was a product of thin layered papers sticking together and coming off as a single sheet. It was completely random and did not favor any candidate. Regardless, it did interfere with the accuracy of the results, though not as drastically as assumed. What the last election gave us, at best, was an opportunity to reflect and improve. It is really great that it produced the largest number of voters I have seen since I came to to UBCO. Yes, the results were questionable, but we got to understand that the location of the voting area can affect the turnout of the election. This allows us to realign our goals not just to increasing voter turnout but to focus on ensuring the results are valid and accurate. What I am not sure is if a reelection corrects the past mistakes.
Additionally, I am not sure if there is enthusiasm from candidates about it. To me, the major issues were organizational and not a product of candidates breaking rules and regulations. Therefore, it is better to we focus our energy on improving the organizational problems than subjecting candidates and the electorate to another election. But hey! It is just my opinion, and I wish good luck to all the candidates in this re-election.
22
Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor | thephoenixnews.com |
Sports
Sports
Photo by Kelsi Brown/ The Phoenix News
HEAT SOCCER LOOKS TO USE NONIS FIELD TO BOUNCE BACK Both Heat soccer teams play at home in week 3, with the women opening their home part of the season at Nonis Field
Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor
B oth the men’s and women’s Heat soccer teams will be playing at home on September 17 & 18. The women’s side will be playing their first home matches of their 2016 season, hosting the University of Northern British Columbia on Saturday, and the University of Alberta on Sunday. For the men’s side, the visiting opponents will be the University of Calgar y and and the University of Lethbridge on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Coming into the home stand, the Heat women will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the season, a 6-2 final against Calgar y at the West Varsity Soccer Pitch in Calgar y last Sunday, September 11. With a conference record of 1-1 so far, the Heat women will be aiming to use the home field advantage to move up from their current place of 6th in the Canada West Pacific Division. UNB C currently sits at the bottom of that division, with a winless record of 0-2. An undefeated Alberta (1-0-1) squad will be the greater challenge for the Heat
women this weekend. The Heat men, currently sitting in 5th place in their Pacific Division with a conference record of 1-2-1, will also be looking to move up in the standings and into a potential
“
The weekend will give both Heat teams an opportunity to bounce back from losses last weekend, and build on what despite those losses has been a promising beginning to the season all around.
”
playoff spot before the midway point of their season. They will see tough opposition from both teams, as Calgar y and Lethbridge own better records on the season than the Heat so far. Calgar y (3-1) have scored 13 goals
in the season, compared to only 2 for the Heat men. While the Heat defence and keeper have allowed only 5 goals against so far, it will likely take their best defensive effort yet to shut down an evidently powerful Dinos attack. The Heat men’s second opponent of the weekend, the Lethbridge Pronghorns (2-3-1), sit one spot below Calgar y in the Prairie Division standings. Having scored 10 goals in the season, the ‘Horns will likely take another impressive defensive effort from the Heat to shut down. Lethbridge have allowed 15 goals against so far, though, so the Heat offence will have a good chance to put points on the board with their high-energ y offence. The weekend will give both Heat teams an opportunity to bounce back from losses last weekend, and build on what despite those losses has been a promising beginning to the season all around. Following the men’s last match, Head Coach Dante Z anatta expressed that sentiment, stating “I thought we played better today than
we did yesterday. I think we played our best tonight, [better than] in all of the preseason and our first two games.” That kind of positivity coming from Z anatta following a shutout on the road should help settle any worries that Heat players and fans have about the rest of the season. Heat women’s Assistant Coach Carli Tingstad was quoted saying something similar last weekend about her team, following the 6-2 defeat at the hands of the highscoring Calgar y side. “You have got to be positive,” said Tingstad, “the team has lots to build off of.”
23
Sports | thephoenixnews.com | Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor
ROYAL VISIT SET TO INCLUDE AN INTRA-SQUAD HEAT WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL MATCH William and Kate will make an appearance at UBCO Heat game on September 27 Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor
Photo provided by The Province of British Columbia
THE HEAT HOST SECOND PACWEST GOLF TOURNAMENT AT THE OKANAGAN GOLF CLUB Heat golfers will look to take advantage of the opportunity to play their second tournament of 2016 on familiar fairways Grayson B. Leahy – Sports Editor
The UB C Okanagan golf teams will host the second tournament of the PACWEST season on Saturday, September 16 and Sunday, September 17. The PACWEST Golf Invitational 2 will be played on the Okanagan Golf Club’s B ear course, with one round being played on each day. The first of four tournaments in the conference season was played last weekend, September 10 & 12, hosted by the University of the Fraser Valley at the Ledgeview Golf Club in Abbotsford, B.C. The first tournament saw the Heat men’s team finish tied for fourth with a cumulative score of 611 strokes over the two days. The Vancouver Island University Mariners took the top spot on the men’s side, with a total score of 589, edging out the
Camosun College Chargers who finished with 590. On the women’s side, only two teams participated in the first tournament, with the Heat finishing second with 328 total strokes. The host University of the Fraser Valley Cascades won with a cumulative 310. Heading into their home tournament, the key for the Heat will be to take advantage of the chance to play on a familiar course. Josh Evans, thirdyear Heat golfer who will be playing his first competitive round of the season this weekend, said “the goal for the weekend is to just go out there and have a good time, enjoy the weekend. The weather’s looking great, so it should be a great tournament.” Evans also added that the team aims to make the most of the home course advantage.
While only 4 members of the Heat men’s team travelled to Abbotsford for
“ The goal for the weekend is to just go out there and have a good time.
”
the first tournament, all 7 Heat men will play this weekend, although only the top 4 chosen after a qualif ying round on Friday, September 16, 2016 will have their scores counted toward the team’s cumulative stroke count
for the tournament. With UB C Okanagan’s top individual finishers being James Casorso and Jacob Steward (T13) and Jessica Kozal (4) in Abbotsford, both teams and all golfers involved will be looking to move up in the standings on familiar territor y. For updated results and standings after the weekend, see www. thephoenixnews.com
On Tuesday, September 27, the UBC Okanagan Heat women’s volleyball team will play a match against themselves as a focal point of the royal visit to the Okanagan. The match will, for obvious security reasons, be invite only, with selected members of the university and surrounding area treated to a showcase of some of the best volleyball being played in Canada. Stated on the official web page for the visit, “the Duke and Duchess will have a chance to meet with students and the wider community before watching an exhibition match with the campus’ national ranked women’s volleyball team.” While there is a long list of reasons why anyone would want to visit the beautiful Okanagan valley, it is a testament to the success of Coach Steve Manuel and his Heat program in recent seasons that they will be in the spotlight of one of the most anticipated events in Kelowna this year. After a third place finish in the national tournament last season, playing in front of a royal audience seems a fitting highlight of the team’s 2016 pre-season schedule. The Heat women will start their season almost a month to the day after the royal visit, with their first match coming on October 28 when they will host Brandon in the first of four home matches to open the campaign.