The Priory Press Thanksgiving 2020 02 15 Chatting with Our Headmaster Chess During the Pandemic Jay Sella, ‘21 with Dr. Jim Power Ashton Jadotte, ‘21 04 16 President’s Perch The End of Movie Theaters? Luca Smith, ‘21 J. P. Tampe, ‘22 05 18 Panther Paths: Faith in an Era of Crisis The Joy of Level Design Contents About this Press Fr. Bill Foley, ‘70 James Paci, ‘22 Released November 20, 2020 07 19 Ode From a Foster Mother The Many Layers of Hip Hop & Pop Lucious Crawford, ‘24 Giovanni Bonilla, ‘22 08 22 Why IQ Tests Fail to Measure The Loneliness Epidemic Intelligence Frederico Simmons, ‘24 Noah Mekonnen, ‘21 22 10 Nuclear Propulsion in Space This edition of the Priory Press has been brought to you by: Learning Arabic in Morocco, but Hugo Filmer, ‘22 Over Zoom Anand Beh, ‘21 24 EDITORS-IN-CHIEF: EDITORS: German Invasion of Hungary Jay Sella, ‘21 Hugo Filmer, ‘22 11 Aiden Wetterhan, ‘24 Ryan Simpson, ‘21 Giovanni Bonilla, ‘22 Division of U.S. Media Jarvis Chen, ‘21 27 Grade A Chicken WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO: 12 Percy Tonha, ‘22 The Columbus Debacle Mr. Michael McCarthy Mrs. Mary Kelly (Faculty Advisory) (Photography) Stephen DeCarlo, ‘21 28 My Quarantine Reminiscence 13 Charles von Goins, III, ‘22 I’m the Invisible Planet That Lives in Our Solar System 28 This edition has been reviewed and approved by our Priory Press team and faculty advisory. Joseph Lang, ‘21 Camus and the Coronavirus: We assume responsibility for the contents included in this Priory Press, and we hope you Parallels Beyond Time enjoy the work of your Abbey brothers. Each article represents the views of its respective 14, 18, 26 In Pictures Oscar Lloyd, ‘21 author and may not accurately reflect the views of the Priory Press team or advisory. role schools can play in helping a student become being stressed out. We can’t control how we his best self. (And if you are asking yourself, “Well feel, but we can control how we respond to Chatting with Our Headmaster then, doesn’t that completely contradict what you those feelings. My “go to” during particularly mentioned earlier about ‘institutional overreach’?” stressful times is the Serenity Prayer. If you In July, Dr. Power took over as St. Anselm’s How have you acclimated to your new you are asking the right question!) aren’t familiar with it, hit your Google machine. Abbey School’s Eleventh Headmaster. In our environment during these unusual months? 4. Finally, talk with others. People are here to previous Priory Press edition, he authored a I am not sure I have acclimated! It’s been a Many students participate in sports and other help you succeed. Yes, we want St. Anselm’s to welcome to the community. bit strange being here in a school with no extracurriculars for a break from their academics challenge you and push you to grow, but we are students. and an avenue by which to pursue other passions. all on the same team. If at any point you feel like , Headmaster Now that he has had some time to acquaint The PVAC announced a shortened and delayed, with the school community and hybrid classes your stress is too much, please reach out to an yet full, season for the New Year. Is there anything have begun (simultaneously in-person and On October 16th, the administration’s decision adult — your teacher, your form advisors, Ms. you can share with regard to sports practices remote), he graciously accepted my interview to begin hybrid learning was announced. Was Marnell, Mr. Leathers/Morse, etc. commencing on campus, now that we are in hybrid request. We discussed his career, his return there any significance to this timing? mode? to D.C., his thinking behind recent decisions, There was no magic to our timing; we knew Are there any fond memories from your days as a We are examining and considering how to Dr. Jim Power Dr. and his hopes for the future at St. Anselm’s. we could not wait until there was a vaccine, student you would be willing to share? and we also knew we wouldn’t open until we incorporate sports drills and conditioning after I won’t bore you with any sad stories, but I will say felt we had enough people who were willing to school in the hybrid mode. There has been a lot of WITH If you have not had a chance to chat with him that I was a terrible athlete in a number of sports. come to school each day for in-person classes. discussion among our coaches and ADs locally and yet, make sure to say hello next time you see In hindsight, I realize that this was good for me. I We also wanted to make sure we were doing across the country. I suspect that we’ll make an , 21 him on campus! learned how to lose! everything we could to prevent transmission. announcement in the next two weeks. For what it’s The rates of infection had stabilized for a worth DC, MD and VA have not yet started school while when we made the decision. sports. Do you have any thoughts, outlooks, or hopes for the remainder of 2020 and the year beyond? Jay Sella Jay “There is a difference between feeling stressed In a couple of instances, I have seen you talk Mental health is incredibly important, especially in I, of course, want everyone to be safe, but I also and being stressed out. about “institutional overreach.” How would you times like these. What advice would you give to a REALLY look forward to the time when all of the We can’t control how classify this and how important do you think it student feeling stressed by their academic workload students and teachers can return to campus. we feel, but we can is to separate these powers as a leader and role or otherwise? control how we respond model? I think there are 4 points to this: If there was one piece of advice you could give to a to those feelings.“ I believe in epistemological humility. St. student reading this, what would it be? — Dr. Jim Power 1. Feeling stressed is ok! You are at a rigorous Anselm’s is an absolutely terrific school, but we I worried a LOT when I was in high school. I school and taking classes online and in person. are just a school; we’re neither a therapeutic was conscious of the fact that my parents were You have a lot going on. If you are feeling institution nor a seminary. The school can play sacrificing to send me to school, and I didn’t want stressed… that is completely normal. A handful a key role in the development of our students, to disappoint them. I think most boys at schools What brought you to the Abbey? of other boys in your class are likely feeling but it’s “a” role rather than “the” role. Parents like St. Anselm’s worry too much. Sometimes I was looking for a school, preferably a the same way. Simply because you are feeling and family members play “the” role, and we conscientious kids fall into the trap of obsessing Catholic boys school, that had a clear mission stressed doesn’t mean that you don’t fit or can’t need to remind ourselves of that essential with grades; focusing too much on marks is a bit and strong sense of purpose. I knew Fr. Peter succeed here at St. Anselm’s. from years ago, and because I had worked truth every once in a while. That said, we do like checking the stock market every hour. It’s at another Benedictine School (Portsmouth want to play the role we have as well as we can 2. Try and “spin” stress as a good thing. Your counterproductive. A better approach is to think of Abbey) earlier in my career, I was thrilled with and with as much gusto as we can muster! stress response is telling you that you care the school year as being a bit like playing baseball. the opportunity to come to St. Anselm’s. deeply about something. Whether that is It’s a lengthy 9 or 10 month season. Some days I understand the majority of your career giving a speech in front of your class, or asking you’ll go 4 for 4. Other days you’ll go 0 for 4. You has been within the educational system. Is someone for a favor, stress signals to us that don’t want to get too up after good days or too When you toured St. Anselm’s and were we care. Our goal in life is not to avoid stress. down after bad ones. You want to think long term/ on campus for interviews, was there any there any one thing that “gets you up in the morning”? We want to learn how to use it to help us reach big picture. Give it your best shot every day. Bring interaction or thought that stood out to you? our goals. your best energy and attitude each day and focus I did my dissertation on character I remember meeting with a bunch of affable, on learning rather than on evaluation. But I know development, so while St. Anselm’s places curious, unpretentious, and thoroughly 3. If you can, try and create some distance that’s difficult, especially in a rigorous school. It’s great and appropriate emphasis on a life of between yourself and your thoughts. There 2 engaging boys. I remember thinking, “Who one of those things that’s easy to say, hard to do. • wouldn’t want to work with kids like this?” the mind, I am particularly interested in the is a difference between feeling stressed and President’s Perch Panther Paths:

These past few months have posed not because of COVID. Last year’s drive was a Faith in an Era of Crisis

only academic but also mental challenges great success, but we need to smash that Perhaps I should ask the question: “When has I recently introduced the current eighth grade , ‘70 to many of us; the relatively new learning benchmark this time around. Donations faith not been in crisis?” First, however, I think class to the ancient practice of Eucharistic environment combined with the social can either be made physically by depositing it is important to define the words “faith” and Adoration. In the catechesis prior to the isolation has made for quite a year so far. cans and other non-perishable goods in “crisis.” By “faith,” I mean a relationship that is exercise, I shared with them some of this story. That being said, the Abbey Boy toughness the Upper Building or by donating money a deeply personal encounter which demands Reactions afterwards to the time of adoration

is present now more than ever, and we online for the IHC to purchase and donate trust and creates a bond that lasts a lifetime. ranged from calling it “weird” to saying that it Bill Foley Fr. are soldiering through it all — good job said items on your behalf. People need us When individuals share a similar bond, one was very “peaceful.” Had it not been for that

, ‘21 — IHC President can speak of a “community of faith.” “Crisis” “discovery” in my youth, would I have heard everyone! By the time you are reading now more than ever, so let’s make sure no can mean both danger and opportunity. Crises the call so clearly years later to “follow me?” this, we have begun hybrid learning, and one goes hungry this Thanksgiving. As of often require decisions that can be either life- though I am no clairvoyant, I can imagine writing this, the incentives for donating giving or destructive. The other crises that challenged my faith are the excitement of seeing your friends have not been decided yet, but I am sure marked by significant years and transitions,

Luca Smith together again, in person, after so long. Let we decided something quite desirable, The first significant crisis in my life occurred especially this amazing year of multiple crises. us not forget our individual responsibility so make sure you get those donations in. during my first two years as a student at St. to keep those around us safe, so please We also are in the planning stages of a Anselm’s Abbey School. I am the eldest of In April of 1968, my hometown, Washington, abide by the rules in place to help keep Christmas toy drive, so let’s keep the same seven children. Thus, I was always the first D.C., literally exploded. I had heard of Martin each other healthy. enthusiasm for that as well. to do “new” things. I left the warmth of the Luther King, Jr. and of his efforts to lead close-knit family and my parochial school to desegregation efforts in the south; but all that We have had a variety of successful begin First Form at St. Anselm’s in September had seemed distant from my everyday reality events so far, ranging from service at the of 1964. I was painfully shy; and during those until that April. His assassination and the riots early adolescent years, I became the victim that followed here in Washington made it Franciscan Monastery to movie nights for of bullying. I was too proud to tell my parents very clear that racial separation and prejudice both the Middle & Upper School — thank and reluctant of any repercussions if I told the were rampant in our midst. Sadly, racism you so much to everyone who participated faculty. I really did need a friend. I discovered is still rampant in subtle and not so subtle or helped organize; you guys are what him on my way home from school one day. As ways. I will never forget a drive through burnt keep the gears turning. Recently we had I passed by my parish Church after getting off neighborhoods in the weeks after the curfew our annual Halloween Costume Contest, the DC Transit Bus, I recalled my elementary had been lifted by the National Guard. Tragedy and despite some technical difficulties, we school teachers who suggested making visits hit again in June with the assassination of managed to see some awesome costumes. to the “Blessed Sacrament.” That is the name of Robert Kennedy. Congratulations to Matthew (Form A) my home parish – the parish where, ironically, and Elijah (Form I) for coming in first and I am now the pastor. I went inside in the late While we were on vacation in New Hampshire second place respectively; hopefully you afternoon. It was dimly lit. No one else but that summer, I learned of a Papal document that was causing great controversy. It was enjoyed your Chipotle! We are always the elderly sacristan was in the Church; but I felt keenly aware of another called “Humanae Vitae.” The looking for suggestions on new events, “presence.” The flickering changes occurring in the so please feel free to let us know! Either candle near the tabernacle Church were a constant topic email me or another member of the IHC told me of the presence of of discussion at our Sunday and we will give it due consideration. We The first semester is almost over, so do the “Blessed Sacrament.” In dinners. I would listen with are already workshopping some plans for not slow down! Seniors, get these last few the quiet of that “presence,” keen interest to my elders the future, so stay tuned through emails college applications submitted. Everyone I felt completely at ease and their friends discuss the and social media to get the first scoop. else, do as well as you can right now — and able to open my heart latest article in the “New senior you will be thankful. to my “friend.” I truly Yorker” magazine under the This time of year has always been experienced him listening title “Xavier Rhyne.” These extremely important with the canned food Good vibes, to me, comforting me, articles chronicled the daily 4 5 drive, but this year it is especially vital Luca • and strengthening me. discussions of the bishops at the Second Vatican Council. Our family loved the History fueled my fascination with the Church’s Readings” and “Morning Prayer.” I also ponder needed to hear. Three weeks later I was accepted Church and its traditions but was excited about the liturgy that was changing, yet, at the same time, the readings for daily Mass during these special as a seminarian for the Archdiocese of Washington. fact that the liturgy was changing and the Church continuing the ancient tradition of making present hours. The days get busy; but I also welcome the seemed to be adapting to a rapidly changing world. the saving action of Jesus Christ – the friend I had opportunity to pause in the middle of the day for In my forty-one years of priestly ministry, I The summer encyclical was viewed by many at met in the silence of the Church. “Daytime Prayer” and in the evening before dinner have been challenged in all eight of my parish our parish as a backward step. Numerous priests for “Evening Prayer.” The “nunc dimittis” of “Night assignments by forces from within and from protested this seeming reversal of a progressive While I was a student at St. Anselm’s, I did not Prayer” sends me off to a “restful night” and, when without. Expectations form parishioners and trend and were silenced. Many would argue completely appreciate how I was being influenced it happens, a “peaceful death.” self-doubt have often mingled with moments of today that this letter of Paul VI (now a canonized by the “Rule of St. Benedict.” Two aspects of that clarity and courage. I liken my spiritual journey to a saint) was prophetic in as much as it challenged “rule” stand out as particularly special in helping to I continue to marvel at how the Lord works through treasured memory of a hike along the Appalachian prevailing attitudes towards sexuality. As all form my values and shape my lifestyle. St. Benedict unexpected sources! Our college guidance during Trail. We began in clouds and mists and emerged these transformations were occurring in society, reminded monks to welcome guests as they would my senior year was almost non-existent; but the above the clouds to a spectacular sight of mountain a change was occurring here at St. Anselm’s. welcome Christ. Hospitality was always a virtue advice of an elderly monk given to the headmaster peaks emerging above the clouds. Once the sun When we returned in September of 1968 for a emphasized by our parents. Thus, when I asked for made a profound impact on the direction of my life. grew stronger, the clouds burned off. Spiritual new school year, the traditional, strict English permission to have a “party” for my class one year, Father Anselm said that if I was at all interested in insight and joy cannot be contained and are only Benedictine style of discipline we had known my parents readily said “yes.” Little did I realize the priesthood I might want to look into a small glimpses of the joy to come. under the leadership of Father Hugh Monmonier, that our house would become a beacon for all high Benedictine college in Minnesota called “Saint O.S.B. was replaced by a more liberal and loose school students in the area who were looking for John’s University.” What a wonderful discovery! Now that we are immersed in the shut-down style under the leadership of a new headmaster, a good time. Hospitality has its limits, too! The I loved the Minnesota winters, the fellowship caused by the coronavirus, Mary has become more our former geometry teacher, Father Dunstan other aspect of St. Benedict’s “rule” that continues with very friendly young people who were mostly and more of a companion as I take daily walks in the Hayden, O.S.B. To say the least, it was a very to attract me is the experience of the “Divine from the Midwest, the welcoming community neighborhood. Recently, I read several quotes from confusing time! How did I remain focused during Office,” or, as it is now called “The Liturgy of the atmosphere provided by the monks, and the saints that help me focus on the sacredness of each that year? Two realities were paramount: faith Hours.” I treasure my time early in the morning challenging philosophy curriculum that became moment. Worry about the future and nostalgia and family. My studies of Scripture and Church with the psalms and readings from the “Office of my “major” study. I found it very difficult to leave regarding the past only cause more anxiety, the warm embrace of that experience when it was depression, and unhealthy behavior. Appreciation time to leave upon graduation in 1974! of this moment leads to more profound gratitude to the God who is always with us! Mary’s words to After a few months of discernment and study the servants amid the crisis at Cana continue to “Worry about the future at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, I asked a console and guide me: “Do whatever my Son tells and nostalgia regarding parish priest if he thought God might be calling me you!” • the past only cause more to priesthood. His response “Why not?” was all I anxiety, depression, and unhealthy behavior.” — Fr. Bill Foley, ‘70 Ode From a Foster Mother One month growing up to do things I can dream of He’s growing so fast. Five months, , ‘24 Kid is so cute, his eyes glow bright, his hair is He nearly said a word. Maybe it’s just me growing, his laugh is so awesome, his face is fabricating something but I can only dream always joyous. Six months, Two months His teeth are growing in! I think he might be Basically the same, but with so much more growing too fast emotion. What a kid, such life, such love. Eight months, Three months He started to walk on his own. He fell, but its Lucious Crawford Look at the lil’ dude dancing around, such a progress. real dawg. I know he’ll do great things. Nine Months. Four months The government came to pick him up. They Stood up for the first time, the lil’ kid. He’s come and go, but it’s all for the best. • 7 their score, they would be getting more intelligent. receive high scores does not mean all intelligent The assumption that intelligence is defined and people have a high “IQ.” Also, do not be surprised Why IQ Tests Fail to Measure mainly innate is made by IQ testing, so one cannot when people who have developmental delays get claim this as evidence or support as it is based on low IQ scores. They are “delayed,” so they happen the assumption that IQ tests are accurate, which is to learn at a slower pace; some of them happen to

, ‘21 Intelligence what is being debated. There is no pick and choose; be in memory and pattern recognition. you must accept the implications if you accept the IQ tests do not measure intelligence. Intelligence is incredibly complicated and idea that your intelligence can be reduced to a So, if IQ tests are wildly inaccurate, why do so Intelligence is defined as the ability to acquire many IQ “believers” do not acknowledge this. number and presented on the front of something many people believe it to the point where certain and apply knowledge and skills. I object that Neuron conducted a study of over 100,000 called an IQ test. institutions review applicants’ scores? IQ test tests can accurately measure one’s aptitude. participants each completing twelve cognitive services need to make money, incentivizing them I object that an IQ test is fair in any way. I tests covering memory, reasoning, attention, to convince people that IQ tests are worthwhile, in object that intelligence can only deviate by and planning abilities. Dr. Adrian Owen, the

Noah Mekonnen turn making the consumers (IQ believers) believe 15 points on some arbitrary collection of study’s senior investigator, says that “[w] “In life, reasoning is not a series of straightforward multiple-choice that the test is accurate and worth their money. numbers called the IQ scale. I object that one’s hen [they] looked at the data, the bottom The target consumers are people with low self- individual IQ score being higher than another line is the whole concept of IQ -- or of you questions with defined answers.” esteem who are unsure of their intelligence due to means that person is objectively smarter. having a higher IQ than me -- is a myth.” She a lack of accomplishment. In general, these people I object that there are some races who are continues,“[w]e have shown categorically that use IQ tests to boost their ego or support their objectively less intelligent than others. I object you cannot sum up the difference between Another problem with IQ tests is with the agenda. that intelligence is mainly genetic or that it is people in terms of one number, and that is individual questions themselves. In life, reasoning genetic at all. I object that all one’s capabilities really what is important here.” is not a series of straightforward multiple-choice and potential can be reduced to one number. I questions with defined answers. The definition object that the existence of IQ tests do more “IQ scores are used for implementing of intelligence is the ability to acquire and apply an elitist hierarchy of people who good than harm. knowledge and skills. If this is so, why are creativity and insight not measured? These clearly affect our think they are smart.” IQ tests claim to measure intelligence by “intelligence.” Since the test cannot measure them, first defining the parts of intelligence as fluid it does not. However, for a test to claim that it is reasoning, knowledge, quantitative reasoning, measuring your intelligence, it cannot be lacking In the end, the question is, why do we even care visual-spatial processing, and working such key features. about measuring intelligence? Although people memory. Each section’s score is added argue that they are for seeking to identify people together to return a number representing the If IQ is an inaccurate representation, why do people with developmental delays, it is clear that an respondent’s general intelligence. Assuming with extremely low scores happen to have mental unsatisfying IQ can crush dreams. IQ scores are Credit: MGH-UCLA Human Connectome Project intelligence can be quantified, in what way disabilities or developmental delays while other not used mainly for weeding out those who have can someone properly weigh these “parts of Aside from this, there are many factors that notorious geniuses happen to have extremely developmental delays, but rather for implementing intelligence”? How can one take a score based can make an individual score invalid even if we high IQs? This is correlation and not causation. an elitist hierarchy of people who think they are on a question or collection of questions and assume that IQ tests are properly assessing Just because these renowned geniuses happen to smart. • just add it to intelligence as if answering one intelligence. These include motivation, more question correctly means they are more environmental factors, and life choices. intelligent? People seem to think that because Studies show that IQ scores can increase by as IQ tests measure “all” parts of intelligence your much as 20 points with only a $10 incentive. score is an accurate representation of what On average, minorities and people of the “We have shown categorically you can do. The problem arises when a number lower class receive lower IQ scores. Assuming is assigned to the “part” of intelligence. Why is IQ tests are valid and binding, what are the that you cannot sum up the there any reason to believe that someone has implications? This would mean that certain difference between people in a better memory or processing speed based races, disadvantaged groups, and people like terms of one number, and that is on answering a few more multiple-choice Richard Feynman, one of the 20th century’s questions correctly? The answer: there is not greatest physicists who only had an IQ of 125, really what is important here.” any reason to believe that intelligence can are inferior in intellect to those who have a — Dr. Adrian Owen be improved by marking paper differently higher IQ. This means that if someone were 8 because intelligence cannot be simplified. to constantly practice for the test to improve 9 10 Anand Beh, ‘21 closed hadtofigureout thesentence. words explicitly, andthe studentwitheyes a sentencewithoutmentioning any ofthe her eyes. The other students would describe where eachstudenttookaturntoclosehisor many words.Anothertime,weplayed agame as possible,withoutmispronouncingtoo was acompetitiontorecitepassageasfast started topickupthepace.Oneday there had agoodideawheretheclasswas,we Modern Standard Arabic. Once the teacher theMoroccan of days, teacher began refreshingourknowledge of couple first the For well worththetime. proved to be nonetheless very interesting and saddened. However, thevirtualexperience When classes went online, I was somewhat features classesinMoroccoandJordan. participate inNSLI-Y’s Arabic program, which the language.Iwasoneofthoseselectedto learning the traditions and culture as well as and immersethemselves inthelocalarea, would travel toanothercountryforsixweeks different countries.Inanormalyear, students overseas exchange opportunities inseveral NSLI-Y isalanguage program offering into MiddleEasternculture. journey, stillprovided spectacularinsights which, althoughnotasexciting as aphysical NSLI-Y offeredanonlinecoursethissummer, canceled becauseofthepandemic.However, was it learn to first, at disappointed, all were Language Initiative forYouth (NSLI-Y). We exchange program called National Security students expected aspartofaninternational Amman –thesewereallthingsIandother learning howtonavigate thestreetsof A trip but Over Zoom Learning Arabic inMorocco, toJordan,experiencing anewculture, dishes cameoutdelicious. difficult was to prepare,butthehardworkpaidoff. Both It tagine. and salad eggplant – class wemadetraditional Moroccanfood we hadtochangeclasses.OneweekinDarija a challenge to switch between them when in vocabulary and style, soitwassometimes countries. ModernStandardandDarijadiffer in Moroccoandsomeofitsneighboring is thenameofinformaldialectspoken On Fridays, wehadDarijaclasses,which person program willdefinitelybeworth it. my experience withtheonlineversion, thein- for six weeks may be daunting, but based on to beworthit. Staying inaforeign country of anoddname,buttheexperience isbound the oneafterthat,considerNSLI-Y. Ithasabit If you arelookingaheadtonext summeror English andMoroccan. tell eachotherthefunny-sounding words in culture, politics, you name it. It was fun to about all sorts of topics: studies, daily life, partners fromMorocco,inArabic andEnglish, After class,wespenthourstalkingwithour sort oflike apen-palsystem,butover Zoom. in MoroccowhowerelearningEnglish.Itwas Best of all, we were paired up with students • Facebook. Afterwegrowtiredofthoseads, political advertisements onYouTube and Especially before elections, we can find radical to invest money intodigitaladvertisement. media, causingpoliticiansandpoliticalparties average of6hoursperday consumingdigital Reports Digital According to political funding. readers? No,thepreferencesarecausedby from theindividualinterestoftheircore Nevertheless, arethosepreferencescoming based ontheirpartyorcandidatepreferences. criticized bothpoliticiansandgeneral citizens in thisdrama ofdivision,andradically Trump. Themediahasbeen themaincharacter into twomaincategories:anti-Trump andpro- Election in2016,thecountryhasbeendivided Particularly sinceDonaldTrump’s Presidential the divisionwithinU.S. media. a mereinformationalresource.Thisdeepens weapon ofpoliticalpropagandarather than the world),mediahasmorphedintoa often supports Republicans until the end of anti-Trump) orwatching reading changed inrecentdecades.Whetheryou are having asipofcoffee.However, thisrolehas to provide breaking newsdailywhenweare Wethink often Division of U.S. Media Courtesy: Tech for Campaigns The New York Times York New The Tech for Campaigns, 2018 Political , U.S. adultsnowspendan thatthemedia’s functionis o News Fox (whichismostly (which The above data and visualizations are courtesy of a July 2019 Knight fail toacceptanelection’s results. foreign intervention, many Americanvoters of the media,advertisements atevery turn,and influence the with Nowadays, candidate. of elections,even withthelossoftheirfavored had agenerousmindofrespectingtheresults the past,perhaps60sor80s,Americans the divisionofavoter’s politicalinterest.In have increasedvoter hatredandstrengthened their online correlates. These radical articles such asTrump andBideninnewspapers politicians of criticism radical find still can we Foundation report conducted by NORC at the University of Chicago. 1,660 nationally-representative adults (ages 18-34) were surveyed. Editor’s Note in advance of Election Day 2020 : This article was written •

11 Jarvis Chen, ‘21 of one person purely because it is no longer politically convenient to you, you set a dangerous The Columbus Debacle precedent for the celebration of others. What’s I’m the Invisible to say that this would not happen to any other I think it is safe to say that Christopher that the American government cared about group as well? While I do fully support the change Planet That Lives in

, ‘21 Columbus was not a righteous dude. While he its people. One hundred and thirty years of the holiday’s namesake, it is important to keep did partake in several risky and inspirational later, our government and schools have made in mind the reason the holiday is celebrated in the entrepreneurial quests to the Americas, several attempts similar to Columbus Day. first place. It celebrates the history of a people in Our Solar System he also violated several codes of ethics President Trump has stated that he wants to this country who overcame great odds and stood by Joseph Lang, ‘21 and committed heinous acts I do not feel make Juneteenth, a celebration of the end of strong against racism and xenophobia. For this comfortable sharing here (and should I feel institutionalized slavery in America, a national reason, it is also important to stand by and create The scientists know I’m out here. At least the best comfortable, my editor certainly would not). holiday. It is incredibly important to celebrate holidays celebrating other people who overcame of them do. They can feel me in their pale scientist However, Columbus was not always seen the progress and people that make America, great odds, like African-Americans and Indigenous bones. Stephen DeCarlo as a possible war criminal. Even when I was America. people. We cannot erase our rough history, but in elementary school at a fairly progressive instead, we should embrace the people who came I’m waiting for them to find me, but it’s not going public school, I was taught of the heroics of Additionally, schools like ours have been before us and stood by our country despite feeling to be easy. Columbus. At the end of the day, the fact that making a push to change Columbus Day to as if their country had abandoned them. anyone made the trans-Atlantic journey then, Indigenous Peoples’ Day. I applaud the bravery For starters, I will happily admit that I am invisible. That means telescopes are little more than idly and in my opinion even today, is amazing. On required to do so, but ultimately many of these Overall, we need to be incredibly cautious with pointing baby fingers to me, cute, but largely the other side of the coin, no other man who institutions miss the point behind Columbus changing history. When Columbus Day was confused and inconsequential. has committed atrocities similar to Columbus, Day. The fact that our school would change declared a national holiday, politicians did not see like Joseph Stalin, is glorified and celebrated. the name without opinion or consideration any way it could become problematic down the line. And to you below-average scientists out there “Stalin Day” is not a national holiday nor should by parents or the school community has set Just because we have a wider world view now does currently raising your baby hands to interrupt: it be for several reasons, the most important a dangerous precedent. This is not because I not mean that we need to undo the progress of the “Uh, excuse me, planets can’t be invisible. Planets being that his leadership killed twenty million fundamentally disagree with the celebration past to push a more progressive issue. Because are made of things, and things are visible,” hi, I’m people. Additionally, Stalin never actually set of Indigenous people or because I believe we we are Americans, we need to acknowledge the the invisible planet. I think I know more about foot in the continental United States. Similarly, should celebrate Columbus. This transition evils of our past and celebrate those who stood invisible planets than you. Columbus never set foot in the continental without consideration of communities is a by America through them. With this argument, United States. This begs the question, why did well-intentioned, but ultimately misguided it would make sense to change Columbus Day to Ever heard of a gas giant? You have? Great. Well we ever even celebrate Columbus Day? attempt at virtue signaling. Erasing a Indigenous Peoples’ Day, but the holiday was made tell me this: how often is gas visible? See where I’m celebration of one person for another is not to celebrate Italians and the hardships they faced. going with this? I’m made of gas, but I’m not all full In early October this year, as is our new what America stands for. While it makes Erasing Columbus Day erases the progress we as of space dirt like Jupiter and all his friends. They’re family tradition, I went on a walk with my perfect sense to change the name from a country have made in terms of discrimination. kind of gross, if I’m being honest. Not that I don’t dad and noticed an anti-Columbus Day sign Columbus, to change the meaning of the Instead, we need additional marks of our progress, like them, I just couldn’t live like that. in my neighbor’s yard. My father, a proud holiday ignores the struggle of Americans. like a new federal holiday, to celebrate Native grandson of Italian immigrants, sighed when If institutions want to make a statement and Americans. Additionally, because Columbus I don’t have one of their silly ‘rocky cores’ either. he saw it. I asked him what was wrong with the stand by marginalized people, they should add himself is problematic, we need to find another Don’t need one. I am gas held together by gas. cultural shift against Columbus and he told me a new holiday instead. Italian hero to celebrate Italian culture, or perhaps something I had never considered. Columbus just rename October 12th “Italian Heritage Day.” Write that on a poster and sell it amirite? Day was instituted not as a celebration of While we should celebrate Indigenous the man himself, but a celebration of the people through a federal holiday, we should Conversation about our history is incredibly So, we’ve cleared up the whole ‘invisible’ concept. Italian culture and its impact on America. not erase the importance of Italian heritage important and affects all Americans. These I’m essentially just a bit of a neat freak. Columbus Day was first brought to the and deny the suffering that they faced in the decisions should not be made behind closed doors political battleground in 1892 following nineteenth century. While it can be argued or by a vocal minority, but rather the whole of a But there’s another snag for those sweet, the lynching of eleven Italian immigrants. that the marginalization of the Italian people community. While it is important to always strive unsuspecting scientists, and this one’s a little It was a way for politicians to compensate was nothing compared to the marginalization for progress, we can never forget our past and the harder to swallow. the Italian-American community. Italians of other peoples, it is incredibly important problems that plagued us. Without mistakes in our had been celebrating Columbus Day before to justify and stand by all people who have past, progress has no meaning. • I don’t have an orbit. as a celebration of their heritage, but the been hurt by the evils all nations and peoples 12 declaration of it as a national holiday confirmed struggle with. If you remove a celebration [Continued on reverse] 13 I roll around the cosmos like a big liberated pinball. at the edge, about as far as I can get from the sun. I can go wherever I like, talk to whomever. The scientists only discovered her back in 2003. Chess During the Pandemic Well actually, I can’t leave the solar system. We have nice conversations. Whenever I get too, too far away from the sun, I While sports have struggled through the Learning to play chess is not as difficult

start to feel cold, and I can feel myself shrinking. I wish that she could see me sometimes, which I pandemic, chess has experienced a popularity as its reputation may indicate; the three , ‘21 Plus, it’s harder to see all little specks of space dirt know is crazy. That’s not who I am, I’m the invisible boom. There are few places to play chess in prerequisites for improving are time, the out where the light is dimmer. planet. person, but the pandemic has unfortunately ability to find similarly skilled partners, and a shuttered most of these. Chess is uniquely way to learn new strategies. Time has become Otherwise I would have lit out for the Sombrero It’s just that she doesn’t know where to look when positioned between the worlds of physical and less scarce for many, and it only takes seconds Galaxy a few billion years ago. we talk. video games; people prefer to play in person for these websites to pair two opponents. but it is still well suited for online play. There is an enormous catalogue of YouTube

Even if I could leave though, I wouldn’t go away When our conversations get quiet, I find myself videos and books on the Internet so people Ashton Jadotte forever. Eventually I’d come back just so I could see looking at Saturn. When prevented from playing sports or other of all skill levels can easily find instruction on the look on those scientist’s faces when they figure physical games, people turned to digital ones. how to improve. Even before the pandemic, it me out. You know his ring isn’t one big ring, right? It’s a However, these tend to differ greatly from was easier to learn how to play chess this way, bunch of small rings made up of a billion tiny pieces their original forms. FIFA and Madden are and now more people have the opportunity to Still, I wish I could travel, if only so that I’d have of broken moon junk he never got rid of. nothing like soccer and football, so interest try it out. more to tell them when they’re finally able to visit. in the sports does not always transfer online. What a hoarder. Unlike these, chess is not a physical sport that Chess is known for its slow, long matches I can go wherever I want in the solar system relies on athleticism or dexterity, so little is where people move slowly and infrequently; though, which is a blast. I dream about eating his rings sometimes, just lost or added when the game is made digital. traditionally, this is often the case. But, chess sucking up those broken moons right into me. Sure it is convenient to play with a board and is not always this way; now many people Mercury gets so jealous when I roll between him How’s that for a ‘rocky core’? pieces, but neither is a necessary component. prefer to play shortened five to ten-minute and the sun, but what’s he gonna do? He’s stuck in In fact, anyone with a good enough memory matches, which completely changes the game. an orbit. I bet you didn’t even know that Neptune has rings can win a match without even looking at In these “blitz” games, play is focused on speed too. No one would miss them, except maybe the their board; some particularly proficient and intuition rather than long periods of deep Pluto’s alright, but he’s a bit mopey. Oh, you don’t scientists. players compete in games blindfolded as a planning. This format has allowed for those know who you are anymore? That’s terrible. But demonstration of skill. All that is truly needed without the time or patience to complete a hey, at least you have a name. But then they’d only find me because they’re to play chess is the ability to communicate regular game and enjoy chess. It is easy to take looking for the missing rings. moves between opponents. Comparatively, out your phone and finish a game or two on a I think I’d want to be named Atlas, because I go using a computer screen instead of a sheet bus ride or between Zoom calls. I’m touching your atmosphere now, scientists on all over the map. But I’d be happy with anything, of plastic seems insignificant. There is no Earth. Point your baby fingers at the invisible haze it doesn’t even have to be a god or a titan. I’m not practical difference between moving a piece This is not to say that in-person chess holds in the sky. • that much like the other planets anyway. with a hand or a mouse so anyone who enjoys no advantages; there are reasons why people chess can enjoy it online. prefer to play in parks or clubs. The game is Sedna is my favorite, planet I mean. Well I don’t more enjoyable when I can see my opponent know if she’s technically a planet. She’s all the way So, while most chess clubs do not meet in and satisfyingly hold the pieces I have person and there are few people playing in the captured. After fun games, I like to talk to my park, more people are playing the game than opponents about sequences I am proud of ever. There is no barrier to start playing on a or any mistakes I made, and it just is not the In Photos: computer. It only takes a few minutes to set same alone. Our Abbey Chess Club was rarely 2020 Annual Costume Contest up an account on Lichess.org or Chess.com silent; there were always people talking about A Formers were present and gain instant unlimited access to playing their games, life, or school as they played. I on campus as the IHC games with people across the world. Here at miss the social part of chess and playing over hosted live. Faculty and students also the Abbey, our chess club recently finished its the board, but for now, online chess is a great participated from home. annual all-school tournament online. While substitute and I encourage you to play a few Congratulations to the organization of the matches changed, the rounds. • Matthew Dunn (1st place) gameplay remained the same and we can still nd 14 & Elijah Puro (2 )! play games with each other after school. 15 thus far, now being in the best financial situation a deal that allows AMC to carry the movies for of any of the major brands. Tellingly, 92% of those just 17 days before their release on-demand. This The End of Movie Theaters? attending Cinemark watch parties say it is their situation is anything but ideal for the big chains first time back to theaters since the pandemic and illustrates a trend that is moving away from On September 3, 2020, Warner Bros. made a is the last chance for his theaters to reopen began. traditional cinematic releases. That being said, it is

, ‘22 gamble. Tenet, the Christopher Nolan feature this year, the future of the company will be not all doom and gloom for movie theaters. budgeted at a massive $200 million dollars, very much up in the air. AMC finds itself in a more perilous situation. debuted in the United States. Trailers for the Riddled with debt, watch parties have not made movie proudly, if not arrogantly, boasted “only up sufficient financial ground. It is expected that in theaters,” and the release date remained by the end of 2020 or the beginning of 2021, cash Movies that do well in theaters tend to J. P. Tampe P. J. unchanged after being delayed from its reserves will run out, an impending bankruptcy also do better when they go on-demand. original July slot. The stubborn hope held by filing all but certain. Their long-standing issues, the studio was that the blockbuster would many of which began long before the arrival of revitalize a floundering business, serving COVID-19, will soon catch up with them. 2019 was the best year yet in box office returns, as a light at the end of the tunnel caused by with over 9 films making more than $1 billion. COVID-19. What’s more, movies that do well in theaters tend to also do better when they go on-demand, as The gamble failed to pay off. As of October Moshe Greidinger noted in his recent Wall Street 31, the film has made a measly $50 million in Journal interview. This is why when Disney released the crucial North American market, and an Courtesy: ABC News Mulan over Disney+, they charged an additional underwhelming $345 million globally, barely Regal and other large chains such as AMC and fee of $30—which ended up flopping. Studios breaking even from its ludicrous budget. Cinemark have been bleeding money since want to maximize returns, so it would not be in The movie was expected to bring in at least the pandemic began. Furloughing workers, their best interest to let the theater industry die. $700 million before the coronavirus hit. Tenet implementing health protocols, and shutting Courtesy: NPR A world without theaters would be detrimental to proved that people, understandably, down several locations permanently their total revenue, so although one or more of the are not keen on going to theaters in failed to resolve problems for any of Ever since the widespread adoption of televisions, large chains may go under, the studios will likely the midst of a global pandemic. This the companies, since none of them there has been a decline in theater attendance. put stake in remaining theater companies, or end has created massive problems for own the buildings which host their In the 1930s, 90% of people visited the cinema at up launching their own. cinemas across the nation and around theaters. The cost of rent is sinking least once a week. By last year that number had the world, bringing into question their finances, with no clear way of been reduced to 10%. While unsurprising, this is a Going to the movie theater is a social experience how and if they will make it out of the making up ground. If nothing changes contributing factor to the significant rise in ticket that cannot be replicated by watching from home. pandemic. soon, it is probable that one or and food prices, which has, in turn, brought people Whether it is going out with a friend or on a date, more of these chains will away from theaters that have failed to adapt to the cinema provides an opportunity to leave the Early in October, prompted by the shut its doors forever. changing circumstances. Why pay the large fee house, an opportunity that has been sorely lacking further postponement of the James of attending a movie theater when you can just this past year, as evidenced in the resurgence of Bond film,No Time to Die, Cineworld Desperate to stay wait for the movie to come out in the comfort drive-in theaters. There is a void, there will be (parent company of Regal Moshe Greidinger. Courtesy: Cineworld afloat, theaters have of your home? This is an existential question something to fill it; even if all the major movie Cinemas) CEO Moshe Greidinger announced attempted to introduce new ways of making that these companies have had to confront, and theater companies go bankrupt, cinemas will that all of their theaters would remain shut money in a time with no theatrical releases. an issue that has only been exacerbated by the undoubtedly continue to see the light of day, down indefinitely after opening them failed Starting in the summer, many began opening meteoric rise of streaming. More and more movies though that day may look very different from the to produce any meaningful returns. “What’s a their doors by playing classic releases, hoping released through services like Netflix are being one that came before. • grocery store do without groceries?” he said in to drive up attendance from those who missed seen as legitimate works of film comparable to any a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, the movie theater experience. This failed to released in theaters, frequently contending for referring to the detrimental effects from the generate any revenue. Since then, AMC and Oscar nominations. Studios are taking note. “At the end of the day, you go to the lack of new movies. He also complained about Cinemark have begun to provide “private movies; you want to see something the restrictions in heavily populated states watch parties” where those interested can This past April, Universal Pictures announced such as California and New York, which he rent out an entire theater, where they can they would release films on-demand concurrently new. The Bond I want to see is the claimed were killing his company. If Wonder either watch a classic or a new release like with their theatrical release. AMC retaliated by Bond I haven’t seen yet.” Woman 1984 gets pushed back from its Tenet. For Cinemark, the venture has worked announcing they would forgo premiering Universal — Moshe Greidinger, CEO, Cineworld 16 current December slot, which Greidinger says well, having sold over 22,000 watch parties films completely; only recently did they strike up The Joy of Level Design The Many Layers of Hip Hop & Pop

Every year, hundreds if not thousands of After the level has been tested, it’s time for Hip hop is currently one of the biggest genres instruments. The lyrical content tends to focus

, ‘22 people slave away for thousands of hours polishing. Details are added, placeholders are in the music industry as it has dethroned rock on drug use and violence, but what people , ‘22 creating video games. Many of them slave replaced, and the whole level gets spruced up. and disco. It has not been around for that long, particularly like about this subgenre is that away coding, many animating, and many doing This is a long process, but it can be the most as it was developed in the Bronx borough it delivers catchy flows and infectious beats. countless other things in the development rewarding, watching what had been a few of New York City by inner-city African An example of a beloved trap album would process. However, there are some involved scribbles on a piece of paper to become a nice- Americans and Latino Americans in the be Astroworld by Travis Scott, one of the most

James Paci with the task of designing levels. Every looking, playable level. 1970s. In this short amount of time, the genre popular artists out there currently. This album game, be it a platformer or an RPG, needs a seems to have grown not only in popularity is so beloved for its stellar production and level designer to make the play areas, save If you’re interested in making levels for your but also in subgenres. These can vary, from psychedelic ambiance that makes the listener procedurally generated games like Minecraft. favorite games, many have good support the controversial style of spoken word hip feel as if they are “floating on a cloud.” With Bonilla Giovanni Level designers are the unfortunate souls for player-made maps. Counter-Strike and hop vocalist Hobo Johnson’s The Fall of Hobo artists like Travis Scott, the focus of the music with the monumental task of designing and Garry’s Mod both have excellent support for Johnson, to the contorted, experimental, is not necessarily on the lyrics, but rather the building these levels. custom maps. In fact, they were originally and unpredictable flows Young Thug brings feeling (vibe) of the song. community-made mods for other games. I on So Much Fun. Three examples of hip hop Level design consists of four steps: designing, encourage you to find out if your favorite subgenres that will be analyzed here are trap, building, testing, and polishing. First, the level game supports custom levels and to go make industrial hip hop, and conscious rap (political designer draws out how they want the level one—it’s an unforgettable experience. • hip hop). As for pop, it originated in the mid- laid out. This is just a rough, first draft of the 1950s in both the United States and United level, and anything can be cut in later versions. Kingdom. The term “pop” came to fruition in The designer has to consider the game’s the 1960s, and the genre aims to please the various mechanics and objectives to make a general audience through following a specific good layout for the level, or else they would be In Photos: formula: good rhythm, catchy melody, and easy left with a horrible mess that lacks enjoyment. Classes Held on Campus to remember. It is because of this formula that the genre has been able to prosper for years. Once the rough design is done, the level Pop has also seen many transformations, from designer begins to build the map in whatever the druggy dream pop mixed with alternative software the game uses. If they’re lucky, the R&B and disco featured on The Weeknd’s After game uses shiny, new, and intuitive map- Hours, to the chilling combination of pop, glam building software. If they’re unlucky, the rock, and avant-garde jazz on David Bowie’s game uses Hammer, a tool that was used 20 Blackstar. Three examples of pop subgenres years ago for the original Counter-Strike and that shall be featured are art pop, electropop, has not received a major update since 2003. and baroque pop. Either way, the designer now makes the layout “So Much Fun,” “After Hours,” “Blackstar,” and “Astroworld” using placeholder assets with as little detail as The type of hip hop that Another sub genre would be industrial hip possible. Once this basic draft is done, it needs tends to get the most hop, which is essentially the combination of to be tested for any flaws in the map’s design. streams, as well as have the hip hop and industrial music. It originated most popularity amongst in the mid-1980s, and it draws from some If it’s a multiplayer game, this ensures that young audiences, harsh, transgressive, provocative sounds and neither team has a huge advantage over the is trap (this word themes, as well as avant-garde electronics other. If it’s a singleplayer game, this makes refers to a place experiments and punk provocation. This sure that the player doesn’t get lost or stuck where drugs are sub genre has evolved, as it has become too often. It’s also needed to make sure that “The Fall of Hobo Johnson” sold illegally). This influenced by styles like ambient, synth the level won’t use up too much computing is a subgenre of hip hop which tends to use music, and funk. It is subgenres like these power. Because the map isn’t detailed yet, it’s synthesized drums and some complicated that aim to go against what makes pop, pop. easier to adjust things in the level. hi-hat patterns, tuned kick drums with a long An example of an industrial hip hop band 18 decay, atmospheric synths, and very few that supports this is Death Grips. The band 19 features frontman MC Ride delivering and lets listeners draw their own conclusions. He A final important sub genre of pop music would aggressive, unintelligible flows and also continues his search for acceptance, as he feels be baroque pop, which originated in the mid bleak or cryptic lyrics accompanied by alienated for having a different sexual orientation. 1960s in both the United States and the United chaotic production. There is not much This album shows how artists like Hadreas can use Kingdom. Baroque pop came to light when artists of a lyrical focus in industrial hip hop, art pop to tell stories and pose music as not only a were in search of a majestic, orchestral sound, and this is shown from groups like means of entertainment, but a work of art too. and it identifies as being related to Baroque Death Grips that cover topics like sex, compositional styles, whether drugs, paranoia, insanity, addiction, and Electropop is at its core it be contrapuntal melodies and occultism. The genre aims to please electronic and pop music functional harmony patterns, people with something that does not blended together. It originated and dramatic or melancholic sound nice to the ears but is rather in the early 1980s in the United gestures. The popularity of the abrasive and extreme. Industrial hip States, United Kingdom, West sub genre began to fade in the hop is like death metal’s second cousin. Germany, and Japan. Usually, 1970s as punk rock, disco, and it is described as a variant of hard rock took over. However, Pop is another titan in the music industry. It can Political hip hop, or conscious rap, is another hip synth-pop with heavy emphasis it also inspired genres like be broken down into many sub genres, an example hop subgenre. This developed in the 1980s, and on its electronic sound. Most Philadelphia Soul in the 1970s of this being art pop. Art pop originated in both while it does not have any distinct production or of the instruments used in this and chamber pop in the 1990s the United States and United Kingdom in the mid instrumentals, its main focus is the message. It was genre include synthesizers and to gain traction. Some constant 1960s, and was influenced by pop art’s integration made as a way to turn hip hop into a call for political electronic drums, along with instruments used include the of high and low culture, which emphasizes the and/or social action and a form of social activism. It other experimental styles. This harpsichord, string sections, manipulation of signs, style, and gesture over has been able to help create a new form of social sub genre can be characterized oboes, and French horns. It aims personal expression. While there is not much of a expression for minority groups to speak out about by a distinctive low-frequency “Plastic Beach” (above) and “NFR” (below) to bring back the classical music specific instrumental pattern art pop artists follow, their exclusions, injustices, and lack of power. For synthesizer sound described composed in Europe between it is the message of the music that distinguishes the political hip hop ideology, there are multiple as crisp, fuzzy, and distorted. the 1600s and 1750s, but in a it from other sub genres. It gains influence from perspectives that range from Marxism to the It has also seen a resurgence modern way to appeal to the postmodern approaches and forms of art such as values of the Five Percent Nation. An important of popularity in the 2000s current audience. An example cinema, fine art, fashion, and avant-garde literature. example of a conscious rapper is Kendrick Lamar because of the mainstream of a baroque pop artist that was Art pop artists tend to explore ideas such as pop’s on his most critically-acclaimed album to date, To style integrating with the sound able to repopularize baroque status as commercial art, notions of artifice and Pimp A Butterfly. Here, Lamar explores a variety of to create new genres such as pop by combining it with styles self, and questions of historical authenticity. This topics including racism and discrimination in both electro house. Electropop can like folk rock, psychedelic pop, style also draws on the aesthetic of the everyday the music industry and our world at large today. be slightly compared to trap, and soft rock is Lana Del Rey and the disposable, in distinction to the Romantic Also, like political hip hop, TPAB derives influence as they both focus on the vibe on her album NFR. On this and autonomous tradition embodied by both art from other genres like jazz, funk, and neo-soul, of the song rather than the album, Del Rey explores the rock and progressive rock. It refers to any pop style and it aims to give empowerment to the African- lyrical content. Gorillaz helped meaning behind the American which deliberately aspires to the formal values American community. Political hip hop has given a popularize the electro pop dream and love in the form of of classical music and poetry. Art pop artists tend voice to the youth and allowed them to create art sound with albums like Plastic psych-rock jams and piano- to blend the pop style with things like post-punk, that reflects their lives, the neighborhoods around Beach. On this, the group uses based ballads. It also tells tales vaporwave, experimental, and synth-pop. The them, and the wider social circumstances in which genres like world, hip hop, and a little ambient of complicated, consuming romantic love, and sub genre has allowed the development of styles they found to complement the electropop style in order to overt odes to the tarnished dream of California, such as glam rock, as well as the development of themselves. It create an out of this world experience. One of the and it has inspiration from 1970s classic rock. This post-punk during the 1970s. An example of an art is through sub things this album is praised for is being able to album shows how baroque pop, even after being pop artist being able to mesh art pop with many genres like these bring together seemingly mismatched elements drowned out by other genres of music, can make a different genres would be Perfume Genius (Mike that hip hop is from different cultures, genres, and generations, comeback in the modern world. able to prosper Hadreas) on his fifth studio album Set My Heart and give a kaleidoscopic musical ambition that and have a big On Fire Immediately. On here, Mike blends art can bring its featured artists out of their comfort Pop and hip hop both have large effects in the role in the music pop with many different genres including R&B, zone. No one ever thought that the world would modern world of music, and with many sub genres industry. funk, psychedelic, chamber pop, disco, ambient, see Snoop Dogg on an electronic pop song, nor like these, they will continue to grow and develop, and many more. In the lyrics, he delves into his did they think the styles would complement each as well as remain titans in the music past and searches for meaning, while gripping on other. industry. • 20 Left: “To Pimp a psychological torment, as he presents situations 21 Butterfly” of propellant and an engine that thrusts with as efficient as conventional liquid engines a force of 9.81 newtons. The specific impulse while maintaining thrust levels high enough The Loneliness Epidemic of that engine will be equal to the amount of for relatively quick trips to deep-space time it can fire at that thrust level with the destinations like the moon, Mars, and even the Have you ever wondered why the most itself will not make you happier. You will given fuel. For example, an engine that burns asteroid belt and outer planets. Furthermore,

, ‘24 connected society in history has now start to spend more. We as humans tend one kilogram of propellant for 350 seconds at NTRs have been tested; the US had several become the loneliest? Why do we feel to buy things that we do not need. We buy a thrust of 9.81 newtons would have a specific programs, primarily active during the ‘50s depressed when we have all the tools we things that make us look or feel better. impulse of 350 seconds. and ‘60s, culminating in the NERVA program, need? Why has anxiety increased over the However, most of what we buy has not which aimed to produce a flight-ready NTR. years? What are we getting out of video adversely affected us before the purchase. Having higher efficiency is good because it Altogether, the test engines achieved hours games? reduces the mass of fuel necessary to reach a of total firing time, proving the feasibility and Now, how do we solve these problems? given destination. Unfortunately, conventional reliability of the concept. However, most work Some of our depression comes from our All we have to do is step aside from our liquid engines can only get up to specific on NTRs in the US stopped during the ‘70s as Frederico Simmons Frederico genes while most of it comes from the devices every day. Our bodies are made impulses in the 400-500 range, meaning that the Shuttle program was prioritized. way we go about our everyday life. There to move around. Try going outside and a large amount of fuel, and correspondingly was a study done that included half of the moving around as much as possible during very large rockets, are needed for any large- NTRs, however, are not without drawbacks. American population. They were asked the day. It might be harder to do this during scale missions in deep space. However, there The liquid hydrogen fuel they need is not how many close friends they could turn to online learning but do it as much as you is a solution to the problem, and it’s a very very dense, so extremely large tanks have to in a crisis. The most common answer was can. If we just live in the moment without ‘50s solution indeed: nuclear power. There are be sent into orbit to contain it. The hydrogen zero. They then asked them how many any distractions and connect with others obvious drawbacks to powering a spacecraft also “boils off” quickly, as it is only liquid below people know them well; the most common in person, we will have less depression and with nuclear energy: any onboard astronauts -252.9 degrees Celsius. Keeping the cryogenic answer was no one. Our ancestors would get more satisfaction today, tomorrow, could be exposed to large amounts of radiation, fuel at this extremely low temperature for the stick together as a team. If you were kicked and beyond. It will be hard to change your and if a launch vehicle carrying a nuclear stage duration of a mission that might last years is a out of a tribe, you would be more prone to daily habits unless you substitute them fails, nuclear debris could be scattered over a difficult engineering challenge. Also, compared depression and anxiety because you were with something else. Instead of sitting large area. Shielding technology, launch vehicle to a conventional chemical rocket, an NTR in great danger. Nevertheless, we have during lunch break, try going outside or reliability, and casings for nuclear material might seem efficient, but even the best NTRs these same instincts now. associating with friends or family. • continue to improve, though. still can only get up to around 1,000 seconds of specific impulse. There is another option, There was a woman who composed a There are several ways to use nuclear power to though, that improves upon this efficiency group of people who were struggling with provide propulsion for a deep-space mission. significantly. depression and anxiety. They worked Nuclear Propul- together to turn a colorless street into a Nuclear Thermal Propulsion garden. It worked better than drugs and sion in Space In a nuclear thermal rocket (NTR), the heat antidepressants because being part of a by Hugo Filmer, ‘22 generated by a nuclear reactor is applied group and working together is what we directly to a working as humans desperately need. They are In the exploration of space, efficiency fluid, usually liquid getting a “hollow” version of reality. They is key. Specifically, here I refer to the hydrogen. As have a tribe, a status, have a feeling that efficiency of the rocket engines used to the hydrogen is they are good at something, and can move propel spacecraft to a destination. When heated to extreme around, which sadly, many of us do not referring to rocket engines, efficiency is temperatures, it currently do much of. measured in specific impulse. There are exits the nozzle at a variety of ways to think about specific An artist’s impression of a nuclear tug in Low Earth orbit. We have a burning desire to be seen. A very high speeds, impulse. One of the simplest is the effective In concept, a nuclear electric rocket is even desire for status and money are a leading which causes the exhaust velocity (the average velocity of a simpler than a nuclear thermal system. As factor of depression. All humans have engine to be very molecule leaving the rocket engine) divided opposed to an NTR which combines psychological needs. From researching efficient. NTRs can by the acceleration due to gravity, 9.81 m/ the engine and reactor, an NER keeps 22 2 be more than twice 23 this topic, I have learned that money by s . Another way is to imagine one kilogram A NERVA test the two separate. Essentially, rather than wound. He puts his hands on the demolisher’s cross over to your side of the river but you still using solar panels to power an electric engine, shoulder and applies pressure to it. see it. You think of the king who currently sits a nuclear reactor provides the required German Invasion on his throne, who, although he is in the palace, electricity. There are several advantages to The policemen move a little closer and aim cannot see the shadows or the people and this setup over an NTR. First, the possible of Hungary their rifles at the demolishers again. Their boats which reside in them. To the right of the engine efficiency is much higher; electric by Aiden Wetterhan, ‘24 metallic rifles shine with the shimmer of death. king lies his son nonchalantly. He has not a care engines can reach specific impulses of more Nothing you have ever seen can be compared in the world and yet he sees the shadows, the than 10,000 seconds. The main downside Part 1 to this. Each policeman’s rifle now points at the people, and the boats. He sees everything. He of electrical engines is their extremely low Imagine. Imagine looking outside and head of the demolisher holding his companion’s sees the police, he sees the blood, and he sees thrust, but the power a nuclear system can seeing a demolished statue at the street wound. The demolisher looks up and, God the death with its pungent smell. He somehow provide is unmatched by solar. With this corner with the perpetrators just standing forbid, that was his last look as the sound of sits on his throne while his state is no more. It large increase in available energy, engine there amongst the rubble. That statue gunfire begins. Earlier, you could hear the wails was said that Nero fiddled while Rome burned, thrust can be improved significantly with is the one of the mean-looking men you and screams of the demolishers through the but at least he fiddled. The prince looks death several advanced types of electrical engines. really hate. The demolishers just stand window but now all you hear is gunfire. And and all its gore right in the eye and says nothing Magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters, for there. They don’t flee the area; they want you think to yourself that it will never end, and does nothing. example, can generate large thrusts of 25 the police to come. You pray that they until one policeman comes forward to inspect newtons or more, much higher than other come to their senses and run, but they the bodies of the two fallen wreckers. The So then, the people think that the prince is forms of electric propulsion. The large amount don’t; the police soon arrive. rest were scared away after three rounds of dead and his father is fearstruck. When they of electricity they need can be provided by a gunfire. The policeman examined the corpses, see the shadow of the palace they do not think nuclear reactor. Another option is VASIMR, The demolishers carry a dark appearance threw in a couple of shots to the chest and then of the royalty but rather of the police. The an electrical engine being developed by Ad and even darker rifles at their sides. called on his men. police and the Nazis own the palace and the Astra, a private rocket propulsion company. To You notice that the rifles are not made shadow. They own the darkness and the death. reach their full potential, these engines require anywhere near home but rather from You know they will be back soon. They will They own the prince and the king. The police nuclear power. Another advantage of an NER a colder place far to the north. The inspect, rather, scourge houses for hiding and the Nazis own Hungary. is that many of the potential fuel choices can demolishers stay there. They look at the demolishers. They will slam open doors and be kept at normal temperatures, unlike NTRs police, and the police don’t look back except point their guns at the first person they see. Knowing this, you look out to the water for which operate on super-cryogenic liquid through the lens of their rifles. The rifle is They will push children and mothers outside comfort. In its reflection you see that the sun hydrogen. • now aimed at one of the demolishers, but and interrogate the men from the houses. God is almost completely gone. Then a small metal they don’t move. They just look the police forbid, they do not use their tongues wisely. boat takes the place of the reflection and in their eyes. It was one said by a wise God forbid. steers into the docks. It unloads its cargo with some of the finest porcelain you have ever seen Spartan, “Let us continue to fight even Part 2 while the enemies arrows darken the sky. which the police then proceed to carry up into Imagine. Imagine that across the Danube you For I prefer to fight in the shade.” a small storage unit above the western wing of see a mighty palace. It consists of citadels and the docks. VASIMR engine during One of the policemen fires their rifle, Gothic walls. The base walls are a light grey a full-power test several loud booms all at once. The only and the tops a dark and eerie green. Above You see the captain of the boat. He looks at you thing you’ve ever heard like this was the the green there are small crucifixes which cast strangely and then with sorrow. He proceeds popping of popcorn on your stove. But surprisingly large shadows upon the Danube, so to tell the police where the porcelain is to be this… this is much worse. Yet you see no that any incoming boat or ship will be eclipsed sent before returning to his ship. A crowd of one injured. The policemen fire again, this in the darkness of the palace before docking in people push onto the boat; meanwhile, the time the sound continues for much longer Budapest. So that each man who walks along police count the porcelain in the storage unit. and one of the demolishers has been shot the stone paths surrounding the palace is first A wave of people push you onto the ship. in his chest… no, his side. He clutches his reminded of the palace’s significance before There is no one that you recognize. No family, shoulder, but the wound continues to arriving at the smaller towns. no friends, no one. bleed. One of the other demolishers runs An artist’s impression of an And so you look up to the palace from the other You look for anyone on the ship that NEP spacecraft near Mars to his fallen companion and inspects the 25 side of the river. The palace’s shadow doesn’t you recognize, but the captain is the only familiar face you can find, although it is a foreign one. Before you can search any more, the ship begins to leave the docks. The In Photos: Grade A Chicken policemen open the doors of the storage Community Service at the by Percy Tonha, ‘22 unit and flash their lights onto the ship. They Franciscan Monastery proceed to aim their rifles at the ship. Once the wise Solomon did judge, “someone who loves another would rather them be separated then killed.”

The police aim their machine guns at the boats and proceed to shoot. They hit a few people on the edges of the ship. Their blood makes a thin layer on the boat floor. Men grab remaining boxes of porcelain and use them to shield themselves. You look out and see the police ready to fire again. To their right you see your brother. He was supposed to join you tonight but the rest of your family must have stopped him. You want to jump out of the boat and swim to your family; you want to shout to him from over the ledge of the boat and tell him to take care of Ma and Pa. You want to at least exchange a glance at him, so that you have something to tell your grandchildren someday.

Immediately the man behind you holds a porcelain box in front of your face as another round of bullets approaches the ship. None hit you nor the box, but you’re sure the man to the right of you is dead. You can’t see it or hear it, but your right shoe is soaked. You want to run to the man and hope he is not dead but the porcelain box is still to your face and the man behind you has his arms on either side. Eventually the bullets stop, the ship must be too far away to shoot at, and darkness has fallen upon Hungary. Your beloved palace has no shadow or figure in this darkness.

Let blood and bullets be the remembrance of your country. Let the promise of a new country be your fuel. Let your blood covered body be a remembrance of the day your country was no longer yours but rather the land of the 26 boatman: America. • 27 The most surface-level parallels are those to if you tried to hold a conversation over the of governmental reaction. In the book, the summer. People feel regret at the past—all My Quarantine Reminiscence Prefect runs the town and asks for the opinion the things they should have done—and act of Dr. Rieux on whether he thought the plague subservient to the weather under the vast Since March, we have all been in quarantine winning the NBA Championship, to even was serious after a few cases were reported. indifference of the sky where a few clouds , ‘22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic that has famous historical figures passing away Dr. Rieux, as did most of the global scientific can ruin your entire day. Misinformation is plagued us, our families, and our friends such as Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, community in the first few months of 2020, rampant; one bar declares that “[t]he best in detrimental ways. It can be very boring and Ted Kennedy. When we reminisce, we bluntly states that if we assume that half the protection against infection is a bottle of good yet also very time-consuming. While in truly indulge ourselves in a time when we population will not be wiped out and do not wine,” a platitude you could have found being quarantine, I was scavenging through had the most ecstatic or dismal moments act, then it surely will. Despite this, the Prefect spread on many social media sites this summer. old songs from the 2000s and even the in our lives. Whether it may be in the arts, refuses to implement any serious action and early 2010s. Songs like Fireflies from games, politics, you name it. We all should dawdles, more concerned with economic Inevitably, these wear down the spirit and Owl City and even Midnight City from cherish each moment in our lives because, consequences and his own reputation than the consume us. A distressed character fires M83 surfaced. These old pieces made me oddly enough, it goes by so quickly, and randomly into the street, killing some; while Charles von Goins, III Charles von welfare of the people. Sound familiar? Most reminisce about the times when we didn’t eventually we will reminisce about the Western countries such as the US and UK did in our world, a woman tried to shoot up a have to worry about the pandemic. That’s time when we were all in quarantine, cozy nothing until months after the outbreak, and McDonald’s because its eat-in area was the beauty of memory; we are able to look or bored, ready to start the new chapters the US only restricted certain air travel after it closed. Fr. Panleux, a priest, delivers a sermon back at the good and bad times, but it all in our lives. • already had cases. prescribing the plague to the wrath of God and reminds us that this is our story, our life. reprimanding sinners while not a few Christian As such, the story follows the trend we have newspapers wrote articles attributing the I don’t want to sound too philosophical Camus and the Coronavirus: seen over the past seven months. Only when pandemic to the same thing. The same priest or technical, but it is very interesting and, deaths are at thirty a day, doctors have run goes on to die after refusing medical assistance, might I add, important, to reminiscence out of coffins (as Brazil did), and grave-diggers a story all too familiar as many notable religious as well. Other songs such as Walking on Parallels Beyond are resorting to mass graves (as the US did), figures have died of COVID-19 despite denying a Dream by Empire of the Sun make me by Oscar Lloyd, ‘21 the town shuts down entirely. For the first few its very existence. Finally, violence arises to remember the times when I was briefly Time weeks, citizens take it as an extended holiday, protest the government’s measures while living in California (5 ½ months), and I Few human experiences are as timeless as a callback to the “two-week break” we had people are moved into isolation camps in the would look out at the sunset and the red suffering. Albert Camus encapsulated the in March. Everything seems a little unreal; town’s stadium (which happened in Canada). glimmer that shined on my face in the essence of a modern pandemic in his 1947 infection and death rates are reported, but the car. Those were the times. I wish I could novel, The Plague, and, despite the advent numbers are meaningless, social distancing is Ultimately, after almost a year of lockdown, a always know when we are in good times to of modern medicine since, Camus’ words still barely observed, and most are incredulous cure is found and the town reopens to rejoicing know that they are experiences we should are scarily prescient. The book tells the that it is anything serious. As one bystander and mourning. Just like the UK clapping every cherish, that we should create memorable now-familiar story of a lockdown in Oran, a puts it, “[i]t’s impossible it should be the plague, week for the heroic front line workers, Dr. moments in our lives. small Algerian town, as the bubonic plague everyone knows it has vanished from the Rieux tells the tale as one of casual heroism and decimates the population for almost a year. West.” Camus adds soberly that “Yes, everyone decency in the face of an invisible killer that All these things we experience or view are While this is normally read as an analogy knew that, except the dead.” defies modern science. After the pandemic is all a time machine to better or worse times for the absurd indifference of the world, gone, reading The Plague will seem like déjà vu, a for any of us. They allow us to temporarily these last eight months have provided us Eventually, the shutdown becomes reality and horror story best not re-lived. Perhaps the same enter a pathway of our lives that we may a perspective that few, not even Camus people stop guessing how long the pandemic principles can be applied to other existential have forgotten about or long missed to himself, will have ever experienced. In will last (how long did you think it would last threats. But if anything can be learned from regain again. When I look at a movie such terms of predicting how a pandemic would back in May?). Camus beautifully describes the the comparison, it is that, no matter the time as Space Jam or High School Musical that unfold and affect people’s daily lives, the alienation that takes hold: a feeling of exile in period, our mortality is ever-present, even if it I saw back in 2009, I am reminded of all of book is almost prophetic. Everything from your own town, wishing for time to speed up takes a pandemic to shock us into it. As Camus the things that consumed and illuminated the government’s reaction and families as the hours waste away, jumping at the ring so eloquently puts it, “everyone has it inside the cultural differences from those past separated by closures, to the deteriorating of a doorbell. Communication becomes terse himself, this plague, because no one in times to now, such as the popularity of mental health of the people affected, is and trite, talking only of new death rates and the world, no one, is immune.” • 28 29 the iPhone, to the Los Angeles Lakers laid out with excruciating precision. lockdown measures, something you can attest Thanksgiving 2020