CONTINUING the CONVERSATION: GENDER IDENTITY THROUGH HISTORY and HUMANITY MARY DWYER (Che ‘19)

NOVEMBER 2, 2015 VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 pioneer.cooper.edu [email protected]

CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION: GENDER IDENTITY THROUGH HISTORY AND HUMANITY MARY DWYER (ChE ‘19)

Photo by Winter Leng (ChE ‘18)

A review of “Bring Your Own taposing the historical im- exhibition in a necessar- so her voice echoed with Body: Transgender Between plications of gender iden- ily broader historical and every breath she took, every Archives and Aesthetics.” tity and the overall human performative context.” stutter she made, and every experience of gender iden- chew she took of her gum. The 41 Cooper Gallery of- tifcation, the exhibit traces On October 29, Juliana She fumbled around with fers complicating, eye the roots of the discourse Huxtable sat on a phallic some papers before her, opening perspectives on about gender and provides couch in the basement of and then began to speak. the discussion of gender an understanding of the 41 Cooper Square dressed identity in its latest exhib- gender conversation as it in all blue. The gallery was Huxtable coupled thought- it: Bring Your Own Body. exists today. flled with people: the front provoking fragments with Curated by Jeanne row with members of the pauses and echoes that gave Vaccaro, a postdoctoral To further incorporate public: artists, followers the audience time to digest fellow in gender studies at dialogue into the exhibit, and member of the trans- the complexity of what she Indiana University and a the gallery hosts various gender community, while was saying. The fragments scholar at the Kinsey Insti- events. Some of the events Cooper students fled onto were complemented by tute, and Dean Stamatina are performances that are the foor in the back cor- run-ons that took her story Gregory, Associate Dean part of the exhibition itself. ners of the room. Huxtable to a new place, a new level of the School of Art, the This includes a reading by twirled her curly hair and of understanding. Her work exhibit raises contempo- Juliana Huxtable, which waited to for her introduc- showcased exactly what rary gender conversation took place on October 29, tion: “Juliana Huxtable is the exhibition represents: on a campus that values and the DISCOTROPIC per- a poet, artist and DJ. Her a comment on contempo- what Gregory calls “the formance by niv Acosta, multimedia work explores rary society through some intersection of art making which was flmed on Octo- the fragmented, mutat- refection on society’s past. and social justice.” ber 22 and will be on view ing and mutable nature at the exhibit after edit- of identity, utilizing race, Huxtable’s reading is one The exhibit connects the ing. Other events provide gender, and queerness as of many examples of the scientifc, biological, and context to the exhibit’s ar- mediums to explore the artistic demonstrations legal aspects of gender chival work; these include possibilities of a post-iden- taking place in the 41 Coo- definitions—archives— Amos Mac’s discussion on tity politics.” Once handed per Gallery. The “Bring with the reality of gender Original Plumbing and the the microphone, Huxtable Your Own Body: Trans- experience—aesthetics. Visual AIDS event on the played with some sound gender Between Archives The links between the legacy of downtown art- equipment at her feet. and Aesthetics” exhibition archive and the aesthetic ist Chloe Dzublio. Gregory will be open every Tues- complicate and provoke comments, “All the events “Uhh, I am going to read day through Saturday from a novel understanding of activate the works on view, some stuff I’ve been work- 12pm to 7pm until Novem- gender identity and reveal bringing bodies, conversa- ing on.” She stated hum- ber 14. Contribute to the some foundation for its tions, and energy into the bly, simply—but played an important conversation by tension in society. By jux- space, and they situate the effect over the microphone stopping by. ◊ PSC HIRES CONSULTANT PRANAV JONEJA (ME ‘18)

A campus notice email on A statement by PSC higher education specialty to a broad range of not-for- Monday October 26 an- co-chairs Taylor and search frms. Ultimately, we proft clients regarding ex- nounced that the Board Hirschhorn’s shed light invited 4 frms to meet with ecutive level placements.” of Trustees’ Presidential on how Paul Chou was se- the PSC in-person. The PSC During meetings this week, Search Committee (PSC) lected: “In August, the PSC unanimously selected Korn Mr. Chou touted his reputa- has hired consultant Paul met to consider executive Ferry’s Paul Chou.” tion and “98% success rate” Chou of Korn Ferry. search frms it would invite for executive placements. to ‘pitch’ why they would be Paul Chou, Co-Managing This is the frst formal ac- best-suited to manage the Director of Korn Ferry’s Continued on page 2. tion taken by the newly search. The PSC considered Global Education Practice, formed PSC, which consists nearly twenty frms ranging “brings a proven record of 6 trustees and 3 faculty from small/boutique frms of success and extensive members. to large/full-service frms to knowledge about leadership VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015

EDITOR’S NOTE: The following op-eds are the product of several long discussions at The Pioneer on the topic of women at Cooper Union. The opinions presented are those of each writer respectively. The articles are not to be sidelined as ‘feminist rants’ or skipped over because they are long Editor-in-Chief: and you have work to do. The aim is to begin a conversation about a topic that is seldom discussed in detail. Please send your response to [email protected] to be included in the next issue. -PJ Pranav Joneja (ME ‘18) WOMEN IN ART CELESTE SOUSA (ART ‘18)

veryone has been in a crit where a girl is prevents people from experiencing her art for subject/material they want and not have their Associate Editor: Eshowing her work, when suddenly someone anything other than preconceived notions of work be read through their gender. It’s not un- latches onto something feminine they see in the gender that are projected onto her work. realistic to want both of these. Ruchi Patel (ChE ‘18) piece—usually something they view as “soft” or The other side to this issue: women artists who “vulnerable”. From there, the conversation gets actually do want their identity as a woman to be There is no clear solution to this issue besides derailed into discussing the piece in terms of present in their work feel pressured not to ex- asking the entire student body to become more the stereotypes of femininity, with any and all plore those avenues. Many female art students conscious of the way gender is brought up in synonyms for “motherly” and “subdued” thrown fear even trying to touch femininity in their discussion. Be aware of the gendered language in. If you’re in a sculpture class, someone’s work because they are daunted by the mental you use! If another student explicitly states that Operations Manager: going to bring up Eva Hesse because that’s the only exhaustion of sitting through a crit laced with her work has nothing to do with her gender, female artist students feel they know well sexist discussion. They are avoiding making listen to her. Just because a woman attaches Anushree Sreedhar (ChE ‘18) enough to shoehorn a comparison in with your artwork about themselves as women because her body to her work does not make the piece work. God help you if you’re a woman artist of the negative views of feminism and feminist inherently feminist. If a student does do work working with fabric. Even if you’re adamant that art. Feminism is an extremely polarizing subject about being a woman, you don’t have to relate your work is not about femininity or your gen- and while in actuality it is complex it is often to it in order to empathize and digest what she’s der, I’ve seen other students insist that the asso- oversimplifed for easier digestion. Feminist saying. Question masculinity more in terms of ciation was too strong to ignore. In other words, work is often read in crits as didactic because ev- art made by men, level the playing feld, and Director of Layout: we as woman artists do not have the agency to eryone thinks they know what feminism is and realize that sometimes men’s art is also affected separate our work from the patriarchal lens it’s what being a woman is like. This leads to self- by their privileged status in society. Kelsey Mitchell (Art ‘18) seen through. censorship within female artists in fear of being branded a feminist artist and being saddled with The issues women face in the art school are One of the issues is that art made by men is all the weight and history that comes with it. We compounded with the experiences of those with considered politically and socially neutral by become hyper self-conscious about our identity differing gender and sexual identities. Anyone default. Beyond the art world too, the white in relation in our art, and it begins to strain our who is any combination of things other than the man is seen as an accurate, unbiased represen- relationships with other students, our teachers default white male knows it’s diffcult enough Director of Photography: tative for mankind. Because a woman is ‘other’ and our own art. It’s not fair to have the histori- to reconcile identity and art without the added than the ‘neutral’ man, her stance in society is cal weight of being a woman imposed on our art judgment of our peers. By simply thinking about Winter Leng (ChE ‘18) seen to infuence and permeate everything she when men’s art does not face the same scrutiny the prescribed stereotypes that are engrained in does. Therefore women artists are thought to through their masculinity. our thoughts and being conscious of it during bring ‘being a woman’ to their art in every single critiques, we can relieve the institutional bur- instance. It is really harmful to tell women I want women artists to be able to make art- dens of the patriarchy off of our peers. ◊ artists who don’t want their work to be seen work about their body and identity without the through their gender that their identity is fear of being pigeon-holed and I want women Director of Videography too political to make neutral art. Moreover, it artists to be able to make art featuring any Sun Kim (ChE ‘18) WOMEN IN ENGINEERING MONICA CHEN (CE ‘18)

Folding Editor: eing a woman doesn’t guarantee you any am not here to be bitter about any of the com- Each setback only adds to a growing pile of inse- Bprivileges. As a woman in engineering, I’ve ments above but am just pointing out that as curities and doubts about their sense of belong- Monica Chen (CE ‘18) heard all the stereotypes spoken about me or girls, we hear a fair share of shit about being in a ing. Eventually, they will come to believe they my female peers: “you got into Cooper Union challenging male-dominated feld. require a “stepping stool” in order to compete because you’re a girl”; “you have an easier time on an equal level with their male peers. getting help because your male peers are more But where does this leave us now? Do we deserve Photographers: willing to help you out”; “jobs are easier to at- to place ourselves on a pedestal and use these On the other hand, I can easily relate to those tain for you”; and my personal favorite: “girls diffculties we face to excuse ourselves from our who use others’ doubts or simply put, ignorance, Sage Gu (CE ‘19) simply aren’t as good at math as boys are in responsibilities and complain about the work as a source of motivation. Perhaps it’s a fear of general- nothing personal, it’s just the way ev- that every student has to suffer through and en- being underestimated or perceived as fragile Yifei Simon Shao (ME ‘18) eryone’s brains are wired.” dure? Absolutely not. and weak, but I have always aimed to dismantle these preset notions of female inferiority, and Although I do consider myself lucky to have a In my own experience, I have noticed two quali- take on any challenge in that matter. Engineer- supportive family and friends to encourage my ties that group most women: those who allow ing isn’t meant to be solely suited for males just endeavors, I’ve also experienced what some the mental blocks to overshadow their potential as fashion isn’t meant to be solely suited for may consider “unintentional” sexism from and those who turn these diffculties into a fac- females. Yes, there may be a greater number of Writers: these same family members and friends. I’ve re- tor of motivation. Of course, these separations males in engineering, but this number is not in- peatedly heard comments such as “I don’t think are not in black and white; more common than dicative of a “lack of logic” in women in general. Monica Abdallah (ChE ‘17) engineering is a feld that’s right for someone not, it’s usually a combination of these two Sure, the fear of failing and proving right those like you” or “Men are more inclined to be bet- qualities. Don’t get me wrong, though—I re- who say women can’t excel in engineering is al- Monica Chen (CE ’18) ter at logical subjects like science and math spect and admire everyone at Cooper. ways imminent, but it is also what pushes me and women are better at decision-making and past the limits that these comments have previ- Mary Dwyer (ChE ‘19) common sense. It’s a natural and fundamental However, I will be the frst to admit that it’s ously imposed on me. I don’t want a “stepping difference between men and women.” I con- often a struggle to ignore these belittling com- stool,” nor do I feel that I deserve special treat- Daniel Galperin (ChE ‘18) sider these “unintentional” simply because the ments. I have observed that women with a pro- ment or any advantages over my peers. I want to speaker is unaware of the sexist nature of their clivity for giving in to their mental blocks will feel empowered not because I am a minority but Robert Godkin (ChE ‘18) comment; however, these “innocent” opinions defnitely try to compete on-par with their male because I am respected for my persistent hard refect more than simply being uninformed—it peers at frst; however, when a diffculty or fail- work and effort. Throw away the stepping stool Matthew Grattan (ChE ‘19) shows that on some subtle level, all women in ure presents itself, these women appear more and treat me like an engineer, not a woman in engineering are still doubted and do not receive pessimistic than the rest, blaming their failures engineering. ◊ Andy Jeong (EE ‘18) the respect they absolutely deserve. Trust me, I on the unjust nature of a male-dominated feld.

Kelsey Mitchell (Art ‘18) PSC HIRES CONSULTANT (...CONTINUED) Anthony Passalacqua (ME ’18) When asked how he plans resentatives of the “broad ear. It is yet to be seen ex- or her ideas to the search Brandon Quinere (CE ‘19) to learn about the needs “the fee struc- constituency.” Andy Over- actly how effectively the process. To that end, Jessi- and values of the Cooper ton, art student council meetings with students and ca revealed that anyone can Hossam Saleh (ChE ‘18) community, Mr. Chou re- ture for Mr. representative, was among faculty will feed into to the email cooper-president@ sponded, “We have started the students invited to presidential search process. kornferry.com to be heard. Brenda So (EE ’18) to and will continue to meet Chou’s services meet Mr. Chou. with a broad constituency The Pioneer has also learned This article has been Krishna Thiyagarajan (EE ‘18) of people. These meetings is $90,000 plus Based on his frst impres- that the fee structure for abridged for print. For the will allow us to tailor the sion, Andy felt that the Mr. Chou’s services is a full story, including more Kavya Udupa (BSE ‘19) needs of the school to our one-third of the search consultant was al- $90,000 base fee plus a one- detailed analysis, read The search.” The Pioneer has ready somewhat acquainted time payment equivalent Pioneer online at http:// Olivia Van Kuiken (Art ‘19) learned that these included future presi- with the culture of Cooper to one-third of the future pioneer.cooper.edu. ◊ meetings with the Faculty- Union, though it was clear president’s annual salary. Arnold Wey (EE ‘18) Student Senate, as well as a dent’s salary” that he was not yet aware selected group of students of what it means to be a According to Jessica Mar- including some (but not all) Indeed, the consultant is student here. Until now, shall, student Trustee, the of the student council rep- backing up his word with various Trustees and ad- PSC is making an honest resentatives. action, making a strong ef- ministrators were the only effort to ensure that every- fort to meet a variety of rep- people who had Mr. Chou’s one is able to contribute his VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015 LECTURE ON THE HUMBLE SUBWAY MAP NEW DORMS OPEN FORUM MATTHEW GRATTAN (ChE ‘19) RUCHI PATEL (ChE ‘18) On Sunday, October 18, the kitchen area or in the year. In fact, when Robbins Director of Housing David bathroom, which has more asked if the agreement with Robbins hosted an open fo- than enough space for Marymount should be con- rum for Cooper Union stu- shelves that do not get in tinued for the 2016-2017 dents residing at 200 East the way of basic bathroom academic year, residents 6th Street to discuss the use. Many complained gave almost unanimous 2015-2016 agreement with about the fridge space, support, as long as future Marymount regarding Coo- since the suites came with residents are shown the per Union’s occupancy of mini-fridges. Some com- building prior to signing four foors of the building: plained about fridge even the lease. This was not foors 7-10. Robbins sought after having a mini-fridge possible this year due to to receive feedback from and a three-fourths fridge ongoing construction of the residents regarding installed in their room as the building up until move- their living experiences and Marymount’s response in day. to hear concerns that could to fridge complaints. be realistically addressed Floor 7 residents were e Robbins did mention that by the building manage- specially troubled by the the old dorm could not ment in the near future. terrace area, which not accommodate the in- only takes up living space terest in housing from Many expressed dissat- that is otherwise available the freshman class this isfaction with the space, on other foors, but is also year, and that is unlikely claiming that they were not a nuisance when Mary- to change next year. By getting enough for their mount hosts events that leasing out foors of money. Double rooms at are loud and interfere with the building, Robbins is the new dorms range from busy and always-studying pressured to fll the foors 120 to 140 sq. ft., while Cooper students. A with students, but he would those at 29 Third Avenue suggestion made was to rather have the foors as are more consistent and avoid leasing Floor 7 in an option for frst-year average 156 sq. ft. Kitchen- future dealings with Mary- students than to deny ettes are squeezed into cor- mount Manhattan. housing to those who are ridors, while bathrooms are not yet ready for off-cam- luxuriously large for city But the new building did pus housing or are unable standards. When it comes not receive only criticism. to apartment-hunt prior to to costs, old dorm residents Catherine Wolfe (CE ‘17), the academic year. pay $11,560 per year for a from Washington state, double room and $12,600 expressed her preference Whether the Marymount for a single room, whereas for the Marymount dorms Manhattan building should new dorm residents pay as a convenient option for be offered as an option $15,500 for a double and no students not originally to Cooper students next option for a single room. from the tri-state area. For year is still in discussion her, fnding an apartment and will depend largely on Some suggested that build- during the summer was a student input. ◊ ing management install hassle, and not worth the shelves on the walls to effort. The dorms are, in offer more communal contrast, ready for move- storage, especially near in at the start of the school Photo by Yifei Simon Shao (ME ‘19)

The Subway Map: The Last and received a reward of offers an alternative to the 50 Years, the Next 50 was $4,000 (about $30,000 to- paper map and perhaps held in the Great Hall last day). D’Adamo later pur- even Google Maps. Unlike Tuesday night. Peter Lloyd, sued a career in transporta- paper and most electronic a writer and subway map tion, and his color coding maps, KickMaps updates afcionado, hosted the event, concept is still found in to- instantaneously removing which featured three presen- day’s subway map. the need for special maps tations and a six member on nights a weekends. panel discussion. Geographic accuracy in The panel also included subway maps is sometimes three others with vari- The presentations high- sacrifced for clarity. For in- ous approaches to subway THE PUTNAM COMPETITION lighted the various stance, the island of Man- maps. Sarah M. Kaufman ROBERT GODKIN (ChE ‘18) | DANIEL GALPERIN (ChE ‘18) approaches taken to map hattan is just too narrow on from the NYU Rudin Center the one of the largest sub- a true geographic map to for Transportation spoke The Putnam Mathemati- Because questions can be exams; being able to not way systems in the world. feasibly accommodate all briefy about the transfer of cal Competition, founded confusing and challeng- freak out when a hard prob- The specifc approach to of the subway lines that run open transit data from the in 1927 by Elizabeth Lowell ing, Professor Smyth says lem is encountered will a map is quite the topic of uptown and downtown. MTA to app developers. Joe Putnam in memory of her that students should be help in scoring [highly].” contention: some cartog- In 1972, the New York sub- Brennan is the creator of husband William Lowell proud of getting “a single raphers are proponents way map took a bold step one of the frst digital maps Putnam, is considered one of point” on the exam. The Normally, close to of aesthetics and simplic- away from accuracy in ex- of the New York subway the most prestigious math- average score is a 0 or a 10-20 Cooper Union ity, while others strive for change for aesthetics and system and shared some ematics competitions in the 1, out of a total of 120 students will register to a “didactic” and accurate simplicity. Designed by the of his new designs. Neysa world. points, showing that get- take the exam, however map. Italian designer Massimo Pranger, from the frm In- ting even a single question this year Professor Smyth Vignelli, the 1972 map fea- tersection, presented her Held every December, the correct proves to be ever so noted, “there is a larger Raleigh D’Adamo, winner tured bold parallel subway company’s work on the “On competition consists of diffcult. Professor Smyth interest from younger of the MTA’s 1964 subway lines and exchanged curves the Go” map kiosks found twelve problems of vary- explains, “the graders are students, frst year stu- map contest, was the frst for 45 and 90 degree an- in some subway stations. ing diffculty, with prob- allowed to give partial dents particularly.” He also to present. D’Adamo grew gles. The Vignelli map was Oree Livni (CE ’19), a fan lems typically requiring credit out of 10 points, but mentioned that there are up close to New York’s hailed by some as a genius of maps and city planning, creative, well-structured they really only use the always a few ‘no-shows’ public transportation sys- work of art, while others thought that the event and well-defned solutions. numbers 0, 1, 9 and 10, so every year, however those tem but pursued a career disapproved of its inaccu- “represented the dichoto- Historically, the competi- it’s possible to get three that do take the exam in law. After reading about rate depiction of New York my that is Cooper Union” tion has had a special place quarters through a problem are in for an all-day the contest in the newspa- and focus on looks. because subway maps are at Cooper, with several of and only receive one point ordeal. The exam is giv- per, D’Adamo proposed his the “intersection of science our professors having taken of credit.” en in 2 parts, each part concept of denoting each John Tauranac, a graphic and art.” the exam as undergraduate lasting 3 hours with a subway line by its own col- designer who helped devel- students. In the past, only one Coo- 2- hour break in the middle, or. Previous subway maps op maps in the 70s, shared The event was a bit lengthy, per Union team has placed during which the students used limited colors to show some of his current con- lasting almost three hours. This semester, there have 3rd (1951), with Peter John are treated to lunch with the trivial information such as cepts for subway maps. His The presentations began been meetings and study Redmond (‘51) being professors. whether the track operated maps strive to be “didactic” late and ran longer than sessions to prepare for the named a Putnam fellow above or below ground. As and provide the necessary expected, which left little upcoming 2015 exam. The after placing in the top 5 Some of the highest scores D’Adamo observed in the information as effciently time for the panel discus- preparation has largely scores in that year. Some to come from Cooper in re- proposal accompanying his as possible. As Tauranac sion and audience ques- been coordinated by Pro- of the students that are cent years have been in the map, “the conclusion is in- puts is, “there are many tions. Despite the techni- fessor Smyth with the preparing for the exam say 20’s and 30’s range, which escapable that maps of New ways to skin a map.” cal diffculties, the event help of Professor Mintchev, they take the exam to be- is certainly a feat worth York’s subway system are was undoubtedly interest- along with several upper- come more confdent in admiring. On behalf of The trying to make too few col- Following Tauranac was ing and time well spent classmen who have more both their mathematics, Pioneer, we wish the stu- ors do too much work.” Eddie Jabour, designer of for those who truly enjoy recent experience with and their test-taking abili- dents taking the exam in Despite having limited the iOS app KickMaps with cartography. test questions and solving ties. Qing Xu (ME ‘18) says December the best of luck. cartography experience, his son, Dan. KickMaps is a strategies. that “confdence is really Break a leg! ◊ D’Adamo won the contest real-time subway map that important — especially in VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015 THE TRUTH BEHIND THE BSE MAJOR KAVYA UDUPA (BSE ‘19) uring the frst couple of weeks of this year, the most students who received a BSE degree to stay at Cooper and The admissions for the class of 2019 was controversial be- common questions I, along with the entire fresh- get a Master’s degree all contributed to the termination of cause a number of students were accepted to the Computer Dmen class, received were “what’s your name?” and the program. Science program, a separate attempt at creating a fagship “what’s your major?” Students and professors alike were program in a new design school spearheaded by former confused when I responded with my name followed by Like with any other major, there is a spectrum of success Dean Dahlberg—all without faculty approval. When the CS “General Engineering.” After all, General Engineering isn’t for the BSE major. Some, according to Acting Dean Richard program ultimately failed to launch, the 31 students who one of the four conventional engineering programs offered Stock, have “grabbed the ball and ran with it” whereas oth- had accepted placement in the CS program were instead at Cooper. And I am being completely honest when I say ers “barely managed to get out with a degree.” As a result, offered admission in the four existing engineering majors that, until a couple days ago, I myself was pretty confused many consider the program almost as a “dumping ground” or to the interdisciplinary BSE program that was quietly about what being the General Engineering major was. for students who didn’t ft into the traditional curriculum reinstated—once again, without faculty approval. Among or weren’t academically strong. Such students would take all the other allegations raised over the CS program, this The General Engineering program, or Bachelor of Sci- a smattering of courses and graduate, but were unable to particular bait-and-switch of admitted students was espe- ence in Engineering (BSE), was created for students who fnd a job upon graduating as they weren’t trained in one cially egregious. Moreover, it was a matter of concern for want an education in engineering but plan to specialize in specifc feld. According to Stock, the main problem with the Attorney General, as evidenced by the cross petition a non-engineering feld, like mathematics, chemistry, f- the BSE program is that students “learn about all the crazy in early September. This all contributes to the confusion nance or medicine. A lot of students confuse the BSE ma- and great stuff in engineering but don’t learn how to ac- associated with the revival of the BSE degree and there jor with the famed “undecided major.” This is incorrect. In tually do it – it’s like the documentaries on Channel 13, haven’t been any attempts to clarify it. truth, the BSE major should be thought of as a major that you come away saying ‘wow that’s really terrifc’ and you students choose because what they want to study is not talk about it but you are unable to actually do it.” When Will the program be continued in the foreseeable future? something Cooper currently offers. If a student desires to asked to explain what he thinks are the faws of the BSE As of now, nothing is certain. Since there are students cur- leave the BSE program, he or she would have to transfer program, Savizky responded, “In theory, it sounded great. rently enrolled in the BSE program, it would have to be into another department through the same process fol- You had all this fexibility to take whatever courses you sustained at least until 2019. But, there is no certainty that lowed by students from any of the four traditional engi- wanted and the ability to combine engineering with a feld the class of 2020 will even be offered the chance to apply to neering majors. of your choice. But, in practice, that’s not what really hap- the General Engineering program. And, like Professor Sav- pened.” Students would try to take courses of their choice, izky said, if the dean had the power to bring the program Each BSE student is assigned an advisor based on the but would wind up having conficts with course schedules back without faculty approval, then subsequent deans can feld the student wants to pursue. This advisor is part of a or would not meet the prerequisites. And by the time they “activate or inactivate the program as they see ft.” committee of professors, one from each of the four tradi- met the prerequisites, they could have easily gotten a de- tional engineering majors, who work to help the student gree in one of the traditional majors. I don’t know if I, myself, am a believer in the plan his or her four years at Cooper. According to the Of- program. On paper, it seems perfect—the idea that a stu- fce of Admissions, for the class of 2019, 182 students ap- So, why was the program brought back? According to Dean dent can receive an engineering education while pursuing plied to the BSE program, 30 were admitted, and 8 enrolled Stock, former engineering Dean Teresa Dahlberg brought a non-engineering feld. But, there is a reason why the BSE in the fall. But, if one were to look at the class of 2018, one up the idea of reinstating the program in a faculty meeting program is offered in such a small number of institutions would see that no BSE students were admitted. and stated that if the faculty were not in favor, it would not nationwide. To succeed as a BSE major requires having a be brought back. On the one hand, faculty members felt legitimate plan for a student’s four years at Cooper which About four or fve years ago, the full time engineering that students are better off enrolling in one of the four tra- can seem, and is, daunting to a freshman. To this day, I still faculty decided to dissolve the BSE program—making the ditional degrees because there is room for learning about receive questions about the BSE major and though there is BSE graduates of 2015 the last group of such students. Ac- felds outside of engineering in the form of electives and a much confusion associated with the program, it is safe to cording to Professor Ruben Savizky, former BSE advisor, minor. On the other hand, it was felt that if done properly, say that ultimately, the program is designed to aid those the fact that Cooper’s BSE program was not accredited by the BSE program could be of aid to students. As the staff who feel like they are unable to pursue an education in the the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology was divided over the idea of bringing it back, an offcial four traditional majors and that if sought out carefully, can (ABET) combined with the fact that it was not possible for decision was never made—until last year. be one of the greatest assets to an individual’s career. ◊ NIXON & A NEW BOOK: TOPICS OF ZETA PSI HALLOWEEN PARTY THE GREAT HALL GIOVANNI SANCHEZ (ME ‘18) | PHOTOS BY SAGE GU (CE ‘19) MATTHEW GRATTAN (ChE ‘19)

I don’t always go out on a 1972 memo from Nixon to tali mused that “it is some- Wednesday night but when national security adviser times helpful to think of I do, I go see a Pulitzer Henry Kissinger claim- the inner circle of Nixon Prize-winning journalist ing that the past 10 years aides as abused children.” chat with an expert on the of air superiority in South The event was open to the Watergate scandal. After a East Asia achieved “zilch.” public but the audience in- brief introduction by Act- The memo came a day after cluded a small contingent ing President Bill Mea, Bob Nixon publicly stated that of Cooper students and Woodward and Timothy such air power was “very, faculty. Humanities Prof. Naftali took the stage of the very effective” yet before Sayres commented that the Great Hall on October 14. massive bombing cam- event was “a good lesson Woodward—now an associ- paigns later that year. for the audience and young ate editor at the Washing- people” because it showed ton Post—covered Water- Woodward and Naftali ob- that “investigation means gate with Carl Bernstein for served that perhaps politics investigation.” the Post. Naftali directed drove the Vietnam policy the Richard Nixon Library more than military strat- One topic that Prof. Sayres and Museum and is now a egy, especially consider- thought could have been historian at nearby NYU. ing Nixon’s campaign for discussed further was Nix- reelection in 1972. In ret- on’s positive international The discussion and Q&A rospect, Watergate tainted image in comparison to his session promoted Wood- one of Nixon’s many ploys domestic one. Abroad, Nix- ward’s eighteenth book, to vie for a second term. on is perhaps better known The Last of the President’s With regards to the upcom- for being the frst US Presi- Men, which detailed the ing 2016 Presidential Elec- dent to visit the People’s story of Alex Butterfeld. tion, Woodward comment- Republic of China and Butterfeld, a close aide of ed that the “moral capacity” furthering the détente be- President Nixon, is known of each candidate must be tween the US and the USSR. for exposing Nixon’s taping investigated. He added that Woodward’s new book of- o celebrate Halloween this past week and blow off steam from the horrible midterms system to the US Senate. part of the President’s job is fers a more complete pic- Twe all endured, Cooper Union had the club go up, on a Tuesday. At this year’s Zeta For those (like me) who get the country to the “next ture of Nixon’s presidency Psi annual Halloween party, which was, yes, on a Tuesday, Cooper Union students threw were hardly a thought in stage of good.” through the personal ac- down at the well-known nightclub, Webster Hall. I was glad to see that there were so many their parents’ minds when counts and presidential of you (a total attendance of roughly 90-100 people), despite the fact that it was a regular Watergate was breaking Butterfeld’s recounts in- documents provided by weekday and we all had stuff to do. While I was there I saw vampires, minions, angels, news, Woodward and Naf- cluded some odd stories Butterfeld. According to devils, koalas with trees, civil engineers, a wolverine and a lot of Taylor Swift’s bad blood tali brought to light a new such as a memo from Nixon Naftali, Butterfeld was by girls. However, the award for best costume went to Nish Patel (CE ‘16) because of the aura dimension of Nixon seldom to Butterfeld, which or- no means a “footnote” in of success he carried around with him as Donald Trump (Make America Great Again!™). mentioned in history class. dered something to be done the history of Nixon’s pres- The music was extra hype thanks to Cooper’s very own DJ DGav who kept everyone going about the “infestation” of idency. until Webster Hall could no longer handle the fun, and Zeta Psi could no longer handle To produce The Last of the Kennedy pictures in the the cost. ◊ President’s Men, Woodward West Wing. The memo’s Over 40 years have passed worked with Butterfeld subject line referred to the since President Nixon’s and around 20 boxes of “sanitization” of the ex- time in offce, yet details presidential documents in ecutive offce. Naftali was about the only American Butterfeld’s possession. quick with witty remarks, president to resign are still Butterfeld’s proximity to offering welcome contrast being uncovered. By now Nixon allowed him access to Nixon’s near vindictive history is fairly sure of the to daily presidential mem- personality. Woodward and “who,” “what,” and “when,” os and even the infamous Naftali both pondered why but the true motives behind taping system in the Oval good people worked for the decisions that Nixon Offce. Included in these Nixon in spite of Nixon’s and other presidents have documents was a January almost illegal actions. Naf- made can only be guessed. VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015 FACES OF COOPER: ALEXANDER TOCHILOVSKY BRENDA SO (EE ‘18) and humanities depart- teams of people involved way and they made a name ment. in making up the work, for themselves. There’s a and it’s always very hard to lot to be learned from those How did you interest in know exactly who contrib- people, especially here at typography arise? uted. The famous names Cooper. are the ones that people My interest in graphic know, but there’s always a It’s not only looking at design came from being in few other people involved. work for the aesthetics but Cooper, specifcally in the I enjoy identifying some also researching what they Lubalin Center. One year, of those people that were did and how they did it. For I helped with the end of involved. And many of them instance, Herb Lubalin did a year show installation and were Cooper graduates and lot of work for clients who part of that happened in that’s a really great thing did not have any money. But the Lubalin Center. After for me to fnd. That’s a he also maintained creative the installation, I asked if very inspirational thing for control over those projects. there was a possibility for me and it keeps me going. A lot of ethical choices he me to work during summer, made are still really rel- and they said yes. However, evant and designers could I had just been through the “I think it’s start looking for those foundational course, and moments to help them Photo by Kelsey Mitchell (Art ‘18) design is something you important make their career stron- start in sophomore year. ger. It’s not just about the The Pioneer sat down What classes do you teach design. Without a good I had no connection to to look at money. It’s about the ethics with Professor Alexander at Cooper? sense of typography, graph- design yet, except for and doing good work and Tochilovsky, known to many ic design is very diffcult to being in the Lubalin Center history. As making sure there’s healthy students simply as Sasha, I teach two undergraduate do well. What I try to do and accessing this amazing balance. about his experience as a courses: two-dimensional is to teach the mechanics design work, but something a designer, former Cooper student and design, which is part of of typography, on how to clicked. You mentioned that some his advice for students the foundation year, and make good decisions when you’re look- designers’ efforts are not attending Cooper Union today. typography, which is mostly choosing types. Everything I was really interested by fully acknowledged after geared towards sophomores in design is communica- the books and magazines ing forward creating their pieces. Do What can you tell us in second semester and tion, and communication that I kept seeing and their you have any advice for about you? juniors. It is a co-requisite happens predominantly sensitivity and composi- and going students to avoid falling for advanced design courses. through language. In a tion really spoke to me and in this trap? I was born in Odessa, Soviet word, typography is the made me want to do design. forward, Union. When I left in 1989, When did you learn about shaping of language. I worked in the Lubalin It has a lot to do with it was still Soviet Union, the Cooper Union? Center for two years. It re- you’re going the politics in the design so technically right now it What I try to do is make sure ally changed my perspec- studio. Today, many design is Ukraine. I was 12 when I think a lot of people that students are consider- tive of graphic design. And to make new studios have changed and I left. And then I grew up have had similar experi- ing things they weren’t that’s something I do as a adapted - a good example in Brooklyn, went to high ence. Cooper is such a previously aware of. The curator here, trying to help work.” is Pintagram. They publish school in Murrow. And then small school with an amaz- collection here has so many students make this connec- a lot of the work online got to Cooper in 1996 and ing reputation that works examples of really good ty- tion. There is so much to Any advice to give on their website and they graduated in 2000. through organic channels pography, and very often I learn from this material and to Cooper students, credit everyone who is from people to people. will bring work to class to it really is a way to actual- especially those who involved. If that culture is Tell us about your edu- I learnt about it from one show examples. Once in a ize design history. Design want to go into design? not part of that company, cation and professional of my high school teach- while I would also have ses- pieces have a timeline, of then it gets a little tricky. background. ers. During the summer sion in the Lubalin Center. the people working on it, A lot of times there’s a drive between 11th and 12th Any time the Lubalin Cen- their contributions to the to make something differ- With the internet, de- I got my BFA at Cooper. I grade, I got a fyer for Coo- ter is open, Cooper students piece, and so on. There’s ent, and that’s simply in- signers have their own focused on design and pho- per Union’s Summer Out- can come in and use the something really amazing evitable. It’s a very natural personal website and are tography, but mostly on reach program for high resources. This is a collec- about holding the actual feeling. I remember having able to show their own work. design. I then worked for school students, which tion of graphic design with object you’re studying. And the exact same thoughts Information dissemination the Design Center in Coo- sounded pretty interest- all sorts of media. Design we have so many of these when I was graduating from is much more democratic per, which does most of the ing. In the frst day of the is relevant to pretty much famous pieces of graphic school. than it used to be. design work for the school. program, Cooper just blew every industry, and so we design. You can see what I also do a lot of work for me away. It was a really have examples of a lot of size they are, the paper When you look forward, What are your hobbies? pro-bono and non-proft magical moment. It was a material that covers dif- they’re printed on, every I think it’s important to clients out there. Once I great experience, just be- ferent centuries, industries decision that the designer also realize you need to I played soccer since child- graduated from Cooper ing part of the high school and cultures. For people made. There’s a huge para- look back. There’s a less hood and I actually played Union in 2000, I continued program, being part of the who are interested in hu- digm shift when you can see useful way of looking for the Cooper soccer team to work in the Design Cen- fabric of the Cooper Union. manities and architecture, that. back by trying to copy or all four years, and I pretty ter for a few years and then I applied to Cooper in 12th there are a lot of things here mimic things — that’s not much stay active and I play went got my Master’s de- grade. I didn’t think I had a that are of potential use and What do you love most what I’m recommending. soccer every week. gree from Cranbrook Acad- big shot — I knew how com- potential interest. about your job? Instead, there’s a more emy of Arts in Michigan. petitive it was. But I was nuanced way of looking The other thing I am Within a year I came back really hoping that I could I am trying to see how we I love my job. It’s really back, to fnd inspiration really interested in is to New York, I was asked get to be here and I was for- could fnd ways to engage nice to be surrounded by in how people make deci- music. I spend a lot of time to teach a course here in tunate enough to be admit- the other schools. We’ve this stuff. It’s really inspira- sions. A lot of the Cooper collecting records, seek- Cooper. I have been teach- ted. been working with the ar- tional. I like knowing more graduates who changed the ing out stuff. I don’t go to ing in Cooper since 2007. chitecture school for a bit, about the pieces we have in design feld made those im- shows as much as I used And then about four, fve Can you talk about your to try to get students there the collection. If I fnd out pacts due to a certain mind- to, but it’s defnitely a big years ago, a position at the role here as a professor to be aware of what we have more information, it means set that was imbibed here at part for me since it helps Herb Lubalin Study Center and a curator? and see if it is useful. We that other people would Cooper. That’s the way that me work. I cook a lot too, of Design and Typogra- are also trying to fnd ways fnd out more informa- this institution is different regardless whether or not phy opened up. I applied I teach typography in the that it might be interesting tion. Design is very rarely a from other institutions. It it’s a hobby. ◊ and was selected to be the School of Art. Typography and relevant to the one-person task. Twenty or made them go about their curator. is fundamental to graphic engineering department thirty years ago, there were craft in a slightly different ASK RUCHI RUCHI PATEL (ChE ‘18) How do I survive Cooper Seeing as how I have to How come I never get same color? 8.) Are you never had violent ten- On a scale of 1 to Amer- and not gain the fresh- fght 8 other guys to even matched on Tinder? wearing a labcoat or lab dencies before, but I don’t ica, how free are you to- man 50?! Frankie’s and talk to a girl here, what goggles? 9.) Do you work know what is happening night? Two Bros are plotting do you suggest I do to get If you answer YES to any in the computer center? to me! He’s just too pre- against me because at some action over here? I of the following questions, 10.) Are you Zhengqi? 11.) cious!! As free as air and water... this rate, if I fail out, I can mean, boys have needs. you’ll have your answer: 1.) Do you have braces? 12.) both of which are not free. be a plus size model right Do you have other not-so- Is your bio more than 4 SO. TRUE. Take advantage now. What should I do? HAHAHAHA. Every girl at attractive people on your lines? 13.) Did you try to of him. Don’t miss a single To have your questions Cooper Union is, deep deep main Tinder photo? 2.) Are make a joke? 14.) Did you class. Just be there, and let answered by Ruchi, write to Nothing! You have to do down in her being, so far you wearing a football jer- say something nerdy? 15.) him make you happy. Let [email protected]. ◊ nothing! It’s a matter of down that she doesn’t even sey? 3.) Is your main photo Did you mention you go to him brighten up your day. time before you start study- notice, a guy. You could a Snapchat screenshot? 4.) Cooper Union? Let him teach you somethin ing for Wolf’s Mechanics transfer to NYU, I guess. I Is it a selfie? 5.) Is it some g. Always ask questions. class and/or eat pizza so hear they have more girls type of anime or cartoon? I’m scared because I Greet him enthusiastically. delish that 2 Bros. makes than boys. And as far as 6.) Are you wearing plaid might kidnap Bailyn and Just be really really respect- you gag. Prepare for the your needs go...well, we can on plaid? 7.) Is your out- keep him hostage as a ful because he is truly the freshman -50. discuss that one-on-one. fit different shades of the pseudo-grandfather. I’ve cutest. VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015 FACES OF COOPER: RYAN RONAN MIDTERM MATTHEW GRATTAN (ChE ‘19) | PRANAV JONEJA (ME ‘18) MIXTAPE! Professor Ronan is an have to teach towards your show grad schools that ing a point. It’s worth every BRANDON QUINERE (CE ‘19) adjunct professor, a Coo- audience. you’re really serious about penny. I also like to illus- per Union alumnus, and a math and math research. trate by example as quickly The Pioneer polled everyone about their favor- Mathematics PhD student. During your time at Coo- as possible, since it’s easy ite tracks to listen to while they prepare for mid- per, what classes you en- Do you have advice for to get lost in the abstract. terms. Based on your submissions, we have curat- The Cooper Pioneer: joyed in particular? graduate students? ed the ultimate study playlist to get you through. Where are you from? It depends a lot on your What kind of professor I graduated as an electrical feld. I will say in some do you aim to be? 1. “Circle of Life” (from The Lion King Ryan Ronan: I grew up in engineer in 2012. I didn’t sense, being a Cooper Soundtrack) With this iconic tune on rotation, Levittown, in Long Island, change majors, but by the student was more stress- I would hope that I’m thor- your GPA will rise just like Simba rose to the top and went to public high end of my freshman year ful than being a graduate ough and methodical. I of Pride Rock to lead the animal kingdom. school there. Then I at- I was starting to become student now. Even though would want my notes to tended Cooper Union from more interested in math. there might be more work, be a good reference so that 2. David Bowie - “Life on Mars?” Perhaps Da- 2008 to 2012. Sophomore I really liked classes with to me it feels like less work people could study from vid Bowie’s critique of pop culture and the media year, I tried to commute theoretical elements. In because I only have to focus them. I also hope that I’m will motivate you to close out of that Netfix tab from Levittown, but it was my sophomore year I took on math courses. easy enough to approach. and fnally get crackin’ on those study guides. such a long commute. So for junior and senior year I 3. Bonobo - “Cirrus” The bells on this track were moved to Astoria, Queens, basically made for timing your page turns per- with my girlfriend. I liked fectly to the beat. that a lot better, and I still live in Astoria now, just in a 4. Jeremih - “Birthday Sex” If you replace every different apartment. mention of a girl in this song with a textbook, then you have Jeremih’s ultimate anthem to fg- Did your girlfriend go to uratively fornicating the very concept of knowl- Cooper as well? edge itself.

No, she went to the New 5. Britney Spears - “I’m a Slave 4 U” The pop School, which is nearby. We princess’ ode to fully understanding the exam met actually towards the material: “Get it get it, get it get it (WHOOOA) / end of high school through Get it get it, get it get it (WHOOOOOA)” a mutual friend. She’s a year younger than me, and we 6. Gwen Stefani - “Hollaback Girl” With this went to different schools. song ready on the queue, that “B-A-N-A-N-A-S” hook won’t be the only thing that’ll be stuck in Are you still together? your head! (Hint: it’s the proofs you need to remember for the exam.) Yeah, still going strong. She was a philosophy major 7. Childish Gambino - “IV. Sweatpants” Noth- at the New School, which ing pumps up a ruffed college student more than shares some similarities a good old-fashioned banger. This one defnitely with math—more than does the trick. you might think. A lot of the early mathematicians 8. Frank Ocean - “Pyramids” This song is were also philosophers, ex- Photo by Winter Leng (ChE ‘18) essentially made up of at least three different plicitly in name even. The songs, leaving you with enough different sound- concept of building an idea scapes to surely ft your focus. through logic and reason is complex variables with Where do you see your- The worst thing that could the underpin of both pure Professor Smyth. It was self going from here? happen—especially at Coo- 9. Nas featuring Lauryn Hill - “If I Ruled the math and pure philosophy. one of my favorite courses per—is thinking, “I have a World (Imagine That)” In that sense, it can be easy I took here. It’s nothing you Right now I’m focused question, but this is CU and That moment when you fnally understand that for math people to talk to would guess to see a theo- mostly on fnishing my PhD I’m afraid to ask it.” one theorem you stared at in confusion for philosophy people. rem statement, then to see in analytic number theory. hours? Let this collab be the background music the proof, and then to ac- After that I don’t know, but What might be some for that cathartic moment. Did you ever have con- tually use the theorem in I do want to stay in aca- things people don’t know versations like this one action, I really loved that. demia and keep teaching. you do outside of Cooper? 10. St. Vincent - “Strange Mercy” In all honesty, with her? Basically after that course In particular, I really like Annie Clark’s voice alone is the ideal soundtrack I had my eyes set on math teaching here, and I didn’t Well, I’m a complete night for reviewing all those damn problem sets. Yeah so, at one point we rather than EE. expect to enjoy teaching as owl. I really like games in realized that philosophy much as I do. general, especially card 11. Radiohead - “Everything in Its Right Place” and math people use simi- Did that class infuence games. The more I became “Yesterday I woke up sucking a lemon,” Thom lar language and symbols. you career-wise? How would you describe a math person, the more I Yorke sings on this Kid A classic. But tomorrow, For example, I drew the “if your transition from learned that math people you’ll wake up ready to fll in those blue books! and only if” symbol while I Yes, I took almost every 300 “Ryan” to “Prof. Ronan?” are into games. It’s the way was writing something, and level math course offered, our minds think. Also, for a 12. Smash Mouth - “All Star” We should all she knew what that was even if it meant I was tak- There wasn’t too much of a grad student I think I play aspire to be the sharpest tools in our respective right away because that ing over 20 credits a semes- transition for me. I think as way too much Super Smash sheds. Aspire for that goal with this quintessen- is something you’d say in ter. I still got the EE major, a person I’m constant, even Bros. tial jam. philosophy. In philosophy and I feel like I know the if people are calling me dif- and math you want to get material well. However, I ferent things. I don’t feel Do you have any advice to 13. Lil B - “Im Paris Hilton” Who better than to the heart of the logic and also made sure to take as like I’ve changed too much Cooper students? the Based God himself to bless you during these reason. many math electives as I when I’m wearing different hectic weeks? could ft into my sched- hats. A couple things: Try very What do you do in addi- ule, and it was worth it. hard not to burn out early. 14. twenty one pilots - “Stressed Out” If you tion to adjunct teaching? You have to rest between feel those long hours studying at the library What did you do over “For a grad studying, so if your brain is didn’t really do you any good, at least you have a I’m a Mathematics PhD the summers during your not working, take an hour good beat to shamefully walk back to your dorm student at the CUNY Grad- four years here? student, I or a night off. The other to. uate Center, but my time thing I would say is to take is spread out in a bunch One big thing I did between think I play courses that interest you. 15. Cole Porter - “Anything Goes” of different places. I have my junior and senior years I didn’t have to take com- It’s the day of the exam and you’re still one class that meets at the was a research experience way too plex variables, for example, cramming? This classic jazz standard is the de- Graduate Center, and I also for undergrads (REU) at but it ended up being the fnitive IDGAF anthem. have seminars and meet- Williams College in prob- much Super stepping-stone to where I ings with professors there. ability and number theory. am now. Check out a Spotify playlist of these songs at In addition to teaching We got two results and one Smash Bros.” goo.gl/TCnLyg vector calculus at Cooper of them was published. What about student life Union, I teach pre-calculus That REU was really fun. in NY? Are there any interesting get as many steps onto it as In a lot of math classes stories from your days at possible, and basically try- at Baruch College. we talk about putting Did that help with your It seems like a lot of stu- Cooper? ing to reverse-engineer this new methods in our pedometer all to get a few Are there any differences grad school applications? “math toolbox.” Do you dents like to live in Man- between teaching at Ba- hattan. While that’s a good So my sophomore year extra level points for the have a “math professor around fnals time a new Pokémon. I remember that ruch and Cooper? Yeah, that helped a lot toolbox?” idea, I really enjoy living in with grad school. Espe- Astoria, Queens. The rent is Pokémon game came out, visual summing up a lot of Baruch is mostly business cially if you’re interested cheaper and the commute the one bundled with a the things I like about Coo- The most literal answer is pedometer. In a break be- per, like the enthusiasm of people, not engineering in math at Cooper, then my soap box, which I use is not much longer. It’s pro- people, so it’s a differ- I think the REU is very ductive time to be on the tween classes, there was everyone involved. ◊ to hold my colored chalk a crowd of about 15 EE’s ent mindset. I suppose important—maybe more so the chalk doesn’t break. subway if you use it right. some of the jokes I’d make so than at other schools. Since I’m not walking, I can crowded around this pe- The colored chalk is very dometer trying to fgure here probably wouldn’t fy There’s no math major at useful as well for illustrat- do other things. there—and vice versa. You Cooper, so it’s helpful to out how it works, how to VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015

JAKE POTTER VOLUME 95, ISSUE #4 THE PIONEER NOVEMBER 2, 2015

I have realized that I am falling in love with microwaves. This is one of those unexpected things in life. I used to believe that microwaves were deadly inventions that I would never use. I was that person that would spend an hour convincing you that the radiation coming off of microwaves is basically killing humanity. There is always that person. Bitches.

I had this image of microwaves being house- hold death rays. Just an easy way out. I don’t trust things that are too easy. I feel like this has a lot to do with childhood. I never liked cartoons or kid shows but I really liked Emeril. For those of you who don’t know, I’m talking about Emeril Lagasse. For obvious reasons there was no plush toy, so I had the apron. WILD ABOUT Emeril had a cooking show that I became hooked on. It’s called Emeril Live and it came BORING THINGS on Food Network. Vanessa Ritz (Art ’18) Note: At the ripe age of eight, I got tickets to see the show live and I met Emeril. He held my hand and gave me a chipwich. You can bet I still have that wrapper.

This slight obsession led to many more cooking show addictions and I got a false idea of how food is made and microwaves really weren’t how they did things. This explains why I didn’t realize how useful they were sooner, but it only justifes some of my ignorance. The rest is on me.

It’s kind of crazy that I deemed microwaves impractical because they are so practical. They embody practicality. I aspire to be as practical as a microwave is. It’s the little things like its speedy sweet-potato-cooking and ability to steam all vegetables, even the tough ones such as broccoli. Microwaves are so much more than a way to heat up food. You can use microwaves to completely cook raw food and make dinner in less than ten min- utes. Effciency at its fnest. Microwaves.