A&E COMDEB ACTIVE LIFESTYLE SCIENCE

Opiate: A sociogical Don’t be hypocrites: Occupy Breckenridge: A love/hate Home is where the brain inquiry into love Fannie and Freddie. relationship is: A refl ection on the The Society for Neuroscience Conference 2011

Jorge Rivera 4 Abdoulaye Dabo 7 Jesse Paul 3 Zachary Zeidler 10

Volume 42 No 10

Marriage or freedom? THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF COLORADO COLLEGE

...Queeriosities

Page 7

Budget committee plans to increase

student activity fee next year > December 2, 2011

catalystnewspaper.com Erica Plumlee committee, or us, who recommends an increase.” now is close to, ‘If we raise it, let’s take a year or Staff Writer The subcommittee proposed increasing the two to see what the increase did before we talk Synch or swim: Menstruation fee to fund Cutler Publications, the drama pro- about raising it again.’” very year, a $350 student activity fee is grams (so that they can make their performances The constitutionality of a student activity theories try to stay afloat Etacked on to our $52,000 tuition. According free), and club sports (so that they can attend fee has been examined multiple times by the to the CC website, this fee provides “increased away games without driving their own cars, Bryce Ingirm funding for student organizations and free which is a liability). In a meeting at the end of The constitutionality Guest Writer tickets to athletic events, including most hockey block three, students on financial aid were added ames Bond always syncs his watch before going games.” Over the course of block three, a to the list of recipients of the extra money that of a student activity on a mission and he never misses an appoint- subcommittee of the Colorado College Budget “ J would come from the increased fee. fee has been examined ment with his Bond Girl. But the question is Committee met twice to discuss the very likely “Financial aid is supposed to get a portion of multiple times by the never asked whether or not the Bond Girls ever possibility of increasing the fee by $35 to $100. the fee so that it may pay for students [who] sync up their menstrual cycles with their close This fee was implemented two years ago, and cannot afford to pay themselves,” said Dahl. Supreme Court of the female friends and roommates. has remained at $350 since its inception. While Despite the objective of the student activity fee, United States, which “Period syncing” has become a pretty common- the CCSGA maintains an active role in student which is to pay for students who cannot pay on place and generally accepted idea. Four senior activity fee increase recommendations, the fee is their own, financial aid has been neglected as a ruled that student class women living together in the Blanca apart- recipient of the fee. organization activities ments shared their unanimous opinion, “Within This fee was “For some reason this has not previously may be subsidized by a the first month of living together we were all implemented two been carried out with the fee itself, instead synched up.” An off-campus house of six female [aid has come] from the college budget, which student activity fee as students concurred, “It hasn’t happened to me “years ago, and has doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, so we’re fix- long as organizations yet this year, but it definitely does.” According to remained at $350 since ing it,” explained Dahl. a former student from the Emma Willard School As of Sept. 2, 2011, approximately 31 percent receive money with its inception. While the (an all-girls high school in New York), a worker in of the $700,000 student activity fee funds is viewpoint neutrality. the campus’ bookstore often commented about a CCSGA maintains an allocated to campus activities. 21 percent to the marked monthly increase in chocolate purchases CCSGA, 11 percent to student tickets to varsity for a few days. “[The worker] was very sure that active role in student hockey games, 7 percent to intramural and Supreme Court of the United States, which period syncing was a fact of life,” recalls the activity fee increase club sports, 5 percent to Outdoor Education, 4 ruled that student organization activities ”may former student. percent to alumni/parent relations, 4 percent to be subsidized by a student activity fee as long Before the science behind this supposed “fact recommendations, the arts and crafts, 2 percent to the Living Learning as organizations receive money with viewpoint of life” can be explained, though, it must first be fee is hardly “directed Communities, 2 percent to New York Times neutrality. Two years ago, CC students paid for defined. More formally known as menstrual syn- by students” as the CC subscriptions, 1 percent to buses to hockey the activities they attended out of their own chrony, it is the notion that the menstrual cycles game student, 1 percent to the Center for Ser- pockets. The student activity fee proved to be of women who live together or interact a lot will website claims. vice and Learning... 1 percent to FOOT trips, 1 a successful subsidization, allowing students to drift together. According to Martha McClintock’s percent to “athletic spirit,” 1 percent to “student attend hockey games, go on FOOT trips, and research (1971) there are several theories as to the hardly “directed by students” as the CC website life spirit,” and 1 percent to alcohol education. grab copies of the New York Times for “free”. cause of this phenomenon, the most common of claims. While we may not notice an additional $100 But how long before the increased fee is costing which is the “pheromone theory”: pheromones, “That’s the part that’s interesting.” The way it added on to our already high tuition, that’s more than it’s worth to the average student? or molecules released by the body of one of the works, to my understanding, is that the Budget almost a 30 percent increase in the fee, leading While the proposed figure is subject to change women in a close group, are dispersed through Committee makes a recommendation to the some to question: where does it stop? At what until January, the fee increase is already in mo- the air and are received by another woman. This president, who then looks at the budget that point do they stop allocating funds from an tion. The question remains: how much will it chemical messenger then causes a response in the we’ve recommended to her, and then recom- expanding fee? increase, and how long until it increases again? recipient that will either lengthen or shorten her mends it to the Board of Trustees Budget “I think it is pretty well understood by every- menstrual period. An alternative theory is that the Committee, which then votes and makes it final,” one that having a fee that balloons every year observance of another woman’s period will affect explained CCSGA Financial Vice President, would probably not serve the best interest of one’s own cycle. Simply the awareness of another Logan Dahl. “So anywhere along that chain…it the college,” explained Dahl. “So while there is woman’s menstrual cycle may produce changes in could be President Tiefenthaler, or the budget no technical limit on paper, I think the attitude cycle length. But, as I said, these are theories. continued on page 10 2 December 2, 2011 News Football, Politics, and Sex questions CC’s response to sexual assault Jesse Paul Staff Writer

This past Wednesday, a panel discussion titled “Football, Politics and Sex” led by six members of the CC community, including students, fac- ulty, and administrators, became heated when a discussion of campus wide sexual assault began. On the panel was Associate Dean of Students Ginger Morgan, Sociology Professor Gale Murphy-Geiss, Psychology Professor Emily Chan, Editor-in-Chief of The Catalyst Alex Kronman, and Student Organization for Sexual Safety Chair and President of Delta Gamma Emily Cronin. The panel discussion was held in light of re- cent sexual assault cases in the media—namely those at Penn State and surrounding Herman Cain—and on campus. The discussion, which was sponsored by Sigma Chi and the Office of Sexual Assault Response and Prevention, was an explana- tion of some of the wider cultural trends and psychological phenomena that contribute to in- cidents of sexual assault and that shape people’s responses to sexual assault—both in American society at large and specifically at CC. Panelists Gail Murphy-Geiss, Alex Kronman, Emily Cronin, Emily Chan, and Ginger Morgan discuss the culture of sexual assault at CC. Photo All of the panelists spoke about how power by Stanely Sigalov. differentials are important to how sexual as- sault cases happen and are dealt with. At CC, the school’s sexual misconduct policy. said Murphy-Geiss. “For a [false] report to be a relationship in which there is a significant to acknowledge that someone—particularly “When people don’t hear all the sides there is followed through the system and be completed power differential might be between a senior someone they know—may in fact be doing a lot of suspicion about what is being hidden,” is very unusual. I blame the media for making and a freshman, or might involve a member of something bad. said Morgan. it [false accusation] into an issue that is bigger a socially powerful group such as a sports team “There is a general vibe among freshmen Chan explained that in most cases of sexual than it actually is.” or a fraternity. when we [S.O.S.S.] talk to them at orientation assault between two adults, sympathies are CC’s Sexual Assault Response Coordina- “Social and financial power are inextricably in- that [sexual assault] doesn’t occur at CC,” said often easier to garner for the accused rather tor Heather Horton, who was in the audience, tertwined at CC. The party culture is dominated Cronin. “But it does and there should be more than the victim. She said that people don’t want chimed in to address the issue of false accusa- by men who are often wealthy and/or part of done to address it.” to believe that their friend did something so tions, saying, “We realize that [false reports] do [an aforementioned group],” said Kronman. Rebecca Spiegel contributed reporting. terrible, because it leads them to question their happen and look at that when we look at cases. While Associate Dean Morgan agreed that own self, their judgment, and their ability to But most false rape allegations are of stranger certain groups in the community had more Editor’s Note: The panel occurred last night and did determine who is trustworthy. rapes, not people victims know.” social power than others, she cited the fact that not initially meet our standards. In ordinary circum- According to Morgan, all sorts of cases are The panelists seemed to unanimously agree people all along the socioeconomic, athletic, stances we would have cut the piece but instead re-verified kept confidential in order reduce the potential that sexual assault, as a whole, was a serious and academic lines had been found responsible information and toned down the article. Everything here damage to the reputation of the accused stu- problem at CC that is not taken seriously for violating the school’s sexual misconduct is true but is by no means the full story. We feel that dent. She said she would rather see that student, enough, for a multitude of reasons. For one, policy. sexual assault is an issue of the utmost importance and if found responsible for the complaint filed Chan explained, people often fail to recognize Morgan also discussed how victims of sexual it was important to inform the community that the panel against him or her, learn a lesson through the acts of sexual violence and other types of assault at CC often don’t come forward because, took place. We will be continuing coverage of the issue. conduct process’s sanctions rather than through violence due to a commonly-held belief that all more often than not, the victim knows the informal social punishment. people are inherently good, making it difficult perpetrator of sexual assault. The two people All of the panel speakers had insight into the involved may be friends, or at least acquain- ways in which the media—and communities, Old Conoco to become CC parking lot tances; thus, the victim may fear that reporting as a result—tend to be biased against victims the incident will cause unwanted drama within of sexual assault, whose accusations are often a friend group, or will lead him or her to be questioned and scrutinized. Jesse Paul demolished in a matter of weeks. The station ostracized by the institution’s small community The panelists discussed the case of Her- housed four gas pumps and a convenience if the accused is a socially powerful person. Staff Writer man Cain and the Penn State child molestation store. “The more powerful your social group,” said scandal as examples of situations in which For the past few weeks, a sign has been Morgan, “the less likely you are to come for- victims are undermined by the negation of their Last spring, Colorado College purchased the posted on the property by El Paso County ward [in cases of sexual assault].” experiences. There was unanimous agreement Conoco at the intersection of Cache La Poudre senior city planner Ryan Tefertiller outlining The panelists also addressed the complicated that people who question the validity and trust- St. and Nevada Ave., and now has plans to CC’s plans to, “Improve parking and landscape nature of the confidentiality of the college’s worthiness of those who report sexual assault turn that location into a parking lot as part of for the vacant lot and [screen] outdoor storage judicial process and the recent community Flash simply do not understand. bigger development plans, according to Vice for arts building.” message regarding dismissed CC student Mike “A study done by the FBI said that only 2 President of Administration and Finance/Trea- The parking lot will replace spaces that will Lee, who was found responsible for violating percent of rape reports were actually false,” surer Robert Moore. be lost when the CC childcare center is moved However the Conoco might not be the only and expanded into where the Yampa parking business near campus that is at risk of losing lot on Nevada is currently located. Red ribbons just one symbol of its home. The plans have yet to specify how many The Leechpit, which buys, sells, and trades a parking spaces would be created or what plethora of clothing, records, and collectibles, improvements to the landscape would be made. AIDS awareness. has been contacted by CC, which wishes to The art studio that is mentioned has a lot in use the space that it leases to the The Leechpit, the back where various materials can be seen Ellie Cole d’oeuvres in the Cornerstone Arts Center, and according to owner Adam Leech and Colorado stacked against a chain-linked fence. Staff Writer then a speach by Eileen Stillwaggon called, College V.P of Finance Robert Moore. In a press release made on CC’s website “30 Years of AIDS: What do we know about “[CC] did a protest and they gave me a num- in September filed under “Letters From The AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa?” ber of different stories and rumors that they Red ribbons displayed on your clothes is just President,” President Tiefenthaler mentioned Stillwaggon came from Gettysburg College were looking to take it back over,” said Leech. plans for more development in the area sur- one symbol of AIDS awareness. where she is a professor of economics and “We really have no intention of leaving until our It’s been thirty years since the first reported rounding campus. the Harold G. Evans-Eisenhower Professor. lease is up. Our term ends in 2013 and we hope “It is important that we think strategically to case of HIV in since 1981and this year CC She wrote AIDS and the Ecology of Poverty, to stick it out and we hope to renew.” has had different events to show the impor- secure opportunities to enhance the college’s and is also an officer and board member for Moore says that CC hopes to use the space offerings for the future,” she said in her state- tance of AIDS awareness in our world. This the International AIDS Economic Network. for students. week on Tuesday and Wednesday, there were ment. On Wednesday, there was free HIV test- “I’ve heard a painting studio, dance, bar, As for the Leechpit, the outlook is grim. different speakers, events and activities to ing, thanks to the Southern Colorado AIDS student screw around room might go in here. help share this with the CC community. “We hope things change because I think we Project in Worner, then “Know Your Status There are students looking to take over the provide a lot to the campus and the rest of “World AIDS Day is a time for people 2” in the Gates Common Room, with candle place,” said Leech. “We don’t know if it’s true around the world to unite behind those living Colorado Springs and the art/music scene,” lighting, food, music, and an address by Rev. or not and we’ve heard all that in the last 2 said Leech. “Without us around, things would with HIV/AIDS, to commemorate those who Kevin Daniels of St. John’s Baptist Church. months.” have died from AIDS, and to work to fight be sad. We have been here for almost a decade The two days of events were sponsored by The Conoco station land that was purchased and had a really good relation with students the epidemic,” said Madeline O’Connor. Colorado College Students for Global Health, by CC was owned by a man who leased the HIV/AIDS has impacted our world and that whole time.” Colorado Springs Branch NAACP, Colorado property out to the gas station to use, said “We opened in 2003 to cater to what students country for thirty years, and it is very impor- College Black Student Union, and Colorado Moore. CC contacted the owner who sold the tant for people to learn more and understand need and want,” said Leech. “I have dreamed College Cultural Attractions Fund. college the land. of taking over this space since I was 15, and I it. After it was attained by CC, the Conoco was On Tuesday, there was a reception and hors don’t want to leave anytime soon.” 3 December 2, 2011 Active Lifestyle Breckenridge: A love/hate relationship

Jesse Paul this run aggressively enough, you can get some exposed terrain. If you are brave enough to go to Peak 9 unless you are making your way Staff Writer great turns in the trees and find mini-cliffs hid- traverse and hike over to Snow White, then you across the mountain. Peak 9 is also home to den amongst the hills. will find yourself some pretty gnarly skiing. the infamous under-over chairlifts where the Another great option for lower Peak 7 is to Chair 6 just below the Imperial chair has Peak 8 super chair lift runs over two other lifts If you love long lift lines, complicated, convo- trail-blaze your own glades. While the trees some fun black runs on it that aren’t too chal- and has a midway offloading/loading point. luted trails, steep terrain, tight trees, big cliffs, a can sometimes be tight (I have been nutted by lenging, and are still very playful. You can find Peak 9 can be hard to navigate because of decent terrain park, and tourists left and right, them on various occasions, Googling), you can little jumps, short moguls, and tree runs. Do the lifts that are there. The main complaint Breckenridge is the place for you. often find untracked powder and some chal- not go to Chair 6 unless snow conditions are made about Breck is how terrible the lift If you haven’t already, you will eventually lenging areas in there. good and the crowds are low. The lift is a slow system is and Peak 9 is the epicenter of this develop a love/hate relationship with the near- Peak 7 summit, which can be accessed by the double and the runs have a tendency to ice problem. I would suggest, if you can, avoiding est ski area to CC. Breckenridge, also known as it all together. Breckenfridge for its high winds and bone- The one upside of Peak 9 is the access chilling weather, is located only two hours it gives to The Back 9, Breck’s inbounds away from Colorado Springs in the notorious backcountry terrain. You can find a lot of fun, Summit County. often unvisited runs in this area, but be aware Owned and operated by Vail Resorts, Breck of bare rocks and other ski-damaging natural is one of the largest ski areas in the United obstacles. States. It opened in 1961 and since then, has been a staple of the Colorado ski culture. In Peak 10 the past two years, Breck has been the second- most-visited ski area in the United States and Peak 10 is where you will find me on any has been ranked in the top ten best resorts by Breck powder day. Though it takes centuries to Ski Magazine. get to due to the terrible lift system at the ski Breckenridge is a favorite destination of area, Peak 10 has, in my opinion, the best runs CC’s FUCC bus, meaning many of you who on the mountain. This peak consists only of are without cars or often too hungover to drive black and double black runs, so if you don’t will find yourselves skiing there. Unlike other know what you’re doing, don’t go there. ski areas, there are right and wrong ways to ski The best parts of Peak 10 are the tree runs. Breckenridge. Ski Breck the right way, and you When everything else at Breck is white out could have your best day of the season. Ski it because of snow, you can always see where you wrong, and you could be skiing in circles for The Lake Chutes on Peak 8 - a short hike from imperial lift are going at Peak 10. The tree runs are steep, hours, cursing, screaming, and wishing you T-Bar or the Imperial Lift, has various double- over Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons long and fun. I love Doublejack, Cimaron, went to A-Basin. black runs all within a giant bowl. While this and have exposed obstacles like rocks and Blackhawk, and The Burn. You usually can’t go The best way to understand and ski Brecken- area can sometimes be a poor choice on snowy roots. wrong on these runs. ridge is by its four peaks, which are each a mini days due to zero visibility, it offers a variety The Horshoe Bowl below Imperial and the Another upside of Peak 10 is its one, simple, resort of their own. of steeps, cliffs, and some trees. Some of my Lake Chutes is a fun area if you are looking for high-speed, detachable quad lift. Unlike Peaks favorites include everything in Peak 7 Bowl and less-intense, shorter double blacks. However, 8 or 9, you won’t get lost at 10. Peak 7 Vertigo. this area can sometimes be icy and fairly mo- As I said before, the main problem with It is important when skiing on Peak 7 to guled out and skied off. Peak 10 is it is so far away from the rest of the This is one of my personal favorite peaks remember that using the T-Bar can sometimes Lower Peak 8 offers various beginner and mountain. When you go there, you are making at Breckenridge. It offers both a handful of be daunting. The line for the lift can often last intermediate runs that can be daunting and as a pretty big commitment. I recommend hitting expert terrain and all the while has some of anywhere from 15-30 minutes and the short crowded as a Target on Black Friday. If you this part of the mountain at the start or end of my favorite intermediate groomed cruisers in ride can often leave you walking a little funny. can, avoid these areas at all costs. your day in order to save time and energy. Colorado. Peak 7 is also the best place to start Taking the Imperial lift and then traversing This lower area also offers the bulk of Breck- Before you go to Breckenridge it is really your day because it is often not as crowded as across is a good alternative. enridge’s Terrain Parks. Since I don’t often important that you know where you are going. the main base area, has great warm ups, and is ride park, I can’t really attest to the quality or The mountain is so big and confusing that you close to the T-Bar and the double black runs Peak 8 features that you can find there. Nevertheless, will undoubtedly get lost if you are not familiar that surround it. my park rat friends seem to really enjoy what is with the runs. If it is your first time at Breck, When skiing Peak 7, you must be aware of While Peak 8 undoubtedly offers up more offered at Breckenridge. The times that I have ski with someone who has been there before. small children and novice skiers and riders. terrain than any other part of Breck, it is tra- ridden the park at Breck, I have been pleasantly The most crucial part of skiing at Brecken- One time last year, I was skiing with a friend ditionally the most crowded. The base area in surprised. The main issue with the parks is that ridge is to not get too frustrated. You will have who tried to ride switch (backwards on skis) particular can be a real shit show on crowded they are insanely crowded, so be aware. to wait in lift lines and listen to tourists talk down Peak 7 and ended up taking out a middle weekends or holidays. Be prepared for hour- about how the hot tub at their hotel was too aged man who swerved into his path. You have long lift lines on some days at the Peak 8 base. Peak 9 “chlorine-y,” but you might just also get a few been forewarned - there are old people galore. The Peak 8 summit atop the Imperial lift has face shots, sweet powder runs, and smiles if On a powder day, lower Peak 7 offers the some of the most challenging terrain at Breck. Peak 9 is intermediate heaven. There are you stick with it. black run called Ore Bucket, which often has The hike to Lake Chutes, when open, are blues everywhere on Peak 9 and unless you are untracked powder late into the day. If you ski challenging and offer great cliffs, steeps, and trying to ride them, you should, for no reason, Remembering Gary Speed, 1969-2011

Laurie Laker cruelly, to qualify for Euro 2004. In 1998, Speed was signed for Newcastle during two very distinct eras of British football, Staff Writer At club level, Speed began his playing United for £5.5 million. Quickly settling from the late ‘80s and early ‘90s which featured career at Leeds United, whom he joined as amongst the team and the fans, Speed’s part- heavy drinking, gambling, and poor nutrition a schoolboy in 1988, going on to make his nership with Newcastle and England legend to the late ‘90s and ‘00s when the league went The world of football is in mourning this week league debut at the tender age of 19 the next Alan Shearer terrified defenses for the better truly global, and all manner health regimes following the tragic loss of one its legends. year. Easily the high point of a blossoming part of 6 years, with Speed going on to make were brought into clubs. Former player turned manager, Gary Speed, 42, career was when Leeds won the top league in 284 appearances for The Toon, scoring 40 Such adaptability was a hallmark of Speed was found dead at his home this past Sunday. England, old Football League First Division, goals. as a player, and it soon became a trademark of Initial reports from various press outlets, as in the 1991-1992 season, the last before the Towards the latter part of his club career, his burgeoning managerial career. Appointed well as the Football Association of Wales introduction of what we now know today as Speed spent time at both Bolton Wander- manager of the Welsh national side in 2010, (FAW) claimed that the cause of death was the Barclay’s English Premier League. Joining ers and Sheffield United. During his time at suffering from some initial poor results, Speed hanging. Police report no suspicious circum- with Gordon Strachan, Garry McAllister, and Bolton he became the first player to score in turned the tide. Until his death, Wales had stances, and a recently opened inquest has been David Batty in midfield, the four went on to every Premier League season, with a headed won 4 out of their last 5 matches, looking to postponed until further notice. Speed leaves form one of the most revered midfields of the goal against Reading on Aug. 25, 2007. A secure qualification for the 2014 World Cup behind a loving wife and two children. modern English game. Eventually going on to testament to his longevity in the game, Speed in Brazil. Propelled by young talents such as Speed went on to become Wales’ most make 312 appearances for Leeds, scoring 57 continued playing and scoring until his eventual Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal FC) and Gareth Bale capped outfield player of all time, winning 85 goals in all competitions, Speed became a club retirement in 2010. (Tottenham Hotspur), the national side remains caps for his country over a 14-year internation- legend with his aerial prowess, work rate, and Remembered across the UK and interna- on the upswing and will look to continue their al career. Such was his esteem that of those 85 continual professionalism. tional football world by teammates, friends, emerging first-class form in memory of their caps, 44 of them were played whilst captaining In 1996, Speed moved to Merseyside club and fans – Speed was a massive figure in my late manager’s legacy. his country. Everton for £3.5 million, going on to make earliest memories of watching football. Always I will always remember Speed as a passionate Predominantly a midfielder, Speed scored only 65 appearances for the club, scoring 17 running, hair bobbing everywhere, and though professional, who loved the game and could seven goals for his country as well. He nar- goals. It has never become clear why Speed left he possessed perhaps not the finest technique, play it at the very highest of levels. His death rowly missed, as is the plight of all great players Everton so soon after joining for a marquee he made up for it in spades with his application, is a great loss for the world of football, and a representing smaller nations, on showcasing his price, but his next move cemented him as a drive, and his constant professionalism – al- cruel reminder there are much bigger things in prowess at a major tournament as Wales failed, modern football legend in my memory forever. ways keeping himself in top shape. He played this world than the game we all love. 4 December 2, 2011 Arts & Entertainment Opiate: a sociological inquiry into love ferent. Rogers made an exposé of sociological their natural interactions and clear performing and Jack Williamson (Mark) did a fantastic job Jorge Rivera concepts through the stories and opinions of ability. I thoroughly enjoyed Sarah’s various in their brief appearances. I would like to go ComDeb Editor Greg (Chris Cooke), Juliet (Rosie Nelson), Abe facial expressions and compelling personality further and say that, in my opinion, Johanna (Matt Potter) and Meg (Michaela Neville). These changes during the play. Ella was certainly not Holbrook was the strongest actress of the “What is love?” Well, as it turns out, not much drastically different characters discuss love, and an easy character to perform but Sarah took secondary roles. at all. For love doesn’t really exist. It is simply relate it to their own personalities, in a class on the challenge successfully. Likewise, Jake, a Tech-wise the show was nearly flawless. The a “social construct”. It doesn’t really matter how taught by Ella, ten years after she married (and freshman, truly surprised me. He was unques- design of the set was indeed very inventive. much it is portrayed as something real by mov- presumably eventually divorced) Adam. tionably the strongest actor in the play. Taylor Black certainly managed to create a lot ies, or even by real life interactions. It is just not “Opiate” had an incredibly great turn out, so Fast forward ten years and we were presented out of very little. There was certainly, as with real. That is indeed the sad truth, at least if you much so that people were seated on free spaces with a sociology classroom. These scenes served other aspects of the play, a great attention to are a sociology major. The Theatre Workshop’s on the floor to enjoy the performance of their as the explanation of the basic philosophical detail. I really appreciated that despite all limita- third block production, “Opiate”, explored this friends and peers. Though having tickets would argument of the play. However, they felt too tions there were very distinct spaces created for concept thoroughly. The two-act play, written have greatly helped the situation, people were static. There were long periods of time where the present and the past. Furthermore, even and directed by senior Katie Rogers, was an more than willing to show up more than half we just saw people sitting and pondering on though the set changes in between scenes were entertaining sociologically-charged drama. an hour before the show started, at least in the the question of love, without doing much else. fairly complicated, none took more than two Rogers’ play presented the audience with Ella two nights that I saw the play. That only speaks At points during these scenes, it felt like the minutes. And, even though at first it wasn’t Lyndon’s (Sarah Fischer) ‘love’ story. It was clev- well of the production team’s effort to advertise audience was actually being taught what one of terribly obvious, the sound effects during inter- erly structured around two different facets of the play and it also shows that the audience’s the sociological concepts of love is. I felt like mission greatly aided the understanding of the her life: Before she married the aspiring writer impressions must have been very good, since that did not leave much room for the audience passage of time that accompanied every scene. Adam Caine (Jake Sullivan) and her life ten years the play drew larger crowds every night. members to actually think for themselves. It is Even though the play didn’t have technical later (present time) as a professor teaching a The drama itself was entertaining. It raised good that some of the more technical concepts wonders or beautiful costumes and lighting, that sociology class. questions that people often asks themselves. It were explained, however, the level of detail and didn’t affect the overall appeal of the production The scenes that occurred in the past por- presented characters to the audience that are explanation felt rather unnecessary. for the average CC theatergoer. It was a good trayed Ella as someone who saw and understood like the people at CC. Furthermore the topic of Yet, the sociological theory was somewhat way of spending the earlier portion of a Friday her life as a series of sociological principles but love is also something the vast majority of the compensated by the fresh and witty characters or Saturday night. was willing to give in to the idea of marriage, audience would have an opinion about. That that Ella had as students. Most of the laughs I must admit I was pleased with the quality and possibly of love, when Adam asked her to certainly made it easy to engage with the story came from both their lines and their energetic of the play. The effort and dedication that the marry him. However, Adam and Ella had dra- and enjoy it. acting. The casting for that scene was also apt cast, crew, and production team put into Opiate matically different understandings of what love The scenes that occurred in the past gave us and included the hipster-bro, the feminist for- was evident in nearly every aspect of the play. is and what being in love actually means. This an insight on what made Ella her future self. eigner, the romantic-poet, and the geeky-over- Initially expecting an amateur high-school-level exploration gave us a glimpse into the failed They were my favorite scenes because they were achiever. Even though they were minor roles it performance, I was pleasantly surprised when marriage of her parents, Nora Lyndon (Johanna not too heavy on the sociology content (while was clear that the best was made out of them. what I encountered was a serious and well Holbrook) and Mark Lyndon (Jack Williamson). still making a statement of it) and they provided The scenes involving Ella’s parents were in- thought out production. I certainly recommend “Opiate” also vividly portrayed the dilemmas us with captivating drama. Rogers certainly deed very powerful. They gave us a glimpse into that you check out the performances put by the surrounding the commitment of one’s life to made a great job of making normality watchable. a situation that is not often discussed: pretend Theater Workshop group. They are certainly do- someone in the name of such a questionable The principal characters, Jake Sullivan (Adam) marriages that continue to be because that is ing a great job of diversifying the drama that we concept like love. and Sarah Fischer (Ella), were exceptional. They an easier, and more socially acceptable route get at CC, while providing our community with In the present time the focus was rather dif- managed to keep the audience engaged through than divorce. Both Johanna Holbrook (Nora) good entertainment.

Left: Jake Sullivan and Sarah Fischer in their roles as Adam and Ella. Right: What is love? Baby, don’t hurt me. Photos by Jorge Riviera Hernandez. Japanese artistic activism in ANPO: Art X War to fight, served under a flag not the same as the Asian Studies department sponsored a DVD copies in Japan and arrange for limited Robby Caseria ours. Imagine that our country and theirs were screening of the film in Armstrong Hall, after theatrical engagements there, it makes the most Staff Writer once bitter enemies in a bloody, prolonged which its director, a filmmaker and renowned business sense for her not to open up “ANPO: conflict. Their turning their guns onto us is no translator who specializes in subtitling named Art X War” to consumer video release in the When people from outside of Colorado ask longer an unthinkable hypothetical, but rather Linda Hoaglund, spoke about the making of States. you about the city you go to school in, you a chillingly possible scenario. Their presence is the film and her experiences growing up in Though I was certainly impressed by the might mention the mountains and landscapes now fearsome and unnerving, benign for the both Japan and the United States. amount of time and effort I am sure it took to to our west, the adjacent neighborhood and moment but not without a terrible past and a The movie did not maintain much of a arrange all of the interviews and works of art downtown communities, the proximity to horrifying potential. political agenda, which helped keep the focus seen in the movie, I came away with the sense Denver, or the culture that arises from the Such is the everyday for citizens in Okinawa, on the work of the artists it profiled. Though it that the film was made more for Japanese campus itself. Although this city is home to Japan. As a result of the 1960 Treaty of Mutual was thorough in pointing out all of the harms audiences than for American ones. The effects Peterson Air Force Base, Fort Carson, and the Cooperation and Security between the United that the United States’ military occupation has of ANPO have been felt in Japan for three Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs’ mas- States and Japan, abbreviated to “ANPO” brought since 1960, issues such as radiation or four generations now, whereas the treaty is sive military presence often feels removed or from the original Japanese, the United States fallout from nuclear weapons testing or a rise relatively esoteric in the United States. Though decidedly ‘other’ to us residing within the ‘CC currently stations nearly 30,000 troops on the in prostitution in the areas surrounding the the movie presents an opportunity to examine bubble’. We don’t think much about the people southern Japanese island system. Upon its bases, the film’s mission was always about old and difficult questions for Japanese view- who work on those bases, and I would bet “automatic ratification” at the behest of what showcasing the creation that can arise from ers, the people whose lives are the crux of the they do not spend a whole lot of time thinking was basically a dictatorship in post-war Japan, such turmoil. Aside from gleaning some cul- film’s drama, Americans who watch the movie about us either. We are busy in our day-to-day this occupation was met with fierce resistance tural knowledge by taking in all of the art cata- will likely be unable to emote on as deep a level. lives and so are this city’s men and women in from the nation’s citizenry and its opposition logued in “ANPO: Art X War”, viewers also Nonetheless, if the subject matter (i.e. art, uniform. Our missions are markedly different; continues to this day. Protests of the treaty came away from the screening with a history art history, Japanese history and culture, mili- we are in El Paso County to learn in a liberal have taken the form of mass marches, street- lesson, seeing how the aftermaths of World tary history and culture, etc.) falls within any of arts environment, they are here to defend circulated leaflets and books, and many types War II and the Vietnam War are still very much your interests, I whole-heartedly endorse the the homeland. That we don’t run into them of art. at play in the Asian Pacific. film as a well-made, informative work. Even if or even consider them but from time to time “ANPO: Art X War” is a 2010 documentary Tutt Library has purchased an institutional you just feel like exploring a corner of history should come as little surprise. film that tells the story of some of Japan’s copy of the film, meaning any student or that you do not know much about, the movie And yet, imagine for a moment that the foremost artists using their work to speak out professor at CC can view the school’s copy will make you not only think, but the way in thousands of military personnel stationed in against the United States’ ongoing military whenever they like. Ms. Hoaglund explained which it uses real, visceral art will give you an our community, armed to the teeth and trained presence on their shores. This past Tuesday, that, although she is able to sell individual opportunity to really feel. December 2, 2011 Arts & Entertainment 5 Harvey Birdman, the precursor to Archer

Doo and Adam Ant. Those ‘70s cartoons 2000 to 2007 that uses Hanna-Barbera charac- often lifted from the same, aging cartoons Giulio Brandi were the cheap time killer of youth. I re- ters from old cartoons in new ways. The main that are parodied. A&E Editor member begrudgingly sitting through those character, Harvey Birdman, originally from a Perhaps the greatest aspect of the humor crapfest cartoons with my sister waiting for cartoon called “Birdman and the Galaxy Trio”, behind “Adult Swim” is that their voice act- As the youngest of four siblings and a child of the good ones to start. has found a new outlet in life as a criminal ing and their scripts are so damn quotable. the ‘90s, I grew up on the tail end of “Genera- After all, we were dumb kids; it’s not like defense attorney. The show works so well Friends that have seen the same episodes will tion X” (damn, when was the last time anyone we had the idea of going to go do something because it makes fun of the old (e.g. Shaggy love quoting and creating in-jokes from the said “Generation X”? That should be enough else until the good shows came on. No, we and Scooby Doo are arrested for marijuana show at the confused expense of all those to quell your doubts about the authenticity were so committed to watching TV that bad possession and resisting arrest) and the new present that haven’t seen it. In general, the of my statement.) Anyway, one of the tenets TV was better than being outside. And while (Fred Flintstone is a Tony Soprano-esque jokes are in line with what viewers have come of Generation X was watching cartoons on I hated it at the time, I don’t regret sitting mob boss). to expect of Adult Swim: self-referencing, TV. We didn’t have Tivo, Netflix, Hulu, or through those awful shows at all simply Viewers will see ‘guest appearances’ from on-going, and razor sharp. There are also, of DVDs. If we wanted to watch a cartoon we because they laid the groundwork for fully ap- characters like George Jetson, Secret Squirrel, course, the microsecond visual jokes that take had to consult something called “TV Guide” preciating the relatively recent series, “Harvey Yogi Berra and Atom Ant. Stephen Colbert, place in the background. But there is some- and then wait around until it was time for the Birdman, Attorney at Law.” of the Colbert Report, is one of the voice ac- thing strange going on with Adult Swim’s, desired show to start. The best cartoons were I pretty much forgot about all those awful tors as well as Gary Cole, who voices Harvey and consequently Harvey Birdman’s, style of aired once a week on Saturday mornings (e.g. Hanna-Barbera characters until I started Birdman. Although this show stopped run- humor. “Conan the Adventurer”, “The Pirates of Dark watching Harvey Birdman. It was the 15-years- ning more than four years ago, it was one of Let’s just generalize for a second and say Water”, and “Johnny Quest”). later-payoff that I wasn’t expecting but was the first in a long line of damn funny, damn American humor is slapstick and British Sometimes to get to the good shows meant damn well worth it. Harvey Birdman is an successful series starting with “Sealab 2021” humour is witty. Adult Swim, though based in trudging through the shitty shows, like Scooby adult-cartoon (not hentai) series that ran from which ran alongside Harvey Birdman from Atlanta, is like the inbred, alien bastard child 2000 to 2005. of the Farrelly Brothers and John Cleese. Har- Adult Swim, and some of the makers of vey Birdman isn’t a “HAHA SOMEBODY Harvey Birdman, went on to create the com- FELL DOWN ON THEIR BUM BUM!” mercial success “Archer” which was based on kind of humor, nor is it so dry that as to leave their slightly more esoteric “Frisky Dingo”. the viewer spitting cotton for a week. It is a This isn’t to say that Adult Swim are flawless weird, off-center mix of sight-gags, characters, publishing house; they agreed to release an and wittiness that appeals directly to the Adult awful “Harvey Birdman” video game that cur- Swim viewer, namely, the college-age male. rently sits at a score of 60/100 on metacritic. If you like adult cartoons (again, not hentai) com and was obviously a an attempt at pure but have grown tired of Fox’s perpetual exploitation of the franchise for profit. dumbing down of Family Guy, the Simpsons Harvey Birdman aired on Adult Swim, the and others, and are looking for a downright after-hours version of Cartoon Network, and funny (and at times weird) cartoon, check out if you like any of its other programs, you’ll Harvey Birdman. Mentok the Mind Taker like Harvey Birdman. The animations are demands it. 6 December 2, 2011 Comment & Debate Women that eat men: the downside of extremist feminism Sam Smith Staff Writer

Feminism, historically and internationally, is beyond wonderful. It has shattered oppres- sive traditions and achieved human rights for females worldwide. It cannot be denied that the movement has played both a pivotal and significant role in human history. Furthermore, the majority of feminists living today are well- informed, hard-working, and powerful people fighting the good fight and making the world a better place. Feminism, in its best form, is the simple notion that women are people. That said, I believe it is fair to admit that feminist movements have worked, perhaps without realizing, both against the rights or needs of men, and to perpetuate inequality and gender roles. Before you assume that these statements mean I have a contrived view of feminism, re-read my first paragraph. Not only do most feminists believe in equality, but most femi- nists who are perpetuating inequality at least think they are promoting equality. The fact of the matter is that while being a woman in America used to mean that in nearly every single way, you were at an overarching disadvantage, it now seems to be far from clear-cut. While I don’t feel the need to gen- eralize or suggest that being a man is harder than being a woman, I think it’s important that we recognize undeniable and institutionalized disadvantages of being an American man. If you are a male in America, the expecta- Illustration by Erik Nelson and Emily Spiegel tions of your life are often non-existent. Ac- cording to multiple studies of elementary-level classrooms, including one conducted by Diane Halpern, a psychology professor at Claremont McKenna College, you receive far more blame lenges often overlooked by feminists. world where male victims are intolerable. This middle class woman, they almost always earn and punishment from teachers if you are These challenges include the dare-we- goes way too far. There are dozens of rape the same wage. The general-public statistic is male. According to an Ohio State University speak-of double standards. Because men are crisis centers that refuse to help male rape thrown off because the average salary of the study, females get better grades for the same expected to be strong and dominant, males victims and no rape crisis centers that cater uber-wealthy men is incredibly high. Still, stud- quality work in all levels of education and are who claim they were sexually harassed or specifically to men. ies show that female CEOs are paid more than still provided with an overwhelming amount raped by women are taken far less seriously. So what role has feminism played? Not male CEOs and the vast majority of the un- of incentives, thus outpacing men in college Moreover, men have no laws such as the always a bad one. Many feminists push to tear employed, imprisoned, or homeless are men. enrollment and degrees. So, if you are male, Violence Against Women Act that afford them down all society-led expectations of both gen- The statistics, incontestable and undisputed, your grades are likely to be worse, you are far equal protection under the law when they ders. Unfortunately, this does not appear to be don’t stop there. The vast majority of suicide less likely to graduate high school, graduate are victimized by violence. This is even more the norm. Far too many feminists see America victims are also men. Maybe because men are college, or to have a job. disturbing when one considers that The U.S. as a place where women can’t get what men expected to be void of feelings like sadness, In fact, in the United States, men are twice Center for Disease Control and the American can. They claim that women make 50 cents shame, self-consciousness, and despair, they as likely to be unemployed and four times Psychiatric Association found of heterosexual for every dollar a man makes. They claim that are far more likely to commit suicide as a more likely to have been let go during the re- relationships involving violence, 50.3 percent women are not in positions of power and they result of keeping those emotions bottled up. cession than women. This is all so much more involve non-reciprocal violence, and of that claim that women are discriminated against Men are also more likely to be violent in a disturbing when race is factored in. Black men 50.3 percent, women were the instigators in the workplace. While these claims are true society that expects them to work under more are targeted by the police far more than black 70.7 percent of the time. Unsurprisingly, a in many regards, they remain generalizations stress with later hours than women and in a women and are overwhelmingly more likely to U.S. survey of thousands of adults regarding and have led us down a path that makes things society that discourages females to serve in end up uneducated and unemployed. It is just intimate partner violence, participants were unfairly difficult for men. combat. as wrong to attribute all this to an inherent more accepting of women hitting men, and Yes, women make less money than men American Feminism has lost its way. There stupidity or laziness in men, as it is to attribute were consistently more likely to tolerate the today, 80 cents for every dollar to be exact, ac- are simply too many examples of the disad- the salary disparity between men and women violence if they were first asked about women cording to the U.S. census. Part of the reason vantages of being a man for me to declare to the belief that women are underachieving hitting men rather than the reverse. The ex- this is true is because the vast majority of the myself a feminist. So, I have come to identify and incompetent. The reality is that being a pectation of men to be both emotionally and wealthiest Americans are men. If you look at as a humanist, one who believes in equality man in America encompasses massive chal- physically strong figures has led us to create a the typical middle class man and the typical of the genders and is willing to fight against

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Abdoulaye Dabo volatility in the stock market over the past sev- “Marriage or freedom?” Staff Writer eral months (or even years) has not improved “Ribbons” increasingly hedonistic society, or a greater things from a business standpoint. As a result, Comment & Debate Columnist degree of personal freedom? I believe that some individuals were convicted and Wall as society has become increasingly socially Do you believe that the federal government is Street is now heavily regulated. liberal, one is able to chase after their desires out of control? If so, we have something in Wall Street has a sizable amount of negative Does one have to be in a relationship to more easily. Why stay in a loveless marriage common. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were connotations attached to its name. However, achieve everything one wants to? if you can pursue other means of happi- created to give working Americans a shot at the greed of a minority should not lead to This is the question that struck me the ness? It follows that medieval marriages were owning a decent home. Families unable to get generalization and a demonization of a whole other day, when a friend happened to men- also not as committed and perfect as we a private mortgage could turn to Fannie and institution. It’s been three years since the tion “the perfection of unity”. That phrase would like to believe. Society was far more Freddie for assistance – it was as simple as that, bailout, and it was not the banks that passed stuck out, causing me to completely stop patriarchal in previous centuries, allowing or at least seemed that way. Fannie and Freddie the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of listening to the rest of the important mono- less freedom for women and greater ac- were supposed to help folks who needed it by 2008. Congress did. This leads me to say that logue he launched into. No doubt I missed ceptance of male use of prostitution. Males giving them a home. the protesters are rather confused about whom something crucial, but I was busy thinking were therefore more able to engage in covert Though the federal government doesn’t to blame. Bankers are not gods, and therefore of magazine-worthy couples, frolicking polygamy. Contemporary views consider directly run these agencies, it does provide are not faultless. through sunflower fields. prostitution degrading and female agency is them with funding. In the wake of the 2008 It’s always amuses me to see people blame From a young age, marriage is under- increasing as time passes. As such, it is not recession, the federal government gave Fannie Wall Street in bad economic times and hardly stood as being a crucial milestone in one’s a change in the individual, but in the society, and Freddie as much as $156 billion to keep refer to it as the catalyst of economic growth life. When you’re married, you can own a which has impacted divorce rates. running. Despite claims that most bailed-out in great times. A protest of this kind will just house. When you’re married, you can have In my opinion, marriage is not good for banks repaid their dues (because the bailout divide America into different factions. We have children. When you’re married, you can either individual. Marriage is formed from worked so well), Fannie and Freddie still owe Congress and the Senate for a reason. Lawmak- have a successful career. The concept of the desperation to ensure someone remains the American taxpayer up to $141 billion in U.S. ers are responsible for bringing about change; the “perfection of unity” is drummed into committed to you for the duration of their dollars. Moreover, top executives at Fannie and let them do their jobs. They were the ones us. Girls play with Barbie – she has Ken; her life. This desperation to unite with someone Freddie are expected to receive $100 million elected through popular vote to represent the life is complete. Women assume a gender creates a clinging sense of need and affirms in compensation for work done between 2009 public by large. A good number of the Occupy role, which sanctifies coupling and promotes self-sacrificing behavior. Ultimately, through and 2011, as reported by CNN. protesters probably voted for a change of di- a dependency on the other, be they a woman selflessness, individuals stop engaging in With that being said, why isn’t there an Oc- rection in the 2008 presidential elections; if so, or a man. Men have less exposure to these areas of their life that previously made them cupy Fannie and Freddie? Why isn’t there an then they should blame the people they elected. expectations, although they’re still present. content, so as to make room for their part- Occupy the White House? Why isn’t there an It’s like a football team. When the team wins Why do we assume that being with some- ner. The individual is lost as the couple takes Occupy Congress? The executives at Fannie the Super Bowl, the head coach is often forgot- one else will vastly improve our life? Why do over. One begins to be defined by his or her and Freddie are probably pretty well off as a ten and all the credit goes to the quarterback, we feel the need to exclusively bind ourselves partnership. result of the generous donations by the federal wide-receiver, linebacker, etc. However, when to someone? Why aren’t we promoting Thirty-nine and single? She must be aw- government. They accept lavish salaries. Do the team loses and doesn’t make the playoffs, polygamy? Do these needs date from an an- fully annoying to have failed to marry by now. not expect them to pay the $141 billion lent to it’s the head coach who is the first one blamed. cient desire to protect our property through Or maybe she’s a perfectionist and refuses to them by the federal government back; this type Some pundits have been obsessing over the “strength in numbers” and loyalty? Since accept anything less than the best. A couple of lending practice by the federal government similarities between “Occupy Wall Street” and the dawn of Christianity, Western culture that has been married for 28 years? They are has hosed all of us. It should not be hard to the Arab Spring (a wave revolutionary wave of has never really promoted polygamy. The successful. Their life must be full of hap- realize that the funding of these agencies is demonstrations and protests in the Arab world growing sanctions surrounding Christianity piness and success, and probably golf. The contributing, in a significant way, to the unprec- in the spring of 2011, mostly in Tunisia and eventually meant that in order to engage in relationship status of the individual over- edented growth of the national deficit. Egypt). Secular dictators have ruled Tunisia any form of desire, one had to be married. shadows most other aspects of their lives. If Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac should be and Egypt for decades and ruthlessly sup- Society expected us to be married. One an individual is an overwhelmingly successful abolished. It is not in the best interest of pressed all political activity. Egyptians, just like could argue that it was a form of control. businessman without a wife, his life is void the United States to continue funding these Tunisians, were protesting against the same By being married, people were split into of meaning, right? agencies. Americans cannot afford to pay their things: lack of democracy, limited freedom of small (theoretically) monogamous units for Don’t get me wrong, I understand the executives. It’s evident that some families will speech, an authoritarian regime, and high un- economic and population control. Since that need for self-affirmation from other people. find it harder to get a mortgage, but then again, employment. Work needs to be done to address time, marriage has become an ingrained facet As much as people attempt to deny it, others’ America is broke. It is decision time and I be- social injustice. However, “Occupy Wall Street” of our culture. It is both expected and de- validation justifies our place in the world. I lieve we should give priority to the survival of should not be compared to what took place on sired due to the need to conform to cultural understand the fiery consuming love we feel the country in these hard economic times. Tahrir Square, the focal point of the Egyptian boundaries. for an other. I just do not understand why The hypocrisy of the Occupy movement is Revolution of 2011, considering that America Personally, I think that being with some- this has to result in a monogamous unit. Is staggering. While the “Occupiers” concentrate is a democratic country. one in a long-term relationship spanning de- polygamy not the best relationship system? on the private industry, they overlook chaotic Next year, Americans will have to make a cades is quite unnatural. I don’t understand Or an open relationship? You can engage in liberal programs. Does this mean that Occupy decision: whether to vote for the Democratic it myself – not to say I won’t try it once all of your carnal desires, without engag- Wall Street is bogus? Maybe. Do the protestors Party which largely wants to continue this (maybe twice, hopefully not thrice). How can ing in a contractual obligation to remain care about lavish salaries the government doles social justice madness (which reminds me of you maintain an interest in someone for that monogamous and committed to one person out? Probably not. communism) or vote for a rather chaotic and long? Knowing all of their faults, a waning for the rest of your life. It is freer and less Even though the private sector has always vacillating GOP which says it wants smaller attraction and external complications, how constraining. Of course, jealousy is a huge been a job creator in the economy, there were government. But who knows? President Bush can you commit to living with someone for barrier to these arrangements; however are times when investment bankers screwed up did spend an unbelievable amount of money, the rest of your life? There are too many these possessive emotions innate human by taking unrealistic risks. There were also which is contradictory to the Republican difficulties involved with entering into a characteristics? Or are they formed through times when corporate greed led to a financial philosophy. Next year’s election is not going marriage. societal expectations and cultural exaltations meltdown. It’s true that, at times, individuals to be about President Obama or his opponent. According to the Americans for Divorce of private property? in the corporate world base their decisions on It will be about saving the United States from Reform Group, at present the U.S. has an ap- I know why it happens. I just wish it financial judgments that don’t always work. Hu- economic collapse. proximate 40 percent divorce rate. Although wouldn’t. The “perfection of unity” simply man judgment is far from being perfect. Also, divorce is not as taboo as it once was, it is seems to cause more problems than it solves; still perceived as a failure. Is this due to an at least, in my experience.

discrimination that goes both ways.

Illustration by Emily Spiegel 8 Comment & Debate December 2, 2011 How postmodernity ruined idealism José Gallegos the new laptop, the new trip, the new girlfriend. their own vanity, freedom is a language game, Mexicans protesting and marching against the Staff Writer One recognizes and embraces instability as and love is a romanticized version of sexual violence derived from the Mexican drug-war. a never-ending reformulation of life, which intercourse. The sublime gets fused and con- The Chilean students involved in massive also reflects on the inauguration of terms to fused with the mundane. The emptiness of our demonstrations that strive to make college In the late Eighteenth Century, the German describe the fugacity and vagueness of one’s society is reflected into the minimalist allure of education accessible for everyone will be philosopher Immanuel Kant defined the relationships: flings, friends with benefits, arts; simplicity takes the form of complexity recognized. So will the Spanish Indignants who archetype of modernity by asking the question, inconsistent sexual partners etc. The postmod- and complexity takes the form of antiquity. occupied Madrid protesting against the lack of “What is enlightenment?” Perhaps it is time for ern condition is a repetitive carpe diem that But is this really what postmodernity is all representation and democracy in their political us to ask, “What is postmodernity?” in order to becomes meaningless in its nth repetition. about? Or is it just what the typical-college- system. The revolutionary wave in the Middle illuminate the challenges of our time. After all, The postmodern life is an approach and a American student is capable of articulating East (also known as the Arab Spring) will be in order to know where to go, it is fundamental reproach to the world, characterized by a cyni- from his world perspective and philosophy viewed as an admirable attempt of the people to know where and who we are, just as the Del- cal-skeptical-hedonist attitude. Yet, its cynicism readings? I personally think this is not an ac- from Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Yemen, phic Oracle advises: “Know thyself ”. I believe is not like Diogenes’ or Crates’, for postmoder- curate description of our time, for the ontology Algeria, Iraq, Jordan, Morocco, and Oman to such philosophical questions should abandon nity has replaced self-sufficiency by self-interest of our present cannot be described merely by fight undemocratic regimes and their inherent academia and the scholarly papers and get into and humbleness by the kitsch of a hippy-asceti- the quintessence of the Western cosmopolitan inequality and oppressive nature. And last, but the agora (i.e. the public sphere). What better cism. In addition it has transposed the concept subject. Our present is also characterized by not least, for the public demonstrations and oc- a place to start the discussion than our college of shamelessness from a political claim to a inconformity, injustice, inequality, and struggle. cupied places around the United States against newspaper? scornful detachment of the world. Postmod- There are metanarratives to justify the status the one percent (namely a plutocracy integrated To me there’s no better way to describe ern skepticism is no longer a confrontation to quo, just as there are to take action for change. by transnational companies and banks) that the spirit of our time than by evoking the the common-accepted values of society, but dominate the country’s financial system and the American classic, the composition “Rhapsody rather a solipsistic epigraph of pessimism and Uptopias become future of the American people. in Blue” by George Gershwin. A clarinet glis- conformity. Hedonism in postmodern terms is The original subject of postmodernity, who sando in the opening reveals the rising of a certainly not a Dionysian ecstasy of enjoyment dystopias, emancipation described himself in terms of conformity, novel promise. It is neither metaphysics nor the and pleasure, but rather the alienation of the “is interchangeable with skepticism, and denial, has provoked the surpassed utopias of modernity, but some- soul by material acquisition and the alienation origin of his alter-ego, and yet they are both thing beyond that, perhaps the promise of of the body by the arbitrariness of uncon- populism, reality shows part of the same entity. Postmodernity is like evanescent flourishing. Then tuttis come into scious-physical encounters. Get drunk tonight, make normal people the comedy/tragedy mask of Greek theater, action, prominent enough to convince anyone get in your neighbor’s bed tomorrow! transposed to a twofold reality of farce and of the triumph of liberal capitalism. Orotund Agnosticism is the postmodern religion par heroes, and heroes are struggle, nihilism and emancipation, solipsism cadences are always inconclusive, as an endless excellence. Atheism is a fashion in vogue and turned into pop-stars, and action. These are two very different and expectancy for the unexpected. Intrepidness, Christianity is a conservative social-club. Marx- villains are victims almost opposing narratives, which beyond sub- agitation, wildness, unpredictability, such is the ism is a relic in the showcase of history, and jectivity constitute one same reality. Acknowl- impulse of Gershwin’s composition: a fluctua- democratic liberalism is a surrealist painting of their own vanity, edging this dualism, as opposed to neglecting tion of pompous sonorities that recreate the of a bourgeois gallery. Ideologies are bad faith. freedom is a language with indifference the other side of the coin, roundness of a self-referential time. And even “God is dead”, the author is dead, the subject is the first process to construct a dialectical though such redundancy is nothing but a sar- is dead. Postmodernity seeks individuality in game, and love is a process, where there’s still space for idealism castic grandiosity, postmodernity rises proudly homologation—she wears Converse and smells romanticized version of and for change. What would be the new ideal on the feet of its nihilistic completeness. like Chanel No. 5. To be is to have, and there is to inspire everyone to change? What would be Postmodernity is the encounter with a no Shakespearean question. In postmodernity, sexual intercourse. the new ideology to mobilize people towards fluctuant liquid world. A world that is always there are neither metanarratives nor boundar- a new political system? And what is the model changing, that is always at expectancy, eager ies to contain the world from its contingency. Perhaps in the future, when people look in of society that we should aspire to? Philosophy to receive the “new”, whether for better or Utopias become dystopias, emancipation is retrospection at our time, they will compare” has addressed these questions for more than for worse. Novelty is a prerequisite for the interchangeable with populism, reality shows the grassroots movements that are taking place two thousand years, and they are still as valid postmodern individual: the new mobile phone, make normal people heroes, and heroes are today with the 1968 global revolutions. They as ever. turned into pop-stars, villains are victims of will give a fair account of the thousands of

Conformist college students are the problem

Luigi Mendez in college. Why then, if we have the facilities, some politics in the hands of students who do cal awareness, and participation. Guest Writer the time, and resources to do this at CC, don’t have the energy and some of the extra time to Let me say it again: Latin American students we create un-affiliated political organizations get involved in them. We need to participate in are more involved in politics than Americans, that give a room for students to debate on society and politics more actively and vocally to overall. Back home, in Venezuela, students Last block, I decided to join American Politics political issues nationally and internationally? become a relevant political actor in the country. are among the most important political forces, and Government with Andrew Dunham. I Also, university students back home appear Imagine a student taking part in a Republican and we usually feel responsible for social and had always tried to avoid taking it because, as psychologically more prone to political involve- debate. Imagine a group of students from political stability of the country. If things go an international student interested in political ment because they are more confident than different perspectives and backgrounds on na- wrong, we protest, send letters, go on strikes, science, the subject seemed a little unnecessary, non-students about their political efficacy. In a tional television, analyzing the policy platforms make pamphlets to raise awareness, participate and incredibly tedious. But what could I do? It sociological study, E. Bakke argues, “Students offered by different candidates and providing in municipal and state meetings, and organize is, after all, a requirement for my political sci- the country with their opinions of these can- support and create policy platforms together ence major. However predisposed and unwill- Let me say it again: didates. Imagine that students, as an organized, with political party leaders. The student them- ing as I was, I walked into the classroom and to united force, had a voice in politics… selves are political party leaders. University my surprise there were only six other students Latin American students There is a notion that university students in students have been crucial in the revolution “ Latin America are socially responsible, and that movements of Argentina (1918), Cuba (1933, there! Six students, and I bet that some of us “are more involved in (if not most of us) were there because we were politics than Americans, their university, as a whole, acts as the social 1959), Guatemala (1944), Venezuela (1958, “required” to take the class in order to get a conscience of the nation. This is true, to the 2008), and Bolivia (1964), and have led signifi- political science degree. overall. Back home, in degree that in many Latin American countries, cant anti-government demonstrations (almost On the very first day, Andy Dunham present- Venezuela, students universities act as social welfare institutions. consistently) in nearly every Latin American ed the class with the statement that Americans For instance, Mexico’s National University country at some point in the last century. are politically “inactive, uninterested and un- are among the most (UNAM) has a separate Social Service Depart- But why would this matter? Why would we, aroused”, and the very size of our class sup- important political ment which manages internships in villages and as mere college students seeking intellectual ported his claim. This made me wonder about neglected areas. And, among other activities, it betterment be involved in the political situation the student political activism in the United forces, and we usually arranges weekend work camps where students of the nation? Student involvement is crucial States (or at least, what I’ve seen at CC) as it feel responsible for interact with and learn about the problems of for every country, especially in the United compares to what I’ve seen in Latin America; underprivileged people, and then help them States. The bipartisan political system tends to the realities are extremely different. Students in the social and political solve these problems. Also, “Accion Comu- offer only two alternatives to address an issue: Colorado College are remarkably less participa- stability of the country. nal” in Colombia is a student-led organization Democrats seek to expand the social welfare tive, aware, and vocal when it comes to taking a that provides opportunities for participation system and improve the quality of lower-in- political stand than students in Latin America. [in Latin America] are aware that they are a in community development. “Javaeriana”, in come people by increasing taxes; Republicans In Venezuela, like in most of Latin America, force to be reckoned with both in the deter- Bogota, has an impressive list of options for seek to reduce taxes and government interven- university campuses have no dormitories. For mination of the character of the university ” student participation in charitable activities, tion as much as possible, letting the individual this reason, there is an absence of campus-cen- and in the shaping of the social political life in including participation in workers’ education, care for his or her own destiny. Students need tered extracurricular activities in comparison to the community and nation.” There is a notion legal consultation for the poor, visits to and not conform to these two alternatives, but need North American universities. The great number among students that we have the capability and study of jails, Catholic missions and social to re-define them, criticize them, break them and variety of “extracurriculars” in most responsibility to orient and lead other sectors work assistance, dental clinics, and community into smaller parts and see what actually benefits universities in the U.S. makes students devote of society. And this is a notion that has been medical services. the nation and what doesn’t. CC gives us the their energies to athletics, debating, religious created through the students’ constant political This injection of students into the life means and theoretical foundations to under- and secular associations of all sorts, singing participation and involvement through social and needs of the Latin American people has stand the different policy platforms offered and theatre groups, student newspapers and work, media, political allegiance, etc. shaped our role as political activists. With it, we by both parties. It should be our responsibility magazines, etc.; students in Latin America lack It would be nice, if not essential for the carry the opportunity not only for the expres- to analyze and understand these platforms, these ways to divert their passions from politics. country’s integral development, if this same sion of idealism, but to actually be an active criticize them and create a new, third one, if Thus, they seek association with political feeling was fostered among students in Ameri- agent of change in our society. That is why we necessary. Like in Latin America, we, as univer- groups (Marxist, Social-democrats, communist, can colleges as well. Imagine if college and feel the need to raise our voices when we see sity students, need to be the intellectual voice etc.) and see them as an essential part of their university students were reckoned with as a rel- things going wrong. We reckon ourselves as of the people, not because we are smarter than university experience, just as most Americans evant (and united) political force in the country. political agents, as “social policemen” whose the rest, but because we have the tools to do so. regard extracurriculars as crucial for their time It doesn’t seem bad or irrational to me to leave responsibility lies in social justice work, politi- December 2, 2011 Comment & Debate 9 The bright side of internationalism at CC

Krithika Vachali that, there is the satisfyingly large percentage the international student front, I have listened were just confused about what it all meant, Guest Writer of people who study abroad, and finally, there to frustrated students who feel that their views or did not really care. I did not speak to the is the academic curriculum itself. People’s are not given any importance by students who whole community however, and therein lays my opinions about these elements of international- swear to the open-mindedness of their class uncertainty with framing an opinion on what I am an international student at CC. I flew ism in CC are as varied as the costumes people or circle of friends. While it is obvious that all “internationalism” means. My view concerning for 27 hours before I got to campus, and that wear during Halloween. students, regardless of where they come from, internationalism had certainly changed from is extremely fast considering the distance I International students are everywhere you receive a good education at CC, it is question- my initial perspective and hypothesis. However, travelled. In terms of culture, it seemed like look. If you do not have one in your class, you able whether the learning environment, created it does not mean that the majority of the com- I alighted from my plane and set foot on an will have one in or your extracurricular activi- by the community of students and faculty, is as munity values our international aspects. While alien planet. It was not American culture per se ties, and if nothing else, you have at least one diverse as it should be. students are clear about the status of interna- that seemed so different to me, but the culture on the editorial board of this publication. As I also found that people who had studied tionalism in their personal lives, no one felt the at CC, specifically one aspect, a dearth of “in- of last year, there were 117 international un- abroad felt much more comfortable with new need to re-evaluate or change that status. There ternationalism” that I found hard to deal with. dergraduate students on this campus, and this perspectives, and they were usually the ones was some regret expressed at the fact that in But I reassured myself that I was new here and year, there are approximately 120 international who claimed that the international aspect some areas, international or global knowledge that I just wasn’t meeting enough people. Sure students according to OMIS (The Office for to CC, because the study abroad programs and perspective was woefully absent. However, enough, my class assuaged my fears by teaching Minority and International Students) and the changed their way of thinking and looking it stopped with that regret. The status quo, as me about Asian cultures, yet I still felt there Admissions Office. These numbers only count at things. As of last year, 53 percent students tenuous and inconclusive as it seems, has been was something missing. I could not quite pin- the “non-resident aliens” on campus. When studied abroad before graduation, according established. The sad part? No one seems to point what it was. Therefore, when CC hosted applying CC’s definition of an international to the CC website. As this number does not want to change it. an International Week a month ago, starting student, there could possibly be more. CC’s include the students who do a summer block We need to start to engage in a dialogue with Taste of the World and ending with the formal definition of international students, abroad, this figure may be more than 70 per- about what internationalism means to this Music Across Borders Video Dance Party, I from the CC website, includes, “non-U.S. cent, in my estimate. Nearly one in two people community. Why have international students thought it might be a good time to talk to as citizens who attended high school in the U.S., would have studied abroad before graduating. at all? Why have study-abroad programs? Why many people as I could to try and put a finger U.S. citizens who attended secondary schools It boggles the mind when we look at these fund faculty from across the globe to come on what internationalism meant to CC. abroad, non-U.S. citizens who have never been numbers, but they are true. CC is offering us give us talks and teach classes? And when When I first started asking around, the to the U.S., dual citizens, and U.S. permanent the chance to go abroad for a semester, a year, we answer those whys, we need to figure out definition of international that I found was residents.” CC seems to be saying that it or a summer, and we all seem to be taking whether those answers really apply to this com- very limited. I thought that the only “interna- considers anyone with a significant background them up whole-heartedly on this offer. munity. This confusion about internationalism tionalism” at CC came from its small group outside the United States an international stu- When I spoke to some students who had in itself, and its potential value is something of international students. Besides, I was world dent. I would even go so far as to expand this studied abroad, they said that going abroad that I really feel this community needs to weary and cynical about the role of interna- to students who have done gap years abroad fundamentally changed the way they viewed the come to terms with, and live out instead of tionalism at CC as I went into this week. I am either in service or studying, as they also have world. In a class with guest lecturer Amitava just spouting “correct” views at opportune afraid I had a very well developed notion of had an exposure to perspectives held in other Kumar, one of the participants confessed that moments. Think about it, when CC, adminis- what I would find. From my experience alone, countries. she hadn’t really felt “American” before she tratively, does so much to introduce this com- in classes and other interactions I have had Now that we know we have this group, studied abroad. She then went on to say that munity to a more global outlook through the with the CC student body, I felt the majority of which according to my unofficial estimate is putting herself in the context of a different language houses and study abroad programs, students did not really care about the opportu- around 12-15 percent of the student body, my culture and learning environment helped her why don’t people talk about it more? At the nities that CC presented in terms of expanding question to my interviewees was, why do they understand her own identity in the way that she same time, why do some people say that people to the international community. Yes, people matter? I got bland looks before someone wanted to. Many students who study abroad don’t care about “internationalism” when, study abroad often, and yes, people live in lan- either explained to me earnestly why “diverse do so to learn an aspect of the culture they are looking at the amount of people who study guage houses, but I do not feel as though that perspectives” was a good thing, or shot me a studying academically, and that brought me to abroad, they do in their own ways? affects anything. Simple things like bringing glare dripping with scorn because I seemed the third presence of internationalism in this These are questions that I could not find up international politics at a lunch table would to not know this basic truth. The general community: academics. answers to because this dialogue has yet to reward me with blank faces. Sometimes, the consensus I gleaned was that an international The first class that I took here was Japanese take place in the greater community. However, only way I could be sure that someone would student body provided diverse perspectives Culture and Interpreting Asian Cultures. I the necessity for this dialogue is apparent. It know something about another country was and views that were essential to liberal arts learned eventually that they fulfilled two out of is rare to have so many opportunities at hand if it was related to the U.S., or happened to be education. However, when I asked about seeing three Diverse Perspectives credits that I needed and so many outlets through which we can front page news in the New York Times. It was examples of this on campus, the responses to get. They are a requirement for every stu- broaden perspectives and enrich the academ- frustrating and demoralizing, for I expected were very mixed. Some people felt that diverse dent who wishes to graduate from CC. Added ics here. It would be a shame then to not have people to simply know more and care more perspective really didn’t play a part in the to that are the international elements present in this dialogue and let things stay the way they than I thought they did. Going into interna- CC community, while others swore by the the courses offered, which include foreign lan- are. The fragile and often confusing thing that tional week, my thoughts were predictably dark existence of vibrantly different perspectives guages, the study of other cultures, arts from is internationalism at CC is currently standing and, as I said, I thought I could predict the and said that it changed their lives and the way around the world, and even different political, in limbo. It is comfortable for us to just let answers I would get. It was not just the status in which they looked at things. I believe both, religious, and scientific traditions of thought. it be, without questioning the need for it, or quo in terms of internationalism that I was but am more dubious about the latter than the It would be impossible, as a CC student, not even discussing the possibility of having or not looking for; I was also looking for what people former. Yet, it is interesting to me that both to encounter internationalism at some point having it. Perhaps, it should remain the way it do about it. People do not broach the topic of can exist in tandem in such a small community. before graduation. When asked whether people is, in suspended animation peppered with small internationalism often. At the end of the week, “Culture is easily accepted,” Joah Chun, a CC thought this was good, I received the same discussions in and around campus. Or maybe luckily, I was proved wrong on one of these freshman, noted. “It is the other stuff, political mixed opinions again, ranging from resounding we could evaluate it and see whether or not it’s fronts. views particularly, that are treated with caution. agreement to apathy, to strong disagreement. a valuable part of the CC community, and if It took around 13 informal interviews I do not think that there is a doubt about the At the end of the week, with all its cultural so, maybe even figure out ways to utilize this to realize that CC has more international existence of perspectives anymore. There is, activities and international general knowledge more efficiently. Either way, we need to do elements than I, or many others that I spoke however, the question of their acceptance.” It quizzes, I came to absolutely no conclusion. I something, because if we don’t, we might just with initially, give it credit for. There are the also seemed that people did not oppose new felt that there should be one, and I knew that let one of the most valuable aspects of a liberal international students, of course, and then views; they just took a while to get used to there were questions worth asking, but right arts education, and a CC education in specific, there is international faculty and staff. Beyond something formerly glaringly unfamiliar. On at that moment, it felt as though most people pass us by. Stolen dignity: Redefining loss and virginity women that rape or sexual harassment is the In most of India today, marriage is still the infliction of violence. Instead, it encour- Radhika Singh worst thing that could ever happen to them, viewed as a business, an advancement of both ages the raped woman to feel guilt rather than Guest Writer especially if the woman is a virgin; that it families. A woman is indeed “worthless” if anger at what was inflicted on her. results in the loss of purity and innocence, she has lost her virginity before marriage. It was the sense of guilt, because of what My best friend told me last year that her father and, understandably, would leave them feeling When a child is born, its future is determined she thought she lost, that stopped my friend had sexually molested her all through middle dirty and impure. When looking at the word by its sex. If it is a boy, then raising him will from telling me about her molestation sooner. school. At first, she didn’t even know that her “rape” in a thesaurus, the synonyms that ap- bring money to the family directly, through We had been best friends for ten years, and father was doing something wrong. When she pear are “to plunder, despoil, ransack, rob”. his own money-earning ventures. If it is a girl, I thought we shared everything. She hid found out that he was, she also felt that some- I would like to question this view, because she will be an investment. Her parents need this from me and the world, and struggled thing was taken from her; to put it in her own not only does it encourage the belief that a to raise her, which costs money, and then pay through her mental and physical torture alone. words, “I felt that I was dirty, kind of…cor- woman’s worth lies in the possession of her her dowry, which costs even more money. She was not only victimized by her father, but rupt; I still kind of feel that way.” Along with virginity, but it also leads to the objectifica- She can only bring money to the family by society’s distorted understanding of rape. the realization that her father was doing some- tion of a woman and to her “value” spoken indirectly through her husband and his family. It will be hard for people to overcome the thing wrong came the idea that something was of in terms of ownership and loss. If she loses her virginity, she not only loses almost subconscious connections they make stolen from her. Forced sexual intercourse is obviously a her “purity” and “innocence”, she also loses between rape, virginity, and loss. It has been There is a lot wrong with the way sexual violation of a woman’s body, but it must not her potential to make money because she will driven into our minds since we were children. harassment is handled in certain societies. In be seen as an end of a woman in any way probably never be able to get married. Media, to a large extent, confirms and em- many Eastern cultures, women who are sexu- - whether it be the end of her life, her child- If she loses her virginity through rape, she phasizes this idea. Changing it would mean ally harassed do not know that it is wrong, hood, or her sanctity. A woman must not be will be shunned by society because she has changing our very ingrained perception of and when they do find out that it is, they have defined by her sexuality, or more specifically, lost her monetary value for the family. Even sex as a whole—a near impossible task. We no one to turn to because of the shame and her virginity. We, as a society, must move past in Western society, just a few decades ago, a need to try, though. We need to understand stigmatization that the loss of virginity carries the notion that a raped woman has had some- raped woman was often held in contempt rape for what it is and help victims under- with it. More than this, however, whether or thing precious stolen from her. One’s virginity because she was seen as “asking for it”. If stand that nothing was taken from them; not they knew it was wrong, a skewed sense should not be considered “precious”; if so, it she were a virgin, she would have lost her rather, something was forced onto them. In of what has happened to them emerges, be- would mean that the loss of it would make a “sanctity”. Either way, this focus on the loss this distinction lies the healing of a woman, cause of how their society views women. woman “worthless”. Just the fact that we use associated with virginity misdirects the real even a virgin, who has been raped. Both Western and Eastern cultures tell the term losing your virginity makes it appear atrociousness of rape- the stealing of a to be a loss of something. woman’s personal freedom of choice through 10 December 2, 2011 Science! Synch or swim: menstruation theories try to stay afloat

straightforward. It was first formally studied has been both corroborated and contradicted. menstrual synchrony a fact that’s lacking Bryce Ingram in 1971 by a University of Chicago profes- Repeatedly. For every supporting study there supporting evidence or is it just corroborated is another that does not replicate her findings. Guest Writer sor of psychology, Martha McClintock. She fiction? Alas, current scientific studies seem to observed 135 women living in a college dor- Probably most significant of these counter- Continued from page 1 mitory over the course of an academic year. points was evidenced in a study produced Even more numerous are the evolution- The results indicated what you might expect: by Yang and Schank in 2006. They reviewed So, if the science is ary theories that might undermine menstrual the temporal onsets of their estrous cycles McClintock’s work and concluded her findings inconclusive, what can synchrony. Richard A. Kiltie summarizes a were at the level of chance; that is, we can’t “explain period synching? number of these theories in “On the Sig- One theory proposes rule out her findings as merely coincidental. nificance of Menstrual Synchrony in Closely So, if the science is inconclusive, what can It may actually just Associated Women” (1982). One theory that period synching is explain period synching? It may actually just be human perception proposes that period synching is a result of “a result of competition be human perception that accounts for the competition for social or sexual dominance. phenomenon. Whether or not menstrual that accounts for the Because the menstrual cycle is closely linked for social or sexual synchrony does occur to a significant amount phenomenon. Whether to sexual desire and arousal (see “horniness”), dominance. Because in the population, we may think it does being synched with sexual competitors may because the idea has already been planted. or not menstrual increase a female’s chance of finding a mate the menstrual cycle is Mathematically, using actual data about cycle synchrony does occur to over her competitor. Another theory states closely linked to sexual length, Yang and Schank logically state that at that if women menstruated together there any given time, two women’s periods may be a significant amount in desire and arousal (see would be an increased likelihood of preg- either diverging or converging. They conclude, the population, we may nancy and birthing children at the same time. “horniness”), being then, that synchrony is only noticed when This would have then allowed the mothers to cycles are converging, artificially inducing think it does... collectively care for the children, increasing synched with sexual the feeling of synchrony. Conversely, when survival. Both of these theories (and many competitors may periods are diverging it may generally go un- suggest either could be true. What can be con- others) are plausible, especially considering noticed. According to social psychology, con- cluded, however, is that menstrual synchrony they are not human-centric and may be ap- increase a female’s firmation bias can help explain this perceived does not happen to everyone all the time. It” plied to other mammalian species that more chance of finding a mate misconception. We tend to favor and notice is a very modest claim, but it is all that can likely exhibit period synching. However, these information that aligns with our preconceived truly be said given the evidence. The dreaded, have not been widely studied and are really over her competitor. notions whether or not the information, or in yet inevitable conclusion to most scientific just speculative. were directly related to the amount of time this case phenomenon of period synching, is reviews must be applied: more research must So what’s the truth about menstrual syn- the women spent together. Problem solved, actually real. be done on the topic. Do the Bond Girls sync chrony? Unfortunately, the scientific evi- right? Not quite. ” But can a false perception really account their menstrual cycles together? The world dence behind menstrual synchrony isn’t very Since its publication, McClintock’s research for the ubiquity of anecdotal evidence? Is may never know. Home is where the brain is: a reflection on The Society for Neuroscience Conference 2011 more Alzheimer’s disease. ates, several fulltime researchers, a handful people. It’s not often you get to talk neuro- Zachary Zeidler That isn’t to denigrate presenting at the of professors, and a couple whom I believe logical shop with the guy sitting across the Staff Writer conference, however. Rather, it’s to praise snuck in—each with a robust interest in bar from you at lunch. science fairs. Because the idea behind both all things brain, mind, and central nervous Not only are people and ideas introduced, A drunk neuroscientist stumbles into a of these events—collaborative, communal system. Names were exchanged, hands were but the latest gadgets for neuroscientific re- crowded bar. The bartender asks, “What’ll exchange of information—is a critical part shaken, and beers were bought. I left with a search are discussed as well. One of the main it be?” The neuroscientist replies, “Two of science that is rarely discussed with those smile on my face and contacts in my phone. attractions of the Neuroscience Conference double shots o’ yer strongest whisky.” The outside of the scientific community. Networking had never been so much fun. is the product expo. Dozens of different bartender hesitates and says, “I’m not sure The stereotype of the scientist as being a To be honest, I was wary of what a gather- companies, even tangentially related to the that’s a good idea.” “Good idea?” the neuro- reclusive workaholic laboring in his labora- ing of neuroscientists on this magnitude field, market their wares, hand out freebies, scientist slurs, “I didn’t get this drunk just to tory is no longer accurate. As different areas would be like. Would everyone be in white and demonstrate their products. Everything listen to your prefrontal cortex!” of inquiry grow, more and more cross-disci- lab coats, with disheveled hair, cackling from popular paperback books to designer Under normal circumstances, that joke is plinary collaborations occur, and options for maniacally? Would there be an abundance of rodents can be found. not funny…at all. It’s more likely to provoke more diverse experimentation flourishes. orthopedic shoes and nasally voices? Should One of the largest crowd pleasers was cricket chirps than a chorus of laughter. Glancing over the myriad of different I wear a pocket protector? undoubtedly the virtual reality EEG device. However, in one specific city at one specific presentations at the conference is both As it turns out, neuroscientists, both young EEG stands for electroencephalography, time of the year, it produces guffaws instead intimidating and intriguing. Such a diversity and old, are more-or-less normal people which is the recording of the pattern of of groans. Washington D.C. was that city, and of topics and methods of research serves to (though the pocket protector was notably in electrical activity produced from the brain this past month was that time. stimulate ideas for new scientific inquiries vogue). Aside from mild eccentricities and and measured through the scalp. It is used From Nov. 12 to 16, Washington D.C. and also to spark conversations with com- an academic vernacular, the conference at- for everything from diagnosing strokes and hosted the world’s largest gathering of plete strangers. tendees were simply people who were excited tumors to researching sleep and meditation. neuroscientists from across the world for the During my short time at the conference, I about what they were studying and wanted This device provides full auditory and annual Society for Neuroscience conference. met one medical doctor, three undergradu- to share that enthusiasm with like-minded visual immersion in a virtual environment Over 31,000 brainiacs were while recording this brain activity. In in attendance, and among the this way, a person’s neurological re- throngs of graduate students, sponse can be examined in situations leading researchers, and es- normally inaccessible to researchers. teemed professors were a hand- You can confront a fear of spiders ful of undergraduate students, while a therapist guides you through including myself and two other the trauma, or experience a plane CC students. crash without any mortal danger for Ostensibly, my purpose researchers to examine the brain was to present the research I under fear, or you can fight dragons conducted over the summer in just to see the effects of fighting Lori Driscoll’s behavioral neu- dragons on your brain. rotoxicology laboratory. The Really, the options are limitless. research concerned a particular And that was the overall message chemical, called PBDE, ubiq- I left the conference with; that uitous in modern life (it can be there are so many people devoted found in flame retardants, for to uncovering the workings of example), and a chemical that ourselves and our construction, yet has been associated with vari- there are always more questions to ous developmental abnormali- be answered and more pieces to put ties. It’s recently been banned, together. Even the most seemingly not to worry, though what is abstruse new discovery plays into already present will persist for the larger picture of how the brain many, many years to come. works. While presenting at an inter- Everyday one new discovery is national conference for neuro- made and everyday two new ques- scientists may sound presti- tions are posed, and there is an army gious, my contribution took of dedicated individuals working place in what is most accurately to answer those questions. That described as a glorified science prospect of a relentless quest for a fair, not unlike the ones back in deeper understanding of my exis- elementary school, though with tence excites me. And I know now less baking soda volcanoes and Josh Kaplan, Zach Zeidler, Megan Lieb, and Jamie Haran Photo by Bob Jacobs. that I am not the only one. 11 Paid Advertisements December 2, 2011 December 2, 2011 Paid Advertisement 12