Researcher correlates class To save the environment, Timeflies exictes at fall status and colds • A4 save the pandas • A6 concert • B5 SCITECH FORUM PILLBOX

thetartan.org @thetartan November 11, 2013 Volume 108, Issue 11 Carnegie Mellon’s student newspaper since 1906

Ian Glasner steps Wolpert sings his way to the top into role as SBVP

Noël Um organizations, Glasner looks News Co-Editor forward to the new respon- sibilities associated with his Spurred by a desire to position as student body vice make Carnegie Mellon life president. more enjoyable, junior elec- “I think I can make a dif- trical and computer engi- ference here and effect posi- neering major Ian Glasner tive change on campus. It’s has filled the role of student all about representing the body vice president after former vice president and ju- nior philosophy major Peter “I think I Masters resigned from the position. can make a Glasner was nominated to difference student body vice president by Student Body President here and effect Lindsay MacGillivray two weeks ago, and his nomina- positive change tion was approved by Student on campus.” Senate last Thursday. Mac- Gillivray presented Glasner as her nominee to Senate and —Ian Glasner faced no objections. Student Body Vice MacGillivray and Glasner President already have a history of pos- itive collaboration: Glasner previously served on Mac- student body and helping Read The Tartan’s Gillivray’s advisory cabinet make campus a better place as residential life adviser. He and making students more interview with currently serves as the com- happy and successful. I want munity advisor for the Resi- to make this campus more former Carnegie dence on Fifth. He is also on fun,” he said. the executive committee of According to the student Mellon student Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s Penn- government website, the stu- sylvania Phi chapter and is a dent body vice president as- James Wolpert on founder of CMU in Haiti, an sists the student body presi- organization that travels to dent in all areas of the job and B8 and supports Haiti. is either elected alongside Although already en- Courtesy of James Wolpert gaged with various campus See SBVP, A3 Suresh praises power of interdisciplinary collaboration Jacqueline James ferent fields — along with his a physics expert might not be Iris Yang, a biomedical en- Junior Staffwriter co-workers and students — able to solve a problem per- gineering master’s student, made his work possible. taining to his or her field, an added, “I connected with his Newly instated Carn- Suresh focused mostly on engineer could. research and found it very in- egie Mellon President Subra the devastating affect malaria Suresh hopes that his work teresting.” Suresh gave his inaugural lec- has on the simple human red with blood diseases might At the end of his lecture, ture last Thursday. blood cell. eventually lead to some form which lasted over an hour, After an introduction by Red blood cells must stretch of cure for malaria and sickle Suresh stayed to answer some James Garrett, dean of the and squeeze to fit through the cell anemia, for a start. De- questions. The lecture was the College of Engineering and extremely thin vessels in our spite cautioning that he is far first of what Suresh hopes will Thomas Lord professor of civil brains, This ability is vital for from any true solution, he re- be many. and environmental engineer- bringing oxygen to all parts of mains optimistic. As the ninth president of ing, Suresh was greeted with the brain. When they are in- “With each small step we Carnegie Mellon, Suresh has applause from the audience fected, red blood cells quickly come closer to solving the gathered many academic in the standing-room-only lose this flexibility as their problem,” he said, and looked lauds throughout his career, Rashid Auditorium. outer shell hardens. These in- to students for help. “If any one being his recent election “It is rare I get to be in the fected cells go on to cause ma- CMU students could solve this, to the Institute of Medicine. position of the professor, so jor vessel blockages. you’d be very famous!” In addition, Suresh has held a let’s get to it,” Suresh said. Suresh highlighted the im- “I found the lecture educa- position on the National Acad- Suresh’s passion and the portance of interdisciplinary tional, definitely,” said alumna emy of Sciences since 2012 bulk of his research involve approaches to such confound- and Carnegie Mellon tech- and has been a member of the studying red blood cells and ing problems. nology support and assess- National Academy of Engi- their behavior when confront- Suresh himself has back- ment analyst Shruti Valjee, neering since 2002. ed with malaria, sickle cell ground in materials science, “and also very inspirational. I Suresh is one of only 16 anemia, and leukemia. engineering, and medicine. think it’s a great way for him Americans to have the honor Suresh greatly emphasized He paused several times to start off as CMU president, of holding a place in all three Courtesy of Tim Kaulen how “transformative and dis- throughout the lecture to not just as a president, but a societies. Suresh will be inau- President Suresh delivered his first inaugural lecture last Thursday. ruptive” developments in dif- make the point that though researcher too.” gurated this Friday. Nagin wins Stockholm criminology prize brian trimboli punished. Nagin found that News Co-Editor “I’m more optimistic, in the specific deterrence does not have the preventative effect Daniel Nagin, the Teresa future, that the political climate people thought, but rather and H. John Heinz III univer- will be such that policymakers that “either the experience of Check sity professor of public policy punishment was perhaps ex- and statistics, described the will actually pay attention to this acerbating recidivism or hav- research that won him the research.” ing no effect — none of it was out our 2014 Stockholm Prize for showing that it had that kind Criminology. of chastening effect.” “I’ve been doing work —Daniel Nagin Nagin, who is originally calendar of which calls into question a Professor of public policy and statistics from Pittsburgh, came to lot of sentencing policy — the Carnegie Mellon for his un- President way we use imprisonment — dergraduate education in the in the United States,” Nagin research on deterrence, the ing him or her, while general early 1970s. After receiving a said. idea that the threat of punish- deterrence focuses on crime degree from what is now the Suresh’s The Stockholm Prize, ment will prevent people from prevention on a larger scale by Tepper School of Business, he awarded by the Swedish Min- breaking the law. making examples of specific came back to Carnegie Mellon istry of Justice with contribu- According to Nagin, the re- criminals. for a master’s degree, also in inaugural tions from the Torsten Söder- search for which he received An example of general de- business. berg Foundation, is “awarded the award “specifically has to terrence, Nagin says, is when Nagin continued his educa- annually for outstanding do with the impact of sending “the threat of knowing that tion at Carnegie Mellon with a events on achievements in criminologi- people to prison on their sub- there might be cops around Ph.D. from what is now Heinz cal research or for the appli- sequent offenses.” the corner deters you from College. He credits his interest cation of research results by Nagin made the distinction speeding.” in research to his time as an A3! practitioners for the reduction between specific and general Nagin studies how the undergraduate. Nagin, hired of crime and the advancement deterrence. Specific deter- experience of punishment as an undergraduate research of human rights,” according to rence focuses on an individual affects recidivism, when assistant, had the chance to a university press release. criminal, discouraging future criminals lapse back into their Nagin won the prize for his criminal activities by punish- law-breaking ways after being See NAGIN, A3 A2 « thetartan.org/news The Tartan » November 11, 2013 feature photo news in brief Student awarded scholarship Annual Benefits and Fitness Fair from (ISC)² Foundation Carnegie Mellon is proud is a process built upon a cy- to announce that Pratibha cle of key attributes: learn- Anjali Dohare is the recipient ing, monitoring, analyzing, of a $40,000 cybersecurity deciding, and responding scholarship from the Inter- — before the whole cycle of national Information Sys- learning begins again,” said tems Security Certification Dohare in the press release. Consortium (ISC)² Founda- Cybersecurity attacks are tion. becoming more frequent The scholarship will help with the increasing usage of Dohare with her studies in computer systems for both the masters of science in in- economic and social means. formation technology-infor- As young adults become mation security at Carnegie more experienced with so- Mellon’s Information Net- cial media, experts believe working Institute. many are participating in “I intend to utilize this unsafe practices on the Web. scholarship in enhancing To be eligible for the my knowledge in the field of scholarship, applicants must cybersecurity and forensics be at least undergraduate during my studies at CMU’s sophomores by August of the INI, with an aim to merge the calendar year, when scholar- processes of prevention and ships are awarded. investigation through devel- Students must also be opment of an intrusion pre- academically eligible to con- vention and detection sys- tinue at their educational tem. Cybersecurity is more institutions while pursuing than one individual step — it their degrees.

CMU research shows inkblots improve password security Computer scientists at Ph.D. computer science stu- Carnegie Mellon have cre- dent who helped develop ated a password system that GOTCHA, said, “These are will use inkblots to provide puzzles that are easy for a extra protection when pass- human to solve, but hard for words are stolen from web- a computer to solve, even if it sites. has the random bits used to The Generating panOp- generate the puzzle.” tic Turing Tests to Tell Com- Blocki developed GOT- puters and Humans Apart CHA along with Manuel (GOTCHA) password system Blum, professor of computer would be able to further pro- science, and Anupam Datta, tect important accounts. associate director of comput- A user first chooses a pass- er science and electrical and word, and a computer creates computer engineering. numerous multicolored ink- GOTCHA would be help- blots. The user would then ful with security breaches of describe each inkblot with websites from which millions a text phrase that would be of user passwords are stolen stored in random order with — a problem that has af- the password. In the future, fected companies like Linke- upon signing in, a user would dIn, Sony, and Gawker. The have to match phrases with system would ensure that a their respective inkblots. sophisticated computer pro- While this may sound like gram would be unable to a simple security system, crack an account. it is near impossible for a computer to solve. In a press Compiled by release, Jeremiah Blocki, a Alvin Mathew

Weather Kate Groschner/Photo Editor Carnegie Mellon held its annual Benefits and Fitness Fair last Wednesday in the University Center’s Rangos Hall. At the fair, over 75 different health and fitness vendors answered questions, gave fitness advice, and distributed free samples of their respective products. Campus Crime & Incident Reports Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Underage Drinking Bicycle Theft further treatment. Both in- ized the laptop was missing. High / Low High / Low High / Low November 2, 2013 November 2, 2013 cidents met criteria for Alco- This investigation is ongoing. 35 / 26 36 / 26 45 / 32 hol Amnesty to be applied. University Police cited a A Carnegie Mellon student University of Pittsburgh stu- reported his bicycle stolen Defiant Trespass Citation dent for underage drinking at from the bike walk near the Hit and Run November 8, 2013 the corner of Forbes Avenue Purnell Center. The victim November 3, 2013 and Beeler Street. A security stated that he secured his University Police respond- guard noticed the intoxicated Hunter brand bicycle outside A Carnegie Mellon student ed to a call for a suspicious student and requested assis- of Purnell on Oct. 30, 2013 at reported that his vehicle was male harassing two Carnegie tance. The male was trans- noon. The victim stated that struck in the parking lot be- Mellon students. Police iden- hind 1091 Morewood Avenue tified the man and confirmed Friday Saturday Sunday ported to a hospital for further he returned to find the bike High / Low High / Low High / Low treatment after CMU EMS missing at 9:30 p.m. on Nov. in the Greek Quad. Police and that he was not affiliated with 49 / 33 51 / 39 60 / 47 deemed transport necessary. 2. The victim stated that the the victim were unable to de- Carnegie Mellon and was pre- Source: www.weather.com A University of Pittsburgh cable lock, which was secur- termine who struck the vic- viously trespassing in campus student was cited for under- ing the bicycle, was also sto- tim’s vehicle. residence halls. The man was cited for defiant trespass and age drinking after she was len. Corrections & Clarifications found intoxicated and sleep- released from the scene. Laptop Theft ing on top of the laundry table Alcohol Amnesty November 6, 2013 The article “Center receives $4.6 million to improve inside the Margaret Morrison transit app” in the Nov. 3 issues of The Tartan pre- November 3, 2013 Apartment laundry room. University Police were viously stated that the Port Authority tested their University Police and EMS University Police and EMS summoned to Doherty Hall GPS system as part of the RERC on Accessible Public were summoned to assist after were summoned to Mudge in reference to a theft report. Transportation. A correction has been made to clarify a concerned individual found House and Scobell House in The victim stated that they that while the Port Authority did recently improve their the female. The female was reference to two incidents left their laptop unattended in GPS system, the RERC is not involved in the process or transported to a hospital for with intoxicated students. a Doherty Hall 1200 corridor deployment of the new tracking system; it simply plans further treatment. Both students were trans- classroom from 1:30 p.m. un- to use their data. ported to the hospital for til 10:30 p.m., when they real-

student senate meeting minutes Special Committee Update: Ex-Officio Report: Student Body Vice President Appointment Allocation: Game Campus Life Lieutenant Joseph Meyers Creation Society

Senate voted to allocate Campus Life will be Lieutenant Joseph Meyers ease of use for the system; he Student Body President officially became student body $1,392.42 for the Game Cre- hosting a gallery crawl on of University Police gave a pre- focused on the usability of the and senior biology and psy- vice president at Thursday’s ation Society in order to cover Nov. 23 from 11 a.m.–5 p.m., sentation on Carnegie Mellon’s shuttle system’s website, which chology major Lindsay Mac- Senate meeting after no Sena- server costs charged by the with buses leaving periodical- shuttle system. Meyers said can be found at www.cmu.edu/ Gillivray announced the ap- tors objected to his appoint- School of Computer Science. ly from the UC Turnaround. that this semester there has police/shuttleandescort. pointment of junior electrical ment. Although the Game Creation The buses will take students been a marked increase in the and computer engineering Society has been paying the to venues around Pittsburgh, number of complaints Univer- major Ian Glasner to the po- monthly fee of $22 for several including the Mattress Facto- sity Police received about the sition of student body vice years and has received Joint ry, the Andy Warhol Museum, shuttle system, which includes president. Glasner replaces Funding Committee funding and the National Aviary. the escort shuttles as well as junior international relations for it, an administrative error the fixed-route shuttles. Meyers and politics and philosophy kept the organization from asked Senate for suggestions on double major Peter Masters, ever receiving the money. how to improve awareness and who resigned from the posi- tion two weeks ago. Glasner Compiled by Brian trimboli November 11, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/news » A3 Glasner hopes to make campus a happier place SBVP, from A1 the SBP or appointed by the SBP after election. “Lindsay has been my role model because I’ve followed her path, as she was the CA for the Rez while I was an RA, and then I filled her role as CA. She is someone that just has all of her stuff together. She really knows what she’s doing, is very organized and has a ton of different initia- tives that she’s determined to achieve,” he said. “I think I’m similar to her in some of those ways in the sense that I know what I want and will do everything I can do to go and achieve those goals. But in the end, I’m just another person with different ideas,” Glasner continued. One initiative spearheaded by MacGillivray that Glasner will contribute to is the WTF@CMU website, which Kate Groschner/Photo Editor stands for “What to Fix at Glasner hopes to be an effective liaison between Carnegie Mellon and Carnegie Mellon.” its students. The page is meant to ad- dress student concerns about In addition to fostering training; a mindfulness room campus issues. ideas for campus change, the to help students de-stress; “One of our primary ini- student body vice president is the random acts of kindness tiatives is WTF@CMU, to integral to student-adminis- group, Project Smile; and a figure out what people think tration communication. transition-to-college course, is wrong on campus, so that “The goal of student gov- Thrive@CMU. we can address and fix it. Ad- ernment here is to represent Glasner hopes that ECC dressing student concerns the students to the adminis- and other ideas that he and and fixing them in a timely tration. We also have funds student government have will manner is definitely one of and students at our disposal help alleviate campus stress our goals,” Glasner said. to make change on our own, culture. For Glasner, it’s the stu- but a big part of it is being that He also would like to see dents and his love for the liaison,” he said. a restructured dining plan school that motivate him to be “If we are involved and get that could cater towards up- involved with student govern- to know as many students on perclassmen. “All these ideas ment and other organizations campus, then we can do the are in the works, and nothing on campus. best job of representing this is official yet, but we’re only “My favorite thing about school. And I think Lindsay eight or nine weeks into the Carnegie Mellon is the drive and I are both great people to semester, and things are still and passion that students do that,” Glasner added. in the planning stage. Next se- have for what they do. When This year, student govern- mester will really be all about students on campus want to ment has focused on their exacting these initiatives.” make a change, they then take Enhancing Campus Culture Glasner said that students steps to reach those goals that (ECC) initiative, which in- should feel free to reach out to they want to fulfill.” cludes mental health first aid him via email. Nagin pioneers death penalty and deterrence research

Nagin is also an elected fel- low of the American Society of Criminology, and received the organizations Edwin H. Sutherland Award for re- search contributions in 2006. He is also an elected fellow of the American Society for the Advancement of Science. Because of his extensive research on deterrence, the U.S. National Research Coun- cil asked Nagin to lead its Anne-Sophie Kim/Layout Staff Committee on Deterrence and the Death Penalty in 2012. The committee produced a report detailing their finding; according to an adaptation of the report, “the commit- tee conclude[d] that research to date is not informative Summer Employment at Carnegie Mellon: about whether capital pun- Teaching Assistant and Residential Counselor Jobs in ishment decreases, increases, or has no effect on homicide the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences rates. Therefore, these stud- Undergraduate summer employment at Carnegie Mellon University is available ies should not be used to in- with the Pennsylvania Governor’s School for the Sciences (PGSS). e PGSS is a form deliberations requiring  ve-week summer school for extremely talented high school students from Penn- judgments about the effect of sylvania. Teaching Assistant/Counselor appointments are available in the areas of Courtesy of Daniel Nagin death penalty on homicide.” biology, chemistry, computer science, physics and mathematics. Academic duties Nagin has published numerous papers on criminology and sociology. The work of Nagin and the of the TA/Counselor include assisting with lecture and lab courses and mentoring committee garnered national team research projects. Counselor duties of the TA/Counselor include living in the NAGIN, from A1 According to Nagin, a con- attention. A 2012 editorial in same dormitory as the PGSS students, ensuring that students adhere to the PGSS versation with Alan Blum- The New York Times tied the disciplinary rules, providing tutorial help in the academic program, and arranging work with prominent Tep- stein, J. Erik Jonsson uni- committee’s report to Con- and conducting social activities. per faculty members, includ- versity professor of urban necticut governor Dannel ing several who would go on systems, former dean of the Malloy’s decision to sign a Applicants should have  nished their sophomore year by the start of the program. Pref- to win Nobel prizes, such as Heinz School, and winner of state law abolishing the death erence will be given to applicants with strong academic records and strong social skills. Robert Lucas — now at the the 2007 Stockholm Prize, penalty. Prior experience with PGSS or a similar summer program is preferred, but not re- University of Chicago — and drew him into the field of Nagin thinks that his cur- quired. Further information is available at the PGSS web site: www-pgss.mcs.cmu.edu. Herbert A. Simon, the late criminology. “At that time, rent research could have Richard King Mellon univer- we [baby boomers] were all important policy applica- Stipend for ve-and-one-half week period: sity professor of computer [teenagers], and it was prime tions in the future. “There is $2,250 for new TA/Counselors, $2,500 for returning TA/Counselors science and psychology. His crime-committing age. So change afoot, changing at- experience doing research I asked Al [Blumstein], to titudes among both liberals Housing is included (in the PGSS dorm) as well as a food allowance. as an undergraduate student what degree does this rise in and conservatives. I’m more showed Nagin that he did not crime rates have to do with optimistic, in the future, that TA/Counselor duties begin Wednesday, June 25, 2014, end Sunday, August 3, 2014. want to work in the business demography, having a lot of the political climate will be world when he graduated. young people — particularly such that policymakers will Applications are available from the PGSS O ce in DH A301 “Just being around these peo- young men — around. And actually pay attention to this or may be downloaded (pdf format) from the PGSS web site: ple and interacting with them he said, ‘I don’t know; let’s do research.” www-pgss.mcs.cmu.edu got me interested in doing re- a research project on it.’ ” Indeed, crime rates in the search, and not going into the This is not the first time United States peaked from Contact the PGSS Program O ce at (412) 268-6669 business world,” Nagin said. that Nagin has been recog- 1970s to 1990s, and are now or e-mail [email protected] In the United States of the nized for his work. Nagin is declining again. Nagin is 1970s, crime rates were rising. the incoming editor of Crimi- sharing the 2014 Stockholm Application Deadline: March 1, 2014 Nagin, a doctoral candidate at nology and Public Policy, and Prize in Criminology with (Applications may be accepted a er the deadline until all positions are  lled.) the time, wondered if there has published over 140 peer- Joan Petersilia of Stanford was a link between national reviewed papers in various University. The research- demography — the baby journals of criminology, soci- ers will be honored for their boomers were just reaching ology, statistics, demography, work at the 2014 Stockholm their young adult years — and economics, psychiatry, and Criminology Symposium the swell in crime. psychometrics. from June 9–14. A4 « thetartan.org/scitech The Tartan » November 11, 2013

Researcher links class status with flu susceptibility Rohan Varma mon habits associated with shields placed on the ends of through telomere length?” His one factor that holds a strong and economic backgrounds of Staffwriter low living standards such as DNA that protects it from de- research group was able to ac- correlation with shortened these individuals and extract- increased alcohol consump- grading every time the cell complish both goals. telomeres is stress. This is one ed samples of their blood. He You don’t decide the cir- tion, smoking, and lack of ex- replicates. However, telo- Not only did the study up- possible explanation for his will now go back to the volun- cumstances of your birth, such ercise. However, none of these meres slowly decrease in size hold the strong correlation results, because people grow- teers and take down the same as who your parents are, where standards were able to prove over time; when they are no between childhood living ing up in unstable living situ- recordings. He hypothesizes you live, or your family’s finan- the experimental results. longer able to do their job, the standards and the likelihood ations are likely to experience that the subjects from a lower cial status. But according to Last week, Cohen pub- cell is unable to replicate and of receiving an infection, but much more stress in their early social status have a higher the ongoing research of Shel- lished groundbreaking re- dies. it also found that volunteers years. telomere degradation rate. don Cohen, a professor of psy- search that could potentially In 2004, Cohen published with lower socioeconomic sta- Moving forward, Cohen is Cohen believes his research chology at Carnegie Mellon, solve this conundrum. He research suggesting that a tus consistently had shorter going to continue this line of is providing vital information these uncontrollable factors found a biological link be- lower socioeconomic status telomeres. research. His lab is beginning on how living standards can greatly influence health and tween a lower socioeconomic in childhood could indicate a “This doesn’t mean there a large project that will deter- have a direct biological im- wellness. status during childhood and a weaker resistance to infection. is a direct causal relationship. mine whether or not a lower pact on humans. While it has Since 2004, Cohen has at- higher susceptibility to catch- Consequently, Cohen said his However, the data is consis- socioeconomic status causes always been clear that it is im- tempted to find a causal rela- ing the common cold. Ac- latest research was driven by tent. Statistically, 25 percent a faster rate of telomere deg- portant to allocate resources tionship between lower socio- cording to his research, this two fundamental questions: of susceptibility to the cold radation. This study will be toward bringing people out economic status and health. relationship can be explained “Can we replicate the previ- can be attributed to telomere conducted with over 1,500 of poverty, this research may Studying subjects in the Pitts- through telomeres. ous findings we had in 2004, length,” Cohen said. volunteers. Fifteen years ago, suggest that it should not be burgh area, his research group Telomeres are essentially and can we explain them He also mentioned that Cohen recorded the social just a goal, but a priority. mapped the socioeconomic backgrounds of its volunteers and then exposed them to the common cold to find their susceptibility. “There was a very linear re- lationship between the num- ber of years in a lower socio- economic status and whether they got sick: the more years without a home, the more likely to respond to the virus,” Cohen said. In psychological studies, home ownership is widely used as a marker for socioeco- nomic status. “It is considered a marker of income, wealth, and social status,” Cohen said. However, the results from the first study revealed that not just people in extreme poverty feel the effects. Cohen said, “It turns out that the as- sociation follows a gradient. The risk gradually decreases with more and more years with home ownership.” With these results in hand, it was clear that the relation- ship between poverty and health was not so black and white. Cohen sought after other explanations, looking at com- Michael Setzer/SciTech Editor how things work scitech briefs Biologists study Worldwide starfish Invisibility cloaks still distant from reality single-cell deaths stump Sonia Katharani-Khan light. But how do these pieces altering the shape of the ma- provide any practical use? reproduction scientists Staffwriter of technology work? terials in the cloak. In answering this, it is im- The fundamental idea be- The cloak works by caus- portant to recall that certain While almost all multicel- Starfish populations world- It is hard to imagine invis- hind achieving invisibility is ing light waves to split, bend objects can be invisible to the lular organisms have evolved wide have fallen prey to the ibility, popularized by science to prevent an object from ab- around it and reconverge human eye but still visible at to reproduce using single “seastar wasting syndrome,” fiction and fantasy, becom- sorbing, refracting, or reflect- once they pass the object. It other wavelengths. For exam- cells, such as eggs and sperm, which causes starfish to lose ing part of our world — but ing light in any way. In other resembles a square, with an ple, while humans do not see why this method became so their arms. This disease usu- every day, science comes words, it must be able to bend inverted diamond protruding at the microwave level, cell universal has long puzzled ally occurs if the starfish is closer to making invisibility a light away from itself. There from the center, and divided phones and radars do. Once scientists. To study this trait, wounded or becomes too dry, reality. Although they’re still have been numerous attempts into four quadrants, consist- fully developed, invisibility University of Minnesota and it grows infected lesions experimenting, researchers to achieve this effect, such as ing of fiberglass etched with at the microwave level could postdoctoral fellow William that lead to its arms falling have made significant prog- carbon nanotube cloaks, but copper. The diamond-shaped make planes, boats, or tanks Ratcliff and associate profes- off. While this disease usually ress in developing “invisibility the method closest to perfect- center is empty, outlined by undetectable by radar, ren- sor Michael Travisano have only occurs to one or two star- cloaks.” Though Harry Pot- ing the effect uses metamate- copper strips. The strips are dering them invisible. Thus, transformed a single-celled fish within a population and ter’s mythical invisibility cloak rials, manmade materials that designed such that each strip such invisibility has potential algae into a multicellular one is not often lethal, millions is likely the first thing that have properties natural mate- meets its mirror image at ev- applications in the defense in- that reproduces with single of starfish from populations comes to mind, these cloaks rials lack. ery interface. This stops the dustry. Though it will still be cells. Many scientists as- around the world have not unfortunately won’t have the Most attempts at cloaking cloak from reflecting any light at least a decade before invisi- sumed that single-cell repro- only contracted the disease, ability to make humans disap- could bend light around an from its edges. bility is put to practical use, its duction evolved much later but are unable to recover from pear anytime soon. However, object, but could not stop light The cloak can perfectly potential application has re- than multicellularity, but it. While unusually warm wa- if fully developed, their ap- from reflecting off of it. Thus, hide a 3×0.4-inch (7.5×1cm) ceived wide recognition, and their study yielded surprising ters may be a cause, the real plications could include mask- much like water or glass, the cylinder from microwave ra- research behind it has been results: Single-cell reproduc- culprit of this outbreak is yet ing boats, planes, or military object was nearly invisible, diation, but not in the visible funded by organizations such tion arose at the same time as is to be discovered, and sci- tanks — and in the distant but reflected just enough light light spectrum. Unfortunately, as DARPA and NASA. multicellularity. entists are unsure how long it future, they could even render to be detectable. One recent the cloak can only mask small, On a more theoretical note, will last. events in time invisible. In the metamaterial cloak, devel- stationary, two-dimensional scientists at Cornell Univer- Source: Science Daily past week, research by scien- oped at Duke University un- items; it cannot hide objects sity took a step further by not Source: Time tists at the University of Texas der the leadership of profes- from the human eye in all di- only splitting light waves, but at Dallas has put the idea of sor David R. Smith, was able rections. So, how does invis- altering the speed at which India launches Discovery of Higgs invisibility devices in the spot- to minimize the reflection by ibility at other wavelengths each wave moved. The effect was achieved by shooting out maiden rocket to only brings more a beam of light, and creating a Mars mysteries time lens — a lens which splits light into temporal compo- India launched its first Joseph Lykken, a theorist nents — with other beams to rocket to Mars last Tuesday at the Fermi National Accel- split the light into two differ- with the goal to complete erator Laboratory, and Maria ent parts that move at differ- the mission using less money Spiropulu of the California ent speeds. The difference in than other nations have pre- Institute of Technology, con- speeds created a gap in time, viously. Successful missions ducted research that predicts which masked whatever event to Mars thus far have been that sometime in the distant took place during that gap. completed by the United future, a minuscule quan- The effect lasted no longer States, the European Union, tum fluctuation will cause than a 40th of a second, and and Russia; China attempted the Higgs field to drop to a within a fiber thinner than an unsuccessful mission two lower energy state. Since human hair. Nonetheless, the years ago. India’s probe costs the Higgs field permeates all experiment in effect “erased” only 4.5 billion rupees ($73 space, this seemingly small a brief moment of history. million), which is a fraction change would destroy real- Though we won't be own- of the cost of NASA’s upcom- ity as we know it in the blink ing our own invisibility cloaks ing Mars Atmosphere and of an eye. Fortunately, this anytime soon, the ability to Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) is but one of many theories revolutionize the defense and mission. It has also been de- that have developed after the communications industries, signed to orbit Earth six or recent discovery of the Higgs or to perhaps even render time seven times to build up mo- Boson, which seems to have invisible, is on the horizon. mentum before being sling- caused more mysteries than Considering that even Harry shotted to the red planet, in it’s solved. Potter could not hide time, we order to save fuel. The rocket can take solace in the fact that is scheduled to enter Mars’s Source: The New York Times though we cannot recreate orbit by next September. science fiction, someday, we Compiled By Michael Setzer/SciTech Editor may just surpass it. Source: Reuters Brooke Kuei November 11, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/scitech » A5 Scientists create program to help model gene expression Raghunandan Avula the function of the cell. nary, on-or-off status of a gene Staffwriter A large portion of biologi- and is ill-suited for multicellular cal research involves under- organisms because it only rep- In recent decades, scien- standing the functions of each resents the average expression tists have taken an interdis- protein and, more important- in a sample and can lead to se- ciplinary approach that inte- ly, the interactions between vere information loss and inac- grates computer science and proteins and other molecules curacy in further experiments. biology to develop a deeper such as DNA. Cells have a Puniyani explained ISH understanding of the intricate complex system by which technology reveals a more details that contribute to a one protein can regulate the holistic view of the activi- healthy organism. Kriti Puni- expression of other proteins. ties and functions of genes. yani, a Ph.D. student in the Biologists want to model this In this technique, fluorescent School of Computer Science, system, but the task is chal- tags bind to a specific mRNA working under the guidance of lenging because the regulato- sequence in an organism. It professor Eric Xing, developed ry networks are very complex. can then be imaged as a mi- GINI, a tool that analyzes im- Modern computational croscope identifies where and ages of biological organisms techniques have attempted how much mRNA is being ex- at the molecular level using in to address this issue by utiliz- pressed at a given time. situ hybridization and deter- ing mRNA expression data. SPEX, a previously devel- mines the expression of mRNA When building a protein, a cell oped computer vision tool, to develop gene regulation converts the gene in the form analyzes the images and de- networks. Scientists at Carn- of DNA into an intermediate termines gene expression. egie Mellon’s School of Com- molecule of mRNA that is di- With this data, scientists de- puter Science and the Lane rectly used to build the pro- termine the collection of im- Center for Computational Bi- tein. By measuring the specific ages or “bags” in which each ology have been actively de- mRNA present in a cell at a gene appears and constructs veloping tools at the forefront given time, scientists can get a a Markov random field graph of this revolution in biology. good idea of the different pro- structure. Unlike microarray President Subra Suresh teins that are being expressed data, which produces a unique mentioned in his lecture last in that cell. value for each gene expres- week that the combination Based on this data, com- sion, this model is represented of biology and other disci- putational biologists can gen- by a vector-valued spatial pat- plines of engineering, math, erate a graph or map known tern. The program then deter- and computers — such as as a Markov model in where mines similarity between bags the modeling of blood flow the nodes of the graph are and estimates a probable gene through the heart — is not a proteins and the edges of the interaction network. novel advancement. Modern graph are connections that To test GINI, Puniyani and biological research, however, exist between proteins. Two Xing produced a small artifi- has focused on understand- proteins are connected if one cial data set and found that ing biological complexity at impacts another’s gene ex- their program generated a rea- the molecular level involving pression. sonable gene network. cells, DNA, and proteins. A Previously, scientists fa- The ability to understand new, growing field of research vored microarray technology gene networks is extremely applies computational mod- to determine mRNA expres- useful in understanding how eling and engineering to this sion of a specific gene in an or- cells differentiate into distinct analysis to help answer ques- ganism and to generate a map types. For example, multicel- /SciTech Editor tions biologists have about the similar to a gene regulatory lular organisms begin as a Michael Setzer miniscule interactions inside a network. However, there are single cell. As the cell divides living organism. limitations with this method. and the embryo grows, cells ent cells. ISH images of fruit fly em- previous microarray method. In a multicellular organ- According to Puniyani, mi- specialize and different pro- The uniqueness of protein bryos capturing patterns of Following the completion ism, every cell contains the croarray data only present a bi- teins are expressed into differ- expression results in some 7,516 genes and provided an of their work, Puniyani and same exact copy of DNA. DNA cells becoming part of the ideal data set to test the vi- Xing’s research was published is like a cookbook of genes that head of the fly while others ability of GINI. Puniyani was in the October issue of PLOS give the cell instructions on GINI can be applied to a variety become part of its posterior glad to find that GINI returned Computational Biology. how to build a variety of pro- end, for example. As the em- a very probable network and Looking forward, Puniyani teins that perform different of experiments and provides bryo grows, cells differentiate displayed certain gene inter- hopes to expand the tool to functions inside the cell. How- biologists with an efficient tool to into 14 segments of the adult actions that had already been combine data from multiple ever, at any given time, each fly and the gene interaction mentioned in the literature. states and have GINI produce cell produces only a specific build gene interaction networks. It network changes as new genes GINI can be applied to a a time varying Markov model. set of proteins that it needs. surpasses many of the limitations are expressed in different cell variety of experiments and This idea has been successfully Different cell types, such as types. provides biologists with an ef- implemented with microarray heart cells versus hair cells, of the previous microarray Puniyani found that the ficient tool to build gene inter- data, but Puniyani added that produce a unique set of pro- method. Berkeley Drosophila Genome action networks. It surpasses it is much more difficult to im- teins that are specific toward Project had generated 110,000 many of the limitations of the plement with image data.

Research Roundup: Published papers by CMU faculty Article: Article: “Fine-grained temporal coding of visually-similar catego- “Source Water Changes and Energy Extraction Activities in the Monongahela River, ries in the ventral visual pathway and prefrontal cortex.” 2009−2012.”

Published: Published: Frontiers in Psychology, October 2013 Environmental Science and Technology, October 2013

Who: Who: Researchers in the departments of machine learn- Jeanne Van Briesen, professor of civil engineering at Carnegie Mellon, and Jessica Wilson of ing, psychology, and statistics at Carnegie Mellon, as the department of civil and environmental engineering at Manhattan College. well as researchers in the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition and United States Air Force Academy. Background: The Monongahela River runs through southwestern Pennsylvania and north-central West Background: Virginia. Over the course of the 20th century, the river has been exposed to drainage from aban- Humans can distinguish visually similar categories very doned coal mines and waste-water from conventional oil and gas production. In addition, uncon- well. A good example is the ability to distinguish between poi- ventional methods of gas extraction has dramatically expanded, especially in the Marcellus Shale sonous berries and ripe ones. Scientists refer to this phenom- gas reserve. This is of interest as the Monongahela River is the source for 17 drinking water plants ena as “subordinate-level categorization,” which is a higher skill that serve over 1 million people. than “basic-level categorization,” which is distinguishing between two obviously different ob- jects, such as an airplane and a computer. If one becomes an expert in a particular subject, they perform subordinate-level categorization just as intuitively as basic-level categorization. An ex- Hypothesis: ample the authors give is an expert bird-watcher who can tell bird species apart as easily as a The study looks at water properties pertinent to drinking quality between September 2009 layperson could tell a bird from a chair. and September 2012. The researchers aimed to determine if changes posed a threat to drinking quality and if the changes were due to seasonal variability or due to waste-water disposals of oil and gas. Hypothesis: The scientists were aware of two regions in the brain associated with the process of catego- rization: the ventral visual pathway (VVP) and the prefrontal cortex (PFC). However, current The Experiment: understanding of the mechanisms behind categorization is poor. The researchers proposed using Water samples were taken from six drinking water treatment plants on the Monongahela magnetoencephalography (MEG), an imaging technique that can track brain activity, to test two River. The samples were analyzed for total dissolved solids, pH, sulfate, chloride, and bromide leading hypotheses. concentrations and analyzed within two weeks of collection. The samples were 500 milliliters in The first hypothesis emphasizes the role of the PFC and states the role of the VVP as helpful size. The researchers also collected data on the seasonal flow of the river. This was necessary as to visual identification but not categorization. The other leading hypothesis states that the PFC they needed to compare concentration levels relative to flow rate. and VVP play complementary and nearly equal roles in visual processing and categorization. The Carnegie Mellon team hypothesized that there are necessary contributions from both brain regions. Results: The researchers looked at both constituent loads, which are determined by multiplying con- centrations of pollutants in the water by the flow, and constituent ratios, which compare concen- The Experiment: tration of pollutants to the flow. It was expected that the highest constituent loads would occur The researchers created two similar “shape categories.” They devised a unique series of blob- during periods of high flow and that similar constituent loads would occur during periods of like shapes that were in one of two categories, designated “A” and “B.” Although each blob was similar flow. unique, blobs in categories A and B had distinguishing characteristics. The MEG monitored neu- Looking at constituent loads, they found that observed increases in bromide and chloride ral activity as the participants were trained in how to discriminate between the two categories. occurred during different time periods, indicating that the ions came from different sources. The MEG gave researchers a chance to observe what happens in the brain when participants Accounting for the ratios, they found that overall bromide levels increased in May of 2010, and discriminate between blob categories. decreased in 2012. The researchers concluded that levels maintained at these concentrations would not pose a threat in drinking water. In terms of sources of ions, it would be nearly impos- sible to determine if ions came specifically from unconventional natural gas. Results: The research suggested that the VVP is integral to discriminating between two categories of similar-looking objects. Surprisingly, the researchers found no evidence to support the idea of explicit coding of information in the PFC. The researchers admit that they used a fairly small Compiled by sample size, and that further research is needed. Future applications of similar research could Michael Setzer help determine the mechanisms behind visual procession and learning. A6 « thetartan.org/forum The Tartan » November 11, 2013

From the Editorial Board To save the environment, save the giant pandas it’s just that humans haven’t discov- ered the entire process and life cycle of the giant panda, as it is incredibly hard to find one in the wild. Why is it hard to find them in the wild? Justin yan Humans have disturbed habitats like no other organism. They have Timothy Lavin, an editorial board destroyed the colorful biodiversity member of Bloomberg, published an all around them, and that’s why article in late August titled, “Why I pandas are stuck in captivity. It’s Hate Pandas and You Should Too.” the only option for them until hu- Having carried a panda cub in my mans take giant leaps in research- youth in the Chengdu Research Base ing the life cycle of the giant panda. of Giant Panda Breeding and seen Extensive human incursions into two cubs mature in Hong Kong’s the panda habitats in the Minshan Ocean Park, I cannot help but to Mountains in China have threatened disagree with Lavin because his ar- around 40 percent of the popula- guments and interpretations of de- tion, according to Conservation.org. clining panda populations and evo- By saving the panda, we are also lution are misled. saving the biodiversity of the habitat Lavin calls for pandas to be let go around pandas. — for humans around the world to It is imperative to protect biodi-

Kate Groschner/Photo Editor leave pandas alone to slowly die off. versity. Darwinism should not refer He states, “Darwinism isn’t for cry- to animals dying off but to the in- babies,” and points to their sluggish credibly diverse array of lifeforms CMU initiatives must include grad students natural breeding habits as the main on this planet. So no, Darwinism reason for their decline. To a cer- is not a harsh truth that we have to Last month’s Healthy U survey initiatives. according to the Carnegie Mellon tain extent, he is right. Pandas have face, but something we’re supposed was a unique opportunity for Univer- The needs and wants of under- University Student Activities Fee pol- trouble reproducing: The Washing- to embrace. We must embrace pan- sity Health Services to gauge campus graduates and graduate students icy, a portion of graduate students’ ton Zoo had to resort to artificial das as a diverse species like no other. health and well-being for both grad- aren’t the same. While many of the activities fees goes to the Graduate insemination to get their pandas to It would be an incredible waste if let uate and undergraduate students at graduate programs at the university Student Assembly. This allocation produce offspring. Lavin then points the only species of giant panda die Carnegie Mellon. Never before have are research-based, undergraduates will hopefully go to more programs to the biological structure of pandas, off. Furthermore, pandas survive graduate students been included in a generally adhere to the core curricu- and activities geared for graduate saying that eating bamboo all day is in a rich, diverse environment. Ac- campus health survey. lum of their programs. While the ac- students. speeding their own demise. He also cording to the World Wildlife Fund This fact is surprising for a school ademic programs of each group are Concern over student life and calls attention to the costliness of (WWF), by saving the panda, we are with such a large percentage of grad- different, the university can focus on well-being has been a prominent is- maintaining a panda. Canada spent also saving the natural balance of uate students — 6,685 of the school’s ensuring that undergraduates and sue over the past year. The admin- $10 million last year on maintain- the ecosystem. Pandas have disap- 12,991 students are master’s or doc- graduate students receive equal at- istration needs to make sure that in ing pandas and paying China to rent peared from these environments, toral students, according to Carnegie tention and concern. addressing concerns, a significant them, as all pandas are owned by and their numbers are slowly on Mellon Institutional Research and One opportunity for equal at- portion of the Carnegie Mellon com- China. the decline. Researchers are racing Analysis. tention is to renew efforts for the munity isn’t overlooked. The inclu- He then brings up and mocks to find out how to best reintroduce While the inclusion of graduate Activities Fee so that it is distrib- sion of graduate students in the China’s efforts to reintroduce the pandas into the wild and preserve students in the survey is a step in the uted toward graduate students and Healthy U survey is a nice gesture, species into the wild: “Research- this fragile balance. right direction, the administration undergraduates more evenly. Many but more needs to be done in order ers dress up in preposterous panda The seas all around us are de- and campus organizations should student organizations and events are to truly improve the quality of life at costumes ... hoping to fool cubs into volving because of humans. We have push for even greater recognition of tailored more for undergraduates Carnegie Mellon for all students, fac- thinking they’re a relative.” reached too far and fished too much, graduate students in university-wide than graduate students. However, ulty, and staff. First off, Levin’s statements lay and nature is paying the price. Coral close to the topic of eugenics and reefs now become green algae- all the atrocities that come along infested murky depths, and entire Cuts in Farm Bill should not target the poor with that, but many of his facts are food chains have been disrupted. facts. Yes, the panda is ill-adapted. Rainforests around the world have The debate surrounding the Unit- been bundled as part of the Farm is neither a fair nor just way to trim It has the body and teeth of a bear, been devastated by deforestation. ed States Farm Bill is poised to have Bill, which is passed roughly every government spending. yet it eats bamboo all day. This habit According to the WWF, 17 percent a devastating effect on the nation’s five years and funds crop subsidies, Of the subsidies within the Farm is where Lavin got his facts wrong. of the Amazon has been lost in the poor. The Farm Bill provides subsi- crop protection, and environmental Bill, over 80 percent are flowing to From a simple, cost-benefit analysis, last 50 years. Deforestation leads to dies and interventions in markets programs in addition to food stamps. farming families that are wealthier it’s clear that it is more efficient for a a loss of biodiversity and heavy ero- related to food consumption and ag- The New York Times estimates that than the average American house- panda to lie around all day and grab sion, which heavily changes water ricultural production. As of Nov. 1, the newest Farm Bill will cost almost hold, according to an editorial pub- bamboo — the fastest growing grass patterns within the landscape, and families receiving food stamps start- $1 trillion over the next 10 years. lished by U.S. News & World Report. in the world — than for a panda to can heavily impact even more or- ed to receive a five percent reduction Because of these projections, it is Additionally, the continued subsi- chase prey around a forest or claw ganisms. For pandas, there are so in benefits, equating to a reduction understandable that politicians are dizing of corn and other crop in the at a river. Pandas, in some ways, are little left that the main habitat is the of about $36 per month for a family concerned about this magnitude of United States creates distortionary lazily efficient. Minshan Mountains, which houses of four, according to the Washington spending. However, cuts should not economic effects, and tampers with What about Lavin’s fact about 45 percent of the wild panda popu- Post. This change results from recent be made at the expense of our na- markets in dangerous ways. breeding? It’s a little off as well. It lation. That 45 percent represents action taken by Congress, which tion’s poorest. Cutting spending is a definite is incredibly hard for researchers to around 720 pandas. We need to pro- passed the Farm Bill containing We live in a time of rising costs concern facing our nation. However, understand the mechanics and gen- tect pandas because we have to pro- provisions for reducing the quantity of living and uncertain employment we must not go about addressing it in eral aura for animals to breed. Chee- tect what we as humans have left. spent on food stamps. prospects. Removing the safety net a way that hurts the poorest people tahs do not breed well in captivity. Food stamps have traditionally on which many Americans depend in the country. Pandas don’t either. It’s a fallacy to Justin Yan (jky@) is a staffwriter for Rhetoric of abortions shroud legal battles blame pandas for not breeding well; The Tartan. The Supreme Court declined to that has little to do with medical Oklahoma argued constitutes an hear an Oklahoma case on limiting fact. The argument against chemical unacceptable risk to women. In the chemical abortions on Monday. This abortion focused on it being unsafe United States, 1 in 2,400 women die decision means that Oklahoma’s for women; however, this is untrue. in natural childbirth per year, which own Supreme Court ruling, which Chemically induced abortions, or means that chemical abortions of struck down the attempt to ban all medical abortions, involve chang- this nature are actually safer for chemical abortions, will stand. The ing the hormone levels in a wom- women than natural childbirth. Oklahoma ban proposed limits on an’s body to induce a miscarriage, Anti-abortion activists use rheto- virtually all kinds of chemical abor- according to Planned Parenthood. ric that is supposedly “pro-women” tions, most notably the drugs mife- While taking an abortion pill has to control women’s access to abor- pristone and misprostol, according potential side effects, medical abor- tion and reproductive healthcare. to The Huffington Post. These drugs tions are safe procedures, with lim- For example, many anti-abortion may be used in tandem during the ited risks for the women seeking activists fight to limit Planned Par- first seven weeks of pregnancy. them. Anti-abortion activists in this enthood, claiming that its main pur- According to news organization particular case are claiming that pose is to provide abortions. In 2011, Al Jazeera America, this proposed medical abortions hold medical risk Arizona Senator John Kyl claimed ban is the most extreme of its kind in for women, ignoring the fact that on the Senate floor that 90 percent the U.S., as it essentially prevents all all medical procedures carry some of Planned Parenthood’s services types of chemical abortions. While element of risk, and those involved are abortions. According to Planned the scientific conversation surround- in medical abortions are no higher Parenthood, only three percent of its ing chemical abortions is important than other types of procedures. Over services focus on abortions. Kyl later and relevant, legal battles involv- 1.4 million women have used these retracted that statement, according ing the use of these drugs often get drugs to induce abortions; eight of to NPR, but its legacy remains in pol- bogged down in political rhetoric them have died, which the state of icy making today. Braden Kelner/Forum Editor

Editorial Board Staff Jennifer Coloma * Braden Kelner Justin McGown Brent Heard * Senior Staff Publisher Forum Editor Online Editor Staffwriter Stephanie Blotner, Carl Glazer, Greg Hanneman

Josh Smith * Evan Kahn * Chloe Thompson Copy The Tartan is a student newspaper at Carnegie Mellon University, funded in part by the student Editor-in-Chief Copy Manager Staffwriter Lula Beresford-Banker, Francesca Begos, Matt activities fee. It is a weekly publication by students during the fall and spring semesters, printed by Brown, Connie Chan, Nivedita Chopra, Gordon Trib Total Media. The Tartan is not an official publication of Carnegie Mellon University. Estes, Blaine Greenberg, Ariel Hoffmaier, Katherine Huang, Evaline Ju, Karyn Michela, The Editorials appearing at the beginning of the opinion section are the official opinion of The Editorial Staff Satvika Neti, Mackenzie Nicholson, Gates Tartan Editorial Board. Columns, Editorial Cartoons, and Reviews are the opinions of their Palissery, Syed Rahman, Taylor Rawley, Kevin individual creators. 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SciTech Editor Mina Kim, Linging Sun, Tanguri Tzuo any letter. Letters must be submitted by 5 p.m. on the Wednesday before publication by mail or to [email protected]. Michael Setzer laura scherb Jonathan Leung joey peiser Advertising SciTech Editor Personnel Manager Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Pillbox Editor Alison Chiu, Linda Ju, Anuva Kulkarni, william park Will Crichton hannah dellabella Jonathan Carreon Gretchen Tan Sports Editor Systems Manager Asst. Copy Manager Contributing Editor Office: University Center 314 Mail: Rachel Cohen swathi anand Phone: (412) 268-2111 The Tartan Pillbox Editor Layout Manager * Denotes executive committee member Fax: (412) 268-1596 Box 119, UC Suite 103 © 2013 The Tartan, all rights reserved. Web: www.thetartan.org 5000 Forbes Avenue Library of Congress ISSN: 0890-3107 E-mail: [email protected] Pittsburgh, PA 15213 November 11, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/forum » A7 Obamacare will be easily broken New CEO can make pire to not be eligible for. If I get against Obamacare. cancer, I’ll simply sign up for health Even worse for its supporters, BlackBerry bold again insurance. Obamacare needs me — far more To their credit, the law’s design- than I need it. Obamacare is de- ers aren’t stupid, and they looked signed to get people like me to pay Kyle Henson ahead and foresaw people like me. for insurance that they don’t need To safeguard against these people, and won’t use, so that they will pay Other than Obama’s sound bite, Obamacare architects created what more into the system than they cost “If you like your insurance, you will is called an open enrollment period, the system. This surplus will then be keep it,” the most memorable quote which lasts until March 31, 2014. used to pay for the cost of others who from the Affordable Care Act — more If you want insurance for 2014, pay less than what they get out of the commonly known as Obamacare you need to sign up by then. That system. — debate is, “insurance companies means that people looking to game Under Obamacare, I would be won’t be able to deny you coverage the system, like me, are out of luck required to purchase the benefits or jack up your rate because of a pre- if we get hit by a bus on April 1. We of maternity care, pre-natal care, existing condition.” This caveat will have to wait until Jan. 1, 2015 until prescription drug benefits, and sub- be Obamacare’s undoing. our coverage starts, leaving us with stance abuse care. Because of this promise, one that nine long months of out-of-pocket I anticipate needing none of Obamacare will actually keep, there expenses that will bankrupt us. these. Obamacare makes me buy are only four factors that can change Not so fast, Obamacare. Another these services that I’m unlikely to the price that one pays for insurance provision of the law says that I can need so that I will pay more into the in the individual market: your age, stay on my parents’ insurance until system and subsidize old people and the state that you live in, whether or I’m 26, provided my family gets a poor people who are effectively win- not you smoke cigarettes, and how new insurance policy after Obam- ning under this system. comprehensive you want your cover- acare caused us to lose our plan. If I If people like me don’t buy into age to be. start working right after school, that this gross redistribution scheme, Because of this caveat, if you leaves me with four years of being however, Obamacare will be overrun don’t have health insurance and you happily insured without a cent of with sick people who pay less than get cancer, you can sign up for health out-of-pocket costs to me while I’m the benefits they receive and will insurance. Not only will insurance earning income. depend on people like me to cover companies have to take you, they’ll Unfortunately for Obamacare, my their costs. If we don’t buy into this have to charge you the same rate as if grace period of earnings and savings, system — which I certainly won’t, Braden Kelner/Forum Editor you didn’t have cancer, even though combined with guaranteed issue of because it’s not in my interest — then you are definitely going to cost a lot insurance at a reasonable rate, de- Obamacare will fail and insurers will Based upon interviews con- more as a patient. stroys my incentive to buy insurance. go out of business because they will ducted by CNN, there are three ba- Since the Supreme Court bril- Even though it’s possible that cover more sick people than they can sic reasons why people love their liantly, and subtly, limited the power I might be struck with some cata- afford to cover. BlackBerries: People are addicted of the government, it’s still legal for to the physical keyboards, they like strophic and costly illness imme- I will break Obamacare. I won’t brandon schmuck me to not purchase health insurance. diately after enrollment ends, I’m do this because I’m cruel or cynical. the red light that alerts them of new If I opt to remain uninsured, which I confident enough that this won’t That’s just what’s honestly in my best messages, and many use the device will, I pay a fine of $695 every year. happen, or if it does, that I’ll be able interest. Is there any hope for a company for work. These people are buying This is much less than I will pay for to take on the costs personally until that went from owning half of the a cellular device strictly for produc- health care coverage in a year if I insurance kicks in. Unfortunately for Kyle Henson (kahenson@) is a staff- cellular device market to less than tive communication, not to play An- don’t get any subsidies, which I as- the act’s supporters, I think I will win writer for The Tartan. four percent in just four years? gry Birds or do anything that would That’s the question revolving around require a large touchscreen. BlackBerry Limited, the maker of a If BlackBerry can distance itself line of cellphones that was once es- from these mainstream applications, sential to many business people. In it may still have a chance to recover Rethink technology in classrooms a Nov. 4 press release, BlackBerry the audience that does not purchase announced that John Chen would phones for entertainment. Black- toward another student playing televisions and the Internet. Perhaps replace the ousted CEO Thorsten Berry must act swiftly to restore Candy Crush in class, along with the taking away laptops and phones will Heins. Chen is confident that he can its company to its bold past. Chen knowledge that they are also prone do nothing to improve student focus, bring this dying company around, stated that it would take a year and to mindless Internet surfing, does and will leave professors in worse but acknowledged in a phone inter- a half to turn the company around, not seem to matter. College students places than where they started. Can view with Reuters that it could take but he may not even have that long. Ariel Hoffmaier balk at the seemingly extreme pros- old-fashioned focus be relearned, or up to six quarters, or a year and a People still remember the old Black- pect of a total ban, indignant that is it inevitable that only professors half, to do so. Berry, and the brand continues to be The connection between the professors might respect their self- with multimedia-based, animated Perhaps the largest problem that reminiscent of a professional and so- classroom and technology has control so little. spunk are able to capture and keep Chen will face in reviving the com- phisticated brand. become ubiquitous and inexo- Though they may hesitate to ad- their students’ attentions? pany is that BlackBerry is currently However, this becomes less true rable. A study by the University mit it, students might be wary of the Either way, it has been proven facing an identity crisis. every year, as more customers are of Nebraska-Lincoln published in absence of this constant source of time and again that technology can With devices like the BlackBerry drawn to the likes of Apple and An- the October issue of the Journal entertainment and communication. be utilized to great effect in class- Z10 and the BlackBerry Playbook, droid. A comScore report shows that of Media Education reported that Smartphones have become shields, rooms. The possibilities for educa- the company attempts to be some- Android and Apple now control 51.8 American college students check protecting people from boredom and tional enhancement through inte- thing that it is not: a consumer- and 40.6 percent of the smartphone their phones an average of 11 times awkwardness, but also keeping them gration of technology are endless. oriented company. It attempts to market, respectively, while Black- a day while in class — a statistic that from actively engaging with the out- Research skills, innovation, and emulate Apple and Google instead Berry has a dwindling marketshare should not be surprising to college side world. globalization can all be advanced in of keeping its primary focus on of 3.8 percent. students of the modern age. Addi- Phone-checking has become an curricula fused with technology. If it enterprise. While it will be difficult, Chen tionally, while 91 percent of students almost arbitrary reflex, so how does is true that attention spans can never BlackBerry thrived in a time be- is the perfect choice of CEO to at- were opposed to a total ban of digital one begin to work against such a return to what they once were, then fore companies allowed employees tempt to bring a company back to devices in class, 80 percent believed reflex? it is crucial for schools to meet stu- to use their own devices on the job. its former glory. He is not new to the those same devices were a distrac- Additionally, it must be ques- dents halfway. BlackBerries were never meant to idea of taking a dying company and tion that interfered with learning. tioned whether or not the damage Is there an ideal compromise? allow people to play Angry Birds, bringing it back from the dead: He This disparity is baffling on the of a society driven by technology has Students already use technology out- listen to music, or use applications. managed to save database company surface. If students agree that lap- already been done. Attention spans side of the classroom — it would be They were devices that separated Sybase when he took the company tops and smartphones are distract- are shorter than ever — or at least, impossible to monitor email, type an personal lives from professional over in 1998 and cut $100 million ing — both to themselves and others teachers seem to think so. essay, or suffer through WebAssign lives. BlackBerry phones were in costs. He ensured that Sybase around them — why is there virtual According to a 2012 study con- without it. meant strictly for productivity and did not compete directly with large consensus that a ban, which would ducted by the Pew Research Center, Therefore, where it is relevant business, not for entertainment. software giants like Oracle and man- surely solve the problem, is not an 87 percent of teachers believe that and engaging, professors must bring BlackBerry provides many aged to sell it for $5.8 billion in 2010. option? digital technology is creating a gen- technology into the classroom by al- unique benefits for enterprise, and it With his past experience, Chen It’s complicated. Even though it eration with shorter attention spans, lowing students to use phones and must use its resources to tout these will be able to cut costs inside Black- would logically make sense to force and 64 percent say that these tech- laptops to enhance lessons in new benefits. Very few teenagers would Berry, curtail it into a specialized students to stow away their laptops nologies distract students more than and innovative ways. More than pos- be willing to trade in their colorful, market away from direct competi- and turn their phones in at the start they help them learn. sible, this possibility is the future. playful iPhone 5Cs for dark, corpo- tion with Apple and Android, and of class, technology has become so Teachers may feel pressured to In return, students’ ability — and rate-styled BlackBerry Z10s with a perhaps even turn BlackBerry back integral to the lives of young people adjust their methods — to do a song desire — to resist the draw of the In- fraction of the applications. So why into the company that businesspeo- that the loss of their devices would and dance, so to speak — in an at- ternet will grow. does BlackBerry attempt to target ple once admired. be akin to identity theft or a missing tempt to match even the base level younger markets with its recently limb. of excitement and entertainment Ariel Hoffmaier (ahoffmai@) is a enlarged touchscreens and focus on Brandon Schmuck (bschmuck@) is a The irritation felt by a student that kids have grown used to with staffwriter for The Tartan. personal media? staffwriter for The Tartan.

A PERSON’S OPINION Compiled by Kate Groschner and Braden Kelner The Tartan is excited to have prospective students on campus this week. So we asked, What are your first impressions of Carnegie Mellon?

Emily Stewart Zach Pendley Morgan Reynolds Colin King Megan Hoppe Nashville, Tennessee Wilmington, Delaware Springfield, Ohio Towson, Maryland Seattle, Washington

“It’s a really pretty campus and it “Everybody seems really friendly. “I really like all the old build- “It’s a beautiful campus. There’s “Impressive. It seems really seems like there are really inter- Everyone was smiling when I ings. I think they’re really pretty. a lot of beautiful architecture.” strong.” esting programs.” walked in.” People are very personable.” THE INAUGURATION OF DR. SUBRA SURESH AS THE NINTH PRESIDENT OF CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY

JOIN THE CELEBRATION NOVEMBER 14 – 15 www.cmu.edu/suresh-inauguration #CMUsuresh

PAST PRESIDENTS Arthur A. Hamerschlag Robert E. Doherty H. Guyford Stever Robert Mehrabian 1903 – 1922 1936 – 1950 1965 – 1972 1990 – 1997 Thomas S. Baker John Christian Warner Richard M. Cyert Jared L. Cohon 1922 – 1935 1950 – 1965 1972 – 1990 1997 – 2013 November 11, 2013 « The Tartan thetartan.org/sports » A9 Sports Commentary Soccer teams finish conference play The most surprising william park Senior forward Alex Venegas Sports Editor had a shot on goal saved in the teams in the NFL fourth minute, and senior de- In their final regular sea- fender Rachel Contopoulos hit william park With a strong defense son games, both the men’s the post in the 17th minute. Sports Editor and an offense that does just and women’s soccer teams After the two early chanc- enough, the Jets can sneak found disappointment in At- es, Emory controlled the rest With the NFL season more into the playoffs. lanta, Ga. of the game. than halfway over, it can so The men’s team drew 0–0 Emory scored first in the far be defined as one of sur- in double overtime against 20th minute and did not stop prises. Here are the biggest Pittsburgh Steelers Emory University, and the the pressure. They scored two surprise teams. The Steelers have long women’s side lost 3–0. more goals in the second half been known as a team with A win would have guaran- and outshot the Tartans 27-6. a suffocating defense and a teed the men’s side at least a “They’re a really great Kansas City Chiefs power running attack. first-place tie in the University team, and they were excited After holding the worst This year, however, their Athletic Association (UAA) for their seniors. It was hard to record last season, the Chiefs, defense has allowed 131.3 Conference. Instead, they fin- overcome their skill plus their at 9–0, currently hold the best rushing yards per game, ish tied with Emory for second emotions,” Albi said. record in the NFL. While their which is second worst in the place. The road loss continues the success may be attributed to league. Their own rushing “We’re pretty disappoint- team’s struggles on the road. the steady hand of quarter- attack hasn’t been much bet- ed,” senior defender Ben Bry- In the four road UAA games, ant said. “Since our first UAA File photo by Maryyann Landlord/Staff Photographer they are 1–3. back Alex Smith, the Chiefs’ ter, averaging a meager 73.6 Junior midfielder Colin Shaffer had one shot against Emory. The team main strength has been their yards per game. game, we went undefeated in outshot Emory 29-12. “We have a very hard travel defense. Safety Troy Polamalu has UAA. I think we deserved a schedule.... It’s kind of hard Defensive tackle Tamba been a step slower this sea- share of the title.” in the game. the quarterfinals of the NCAA mentally and physically to Hali and outside linebacker son, and nobody has stepped The men’s team was inches Sophomore midfieldertournament last year on pen- balance Carnegie Mellon aca- Justin Houston, with 9 and up as the defensive leader. away from a win. In the last Connor Webb delivered a alty kicks, the women’s team demics on the road. I think it 11 sacks respectively, have Quarterback Ben Roethlis- minute of the second over- standout performance, com- had hoped to get revenge on just gets the better of us some- led the Kansas City defense berger has been under con- time, senior forward Chris ing off the bench and using Emory’s Senior Day. times,” Albi said. that allows a league-best stant pressure and has no Wysocki’s shot deflected off creative touches to get past “It’s always hard to play on The loss ends their season 12.3 points per game. With one to throw to, with the ex- a defender and bounced to defenders and generate scor- someone else’s field, but it’s with 3–3–1 conference re- two games remaining against ception of receiver Antonio senior forward Max Tassano ing chances. even more difficult when it’s cord, good for fourth place in the formidable Denver Bron- Brown. at the top of the penalty box. “It came down to some bad their Senior Day,” graduate the UAA. cos led by Peyton Manning, After years of dominating Tassano turned past the de- luck, and we need to work on student goalkeeper Anna Albi Both the men’s and wom- the second half of the Chiefs’ the AFC North, the Steelers fender and got a shot on a goal our finishing a little bit,” Bry- said. en’s team will find out today schedule will show whether are on the decline. that bounced off the crossbar. ant said. The Tartans had two if they will be playing in the the Chiefs are legitimate con- There were four seconds left Having lost to Emory in opportunities to score first. NCAA tournament. tenders. But with an offense that Cleveland Browns is overly reliant on running After trading away former back Jamaal Charles, it is first-round pick Trent Rich- difficult to predict whether ardson, the Browns were ex- Volleyball team finishes third in UAA the Chiefs can score enough pected to tank. points to win against more Instead, they are 4–5, william park with impressive wins against offensively potent teams. Sports Editor the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens, and just New York Giants one game out of the second The women’s volleyball The 2012 Super Bowl win- wild card spot. team had had enough. ners got off to a terrible start, On defense, they have Over the previous three losing their first six games in quality starters in the second- seasons, the Tartans were 0–5 ugly fashion. Quarterback Eli ary, linebackers, and defen- against Washington Univer- Manning caught the inter- sive line positions. sity in St. Louis, their oppo- ception bug, with 15 for the They have offensive play- nent in Saturday’s third-place season, and has a pedestrian makers in tight end Jordan game of the University Ath- 55.7 completion percentage. Cameron and wide receiver letic Association (UAA) Cham- Not all of the blame falls Josh Gordon, but have no pionships. on Manning, however. His of- one to throw to them. The “Wash. U. is our biggest ri- fensive line has been shaky, Browns have had three dif- val and always has been,” said and the running game has ferent starting quarterbacks senior and team co-captain Ali been very weak. Wide re- who have all had varying lev- Nichols. “Saturday morning, ceiver Hakeem Nicks has also els of success. all the seniors got together dropped too many passes. The Browns won’t make and realized how awesome it On the defensive side, the the playoffs this season, but would be to finally beat Wash. former strength of the team have proven they are no lon- U.” has weakened. Defensive ger the laughing stock of the Leading the game 2–1 and lineman Jason Pierre-Paul league. A decent quarterback up 24–23 in the fourth set, has only one sack, while cap- can take them to the next Washington University ap- tain Justin Tuck only has 1.5. level. peared on the verge of anoth- The offensive line needs er win over the Tartans. retooling, but more impor- Washington had the op- tantly, if key contributors Atlanta Falcons portunity to win the game and can’t rediscover their game, Quarterback Matt Ryan instead committed a service the Giants will be in serious signed a $103.75 million con- error. A kill by senior outside trouble. tract extension in the off-sea- hitter Senna Parsa and anoth- son after leading the Falcons er Washington error allowed to the NFC Championships the Tartans to take the pivotal New York Jets last year. fourth set. Before the season, ESPN While he is on pace to “When it came down to it, predicted the Jets to be the throw 20 interceptions this our consistency and — more File photo by Jason Chen/Staff Photographer worst team in the league. But year, the numbers don’t tell than anything — our drive to The women’s volleyball team finished the regular season with a 25–9 record. At third place in the UAA Confer- with a 5–4 record and victo- the entire story. Ryan lost his win were the reasons we were ence, the team has a good chance of earning an at-large bid into the NCAA tournament. ries against the New England favorite receiver Julio Jones able to take the fourth set,” Patriots and New Orleans to a season-ending injury in Nichols said. ment, the Tartans were also A 3–0 loss against the Uni- The senior class, which in- Saints, the Jets look like play- week five and has a porous The Tartans carried their tied with New York University versity of Chicago set them up clude Nichols, Parsa, outside off contenders. offensive line in front of him. momentum into the fifth set, for fourth place in the UAA to play No. 8 Wash. U. for third hitter Mary Stadelman, and Defensive end Muham- With no rushing attack, which they won 15–9 to take Conference. place. outside hitter Rachel Miller, mad Wilkerson and tackle the Atlanta offense is too the game 3–2 and secured a “Going into the season, we The Tartans finished the has played a major role in re- Damon Harrison have teamed dependent on their passing third-place in the UAA Cham- knew we had to beat NYU for regular season with a 25–9 re- building Carnegie Mellon’s up with rookie Sheldon Rich- game. Running back Steven pionships. a shot at going to the NCAA cord, an impressive improve- volleyball program. ardson to lead a formidable Jackson has been beset by in- The victory was spearhead- tournament,” Nichols said. ment over their 12–22 record Regardless of whether the defensive front line that is juries as well as wide receiver ed by junior and co-captain “That was looming over our from three seasons ago. volleyball team will play in the consistent in stuffing oppo- Roddy White. Ali Celentano’s 18 kills and heads the past month during More than that, the Tartans NCAA tournament, the future nent’s rushing attack. They can still score points, Parsa’s 14 kills. practice, and we have worked have a good chance of earning is bright. First-year middle The Jets have very few of- but opposing teams have Washington University a lot harder to specifically beat an at-large bid into the NCAA blockers Jackie Gibbons and fensive playmakers, which scored more on their weak wasn’t the only rival the Tar- NYU.” tournament. Their last NCAA Casey Salandra and first-year makes their mediocre offen- defense, which allows 27.3 tans had to beat. On Friday against NYU, bid was in 2008. opposite hitter and setter Em- sive production actually seem points per game. The Tartans opened the the Tartans dropped the first With a strong UAA Con- ily Newton have all emerged quite impressive. Running The Falcons are out of the tournament against New York set 19–25 and came back to ference record, the Tartans as consistent starters. back Chris Ivory has emerged playoff picture this season University, who had earlier win the second set 25–20 and believe they have played well “The freshmen that we as the leading workhorse, and will be so for the foresee- defeated Carnegie Mellon in a tough third set 31–29. The enough to deserve a bid. “I re- have this year are really while rookie quarterback able future unless they can straight sets in the second Tartans won the fourth set at a ally think we have. Hopefully, strong, and I really see the Geno Smith is slowly cutting revamp their defense and UAA round robin. comfortable margin of 25–18 that win over Wash. U. guar- program taking off from down on his turnover rate. offensive line. Coming into the tourna- to advance to the next round. antees us a spot,” Nichols said. here,” Nichols said. A10 « thetartan.org/sports The Tartan » November 11, 2013

sports commentary David Price headlines short list of MLB off-season targets Carl glazer The Rays have a long history with a better offer. Regardless system, two criteria must be respectively. fensive performance during Senior Staffwriter of trading away their talented of the destination, expect the met. First, his current team There is another band of the Red Sox postseason run. pitchers before they hit free Rays to move Price before the must make the player a quali- power hitting free agents who His agent, Scott Boras, has a Baseball is a unique sport agency. The Rays have always off-season ends. fying offer. This offer must, at carry their own risks, but are history of not accepting the because of its ridiculously had a low budget and have The other major piece of a one-year contract’s worth, be still likely to receive great of- one-year qualifying offer out long season. With the season had to be selective in whom the off-season is free agency. at least the average yearly sal- fers given the absence of avail- of principle, and thus, Drew lasting from the end of March they can sign to expensive, MLB changed the rules gov- ary of the top 125 free agents able sluggers on the market. could be left high and dry with through the end of October, long-term contracts. erning the complicated free from the previous off-season, Veteran outfielder Carlos Bel- few suitors. there isn’t much time for a true In the last off-season, the agent process before last off- which is around $14 million trán played lights out for the Boras also represents the off-season. Add in the begin- Rays traded James Shields to season, and their effects can this year. St. Louis Cardinals in the post two centerfielders that repre- ning of spring training in late the Kansas City Royals for top- already be seen, most notably Second, the free-agent-to- season, but health concerns sent the top of this year’s free February, and there are only level prospect Wil Myers. The in the Milwaukee Brewers’ be must have been with the and his advancing age have agent class, Jacoby Ellsbury three months for all of the off- season before, Matt Garza was signing of Kyle Lohse. To help current team for at least one given many teams doubt about and Shin-Soo Choo. season player movement, in traded to the Chicago Cubs for keep players with the team full season. The purpose of his potential. It may take a while for ei- the form of both free agency top pitching prospect Chris that drafted them, teams that this clause is to prevent teams Nelson Cruz was having a ther of these players to sign, and trades. Archer and a host of other less lose top-level players in free from acquiring a player in the great year for the Texas Rang- but that will not be due to lack With the winter meetings, promising young players. agency now gain a compen- last year of his contract at the ers before he got caught up of interest. Boras is notori- where all of the MLB teams Now it is Price’s turn to satory draft pick between the July 31 trade deadline, and in the biogenesis scandal and ous for holding out and play- meet to discuss changes to the bring the Rays back a bounty first and second rounds in the then receiving compensation was suspended for the last 50 ing teams against each other. rules, less than a month away, of young players to reload MLB draft. when he leaves two months games of the season for hu- Some speculate that Boras free agency is about to kick their minor league system and On the other hand, the later. man growth hormone usage. will make sure Choo signs into high gear. Since all of the to allow them to continue con- team signing another team’s This year, 13 players were Kendrys Morales and Mike first, and later demand that general managers are in one tending with cheaper players free agent will forfeit their given qualifying offers. Two of Napoli are both defensive li- Ellsbury receive an offer more place, most of the major off- on their small budget. first-round pick unless it’s them, pitchers Ervin Santana abilities and would be best lucrative than the one Choo season trades happen during Current rumors have a top 10 pick, in which case and Ubaldo Jiménez, are eeri- suited as designated hitters, receives. the meetings, but that doesn’t named the Texas Rangers, St. they forfeit their second round ly similar to Lohse in terms of but could be used as first base- While this may not be the mean teams aren’t already Louis Cardinals, Los Angeles pick. That forfeited pick dis- recent performance. The only man in a pinch. most exciting free agent or planning their major moves. Dodgers, and Los Angeles An- appears and all teams behind major difference is age, with Shortstop Stephen Drew is trade market class, there will The most talented name gels as possible trade destina- that draft slot move up. Lohse entering the free agent the position player most likely still be plenty of story lines as in this year’s trade market is tions, but another team may In order for a player to market at 34 and Jiménez to feel the pain of the qualify- teams try to get the most bang Tampa Bay’s ace David Price. come from out of the blue qualify for this compensatory and Santana being 30 and 31, ing offer with his terrible of- for their buck.

UAA Sports Standings Upcoming Schedule

Men’s Soccer Football Women’s Soccer Football and Lee University and Men’s Basketball Univ. Conf. W L T Univ. Conf. W L Univ. Conf W L T Nov. 16 Allegheny College at Carnegie Nov. 18 Rochester 5–1–1 13 2 2 Wash. U 2–0 7 2 Wash. U. 7–0–0 17 1 0 Case Western Reserve Mellon, 11:30 a.m. Geneva College at CMU 4–1–2 11 2 3 Chicago 1–1 6 3 Emory 6–1–0 14 3 1 University at Carnegie Mellon, Nov. 22 Carnegie Mellon, 7:30 p.m. Emory 4–1–2 11 5 2 CWRU 1–1 4 4 Chicago 3–2–2 11 4 3 6 p.m. Carnegie Mellon Diving Nov. 23 Wash. U. 3–2–2 10 4 3 CMU 0–2 3 6 CMU 3–3–1 9 4 2 Invite, 6 p.m. University of Pittsburgh- Brandeis 3–3–1 14 4 1 Brandeis 2–3–2 10 6 2 Cross Country Greensburg at Carnegie Mel- Chicago 3–4–0 9 6 2 Volleyball Rochester 1–3–3 6 6 5 Nov. 16 Women’s Basketball lon, 3 p.m. CWRU 1–5–1 6 7 4 Univ. Conf. W L NYU 0–5–2 8 9 2 NCAA Regionals, Muhlen- Nov. 15 NYU 0–6–1 6 8 3 Chicago 6–1 26 10 CWRU 0–5–2 7 8 3 berg College, 11 a.m. Geneva College at Emory 5–2 30 4 Nov. 23 Carnegie Mellon, 6 p.m. CMU 4–3 25 9 NCAA Championships, Nov. 16 Hanover College, 11 a.m. Wash. U. 6–1 26 7 Franciscan University at NYU 4–3 27 7 Carnegie Mellon, 1 p.m. CWRU 2–5 16 17 Swimming/Diving Nov. 19 Rochester 0–7 9 27 Nov. 16 Carnegie Mellon at Grove Brandeis 1–6 10 25 Tri Meet with Washington City College, 6 p.m.

feature photos Carnegie Mellon Ultimate teams host Steel City Showdown

Jonathan Leung/Assistant Photo Editor The Carnegie Mellon men’s Ultimate team Mr. Yuk hosted an exhibition game between the University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University on Friday night in Gesling Stadium. The game preceeded the two-day tournament that took place on Saturday at the CONSOL Energy Sports Complex in North Huntingdon, Pa. Mr. Yuk finished 0–3 in the tournament, which the University of Cincinnati eventually won. Money Mellons, Carnegie Mellon’s women’s team, finished second in the women’s side. Timeflies and Chiddy Bang B5

James Wolpert The former Carnegie Mellon student and The Voice contestant rises to the top • B8

11.11.13 Volume 108, Issue 11 ...this week only 3 Angel Haze The talented rapper’s 30 Gold project yields impressive fruit. 4 Sarah Kay The spoken word poet and Project V.O.I.C.E. founder comes to Carnegie Mellon. 5 Fall concert Timeflies and Chiddy Bang headline this year’s fall concert in Wiegand Gymnasium. 6 Blackfish The buzzed-about documentary presents a stirring case on a fishy subject. 7 Netflix Marvel comics has teamed with Netflix to produce a slew of new and original content. 8 James Wolpert The former Carnegie Mellon student sits down to talk about his experience on The Voice. 10 PSO 5 The orchestra put on a standard and well- executed performance.

4 8 regulars...... diversions

3 Advice 13 Puzzles Everything you need to know about Subra Save them for after your homework when you Suresh and completing your major. can afford the mental exhaustion. 7 Dollar Movie 14 Horoscopes AB Films presents fun movies in McConomy Check to see if the universe really is out to get Auditorium to lighten your dark soul. you this week.

11 Comics 15 Calendar Check out this week’s comics and try not to Friends don’t let friends not know where to get laugh too hard. their arts and culture fix.

PUBLISHER Jennifer Coloma EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Josh Smith PILLBOX EDITOR Rachel Cohen Assistant Pillbox Editor Joey Peiser COMICS EDITOR Kairavi Chahal PHOTO EDITOR Kate Groschner COPY MANAGER Evan Kahn COVER Kelsey Erin Scott

The Tartan . Box 119 . UC Suite 103 . Carnegie Mellon University . 5000 Forbes Ave . Pittsburgh, PA 15213 . www.thetartan.org . © 2013 The Tartan Wilson starts freestyle project Advice for awkward people 30 Gold project sees rapper trying out new styles About inaugurations and that pesky last class Hey Ryan & Matt, Dear Matt & Ryan, New York rapper and noisemaker Raykeea Angel I’ve been getting all these I’m a senior, hoping to Wilson, better known as Angel Haze, has been spam emails about some graduate this spring. releasing a slew of new material as part of her 30 important faculty member Unfortunately, there Gold project. getting appointed to all is one class that I just these national academic cannot seem to pass for The Detroit native, often compared to fellow female committees. I got one the life of me. I’ve taken up-and-comer Azealia Banks — with whom Haze a few weeks ago about it every semester, and has had an extensive Twitter altercation — will his appointment to the every time the final comes release a new freestyle rap roughly every day for Institute of Medicine. Big around I totally bomb it. I 30 days. So far, the project has yielded some of the deal — so the guy is a only go to, like, one of the greatest hip-hop released this year, commercial doctor. Why does all of classes anyway but I pass or otherwise. All material can be found on Angel Carnegie Mellon need to all the quizzes! I just don’t Haze’s SoundCloud account, https://soundcloud. know about every award understand what’s going com/angelhazeym. he collects? on. This is the last class I need to pass to graduate! Wilson is one of the fiercest wordsmiths in hip-hop Sincerely, music today. An open pansexual and outspoken I Loathe Loading Mail Sincerely, victim of sexual abuse, she first gained widespread About Nobodies, Need Cursing A Terrible Class, attention with her 2012 track “Cleaning Out My Education Regarding Missing Inconsequential- Courtesy of Murakami_Reader via Flickr Closet,” a song that borrowed the Eminem beat of Elected Despots Seeming Marks, Yet the same name and turned it into an exorcism of Rapper Angel Haze has been releasing a steady Bound And Needing End her own childhood demons. The song, which details stream of new material as part of her 30 Gold Well ILL-MANNERED, the sexual abuse she endured during her childhood project. The individual collecting all of Dear CATCMISMYBANE, and the extensive emotional scarring it caused, is these awards is none other Dude. Come on. You’ve impossible to listen to without wincing. than Carnegie Mellon’s new got this. If the class is really and exhibits a kind of energy not usually heard from president, Subra Suresh. As all based on one final test, hip-hop’s ruling class. The material released thus far ranges from freestyles we read from his Wikipedia then just study like hell the over some of the biggest hip-hop beats of the year page, he is one of only day before. And if you’ve When she revisits one of her own songs on the snap- to a soft acoustic cover of Miley Cyrus’s “Wrecking 16 Americans — and the really taken this class every and-clap-filled “New York Remix,” her rapid-fire Ball.” The sheer range of styles that Wilson has only current president of a year, you should have this in delivery gives boasts like “313 but I run New York” explored over the course of this project is a university —to be a member the bag! Our guess is that — the kind of credence not often felt in rap music. testament to her great talent and a sign of what we of the big three national you’re either not putting can expect from this fantastic artist. academies: the Institute forth the effort required, or Of all the music released as part of the 30 Gold of Medicine, the National you secretly want to stay project, the best instance is her take on the In addition to her engaging lyrical content, Wilson Academy of Sciences, here another year. Or two. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis hit “Same Love.” While has high technical skill. Her flow on Kendrick and the National Academy Or indefinitely. But if you the original song shows Macklemore, a straight Lamar’s “Backseat Freestyle” never misses a step of Engineering. If you are want to get out of here then white male, trying to identify with the gay rights interested in learning more knuckle under and do it. Or cause and rally his listeners to join the cause, about this man, we hear his make a portal to a different Wilson’s is so powerful because it comes from inauguration has scheduled dimension where you someone who actually has a stake in the fight. a campus-wide celebration don’t need this one class for this Thursday, with an to graduate. But then you She opens the song with the story of coming out to invite-only dinner to follow at might cause catastrophic her mother at age 13 and being told, “You’ll burn in the Omni William Penn Hotel results throughout the hell or probably die of AIDS,” and closes it with the in Downtown. If you crash, multiverse, so be careful. declaration that, despite orientation, “We all feel the you’ll find out exactly what Also, you should double same love.” It’s an incredibly moving song, and one his policy regarding pesky check if your credits will that could only be written by someone who is on the students entails. transfer. receiving end of societal inequality. Bring us back some Worst-case scenario, The 30 Gold project, if nothing else, proves that punch, escape to Canada, Angel Haze is one of the most gifted chameleons Matt & Ryan Ryan & Matt in hip-hop today. Check https://soundcloud.com/ angelhazeym for all of her 30 Gold releases, as well Need advice? Send queries as the rest of her music. to [email protected]. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The 30 Gold project shows Angel Haze’s willingness to experiment. Joey Peiser | Assistant Pillbox Editor

music pillbox 11.11.13 3 Spoken word poet makes her voice heard Sarah Kay performs to an enthusiastic audience of Carnegie Mellon students

A large crowd gathered in McConomy Auditorium last performance was one of well-rehearsed spontaneity, in India to traveling in Nepal. These references added Tuesday afternoon to listen to spoken word poet and complete with symbolic gestures and dramatic pauses immensely to her work, expanding her sources of Project V.O.I.C.E. founder Sarah Kay. Kay’s performance that, rather than coming off as over the top and silly, felt inspiration and helping her avoid cliché. of spoken verse rhythmic poetry was both personal like genuine reflections of her words. and universal, focusing on themes of love, family, and Part poet, part performer, part storyteller, and full learning. In between poems, Kay caught her breath and became a comedian, Kay and her ability to bring life to words “real” person again, with anecdotal remarks and stories earned a standing ovation from enthralled Carnegie Taking us on a journey of her own life, she began with that complemented her composed poetry. She seemed Mellon students. Her ability to articulate the struggles her childhood family vacations and her little brother, eager to connect with the crowd, asking questions to of growing up, being a woman, and figuring out what before diving into first loves, long-distance relationships, feel out her audience and bring up the energy. love is — offset by her no-fuss humor and attitude — mothers, and feminism, ending with a poem dedicated connected with an audience struggling with many of the to teachers. Kay also referred to the work she does in addition to same issues. Perhaps most importantly, her candid chat being a writer and performer. As founder of Project with the audience prevented a common pitfall of poetry She captured a world of love and lost souls, full of both V.O.I.C.E., Kay works in schools nationally and — the feeling as if the poet is attempting to leave us romantic lust and the cold truth of reality. That said, internationally to teach poetry workshops to elementary confused or mesmerized. there was no trace of a Shakespearean imagined reality; and middle school students. She shared a story of using rather, there were clear references to the modern world, an analogy of pooping to communicate to middle school Kay’s first collection of poetry will be published in March. where planes and phones connect people better than students that the hardest part about writing poetry is To learn more about Sarah Kay and Project V.O.I.C.E., ever. An expert in crafting imagery, Kay created an being able to both push through frustrations and be visit kaysarahsera.com. environment that seemed fluid and full of emotional ready when inspiration strikes. angst, yet also intricately detailed with specific imagery: “The years have spread us like dandelion seeds,” She also referred to the vast range of experiences she’s Sarah Moss-Horwitz | Junior Staffwriter and “Cell phones that buzz as if it’s your hand.” Her had even as a young woman in her 20s, from teaching

Michelle Wan | Junior Photographer Spoken word poet and Project V.O.I.C.E founder Sarah Kay performed for a large crowd in McConomy Auditorium.

Michelle Wan | Junior Photographer Michelle Wan | Junior Photographer poetry 4 pillbox 11.11.13 Fall concert rocks Wiegand Gymnasium Timeflies and Chiddy Bang headline an energetic night of pop-rap hits

Pop/rap duo Timeflies and Philadelphia rapper Chiddy Timeflies performed many of their smash hits, including Bang gave rousing performances at Carnegie Mellon’s a crowd-pleasing performance of “Turn It Up” and fast Wiegand Gymnasium for this year’s fall concert. renditions of “Lose My Mind,” “Detonate,” “I Believe,” Timeflies is known for catchy beats, quick rap verses, “Ride,” and “Swoon.” Their performance had the and freestyles, along with its widely followed “Timeflies audience screaming and clamoring for more. Tuesdays” YouTube videos, and is currently on tour to promote the duo’s latest EP, Warning Signs. Timeflies was extremely engaging and interactive with the crowd for the entirety of their performance. The duo The concert kicked off at 7 p.m. with an opening had the crowd singing along, jumping up and down, and performance by junior mechanical engineering major waving their hands for every song. The crowd was more Gianfranco Colombi and sophomore mechanical than happy to dance along with them. engineering major Bernardo Campos Almendárez, who played mixes of various electropop and EDM hits for the The highlight of their set, amongst many other stellar crowd that was pouring in. performances, was their “Timeflies Tuesdays”-style, Carnegie Mellon-themed freestyle rap. Much to the After the half-hour-long opening performance, Chiddy crowd’s delight, lead vocalist Cal Shapiro rapped about Bang came on, much to the excitement of the crowd. all things quintessentially Carnegie Mellon, including the Rapper Chidera “Chiddy” Anamege and former Chiddy “Walking to the Sky” statue, brunch at Pamela’s Diner, Bang member Noah “Xaphoon Jones” Beresin are and 15-251. This particular performance had Carnegie known for their clever usage of samples from artists Mellon students talking long after the performance was such as MGMT and Ellie Goulding in their songs. They over. engaged the crowd throughout their set and received an enthusiastic reaction when they asked the audience if Timeflies closed their set with their hit single “I Choose they were having a good time. They gave an extremely U,” which had the crowd jumping and screaming the energetic performance in which they played many words of their song. After this performance, the duo of their well-known hits such as “Ray Charles,” “Bad walked offstage, but the crowd immediately started Day,” “Talking to Myself,” “Handclaps and Guitars,” yelling for an encore. Timeflies was more than willing “Breakfast,” and “All Things Go.” to oblige, as they came back on to perform a rousing rendition of yet another hit. Chiddy Bang closed off the performance with hit singles “Opposite of Adults” — which featured a sample from The audience for the concert also contained a large MGMT’s “Kids” — and “Mind Your Manners,” for which number of students from the University of Pittsburgh, the rapper collaborated with Swedish duo Icona Pop. The who also appeared excited about seeing big names like crowd contained many people who were familiar with Timeflies and Chiddy Bang come to Pittsburgh. All in their music, but people who were introduced to their all, it was a successful concert, with exciting visual and Kelsey Erin Scott | Operations Manager music in this concert also seemed to enjoy themselves. lighting effects headed by two excellent artists. Their set lasted around 45 minutes, after which Timeflies energized the crowd at its headlining they were followed by Timeflies’s highly anticipated concert in Wiegand Gym last Friday. performance. Nandini Ramakrishnan | Junior Staffwriter

Jonathan Leung | Assistant Photo Editor Kelsey Erin Scott | Operations Manager Jonathan Leung | Assistant Photo Editor

Left: Junior Gianfranco Colombi (left) and sophomore Center: Pop-rap duo Timeflies peformed a number of crowd Right: Rap group Chiddy Bang performed many of their hits, Bernardo Campos Almendárez (right) opened the night pleasers as well as an exclusive Carnegie Mellon-themed including “Opposite of Adults” and “Mind Your Manners.” with a selection of EDM hits. freestyle.

music pillbox 11.11.13 5 Documentary delves deep into killer whale captivity Blackfishdepicts the harsh lives of SeaWorld performers after the show is over

Millions of people visit SeaWorld every day without footage of the young whale in the net crying out to his mentally and emotionally equivalent to humans and thinking about the lives of the animals behind the family is devastating enough to make viewers question completely conscious of what is happening to them. scenes. Why would they worry? SeaWorld does their views and reach for a tissue. By the time the film shows footage of mother whales everything it can to convince the general public that the separated from their calves in the parks because they animals in its parks are happy and well-cared for. If that The story only gets worse as the film continues, following weren’t performing well together, viewers are ready to were true, however, why would Tilikum, a 12,000-pound Tilikum from Sealand of the Pacific — a subpar version fly to Orlando and free the whales themselves. Blackfish killer whale, brutally attack and kill Dawn Brancheau, of SeaWorld in British Columbia, Canada, which had to is effective in eliciting an emotional response from the the head trainer at SeaWorld Orlando? The documentary be shut down after Tilikum’s first attack on a trainer — to audience because it juxtaposes humanizing facts about Blackfish was created precisely because director his current home in SeaWorld Orlando. Cowperthwaite whales with the awful circumstances they face every Gabriela Cowperthwaite asked herself this question after uses similar first-hand sources to dig into the dark past day. hearing of Brancheau’s death. and present truths of the industry. Testimonies from eyewitnesses of Tilikum’s first attack, relatives of people The film has already elicited a vivid response from Blackfish, which recently began screening in the U.S., who have been attacked by killer whales in other theme audiences. According to an article on digitaljournal.com, relates the history of killer whale captivity, using this parks, and people who previously worked as trainers at SeaWorld has been battered by public response to the backstory to lead up to and explain Tilikum’s attack SeaWorld itself add credibility to the film and make it documentary. Celebrities such as Stephen Fry, Olivia on Brancheau. In a story with CNN, Cowperthwaite hard to argue with its claims. Wilde, and Ewan McGregor have tweeted endorsements said she started her investigation into the issue not as for the film and joined a website calledbackblackfish. an anti-captivity activist, but “as a mother (who had Experts who have researched killer whales for years say com. The SeaWorld San Diego Facebook page was just taken her kids to SeaWorld) and as a documentary that the animals have no history of attacking humans in forced to disable comments, and many concerned filmmaker.” the wild, but the film presents raw footage of trainer after viewers have called and written letters to SeaWorld to trainer being attacked by whales. As a result, it’s hard to express their disgust. Even Pixar has caught wind of the The film starts by explaining how killer whales were argue that the attacks were not caused by frustrated and controversy surrounding the film and altered the ending rounded up from the wild — the young ones separated psychologically unstable whales. to the upcoming Finding Dory in response, according to from their families — and taken to parks to perform. The Huffington Post. One of the men who helped to round up young Tilikum Blackfish presents the whales as extremely intelligent speaks in the documentary, saying that because of and emotionally complex creatures whose lives are While the general public certainly has not been shy the whales’ reactions, it was “the worst thing I’ve ever centered on social interactions with their families. It about voicing its opinion on the subject, SeaWorld done.” Until this point of the film, it might seem that the reiterates that these are not dumb brutes forced to has been anything but vocal. SeaWorld declined to be people protesting killer whale captivity are overreacting, perform for an audience’s momentary pleasure and interviewed for the original documentary or appear on and the whales at SeaWorld are happy. However, the an industry’s hungry bank account; these animals are CNN since it aired and issued only a brief statement about the film, calling it one-sided and unfair.

According to a recent article on marketwatch.com of The Wall Street Journal, SeaWorld’s stock has dropped 25 percent since the release of the film and sales are down by $4 million since June (months before the film was aired on CNN). In addition, ticket prices have recently decreased, though the park insists the change has nothing to do with public response to Blackfish.

To learn more about the documentary, visit www.blackfishmovie.com.

Jenna Bodnar | Junior Staffwriter

The documentary Blackfish skillfully investigates the devastating realities of killer whale captivity.

Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

film 6 pillbox 11.11.13 Netflix seals deal with Disney’s Marvel New material will expand Netflix original content with extensive series and miniseries event

Get ready to renew your Netflix subscription, because universe, established by the latest Marvel films and staggered schedule, but each series will be released in the video streaming service has just inked a deal with continued in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. its entirety at one time. So you’ll be able to binge-watch Disney’s Marvel to create an epic series event. The all 13 Daredevil episodes whenever you like — but you’ll content, which will consist of four 13-episode series Original content is still new territory for Netflix. The have to wait to start on Jessica Jones. and a miniseries, was announced in a press release on service’s first major release was House of Cards, followed Thursday. by the highly anticipated fourth season of Arrested This announcement also comes amidst a flurry of Development. This original content has a lot of potential, superhero content hitting the market. Marvel’s sequel The event will begin with a series focusing on comic since Netflix isn’t beholden to advertising to pay for Thor: The Dark World was released in the U.S. last book hero Daredevil, followed by separate series each content, as traditional networks are. As a result, content weekend, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is currently airing its focusing on fellow Hell’s Kitchen residents Jessica Jones, can be molded to already-present viewers — not the first season on ABC, and Arrow, a show based on DC Iron Fist, and Luke Cage. demographics prized by traditional TV executives. comic book hero the Green Arrow, is airing its second season on The CW. Slated to begin in 2015, the serialized epic will be So far, critics and viewers alike have approved of Neflix released over a few years, and will lead up to one original content, and House of Cards recently took home The viewer makeup will be especially interesting. Will defining miniseries,The Defenders, described in the three Primetime Emmy Awards. The show received nine Netflix try to appeal to and gain viewership from the release as an attempt to “reimagine a dream team of self- of the 14 total nominations for Netflix programming. younger demos sought after by traditional programming, sacrificing, heroic characters.” or will there be a more evenly distributed age range? However, that same freedom can also hamper the The epic event is sure to draw current fans of both the The announcement comes on the heels of the ABC creation of high-quality content. The fourth series of Marvel comics and the feature films, but Netflix will premiere of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Arrested Development never quite achieved the success need to distinguish its superheroes from the rest in widely hailed success of Netflix original seriesHouse of of previous seasons, all released on FOX before the the entertainment world to attract viewers outside its Cards and Orange is the New Black. There’s no word yet show’s untimely cancellation. already-present fan base. as to whether this new epic will be part of the Avengers The most interesting thing to note about this announcement is how the content will be issued. Mairéad Pettit | Staffwriter The individual series will be released separately, on a

dollarmovie McConomy Auditorium, University Center Andie Park | Staffwriter

The World’s End Kick-Ass 2 The Rocky Horror Picture Show Friday, Nov. 15 Saturday, Nov. 16 Sunday, Nov. 17 7:30, 10 7:30, 10 8, 11:59

Director Edgar Wright teams up with actors Simon Kick-Ass is back with a vengeance. In the sequel to This cult horror film returns once again to Carnegie Pegg and Nick Frost to complete the final installment the splashy film about an inexperienced crime-fighting Mellon. The Rocky Horror Picture Show, the classic of the Three Flavours Cornetto trilogy. In one of the teen, Kick-Ass 2 returns with the same energetic chaos cinematic force that rocked pop culture, is one of the best movies this year, five friends reunite 20 years after as its titular hero tries to defeat his ally-turned-enemy most entertaining and interactive films that has lived failing to finish the “Golden Mile” pub crawl, spanning Red Mist. After initially retiring from the crime-fighting through generations. When a young couple, Brad 12 pubs in their hometown of Newtown Haven. business, Dave Lizewski (a.k.a. Kick-Ass) trains to be Majors (Barry Bostwick) and Janet Weiss (Susan Although the glory days are over, ringleader Gary King a proper hero and joins Justice Forever, headed by Sarandon), comes across the mansion of Dr. Frank-N- (played by Pegg) gathers the group to reach the final Colonel Stars and Stripes (played by Jim Carrey, if you Furter, they find themselves in a slew of Frankensteinian pub — The World’s End. As the friends return to their can even imagine). Kick-Ass 2 is action-packed and full misadventures infused with pop-rock ballads, mad hometown, they realize it’s a little different from what of raunchy humor that will make you want to put on a scientists, and transvestites in lingerie. Come to the they remember — thanks to an alien invasion. As the mask and fight some crime on the streets of the ’Burgh. midnight showing with Scotch’n’Soda’s shadowcast for final film of the trilogy, The World’s End is filled with a a one-of-a-kind experience. hilariously chaotic sense of childlike enthusiasm with its amazing fight sequences and characters, but at its core, it’s a heartwarming film that deals with growing up and moving on from the golden years of one’s youth.

television pillbox 11.11.13 7 Quickly, Wolpert developed a reputation as the top dog of Levine’s team. Zayda Rivera wrote in the New York Daily Wolpert makes a soulful entrance on The Voice News, “I still strongly feel Levine’s squad is the most powerful with vocalists like James Wolpert…. It’s hard Former CMU student’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” climbs to No. 3 on iTunes not to watch Wolpert, who Levine previously described as a ‘stockbroker who could sing.’ He’s passionate and fun.” by Noël Um | News Co-Editor in my life though. You know, go back and get the ol’ member of Soundbytes, said, “James was an integral [ ] college degree.” part of Soundbytes, both musically and as a friend to Wolpert feels strongly about promoting and supporting everyone in the group. Though we’re all incredibly the other contestants through his Twitter and Facebook, Sporting signature ’50s frames and carrying a hauntingly The choice to leave college has certainly paid off, but excited for him, I don’t think anyone’s surprised that his even voting for his competitors through The Voice’s clear and soulful voice, former Carnegie Mellon student Wolpert warns that it’s not the path for everybody. “I talent is taking him places.” voting app. James Wolpert glided into the top 12 of NBC’s reality certainly hope I’m not encouraging anybody to drop television competition The Voice with his performance out,” he said. “All of the lessons that I learned at CMU Wolpert, who had many solos during his time with “I consider myself honored to be counted among the of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” last Tuesday. and the nuggets of wisdom I acquired during my two Soundbytes, did not expect to experience stage fright [contestants] at all. It might be counterintuitive, but I years there kind of nestled themselves into place as my before he went on the show, but a case of nerves kicked think the key to success on the show, or music at all, Wolpert’s stripped-down version of the Mitchell hit left life moved forward — and then it all came together and in right before his first appearance in front of The Voice’s is putting aside the things that people say — good or his mentor, Maroon 5 bandleader Adam Levine, wide- the dots all connected.” 13 million viewers last month. bad — and just investing yourself in the music,” he said. eyed and stunned. “You came back and did something “I know that sounds pretty corny, but it’s the truth. I’ve incredibly bold. You had so much control, and it was so Although it was tough to balance music and work during “For my blind audition, I almost collapsed before they found that that’s the most harmonious way to approach elegant. I could not be more proud of you,” Levine said. his two years as an Apple employee — “I was working opened the stage doors for me. It’s something that I had this whole thing.” full-time and I was making barely enough to pay rent” never experienced before because I always thought I Levine was not the only one floored by Wolpert’s — Wolpert stuck around Pittsburgh and continued was a comfortable performer on stage; it’s where I feel Interestingly, The Voice hasn’t been Wolpert’s first performance. His “A Case of You” single subsequently to perform with Carnegie Mellon’s a cappella group the most at home. But I think the sheer scale of it all is exposure to reality television. In 2008, he was featured lurched to No. 3 on the iTunes sales chart before settling Soundbytes, while recording and writing on his own. something that you just have to get used to,” he said. in five episodes of the ABC television series High School comfortably around No. 4 on Tuesday night. Musical: Get In the Picture. “Soundbytes shows were the majority of what I’ve been The audience would have never been able to tell. Tonight, Wolpert will perform in The Voice’s live show doing for the past seven months, besides The Voice. My Wolpert stormed the stage, nailing his rendition of Wolpert’s other acting experience includes a lead Screenshot courtesy of The Voice via YouTube against the top 12 at 8 p.m. “Man, I just feel like this solo performances kind of went by the wayside because I music-inspiration Jack White’s “Love Interruption” with role in Yulin Kuang’s (DC ’13) short film “The Perils of is exactly the position I want to be in right now, and was having so much fun with Soundbytes; they’re some grit and verve. All four judges — Christina Aguilera, Cee Growing Up Flat-Chested,” which won an award for Best prestigious acting school, I would never compare myself Keeping in touch with Carnegie Mellon alumni and there’s literally nothing more that I could ask for. This is of the best friends I’ve ever met and I will cherish them Lo Green, Adam Levine, and Blake Shelton — spun their Narrative Short at the San Diego Asian Film Festival last to anybody there or claim that I am going to make my friends helps Wolpert feel connected to the Pittsburgh the most incredible thing that’s ever happened to me,” for my entire life,” Wolpert said. chairs around to fight over Wolpert before he eventually Saturday. big foray into acting anytime soon, but it’s definitely on community that he still very much considers home. “I’m Wolpert said. settled on Levine as his mentor. the table because I have a great time doing it and people so nostalgic about my time at CMU; it’s hilarious. All this Sophie Wirt, a junior professional writing major and “I love acting. It’s really fun. In a university with such a seem to enjoy it and it gives me another outlet,” he said. pain-pleasure memory is flooding back to me right now.” Surprisingly, Wolpert’s powerful voice and music style — “I love having as many creative outlets as I possibly can.” which falls somewhere between classics Jack White and “What I don’t miss though, was being trapped in Scobell Queen — was not enough to gain him an acceptance Fans at home love that Wolpert encompasses the very my freshman year,” Wolpert laughed. from Carnegie Mellon’s vocal performance program back essence of the stereotypical Carnegie Mellon student — in 2009. “I auditioned for their voice program, but I didn’t quietly passionate, slightly nerdy, and always humble. According to his Twitter feed, Wolpert’s favorite get in, and I just wanted to go to the school so badly that Pittsburgh eats include some classic Carnegie Mellon I went for my second-best choice, which was art,” he “I just feel really proud of him. It’s a great feeling when student go-tos: Union Grill, Steel Cactus, and Spice said. a fellow Tartan is successful; I feel like we all share each Island. “I love hanging out in Shadyside — there are other’s triumphs,” sophomore professional writing and great bars around there. I love hanging out at the Apple After two challenging years as an art major — “I was creative writing double major Sarah Hodgson said. Store because I’m a nerd. I love going to the Strip on a terrible student, but I really enjoyed my classes” — “Based on his style and his passion, he seems to pretty Market Days. My favorite restaurant to go to is Tamari,” the 22-year-old Lancaster, Pa., native dropped out of much embody CMU, which is why it’s so amazing that he said in an interview with WPXI. Carnegie Mellon and began working at the Apple Store we get to have this talented, stylish, down-to-earth guy in Shadyside. representing our school.” As for the fame and the buzz, Wolpert said, “It’s impossible not to read the stuff online, because this is “What kind of art did I specialize in? Hmm… Bad art,” “I was completely taken aback by the support,” Wolpert kind of the first thing of this type that’s ever happened Wolpert chuckled. “But I’ll never forget my time at CMU. said. “I am humbled by the response and I know I to me. It’s a whole new way of seeing yourself, I guess. I It was an incredibly important, pivotal experience in my wouldn’t be here without the support of my family, my don’t necessarily think it’s a good idea to read comments life. I also just had a lot of fun in the fine arts program.” friends and my beautiful girlfriend Nadia [Sheen], who and articles about me online, but I succumb to it also went to Carnegie Mellon.” anyways.” Wolpert said, “I dropped out because I felt called to a different path. I would love to finish up at some point Wolpert says that currently, Sheen (MCS ’13) and other Wolpert said, “It’s been a roller coaster ride, I have to Carnegie Mellon alumni have formed a community out say. And that’s kind of the way I like it. I like bouncing in Los Angeles. “CMU has this little satellite community back and forth between different places and different out here in L.A.; we just hang out and get together pretty situations. I like all sorts of crazy situations, and that’s Former Carnegie Mellon student, and now top 12 often,” Wolpert said. just me.” contestant on NBC’s The Voice, James Wolpert per- formed a stripped-down version of Joni Mitchell’s “A Case of You” to secure his place amongst the best Top right: James Wolpert has repeatedly wowed judges and the audience at The Voice with his soulful style. on the reality series. Bottom left: Until recently, Wolpert performed with Carnegie Mellon co-ed a cappella group Soundbytes.

Screenshot courtesy of The Voice via YouTube Screenshot courtesy of The Voice via YouTube

feature feature 8 pillbox 11.11.13 pillbox 11.11.13 9 Pittsburgh Symphony plays to its strengths The orchestra presents a tried-and-true but no less compelling recipe for musical success

Standard formulas can get tired very quickly, especially a dark tremor in the percussion. The piece showcased After Steinbacher left the stage, the orchestra in the realm of arts and entertainment. Movies that both the group and individual talent: The staccato launched into Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s hypnotizing follow traditional arcs too closely can be stale and passages in the strings were impressively synchronized, Scheherazade. This piece was the exception to predictable. But formulas exist for a reason, and if while principal cellist Anne Martindale Williams gave a the orchestra’s otherwise technically impeccable executed well, they can be highly effective. mesmerizing solo. The symphony also has local flavor; performance; a few of the entrances were unintentionally Balada is a professor of composition at Carnegie Mellon. staggered, and when the orchestra dropped down to The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra has one of those a nearly inaudible pizzacato, the musicians sounded a formulas — unchanging but well performed nearly every Although the orchestra brought its own soloists to little unsure. That said, the orchestra gave a sweeping time. Last Saturday night, the orchestra presented the forefront, Steinbacher was the star of the evening. performance overall — bewitching and halting in all the yet another variation of its usual recipe in a program Steinbacher’s bold fashion choice drew as much right places. featuring acclaimed violin soloist Arabella Steinbacher attention as her violin; she walked onstage in a bright and Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade. fuschia gown. The indisputable highlight of Scheherazade was concertmaster Noah Bendix-Balgley’s enchanting Aside from Steinbacher, a special spotlight fell on guest Her actual performance, however, was quite rendition of the classic solo. As the orchestra faded out, conductor Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos, who has worked understated. Steinbacher offered a muted yet fluid Bendix-Balgley’s violin took over and held the audience with the orchestra for 42 years and just celebrated his sound, and while her solo was quiet, the orchestra did in rapt attention, offering a beautiful vibrato and 80th birthday. Frühbeck de Burgos walked confidently to well to avoid overpowering her. refreshingly pure tone that was surely as enchanting as the podium to a round of thunderous applause. any of Scheherazade’s tales. Despite her softer tone, Steinbacher’s passion was no For this concert, the orchestra presented one of less for it; she was capable of a surprising amount of In combination, the three distinct performances made its standard three-part programs: an edgier, more vigor, driving into the more technically difficult passages for another successful interpretation of the Pittsburgh contemporary piece, a standout solo performance, and without hesitation. Sergei Prokofiev’s Concerto No. 1 in Symphony Orchestra recipe. The formula may be finally a symphonic classic that shows off the orchestra’s D major for Violin and Orchestra is a virtuoso piece and familiar, but it has yet to cause classical music lovers to prowess. features very technically difficult passages. Steinbacher lose interest. deftly alternated between choppy, halting notes and This time, the program opened with the U.S. premiere blindingly fast runs. The concerto ended on a heart- of Leonardo Balada’s Symphony No. 6, Symphony of wrenchingly sweet note, with Steinbacher wringing Rachel Cohen | Pillbox Editor Sorrows — a dissonant, high-drama piece characterized every ounce of vibrato out of her fingers. by chirping strings, a theme building in the brass, and

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra regularly puts on formulaic but well-executed programs, such as last Saturday’s performance of Scheherazade with Arabella Steinbacher.

music 10 pillbox 11.11.13 Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham

[email protected] phdcomics.com

Poorly Drawn Lines by Reza Farazmand Kiltie As Charged by Charlie Shulman and Kairavi Chahal

[email protected] poorlydrawnlines.com [email protected]

comics pillbox 11.11.13 11 Why the Sandwich is the King of Food-Engineering by Doghouse Diaries

[email protected] thedoghousediaries.com

Hark, A Vagrant by Kate Beaton

[email protected] harkavagrant.com comics 12pillbox 11.11.13 Sudoku Puzzle: Hard Difficulty Kakuro Puzzle: Medium Difficulty

Sudoku courtesy of www.KrazyDad.com Kakuro courtesy of www.KrazyDad.com Fill all empty squares using numbers 1 to 9 so the sum of each row equals the clue on its left, and the sum of each column equals the clue above it. No number may be used in the same row or column more than once.

Solutions from Nov. 4

Crossword Medium Difficulty Easy Difficulty

puzzles pillbox 11.11.13 13 Horoscopes aries Ignorance is bliss, but I guess you wouldn’t know that. march 21–april 19

taurus Act on what you feel, not what you think you should feel. april 20–may 20

gemini Hesitate, and the opportunity will be gone forever. may 21–june 21

cancer Just let someone else worry about it for once. june 22–july 22

It’s better to be slightly arrogant than to have no confidence leo at all. july 23–aug. 22 Crossword courtesy of BestCrosswords.com

You will realize that some things can’t be perfect, no matter Across Down virgo how much time you spend on them. 1. Declines 1. Son of Isaac and Rebekah aug. 23–sept. 22 5. Unexpected victory 2. Coffin support 10. RR stops 3. Amoeba-like alien: The _____ 14. Structure for storing grain 4. Musical composition 15. Bobby of the Black Panthers 5. Battleship letters Good things take time, so just stick to your plan and you’ll 16. Price paid 6. Architect I.M. libra get there. 17. Long time 7. Without sept. 23–oct. 22 18. Subsequently 8. Spanish hero 19. Caucus state 9. Itty-bitty 20. Living in a city 10. Cutting instrument for paper 22. Ominous 11. Horn sound scorpio It’s easier for people to cooperate with you when you tell 24. Spanish appetizer 12. Even ___ speak... them what you are doing. 27. Stains 13. Celestial body oct. 23–nov. 21 28. Ancient military engine 21. The ___ Valley is a Californian wineland 32. Chopper topper 23. Able was ___... 36. Half and half 25. Places 37. World book 26. God of Islam You deserve praise, but you aren’t always going to get it. sagittarius 39. Blot out 28. Do something together 40. Kind of prof. 29. Goose genus nov. 22–dec. 21 42. Mother of Isaac 30. Inventor Nikola 44. Word that can succeed 31. Fortune-telling cards building, web, or burial 33. Spoil You want to forgive, but your pride is in the way. 45. Salsa singer Cruz 34. Blender brand capricorn 47. High public esteem 35. Like marshes dec. 22–jan. 19 49. Actor Beatty 38. Capital of Yemen 50. Stretch of land 41. Touchy 51. Hand woven pictorial design 43. Jumps on one leg 53. Seaweed 46. To ___ (perfectly) There are some difficult steps that you will have to take, but 56. On the ocean 48. Stink aquarius why not put them off as long as possible? 57. Kerosene source 52. Most reasonable jan. 20–feb. 18 61. Cutting instrument 54. Unfettered 65. Anklebones 55. Heaps 66. Antipasto morsel 57. Word that can succeed dance, foot and 69. Hydroxyl compound door At this point, the only thing to do is wait for it all to blow 70. Archer of myth 58. Mata ___ pisces over. 71. Passover feast 59. Immensely feb. 19–march 20 72. Short stocking 60. Covers 73. Old German helmet 62. Are you ___ out? Kairavi Chahal | Comics Editor 74. City on the Ruhr 63. Central points 75. Speaker of baseball 64. Lodge members 67. Neckline shape 68. East ender? horoscopes 14pillbox 11.11.13 MONDAY11.11.13 Andy McKee. Rex Theater (1602 E. Carson St.). 8 p.m. The fingerstyle acoustic guitarist will bring his YouTube- Toad the Wet Sprocket. Altar Bar (1620 Penn Ave.). famous compositions to Pittsburgh. Tickets are $25. 7:30 p.m. Classifieds The alternative rock band — comprised of vocalist and THURSDAY11.14.13 $1125/mo Beautiful Quiet City Home guitarist Glen Phillips, guitarist Todd Nichols, bassist Dean Greenfield/Sq Hill near Beechwood Blvd. Avail. Dinning, and drummer Randy Guss — will perform at the Inauguration of Dr. Subra Suresh. University Center. DEC. 2013 3 Bed Room, 1 1/2 Bath LR, DR, Altar Bar. Tickets range $30–32, and the event is open to All-day event. New Central AC/Furnace, New Windows/ all ages. The Carnegie Mellon community is invited to join the festivities as Suresh is inaugurated as the ninth president Doors, Hardwood Floors, Patio/Covered Porch. TUESDAY11.12.13 of Carnegie Mellon. The celebration will continue on New Dish Washer/Fridge,Washer/Dryer. Utilities Friday. not included. email : [email protected] Creative Writing New Faculty Reading. Danforth Lounge (University Center) 4:30 p.m. The Treblemakers. Skibo Café. 7:30 p.m. The Carnegie Mellon English department will introduce its Carnegie Mellon’s newest coed a cappella group will Alien She. Miller Gallery (Purnell Center for the Arts). new faculty members, assistant English professor Kevin perform as part of an event hosted by AB Skibo. Through Feb. 16. Gonzalez and adjunct English professor Lauren Shapiro, This exhibit examines the influence of Riot Grrrl, an with a special reading. ONGOING underground feminist punk rock movement that surfaced in the ’90s, on artists and cultural producers today. For Artist Talk: Transformazium in Conversation with 14th International Exhibition of Botanical Art & more information, visit millergallery.cfa.cmu.edu. Paul Ramirez Jonas. Carnegie Lecture Hall. 6:30 p.m. Illustration. Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation Braddock-based artist collaborative Transformazium (Hunt Library, Fifth Floor). Through Dec. 19. 2013 Carnegie International. Carnegie Museum of Art. and artist Paul Ramirez Jonas will come together to The exhibition will include 41 pieces of artwork by 41 Through March 16. discuss the initiative’s series of community-based creative artists from 10 countries. The Institute established the The biennial Carnegie International brings the world art engagement activities. The talk is free and open to the International series in 1964 with the hope of supporting scene to Pittsburgh in a large exhibition of diverse works. public. and encouraging contemporary botanical artists. Every This year’s exhibition features 35 artists and represents 19 three years, the International series features the works of countries. For more information, visit cmoa.org. WEDNESDAY11.13.13 talented botanical artists from around the world.

Selective Engagement After Unipolarity: Robert Art. Yasumasa Morimura: Theater of the Self. Compiled by Rachel Cohen | Pillbox Editor Baker Hall 136A. 4:30 p.m. The Andy Warhol Museum. Through Jan. 12. The Center for International Relations and Politics features In this retrospective exhibit presented by the Andy Warhol Want your event here? a talk by Robert Art, the Christian A. Herter Professor Museum, Japanese artist Yasumasa Morimura plays with Email [email protected]. of International Relations at Brandeis University. Art will images of well-known cultural icons, placing his own face discuss the grand strategy and national interest changes over portraits of figures like Marilyn Monroe and Mao the U.S. must make in order to protect itself from Zedong. For more information, visit warhol.org. overstepping its resources.

calendar pillbox 11.11.13 15 u.s. royalty.

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Jason Chen | Staff Photographer AB Underground hosted Washington, D.C.-based indie rock band U.S. Royalty last Wednesday in The Underground. The four-piece band played songs from their debut album MIRRORS as well as their forthcoming album Blue Sunshine.

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