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Volume 126, Number 4 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, February 17, 2006 New Grad Dorm Will Allow MIT to Boost Undergrad Class Size By Kelley Rivoire In recent years, Ashdown has had NEWS EDITOR trouble filling all its beds, as many The Institute’s recently announced graduate “students are willing to pay plans to build a new graduate dor- a lot more for their own bedroom,” mitory will allow MIT to increase Benedict said. Housing undergradu- undergraduate enrollment by about ates in the building in double rooms 100 students per year by moving un- would increase the capacity. dergraduate students into Ashdown Though no final number has House, currently a graduate residence. been set for an increased class size, The major factor constraining un- the jump to about 1,100 students per dergraduate class size is not a lack of class is something administrators are academic resources, but a dearth of leaning toward, said Benedict, who beds on campus, said Dean for Stu- emphasized that the Institute would dent Life Larry G. Benedict. Ashdown first have to ensure that services like House, which presently houses about Mental Health and Student Support 360 graduate students, could be used Services had the necessary resources as a residence for 450 undergraduate before admitting more students. DAVID TEMPLETON—THE TECH students, allowing MIT to increase its “Everyone here wants to increase Professor of Biology Lisa A. Steiner is serenaded by The MIT Logarhythms on Valentine’s Day during undergraduate population to the level the class size,” said Dean for Admis- a lecture for 7.02. The Logs sang to Steiner while waiting for their desired recipient, Anne P. Liu of 10 to 15 years ago, with about 1080– ’08, who was late to class. 1100 in each class, Benedict said. Dormitory, Page 17 Cake to Headline Spring Weekend Industry Playing a Role By Marie Y. Thibault Festival, Franz Ferdinand will be per- Lipsync Contest on Saturday night NEWS EDITOR forming the same weekend as Spring and the I-Fair, the international fair The main act of this year’s Spring Weekend. held by cultural student groups, on In MIT Energy Initiative Weekend concert will be Cake, an al- Cake’s hour to hour-and-a half Friday afternoon, Yuan said. A hip- By Angeline Wang for Energy and Environment. “We’re ternative band “in the real alternative show will cost $40,000, Zhu said, al- hop event, Get Sprung, will be held ASSOCIATE NEWS EDITOR preparing to have our discussion with sense,” said Spring Committee Co- though no formal contract has been in The Coffeehouse after the lipsync As the Energy Research Council the president in about two weeks. chairman Sisi Zhu ’08. Spring Week- signed yet. Cake’s fee is on the low contest Saturday night. The artist for works to finish its energy report for Then it will be up to President Hock- end will be on April 28–30 this year, end of the spectrum as far as concert that event is being chosen by SaveTFP, President Susan Hockfield, industry field [and others] what specific direc- with the concert being held on Friday, performers goes, she wrote in an e- a group of MIT students that “throws leaders are becoming more involved tives” to pursue. April 28 in Johnson Athletic Center. mail. free events on campus,” according to with MIT and the research side of Most industry input was gathered Cake was the committee’s fifth Co-chairman Cindy X. Yuan ’06 the SaveTFP Web site. the Energy Initiative. On the educa- at an MIT-sponsored energy work- choice, with bands Death Cab for said that the entire weekend, funded Though plans have not been final- tional end of the push for more work shop in December. More than 160 Cutie, Franz Ferdinand, and The by the Student Life department, which ized, possibilities for Sunday events in energy research, a Web site listing industry professionals and members Strokes being top choices, Zhu said. draws from the $100 Student Life Fee are a Habitat for Humanity Campus classes which have significant focus of academia attended the two-day Other possible bands did not work that each student pays per semester, Build or a Sunday brunch at Sidney- on energy was recently launched. energy workshop, said Cynthia C. out either because they were already will cost around $95,000. Plans will Pacific graduate dormitory. If includ- To create recommendations for Bloomquist, an associate director in on tour, are not touring, or are hard be finalized around the beginning of ed, the brunch will be an attempt to in- the Energy Initiative, the Council is MIT’s Industrial Liaison Program, to work with, since some bands are April, but based on last year’s prices, volve the graduate student community evaluating feedback from students, which sponsored the workshop. known for being “demanding, snooty, student tickets will probably cost more, Yuan said. faculty, and industry. The industry professionals, from or not pleasant to work with,” she around $15, Zhu said. Fabolous and Lloyd Banks, hip- “We have not reached our final automotive, fuel, and other energy- said. According to the Web site for Included in plans for the week- conclusions,” said Council co-chair related industries, gave input during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts end are the annual Alpha Chi Omega Cake, Page 19 Ernest J. Moniz, physics professor and co-director of the Laboratory Energy, Page 17 BE Avoids Lottery As Fewer Apply, More Spaces Added By Kirtana Raja different from the actual curricu- STAFF REPORTER lum and purpose, and they found After its first departmental lot- that another major fit them better. tery ever, biological engineering Originally, laboratory space lim- enrolled all the students who ap- itations were expected to constrain plied for membership to its first the class size to 20, but through undergraduate class. Only 33 out efforts by the MIT administration of the 75 students who took the and the BE department, additional required introductory BE focused space was found to accommodate class applied to the major, eliminat- all 33 students. ing the need for a lottery. “Our target number for the first BE Professor Linda G. Griffith, class was 20, based primarily on who is in charge of the curriculum, the laboratory space available for said some of the 75 possible can- BE.109 (Laboratory Fundamen- didates did not apply because their expectations for the BE major were BE, Page 13 More Grads Enter Job Market, BRIAN HEMOND—THE TECH Arnold Newman, considered by many to be the creator of “environmental portraiture,” signs an autograph at a reception in the Compton Gallery, surrounded by an exhibit of his photography on Fewer Pursue Graduate School Thursday, February 16. The reception followed a talk in 10-250. By Brian Keegan continuing on to graduate school STAFF REPORTER declining from a high of 67 percent An improving economy is driv- in 2003 to 47 percent in 2005. At ing an increasing number of MIT the same time, the percentage of students to work full-time after undergraduates going directly into NEWS World & Nation...... 2 graduation rather than pursue an- the workforce rose from 33 percent other degree. But as the job market in 2003 to over 40 percent in 2005. Faculty discusses minority recruiting ...... Page 13 Opinion ...... 4 improves, the competition has be- This year’s Tau Beta Pi Career Flying car design wins Lemelson student prize . . . Page 15 Arts ...... 6 come fiercer, leading some students attracted 47 companies hiring for Comics...... 10 to interview more than 20 times both full-time positions and sum- Saudi ambassador discusses oil industry ...... Page 16 even for summer internships. mer internships. Of the random se- Sports ...... 20 Data from the MIT Careers Of- lection of companies polled by this Frank Moss named Media Lab director...... Page 19 fice for the past three years shows the percentage of undergraduates Careers, Page 14 Page 2 THE TECH February 17, 2006 WORLD & NATION Deal Reached to Name Congress to Initiate Inquiry A Victor in Haiti’s Election By Ginger Thompson THE NEW YORK TIMES PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI Into NSA’s Wiretap Program The front-runner in last week’s presidential election will be declared the winner as part of an agreement by leaders of Haiti’s interim govern- By Eric Lichtblau to open discussions about changing States without warrants when the au- ment to retabulate the votes, a high-ranking official of the Organization and Sheryl Gay Stolbert federal surveillance law. Senate Dem- thorities suspect that they might have of American States said Wednesday night. THE NEW YORK TIMES ocrats accused Republicans of bowing links to terrorists. The agreement, to be announced Thursday, is a result of negotiations WASHINGTON to White House pressure. Mr. Hoekstra has been one of the by the front-runner, Rene Preval, government officials, foreign diplomats Leaders of the House Intelligence For weeks, the Bush administration staunchest defenders of the program. and international observers, including the Organization of American Committee said Thursday that they has been strongly resisting calls from But in discussions this week with other States. Details were still being worked out, and a U.N. official cautioned had agreed to open a Congressional Democrats and some Republicans for Republican and Democratic leaders of that the deal could still fall apart. inquiry prompted by the Bush ad- a full review into the National Secu- the committee, he agreed to have the The official from the Organization of American States, who insisted ministration’s domestic surveillance rity Agency’s surveillance program, committee open the inquiry, officials on anonymity because of the fragile nature of the agreement, said that program. But a dispute immediately saying such inquiries are unnecessary said, after signs that some Republicans loopholes in Haitian electoral law allow the government to discard an broke out among committee Republi- and risked disclosing national security on the panel had growing concerns estimated 85,000 blank ballots included in the original tally. By exclud- cans over the scope of the inquiry. information that could help Al Qaeda. about the operation. ing them, Preval’s lead would increase from 48.7 percent of the votes to Representative Heather A. Wilson, Elsewhere on Thursday, a federal Ms. Wilson said the review would slightly more than 51 percent. the New Mexico Republican and com- judge ordered the administration to include closed-door briefings by intel- Under election rules, the winner needs 50 percent plus one vote to mittee member who called last week begin turning over internal documents ligence officials about the operational avoid a run-off. for the investigation, said the review on the surveillance program, the Jus- details of the program, a review of its “will have multiple avenues, because tice Department balked at having John legality and discussion about whether we want to completely understand the Ashcroft, the former attorney general, changes are needed in the Foreign In- Olympics on NBC Struggles program and move forward.” and other former department officials telligence Surveillance Act, or FISA, But an aide to Representative Peter testify about it before Congress, and which bans eavesdropping in intelli- For TV Ratings Gold Hoekstra, the Michigan Republican lawyers for a Kentucky man prepared gence investigations without a court By Richard Sandomir and Bill Carter who leads the committee, said the to bring a federal civil rights lawsuit order. THE NEW YORK TIMES TURIN, ITALY inquiry would be much more limited on Friday against President Bush to While the administration agreed NBC’s Olympic broadcasts have never faced the kind of strong coun- in scope, focusing on whether fed- have the surveillance declared illegal under pressure last week to provide terprogramming that is being deployed by the “American Idol” series on eral surveillance laws needed to be and unconstitutional. limited operational details to the the Fox network and other popular shows on ABC. changed and not on the eavesdropping The surveillance, authorized in House and Senate intelligence com- “Idol” has trounced the Winter Olympic Games twice and will face program itself. secret by President Bush soon after mittees, Ms. Wilson said she wanted them three more times next week, starting Tuesday, the first night of wom- The agreement to conduct an in- the Sept. 11 attacks, has allowed the more information and remained un- en’s figure skating. ABC’s and Fox’s audacity underscores their belief that quiry came as the Senate Intelligence N.S.A. to eavesdrop on the interna- certain whether the N.S.A. had the NBC, the No. 4 network in prime time, is vulnerable, even during the Committee put off a vote on conduct- tional phone and e-mail communica- needed safeguards in place to protect mighty Olympics. ing its own investigation after the tions of hundreds and perhaps thou- against civil rights abuses against On Tuesday, two days after ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” outrated the White House, reversing course, agreed sands of people within the United Americans. Olympics, “Idol” attracted 27 million viewers from 8 to 9 p.m., crushing NBC’s 15.4 million. On Wednesday, “Idol” overwhelmed the Olympics with 28.3 million viewers, nearly doubling NBC’s 14.3 million from 8 to 9 p.m. U.N. Report Assails Detention, Although NBC officials said they fully expected “Idol” to defeat the Olympics by wide margins, they were surprised that “House,” the medi- cal drama, retained as many “Idol” viewers as it did. The 20.1 million Interrogation at Guantanamo “House” viewers nearly tied NBC’s 20.9 million from 9 to 10 p.m. East- ern. By Warren Hoge be trained in international standards treatment or punishment, discrimi- THE NEW YORK TIMES for the treatment of detainees. nation on the basis of religion and UNITED NATIONS The White House promptly dis- violations of the right to health and Icahn Dropping Effort Human rights investigators work- missed the report, suggesting that the freedom of religion.” ing for the United Nations called on investigators had based their conclu- McClellan asserted that the U.S. To Break Time Warner Up the United States on Thursday to shut sions on false information spread by military already treated detainees By Richard Siklos and Andrew Ross Sorkin down the Guantanamo Bay camp terror suspects. humanely. “These are dangerous ter- THE NEW YORK TIMES and either try its detainees quickly or “I think what we are seeing is a rorists that we are talking about who Carl C. Icahn, the financier, is backing away from his attempt to free them. rehash of allegations that have been are there,” he said. “Nothing has break Time Warner into pieces, looking instead to negotiate some small- Arguing that many of the interro- made by lawyers representing some changed in terms of our views.” er changes at the company in exchange for dropping his acrimonious gation and detention practices used of the detainees,” Scott McClellan, The report was requested by the campaign, according to people involved in the discussion. in Guantanamo amounted to torture, the White House spokesman, said on U.N. Human Rights Commission in If Icahn and Time Warner Chairman Richard D. Parsons come to the investigators’ report said those Thursday. “We know that al-Qaida Geneva, and compiled by five inde- terms, Icahn would shelve the fight for control of Time Warner, with the who ordered or condoned abusive detainees are trained in trying to dis- pendent scientists, lawyers and aca- backing of three investment funds and the investment banker Bruce Was- practices should be brought to justice seminate false allegations.” demics over the last 18 months. As serstein of Lazard. “up to the highest level of military The report, released Thursday af- such, it does not prompt any official Icahn and his backers control 3.3 percent of Time Warner’s shares. and political command.” ter a draft had circulated earlier this U.N. action, and Secretary-Gen- People close to Icahn and Parsons said the two men were speaking The 54-page report, based largely week, said the United States should eral Kofi Annan, who has no direct Thursday, and Icahn had contacted Parsons throughout the week with a on interviews with former detainees immediately revoke all “special in- authority over the commission, dis- list of proposals. and publicized information, includ- terrogation techniques” authorized tanced himself from its specific rec- Assuming Icahn and Parsons are able to come to terms, the many ing news accounts, is not legally by the Defense Department. It called ommendations. properties of Time Warner — including Warner Brothers, HBO, CNN, binding. But it urged that Guanta- upon the United States “to refrain “I cannot say that I necessarily America Online and Time Magazine — would stay together. namo be closed “without further de- from any practice amounting to tor- agree with everything in the report,” lay,” and called for U.S. personnel to ture or cruel, inhuman or degrading he said Thursday. WEATHER A Taste of the Winter Situation for Noon Eastern Standard Time, Friday, February 17, 2006 By Roberto Rondanelli STAFF METEOROLOGIST Weather for the next couple of days will be dominated by the presence

of a deep low pressure over the Canadian province of Quebec. The center 130°W 125°W 120°W 115°W 110°W 105°W 100°W 95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 75°W 70°W 65°W 60°W

� of the low is forecast to be at 988 millibars, with isobars very close together � 40°N

(steep pressure gradient), consistent with strong sustained winds of about 30 �

to 35 mph for our region (about 50 to 60 km/h). Expect an abrupt transition � �

- � of temperature as the cold front moves through Boston at the surface, in the � � 988 � early hours of the afternoon. The passage of the front should put an end to the - - �

- � - warm spell after last weekend’s blizzard. The outlook for the next few days - �

� - 35°N includes a very cold and sunny weekend due to the strong northerly flow as- 1040 - � � -

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sociated with the anticyclonic (high pressure) circulation coming right behind � -

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the low. �

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Extended Forecast �

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� 30°N

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Today: Warm, mostly cloudy with showers in the morning and early after- �

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� noon. Very windy. Chance of thunderstorms. Clear and much colder to- �

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wards the evening. Low 41°F (5°C). High 56°F (13°C). � �

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� Saturday: Mostly clear and cold. Low 22°F (-6°C). High 33°F (1°C). � � 1012 Sunday: Clear and cold. Low 12°F (-11°C). High 30°F (-1°C). � 25°N �

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Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols � Snow Rain Fog High Pressure Trough - - - Showers Thunderstorm

� � � � Warm Front Light Low Pressure Haze ����� Cold Front Moderate Compiled by MIT Hurricane � � Meteorology Staff � � Stationary Front Heavy and The Tech February 17, 2006 WORLD & NATION THE TECH Page 3 Bush ‘Satisfied’ With Cheney’s U.N. Report Faults Military And Rebels in Nepal By Somini Sengupta Handling of Shooting Accident THE NEW YORK TIMES HYDERABAD, INDIA By Elisabeth Bumiller attempt to tamp down widespread Whittington.” The U.N. envoy for human rights in Nepal, in a report released on THE NEW YORK TIMES talk about tensions between himself Bush’s words also appeared aimed Thursday, accused both the military and the rebels in that country of vio- WASHINGTON and Cheney. Bush’s aides had made at trying to put to rest an issue that has lating international humanitarian law. The report said that the rebels had President Bush said Thursday little secret all week that they wished consumed the White House and kept carried out abductions and assaults on civilians and the Royal Nepalese that Vice President Dick Cheney had Cheney had handled the matter dif- Washington in an uproar for most of Army had been guilty of indiscriminate aerial bombings that failed to handled the disclosure of an acciden- ferently — in particular by disclosing the week, distracting attention from distinguish civilian from military targets. tal shooting of a hunting partner “just it more quickly and through a more Bush’s efforts to rebuild his political In the report, the U.N. Office of the High Commissioner for Human fine” and that the incident had been established channel than the Web site standing and push his agenda. Rights called on the army to ensure that soldiers guilty of rights violations a “traumatic moment” for Cheney as of a local newspaper in Texas — and “I’m satisfied with the explana- are not permitted to take part in lucrative U.N. peacekeeping operations. well as a tragic one for the victim. on Wednesday the White House sig- tion he gave,” Bush said, twice. The report said the U.N. office had received accusations that people Bush’s comments were his first on naled that Bush was sympathetic to As Bush spoke, Cheney was in army custody had been tortured, including beatings, kickings, electric the matter since Cheney wounded the that view. The incident was not made headed to Wyoming, his home state, shocks and sexual assault. It reported a “serious inadequacy of efforts by victim, a 78-year-old lawyer, Harry public for more than 18 hours. to make a speech to the Legislature security forces to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for M. Whittington, on a quail-hunting “I thought his explanation yes- on Friday. Cheney was expected to violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.” expedition in Texas last weekend. terday was a powerful explanation,” mention the hunting accident in his The report is submitted to the U.N. Commission on Human Rights, They were also Bush’s first public Bush told reporters in the Oval Of- remarks, which were scheduled be- which convenes next month and deliberates over whether to impose sanc- reaction to an interview that Cheney fice, speaking of Cheney’s interview fore the accident. tions on any of its member nations. The government had no comment on gave about the incident on Wednes- on Fox. “This is a man who likes the It was unclear when, or if, Cheney the report. day night to Fox News, and they outdoors, and he likes to hunt. And he would go hunting again. The report also accused Maoist rebels, who have carried out a decade- came on the same day that the local heard a bird flush and he turned and In his interview with Brit Hume long insurgency against the state, of extortion, abduction and the recruit- sheriff’s department said the investi- pulled the trigger and saw his friend of Fox, Cheney talked readily of hunt- ment of child soldiers. Violence fell sharply during the Maoists’ unilateral gation of the incident was closed and get wounded. And it was a deeply ing as a part of his life. “It’s brought four-month-long cease-fire, which ended earlier this year. no charges would be filed. traumatic moment for him, and obvi- me great pleasure over the years,” he “It is a tragedy for the people of Nepal that full-scale conflict has now Bush’s words appeared to be an ously it was a tragic moment for Mr. said. resumed,” said Ian Martin, the representative of the U.N. High Commis- sioner for Human Rights in Nepal’s capital, Katmandu. Transplanted Brazilian Auto Plant Bipartisan Support Emerges For Federal Whistle-Blowers By Scott Shane To Help China Succeed in Industry THE NEW YORK TIMES WASHINGTON By Keith Bradsher president said Thursday. most famous and unusual in the auto Even as the Bush administration presses an aggressive campaign THE NEW YORK TIMES If the purchase succeeds — and it industry. Built in southern Brazil against leaks, some congressional Republicans are joining Democrats in CHONGQING, CHINA is early in the process — China could in the late 1990s at a cost of $500 supporting government employees who say they have been punished for China is pursuing a novel way to leapfrog competitors like South Ko- million by a 50-50 joint venture of revealing sensitive information about alleged abuses. catapult its automobile manufactur- rea to catch up with Japan, Germany Chrysler and BMW, the Campo Rep. Christopher Shays, R-Conn., is leading the defense of whis- ing industry into a global force: Buy and the United States in selling some Largo factory combines the latest tle-blowers who have spoken out about abuse of Iraqi prisoners at Abu one of the world’s most sophisticated of the most fuel-efficient yet com- American and German technology to Ghraib, illicit wiretapping and other matters. He believes that an existing engine plants, take it apart, piece by fortable cars on the market, like the produce the 1.6-liter, 16-valve Tritec law designed to protect intelligence whistle-blowers is ineffective. piece, transport it halfway around the Honda Civic or the Toyota Corolla. engine. “It’s absolutely essential that we have a system that allows people to globe and put it back together again The failure of China to develop Lifan says it is the sole bidder for speak out about abuses, especially in the national security realm,” Shays at home. its own version of sophisticated, re- the factory and wants to bring it here said in an interview. In the latest sign of China’s man- liable engines has been the biggest to start producing engines in 2008. He said his conviction that current protections are inadequate was ufacturing ambitions, a major Chi- technical obstacle facing Chinese Though China’s Communist Party is strengthened by testimony Tuesday at a hearing of his House subcom- nese company, hand-in-hand with automakers as they modernize and actively behind the effort, the bold mittee on national security by five self-described whistle-blowers who the Communist Party, is bidding to prepare to export to the United States moves are being driven by one of described retaliation for their revelations. buy a car engine plant in Brazil from and Europe, Western auto executives China’s remarkable entrepreneurs: Shays’ concerns are shared by numerous Democrats and some other DaimlerChrysler and BMW. and analysts said. Yin Mingshan has become one of Republicans, including Rep. Curt Weldon of Pennsylvania, who has de- Because the plant is so sophisti- Buying that technology from China’s most successful and most nounced what he calls the mistreatment of a military intelligence offi- cated, it is far more feasible for the overseas would not only remove this politically connected corporate exec- cer, Lt. Col. Anthony Shaffer, who revealed the Pentagon’s Able Danger Chinese automaker, the Lifan Group, obstacle but also plant China’s auto utives, with a hardscrabble upbring- data-mining program. Weldon believes that the program identified Mo- to go through such an effort to move industry solidly in a position to pro- ing that included spending 22 years hammed Atta before he became the lead hijacker in the 2001 terrorist it 8,300 miles, rather than to develop duce roomy cars that can also get of his earlier life in Communist labor attacks, though a Pentagon review found no evidence to support that its own technology in this industrial more than 30 mpg. camps and prison as punishment for conclusion. hub in western China, the company’s The engine plant is one of the his political dissent. Page 4 THE TECH February 17, 2006 OPINION Big Housing Plans Deserve Scrutiny A pivotal moment in student life at MIT is upon us. gers a community 68 years old, we are right to voice concern that Chairman Last year, the Division of Student Life laid out three possible we are starting a race with a lame horse, destined to limp along Zachary Ozer ’07 plans for revolutionary changes in both graduate and undergrad- with only administrators driving it. Editor in Chief uate housing. At the time, the Students can successfully contribute to and lead the com- Jenny Zhang ’06 Editorial proposed strategies were largely ing changes, if they are kept well-informed and if administrators Business Manager dependent on whether adminis- consider their views before decisions are made. Understandably, trators chose to build a new graduate or undergraduate dormitory. many administrators prefer to keep their plans quiet until they Jeffrey Chang ’08 Now that they have decided to close Ashdown and build a new have mapped out their preferred route. When questions arise re- Managing Editor home for 400-500 graduate students, it is time for key adminis- garding evaluation of complex financial and logistical problems, Michael McGraw-Herdeg ’08 trators to put their long-term plans on the table and open the floor it makes sense not to broadcast the details to all students. How- to discussion. ever, when the question is about a general policy that affects all NEWS STAFF The mandate for change is clear. Every year, the need to students and depends on them for its success, a closed-mouth Editors: Kelley Rivoire ’06, Marissa Vogt ’06, renovate the East Campus and Burton-Conner dormitories grows approach will alienate those it should engage. Chancellor Phillip Marie Y. Thibault ’08; Associate Editors: Ben- more dire. The tremendous growth in the graduate student pop- L. Clay PhD ’75, Dean for Student Life Larry G. Benedict, and jamin P. Gleitzman ’09, Angeline Wang ’09; Staff: Curt Fischer G, John A. Hawkinson ’98, ulation over the past twenty years has caused the demand for Dean for Graduate Students Isaac M. Colbert should now active- Brian Keegan ’06, Waseem S. Daher ’07, Ray housing in Cambridge to skyrocket, yet supply has not grown ly explain to all students the constraints and options for housing C. He ’07, Tongyan Lin ’07, Hanhan Wang ’07, to match. Random Hall, despite its longevity, is not a physical being considered for the next ten years. Michael Snella ’08, Jiao Wang ’08, Daniela building MIT expects to keep for the next 50 years. Solving these We must, of course, meet them halfway. The Dormitory Cako ’09, Hannah Hsieh ’09, Diana Jue ’09, problems requires major construction that will displace students Council needs to step up and take a visible role in understanding Laura Nicholson ’09, Kirtana Raja ’09; Me- from up to five dormitories over ten years. and voicing student concerns. Ashdown residents have already teorologists: Cegeon Chan G, Robert Korty G, However, drastic changes in housing are dangerous in that started to give input about their new dormitory to administra- Jon Moskaitis G, Michael J. Ring G, Roberto they threaten to disrupt the cultures of dormitories, which con- tors, despite having been excluded as a group from deciding Rondanelli G, Brian H. Tang G, Tim Whitcomb G, Angela Zalucha G; Police Log Compiler: tribute much of the vibrancy of student life. These communities whether to move at all. It is unclear if the Undergraduate As- Marjan Rafat ’06. have evolved over decades through the efforts of many students. sociation and Graduate Student Council are up to the challenge If administrators seize control of this process, they threaten to of making a serious contribution. Together, students and ad- PRODUCTION STAFF destroy the very system they wish to improve. Therefore, the only ministrators can address some of the long-standing problems Editors: Tiffany Dohzen ’06, Austin Chu ’08; way this redesign of student housing can succeed is if it is driven of campus life. Associate Editor: Rong Hu ’08; Staff: Sie Hendrata Dharmawan G, Valery K. Brobbey primarily by the energy and passion of students. When the first The right first step is creating a transparent public discus- ’08. major housing decision since freshmen living on campus endan- sion.

OPINION STAFF Editors: Beckett W. Sterner ’06, Ruth Miller A headline for a Feb. 10 article about MIT Medical Plans did not accurately reflect the ’07; Associate Editor: Aditya Kohli ’09; Staff: information presented. The headline (on page 17) “Using Wage-Related Premiums, New Hector H. Hernandez G, Barun Singh G, Josh Plan Works to Offset Costs” is too strong a statement, as the possibility of using wage-related Levinger ’07, Ali S. Wyne ’08, Krishna Gupta Corrections premiums in the healthcare plan is only under speculation, and has not implemented. ’09. The Feb. 14, page 17 credits for photography by David Templeton and Christina Kang were swapped. SPORTS STAFF Editors: Brian Chase ’06, Travis Johnson ’08; Associate Editor: Yong-yi Zhu ’06; Staff: Chris Bettinger G, Caitlin Murray ’06, Albert Ni ’09.

ARTS STAFF Editors: Jacqueline O’Connor ’06, Nivair H. Gabriel ’08; Associate Editor: Jillian Berry ’08; Staff: Bogdan Fedeles G, Andrew Guerra ’06, Yao-Chung King ’06, W. Victoria Lee ’06, Kapil Amarnath ’07, Tony Hwang ’07, Nikhil S. Nadkarni ’07, Mirat Shah ’08, Natania Ant- ler ’09.

PHOTOGRAPHY STAFF Editors: Stephanie Lee ’06, Christina Kang ’08, Omari Stephens ’08, Ricardo Ramirez ’09; Associate Editor: Yun Wu ’06; Staff: Melanie Miller G, Stanley Hu ’00, Scott Johnston ’03, Liang Hong ’06, Grant Jordan ’06, Edward Platt ’06, Fred Gay ’07, Dmitry Kashlev ’07, Scot Frank ’08, Tiffany Iaconis ’08, Nicole Kouli- sis ’08, David M. Templeton ’08, Kenneth Yan ’08, Connie Yee ’08, Sally E. Peach ’09, Yalu Wu ’09.

CAMPUS LIFE STAFF Editor: Bill Andrews ’05; Staff: Kailas Naren- dran ’01, Sarah Buckley ’06, Nikhil S. Shenoy ’06, Elizabeth Zakszewski ’06, Victor Cabral ’07; Cartoonists: Jason Burns G, Brian M Loux G, John David Payne G, Emezie Okorafor ’03, Colin Dillard ’06, Juan Pablo Mendieta ’06, Josie Sung ’06, Jia Lou ’07, Ash Turza ’08.

BUSINESS STAFF Advertising Managers: Cokie Hu ’08, Tai Ho Kang ’08; Operations Manager: Jennifer Wong ’07; Staff: Fan Yu ’06, Julia Ye ’09.

TECHNOLOGY STAFF Director: Shreyes Seshasai ’08.

EDITORS AT LARGE Contributing Editors: Rosa Cao G, Brian He- mond G, Kevin G. Der ’06; Senior Editors: Keith J. Winstein G, Jina Kim ’06, Lucy Li ’06.

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The Tech can be found on the World Wide subscription, and typesetting rates available. Entire contents © 2005 The addresses, and phone numbers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. Web at http://the-tech.mit.edu. Tech. Printed on recycled paper by Charles River Publishing. February 17, 2006 OPINION THE TECH Page 5 Building a New Ashdown derstanding exactly what type of impact it move into the new building (Doc Ashdown member of AHEC is, or ever has been, more Barun Singh may have on the community. Even the Gradu- was the housemaster of Graduate House, and valuable in any way than any other resident of ate Student Council seems unable to see be- his memory is associated with the Ashdown Ashdown. Issues in Ashdown are discussed in The recent news of MIT’s plans to relocate yond the number of beds and the rent, saying community, not the physical space), how do open forums, AHEC holds no secret meetings, the Ashdown community to a new residence it would be “somewhat bizarre for graduate we make sure that the traditions and sense of and all residents directly choose its members hall comes as little surprise to many of us. The students to be disappointed” about the reloca- history move to the new building along with — these are all critical components of Ash- Institute has tried to convert Ashdown into an tion. The impact of Ashdown, however, goes the residents? down’s community, and must be preserved. undergraduate residence no less than half a far beyond monetary issues, and making this One part of Ashdown’s history that could Finally, in planning the new residence, one dozen times, but previous attempts have been transition a success requires an apprecia- provide lessons for future planning is the must understand how the physical characteris- met with fierce resistance from the graduate tion for those things that make Ashdown so successful dining program. Ashdown used tics of W-1 have fostered a sense of home and population. This time around is different, par- unique. to have an exceptional dining hall that was community for the residents. Common spac- tially because the Institute is providing a new By the time it is converted in 2008, Ash- closed down in the mid-70s when Lobdell es, a prominent example being the Thirsty residence hall in exchange. When planning down will have had a 70-year history as a was created. The dining hall provided quality, Ear Pub, have been a critical element in this for this new residence graduate residence. affordability, and convenience. Thirty years and the new residence must be able to accom- hall, it is important to Its first housemaster, later, MIT has been unable to replicate the modate these being moved as well. Similarly, note that the Ashdown The impact of Ashdown, however, “Doc” Avery Allen success of this program. Instead, we seem to Ashdown isn’t just sterile drywall and cheap community is being re- Ashdown, served as have given up and instead of finding a way to carpeting in box-shaped rooms. When you en- located, not replaced. goes far beyond monetary issues, housemaster from the make residential dining work for graduate stu- ter into the building, it feels much more com- The transition creates and making this transition dormitory’s inception dents, the new “solution” is to put small kitch- fortable and inviting than an apartment build- challenges that must until he reached the ens in every apartment. Both options provide ing or most of MIT’s newer residences. To be addressed in terms a success requires an appreciation age of mandatory re- convenience for students, but while the old preserve the cultural traditions of Ashdown, of how to preserve as tirement 24 years later. Ashdown dining program promoted discus- it is important to consider the architectural much of Ashdown’s for those things that make He truly considered sions and interaction, a kitchen in every room heritage as well. culture as possible, Ashdown so unique. the residence (at that promotes isolation. This is one example of a The decision to relocate Ashdown is fi- and also presents op- time known as “Grad- larger issue. Instead of trying to provide sus- nal, but the plans for the new building are portunities to learn uate House”) to be his tainable, high quality programming (such as a not. Students have successfully influenced from history. home, and cared so much for it that his ashes good residential dining program), the Institute Institute planning in the past, and there is an It’s pointless to argue at this stage that MIT were buried at his request in the Ashdown has often opted to spend even more money in opportunity to do so here; it just takes some shouldn’t relocate Ashdown. It solves many courtyard. investments that are sub-optimal in terms of passion and a willingness. This relocation long-standing problems and makes financial Most of the current residents of Ash- long-term planning. Can’t we do better this can result in the destruction of the one of the sense (though there are likely other fiscally down weren’t even born during most of Doc time around? oldest graduate communities in the country, responsible alternatives). As this relocation Ashdown’s time as housemaster. Yet the story A key part of Ashdown’s culture is the role or it can become another part of Ashdown’s occurs, however, it may be tempting to model of his commitment, like the dozens of other of the Ashdown House Executive Committee. long and rich history. Which will it be? the building after other residences in the area, stories about Ashdown, deeply connects resi- AHEC evolved organically into what it is to- Barun Singh is a graduate student and such as Sidney-Pacific. Doing so would be a dents with the history and culture of the place day, and because of this, it has found a way to former resident of both Ashdown and Sidney- very serious mistake. (see http://web.mit.edu/ashdown/history/ for make all residents feel comfortable and will- Pacific dormitories. He welcomes comments When considering the relocation of Ash- more). A resident of Ashdown feels like part ing to participate in a way that has yet to be and responses to this article at his Web site down, most students may have difficulty un- of a tradition. When residents of Ashdown replicated in any other graduate residence. No http://barunsingh.com/. Being Constructive With Cartoons More recently, writers have become inter- fact, there are historical examples of Muslim this article. Cartoons which associate Islam’s Wajahat F. Khan, ested in the touchier themes underlying the artwork depicting the Prophet Muhammad, prophet with stereotypes of terrorists are es- Imran A. Hendley, issue, including free speech, American views where the intention was to capture important pecially inciteful, for in a time of a war on of Islam, double-standards in the media, and events in his life. But a halo is depicted in terror, Muslims have reason to be outraged Ali K. Alhassani, Islamic tenets. place of his face, for by something which Nadeem A. Mazen In Tuesday’s edition of The Tech, Brian any representation of is effectively putting M. Loux G states that the media’s responsi- his features would in- We just recommend the “terrorist” label on The “Cartoon Controversy” has garnered bility is to convey the truth and to facilitate evitably be inaccurate. them as a group. quite a bit of media attention over the last few dialogue, and if it chooses not to publish Over time, however, that in the future, Another frequent weeks. The media first focused on the Mus- cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad, then it Muslim scholars came misconception in this lim reactions to the cartoons, which included is practicing self-censorship. It is more rea- to the consensus that authors and cartoonists choose controversy is that the Iranian boycott of Danish products, and sonable to assume, however, that the media even these representa- more constructive ways to exercise freedom of speech is violent riots in countries like Lebanon, Syria, simply does not see anything constructive tions should be avoid- the end-all, universal Gaza, Pakistan, and Indonesia. The Muslim about publishing the cartoons, rather than ar- ed. One reason that de- their freedom of expression. defense. Freedom of Student Association Executive Committee gue that they are obstructing truth or dialogue picting the Prophet (or speech is an essential condemns the violent responses perpetrated with this decision. any prophet for that feature of any society by a minority of Muslims seeking to make Loux’s column represents some of the matter) is offensive to Muslims is that any in which everyone is entitled to his or her an immediate response rather than an intel- misconceptions held by many members of the depiction will necessarily misrepresent him own values. But there is a difference between ligent one. Islam teaches that one is not ac- Western media. For instance, he states that and essentially reduce him to something that freedom of speech and contributing to a con- countable for the actions of another: there is depicting the Prophet Muhammad is “strictly he is not. There are many more reasons, but structive dialogue. The controversial cartoons no Islamic basis for collective punishment. forbidden by the Qu’ran.” This is untrue; in discussing all of them is beyond the scope of do not present any new idea that the public can choose to accept or reject. The defense of the cartoons for the sake of humor is flawed as well. Humor is not inher- ently offensive. A more accurate statement would be: humor gets more offensive as it gets less creative, with the least creative jokes being downright racist. Many Muslim students at MIT were deeply hurt by Loux’s cartoon and we are still asking ourselves: “what is the benefit of offending us, if no constructive dialogue is formed?” If the media genuinely wants to promote dia- logue about the limits of tolerance in Islam, then there are plenty of non-offensive, con- structive ways to initiate debate. And if they had chosen any of those avenues, then we would probably be much further along with discussion by now. The Nobel Laureate and playwright George Bernard Shaw wrote, “Liberty means respon- sibility. That is why most men dread it.” Using free speech to offend a minority group just because one can does not promote pluralism. We just recommend that in the future, authors and cartoonists choose more constructive ways to exercise their freedom of expression. Muslims can move forward by calling for an end to violent protests and destruction of property by other Muslims, and by reaching out more to those around them. The Prophet Muhammad never answered an injustice with more injustice; instead, he practiced mercy and forgiveness. In reacting to the cartoon controversy, Muslims should follow his ex- ample and look for opportunities to identify and correct their own weaknesses and to pro- mote tolerance and understanding between themselves and members of other groups. The MIT Muslim Students Association in- vites anyone to approach us with questions or concerns about this issue or about Islam in general. Wajahat F. Khan ’07, Imran A. Hendley ’06, Ali K. Alhassani ’08, and Nadeem A. Mazen ’06 collaborated with other members of the Muslim Student Association Executive Committee in writing this column. Page 6 THE TECH February 17, 2006 ARTS PANEL REVIEW Film and Presentation on the Cuban Five Chomsky Discusses Forty Years of U.S. Aggression Towards Cuba By Nikhil Nadkarni and Cuba. The panel consisted of Chomsky, former CIA agent and notable dissenter, as questions posed by the audience. Chomsky, STAFF WRITER Dwyer herself, and Father Geoffrey Bottoms, he discusses the subversive activities that the with extreme eloquence, devoted extensive Noam Chomsky Presents Panel on Terrorism a British national who is leading a movement CIA planned in the 1960s. The movie then time to speak about the forty years of aggres- and Film Showing on the Cuban Five to free the five. moves to the Cuban Five and the ’90s, when sion the U.S. expressed towards Fidel Castro’s 10-250 Back in the 1960s, the CIA trained doz- right-wing, Miami-based groups bombed Cu- Cuba. He noted that America, in a Monroe Wednesday, Feb. 8, 7 p.m. ens of right-wing groups in Miami to carry ban hotels and the Tropicana nightclub. While Doctrinesque way, could not stand to have a out subversive activity in Cuba, according to it is unclear if the CIA still supports these Western Hemisphere country that wasn’t un- n the night of September 12, 1998, the panelists. Today, it is said, the remnants of groups, the ties of the U.S. to such violent der its thumb. As he put it, “successful defi- FBI agents raided the homes of five those groups continue to sneak into Cuba to crime are shown to be shady. The film notes, ance is not acceptable.” When it comes to the Cuban men living in Florida and carry out hotel bombings and other terrorist for example, the case of Orlando Bosch, the pursuit of cornering, isolating, and otherwise O placed them under arrest, charging activities. In the ’90s, the Cuban government, mastermind behind the 1976 bombing of a undermining Cuba, he noted, “the fanaticism them with espionage and conspiracy. Con- in an attempt to prevent further terrorism, Cuban airliner. Bosch took refuge in the U.S., is extreme.” victed in an extremely controversial trial, the sent the five men to Miami to infiltrate the received a presidential pardon from George Father Bottoms, one of the few who have men received life terms and, despite much right-wing groups. These men committed no H.W. Bush, and today lives as a free man in been allowed to visit the Cuban prisoners, outcry, remain in jail today. Are these men re- crime, according to the film, but were jailed Miami. also proved to be an excellent panelist, speak- ally conspirators? Or are they merely victims for espionage and conspiracy. Their trial was In studying these cases, the film does an ing calmly and convincingly about ways to of the latest U.S. aggression towards Cuba? held in Miami, notorious for anti-Cuba senti- excellent job of investigative journalism. educate the world about political prisoners. Their plight and the controversy surrounding ment, and it is said that the defense lawyers With respect to more than a few aspects, how- He also did not balk at bashing his homeland, it are the focus of “Mission Against Terror,” a were denied access to important evidence. ever, it starts to falter. Some of the conversa- saying that Britain has long treated Ireland documentary by Irish filmmaker Bernie Dw- Despite much advocacy from humanitar- tions are subtitled in English, and others are the same way as the U.S. treats Cuba. The yer. Dwyer recently held a screening of the ian groups, the five were also denied basic subtitled in Spanish. The film also transitions third panelist, Dwyer, spoke passionately film at MIT, in conjunction with a panel dis- visitation rights in prison, and have not seen choppily, so that it’s not always clear what about the right-wing Miami-based groups cussion on U.S.-Cuba relations led by MIT’s their families in the past seven years. How- trial they are talking about, and it sometimes that have continually harassed Cuba. famed political writer Noam Chomsky. ever, after a great deal of activism, a retrial goes into detail on an irrelevant side story. In Much of the crowd was in its 40’s or 50’s, A large assortment of people, who filled has been granted and will begin, in fact, this the end, however, it educates the viewer about and, among the students, very few MIT un- 10-250 to its capacity of 450, were fasci- very week. the Cuban Five. It studies the unfairness of dergraduates could be seen. Across all these nated as “Mission Against Terror” examined “Mission Against Terror,” approximately their trial, their prison conditions, and the groups was a perceptible liberalism, with the story behind the Cubans’ imprisonments, forty minutes in length, provides a thorough successful activism that got them out of soli- many long-haired guys and dreadlocks in and they leaned forward with anticipation understanding of the plight of the so-called tary confinement. The film provokes outrage, sight. With any luck, the panelists and film as the several eloquent panelists discussed Cuban Five. Much of the film’s beginning re- and in that it achieves its purpose. have converted this political sentiment into forty years of aggression between the U.S. volves around an interview with Philip Agee, After the film, the panelists answered grassroots activism.

THEATER REVIEW Urinetown: It’ll Remind You of What You Know Musical Spoof Is a Jumble of a Journey By Rosa Cao Preppy Young Things, and the Black Preacher acter given perfect sartorial expression. Caldwell does a glorious evocation of Big STAFF WRITER Man leading his congregation in a rousing spiri- “Urinetown” takes a little while to get go- Pharma in his speech about looking for long- Urinetown tual. ing, and yet manages not to present much con- term solutions (how about some R & D on al- MIT Musical Theatre Guild There’s the token mad scientist, decked out tent that’s worthy of analysis. There’s a weird ternative flushing?) while money goes rolling in Produced by Matt Ciborowski ’08 in goggles and a bouffant cap. His helpless undertow that prevents even the microcosm from the pee-fees on the poor. But what could Directed by Tim Abrahamsen ’06 laughing spasms, hapless warnings, and bunny of Urinetown from making sense. We find the have been a powerful satire on corporate ex- With Steven Flowers ’06, Nori Pritchard ’06, capers were a screeching hit. It seems that even common man would lay waste to environmental ploitation, political corruption, and the conse- Nicolina Akraboff ’07, Darrell Cain ’08, Koyel at MIT, the nerd gets no respect. resources while UGC “Urine Good Company” quences of environmental devastation is gutted Bhattacharyya ’09 Blondes, on the other hand, really do is committed to rationing it and practicing con- by its own insecurities. Writers Greg Kotis and La Sala de Puerto Rico have more fun. Nori servation. Corporations Mark Hollman have infused their script with Jan. 27-29 and Feb. 2-4, 2006 Pritchard ’06 hits just replace government as the self-deprecating tic of intelligent young the right note with Yes, you’re in Urinetown, a Big Brother, monitor- things: they have to be the first to make fun of rinetown is death. Urinetown is misery. Hope Cladwell, the ing everyone’s pee. Is themselves, to forestall potential criticism from You really don’t want to be in Urinet- pure-hearted daugh- per-apocalyptic pasquinade where this the tragedy of the anyone else. own. Here you are, however, facing a ter of corporate goon the stars are piss, desperation, and commons updated for a This is a shame, because some characters U grim little stage with a riff-raff of rag- Caldwell B. Cladwell century of environmen- are just begging to be taken seriously. Bobby gedy performers and an orchestra just out of (Darrell Cain ’08), tak- poverty with a capital pee. tal disaster, perhaps? Strong, for one, thanks to Stephen Flowers ’06’s tune enough to reinforce the general rundown ing her from the joys of How does a drought af- fine acting and physical presence, would have atmosphere. faxing and copying to fect peeing, anyway? ... made a convincing revolutionary. If that would Yes, you’re in Urinetown, a peri-apocalyptic her very own moment as Evita. I give up. have veered too close to making us actually care pasquinade where the stars are piss, desperation, Then there’s Koyel Bhattaracharyya ’09, Gilbert and Sullivan — the original musical about him to satisfy this musical’s Brechtian and poverty with a capital pee. Lest a sudden who made a deeply satisfying Penelope Pen- satirists — used stock characters with ridiculous roots, then he could have at least expressed some urge to biological necessity discourage you from nywise: smart, tough, and (of course) with that names in ridiculous scenarios, clever libretti, better arguments. There’s Little Sally (Nicolina reading further, let me say quickly: there are good heart and tragic romantic history you al- and catchy melodies with timely political com- Akraboff ’07), who if only she had been allowed plenty of laughs and appealing moments amidst ways suspected was hiding under the callous mentary to balance the comedy. By contrast, the to go on a little bit more about “hydraulics” the general squalor in this raucous spoof. exterior. song-and-dance numbers in “Urinetown” are could have added depth, content, and context. Among the most memorable were Bobby It would be unfair, too, not to mention what far more impressive for their choreography and “Urinetown,” for all its pseudo-intellectual Strong et al.’s hilarious rendition of “Run, Free- a great job Caitlin Shindler ’03 did with the cos- physical panache (kudos to Janet Lieberman ’07 natter, falls short of significance. When it comes dom, Run,” a simultaneous send-up of preten- tumes. Such artful rags, such pointed elegance. and the featured dancers) than for musical or to not taking yourself seriously, there really can tious a capella arrangements performed by Here were social, economic, and personal char- other content. be too much of a good thing.

ART REVIEW Colorful America Presented in List Gallery Talk by Artist Mel Ziegler Illuminates Themes of Exhibit By Natania Antler My favorite piece Ziegler described was “Camouflaged History,” done in 1991, is on the Statue of Liberty. I found it to be a nice STAFF WRITER “If You Would See The Monument Look another of my favorites. The artists painted a contrast to some of their other works that play America Starts Here: Kate Ericson and Mel Around.” Ziegler and Ericson borrowed many camouflage pattern onto a house in a historic with the traditional ideas of monuments and Ziegler gardening tools from the staff that maintains district of Charleston, with each color from color palettes. Retrospective Exhibition at List Visual Arts Central Park, painted the handles bronze, the approved palette under preservation laws. The exhibit also included some sketches Center printed postcards with an image of the tools One can see a model on display at the exhibit, done on napkins of works that were never re- Feb. 9 to April 9, 2006 artistically arranged, and distributed the post- where the names of the colors on the house alized because of Ericson’s death. My favorite cards around Central Park. In doing this, the are listed, including the best of all, “Huguenot of these, which depicted a whimsical house rekking out in the cold to E15 to hear artists avoided imposing on the park with a Mustard!” with water spurting out the top (“house foun- a talk by an artist was the last thing showy bronze statue, but instead drew at- The day after the talk, I went to see the ex- tain”), brought a touch of sadness because it I felt like doing as Friday evening tention to the park itself and the people who hibit. Across from the main gallery is a room reminded that the collaboration is no more. T rolled around. Even so, I got myself maintain it. with two screens displaying slideshows of the As a layman in world of art, I found that to the Bartos Theater and was pleasantly sur- In contrast, a work called “Loaded Text,” artists’ work: most of these pieces were tem- Ziegler’s talk really helped me to understand prised to discover that Mel Ziegler’s talk was done in 1989, was less subtle and raised the porary large-scale works, many in the public what was happening in some of the pieces. interesting enough to hold my attention, so ire of many residents of Durham, NC, where realm. One should spend some time in this It is possible to appreciate the art on its own much so that I was disappointed when it end- the piece was displayed. It featured the “two room to get a feel for what these artists cared terms without the context that he gave in the ed. Ziegler spoke about his twenty year col- artists handcopying the 65-page text of a about before entering the main exhibition talk, but it helped me to have someone point laboration with Kate Ericson, which tragically downtown-revitalization plan for Durham, area, three well-organized rooms where one out important themes of their work. I recom- ended when she died of cancer in 1995. The N.C., onto one of the city’s badly cracked can see the work up close. mend reading up on the pair before going to fruits of this collaboration are now on display sidewalks,” according to the List Web site. One such piece, “Statue of Liberty” (1988) the exhibit — or at the very least reading the in the List Visual Arts Center Gallery. In his Ziegler said that the pair learned their lesson consisted of several clear jars of paint, with the placards and other printed explanations to get talk, Ziegler illuminated the themes, justifica- and later held public meetings whenever they name of each color sandblasted on the front of a context for this fascinating, but at times ob- tion, and thought processes behind much of planned to do something that would affect a the jar. The jars were then arranged vertically, scure, art. Ziegler’s next talk will be on Feb. their work. community. each color corresponding to the various colors 25. February 17, 2006 ARTS THE TECH Page 7 CLASSICAL REVIEW Beethoven Is King at Symphony Hall BSO Steps Up to Challenging Program By Jacqueline O’Connor Though it started without much energy, blame them? This piece captures the best of terpretation, but on Saturday night the orches- ARTS EDITOR the BSO’s performance of Symphony No. 2 both worlds — the excitement and virtuosity tra was dead-on. The final movement, Allegro Boston Symphony Orchestra still showed the essence of early Beethoven of a concerto and the intimacy and harmony con brio, was triumphant, highlighting the James Levine, conductor and the classical influence. The Adagio molto of chamber music. There were many times, es- brilliance of this orchestra. Jonathan Biss, piano that opens the piece was played with disinter- pecially in the second and third movements, Several excellent solo sections added Miriam Fried, violin est and strict rhythm, instead of a graceful where the feel of a duet or a trio was so pro- sparkle to the already solid performance. The Ralph Kirshbaum, cello melodic feel that one would expect. However, nounced it was easy to forget that the orchestra oboist, who opens the piece, was in excellent Symphony Hall, Boston with the Allegro con brio, the second theme was there. form and managed to produce a very lyrical Saturday, Feb. 11, 8 p.m. of the piece, the orchestra seemed to wake For the most part, the soloists were excel- sound. The flutist, who brings in the second up, and despite some coordination issues be- lent, especially in the final and most difficult theme of the first movement, was especially s in every concert of the Boston Sym- tween some of the string sections during the movement, Rondo alla Polacca. This move- good and defined the Vivace mood for the phony Orchestra under the baton of fast passages, the piece became much more ment featured a lively tempo and very intricate rest of the movement. Above all, though, the James Levine, this all-Beethoven con- enjoyable to listen to. The second movement tutti passages where all three soloists seemed French Horn section must be commended for A cert started sluggishly. Not deterred followed in the vein of the opening of the first surprisingly comfortable and expressive. The their excellent performance. Their versatility by the mediocrity of the opening, though, the — intonation issues and a lack of mysterioso cellist, Ralph Kirshbaum, stole the show, as shook the hall at the end of the first movement, BSO eventually brought the audience to its and expression made this otherwise gorgeous was probably Beethoven’s intention. All three brought tears to the eyes of listeners in the sec- feet in what turned out to be one of its most movement sound quite trite. Despite the faulty movements feature gorgeous cello solos in a ond movement, and moved people to their feet fantastic performances. The program began start, though, the last two movements were difficult high register of the instrument. De- at the end of the piece. with Beethoven’s Second Symphony, Op. 36, excellent. The pronounced dynamic contrasts spite this, Kirshbaum was able to make the The only flaws of the second half were in the and his Concerto in C for piano, violin, and and fun conversation between string sections instrument project and sing quite beautifully. tempos chosen for the second and third move- cello, also known as “The Triple Concerto.” highlighted the Scherzo movement. The piece The pianist, Jonathan Biss, played quite ex- ments. The Allegretto, an interesting marking After intermission, the concert concluded with ended with a fantastic Allegro molto where for pressively and especially well in the final for what sounds like a death march, was a bit the real highlight of the evening, a stellar per- the first time in the concert, the orchestra ap- movement. Unfortunately, violinist Miriam too fast and lost some of the somber lyricism formance of Symphony No. 7, Op. 92. peared to be enjoying the music it was play- Fried was disappointing in comparison to the for which this piece is known. Also, the sec- Levine chose the pieces for this program not ing. other two soloists. She had many intonation is- ond theme in the third movement (played by only to highlight the brilliance of Beethoven, Overall, the concert was shaping up to sues in the first two movements and despite the the wind section), which almost sounds like a but also to show the progression of his work be very good. Though the winds could have beautiful melodies in her part, she could not hunting call, was played much too quickly and throughout the middle composing period of played out more in the more melodic parts seem to produce a pleasing tone in the first and lost the stately air it was supposed to have. his life. In his program notes, Levine states and the strings could have put more intrigue second movements. This changed, however, in James Levine described this concert as an that “planning this all-Beethoven program into the continuo parts, the BSO found a re- the third when a brighter tone was called for; example of how Beethoven progressed during in the context of our Beethoven/Schoenberg markable classical sound. As a result, the very it became obvious that she had practiced this his middle period of composing. In reality, cycle afforded a special kind of opportunity enthusiastic audience responded well after the movement a little more than the others. this concert just showed how much the famous — to choose not just ‘any great Beethoven first piece. Beethoven’s Symphony No. 7 is truly one composer stayed the same. Each piece, though masterpieces’ that might work well in a single Beethoven’s concertos, for any instrument, of the greatest pieces ever written, and the progressively less classical and more roman- concert, but to program several of the com- are truly exceptional in the way they were Boston Symphony Orchestra’s performance tic in nature, is built on simple scales and ar- poser’s masterpieces that relate specifically written for the orchestra — until the soloists brought out all the beauty and greatness of peggios that are given ingenious twists and to how he developed or adjusted his musical begin to play, the music is so rich and bold that the piece. This symphony is a wonderful bal- rhythms to produce some of the most enjoyable style and language at different times in his one could mistake it for a symphony. This is ance between ensemble playing and several and incredible music ever written. Though this career.” Levine’s goal was certainly realized certainly true in the opening of Beethoven’s excellent solo lines. The ensemble playing was middle period, Beethoven not only retained his throughout the night, as it was very clear from Triple Concerto, the second piece on Saturday quite good at the coda of the first movement technical grounding, but also the grace, power, the programming, as well as the artistic inter- evening’s program. The soloists were a de- and the last two movements. The third move- and genius of his art. The Boston Symphony pretation of the works, that a metamorphosis lightful bunch, the pianist was actually the son ment, a Presto, was played especially well and Orchestra certainly rose to the occasion and was happening in the work of this legendary of the violinist, and the three of them certainly accurately. Historically, James Levine lets did justice to the only name above the stage at composer. seemed to enjoy the performance. Who could rhythmic togetherness slide in the name of in- Symphony Hall — Beethoven.

BOOK REVIEW New Author Tells a Story Of Teenage Addiction ‘For the Angels are Dead’ a Strong First Effort

By Jillian Berry ASSOCIATE ARTS EDITOR “For the Angels are Dead” Andy Bilger Taylor-Dth Publishing Released December 30, 2005

n Andy Bilger’s “For the Angels are Dead,” the first novel from this self-published author, we follow Addison, a troubled teen from middle class suburbia, as he comes of age in the heart of Mexico. Faced with parents who view his very existence as a I problem, Addison finds himself in military school with no hope of getting let out in the near future. So Addison flees Texas and travels to Mexico with Luke (a brother-like figure) to escape all the people controlling his life. Once in Mexico, we see him lose control of his life and ruin the lives of those around him with the help of alcohol, pills, and cocaine. Addison is trapped in a downward spiral of loss and drugs, and throughout his journey, he is visited in his dreams by angels who wish the worst for him. The “angels” show him his darkest fears and laugh with excitement when he loses or fails. In “For the Angels are Dead,” Bilger attempts to convey the underside of the middle class belly. Addison does not learn how to get high from some gang member or drug dealer, but from his parents, who appear to be successful corporate employees, but retire to sepa- rate bedrooms with their drinks and “little blue friends” when they go home. When their son gets into trouble, rather than trying to understand the problem, they ship him away. In addition, Bilger shows the development of an addiction through the eyes of a teen- ager. Addison starts by drinking too much, but he soon adds pills and eventually coke to his routine. He knows that he has an addiction, as there are few times in the book when he is not drinking or looking for a beer. However, as he drinks more and more and his life begins to unravel, he relies on the alcohol and pills to escape. Addison is always running away from something, but he never runs into something good. Bilger successfully conveys this message without an overly sentimental story. Al- most like a modern Holden Caulfield, Addison’s thoughts are always his own, and not those of a righteous boy trying to turn his life around. In fact, I was almost frustrated by his in- ability to change, but in the end it was necessary for the character. Also, I have never read a work in which angels represent an almost evil spirit. Nothing about Addison makes him the typical protagonist of a novel. The major problem I had with the book was its use of numerous changes in setting. Addison skips between different times from an eight year period, providing little evidence whether he is having a flashback or in the present. I understand that this format is the most realistic, since our minds often jump from the present to different points in the past without warning. Nonetheless, the skipping around makes the work harder to comprehend, and distracts the reader from the story. My only other qualm is related to the actually printing. This book is a self-published work, and as such has many typos. I know editors can miss these things, but Bilger never uses “too” correctly. This may seem like nit-picking, but I found the errors off-putting and quite annoying. JOEL SADLER Overall, “For the Angels are Dead” is an interesting look at the life of a teenage addict. B-Flat, known for only doing shows with her boots off, performs at the Comedy Even though it may not be the type of light reading that you want during the semester, it is Collage in Kresge Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 11. good for a break. Page 8 THE TECH ARTS February 17, 2006 FILM REVIEW ½ ‘Something New’ is Nothing New Latest Boy-Meets-Girl Story Lacks Originality and Intrigue

By George S. Zaidan Something New Directed by Sanaa Hamri Written by Kriss Turner Starring Sanaa Lathan and Simon Baker Focus Features Rated PG-13 Now Playing

omething New” is the story of Kenya McQueen (Sanaa Lathan), the driven businesswoman who can’t seem to S find time for love. It’s also the story of Brian the Landscaper (Simon Baker), the gentle gardener who can’t help but love everything he touches. You don’t need to see the movie to guess what happens next: boy and girl get set up on blind date, boy meets girl, girl is shocked to find boy is white … hold up. What? Oh, sorry. I guess I should have mentioned that Kenya is black and Brian is white. Written by Kriss Turner (“Whoopi,” “The Bernie Mac Show”), the movie’s plot is as con- ventional as any other romantic comedy. It hits all the requisite points, including the awkward boy-girl meeting, the falling-in-love-to-mu- sic montage, the other man, and the inevitable marriage at the end. The only difference is that “Something New” plays the race card. To fully understand the movie and how it compares to its FOCUS FEATURES predecessors like “Crash,” we need some addi- Brian (Simon Baker) and Kenya (Sanaa Lathan) hesitantly meet on a blind date in “Something New.” tional tools. If you ever happen to take a class with Pro- ous or too penetrating, the text risks marginal- any relatives). It’s an important and inexplicable Technically, the movie is unspectacular, fessor David Thorburn, one of the first television izing itself and reducing its impact (assuming it omission, especially given that Kenya’s parents sometimes downright bad. During one scene scholars, you will hear about the Consensus Nar- gets funded in the first place). are featured prominently. the camera dizzyingly circles the characters for rative system, a medium through which a soci- True to form, “Something New” brings little To be fair, for a brief moment Brian lets his 3 full minutes, and the damn thing can never ety discusses its mainstream values, continually new material to the conversation on race in Amer- utopian guard down and shows that he is a believ- seem to focus on Brian’s face. Editing, music, challenging them with older, more traditional ica. Disturbingly, it may even degrade the debate able character, with sensitivities and prejudices. composition — all mediocre. values, and newer, emerging ones. Well-worn by introducing us to a whole cast of utterly one- This is the best scene in the film. Too bad it’s “Something New” is a movie designed for genres are especially important in the Consensus dimensional characters. Brian is simply too good only about two minutes out of 99. Those in the the Consensus Narrative system. The problem Narrative system, as their familiar plots, styles, to be true — not only is he tolerant of everything movie who are racist or prejudiced, such as the is, film is no longer the consensus medium. In and characters provide a safe haven where new and everyone, but he almost refuses to believe fat old white guy who blatantly refuses to trust fact, it hasn’t been since television started tak- ideas can be discussed. that racism exists. He protests that he “wasn’t Kenya with his finances, are mere caricatures. ing over in the fifties. The movie doesn’t need The Consensus Narrative system has some raised that way.” Give me a break. Anyone raised Notably, there’s his polar opposite: Kenya’s boss, to trivialize its discussion. Look at “Crash,” a interesting side effects: texts that present some on this planet knows about the added pressures of who is, if possible, even more pure than Brian, film that deals with race in a much more seri- form of emergent value — say, an interracial re- being a minority in a white America. and staunchly stands by Kenya’s every decision. ous and systematic way. Don’t get me wrong lationship — cannot jump into deep discussions, Incidentally, we have no clue how Brian is These characters are about as convincing as a — I don’t think “Crash” is a truly great movie. at least at first. Why? If the discussion is too seri- raised — we never see his parents (or, indeed, politician’s pledge during an election year. But it sure is better than this crap.

FILM REVIEW ★★ ‘Eight Below’ a Warm Antarctic Movie Disney Brings the Canine Connection to the Big Screen By Alice Macdonald right. This leads to a couple of moments when an impending storm! Above all, “Eight Below” is a nature mov- Eight Below even the actors have trouble faking a laugh. From here on, the movie gets better. The hu- ie riding the waves of last year’s successful Directed by Frank Marshall The plot begins with a UCLA scientist ar- mans take a backseat and the viewers are treated “March of the Penguins” and Werner Herzog’s Screenplay by David Digilio riving to look for a meteorite from Mercury to some terrific canine acting. Each dog has a “Grizzly Man.” Perhaps Disney decided to hop Starring Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, Moon — an incentive I found a tad lame. Although it developed personality and I felt more compas- on the bandwagon, but had to bastardize the Bloodgood is late in the season, Gerry decides to take the sion for these characters than the humans. We genre with their requisite “Disney” elements Walt Disney Pictures scientist to a mountain for his research, despite watch as most of the eight sled dogs miracu- — including a gag-inducing scene featuring a Rated PG the dangerous weather conditions. The dogs lously survive 200 days fending for themselves shooting star, which made me fear one of the Now Playing lead them to the peak, where the scientist finds in the bitter winter. Predictably, Gerry finally characters would spontaneously break out into his dumb rock and there is some obvious fore- finds a way back to his dogs and the scene that a rendition of “When You Wish Upon a Star.” K, I admit it, I did not decide to re- shadowing about scary leopard seal moments follows is clichéd, but bearable. He thinks the I am happy to say that even Disney can’t com- view Disney’s latest inspiring Antarc- to come. Several exciting Antarctic minutes dogs are dead, but wait … he hears barking, pletely ruin a good thing; if you need an escape tic adventure film out of my love for later, Gerry, the scientist, the rock, and the dogs and slowly one dog and then the whole pack and some brain candy, you could do worse than O Huskies. I was planning to watch the barely make it back to the main camp. They are appears on the horizon, running toward his seeing “Eight Below,” one of Disney’s better movie and then systematically rip it to shreds in all forced to evacuate sans pooches because of open arms. efforts in recent years. my review. To my surprise, upon actually see- ing “Eight Below” — which stars Paul Walker, Jason Biggs, and God knows how many dogs — I have to admit that it was not the worst movie I have seen this past year. The chief faults of “Eight Below” are its lack of depth and forgettable plot — there is none of the complex storyline, interesting characters, and creativity that make excellent action/adventure movies. Thanks to beautiful scenery, lots of melodramatic music, and spo- radic exciting scenes, many viewers, especially those who are a little younger, will not miss these elements. Don’t get me wrong — this is definitely not a film strictly for kids — the dogs don’t talk, and at 120 minutes, it’s probably too long and boring for little ones. The film opens with seemingly endless shots of expansive wintry landscapes. The film- makers did a great job here, as these shots are gorgeous. Once the people enter, however, it becomes clear that the movie is not subtle. The script force-feeds every element of the film to the audience, so that nobody has to think. All the characters and conflicts are established very quickly, an easy task considering how shallow and uncomplicated they are. Gerry (Paul Walker) is a guide who really likes his sled dogs, Charlie (Jason Biggs) is the comic relief, Katie (Moon Bloodgood) is the girl, and they all laugh and play in Antarctica. The act- ing is shaky at the start and, regretfully, Jason Biggs is not at all funny. He moves in a large WALT DISNEY PICTURES and exaggerated way, which doesn’t seem quite Gerry Shepherd (Paul Walker) and Old Jack brave the Antarctic in the name of science in “Eight Below.” February 17, 2006 ARTS THE TECH Page 9 FILM REVIEW ★★ Monkey Business for Adults ‘Curious George’ Entertains All Ages By Yong-yi Zhu man to be evicted from his apartment and de- STAFF WRITER stroys a dinosaur display at the museum. The Curious George question is, however, whether Ted will be able Directed by Matthew O’Callaghan to save the museum and put his career and life Written by Robert Baird and Dan Gerson back on track. Based on “Curious George” created by H.A. Through this adventure, the audience devel- and Margret Rey ops a connection with George and Ted as we be- Rated G lieve that monkeys are truly able to empathize Now Playing with human pain, even if they may look dumb on the outside. e all know Curious George from our The movie would have lost much of its ap- childhood, the little monkey whose peal had the voice-overs not been effective. Will affinity for the unknown constantly Ferrell was decent, as he somehow managed to W got him into trouble. He entertained convince the audience to take him seriously. The us with his adventures and his daring outlook on funniest character by far is voiced by Eugene whatever he wanted to do. We only wished we Levy, whose portrayal of the scientist Clovis had as much courage as that little monkey. adds to George’s playful antics to make for some Now, however, George comes to us on the big of the funniest scenes in the movie. screen. The question is whether we, now adults, Drew Barrymore, however, did a horrible job can sit through an hour and a half of watching a UNIVERSAL PICTURES as the schoolteacher, Maggie. Instead of portray- non-talking monkey and man in a bright yellow George’s curiosity helps him make a new friend in this film version about the classic ing a legitimate teacher, Barrymore showcases suit voiced by Will Ferrell. The answer, surpris- children’s books character. her somewhat ditsy personality in her voice, ingly, is an emphatic yes. Sure, there are parts of where ‘Fever Pitch’ meets ‘Never Been Kissed.’ the movie that are a little slow for adults, but in and make the experience more modern, rather the yellow suit, Ted (voiced by Will Ferrell), who Thank goodness her character was only a small general it is still enjoyable. than to just add pizzazz for the sake of pizzazz. needs to go to Africa to find a gigantic lost mon- part of the film. The animation in the film is not very imagi- Unfortunately, the problem with having such a key idol. On his journey, he experiences sabo- The most delightful aspect of the movie, native, but that was never the point of ‘Curious simple presentation is that the animation soon tage and can only manage to find a tiny version by far, is the music. Jack Johnson did a terrific George.’ He is simple yet cute, not detailed but gets repetitive. Watching the same expressions of this idol. Thus, the museum he is desperately job of not only capturing the childishness of lovable, a character little kids like. The movie appear on George again and again gets tedious trying to save plunges into turmoil. the film, but also the emotions that went along stays true to the idea that this is a children’s at times. On the trip, Ted meets George and the mon- with it: despair, joy, and nostalgia. Before long, book without glitz and glamour. True, there Despite that, what really sells the movie to key stows away on the ship to go back to the you may find yourself going out to buy the are scenes with a more three-dimensional feel, adults is the amount of emotion generated with big city with Ted. George then gets the museum soundtrack to a movie that is quite funny and but they’re there mainly to enhance the scenery such a simple plot. The film follows the man in guide into all sorts of trouble, as he causes the enjoyable, even to those over the age of five. FILM REVIEW ★★ Weak Script Hinders Film About Immorality Unconvincing Conflicts and Acting in ‘A Good Woman’ By Parama Pal that she will accept his hand in marriage. A Good Woman As the story continues, family secrets come Directed by Mike Barker to light and the ways in which the characters deal Written by Howard Himelstein with them make up the true meat of the movie. Starring Helen Hunt, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Scenes change without any transitions, and as a Wilkinson, Stephen Campbell Moore, Mark result, the story is stilted and obvious. Despite Umbers the title “A Good Woman,” the first two-thirds of Rated PG the film focus on portraying Erlynne as immoral Now playing and materialistic; unfortunately this time could have been much better spent developing the et in the 1930s, Mike Barker’s “A Good scenes and interactions between the characters. Woman” addresses the issue of what Hunt was only given a few obvious attempts defines a good woman relative to rules to develop her character through the second S of societal morality. Based on Oscar half of the film, and her script was somewhat Wilde’s play “Lady Windermere’s Fan,” the story cumbersome. Her artificial lines rob her of a begins with a trio of ladies gossiping about the certain sincerity that is essential to addressing notorious Mrs. Erlynne (Helen Hunt). It be- the movie’s main question: what defines a good comes apparent that Erlynne is infamous for hav- woman? ing countless affairs with various men to support Johansson delivers an average performance, herself, and that at the moment she is without seeming excessively innocent and naïve, a dis- a benefactor and living in poverty. After setting appointment considering her reputation. Other her sights on a young couple (Robert and Meg actors do better, most notably Wilkinson, whose Windermere, played by Mark Umbers and Scar- performance is without a doubt the best in the lett Johansson) featured in a newspaper article, film. she goes off to the Italian Riviera in pursuit. The Unfortunately, the film ends too neatly, fall- movie follows her apparent seduction of Robert, ing into the classic Hollywood trap of building and shows what happens when a predatory friend up conflict and then giving every character an of his capitalizes on Meg’s doubts to convince easy way out. “A Good Woman” is a movie with LIONS GATE FILMS her to leave her husband. Meanwhile, another an interesting premise, but one that could have Scarlett Johansson’s dress sparkles more than her acting in this production of “A Good man (Tom Wilkinson) courts Erlynne, in hopes been far better presented. Woman.” ON THE SCREEN — B Y T H E T E C H ARTS STAFF —

★★★★: Inspired brilliance ful escape within an escape; like the old profes- movie is on the players on the team, the racial penned “Traffic,” discusses the energy crisis ★★★: Solid filmmaking sor who owns the wardrobe, I can’t wait to go obstacles they overcame, and how the journey and the war for oil in this new drama. Part of ★★: Mild entertainment back. (Rosa Cao) changed them personally. (Brian Chase) an ensemble cast, Bob Barnes (George Cloo- ★: Embarrassing dreck ney) is a CIA operative in the Middle East ★½ Firewall ★★★½ Match Point who must protect U.S. interests in oil, but he ★★★★ Brokeback Mountain Boasting equivocal baddies, a potboiler script, This film deviates from the usual Woody Allen starts to question his government’s motives. Ang Lee’s gritty and realistic film has been and cookie cutter performances, “Firewall” offering. It boasts young, sexy stars and is set Though Gaghan presents a convincing, albeit called revolutionary for being a mainstream is a film that’ll see the second-run theaters in upper-class London instead of his beloved pessimistic world view, he does not provide movie about cowboys who fall in love with by Valentine’s Day. Harrison Ford plays Jack New York. Jonathan Rhys-Meyers plays a an artistic vision. Ultimately more enjoyment each other, but the story is in truth incredibly Stanfield, a bank security expert whose life and young tennis coach who marries into an upper- comes after the final reel, from thinking about simple. At its heart, “Brokeback” is a beauti- family are threatened when robbers force him class British family but falls in love with his the questions that the film raises. (Kapil Ama- fully crafted film that tells a story strikingly to commit electronic theft from his own em- brother-in-law’s fiancée, Nola (Scarlett Johans- rnath) similar to some of the oldest tales of love in ployers. A great deal of acting talent is wasted son). The biggest surprise is that this film is a our society. (Andrew Guerra) on this picture, and unless something great thriller, with each scene building unbearable ★★★½ Why We Fight comes along, Ford’s career is essentially over. tension. (Kapil Amarnath) Director Eugene Jarecki paints a convincing ★★★½ The Chronicles of Narnia: (Kevin Der) portrait of how hidden backroom deals turn The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe ★★★★ Munich the government into an oligarchy of elite inter- C.S. Lewis wrote a story about the triumph of ★★★ Glory Road Inspired by the very real events of the 1972 ests. This political documentary ties together a good over evil (and yes, the Second Coming In sports movies, the important thing is often Olympics, when eleven Israeli athletes were coherent narrative from a set of perspectives, and the importance of faith), and the loyalty of not the destination, but the journey. This is true killed by Palestinian terrorists, this perfectly ex- key facts, and historical contexts. The movie four brothers and sisters to each other and their in “Glory Road,” the Hollywood retelling of the ecuted film advocates peace and wisdom. With features an NYPD cop who lost a son in 9/11, friends. Lucy Pevensie steps through a ward- 1966 Texas Western College basketball team. this film, Spielberg intends to show that any con- neoconservative leader William Kristol, a dis- robe of fur coats and finds herself in Narnia, a Texas Western played all black players against flict affects the globe, and that events in the Mid- affected Pentagon analyst, the pilots who fired magical land with talking animals and mythic the all-white national power Kentucky in the dle East are as relevant to our country’s future as the first salvo in the Iraq war, and more. (Beck- beasts, and a White Witch who’s covered the 1966 finals and won. The win inspired a gen- those within our own borders. (Kevin Der) ett Sterner) land in eternal winter. But there’s no need to eration of black basketball players like Magic look for religious underpinnings when the fan- Johnson and Bob McAdoo, who went on to ★★½ Syriana Compiled by Kevin Der, Jacqueline O’Connor, tasy easily stands alone. “Narnia” is a wonder- revolutionize the game. The real focus of the Writer and director Stephen Gaghan, who and Nivair H. Gabriel February 17, 2006

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Solution, tips, and computer program at http://www.sudoku. com This space donated by The Tech Page 12 THE TECH February 17, 2006 February 17, 2006 THE TECH Page 13 Profs For Many, BE Doesn’t Match Expectations BE, from Page 1 sciences. about the major. “It’s really excit- engineering, protein chemistry, ge- “Some students when they come ing to be pioneering and studying a netic engineering and phenotypic tals of Biological Engineering) and to MIT have misconceptions about new field as well as getting to have engineering. Discuss the subsequent laboratory course what exactly our BE program is a big say in the course curriculum The Biological Engineering de- BE.309 (Biological Engineering about, because they think we have of such a new major,” Carpenter partment was introduced in 1998 as II: Instrumentation and Measure- included a lot of medicine-related said. a PhD program. In 2002, a visiting Faculty ment), but also on the availability topics in our classes, while we are To decide the most fair and ef- committee comprised of scientists of faculty advisors,” she said. actually focused on the molecular ficient way to conduct the lottery, from bioengineering companies The department was able to in- life sciences,” Griffith said. Griffith asked for help from MIT outside academia and MIT alums crease the lab space for the intro- “These misconceptions arise undergraduate students, such as the recommended that MIT create a BE Diversity ductory BE.109 laboratory class naturally because most other members of Committee for Under- program for their undergraduates because they were given additional schools with bioengineering pro- graduate Programs and those in- after noting the success of the PhD By Curt Fischer space in Building 16 and were also grams focus on human physiology,” volved in the Biomedical Engineer- program. STAFF REPORTER given permission to hire additional while MIT’s program “seeks to edu- ing Society (BMES). According to Griffith, the facul- Tracking programs for possible teachers as needed, Griffith said. cate students in applying engineer- Griffith said that the BMES ty’s first mission in establishing this future minority faculty candidates BE major Danielle E. Carpenter ing principles to biology,” she said. students were crucial in obtaining new major was to decide what top- need to be centralized and expanded, ’07 said that while she knew a lot- “Our job is to make sure that they feedback about the lottery and oth- ics should be covered in the classes several professors recommended at tery was possible, she “was not par- have a clear picture [of our BE pro- er aspects of the new undergraduate and create new classes appropriate Wednesday’s meeting of the faculty. ticularly worried about not getting gram] so that if students truly are major. One of the key suggestions for the major. BE now has a total These recommendations were part of into the major, because her UROP interested in majoring in BE they made by BMES members was to of nine new core courses that were a larger discussion that emerged from professor said it would probably not can.” hold off on the BE major selection specially developed for it. By look- Provost L. Rafael Reif’s January cre- be a problem. Carpenter provided another process until the end of fall term ing at the programs built at other ation of two committees charged with Griffith said that the department explanation for the number of ap- of sophomore year, when most stu- colleges, Griffith and the other fac- analyzing and improving minority is working with MIT administration plicants, saying that some of the dents would have taken the required ulty were able to create a program faculty hiring at MIT. to provide more laboratory space to 75 students in BE.110 (Thermody- core classes, including 7.01x (Intro- that allowed students to utilize the The suggestion to escalate the hold larger classes, a development namics of Biomolecular Systems) ductory Biology), 18.03 (Differen- engineering approaches to analyze identification and tracking of future that will affect this year’s freshman may not have chosen to pursue tial Equations), and BE.110, neces- design and synthesis components potential faculty candidates among class, whose members have shown the BE major because they could sary to apply for admission into the related to the molecular life sci- undergraduate and graduate minor- significant interest in the BE major. always take most of the BE class- BE program. These requirements ences, instead of the usual focus on ity students as early as possible was “I hope we will be able to accom- es, except for the laboratory class ensure that students have time to medicine and human psychology. oft-repeated in the faculty’s discus- modate at least 40 people, perhaps BE.109, without being a BE major. understand the intellectual goals of “MIT is really very unique because sion with the chairs of the two com- more,” Griffith said. Students could also pursue a BE re- BE before applying, Griffith said. we are the first university to have a mittees. While the department does hope search project even while pursuing BE.109, taken after students are biological engineering program that The faculty resolved in 2004 to to grow and build their student base, another major, she said. admitted to the BE major, is an in- focuses entirely on engineering and double the number of minority fac- Griffith said that they want to attract Carpenter, however, said that troductory laboratory course that the molecular life sciences instead ulty, and the new committee chairs students who are truly interested in she has always wanted to be a BE exposes students to some basic bio- of the widely-available engineer- are aiming to accomplish this goal. the MIT BE program, which is fo- major since her junior year of high chemical and molecular laboratory ing and medicine combination,” “A factor of two is a strong indication cused on the modern molecular life school and is extremely excited techniques in the areas of protein Griffith said. of success,” said Professor Wesley L. Harris, chair of the Committee on the Retention of Minority Faculty. Paula T. Hammond, chair of the Minority Faculty Recruitment Com- mittee, agreed. “There are 25 or 30 minority faculty now — fifty would be great,” she said. Coordinating the minority faculty hiring efforts of all of the Institute’s departments is another focus of the committees. Harris, Course 16 (Aero- nautics and Astronautics) department head, said he would like to see in all of MIT what he sees now in his own department — “a full-court press” on

To recruit more minority faculty, MIT may have to take “odd and uncomfortable” measures, said Chancellor Clay. junior faculty members they wanted to retain. Harris also said his commit- tee will interview current minorities on the faculty and develop systems for tracking their progress. Both committees have been charged to report on the minority faculty hiring environment at MIT by May 1, and to propose an action plan for 2007 implementation by October 1. Chancellor Phillip L. Clay PhD ’75 said that it might be necessary to do something “odd and uncomfort- able” to foster minority faculty at MIT. He described his experience as part of Boston area law firms’ “total embrace committee” in a past minor- ity recruitment drive, when he wined and dined candidate senior partners for the law firms, and was well aware of his role as “just a face” at the re- cruiting events. Clay suggested that one impedi- ment to recruiting minorities may not be obstacles internal to MIT, but the lack of broader lifestyle and collegial opportunities in Boston. After the minority faculty hiring discussion, President Susan Hock- field recounted to the faculty her ex- periences from a January trip to Asia, and reported increased opportunities for MIT to engage itself internation- ally, especially in China. She also said that William B. Bonvillian, new director of MIT’s Washington, DC office, planned to expand the MIT/ Washington DC Summer Intern Pro- gram. The faculty also unanimously approved Professor Douglas A. Lauffenburger’s motion that the Bio- logical Engineering Division assume Course number 20. Page 14 THE TECH February 17, 2006 Companies Plan Heavy Recruiting for Programmers Careers, from Page 1 similar to last year’s, there was an high” in 2006. panies indicated strong demand trading interviews Anastatios V. increase in demand for computer Graphics hardware company for computer science majors and Giannopoulos ’07 read books and reporter, nearly all still had full- science and engineering, said Jason nVidia is looking to “double its ef- students with strong programming newspapers, and had mock inter- time positions open, with most as- W. Carver ’06, director of Internal forts” to hire recent graduates, with backgrounds. views. “Last week, I saw a lot of the suring that they hire year-round. Operations for the Sloan Under- 200 internships available in both its same people in the waiting room There has been a “resurgence of graduate Management Association. software and hardware divisions, Show me the money every day. You’re competing with the war for talent,” said Steve Cane- Barry Beneski at Orbital Scienc- said Venessa Huffman, who leads Early February is also prime everyone else,” he said. li, manager of recruiting and staff- es said that there is a “very good job their recruiting efforts. time for recruiting summer interns Going out for the same jobs as ing for General Electric. GE might market in aerospace and defense. While the companies partici- in the financial and consulting friends can be stressful, said Tristan see increases of 10 to 15 percent in The industry is growing with the pating in the TBP career fair had industries. MonsterTrak’s Inter- Almada ’07, but “it’s also encour- interviews and graduate hiring in country’s increased defense spend- opportunities for electrical, me- viewTrak showed over 150 resume aging that others are going through coming years, he said. ing.” He anticipated employment chanical, and aerospace engineers, drops were available between mid- the same things as you.” During While finance recruiting was at Orbital would reach an “all-time representatives from many com- January and mid-February from an interview, “I try to feel them companies like out and tell them Goldman Sachs, what they want to Lehman Broth- “Recruiters told me how all hear,” he said. ers, UBS, Bain & But Jarod EGG DONORS NEEDED Company, Bos- the resumes look the same. Tsoukalis SM ’07 ton Consulting said he had not Group, and oth- You need to have something prepared for his $20,000 (PLUS ALL EXPENSES) ers. that stands out.” interview because Vivek A. Shah he had previous We are seeking women who are attractive, ’07 said he had —Erik J. Lampe ’07 job and interview 14 interviews experience. “I under the age of 29, SAT 1300+, total for trading, asked one inter- banking, and consulting firms with viewer what they’re looking for and two offers, three second rounds, and he said they just don’t want any par- physically fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. two rejections so far. “The number ticular major, they just want good one thing to do is get an externship people.” If you have a desire to help an infertile family and at a bank,” he said. “It’s all about experience and coursework.” Underclassmen Shut Out? would like more information please contact us. Erik J. Lampe ’07 said he has 25 While the job market seemed interviews scheduled for summer strong for many companies looking Email: [email protected] internships in finance and consult- for interns, some representatives ing. “Recruiters told me how all the said they were cautious about hir- www.aperfectmatch.com resumes look the same. You need ing freshmen and sophomores. But to have something that stands out” other recruiters said they look for 1-800-264-8828 from the others, he said. anyone who fits the bill regardless To prepare for his sales and of year. Recruiting for Microsoft, Jus- tin C. Marks ’02 said his company looks for top talent and strong pas- sion across class years as it spon- sors the 6.370 programming con-  test, 6.171 (Software Engineering  for Web Applications), and the Col- lege Puzzle Challenge. Christopher Resto, director of  the Undergraduate Practice Op- portunities Program, said that up to 85 employers have shown up at  its informal networking events for approximately 100 sophomores, “a sign that the economy is improv-  ing.” He said that strong student in- terest in obtaining life science and finance internships has made these  internships harder to obtain than those in other fields like software engineering.  Elizabeth Reed, director of the Careers Office, said that many com- panies are looking to narrow their recruitment activities by working with major-specific student groups like the Biomedical Engineering  Society. Several career fairs are upcoming — the Office of Minority Education will hold one on Feb. 22, and the  Civil and Environmental Engineer- ing Department will on Feb. 28. The Ivy+ online eFair will take place be- tween Feb. 28 and March 3, and the  Careers Office is also sponsoring a  Career Exploration and Networking Fair for Freshmen and Sophomores  on March 4.

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   9 3 8 2 6 4 7 5 1  5 6 7 3 1 8 4 2 9  8 9 1 4 7 6 5 3 2 6 5 4 8 3 2 9 1 7  2 7 3 9 5 1 8 6 4 February 17, 2006 THE TECH Page 15 Designers of Flying Car Win Lemelson Student Prize By Don Aucoin and even though FAA spokeswoman Since then, with an eye toward rais- in 1956. It had detachable wings tion on the market. They plan to in- THE BOSTON GLOBE Laura Brown said yesterday that ing capital and forming a business, that were removed for driving and corporate soon as a company called Since the age of 8, Carl C. Diet- “the concept of airplanes as personal they have added to the team a pair reattached for flying. Taylor created Terrafugia (derived from the Latin rich ’99 has wanted to be an aero- transportation” is on the agency’s ra- of students from MIT’s Sloan School several later models of his Aerocar, words for “earth” and “to escape”), space engineer, and soon he will be dar, flying cars have yet to catch on as of Management, Alex B. Min G and several of which still exist (one was and have set up a Web site: terrafu- one, armed with a doctorate from an everyday vehicle. Arun Prakash G. used by actor Bob Cummings in the gia.com. In May, they will introduce the Massachusetts Institute of Tech- The team is out to change that. They all are convinced the time 1960s; another was used for a time as the Transition in Boston at an event nology. But there was another ambi- The Transition would weigh 1,320 is right for a flying car. Study after a traffic-watch aircraft by a radio sta- hosted by the Experimental Aircraft tion — considerably less pragmatic, pounds, feature a 100-horsepower study finds that America’s roads are tion in Portland, Ore.). Association. In July, they will talk up downright fanciful, in fact — that engine, stand 6 1/2 feet tall, and be 80 increasingly clogged with traffic. If Dietrich and his partners suc- their concept and display scale mod- fired Dietrich’s childhood dreams in inches wide. “If you can fit a Cadil- To go on business or leisure trips of ceed in making flying cars more com- els at the EAA’s annual AirVenture Sausalito, Calif. He would sit look- lac Escalade in your garage, you can a few hundred miles, many travel- monplace, it’s possible that not all the convention in Oshkosh, Wis., which ing out the window of his family fit this,” said Dietrich. Schweighart, ers squander half a day traveling by changes will be beneficent. Traffic attracts thousands of aviation enthu- home, he recalls, and think: “Gosh, an MIT graduate who now works at plane, train, or car. Keesee, who is not congestion on the ground is already siasts from around the world. If their wouldn’t it be cool if we had a vehicle Draper Laboratory in Cambridge, involved in the project, said recent at noxious levels, and the prospect of idea gets an enthusiastic response that could fly in our driveway?” adds that the Transition will be best advances in aerodynamic technology the skies clogged with cars is enough from that demanding audience, the Plenty of other kids (and grid- understood as a “drivable airplane.” make a flying automobile more feasi- to make the heart sink. Moreover, trio will start to raise capital to build locked commuters) have had the same Their hope is that it will fit into the ble. Dietrich said the nation’s smaller, notes Keesee, “If drunk drivers are the Transition. dream, of course. The difference is new FAA category of light sport air- general aviation airports are chroni- bad, drunk pilots are going to be far “We’re not going for a radical that Dietrich believed he could one craft and would take off from airports cally underutilized. And the FAA has worse.” transformation, to just throw society day design a flying car. Now, at 28, rather than lifting off from a driveway recently streamlined the certification But that’s down the road, or the into ‘The Jetsons,’” said Mracek. he is doing so. or roadway. (So much for that Bos- requirements for light sport aircraft, sky, as the case may be. Right now, However, she added, “if this is the For the past year, he and two oth- tonian fantasy of an airborne escape which, in the students’ view, would the students are intent on finishing the commercial reality we think it can be, ers have quietly been developing route from the Southeast Express- make the Transition less costly to design phase and getting the Transi- changes will occur in the world.” plans for a flying car, or Personal Air way.) build. Vehicle. Dubbed the Transition, it Here’s how they envision it work- At the moment, they don’t know is still in the design stage, but they ing: A driver (who would have to how much it will cost to build. They hope to begin manufacturing it by have a pilot’s license) gets into the also don’t know how much it will 2009. Already they have applied for front seat of the Transition, turns a cost customers, though Dietrich esti- four patents with the US Patent and key in the ignition, and drives to the mates it will be between the average Trademark Office and have discussed nearest small airport. The wings stick cost of a car (about $30,000) and the their plans with Federal Aviation Ad- up from the sides; the rear propeller average cost of general aviation air- ministration officials. is not in use. Once at the airport, he craft (which typically cost between “We’re battling a credibility issue pushes a button, lowering the 27-foot $100,000 and $200,000). with a concept like this, because it wings into flying position. The pilot Despite many attempts over the has been tried so many times before,” runs a pre-flight check of the aircraft. years, a flying car for the masses has Dietrich conceded. “People tend to Then, the pilot turns the key in the remained elusive. In 1917, just 14 smirk when you say you’re trying to ignition once more, starts the propel- years after the Wright brothers’ his- make a flying car: ‘Oh, you’re one of ler, taxis to the runway, and takes off. toric flight, the Autoplane designed those guys.’” But, he insisted, “This Traveling at about 120 miles per hour, by an aviator named Glenn H. Cur- isn’t just another flying car concept. at a cruising altitude between 3,500 to tiss made a short flight. But the Auto- We’re very serious about producing a 8,000 feet (though the aircraft would plane fell victim to the problem that flying car and selling it.” be able to go as high as 12,000 feet), has bedeviled the concept ever since: Few who know Dietrich would he flies to his destination. After land- In trying to be both car and plane, it bet against him. Even by MIT’s stan- ing at the airport, he pushes a button didn’t function well as either. dards, he is considered a standout to transform the plane into a car and In the 1920s, Ford threw his — so much so, in fact, that today he drives to his business meeting. Later, company’s clout behind the notion of will be announced as the winner of he drives back to the airport, changes a “flying flivver,” but he abandoned the $30,000 Lemelson-MIT Student it into a plane, flies back, converts the the project when a prototype crashed, Prize. An outside panel of scientists Transition to a car, and drives home. killing a friend. In 1949, a former US and technologists chose Dietrich for Dietrich points out, however, that Navy aeronautical engineer named his “portfolio of novel inventions,” the Transition would not make a very Moulton B. Taylor designed the including not just the flying car but practical family car. “This is not go- Aerocar, and launched his first model also a desktop-size fusion reactor and ing to replace your Toyota Camry,” he a lower-cost rocket engine. said. “You could take it to the store, Merton Flemings, the director of but it doesn’t have the trunk space of MIT Dramashop announces the Lemelson-MIT Program, said your SUV.” yesterday that Dietrich beat out “quite As they toil away on the project, a large number” of other candidates into which they have poured thou- auditions and production roles to be named “the most outstanding sands of dollars of their own money, innovator of the year.” Flemings, who the students are fully aware that they for has taught engineering and materials are in a race against other innova- science at MIT for 50 years, main- tors across the country who are also tained that Dietrich just might be the working on a flying car. They are also one to finally fulfill the dream of a fully aware how often inventors have widely available flying car. tried and failed. Even at MIT, which Electronic City “With the advent of new materials routinely ventures to the furthest and new engines and his innovative frontiers of scientific innovation, the a play by Falk Richter, translated by Marlene Norst. A surreal piece about design, he’s got a chance to make it project is creating ripples of excite- work,” Flemings said. “I think the ment among the few who know about Tom and Joy: lost, confused, and separated by technology. Subject to our time has come.” it. “It is a workable design, though securing performance rights, Electronic City will be one of two productions he’s got a considerable amount of The future is now work yet to do,” said John E. Keesee forming a If Dietrich and his teammates do SM ’75, a retired Air Force colonel succeed in their bid to create, manu- who is an instructor in MIT’s Aero- facture, and mass-market a flying nautics and Astronautics Department. automobile, it will make a reality of “What’s most unique about Carl is he a concept that has long defeated the can bring projects to fruition.” British tour in June 2006 best efforts of other inventors, even as It was 18 months ago that Diet- it has continued to tickle the public’s rich resurrected his childhood dream imagination. Flying cars have been a of designing a flying car. He and Auditions will be held from 6–10 pm on: staple of pop-culture fantasy, from the Schweighart had been discussing book and movie versions of “Harry their postgraduation plan to form a Monday 20 February, in room 4ñ145 Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” to company. “We asked, ‘What are the the 1960s TV cartoon “The Jetsons” big problems in aerospace that we Tuesday 21 February, in room 4ñ153 to films that range from larky (“Chit- could raise the capital to attack?’” ty Chitty Bang Bang”) to thrilling The problem Dietrich homed in on, (“The Man With the Golden Gun”) to he said, was “the general desire of the Rehearsals for Electronic City will begin in March, and there will be dystopian (“Blade Runner”). average Joe to travel some distance, workshop performances between 20 and 22 April. On-campus previews But to Dietrich and the two others of 500 miles, in a time-effective man- working on the project, 28-year-old ner” not subject to the schedule of an are planned for 6–8 June, and the company will leave for the UK on or Samuel A. Schweighart PhD ’05 and airline or railroad. 24-year-old Anna M. Mracek ’04, a shortly after 11 June, returning by 2 July. Both Electronic City and the flying car represents an engineering Piloting their course devised piece accompanying it on tour are senior thesis projects in puzzle to be solved and a business When Dietrich suggested they opportunity to be seized. Not that build their company around the in- theater. they are blind to the sheer romance vention of a flying car, Schweighart of the endeavor. Since all three are li- laughed. “Then he showed me an en- censed pilots, Mracek admitted, “We gineering sketch of a vehicle, and I We’re looking for one or two additional people to join the tour in a want this thing as soon as possible, realized he was serious,” Schweighart designing or technical capacity. Experience is absolutely not essential because we want to use it.” said. They set to work, conducting The prospect of combining fly- computer-aided aerodynamic design — contact us if you’d like to talk about the project. ing and driving in a single vehicle analyses. They went through 52 dif- has tantalized engineers, inventors, ferent vehicle configurations before and visionaries for decades. In 1940, settling on the current one. They have For more information please e-mail [email protected]. Henry Ford proclaimed: “Mark my tested several models in the MIT word, a combination airplane and wind tunnel. motor car is coming. You may smile, A year ago, they asked Mracek, but it will come.” an MIT Aeronautics-Astronautics ACTS is funded in part by the Council for the Arts at MIT, the Associate Provost for the Arts, Yet even though the FAA has al- graduate student, to join the team and the Undergraduate Association’s Finance Board. ready certified a couple of flying cars, because of her organizational skills. Page 16 THE TECH February 17, 2006 Saudi Ambassador Speaks About World’s Oil Industry By Curt Fischer initiatives. Now under construction STAFF REPORTER is Faisal University, Saudi Arabia’s On Wednesday, MIT students first “truly private non-profit uni- and Cambridge community mem- versity.” He also mentioned that bers questioned Prince Turki al- recently the Saudi government be- Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to gan a large scholarship program to the U.S., mainly focusing on Middle fund the college education of Saudi Eastern politics and the world oil citizens in the U.S., noting that over industry. 5,000 Saudis have applied for stu- Thursday’s Q&A session fol- dent visas in the U.S. in the past lowed Turki’s lecture in a packed year. Of those, 192 will be coming Bartos theater, hosted by Institute to the Massachusetts area. Professor John M. Deutch ’61. Deut- Prince Turki also emphasized ch, who introduced Prince Turki, Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fol- was Director of Central Intelligence lowing the conclusions of 3rd Ex- from 1995 to 1996, and worked di- traordinary Summit of the Organiza- rectly with Turki, tion of the Islamic who from 1977 Conference — a to 2001 was head 56-nation diplo- of Saudi Arabia’s “We are at a time matic assembly General Intelli- of economic expansion, of Islamic na- gence Directorate. tions which con- In his introduc- and what enables this fers on common tion, Deutch said issues facing its he “dramatically growth is oil.” members — spe- learned to respect —Saudi Prince Turki cifically, to fight the opinions and terrorism, imple- wisdom of Prince ment political and Turki.” economic reforms, and to take back Perhaps the most widely an- Islam from the “extremist element” ticipated subject the ambassador which has “subverted our religion.” took up was oil. “We are at a time Prince Turki entertained ques- of economic expansion, and what tions from the audience for nearly enables this growth is oil,” he said. 20 minutes. Most came from MIT “Saudi Arabia will supply as much students interested in democratiza- oil as the world demands,” he em- tion in the Middle East, especially phasized. However, he also recog- Iraq and Lebanon. Saudi Arabia had DAVID TEMPLETON—THE TECH nized that “oil is a finite resource” been directly involved in both Syria Prince Turki al-Faisal, Saudi Arabia’s ambassador to the United States, speaks to a packed audience at and said that the kingdom’s “infinite and Iraq’s nascent democratization. the Bartos Theater in E15 yesterday afternoon. resource was our people.” In presenting Saudi Arabia’s To that end, Prince Turki said, own recent efforts towards democ- will enjoy suffrage for the first time. preserve order amid change and to University on Wednesday and ap- Saudi Arabia had recently em- ratization, Turki noted that in the He used Alfred North Whitehead’s preserve change amid order.” peared on PBS’s Charlie Rose Show barked on a number of educational kingdom’s next elections, women quote, that “the art of progress is to Prince Turki spoke at Harvard on Monday.

The Production Department’s Word of the Day fulminous, adj.: Of or pertaining to thunder and lightning; fulminating. [email protected] February 17, 2006 THE TECH Page 17 Dorm Would Improve New Web Site Created to Compile Graduate Community Energy-Related Class Materials Dormitory, from Page 1 tory will likely have much higher Energy, from Page 1 Sears was also one of the instruc- but faculty members have submitted rents than Ashdown, Tang Hall will be tors of 12.093 (Energy: Science, suggestions for possible courses to sions Marilee Jones, with many sug- maintained as a comparably cheaper breakout sessions on what issues they Technology, and Sustainable Devel- highlight. gesting an increase of 100. option for graduate students with tight wanted to see the Energy Initiative opment), a one-week energy class To be included, energy must con- Additionally, moving undergradu- financial resources, Benedict said. target. held over MIT’s Independent Activi- stitute at least half of the course’s ates into Ashdown would add beds to Plans for Ashdown’s current space “There was considerable inter- ties Period this year. contents, as stated on the site. This the housing system and finally allow will not be determined for months, est from industry and a desire to In the fall of 2005, the Council and other criteria used to decide the Institute to end the Senior Segue Benedict said. MIT’s report to the city collaborate” with MIT, said Moniz, also solicited input from faculty and course eligibility were developed by program, which allows 10 percent of presented last week, at which the new who added that industry profession- students, asking for white papers the eight-faculty-member Education MIT seniors to live in graduate housing residence was announced, suggested als seemed to feel MIT would have detailing research directions that the Subcommittee of the Council, along at undergraduate housing prices. The that Ashdown might be used as swing a particularly strong influence as a Energy Initiative should take. Ap- with input from LFEE education program was introduced in 2001 as a housing while other undergraduate broker between groups. proximately 100 faculty members staff. temporary measure to mitigate crowd- dormitories are renovated. Summaries of feedback heard took part in writing the white papers, Two students in the MIT Energy ing in undergraduate dormitories. “East Campus is our top priority at the breakout sessions and slides which are available on the ERC Web Club also provided input during the Planning for both the new graduate for … gut renovation,” with Burton and audio of presentations given site (http://web.mit.edu/erc/), and development of the site. Ariel M. dormitory and the undergraduate resi- Conner House also high on the list, throughout the workshop are avail- the MIT Energy Club conducted a Esposito ’09 and Michael Berlinksi dence that would occupy Ashdown’s Benedict said, though no plans have able on the ILP Web site (http://ilp- campus-wide survey whose results G met with the faculty of the sub- current space is still in the earliest yet been set. www.mit.edu/display_event_agen- were presented to the Council. committee to narrow down criteria stages, Benedict said. It is “very early The 2004 Housing Strategies re- da.a4d?eventId=1797&key=P4f1), for energy classes and to discuss the in the process,” and many “questions port also indicated that Random Hall Bloomquist said. Energy class database launched format of the Web site. haven’t been addressed” yet, he said. and Bexley Hall might be closed over Since the workshop, many indus- The EnergyClasses site (http:// “I feel strongly that there needs Over the next few weeks, discus- the next decade, but Benedict said no try leaders have continued to meet energyclasses.mit.edu/), launched to be a higher level of understand- sions about the new graduate dormi- discussion about those possibilities with MIT faculty members, express- on Jan. 25 and sponsored by LFEE, ing of the current energy situation tory’s community will begin, with would be initiated for some time. ing interest in working with the In- highlights graduate and undergradu- on the MIT campus, and I hope this representatives from Student Life Changing Ashdown into under- stitute. ate classes with a significant focus Web site will facilitate such an un- Programs, Facilities, housemasters, graduate housing would also enhance “We viewed [the workshop] as on energy. derstanding,” Esposito said. and the Dormitory Council involved, the undergraduate community by add- an opportunity to get insight and “What we’re hoping is that the As reported by Tech Talk in Janu- Benedict said. ing one more undergraduate residence connect to the MIT community and site can meet the needs of those ary, EnergyClasses will be part of The new graduate dormitory will to dormitory row along Amherst bring [into MIT] a company per- students with a specialized inter- a larger Council Web site that will be located in the northwest part of Street, Benedict said. spective, a practical business view,” est and those with a casual interest include a comprehensive database campus, as recommended by a Hous- Following the completion of the said Richard Sears, a representative in energy,” said Amanda Graham, of energy initiatives on campus. The ing Strategies study completed two 2004 report that recommended a new of Shell who attended the workshop LFEE Education Program man- larger site will also highlight indi- years ago, and would expand the grad- graduate dormitory, plans for the resi- and is now a visiting scientist in the ager. The site has not received any viduals and laboratories involved in uate community in that area. Because dence were stalled until last summer LFEE. student feedback yet, Graham said, energy research. of zoning restrictions, the maximum because of a lack of funding, Benedict capacity for the planned $104-million said. After being approved by MIT’s residence would be about 500 to 520 president, executive vice president, beds, Benedict said. chancellor, and provost, plans were The decision to build the new firmed up by MIT’s building com- graduate residence sends a “symbolic mittee in December, he said, with the signal,” Benedict said, of a “firm com- Executive Committee of the MIT Cor- mitment on the part of the Institute to poration approving the new dormitory graduate student housing.” Currently, on February 3 as being in the planning demand exceeds supply for graduate phase. housing, he said. Before construction can begin, At Wednesday’s faculty meeting, another vote by the Corporation’s Ex- MIT President Susan Hockfield said ecutive Committee would be needed, the new dormitory would help achieve Executive Vice President Sherwin MIT’s commitment to the City of Greenblatt ’62 wrote in an e-mail. Cambridge to house half of its gradu- Following the February 3 meeting ate students on campus. A 2004 Hous- of the Executive Committee, Benedict

ing Strategies report indicated that at said he began discussions with Ash- This space donated by The Tech that time, about 36 percent of MIT’s down Housemaster Terry P. Orlando roughly 6,000 graduate students were about Ashdown’s relocation, with housed on campus. more details to be worked out in com- While the new graduate dormi- ing months.

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Smile! Maybe the reason he’s smiling is that he knows there’s free food every Sunday and Thursday night at the Tech office. Or maybe he’s excited about being a part of making the news happen.

[email protected] W20-483 February 17, 2006 THE TECH Page 19 Frank Moss Named New Director of MIT Media Lab By Robert Weisman The media lab, which opened in “They are trying to get their research galore, India, which was shuttered limbs; its hyperscore graphical com- THE BOSTON GLOBE 1985, has pioneered cutting-edge dollars to go further than they did in in 2003 after MIT clashed with the posing application that lets students MIT has tapped entrepreneur and research in electronic ink, wearable the past. The challenge will be keep- Indian government over the lab’s compose everything from cellphone technology executive Frank Moss as computing, digital and holographic ing the researchers motivated in a focus, and Media Lab Europe in ring tones to opera; its open studio the new director of its fabled Me- video, electronic field sensing, and world where there are fewer enclaves Dublin, which was closed when the project enabling amateurs to create dia Laboratory at a time when the wireless networks. During the roar- for pure science.” Irish government ended its funding. and share works of art, and its so- lab, which helped popularize the ing 1990s, companies from around Moss said he would press for- “One of the real advantages I see at ciable robotics research to build ma- 1990s digital revolution, is seek- the world funded media lab research ward with the lab’s “blurring of the the media lab is its presence at MIT,” chines that can interact with people ing to broaden its base of corporate and sent representatives to Kendall human-computer interface.” But he said Moss. on human terms. sponsors and refocus its high-tech Square in Cambridge to soak up its said he would not revive the media As for the type of research on Moss said he’d also like to initi- research on fields like aging, health- unstructured “demo-or-die” culture. lab’s stalled campaign to expand in which he’d like to focus, Moss cited ate collaborations with the Comput- care, and education. Often Negroponte waxed eloquent other countries. Under Negroponte, examples from the lab’s biomecha- er Science and Artificial Intelligence Moss, 56, has run software, com- in Wired Magazine and other tech- who remains a professor at the lab, tronics program that mates robotics Laboratory, known as CSAIL, across puter, and life sciences companies nology forums about the emerging MIT set up Media Lab Asia in Ban- with human tissue to build prosthetic the street from the media lab. during a 25-year business career. He digital lifestyle and the convergence succeeds media lab cofounder Nich- of computing, telecommunications, olas Negroponte, a leading light of and media. the technology convergence move- In the lab’s first two decades, Ne- ment, who stepped down as chair- groponte said in an e-mail from Eu- man in September 2000 to devote rope, he helped usher in “an era of most of his time to One Laptop per extreme interdisciplinary formation Child, a nonprofit group working to of a very unlikely group of people distribute computers in the develop- working at the lunatic fringe of sci- ing world. ence and technology.” Walter Bender SM ’80, who has “When people ask me what was been interim director of the media lab the most important achievement at since Negroponte ’66 stepped down, the lab,” he said, “I typically reply: will take a two-year leave from the its existence. It was founded with Massachusetts Institute of Technol- the idea that the invention and cre- ogy to serve as president for software ative use of new media would ad- development at the One Laptop orga- vance both technology and creative nization. expression.” Moss began working full time at But new technology labs cropped the media lab this week, and has been up at other schools, from Stanford meeting with its 30 faculty members University to Carnegie Mellon Uni- and senior scientists and its 300 grad- versity, to compete for corporate uate student researchers. In an inter- research funds. And after the dot- view, he said he would concentrate com bubble burst early this decade, more resources on fields that will companies scaled back on under- have a broad impact on society in the writing academic research while coming decade. Moss said he also moving some of their research dol- hoped to increase the number and lars to emerging high-tech centers in type of sponsors, complete fund-rais- India and China. At the same time, ing to build a new media lab building, the growth in government research forge closer ties with other MIT labs, spending slowed and more public and accelerate efforts to push media and private grants were channeled lab research into the marketplace. to projects that can be quickly com- “In many ways, it’s a business,” mercialized. media lab officials have Moss said, suggesting the media lab acknowledged that their funding has may conduct more research into proj- declined from 1990s levels, though ects of interest to its corporate spon- they have not disclosed precise num- sors. “You have to strike a balance bers. between having academic freedom Adrian J. Slywotzky, a manag- and doing different types of research, ing director at Mercer Management and having the work sponsored by Consulting in Boston, said Moss’ companies that want to see research business background may be a good commercialized. At the media lab, fit for the media lab as it enters its we may have to go a step further than third decade. “Companies are under we’ve done in the past and build pro- pressure and they are trying to find totypes with sponsors.” or create more leverage,” he said. Spring Weekend Team Considering ‘matt pond PA’ for the Opening Act Cake, from Page 1 strong MIT following and a strong col- lege following in general, she said. hop and rap artists, were the perform- Elvio Sadun ’05 said that he ers for last year’s Spring Weekend thought it was cool that Cake was per- Concert. Since student surveys al- forming this year. He said that he saw ways find the MIT population split them perform live at the Middle East, between hip-hop fans and rock fans, a restaurant and nightclub in Central the committee decided that this year’s Square, and was impressed by the performer should be a rock or alterna- way they sounded live. “They have so tive group, Yuan said. The committee many strange sounds in their music sent e-mail lists of possible acts to all and I was surprised that they were able the dormitory and independent living to replicate that,” he said. group mailing lists, asking students Zhu said that the committee is con- whether they would come to see an sidering matt pond PA as the opening artist, Zhu said. Cake received 766 of act, though it is their last choice. The 2600 votes, she said. New York Times reviewed the band on Cake has been around since 1991, Feb. 3, and wrote that it “has lots of when most MIT students were in ele- nicely formed indie-pop songs, none mentary school. Based in Sacramento, very memorable.” The band is known Calif, one of the group’s recent songs for having a song on “The OC” sound is “Short Skirt, Long Jacket,” Zhu said. track, Zhu said. Some of the other Others will remember “The Distance” opening bands the committee con- and “Never There,” she said. Yuan said sidered were American Hi-Fi and The that Cake’s music cannot be compared Forum, she said. Yuan said that those to any other band’s music. They have a bands were not available.

This space donated by The Tech Page 20 THE TECH February 17, 2006 SPORTS Olympic Skaters Overcome Fall, UPCOMING HOME EVENTS Friday, Feb. 17, 2006 Varsity Men’s Indoor Track and Field New England Division III Restart Program and Win Silver Championship 8 a.m., Johnson Athletic Center By Yong-yi Zhu forming a lift, he somehow did not they bring the drama. At the opening Varsity Women’s Swimming NEWMAC Championship STAFF COLUMNIST have complete control of Tatiana. He of their program, Zhang and Zhang 11 a.m., Zesiger Sports Center The most amazing display of tri- fell, and she crashed face-first into attempted a throw quadruple Sal- umph over adversity happened Mon- the ice, suffering a concussion. chow, something never accomplished Saturday, Feb. 18, 2006 day night in Torino, Italy. When Chi- Although Tatiana recovered, Max- in Olympic history. Varsity Men’s Indoor Track and Field New England Division III nese figure im became extremely hesitant, and The height on the jump looked Championship 8 a.m., Johnson Athletic Center skating pair his tentativeness definitely showed good, until Zhang Dan came down, Varsity Women’s Swimming NEWMAC Championship Column Zhang Dan up both Saturday and Monday during missed the landing and banged her 11 a.m., Zesiger Sports Center and Zhang all the lifts. Despite that, the two still knee hard on the ice. She crashed Varsity Women’s Basketball vs. Smith College 1 p.m., Rockwell Cage Hao completed their free skate, they performed nearly perfectly, and went into the wall and the entire program had not only won the hearts of the on to win the event by more than ten just stopped. I held my breath, and Sunday, Feb. 19, 2006 audience, but also should have won points. I’m sure many of the audience mem- Varsity Women’s Swimming NEWMAC Championship the hearts of everyone who has ever Talk about trust. Tatiana had to bers did the same as they wondered 11 a.m., Zesiger Sports Center faced any significant challenge. trust her partner, who had to trust what would happen. Allow me to explain. himself. But that’s only one of the Surely, their medal prospects Monday night in America has al- stories of Monday night. were over. However, even in tears, ways symbolized toughness and grit- The Chinese bronze medalists Zhang Dan told her coach and her tiness in the form of football. Large Zhao Hongbo and partner that she Men’s Volleyball Tops men use all their strength to together Shen Xue also would continue. achieve a common goal. Every Mon- had to overcome However, even in tears, After the program day night, we watch the games be- hardships. About restarted, the pair Record With 21 Aces, cause they define toughness, and the six months ago, Zhang Dan told her coach continued from athletes serve as role models. they were one of the crash landing That’s what I thought of Mon- the favorite teams and her partner and performed day nights up until this time, when for Olympic that she would continue. a double-triple Dominates Lesley 3-0 Olympic pairs figure skating com- gold, along with jump combina- By Mindy Brauer career-high 24 assists. Dean added a pletely put football in the backseat Totmianina and tion, combining ASST. DIR. OF SPORTS INFORMATION team-high seven aces as Rosche and and rocked my world. True, not Marinin. But during practice, Zhao amazing twists in the air and beau- The MIT men’s volleyball team Borschow each contributed four. many of us pay that much attention ruptured his Achilles heel, and just tiful lifts. You could tell that Zhang defeated Lesley University (0-8), 30- In other team news, MIT swept to the pairs competition. What could like that, Olympics dreams immedi- Dan was in pain at the end of the 9, 30-7, 30-11, in the inaugural meet- the NECVA New England Division have topped the story of last Olym- ately turned to dust. program, because she came out of ing between the squads weekly honors, with Praveen Pami- pics’ pairs figure skating, when the Yet the two continued to train for some of her elements a little early, on Tuesday night. With dimukkala ’08 named Player of the French judge intentionally docked Torino. They didn’t want to dump but her heart and her courage were 21 aces in the match, Week and Scott Pollom chosen as the points from Canadian team Jamie everything they had worked for, still there. Now they have an Olym- the Engineers (11-3) Rookie of the Week. Pamidimukkala Salé and David Pelletier? The Skat- and although Zhao couldn’t even pic silver medal to show. established a new In- posted 92 kills in 14 games to aver- egate scandal ran so deeply that the skate until about three months ago, I have never witnessed something stitute mark. age 6.57 per game. In addition, his entire points system for figure skat- they won a bronze again. He went nearly as dramatic as this. To watch Kenneth K. Rosche ’08 paced backrow defense was very solid, as ing was altered. from unable to walk to Olympic her fall that hard and rise again all MIT with 11 kills, while T. Scott he averaged about 2 digs per game. Well, we can look at all three medal-worthy all in the span of six in the span of about ten minutes was Pollom ’09 was perfect with eight Pollom collected the his first confer- medalist teams to show why this months. amazing. And to pairs figure skat- kills on eight swings. Alexander L. ence honor as he averaged 2.86 kills event is truly inspirational. And that brings us to the sil- ing, I say congratulations for pro- Borschow ’06 also contributed eight per game and earned a hitting per- Take the Russian gold medal- ver medalists from the pairs event, viding us with such heroes and for kills and Stephen D. Ray ’08 finished centage of .382. ists Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao. They rebounding from something so ter- with seven kills and six aces. The Engineers will host the Wen- Marinin. During Skate America over didn’t have any major mishaps com- rible as Skategate to captivate us all Jordan X. Wan ’06 and Ryan G. tworth Institute of Technology and a year ago, while Maxim was per- ing into Monday night, but boy did once again. 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