Volume 127, Issue 49

Sox Lead World Series 2-0, Game 3 Saturday

The Weather MIT’s Today: Morning sunshine, 58°F (14°C) Tonight: Light rain likely, 53°F (12°C) Oldest and Largest Tomorrow: Warm and windy, Newspaper 72°F (22°C) Details, Page 2

Volume 127, Number 49 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, October 26, 2007 Sophomore Allegedly Abnormal Radiation Level Reported Stabbed by Wellesley MIT's Nuclear Reactor Laboratory Reports High Readings for One Worker Student Seven Times Nick Semenkovich setts General Hospital and is in seri- News Editor ous condition, according to the As- A sophomore was stabbed seven sociated Press. In a statement issued times in his Next House residence on by Pamela Dumas Serfes of the MIT Tuesday, Oct. 23, prompting a review News Office, MIT is “heartened by of housing security policies. the progress he has shown in his re- Anna L. Tang, a Wellesley College covery” and is “cooperating fully with junior who was taking classes at MIT, the Cambridge Police Department and allegedly stabbed her ex-boyfriend, the Middlesex District Attorney’s of- Wolfe B. Styke ’10, as he slept. On fice on their investigation.” Tuesday, Tang was charged in the “Our hearts and minds go out to Cambridge District Court with home the people at MIT affected by this," invasion and armed assault with intent said Arlie Corday, a spokesperson to murder. from the Wellesley Office for Public At 6:28 a.m. on Tuesday morning, Affairs. Wellesley is "trying to help Cambridge Police received a 911 call our students to cope with this news." from Styke indicating that he had been Disciplinary action is premature at stabbed and identifying Tang as his at- this point, Corday said. Tech file photo—Ricardo Ramirez tacker. Arriving at the second floor of Tang is currently being held at the The control room of the MIT nuclear reactor is shown in this Tech file photo. the east wing of Next House under- MCI-Framingham correctional fa- graduate dormitory, Cambridge Police cility, pending a 58A dangerousness By Joyce Kwan ing to an MIT press release. health and safety or to the environ- found Styke standing at the door to his hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 30. Meredith News Editor "Although this atypical reading ment," according to the MIT press room and “bleeding profusely from Lerner from the Middlesex District The MIT Nuclear Reactor Labo- was below the federal safety lim- release. multiple stab wounds,” according to Attorney's Office said that a danger- ratory is currently being inspected by its, the Institute voluntarily notified The worker’s exposure to radia- a police report. Styke suffered severe ousness hearing is a bail review and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission its own safety officials and the U.S. tion will not surpass the allowed dose but non-life threatening stab wounds gives the Commonwealth more time after a worker was exposed to unusu- Nuclear Regulatory Commission," for the year, Pamela D. Serfes, execu- to his neck, chest, right upper arm, left to gather evidence. ally high levels of radiation. the MIT press release states. tive director of the MIT News Office, rear shoulder, and left leg. Tang's defense attorney, John Vale- After a regulatory check that oc- MIT reported the readings on told the Boston Globe. The worker, Styke told a Cambridge Police rio of Andover, did not return a call for curs every three months, a worker’s Oct. 17, according to the NRC press described by Serfes as an operator, officer that he did not know where comment yesterday. dosimeter, a pen-like device used to release. has suffered no ill consequences. Tang was. At that point, Tang, who Residents of Next House held an measure radiation exposure, had an Claude R. Canizares, associate According to the NRC press re- was standing approximately 20 feet impromptu prayer session the mid- accumulated reading of about 4 rem provost and vice president for release, the NRC will review how the down the hallway, said, “Here I am.” night after the assault, said Samuel H. of radiation. The NRC annual occu- search, said that it is not known if the laboratory implements its radiation Tang was then placed under arrest and Poon '09 who lives next door to Styke. pational limit for radiation exposure anomalous reading is accurate, but protection program in addition to her jacket and backpack, which were "We prayed a word of blessing for him is 5 rem per year, according to an authorities are acting on the assump- looking for factors that may have both covered in blood, were taken as and his family," Poon said. NRC press release. Typically, read- tion that it is. caused the anomalous reading. The evidence. Her backpack contained a Then narrative from the police re- ings of 0.5 rem or less are expected. The situation is not considered NRC expects the inspection to take small folding buck knife, according to port and full text of the MIT statement Readings for all other workers very serious, but its cause needs to two to three weeks. A public report the police report. Tang told the arrest- can be found on page 12. Court docu- were normal for the same time peri- be determined, Canizares said. The ing officer that she had multiple knives ments regarding Tang’s arrest, book- od, July to September 2007, accord- situation "poses no danger to public Reactor, Page 10 and lost control of the first one during ing, and criminal docket are available the attack, according to the report. Wolfe is recovering at Massachu- Stabbing, Page 12 In Short ¶ Facilities will split into two pieces beginning Nov. 5. MIT Police Chief Twenty Percent Donate John DiFava will head up the Oper- ations and Security division, which In Underclassmen Giving will include Repair and Mainte- Approximately 20 percent of freshmen, sophomores, and juniors nance, the Campus Police, Parking, donated to this year’s Underclassmen Giving Campaign last week, top- Custodial, and Grounds. Capital ping the participation rate of last fall. A total of $3,521 was raised to Projects and Strategic Planning will fund Public Service Center expedition grants for the January Indepen- form the other division, which will dent Activities Period. be run by Dick Amster, formerly of The giving campaign, which lasts two weeks — one week during Turner Construction. MIT's posi- the fall semester and one week during the spring — was first piloted tion of Chief Facilities Officer had last year. The pilot was considered successful as the goal of 20 percent been vacant since the departure of participation over the course of those two weeks was met. William J. Anderson, who left the During the first week of last year’s campaign, approximately 15 Institute earlier this year. percent of underclassmen donated about $2,500. The two-week total last year was $3,880. This money funded about nine PSC grants, said ¶ Free taxicab rides will be pro- Rosheen B. Kavanagh of the MIT Alumni Association. Kavanagh is in vided from 6 p.m. tomorrow until charge of the UGC and the Senior Gift. 3 a.m. the following day by the This year, students gave a total of 630 gifts, with 31 percent of Cambridge Taxi SafeRide Home freshmen donating $1,770, 17 percent of sophomores donating $1,035, Program on account of the Red and 12 percent of juniors donating $715. Sox and the World Series. Any An addition to this year’s campaign was the ability for students to MIT student or affiliate needing a donate online; approximately 50 students donated online. All other stu- ride should call 617-876-2000 and mention the name of the program. dents donated in Lobby 10 last week. Alex H. Chan—The Tech Maximum $35 value on cab fares. The UGC was started to develop a sense of philanthropy among un- Yale Professor Charles Perrow (right) gave the Arthur Miller derclassmen at MIT, as seniors contribute to the Senior Gift. The class Lecture on Science and Ethics on “The Next Catastrophe: Re- ¶ Rock Band Video Game Tour is project and goals for the Class of 2008’s Senior Gift will be announced ducing Our Vulnerabilities to Natural, Industrial, and Terrorist stopping at MIT on its 24-city nation- on Nov. 8, Kavanagh said. Disasters” in the Media Lab’s Bartos Theater on Monday, Oct. wide tour. The top two student bands —Angeline Wang 22. He is the author of a book with the same title. that perform from the entire tour will be selected to be on MTV. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. today at the Zesiger Fitness Center. The Green News Building lights One Laptop Per Child foundation World & Nation �� 2 ¶ MIT received a B+ on this year's college sustainability report card, up in support seeks buyers for low-cost laptops. Opinion �� 4 produced by the Sustainable En- for the Red Sox. Arts �� 5 dowments Institute. MIT failed the category "endowment transpar- Comics / Fun Pages �� 6 ency." The report care is available at Page 11 Page 9 http://www.endowmentinstitute.org/ sustainability/profiles2008.html. Page The Tech October 26, 2007 World & Nation New Signs in Europe of Bush Makes California Visit; U.S. Mortgage Fallout By Mark Landler The New York Times FRANKFURT, Germany Wildfire Fatality Count Rises Europe, which once hoped to avoid major fallout from the summer’s credit crisis, is now feeling an autumn chill of slackening economies By Jennifer Steinhauer The president pointedly praised nine houses. On Wednesday, FBI and warnings of further market upheaval. The New York Times Schwarzenegger’s handling of the agents descended on Santiago Can- The ill tidings came in several European capitals Thursday, includ- LOS ANGELES country’s biggest natural disaster yon Road near Irvine to gather evi- ing a reduced growth forecast in Germany and a Bank of England re- President Bush toured Southern since Hurricane Katrina two years dence, which was sent to a lab to be port that said financial markets were still vulnerable to shocks from the California on Thursday as investiga- ago, making veiled comparisons analyzed. crisis that originated in the American home mortgage market. tors got down to the work of deter- to local relief efforts at that time in “We desperately want to catch the “The financial turmoil of the last months is not yet behind us,” the mining how one sunny fall day last Louisiana. person or persons that did this,” said European commissioner of economic and monetary affairs, Joaquin weekend erupted into a 16-fire storm “It makes a big difference when Chip Prather, the Orange County Fire Almunia, said at a conference of bond dealers in Brussels. now in its fifth day. you have someone in the statehouse Authority Chief at a news conference “Downside risks to the growth outlook have now obviously in- Recovery crews, moving from willing to take the lead,” Bush said at in Irvine. The evidence at the scene, creased due to the events in the financial markets,” he added. “It is house to house in towns where the a news conference, a dig at the Loui- which Prather would not discuss fur- apparent that the economic outlook will be somewhat less favorable fires have passed, found the bodies siana governor, Kathleen Babineaux ther, suggested arson, he said. than we expected.” of two people in the shell of a home Blanco, a Democrat. He also assured A separate fire, to the east in Riv- The German government cut its forecast for growth next year to 2 in Poway, northeast of San Diego. California residents that “we’re not erside County, has also been tagged percent, from 2.4 percent, citing a more sluggish global economy, as And in the early evening, San Diego gonna forget you in Washington, by investigators as arson. At least well as high oil prices and the relentlessly rising euro. officials said, Border Patrol agents D.C.” two people, in San Bernardino and found the burned bodies of four im- With most of the fires no longer Los Angeles counties, have been ar- migrants who may have been killed posing a significant threat, fire of- rested on suspicion of arson. U.N. Warns of Rapid while crossing the border. ficials were stepping up efforts to The massive scale and ferocity of They were the first confirmed determine how much of the blame the fires almost certainly stemmed Decay of Environment fatalities since Sunday, when a man for the devastation fell on nature and from a trajectory familiar to fire By James Kanter was killed in Protrero, near the Mex- how much on a criminal element. fighters, fire investigation experts The New York Times PARIS ican border. In Orange County, where the au- said. The human population is living far beyond its means and inflicting Bush, joined by Gov. Arnold thorities have already determined a Fires created through human er- damage to the environment that could pass points of no return, accord- Schwarzenegger, also a Republican, large fire north of Mission Viejo was ror, lightning or a downed power line ing to a major report issued Thursday by the United Nations. visited the charred remains of neigh- intentionally set, investigators have typically create large embers that can Climate change, the rate of extinction of species and the challenge borhoods, met distraught residents and begun to interview people about pos- fly as far as a mile through the pow- of feeding a growing population are putting humanity at risk, the Unit- exhausted fire crews and viewed fires sible suspects, closed canyon roads erful Santa Ana winds, setting off ed Nations Environment Program said in its fourth Global Environ- that continue to burn throughout the on Thursday and sifted through the new blazes. Early indications point mental Outlook since 1997. region. By Thursday, the fires had de- rubble in search of clues. to downed power lines as the culprit “The human population is now so large that the amount of resourc- stroyed 1,800 homes, injured 57 people The fire there, which is still burn- in a fire in Malibu and possibly two es needed to sustain it exceeds what is available at current consumption and burned a half million acres. ing, has consumed 20,000 acres and others. patterns,” Achim Steiner, the executive director of the Environment Program, said in a telephone interview. Many biologists and climate scientists have concluded that human activities have become a dominant influence on the Earth’s climate and Vote on New Version of Vetoed ecosystems. But there is still a range of views on whether the changes could have catastrophic impacts, as the human population heads toward 9 billion by midcentury, or toward manageable results. Child Health Care Bill Planned By Robert Pear Insurance Program, generally barring poverty level for a family of four. Pioneer of DNA Research Retires The New York Times the use of federal money to cover ille- The new bill would still cost more WASHINGTON gal immigrants, childless adults and than Bush wants. And it would be fi- As Lab Chief After Racial Remarks Sensing a political advantage, children of families with incomes ex- nanced with an increase in tobacco By Cornelia Dean Democrats rushed Wednesday to ceeding three times the poverty level: taxes, another feature to which he The New York Times move a health care bill for children $61,950 for a family of four. objects. James D. Watson, the eminent biologist who ignited an uproar last back to the House floor after making Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., said Bush administration officials week with remarks about the intelligence of people of African de- minor changes to win over more Re- the changes would improve the bill were on Capitol Hill on Wednesday scent, retired Thursday as chancellor of the Cold Spring Harbor Labo- publicans. and would pick up some Republican and said they wanted a compromise. ratory on Long Island and from its board. Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the votes. Michael O. Leavitt, the secretary of In a statement, he noted that, at 79, he is “overdue” to surrender House would vote Thursday on the Upton was among 44 Republi- health and human services, met with leadership positions at the lab, which he joined as director in 1968 new bill, which, like the original that cans who voted last week to over- House Republican leaders on Tues- and served as president until 2003. But he said the circumstances of President Bush vetoed three weeks ride the president’s veto of the earlier day and with Senate Republican lead- his resignation “are not those which I could ever have anticipated or ago, would cover 10 million children bill. Supporters fell 13 votes short ers on Wednesday, but said he had desired.” and increase spending by $35 billion, of the number needed to override in “yet to engage in direct conversations Watson, who shared the 1962 Nobel Prize for describing the dou- for a total of $60 billion, in the next the House. The bill had passed in the with the Democrats.” ble-helix structure of DNA, and later headed the American govern- five years. Senate with more than the two-thirds “I have zero impact on what the ment’s part in the international Human Genome Project, was quoted “The bill addresses all of the con- majority needed to override. Democrats do,” Leavitt said. in The Times of London last week as suggesting that, overall, people cerns that were expressed by our col- Sen. Orrin G. Hatch, R-Utah, said Rep. Rahm Emanuel of Illinois, of African descent are not as intelligent as people of European de- leagues and by the president,” Pelosi that the income limits in the new bill chairman of the House Democratic scent. In the ensuing uproar, he issued a statement apologizing “un- said. “We hope the Republicans will “completely obliterate” Bush’s argu- Caucus, said administration officials reservedly” for the comments, adding “there is no scientific basis for take yes for an answer.” ment that Congress wanted to provide did not appear to be serious about such a belief.” The new bill would tighten eligi- coverage to families making $83,000 striking a deal. “I don’t think they bility for the State Children’s Health a year, which is about four times the want a bill,” Emanuel said. Weather Weather and Wildfire Situation for Noon Eastern Daylight Time, Friday, October 26, 2007

By Jon Moskaitis 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

Staff Meteorologist S

S 40°N

S The rapid growth of the wildfires in Southern California early this week S 1036

was primarily facilitated by the prevailing weather conditions. In particular, S

there was an intense northeasterly wind and the relative humidity was ex- S 1033

tremely low, both characteristics of the Santa Ana flow regime. The Santa Ana S

wind is a regional example of the more general phenomenon of downslope W

S 35°N

flow. As the name implies, downslope flow occurs when wind is directed S

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down a gradient of surface elevation. In the case of the Santa Ana, the wind W

W S

blows from the plateau of the Mojave desert (elevation of roughly 1,000 me- S

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ters) towards the Pacific coast. As the air travels along such a path, it descends S

S W

and is consequentially compressed, as it adjusts to the higher environmental S 1016 S 30°N

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pressure at lower elevation. The compression results in heating of the air, 18 S S 1011 W

degrees (10°C) for every 1000 meters of descent. While the temperature of

S the descending air increases, its water vapor content remains unchanged, such W

that the relative (to temperature) humidity decreases. Hence, the downslope S W

25°N Santa Ana winds are necessarily accompanied by low relative humidity, set- S W

ting the stage for explosive wildfire growth.

S W

Extended Forecast S W

Today: Morning sunshine, then increasing clouds. High 58°F (14°C).

Tonight: Light rain likely, breezy. Low 53°F (12°C). Saturday: Warm and windy, with showers likely. High 72°F (22°C). Saturday night: Showers early, then clearing. Low 55°F (13°C). Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols Sunday: Sunny. High 63°F (17°C). Snow Rain Fog High Pressure Trough Monday: Sunny, cooler. High 49°F (9°C). - - - Showers Thunderstorm

Q Q Q Q Warm Front Light Low Pressure Haze LLLLL Cold Front Moderate Compiled by MIT Hurricane Q Q Meteorology Staff L L Stationary Front Heavy and The Tech October 26, 2007 World & Nation The Tech Page

Bush Says U.S. Will Not Invade Syrians Raze Site of Raid Launched by Israelis Iran Despite Recent Sanctions By William J. Broad and Mark Mazzetti By Helene Cooper Guard itself as an illegal exporter of “In many ways this kind of warn- The New York Times The New York Times ballistic missiles. The decision thus ing is more a demonstration of re- New commercial satellite photos show that a Syrian site Israel WASHINGTON raised the temperature in American’s straint than a signal that we’re going bombed in September no longer bears any obvious traces of what ana- In announcing new sanctions ongoing confrontation with Iran over to war.” lysts said appeared to have been a partly built nuclear reactor. against an elite unit of Iran’s Revolu- terrorism and nuclear weapons. Still, after 18 months in which the Two photos, taken Wednesday from space by rival companies, tionary Guard Corps, Bush adminis- But it also reflected some caution administration has touted the virtues show the site near the Euphrates River to have been wiped clean since tration officials took pains Thursday by an administration that has also ac- of collective action against Iran by August, when imagery showed a tall square building there measuring to offer assurances on that at least for cused the Quds force of aiding Shi- the United States and its allies, the about 150 feet on a side. now, the United States is not going to ite militia attacks on U.S. soldiers sanctions mark a major turn toward The Syrians reported an attack by Israel in early September, which war with Iran. in Iraq, and has even detained some unilateralism. the Israelis have not confirmed. Syrian officials continue to deny that “We do not believe that conflict is Quds force members there, but has The shift represents a tacit ac- a nuclear reactor was under construction, insisting that what Israel hit inevitable,” said R. Nicholas Burns, so far resisted calls for retaliatory knowledgment that the diplomatic was a largely empty military warehouse. the undersecretary of state for politi- strikes inside Iran. strategy pressed most vigorously by But the images, federal and private analysts said Thursday, suggest cal affairs. “This decision today sup- “This is a warning shot across the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that the Syrian authorities rushed to dismantle the facility after the strike, ports the diplomacy and in no way, bow, not that the U.S. is going to in- has been ineffective, and it prompted saying its removal could be interpreted as a tacit admission of guilt. shape or form does it anticipate the vade Iran, but that Iran has pushed fresh criticism on Thursday from David Albright, president of the Institute for Science and Interna- use of force.” the level of escalation, particularly Russia: “Why make the situation tional Security, a private group in Washington that this week released a The move designated the Quds inside Iraq, to unacceptable levels,” worse, bring it to a dead end, threaten report on the Syrian site, said Thursday that the building’s removal was force of the Revolutionary Guard said Anthony H. Cordesman, a se- sanctions or even military action?” inherently suspicious. and four state-owned Iranian banks nior fellow at the Center for Strategic President Vladimir V. Putin asked, in as supporters of terrorism, and the and International Studies. a report by Agence France-Presse. Economy Grows 11.5 Percent in China Iraq Should Act Against Kurdish By Keith Bradsher The New York Times HONG KONG China said Thursday that its economy expanded at a powerful 11.5 Guerillas, U.S. Ambassador Urges percent pace in the third quarter, a slight slowing from the second quarter that might help Beijing officials control inflation. By James Glanz Iraq to strike at the fighters. on Friday. Iraq’s foreign minister, But the overall pace of China’s economic development is still strong and Andrew Kramer Any Iraqi military expedition, Hoshyar Zebari, on Thursday urged enough to keep pushing up prices around the world for a wide range of The New York Times Crocker said, would run into the geo- Turkish authorities to accept steps things like oil, iron ore and freight shipping. BAGHDAD graphic fact that the northern moun- that sounded similar to the ones be- Chinese officials welcomed Thursday’s growth figure. “The macro- U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crock- tains, called the Qandeel range, are ing demanded by Crocker. economic controls this time around have not only effectively prevented er said Thursday that Iraq should remote and inaccessible. “I don’t Zebari said in a telephone inter- the economy from transitioning from speedy growth to overheating disrupt supply lines and develop a think it’s realistic to expect that the view that the delegation to Ankara — by curbing too-rapid growth — but at the same time have not re- “lookout list” of senior leaders for Iraqis are going to march up that would offer “practical steps and mea- sulted in a sharp downturn, thereby preventing severe fluctuations in the Kurdish guerrillas who use the mountain and take on the PKK and sures to be taken by the Iraqi govern- economic growth,” said Li Xiaochao, a spokesman for the National northern Iraqi mountains as a haven arrest their leaders,” Crocker said. ment to pacify, isolate and disrupt Bureau of Statistics. for attacks inside Turkey. “This is in the hard-to-do category.” PKK activities.” Chinese investors were more skeptical. They responded to the latest But Crocker stopped short of It was unclear whether the new The delegation would not be au- growth figures by sending the Shanghai stock market down 4.8 percent supporting Turkish demands that American demands would be enough thorized to discuss approving any on Thursday, on fears that the central bank would continue to raise inter- Iraq take military action against the to keep Turkey from crossing the Turkish military actions inside Iraq, est rates to limit inflation. guerrilla group, the Kurdistan Work- border. said Zebari, who is himself a power- China’s growth rate in the third quarter, while a little less rapid than ers’ Party, known as the PKK, or The Iraqi government was also ful Iraqi Kurdish politician. The Iraqi the 11.9 percent of the second quarter, keeps the country well ahead of its extradite its leaders to Turkey. The working furiously to avert an incur- officials, he said, would offer to stop two leading rivals among high-growth Asian nations, India and Vietnam. Turkish government has repeatedly sion, as a delegation of senior Iraqi arms supplies and logistical assis- threatened to make incursions into officials traveled to Ankara for talks tance to the rebels.

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The Oct. 23, 2007 news article, “MIT’s First Student Life Dean to Retire at End of School Year,” inaccurately stated that residential dining at Next House and Baker House restarted during Dean for Student Life Larry G. Benedict’s time at MIT. Neither dining hall Chairman Corrections closed during that time, and thus could not have restarted. Michael McGraw-Herdeg ’08 Editor in Chief Angeline Wang ’09 Business Manager Letters To The Editor Cokie Hu ’08 Additions to Coverage Statement on House Resolution 106 Managing Editor Austin Chu ’08 We, the undersigned, commend the House Foreign Affairs Committee for passing a resolution of DoD Report “describing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of Armenians early in the last century as genocide,” News Staff The Tech’s Oct. 16 (“Postol Speaks and hope that it will come before the entire House for a vote. While the decision is symbolic, it repre- Editors: Valery K. Brobbey ’08, Nick Against U.S. Characterization of Missile De- sents an important departure from past precedent. Semenkovich ’09, Joyce Kwan ’10; Associate fense Site”) article correctly described the Subordinating the realities of human suffering to the conclusions of strategic thinking has a long- Editors: Yi Zhou ’09, Nick Bushak ’10, JiHye Department of Defense report as finding that standing record, one whose moral opprobrium grows with every profession of “never again.” Kim ’10; Staff: Waseem S. Daher G, Curt “there was no record of research fraud.” The We fear that, having acknowledged the existence and scale of Armenian suffering, Congress will Fischer G, Ray C. He G, John A. Hawkinson article also correctly stated that I complained forsake yet another opportunity to weigh the United States’ broader ethical obligations in the world ’98, Hanhan Wang ’07, Jiao Wang ’08, Daniela to MIT’s administration that “Lincoln Labo- that it leads. The declaration of genocide does not fulfill our responsibilities to its victims; indeed, it Cako ’09, Mei-Hsin Cheng ’09, Gabriel ratory … [was] …conducting fraudulent re- is precisely when we render that judgment that our responsibilities begin. Fouasnon ’09, Hannah Hsieh ’09, Diana Jue search and exaggerating the capabilities of a Except for those individuals who are ignorant of suffering by no fault of their own, we hold as ’09, Ji Qi ’09, Yinuo Qian ’09, Kirtana Raja ’09, Yuri Hanada ’10, Swetha Kambhampati ’10, missile sensor.” I believe that in spite of the self-evident these propositions: Apoorva Murarka ’10, Manisha Padi ’10, Joanne accuracy of these statements, there are other To acknowledge suffering only after it has occurred is unacceptable. Y. Shih ’10, Arkajit Dey ’11, Jeff Guo ’11, Ryan facts that are also important for the MIT com- To deny suffering while it is occurring is unconscionable. Ko ’11, Natasha Plotkin ’11; Meteorologists: munity to know. In the preface to The Book of Laughter and Forgetting (1978), Milan Kundera observed that “The Cegeon Chan G, Jon Moskaitis G, Michael J. I quote from the report: “The infrared sen- struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.” We pray that dignifying Ring G, Roberto Rondanelli G, Scott Stransky sor … [in the IFT-1A] … did not reach its … the memories of those Armenians who perished in 1915 will compel countries of conscience to chal- G, Brian H. Tang G, Tim Whitcomb G, John [design] … operating temperature due to an lenge those who would inflict such horrors one century later. K. Williams G, Angela Zalucha G, Garrett P. equipment malfunction … [and] … electrical We earnestly hope, as well, that acknowledging their plight will prompt introspection. Our earlier Marino ’08, Mike Yee ’08. noise in a power supply [was] also a problem praise for it notwithstanding, this resolution will possess little moral value — indeed, it could well be Production Staff …. BMDO and contractor statements that IFT- considered hypocritical — unless it coincides with an examination of our own misdeeds, some the Editor: Jessica Witchley ’10; Associate 1A demonstrated … discrimination capabili- product of involvement, others of silence. Editors: K. Nichole Treadway ’10, Steve ties … were not fully substantiated by the IFT- Ali S. Wyne ’08 Howland ’11; Staff: Yue Li ’11, Mark Yen ’11. 1A data.” Cosigned: Steven E. Ostrow Gerard Ostheimer Opinion Staff Perhaps the most important fact of rel- Noam A. Chomsky evance to the MIT community is that the Institute Professor Emeritus, Lecturer in History Postdoctoral Fellow in Editor: Aditya Kohli ’09; Staff: Josh Levinger Biological Engineering ’07, Justin Wong ’07, Ali S. Wyne ’08, Krishna MIT-DoD Report concluded that the IFT-1A Professor of Linguistics Leslie C. Perelman Gupta ’09. experiment had basically failed. This means Stephan L. Chorover Director, Writing Across the that the claims of success by the Missile De- Professor of Psychology Curriculum Xaq Frohlich G Sports Staff fense Agency in testimony to Congress, and Editor: Caroline Huang ’10; Staff: James Joshua Cohen Michael J. Piore Rachel M. Gisselquist PhD ’07 the claims by MIT Lincoln Laboratory staff Adam Omar Hosein G Zorich ’08, Albert Ni ’09. and managers to federal agents, were false. Professor of Political Science David W. Skinner Professor (Stanford University) of Political Economy Sarah E. Johnstone G Arts Staff It is also worth noting that lying to federal Christopher Leinberger Editors: Jillian A. Berry ’08, Sarah Dupuis agents is a felony. Diane E. Davis Nasser Rabbat PhD ’91 McDougal G ’10; Staff: Bogdan Fedeles G, Kapil Amarnath The reasons leading to the finding of no Professor of Political Sociology Director, Aga Khan Program Adam Weston Ziegfeld G ’07, Tony Hwang ’07, Andrew Lee ’07, Alice wrongdoing by Lincoln Laboratory (and, im- for Islamic Architecture Junot Diaz Paul F. Baranay ’11 Macdonald ’08, Tyson C. McNulty ’08, Tanya plicitly, the absolution of the MIT adminis- Robert M. Randolph Raja H.R. Bobbili ’08 Goldhaber ’10, Tina Ro ’10. Associate Professor of Writing tration who fought doing an investigation for Institute Chaplain Zahir A. Dossa ’08 roughly seven years) should also be of inter- and Humanistic Studies Photography Staff Adnan M. Esmail ’10 est to the MIT community. Alan H. Guth Jeffrey S. Ravel Editors: Ricardo Ramirez ’09, Eric D. Schmiedl Associate Professor of Karen B. Figueroa ‘11 ’09; Associate Editor: Omari Stephens ’08; The DoD report, incredibly, excuses the Victor F. Weisskopf Professor History Krishna K. Gupta ’09 Staff: Alex H. Chan G, David Da He G, Andrew false information provided by the Missile De- of Physics Miriam H. Huntley ’09 T. Lukmann G, Scott Johnston ’03, Yun Wu ’06, fense Agency to Congress and to the public. Ben Jones Merritt Roe Smith Kendra D. Johnson ’09 Gheorghe Chistol ’07, Fred Gay ’07, Dmitry This false information supported the expendi- Associate Director for Cutten Professor of the Anne P. Liu ’08 Kashlev ’07, Martin Segado ’07, Perry Hung ’08, ture of enormous amounts of federal defense Communications for MIT’s History of Technology Bonnie E. Krenz ’10 Christina Kang ’08, Arthur Petron ’08, David funds. The DoD report incorrectly asserts that Reshef ’08, David M. Templeton ’08, Ana Malagon Admissions Office John Tirman Rishi V. Puram ’08 the federal regulations on scientific miscon- David N. Reshef ’08 ’09, Peter H. Rigano ’09, Jerzy Szablowski ’09, duct only apply if the falsification is contained Kenneth R. Manning Executive Director, Center Diana Ye ’09, Daniel P. Beauboeuf ’10, Mindy Thomas Meloy Professor of for International Studies Irina Shklyar ’09 Eng ’10, Catherine Huang ’10, Bea Jarrett ’10, in a scientific journal article. Thus the report Froylan E. Sifuentes ’09 Samuel E. Kronick ’10, Diane Rak ’10, Andrea concludes, incorrectly, that providing false in- Rhetoric and the History of Stephen Yablo Science Ellen E. Sojka ’08 Robles ’10, Aaron Sampson ’10, Jongu Shin ’10, formation to Congress is not misconduct un- Head, Department of Jules D. Walter ’08 William Yee ’10, Kari Williams ’11. der these regulations. Amy McCreath Philosophy Kristen Watkins ’11 Theodore A. Postol ’67 Campus Life Staff Director, Technology and Robert A. Weinberg ’64 Angelica G. Weiner ’09 Professor of Science Technology and National Culture Forum Professor of Biology Alia Whitney-Johnson ’08 Editor: Marie Y. Thibault ’08; Staff: Charles Security Policy Lin G, Bruce Wu G, Kailas Narendran ’01, Elizabeth Zakszewski ’06, Victor Cabral ’07, Janet S. Lieberman ’07, Matt Zedler ’07, James Scott Berdahl ’08, Michael T. Lin ’11; Cartoonists: Scott Burdick G, Daniel Klein- Marcuschamer G, Roberto Perez-Franco G, Emezie Okorafor ’03, Nancy Hua ’07, Jia Lou ’07, Andrew Spann ’07, Ash Turza ’08, Danbee Kim ’09, Roxana G. Safipour ’09.

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Editors at Large Contributing Editors: Rosa Cao G, Brian Hemond G, Benjamin P. Gleitzman ’09; Senior Editor: Satwiksai Seshasai G.

Advisory Board Paul E. Schindler, Jr. ’74, V. Michael Bove property of The Tech, and will not be returned. Letters, columns, and ’83, Barry Surman ’84, Robert E. Malchman Opinion Policy cartoons may also be posted on The Tech’s Web site and/or printed ’85, Deborah A. Levinson ’91, Jonathan E. Editorials are the official opinion of The Tech. They are written or published in any other format or medium now known or later that D. Richmond PhD ’91, Saul Blumenthal ’98, by the editorial board, which consists of Chairman Michael McGraw- becomes known. The Tech makes no commitment to publish all the Frank Dabek ’00, Daniel Ryan Bersak ’02, Eric Herdeg, Editor in Chief Angeline Wang, Managing Editor Austin Chu, letters received. J. Cholankeril ’02, Jordan Rubin ’02, Nathan Opinion Editor Aditya Kohli, and Contributing Editor Rosa Cao. Guest columns are opinion articles submitted by members of the Collins SM ’03, Keith J. Winstein ’03, Akshay Dissents are the opinions of signed members of the editorial MIT or local community and have the author’s name in italics. Col- R. Patil ’04, Kelley Rivoire ’06, Beckett W. Sterner ’06, Marissa Vogt ’06, B. D. Colen. board choosing to publish their disagreement with the editorial. umns without italics are written by Tech staff. Letters to the editor, columns, and editorial cartoons are writ- Production Staff for This Issue ten by individuals and represent the opinion of the author, not neces- Editors: Austin Chu ’08, Michael McGraw- sarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encouraged To Reach Us Herdeg ’08; Associate Editors: Steve Howland and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy submis- The Tech’s telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the eas- ’11. sions should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, iest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure whom

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[email protected]. Letters to the editor should be sent to let- bridge, Mass. 02139-7029. Telephone: Editorial: (617) 253-1541. Busi- ness: (617) 258-8324. Facsimile: (617) 258-8226. Advertising, subscription, The Tech reserves the right to edit or condense letters; shorter let- [email protected]. The Tech can be found on the World Wide and typesetting rates available. Entire contents © 2007 The Tech. Printed on ters will be given higher priority. Once submitted, all letters become Web at http://www-tech.mit.edu. recycled paper by Charles River Publishing. October 26, 2007 The Tech Page Arts MOVIE REVIEW hhh CD REVIEW Boring Boy Meets Crazy Girl ‘What the ‘Ira and Abby’ Lacks Originality But Still Manages to Entertain By Alice Macdonald no friends. After they are married, Ira becomes continues his stretch of crappy roles doing his Hell Do I Staff Writer jealous of Abby’s ability to connect with oth- “remember me from ‘Seinfeld’?” shtick. Ira and Abby ers. He forces her into therapy and wants her to As far as the main performances, Jennifer Directed by Robert Cary get a better job, completely neglecting the fact Westfeldt as Abby comes off as almost desper- Written by Jennifer Westfeldt that he doesn’t even have a job himself. ately lovable. She connects with everyone, but Know?’ Starring: Chris Messina, Jennifer Westfeldt, Although there are some scenes with great is also completely crazy. Even a subway mug- Judith Light, and Fred Willard dialogue, the film relies more on physical gags ger falls for her as she hands over her cash. She Rated R and over-the-top performances. The more ex- is also a little too much the male fantasy — Ira Plenty About Illinois’ Now Playing aggerated and physical nature of the comedy should know she is too good to be true when likens the film to a sitcom more than a Woody she requests, “Can we have sex every day no Fun and Fast New EP ra and Abby” is the classic love story — Allen flick. In fact, haven’t we seen this exact matter what?” Her gorgeous blond hair is al- By Sarah Dupuis boy meets girl, girl meets boy’s parents, sitcom before? I believe it was also about a ways annoyingly perfect. Even when she is in Arts editor boy marries girl, and several montages lat- her pajamas, it looks like she just came from Illinois I er, they live happily ever after! The twist in the salon. You will either buy into Westfeldt’s What the Hell Do I Know? EP this latest rendition is that Ira (played by Chris Although there are some scenes performance and love her or want to kick her Ace Fu Records Messina) and Abby (Jennifer Westfeldt, who cute ass. The performance by Chris Messina is also wrote the film) are engaged six hours after with great dialogue, the film a breath of fresh air in a movie full of larger hough Illinois frontman Chris Archibald they meet, and they are married within the first than life characters. He is indecisive and fum- is primarily a banjoist, his small-town half hour. Every aspect of the film is acceler- relies more on physical gags and bling, but he provides a nice balance to the Pennsylvanian quartet shares little mu- ated and exaggerated, and the end result is a over-the-top performances. other, more extreme characters. The result is a T sically with the typical genres associ- light-hearted movie that will appeal to some, pairing of two people you really want to end ated with said instrument. They’ve got less in but certainly not everyone. up together. Every time they tried to sabotage common with Sufjan Stevens and much more “Ira and Abby” is immediately reminiscent flaky free spirit with hippie parents married to their perfect existence, I wanted to scream, to do with amply rocking contemporaries of a Woody Allen film. It opens with a neurotic a straight-laced guy with uptight folks. Did the “What are you doing?!” Menomena. This is surely a positive liken- and uptight Ira complaining endlessly about filmmaker’s think no one would notice that this Near the end it becomes apparent that the ing, since Illinois is touring with Menomena his life to his analyst. All Ira has managed to was the exact premise of “Dharma and Greg”? film is just a drawn-out critique of marriage through mid November. do for the last 12 years is live off his rich par- The film features several brilliant support- and psychiatrists. The climax of the movie ar- The new EP is called What the Hell Do I ents and begin the abstract to his dissertation. ing performances, including Judith Light and rives with an absurd scene where a room full Know?, but when it comes to making music, Everything changes when he wanders into a Robert Klein as Ira’s therapist parents and of therapists along with Ira and Abby gather I’d say Illinois know quite a bit. Opening track gym and meets the off-beat sales representa- Frances Conroy and Fred Willard as Abby’s together in an intervention of sorts. It is com- “Alone Again” features sliding guitars, clean tive Abby. They fall for each other, but they are kooky folks. Many celebrities, including Chris pletely ridiculous, and like the rest of the mov- drums, and simple piano melodies over a ton of so incompatible you know things cannot turn Parnell and Darrell Hammond, make cameos as ie, you will either get on board, roll with the layered vocals. The song’s endless “ba-ba-ba” im- out well for them. The main problem is that the many therapists visited by Ira and/or Abby. insanity, and enjoy yourself or wonder why the mediately calls to mind Yo La Tengo’s “You Can Abby is everyone’s best friend, while Ira has Jason Alexander also makes an appearance and hell you are still even watching. Have It All.” Lyrically, it also imparts a sad mes- sage: the track’s heroine swears she “won’t be left CONCERT LISTINGS at home alone again,” while the narrator confides, “I might not be able to fix things but I’ll try.” Though “Alone Again” is one of my favorites The Best Shows of November 2007 on the EP, it’s the only one of the album’s several downers I can really get behind. The sappy but NSFW, OiNK and Bttls: OMG! By Sarah Dupuis started going to see every Kevin Devine show Wednesday, Nov. 21 They’ve got less in common Arts Editor ever. They swear by his acoustic guitar skills Malajube * Well, surely you’re all quaking in your — check him out for yourself and let me know The Middle East (Upstairs), 18+, $9 with Sufjan Stevens and much Keds now that music file-sharing site OiNK is if you agree. Quebecois and francophone pop rockers shut down, and maybe you’re wondering how infectiously play out in support of their catchy more to do with amply rocking you’ll possibly acquire and share albums with Monday, Nov. 12 2006 album Trompe-l’oeil. Those sticking contemporaries Menomena. the same level of ease. Stream from MySpace? Final Fantasy (with Cadence Weapon) around for Thanksgiving break should make it Perish the thought! Post on your public? Time- The Middle East (Upstairs), 18+, $9adv/ out to this show for a night of guaranteed fun. costly! Newbury comics? A fun voyage, for $10dos cute “What Can I Do for You?” sounds weirdly sure, but you might as well blow a kiss good- Toronto native Owen Pallett, well known for Saturday, Nov. 24 reminiscent of early Ben Kweller, and we all bye to any petty cash in your wallet as soon as his work with Arcade Fire, Grizzly Bear, Stars, Dinosaur Jr. * know how well that dude lived up to his mas- you step in the door. Next best solution? Cheap and Beirut, fronts this group on violin and vo- Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $20 sive pre-LP hype … right. The severe vocal com- concerts coming to you in the Boston area this cals, which he loops indefinitely to create live Though they now ally more with the first pression and sad indie kid lyrics on mopetastic November. They may not be as permanent as, songs. half of their name than the last, who can resist number “Headphones” (read: “from the moment say, torrent-quality mp3s, but at least you can the unbeatable combo of J Mascis and Lou Bar- I could walk / you made me wanna run / I feel always take flash photos of you and your friends Battles low together again, playing as though they can so lonely when I talk / I just put the headphones in front of the stage to put on Facebook. Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $15 stand one another? on”) could’ve come straight out of the 1997 Special interest shows are noted with stars. This experimental math rock band strangely Conor Oberst songbook. Send listing suggestions for this month and the gains a following and goes on to play all over Sunday, Nov. 25 But all cry and no play makes Illinois a dull future to [email protected]. the world, much to this reviewer’s chagrin. Sondre Lerche (with Dan Wilson) band, and lucky for us, dull they ain’t. Funny, Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $16.50 funky, and thumping “Bad Day” is almost incom- Thursday, Nov. 1 Monday, Nov. 13 I prefer this Norwegian musician’s rock prehensible, but underneath the vocal obscurity, Manchester Orchestra (with Annuals, The Broken Social Scene numbers to his acoustic tunes, but, like it or not, you can hear the clever comedy to Archibald’s lyr- Never) Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $25 Lerche’s playing unplugged. And either way, I ics. And the fantastic “One on One” could totally Great Scott, 18+, $7 Everyone’s favorite Canadian 19-piece su- like it; I really like it. have been mislabeled as a Pinkerton-era Weezer Manchester Orchestra confused thousands pergroup plays Kevin Drew’s new solo album B-side on a P2P network, just like Illinois’ pop when they played Bonnaroo this summer; de- Spirit If … in full. Thursday, Nov. 29 rock forefathers Phantom Planet, The Rentals, spite their moniker, they’re from Atlanta, and Dragons of Zynth (with Holy Fuck) * and Self. Its offbeat rhythms, lazy harmonies, and not even remotely local to Tennessee. After sup- Thursday, Nov. 15 The Middle East (Upstairs), 18+, $9adv/ memorable chorus of “I’m better at one-on-one” porting the likes of Piebald and Kings of Leon, Dax Riggs (with Beaten Awake) $10dos make it a fantastically tasty standout in the midst they’re headlining their own show, supported by The Middle East (Upstairs), 18+, $9 Check out my (glowing) review of DOZ at of an inconsistent but exciting first release. two other fun indie outfits. The former Acid Bath frontman has broken http://www-tech.mit.edu/V127/N33/cdreviews. Illinois will play Paradise Rock Club with it off creatively with former swamp rockin’ html. Electro-pop openers Holy Fuck may have Menomena on Friday, Nov. 9. To hear these se- Monday, Nov. 5 bandmate Tessie Brunet and is currently tour- a NSFW title, but their dark disco tracks are de- lections (and the crunchy and funky non-album Blues Traveler (with Lisa Bouchelle) ing solo to support his latest release, We Sing of lectable. Make sure to get their album on OiNK track “Irish Whiskey”) check out http://www. Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $25 Only Blood or Love. — oh, wait. myspace.com/illinois/. Maybe you haven’t followed them since the mid ’90s, but I assure you, they’re up to good things. I saw them a couple years ago at a secret post-Jammys show; John Popper’s unbelievable vocals and virtuosic scatting had to be one of the most impressive performances I’ve ever seen. Get free tickets to movies, Friday, Nov. 9 Menomena (with Illinois) * museums, and more! Paradise Rock Club, 18+, $13 Three’s a charm, and this dynamic trio hard- ly suffers from extraneous wheel syndrome. Watch six hands juggle basses, keys, guitars, drums, saxophones, and bass pedals. You can bet your bottom dollar that I’ll be at this show, and the one on Saturday night in New York City, too. Also, check out magnificently fun pop rock group Illinois (reviewed in this issue of The Tech) opening up the night. Saturday, Nov. 10 Write for Arts! Kevin Devine T.T. the Bear’s Place, 18+, $12 [email protected] At some point in time, all of my friends October 26, 2007

Page

OVNI by Roxana Safipour October 26, 2007 The Tech Page

Pseudoscience by Daniel Klein-Marcuschamer Mad Science by Scott Berdahl

Dilbert® by Scott Adams

ACROSS sister 1 Tactless 43 Eagle’s nest 11 __ and now 45 Pers. 15 Nouakchott’s 48 Chinese location calculator 16 Park and Lex. 50 Actor Beatty

Solution, page 10 17 Church 51 Mirth section? 52 Lady oracle 18 Dimwit 54 Winged Instructions: Fill in the grid so that each column, 19 Granter of 55 __ colada row, and 3 by 3 grid contains exactly one of each three wishes 56 Certain of the digits 1 through 9. 20 Intentional particle with deceiver an opposite 22 Coastal bird charge 23 Cartoon 58 Paradise shriek 59 Inconclusive 24 Sweet-smelling conclusions gas 60 Wine list 25 987-65-4321 section group 61 Herbal cure, 26 Of an arm e.g. bone 28 Transmits DOWN 29 R.E. Lee’s 1 Pictures in the nation mind 9 Overtime 27 Library sec. 44 Put back in 30 LCD watch 2 Identifiers producers 29 Whales and the granary month 3 Prokofiev 10 “Guitar Town” dolphins 45 Nebraska river 32 Top cards opera, with singer Steve 31 Clan pattern 46 Killed in the 33 Larry “The” 11 Shows mercy 33 Game fighter Oval Office McMurtry 4 Tennessee __ 12 Betray 34 1985 Jennifer 47 Very little novel Ford symptoms of Beals movie 49 Secret store 38 Huntley or 5 Fully grown 13 Fixed again 35 Recovered 51 Twilight, Atkins nits 14 Cafe order possession of poetically 39 Slip up 6 O.J. trial judge 21 Mork and ALF, 36 Sp. lady 53 Inside: pref. 40 Gallery draw 7 Bizet opera for example 37 __ you kidding 54 French 41 Cordelia and 8 59-shooting 23 Make joyful me? weapon Goneril’s 26 Purpose 42 Greek letters 57 __ diem (daily) Solution, tips, and computer program at http://

Crossword Puzzle Crossword LPGA-er www.sudoku.com; see also solution, page 10. Page The Tech October 26, 2007 Our idea of a study break.

College Students Get 15% OFF full-price items. Must show valid college ID. Restrictions apply; visit store for details. Harvard Square 1 Brattle Square Second Floor

David Templeton—The Tech The Prudential Building is lit with the words “GO SOX” before both home games of the 2007 World Series on Wednesday night and Thursday night this week. 4ESTDRIVEOUR THE HISTORIC STRUGGLE FOR NEWWEBTOOLS JERUSALEM AND THE BIRTH OF ISRAEL “RIVETING!’’ -Joan Hamburg, WOR RADIO 4AKEOFFWITHNEWTOOLSTHATMAKE “AN INSPIRING STORY OF COURAGE.’’ -Jeffrey Lyons, NBC/REEL TALK ONLINERESEARCHQUICKER EASIER ANDMOREFUN

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2x7 MIT FRI 10/26 October 26, 2007 The Tech Page OLPC Requests Monetary Donations to Buy Laptops By Hiawatha Bray intended only for the poor, the Asus- sides, the Eee PC is capable of run- XO can’t do. order for a million of the machines The Boston Globe tek machine is a commercial product, ning Microsoft Corp.’s popular Win- Last week, an Asustek executive from a country he declined to iden- In a major strategy shift, the Cam- for sale to consumers worldwide. Be- dows operating system, something the said his company had already won an tify. bridge, Mass. foundation that plans to provide laptop computers to poor children around the globe is asking wealthy individuals and corporations to help pick up the tab by purchas- TONIGHT! ing hundreds or thousands of the machines. The bid for support from philan- MIT Symphony Orchestra thropists comes as the nonprofit One Laptop Per Child Foundation faces manufacturing delays and competing low-cost laptops from commercial vendors that have caused some ana- s lysts to question whether the project s is in crisis. “I think they’re at a very critical moment,” said Josh Bernoff, an analyst with Forrester Research in Cambridge. The new program is the foundation’s latest effort to expand the sales friday, 10. 26. 07, 8pm of its low-cost machine, called the XO laptop. The machine is intended to sell Fall Concert for $100, once it goes into mass production; for now, it’s priced at $200. Adam K. Boyles, The foundation originally expected governments in developing countries introducing... music director to buy millions of the computers for distribution to schoolchildren. But foundation chairman Nicholas P. Ne- kresge auditorium groponte ’66 has acknowledged that works by: puts, bach, elgar, rachmaninov cooperation from governments has been slower than he’d expected. admission: $5 at door So in September, the foundation web.mit.edu/mitso s s for the first time offered to sell XO MIT Before CEO Ad 9/21/07 12:30 PM Page 1 Ken Bickel Brown Disk 74.5: HH664ME/Army ROTC Ads:MIT Before CEO Ad: machines to individual users, on the condition that the buyer pay $399 for two laptops. The buyer gets one, while the other is donated to a child in a developing country. Now the foundation has begun a program called “Givemany,” for donors willing to pay for hundreds or thousands of XO machines. It’s a three-tiered program. A donor who buys 100 to 999 machines will pay $299 apiece, and choose the institu- tion that will get these machines. But $99 of the price will be used to pay for more laptops, to be distributed by the foundation. Thus, someone who buys 100 machines will also fund the distribution of 50 more laptops. Donors can also choose to buy 1,000 to 9,999 machines at $249 each, or 10,000 or more computers at $200. The foundation is still negotiating government purchases of the laptops, and says it’s nearing deals with several countries — “three or four, and more will follow,” said Robert Fadel, the foundation’s director of finance and operations. But because the foundation has little cash of its own, it needs a lot of paying customers to cover manufacturing costs. “They’ve basically set it up so they have to sell them by the thousands or the millions to these governments,” said Bernoff. “Their whole model is based on their selling them in massive quantities.” Bernoff suggested that the Givemany program may be needed to boost sales to a level that makes the project economically viable. “This is symptomatic of the fact that the business proposition wasn’t very clearly thought out initially,” said Roger Kay, a computer industry analyst and the president of Endpoint Technologies Corp. in Wayland. “The price point was a little higher than they said, and some of the governments who pledged money, it turned out it wasn’t really pledged.” Kay said the foundation lacks well-developed distribution channels to deliver the laptops. He also warned that developing countries are often rife with government corruption, and that the foundation has no way of ensuring its laptops will end up in the hands of needy children. Meanwhile, the foundation has pushed back the date when full production of the XO laptop will begin. Quanta Computer of Taiwan was supposed to start making the machines this month, but the manufacturing launch has now been moved into No- vember. At the same time, another Taiwan- ese computer company called Asustek has just unveiled its own entry into the ultracheap laptop market. The Eee PC will cost as little as $299. It runs the free Linux operating system, like the XO laptop. But while the XO laptop is Page 10 The Tech October 26, 2007 Safety at Reactor Lab Being Inspected Reactor, from Page

is issued approximately 30 days after completion of the inspection. The average American citizen receives approximately 0.36 rem per year from the environment, medical X-rays, and other day-to-day sourc- es, according to an NRC fact sheet. About 50 rem can decrease the red blood cell count. Licensed to operate in 1958 by the Atomic Energy Commission, NRC’s predecessor, the MIT Nuclear Reactor Laboratory conducts research in the fields of nuclear energy systems, nuclear science, nuclear medicine, and radiation science and technology. Solution to Crossword from page 7

Solution to Sudoku Become an EMT! from page 7

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This space donated by The Tech October 26, 2007 The Tech Page 11

’08 Graduates Nominations for the Recent Graduate Position on the MIT Corporation are due:

Monday October 29, 2007

Nominate a fellow graduate* or yourself now!

http://alum.mit.edu/elections/mitcorp/

This position offers an exciting opportunity for a recent graduate to participate in governing MIT. Corporation members include distinguished leaders in science, engineering, industry, education, and public service.

*all ’08, ’07, and ’06 graduates, both undergraduate and graduate degree recipients, are eligible to be nominated.

Ricardo Ramirez—The Tech The Department of Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences set the lights in the Green Building to display the word “SOX” on the Boston-facing side of the building in support of the Red Sox in the World Series. The Sox are up 2-0 in the series against the Colorado Rockies. IN THEATRES THIS FALL ADVANCE FREE SCREENING Download a Screening Pass at uberduzi.com

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1/4 PAGE (BROADSHEET) 5.88" x 8" Page 12 The Tech October 26, 2007 Chancellor to Conduct Review of Dormitory Security Stabbing, from Page Nilsson. MIT’s policies state that night control decisions. watchpersons should “never open a In addition to tighter access con- on The Tech’s Web site at http://www- student door without the resident pres- trol, some residents have expressed MIT Statement Regarding Stabbing tech.mit.edu/V127/N49/stabbing/. ent,” except in certain — usually emer- concern regarding the way the as- gency — circumstances, Nilsson said. sault was handled, specifically since Incident — Oct. 25, 2007 Key given out by night watchman Nilsson, however, stressed that the residents of Next House were notified We are deeply troubled by this violent act upon one of our stu- According to the police report, investigation into the incident was just hours after the incident. The MIT com- dents. We are supporting him, his family and friends, and others in Tang traveled to MIT on the Welles- beginning. MIT needs to perform a munity was notified of the incident via our community. We are heartened by the progress he has shown in his ley-MIT Shuttle and arrived at Next full investigation and “hear directly e-mail around 2:30 p.m. recovery. House around midnight. It is unclear from [Novello] what the circumstanc- DiFava said that a decision was The safety and security of our community is of the utmost impor- if she walked in behind someone or es were,” said Nilsson. made not to use MIT’s new emergency tance. MIT has longstanding policies and procedures in place for the was let in by a deskworker. Tang told Nilsson said that Novello has been notification system, implemented after safety and security of our residence halls. We have been meeting today an officer that she waited in a Next with the institute for 26 years, served the Virginia Tech shootings, since “it with residence hall staff to review safety and security precautions. House lounge where she “read for a as a night watchman for five, and has a was determined there was no longer a We are cooperating fully with the Cambridge Police Department while” and “took a nap,” according “strong reputation of good service.” danger to the community.” and the Middlesex District Attorney’s office on their investigation. It to the report. When she awoke around Charles H. Stewart III, McCormick DiFava said he met with Next would be inappropriate to comment on any details related to this ongo- 5:30 a.m., Tang approached the Next housemaster and head of political sci- House students regarding the assault ing investigation. House night watchman, Russel J. No- ence, wrote an e-mail to McCormick and that, in the future, the police would Source: MIT News Office vello, for a key to Styke’s room. stating a deskworker was also asked aim for “a more timely notification.” Novello told an officer that he by Tang for Styke’s room key earlier in The stabbing has also prompted policy that allows individuals on a cash before escaping. The intrusion gave Tang the key to Styke’s room and the day and the deskworker refused. a review of residence hall security to "key list" to get room keys. The policy was blamed on a lax door security knew that Tang and Styke were dating be conducted by Chancellor Phillip was temporarily halted after the stab- policy. According to The Tech’s ar- but was not aware that they had bro- Dorm access policies reviewed L. Clay PhD ’75, according to a com- bing, but Random’s housemaster Nina chives, Next House house manager at ken up. According to the police report, As a result of the incident, Housing munity-wide e-mail from President Davis-Millis said the policy had been the time, Julie Mills, was working to Tang and Styke had been dating for has reiterated policies regarding ac- Susan Hockfield. reinstated. “Random Hall does an secure the dormitory by requiring ev- eight months and broke up approxi- cess control to all relevant individuals. Clay wrote in an e-mail to The Tech outstanding job of keeping our dorm eryone to present MIT ID cards. Then mately three weeks ago. Novello later “[We] have already begun a process of that he was working out the details of safe," Davis-Millis said. "I see no rea- desk co-captain Peter A. Jameson ’03 went to Styke’s room to retrieve the looking at all our current policies to the security study and wanted to ensure son to change our policies.” said that it was “hard to regulate” key and knocked on the door. Tang an- see that they are being followed to the that the process “consults deeply with dormitory access, since desk workers swered the door and returned the key, letter of the law,” said Nilsson. students, housemasters, and staff.” Prior security problems at Next were required to open doors during at which point Novello did not notice Housing has met with every night Nilsson was hesitant to speculate Nilsson said that Housing has a open dining hours. anything wrong. Tang later told the ar- watchperson, as well as all of the on changes that could occur to resi- “strong history of providing good se- A follow-up December 2002 resting officer that Novello’s knocks house managers regarding current dence security, but did say that each curity,” and that in her years at MIT, analysis by The Tech found that Next didn’t wake Styke. policies. Nilsson said that the house residence would be consulted in pol- “[t]his particular incident … is some- House began requiring individuals to Novello was immediately placed managers would meet with desk cap- icy revisions. thing that has never happened before.” sign in for open dining hours, though on leave following MIT’s standard tains and desk workers to remind them Current spare key policies are set Next House has, however, had few if any security changes had been procedure, said Senior Associate Dean of access policies. by each individual residence, though security problems in the past. In No- made at other residences. for Student Life Karen A. Nilsson. MIT Police Chief John DiFava they only apply to deskworkers and vember 2002, a Next House resident Jeff Guo, Ryan Ko, and Angeline Night watchpersons are “never said that Housing, not the MIT Police, not night watchpersons, Nilsson said. was awakened by a burglar armed Wang contributed to the reporting of supposed to touch the spare keys,” said is responsible for dormitory access Random Hall, as an example, has a with a large knife. The burglar stole this article. Official Arrest Report Narrative (Cambridge Police Officer Mark J. McHale) — Oct. 23, 2007 On the above date and time I was assigned peared an attempt was made to wash up. Styke’s was awake before Mr. Novello had Sergeant Peterson and I went to MGH to to Car #3 along with Officer Caulfield. We I asked Ms. Tang if she had any weapons knocked on the door? Ms. Tang stated ‘no’, speak with the victim. We located Mr. Stykes were dispatched to #500 Memorial Drive #246 on her and she stated she had a knife in side that she believed he was a sleep. I asked Ms. in the emergency room where he was being at- on a report of a stabbing. This is an MIT dorm her back pack. I then retrieved a small black Tang if Mr. Styke was awake or a sleep when tended to by Dr. R. Phillips. Dr. Phillips stated building with multiple dorm rooms on sev- folding ‘buck’ knife from the inside pocket of she stabbed him? Ms. Tang stated that he was Mr. Stykes had suffered seven stab wounds to eral floors. While in route we were up dated her back pack. As I placed hand cuffs on Ms. a sleep when she ‘did it’. I asked her where various locations on his body. Mr. Stykes had by ECC that the suspect was a female who is Tang I noticed that her jacket was covered with the knife was that she used to stab Mr. Styke’s stab wounds to his neck, chest, right upper the ex-girlfriend of the victim. ECC provided blood. Ms. Tangs jacket was removed from her and she stated that she was ‘unsure’ as during arm, left rear shoulder and left leg. At this time us with her name, Anna Tang an Asian female and seized as evidence. Ms. Tangs back pack the assault she lost control of it. Ms. Tang stat- Dr. Phillips stated Mr. Styke’s wounds were se- and that she was wearing a black coat. We were appeared to have blood stains on it and it was ed the knife may have dropped on the floor. vere but not life threatening. also informed that Ms. Tang may be on foot as also seized as evidence. Ms. Tang stated when she lost the knife she We then spoke with Mr. Stykes. Mr. Stykes she does not have a vehicle. I asked Ms. Tang if she had any ID with then grabbed a a second knife and attempted stated he was sleeping on his stomach when he Upon arrival I entered the building along her and she indicated her ID was in her back to stab Mr. Stykes . Ms. Tang stated she was was woken by the feeling of a person on his with members from the Cambridge Fire De- pack. Ms. Tang had a MIT ID. After obtaining not sure if she actually stabbed Mr. Stykes back. He stated it felt like some one was kneel- partment and proceeded directly to the second basic information (name, dob, address), I then with the second knife, but she did indicate ing on him. Mr. Stykes also stated he felt sharp floor to room #246. Once at the door we were asked Ms. Tang what her relationship was to that she tried. I asked Mr. Tang if she obtained pain but at first he did not know what it was. met by the victim, Mr. Styke who was stand- the victim? Ms. Tang stated she was in a dat- the knifes from inside Mr. Styke’s room and He then rolled over and stated he recognized ing in the door way. Mr Styke was actively ing relationship for about eight months with she stated that she brought them with her. I Ms. Tang and realized that she had a knife in bleeding profusely from multiple stab wounds. Mr. Styke. Ms. Tang stated her relationship asked her if she had brought three knifes with her hand and was stabbing him. Mr. Stykes Para Medics from CFD began treatment of Mr. with Mr. Styke had ended about three weeks her and she stated she ‘yes’ stated he was able to sit up and physically push Stykes immediately. As he was being treated I ago. I asked Ms. Tang what time she arrived Ms. Tang stated she had a wound to her left Ms. Tang off the bed. Mr. Stykes stated he was asked Mr. Stykes where he thought Ms. Tang at this location and she stated she arrived at ring finger. It was a laceration that was bleed- able to get up and walk over to his desk where may be heading? He stated he did not know. 12:00AM this morning. Ms. Tang stated she ing. Ms. Tang stated she received the wound his cell phone was located and called 911. Mr. At the same time I heard a female state ‘here used a free shuttle bus from her campus at during her assault on Mr. Stykes. She was giv- Stykes stated Ms. Tang just walked out of his I am’. This female was standing about twenty Wellesley to get to MIT. Although enrolled at en a towel and EMS was contacted. room. He conveyed this information to ECC feet from my position just down the hallway Wellesley, Ms. Tang stated used a free shuttle Pro-Ambulance EMT’s arrived on scene and stayed on the line until we arrived. to my right. As I turned to look I noticed the bus from her campus at Wellesley to get to and treated and transported Ms. Tang to CCH. Mr. Stykes confirmed he was in a dating female to be of Asian descent and wearing a MIT. Although enrolled at Wellesley, Ms. I spoke with Mr. Novello who stated he is relationship with Ms. Tang. He also confirmed black coat. I approached her and asked her Tang stated she also takes classes at MIT. I the Night Watchman for this dorm. Mr. Novello that they had ended the relationship about three name to which she stated ‘Anna Tang’. I placed asked Ms. Tang what she did after arriving stated he was unsure of the time but believed it weeks ago. her into custody and immediately advised her here and she stated she ‘read for a while’ and was about 5:30am when Ms. Tang approached Officer Valentin brought Patrol camera #2/ of her Miranda rights from a pre-printed card then ‘took a nap’. As she was stating this she him and asked for the key to Mr. Stykes room. PT #6 to the scene. I took a number of photos I carry. Ms. Tang stated she under stood her indicated with body language that she had Mr. Novello stated he was aware that Ms. Tang from out side the room, including the hallway. rights. I then moved Ms. Tang to a lobby area been in this lobby area the whole time. I then was Mr. Stykes girl friend but was not aware All evidence seized, Back pack, jacket, about ten feet away from where we were stand- asked what happened next and Ms. Tang stat- they had broken up. Mr. Novello gave Ms. knife and the photos taken were submitted to ing. I was then joined by Officer Dean and Of- ed after she woke up she went down stairs to Tang the key. MR. Novello then went to Mr. the property room. ficer Caulfield. Segeant Peterson and Sergeant the security guard and asked for a key to Mr. Stykes room to get his key back. Mr. Novello Ayala also arrived on scene. A number of MIT Styke’s room. The security guard provided her stated he knocked on the door, Ms. Tang an- MIT Police: Sgt. C. Martin, Sgt. J. Popp, police officers also arrived on location and se- with a key and she stated she then went into swered and returned the key. At that time Mr. Officers Casacoro, O’connor, Debenedictis, cured the scene, (see list at bottom of report). Mr. Stykes room. Ms. Tang stated the security Novello stated nothing seemed wrong and he Munley and Kirehdorfer. An officer from MIT discovered blood in a guard, Mr. Novello, came up to Mr. Styke’s returned to his desk on the first floor. Cambridge Fire Department: S-2 Lt. Ar- bath room just across and down the hall from room, knocked on the door and asked for the Det. Boyle and Shawn Dolan from CID/ seault, Morrison, E-2 Lt. Anderson room #246. Sergeant Peterson stated there was key back. Ms. Tang stated she gave the key Crime scene services were contacted and ar- Pro-Ambulance: Paramedics N. Bernard blood in and around the sink area where it ap- and Mr. Novello left. I asked Ms. Tang if Mr. rived to process the scene. and T. Torres

Eric Schmiedl—The Tech MIT hackers strung a “GO SOX” banner between the Tang Hall graduate residence and MacGregor House undergraduate dormitory on Thursday, Oct. 25.