TRANSITIONS: FALL 2016 MCGILL & THE WORLD

A PUBLICATION OF THE The BULL & BEAR EDITOR’S NOTE CONTENTS Jennifer Yoon Executive Editor FEATURE 4 Holding McGill Accountable 5 Humanities Under Attack 7 Two-Sides of a Coin: The Smoking Ban Shifting sands have never felt more unsettling. NEWS That’s only half a simile. The giant holes tearing up our campus streets are 8 Profile of Trump literally scrambling the soil beneath our feet. Apparently, our helmeted Supporters on Campus brigade of construction workers will be around for at least a few more years. What exactly are they working on again? Nobody knows. 10Indigenous Awareness Week Students are hurting from the myriad of changes, too. We’ve seen protests against austerity measures and for student workers’ rights. With classes BUSINESS & TECH and extracurriculars curtailed, students unsurprisingly take to the streets 11 Make Polling Great Again in protest – fulfilling a longstanding tradition amongst les étudiants 12 The Future of Food Montréalais. 14 Emergence of a Cashless Society And then, of course, there is the political fiasco South of the border. The election brought out the ugly in American society, terrifying women, racial minorities, LGBTQ folks, and more. Others began to seriously question ARTS & CULTURE the inherent value of previously revered democratic institutions: the 17 Crying in the Club with fourth estate, pluralism, and even foundational electoral processes. Venus 19 Skirting the Issues For many of us, 2016 has been a momentous year: in the course of these 21 Obituary: Public Libraries months, we’ve become accustomed a permanent state of uncertainty. (300 BC-2016 AD) 23 I Spend Way Too Much In this issue, we have tried to unpack some aspects of our increasingly unpredictable world – both on-campus, and off-campus. You’ll find articles Money on Vinyl about how the humanities are adjusting to the 21st century, opinions on 25Sympathy for the Devil smoking on campus, on the future of polling, and much more. We hope you will enjoy these articles as much as we enjoyed putting them together. OPINION 26 The Kids are Alt-Right In the storied words of Kendrick Lamar: ‘‘We gon’ be alright’’. 27 Accomplished, Qualified Women Unfit for Secretary-General Appointment Jennifer Yoon Nick Kasting Molly Harris Ben Butz-Weidner Executive Editor Julia Puckette William Horowitz Opinion Editor 29 The Haram Bae News Editors Advertising Analysts Jonah Silverman Jonathan Herlin 30 Tangerine with Fury Ben Butz-Weidner Amir Geva Managing Editors Business & Technology Dan Schechner Jordan Devon Editor Marketing Arts & Culture Yoana Garcia-Poulin & Social Media Analyst Editors Kira Smith Evan Coulter FALL 2016 Jeremy Steele Janine Xu Accounting Officer Logan Hall Shubha Murthy The Bull&Bear is published by the Fiona Higgins Marketing Web Editor G Clay Miller Managaement Undergraduate Society. Copy Editors & Social Media Officer The content of this publication is the Advertising Officer Ameer Albahouth responsibility of the Management Michela Karen Undergraduate Sociaty and does not Rakotondralambo Lola Baraldi Samuel Cabrera Jacob Côté necessarily represent the view of McGill Layout Editor Operations Officer Finance Officer Media Editors University. FALL FEATURE

Our Changing Campus. Our Changing World. 4 FEATURE bullandbearmcgill.com NEWSFEATURE Holding McGill Accountable A first look at McGill Against Austerity

BY CARLA DEAN

n late September, McGill classes as a particular problem, as it while attending more radical protests. IAgainst Austerity held its first forces graduating students to retake They also recognize that more educational meetings of the year in classes or obtain missing credits traditional methods, like setting the SSMU board room. Around a during the Fall and Winter semesters. up meetings with government dozen students gathered to listen Sometimes, he said, this can delay representatives and writing letters to Wednesday’s presentation, which graduation. Beaune further argued to MPs, can be good methods for was lead by representatives David that McGill stands to profit from it by bringing about change. They placed Aird, SSMU’s current VP of External charging more for tuition. great emphasis on creating a space Affairs, and Gregoire Beaune. Aird contrasted these cuts with the where students can “most effectively McGill Against Austerity began in salary of current principal Suzanne fight back against austerity” regardless Fall 2015, after motions were passed Fortier - who earns $400,000 per of tactics, says Beaune. in the SSMU General Assembly in year - and the pension of retired Interview Excerpts: A Closer March 2015 in support of the club. principal Dr. Heather Monroe Blum Look Aird stated that SSMU’s mandate, - which totals to $284,000 per year. following the decision, now includes (According to the Montreal Gazette, To get a better sense of McGill an obligation “to oppose threats to the this sum is in addition to $87,000 she Against Austerity’s objectives, the Bull accessibility of education.” already received as pension). & Bear met with Adam Mackenzie, a U4 Political Science student and Austerity’s Impact on the McGill Beaune and Aird see this as an member of the group. Community example of McGill “embracing an B&B: Have you had any success Because McGill students have Austerity logic.” They define austerity logic as based on the assumption in your direct communication with not been well-represented in past McGill administration? student demonstrations, McGill that “the university, first and foremost, Against Austerity wants to educate: to should be treated like a business.” Mackenzie: McGill hasn’t highlight how all students are equally This idea, they contend, then fails personally talked to us yet – we’re still affected by austerity measures. Since to acknowledge the importance of relatively new. ASSÉ (L’Association 2012, McGill has lost over 50 million student experiences and community. pour une Solidarité Syndicale in funding alone, and tuition fees are “They don’t really care about real Étudiante) is doing big research and rising by 3.4% each year despite the student grievances,” said Aird, noting really pushing that in their universities. the backlash against activism on decline in quality of education and B&B: What are some of your goals, campus. number of services offered. Student besides education? Services are increasingly subject to Taking Action Mackenzie: Our short term budget cuts, the student-to-faculty McGill Against Austerity’s first goals include getting departments ratio is rising, and over 150 Arts priority is to educate students— to pass anti-austerity measures in classes have been cancelled since 2013. either by distributing pamphlets, strict language. SSMU already has an McGill Against Austerity also putting together videos, or holding official policy, but we want to create points out how students now pay for information sessions like Wednesday’s more discussion at a departmental extended library hours, and TAs are Austerity 101 presentation. Aird and level. We also want to send people being forced to work overtime without Beaune assured those in the room to meet with other [organizations]— compensation. Beaune mentioned that the group places an emphasis like AVEQ (Association for the Voice the decrease in options for summer on informed, safe participation, even of Education in Quebec). FALL 2016 FEATURE 5 B&B: You mentioned AVEQ and these strikes pass democratically, they Moving Forward ASSÉ, are there other specific groups have to be enforced, and the only way Despite the small size of the group, the you’re working with? power structures are going to respond dominant outlook at the presentation Mackenzie: We’re trying to focus is through direct disruption. Divest was hopeful. “Historically speaking, more on on-campus groups like presents scientific paper after scientific the student movement has absolutely Demilitarize McGill, Divest [McGill], paper, but what [the administration] been able to [promote] change at the [Fifteen and Fair]—there’s a protest responds to is stuff like the occupation provincial level,” said Beaune. “A new for raising the minimum wage in of Suzanne Fortier’s office. movement can flare up at any time in October, and we’re looking to send B&B: Do you find that McGill is a Quebec” he said, specifically citing the people to that. particularly challenging community to 2011 ‘Maple Spring’ student protests B&B: How do you feel about rally to action? as a source of inspiration for the group. people getting angry about the class Mackenzie: The anti-austerity Mackenzie told us that although disruptions caused by protests, and movement has a really long history in student turnout at McGill Against do you have any ethical qualms over Quebec, especially in the Francophone Austerity meetings usually falls at this? universities, [but] McGill is kind of around a dozen people, it’s to be Mackenzie: To a certain degree, an island. It doesn’t really interact as expected with such a new movement I can understand that. While they much with the other universities and on campus. “We get more people feel disturbed about it, it is a direct you could say that it doesn’t have a at protests,” he added. According action. When people don’t challenge strong activist tradition. One of our to Mackenzie, setting up the the powers that be, there’s a culture long-term goals is to connect McGill to infrastructure to promote effective that protests have to be quiet and the other universities within Montreal. change takes time, but it will be worth controlled and managed, but strikes the wait. only work if they’re enforceable. If

ARTS&CULTUREFEATURE

Humanities Under Attack

BY JONATHAN HERLIN AND JORDAN DEVON

ver the past few years, McGill students and for the university as a next few years,” he remarked. “We’re Ostudents have become whole. In particular, the Faculty of going to experience retirements, and acquainted with the harsh reality of Arts has experienced a notable decline it’s going to be a challenge for the budget cuts. The Marois government in the number of courses offered, with department.” began the process of slashing over 150 Arts classes having been Moreover, while courses and faculty funding to the university as part of terminated since 2013. members are the most visible targets its provincial austerity measures in The Bull & Bear sat down with of budgetary restraints, teaching 2012, and since then, under Premier Professor Trevor Ponech, Chair of the assistants (TAs) are just as vulnerable. Couillard, higher education in Quebec English Department, who explained According to Ponech, “There have has experienced more severe cuts: for that administrative budget cuts hinder been times in the department example, the government delivered efforts aimed at hiring faculty members. when we’ve been able to have much only $345-million of the promised He suggests that most departments do larger contingents of TAs, especially $360-million budget to McGill in not possess the funds to hire as many for our introductory courses, and 2015. course lecturers and professors as they unfortunately we don’t have as many Austerity measures have severe would like to: “We’re facing challenges as we would like.” consequences, both for McGill with respect to recruitment over the 6 FEATURE bullandbearmcgill.com Ponech elaborates that the reduction towards their degree. “I’m nervous for there is a consensus that something in TAs presents a major issue for next year,” she lamented. “I chose this certainly needs to be done. According the grading process of Arts courses: major because of its courses, and most to Partridge, an effective solution “Fewer TAs mean that you can’t have of them aren’t even being offered.” involves reaching out to departmental more assignments as you would Lara Rodin, U3 Jewish Studies, representatives during cyclical review ideally like to have. This is particularly expressed similar frustration. She periods, during which academic unfortunate for the Department of explained how she wanted to declare programs undergo review by the English, as many of our courses put a a major in Philosophy and Western administration. focus on essays.” Religions, but was unable to do so “There are […] various cyclical because the program’s only required reviews that happen for departments-- course, RELG 307, has not been this year, International Development, offered at all in over two years. “This Languages, Literatures, and Cultures makes it nearly impossible for an (LLC), Math, and Geography will out of province student to fulfil the be undergoing review. If you’re in major requirements,” she suggests. any of those departments […] get Interestingly, the program has now in touch with your departmental been discontinued: its webpage association! The cyclical reviews displays a disclaimer stating that it is make a big difference in how the no longer accepting new students. various departments are treated by the Last, but not least, budget cuts create university.” tangible rises in tuition fees, which has For Ponech, one viable solution can understandably upset many students. be implemented at the administrative Many students have taken it level. He argues that there should be upon themselves to protest tuition a heightened commitment towards increases. One such group is McGill hiring new faculty in a frugal manner, Against Austerity, whose mandate is and emphasizes such methods as “cluster hires,” which denotes bringing Budget cuts have not only affected to “oppose threats to the accessibility of education.” For McGill Against in faculty “who have multiple interests McGill’s teaching methods: according and can teach across units.” to Erik Partridge, VP Academic of the Austerity, the short term goals include Arts Undergraduate Society (AUS), getting departments to pass anti- For Spencer, the most important they have also permeated the faculty’s austerity measures in explicit language. aspect of resolving this issue is to hold additional resources such as course Connor Spencer, an organizer with those at fault accountable: “We’re at advising and the Arts Internship McGill Against Austerity, feels that is a breaking point. Education must Office (AIO). Partridge explains unfair for McGill to transfer its costs be made accessible. Raising tuition how this is a growing concern for an to the students: “McGill is using its disproportionately pushes minority already strained system: “The Faculty students to make back the money groups, those who are already most of Arts has by far the fewest advisors that’s being cut from their budget – marginalized […] out of the dialogues per student at McGill, and anyone something that personally has made happening on our campus. We must who has tried to go by advising during my financial situation precarious. I’m fight this together by staying informed, add/drop has seen that. […] Students not a resource to be extracted from, staying in support of each other, and are also presently funding the AIO but I’m being treated like one by the calling on our administration to through a special fee and will be doing administration.” change its ideology around education.” so until 2020 because the University The tuition issue is a murky one, but Meanwhile, the Faculty of Arts cut the Office’s funding.” it is worth noting that Ponech takes struggles to maintain as many For students, budget cuts have issue with the belief that the McGill requisite courses as possible and made it harder to meet program administration is at fault. Rather, he students are left with little to be requirements. For Marlee Green, U2 suggests that the administration is optimistic about. Those who expect to Cultural Studies, budget cuts have doing the best it can, given that “it’s finish their degree on time are liable significantly hindered efforts towards a real challenge [for McGill] to to be left disappointed, should their completing her degree. According distribute the funds it has and to program’s requisite courses never to Green, many required courses in support all the programs it has to show up, and the existence of smaller Cultural Studies were not even offered support.” programs, such as Cultural Studies, this year, leading students to take On the whole, there seems to be no African Studies, and East Asian studies elective courses with the hopes that clear consensus on the best way for remain at risk, so long as budget cuts the Department would ‘count’ them the University to address the issue, but continue to be a reality. FALL 2016 FEATURE 7 OPINIONFEATURE Two sides of the Coin : The Smoking Ban

BY LUKE DEVINE AND BENJAMIN BUTZ-WEIDNER

yes I am. In fact, I do not see much of other grim idioms around smoking. LUKE DEVINE: a difference between banning smoking The fact of the matter is that for all moking on campus is a non-issue. on campus and banning lectures or the haranguing I endure, I smoke less SIn my four years at McGill, I don’t events that some students on the when I’m home. My family does not think I’ve ever inhaled a single puff of radical left might find particularly bow to accommodate my smoking: smoke against my will. A ban only offensive. Both activities, I presume, everyone lives in the house equally inconveniences those who do smoke, have the ability to cause harm. and as such we are all entitled to be and makes no difference for those The bottom-line is: you do not have comfortable in it. The inconvenience who don’t. This is the simplest and the right to be protected from all I endure is out of respect for them, strongest reason I oppose the campus- potential harms, especially when it is and out of recognition that what I’m wide smoking ban. easily within your power to avoid them. doing is, scientifically and undeniably, However, there is also a second reason Therefore, if McGill follows through harmful to those around me. I don’t support it, and it has nothing to with this ban, I demand they also The smoking ban is much the same. do with your individual or bodily right prohibit chairs (since a sedentary I don’t expect other people on campus to smoke. Rather, I see this smoking lifestyle is more harmful than smoking), to inhale my cancer because I can’t ban as fitting into a broader pattern of and also opinions that offend me. walk a block. Really, McGill’s campus students demanding protection from is one with no checks on stress- all potential harms. BENJAMIN BUTZ-WEIDNER: induced indulgences. What exists When you leave the Roddick gates, cGill is a great place to start to make smoking uninviting? That do you require Montrealers to stamp Msmoking. Montreal is a hip, smoke break you’re accompanying out their cigarettes before passing grungy city and it is all too inviting to your friend on might not be so inviting you on the sidewalk? No, and yet you kids from Vancouver (where smoking it if it meant walking to the edge of survive. is taboo). All the more, when you arrive campus (let alone in winter). The question then becomes: should at Rez knowing nobody, becoming As a smoker who has respected the campus be any different? a social smoker is another enticing terrace ban, I have found that from prospect. That turns into having a few the time I leave McClennan to the If you are part of the camp of when you’re out, but never (or almost time I reach the Redpath Museum I students who believe university never) normally. Then when final have forgotten about lighting up. It campuses should serve as bastions of exams come your friend gets up to isn’t that smokers should see this is as safe space, then perhaps you have no go outside for a smoke break and you probation of their smoking, though problem drawing this line. However, decide you need one too. And like that, it is certainly an inconvenience – but if the consolidation of a bubble around you are one of us. it is one that will help deter students campus disturbs you, then I urge you from becoming smokers. However, to reconsider the implications of a I smoke; my family hates it. I am the argument that it creates undue campus-wide smoking ban. often shooed out of my sister’s room because I “reek” and am “giving her a stress on those who “need” to smoke You might be thinking, is this guy headache.” My dad rolls the window is preposterous. I need to smoke, but I really trying to draw a connection down in the car if I’ve had a cigarette. can take a walk. Truth is, I don’t much between the growing hostility towards My brother and my mom both fancy like the idea that I’m creating a space free speech on university campuses jokes about buying death or any of the that creates smokers. and a proposed ban on smoking? Yes, 8 NEWS bullandbearmcgill.com

Nick Kasting In Want of Dialogue News Editor A Profile of two Trump supporters on campus

n campus, the surprising for us to respectfully listen to the people will ‘‘absolutely discredit Oelection of Donald Trump worldviews and concerns of the 60.8 everything’’ he has to say about politics. was met with disbelief and horror. million American voters that backed To discuss politics, he ‘‘need[s] to Everywhere on campus you can hear Trump. keep it in a safe space.’’ He declined a range of reactions to the stunning In this spirit of democratic to meet at Second Cup, saying he result of the American Presidential reconciliation, we reached out to some ‘‘can’t even whisper’’ honestly in public election: most people criticize, belittle of Trump’s supporters on campus. without being criticized. (We met and mock the American electorate. After much searching, we found two instead in his apartment.) He feels We hear the loud – and often justified McGill students willing to discuss like the student body has collectively – voices of Trump’s detractors, but we their support for the President-elect: chosen to exclude all his ideas rather do not seem to hear his supporters Max and Paul.* than engaging in an inclusive political anywhere. This one-sided discussion dialogue. Being a Trump Supporter on might genuinely reflect the sentiment Issue Priorities of the majority of students on campus. Campus However, the surprising result of the Both men observed a fear to The bottom line for both Max and election has told us that there isn’t identify as a Trump supporter on Paul was the economy. They want a enough political dialogue between campus. They expressed a feeling of world where all Americans have good two polarized sides. In a democracy, disenfranchisement from the rest of jobs and the means to support their the failure between groups to engage the student body. loved ones. On realizing these ideals, in meaningful political dialogue both men decided that Trump’s ideas, ‘‘It’s really intimidating,’’ Paul translates into a fractured society though missing some details, were confides. ‘‘I feel like I’m literally in punctuated with conflict and discord. more likely to be effective. hiding with my friends [from back True, Donald Trump’s rhetoric home] literally being called sexist, America’s troubles, to Paul, stem has been divisive and his policies racist bigots.’’ He points at the irony from an anemic economy where the short on detail. Even Paul Ryan, his that ‘‘the party that preaches tolerance workplace has space for too few. He party’s leader in Congress, called and peace has turned out to be the believes that with jobs and structure, some of his comments the ‘‘textbook’’ hateful party,’’ which refuses to accept America will be stronger to repel the definition of racism. Trump’s failings ‘‘something that’s really good’’ in the troubles brought on through guns need to be addressed: his racial results of a free and fair democratic and drugs. Paul suspects that policies intolerance and misconduct with election. protecting jobs will ultimately protect women must not be normalized. Just communities: ‘‘When people have Max also ‘‘almost never’’ speaks as important, however, is the need nothing to lose, they move to crime.’’ about Trump on campus because FALL 2016 NEWS 9 Trump’s ‘‘policies for protective News Media Paul turned instead to online forums. tariffs until preferential trade Max and Paul both expressed On the internet, both Max and Paul agreements are made more fair and skepticism of mainstream news found others who felt similarly: re-negotiated,’’ Paul argues, is the media. To see past the ‘‘false reality,’’ virtual echo chambers matching the most important issue. they look to a diverse variety of news McGill’s liberal echo-chamber. For Max, the most important outlets, which includes CNN, Fox Toppling the System factor behind his vote was the impact News, Zero Hedge, Al Jazeera, and Feeling stifled by the ‘‘media of immigration on the American more. On these alternative news sites, establishment,’’ it became a point of economy. Citing neoliberal economist they found a ‘‘growing number of pride for Max and Paul to topple the Milton Friedman, Max makes the case frustrated people.’’ existing political culture, which for for a controlled inflow of immigrants. Though Paul apparently ‘‘laughed these two Hillary Clinton embodies. With a more manageable immigration at the news [...] it became such Max described the President-elect population, Max believes, Americans a joke,’’ he continued to consult as a self-funded ‘‘hand grenade’’ that can keep their jobs while also mainstream news media regularly. To would shock Americans out of the maintaining welfare policies that him, the most flagrant failure of the ‘‘learned helplessness’’ of a two-party would otherwise become unaffordable. news was evident on the day James system. Max doesn’t agree with Comey re-opened the Hilary Clinton Max and Paul believe that their everything Trump has to say: ‘‘The investigation. Despite the bombshell views - the ones they share with wall is a stupid idea,’’ Max admitted. announcement from the Director tens of millions of Americans - were According to Max, an environment of the FBI, he claims CNN’s website so threatening that the media and that is ‘‘extremely accommodating focused on Trump’s tax returns. Both the powerful refused to talk about to illegal immigrants disincentivizes students felt that the media failed to them. They may be right. The issues people from following the rules,’’ and have an open and honest discussion they emphasized received very little puts those who bide their time to about the pros and cons of free trade attention from the media, scholars, immigrate legally at a disadvantage. or immigration, opting instead to and the public. It’s time to begin Max suspects that America must focus on personality traits. talking about them. decide between tightening the Devoid of a space to talk honestly borders, or curtailing welfare because *Names have been changed to about their political beliefs – both on- accommodate the requests of the ‘‘if you offer welfare people come for campus and in the news – Max and handouts.’’ interviewees. 10 NEWS bullandbearmcgill.com

Carla Dean Indigenous Awareness Week News Writer Dr. Tim Raybould’s take on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples he third week of September increased awareness of and attention Canada: it fails to specify a process Tmarked McGill’s Indigenous to indigenous issues. However, for fixing the damage done by the Awareness Week. The Faculty Club Raybould maintains that the Indian Act. Indigenous communities lecture on Thursday, September 22nd transition from government control are empowered under the document served a dual purpose: first, the McGill to indigenous agency is a very difficult to set up the infrastructure and Institute for the Study of Canada one. mechanisms which would allow (MISC) introduced its new director “Documents are just words on indigenous peoples support as they Andrew Potter, and a new Professor paper,” he stated. Even documents decolonize. of Practice, Dr. Tim Raybould. More such as the UN Declaration on A Positive Note importantly, the talk contributed to the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, “There is a link between these an ongoing conversation surrounding because they are not legislative, “are the rights of indigenous communities. documents […] and actual people’s a means to an end and not an end in lives on the ground,” Raybould told North America and Indigenous themselves,” said Raybould. Although the audience, taking a copy of the UN Rights these statements are important steps declaration in hand. “Work is already Dr. Raybould’s “Implementing towards greater public awareness, we being done, […] and it’s incredibly the United Nations Declaration on are far from being active agents in the empowering.” the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: fight for indigenous rights. “[There is] an incredible amount of work to The McGill Institute of Canada Opportunities and Challenges” is offers a wide variety of lectures, topical in the larger context of North be done,” Raybould says, but “real progress can be made.” including more concerning the rights American politics. Issues like the and struggles of indigenous peoples. North Dakota Access Pipeline are Past and Future Policy But there is more work to be done. currently highlighting the lack of For example, the UN declaration As Raybould states in an interview concrete action protecting the rights was adopted by Canada in 2016 - nine with the McGill Reporter: “The of indgenous peoples. Considering years after it was adopted by the story of the transition (legal, social the pressure faced by Prime Minister General Assembly. Raybould says and political) that is taking place in Justin Trudeau to honour his promises the declaration “created a convention Canada as First Nations deconstruct to Canada’s First Nations, we may where laws that affect people’s lives their colonial past and rebuild […], soon have to learn how to navigate and rights can be consulted.” This in my opinion, requires more robust the challenges of implementing document has set an important academic consideration.” Although policy that benefits and empowers standard for the international there are challenges ahead, the McGill indigenous communities. community within Canada’s borders. community can look forward to many “Some people are calling it ‘The Some obstacles remain to opportunities to inform ourselves and Age of Recognition,’” Raybould said, implementing the UN document in be active supporters of this change. referring to what he considers to be FALL 2016 BUSINESS & TECH 11

Zayd Omar Business & Tech Writer Make Polling Great Again

ver the past few years, and prediction. Faster computers, favour of people who pick up a call Odata has become a crucial more data, and better models brought from an unknown number. Given part of our daily lives. Every new predictions to higher levels of Donald Trump’s claim throughout product - from prescription drugs to statistical accuracy. To understand the his campaign - ‘‘the polls are rigged’’ Netflix recommendations (and even, failures of Tuesday’s polling results, - his voters may have been dissuaded candidates running for office) - will let’s go back to the basics of statistics. from participating. The polling data, have gone through rigorous statistical therefore may have thus been biased analysis before being presented to in favour of Hillary Clinton. Failure consumers and voters. to randomize, in turn, explains the Despite the ubiquity of statistical phenomenon we saw on election data analysis, the unpredicted results night: in the polls, Trump voters are of the American Presidential elections undersampled. have left many in doubt. Some believe Traditionally, statisticians are that the entire polling system was very good at dealing with certain types designed to give us false hopes of a of undersampled data. If statisticians Clinton victory. After all, how could realise that very few of the people the pollsters be so wrong? Most An important concept in polling picking up the phones are black, websites, including the New York and other statistical analysis is for example, they will pull up data Times, Huffington Post, Washington randomization. This a crucial concept from the Census Bureau to see what Post, and more, had assured us that to consider for unbiased statistical percentage of the population is black. Clinton was going to hold her lead in results. Let’s take a on-campus Then they will use ‘historic averages’ most of the swing states, and become example: say you’re interested in the to predict how black voters usually the 45th President of the United statistical distribution of students vote in elections. These two measures States. Even the mighty Nate Silver, among McGill faculties. Suppose that then allow statisticians to calculate revered for his accuracy, had predicted a statistician walks into an economics the weight for black voters, and results a 71.6% chance of Clinton winning. class, and asks one hundred students in a fairly accurate representation (on How is it that all these pollsters and which faculty they are in. Chances are, average) of how black voters will vote. pundits were blindsighted - and so most students in the class will be in Using the same techniques, badly? Arts or Management. Does that mean statisticians can also come up with For McGill students failing to most of McGill students are in only a fairly accurate prediction of how see the importance of POLI 311 and two faculties? Probably not. On the college-uneducated white male voters antagonized by statistics, the election other hand, if he instead stands at the will behave. But the key words here are results seem to reinforce the idea that Y-intersection and polls one hundred ‘historic average’. The assumption that stats are overcomplicated, useless, ‘random’ people, he may get a more the voting climate will stay similar to and ineffective at providing serious accurate picture of the distribution. the ‘historic average’ is a very tall one: predictions. These impressions may Let’s turn back to the case of and an assumption tha contributed lead to the conclusion that we should the 2016 Presidential election. Even towards the failure of most pollsters do away with them. In reality, however, in the era of cell-phones and caller this year. As the Harvard Business statistics are crucial, now more than ID, polling is still mostly done over Review put it: “as long as voter ever, to analyze exactly why Clinton phones. Back in the day – when people behaviour stays stable, these models lost. used landlines and did not have should work.” The Clinton campaign was caller ID – it was easier to randomize The Trump campaign’s ability criticised for being over-reliant polling data collection. People would to mobilize their voters in higher on comparative data focused on just pick up the phone and get stuck numbers than their historic average, the ‘organic’ aspects of the Trump answering a barrage of questions resulted in a prediction failure. Many campaign. The bigger problem, from pollsters. Nowadays, if we get of Trump’s voters were undersampled, however, was in the quality of Clinton’s calls from an unrecognized number, or exceeded pollsters’ expectations in data, rather than in the use of it. it is very likely that we will reject the turnout. call. Subsequently, the polling data The past few decades have seen becomes systematically biased in remarkable improvements in polling 12 BUSINESS & TECH bullandbearmcgill.com

but only by a margin of roughly 2%. Finally, there is the phenomenon of so-called ‘hidden’ voters. These are essentially people whose voting patterns were not captured by polls. This ties in with the inability of polling agencies to deal with situations that diverge from historic averages, and undersampled data. By many accounts, there was a surge this year of Trump voters who were completely missed by pollsters – either because they gave misleading answers, or because they simply did not respond to polling agencies. The polling errors we witnessed on November 8th hopefully will serve as hints in the more detailed postmortem of the election. It may even be a A positive gap means that actual observed. Poll results, unable to catch suggestion for a direction moving results were better for Trump. In the these patterns, favoured Clinton. forward. For now, most pollsters will graph above, we can see that states (This presents an interesting parallel hang their heads low while nursing with high proportions of uneducated with 2008, when black voters broke their bruised reputations. white voters are the same states historic records, coming out in droves It seems there is no consolation where polls had a wider margin of to vote for Barack Obama.) at the end of this bitter and divisive error. In other words, these voters Another important point is that American experiment: even for may have been undersampled, and Clinton lost Florida, Michigan and notoriously mathematical statisticians. they participated at higher rates than Pennsylvania by less than 2%: a We will just have to wait for the next historic averages suggested. In Utah difference well within the margin of round of Senate races to see if polling and Indiana, the polls were wrong error for most of the polls. will adapt to meet the challenges by as much as 8.6%. In California as highlighted this November. well, the polling swerved significantly One thing that still holds true, away from actual voting patterns even if by the tightest of margins, is that Hillary lead the popular vote,

Amior Schmidt Chemical Crops Business & Tech Writer Bayer, Monsanto, and the future of food

hat does a German trademark pesticides and genetically role just days before negotiations Wchemical conglomerate, engineered crops. The all-cash deal, began in May. In total, the deal took worth €75 billion, have in common in which Bayer bought stock worth five months to complete. with a company that primarily sells $57 billion, represented a valuation While famous for its drug seeds? The answer: enough to spark almost five percent higher than their aspirin, Bayer has a widely diversified the biggest takeover deal of 2016, with initial offer Though Bayer’s 2015 portfolio that spans all over the globe. a definite impact on the future of food. revenue was almost four times that of It competes in industries ranging This September, German Monsanto, this buyout still represents from consumer healthcare products corporation Bayer finalized a a significant investment, and a bold to high value polymer production, and massive, leveraged acquisition of statement by CEO Werner Baumann also has a small pesticides division. Monsanto, a Saint Louis-based about the future of the company. Mr. The Monsanto purchase, aimed at agriculture company famous for its Baumann, previously Chief of Strategy creating joint value and furthering at Bayer, was elevated to the executive FALL 2016 BUSINESS & TECH 13 R&D opportunities, will establish backed efforts to label GMO produce GMOs have already been Bayer as a major player in the growing in the supermarket. employed with great success in high agriculture industry. Furthermore, As one of the leading players in population countries such as China. it will harness Bayer’s chemical the genetically modified organisms Through a wholesome adoption of assets to streamline Monsanto’s (GMOs) industry, Monsanto has genetically modified crops and other pesticide production, driving down become a household name in a global high-tech farming methods, China is costs. Though still under review by debate about food. Many are opposed able to produce up to six metric tons of regulators, both companies have to a large company “playing God” and grain per hectare of land, according to stated their optimism on the deal tampering with the genetic structure a 2014 World Bank study. In contrast, going through. of plants. Yet thousands of studies India, a high population country that The agreement comes as a beacon have shown food derived from GMOs still employs many traditional farming of light for Monsanto, rescuing the to be perfectly safe to eat. That is why methods, grows just shy of three. company from a sea of turbulence, prominent scientists, political leaders, Remarkably, by making full use of caused by falling profits and bad and celebrities, including billionaire GMOs, herbicides, and other modern publicity over the past techniques, countries like the United few years. Monsanto Arab Emirates, Oman, announced a $191 and Kuwait, harvest million loss for the upwards of ten tons third quarter in 2016, per hectare. Clearly, an improvement applying science compared to their towards agriculture $495 million loss the leads to greater food same quarter last year. outputs, especially Though the company in arid climates. mostly attributes this Compounding with to weaker consuming these significantly power among farmers, higher yields, GMOs their negative image also exhibit vast has undoubtedly potential as a tool played a role. Monsanto against malnutrition. has been the center UNICEF estimates of countless lawsuits that one in three over the past decades, preschool-aged both as plaintiff and children are chronically as defendant. The deficient in vitamin company is notorious A, which can lead to for its aggressive greater susceptibility copyright protection, to infections and and has prosecuted diseases across the farmers who they board. Since 1982, suspected of illegally European scientists, in growing their crops, conjunction with the some to the point of bankruptcy. and philanthropist Bill Gates as well Rockefeller Foundation, have been Furthermore, they have been fined as over one hundred Nobel laureates, developing a crop known as Golden numerous times for destruction have come out in firm support of Rice, with the goal of addressing this of the environment caused by the such crops. Monsanto claims that issue. The project aims to replace production and usage of their their genetically modified seeds are traditional rice, a staple in over half of pesticides. In one instance, a 2003 more resistant to insects and drought the world’s diet, with a more nutritious, verdict by an Alabama court found than conventional ones; they also genetically modified variety. The Monsanto guilty of chemical dumping manufacture specialized herbicides, researchers were able to engineer a practices, ordering them to pay $700 which work hand in hand with strain of rice that stores and produces million in damages. Beyond this their crops to avoid damaging them. yellow β-carotene pigment in its courtroom publicity, the company However, there is potential for GMOs grains, which is then converted to has also stayed under the spotlight as to go beyond these feats, growing vitamin A upon digestion. HIV-AIDS, a fierce obstructionist to furthering more bountiful and nutritious food to measles, and blindness in children GMO regulations, fighting state- help alleviate world hunger. are just a handful of tragedies that 14 BUSINESS & TECH bullandbearmcgill.com

can be reduced by growing Golden DuPont announced a $130 billion stricter government regulation prior Rice instead of natural varieties. Thus, merger; the companies claim that to their widespread adoption. Still, with so much potential for GMOs to DuPont’s seed business combined the Bayer purchase indicates a subtle make positive changes, it comes as no with Dow’s expertise in pesticides will confidence that opposition to GMOs surprise that investors have begun to establish them as a powerful force in will wane over time. focus so intently on these crops. the market. These three titans, Bayer- So, as the ever-looming question Bayer is not the only company Monsanto, Syngenta-ChemChina, of worldwide hunger intensifies, to realize the impact GMOs, and and Dow-Dupont, have the power to new forces in agricultural science agricultural science in general, will completely reshape modern farming are poised to step up to the plate. have in the coming decades. With practices. Perhaps, down the road, they will find global population expected to rise Many are rightfully wary of the themselves competing against public- to almost ten billion people in 2050, consolidation taking place in this sector competitors and GMO startups. high-tech crops and pesticides might industry; after all, the fate of food Likely, they will face continued be the only way to tackle growing should not be decided by just a handful resistance from skeptical governments hunger needs. The Monsanto of multinationals. One valid concern and citizens alike. As the market for purchase is actually just the latest in is the general lack of regulation and GMOs and other such technology a string of high-profile mergers and oversight in the agriculture business. expands over the coming decades, it acquisitions aimed at competing in Most products are released before will bring new and unknown changes. the farming industry. This August, they have undergone rigorous long- Yet, ultimately, incorporating science U.S. regulators approved a $43 term testing, sometimes to be taken into farming may be the only solution billion takeover of Swiss agriculture off the market years later. Such was to a critical and complex global giant Syngenta, by China National the case with Syngenta’s herbicide issue. As populations continue to Chemical Corp. The similarities to atrazine, which was found to be rise, innovation and ingenuity will the Bayer-Monsanto deal are striking. detrimental to local ecological systems be paramount, enabling humans Moreover, earlier this year, American after decades of use. Indeed, it is likely to prosper far beyond the coming chemical conglomerates Dow and that GMOs will transition towards decades.

Christine Yunka Business & Tech Writer Emergence of a Cashless Society

ccording to Plato’s theory of increasing in prevalence. In 2016, of replacing worn-out cash. However, AForms, non-material abstract the Federal Reserve estimated that going cashless would have far reaching ideas are more real than their physical cashless transaction will amount to implications. Privacy is one critical embodiments. He would be thrilled to $616.9 billion; that’s up 928% from concern. hear that this is the way the world is around $60-billion in 2010. So far, Nevertheless, we still have a heading. the Nordic countries (i.e. Sweden, long way to go before we completely With the increasing amount of Finland and Denmark) are leading abandon cash. the world in cashless trading. Their debit cards, electronic transfers, and mobile payments, the use of cash citizens have embraced this move has long been declining in formal ungrudgingly. It is predicted that they Ethics of Phantom Cash will get rid of cash by 2030. economies. In a cashless society, The reduction in cash usage money is converted into numbers, There are many benefits to around the world has, for the most signals, electronic currents and flows removing cash from the economy. For part, been a trend welcomed by from one device to the next. According one, it allows the crippling of black customers, businesses and authorities to the “World Payments Report markets. Second, monetary policy alike. Paying by card is sinfully easy, 2015” by Cap Gemini, annual growth can run more smoothly when all fast and convenient. in global cash-free transactions the money in an economy is under Customers do not need to carry increased by 8.9% in 2014. New one intangible denomination. Third, wads of cash and expose themselves payment technologies such as digital faster and easier transactions would to a potential risk of theft. At the wallets, peer-to-peer payments, and facilitate more business activities, end of the month, a comprehensive virtual currencies like Bitcoin are which would help minimize the cost bank statement allows them to track FALL 2016 BUSINESS & TECH 15 down a comprehensive bank case to withdraw money from bank cashless development is former statement allows them to track accounts and hoard it. The even Interpol president Björn Eriksson. down every single transaction. For bigger likelihood of bank runs would He contrasts the decreased incidence businesses, cashless transactions can serve to threaten the stability of a of bank robberies with a drastically mean savings in time and money, as central bank’s money supply. increased rate of cybercrime. dealing with cash can be costly and The unorthodox policy of According to Eriksson, the public time-consuming. implementing negative interest rates hears little about them. Even less Governments love electronic is based on a Keynesian logic: paying well-known is that these “virtual bank transactions, since they leave banks to hold your money or to borrow robberies” don’t target bank vaults, behind “paper trails” that are easier funds supposedly boosts aggregate but rather their databases. This is not to monitor. Without cash, it’s much consumption and provides urgently surprising in an age where personal harder to hide money from the tax needed stimulus to the economy. data is sensitive and can hold even greater value. authorities. The costs of tax evasion In order to feel the full effects alone are staggering, amounting to of the extreme medication that is Wherever information is gathered $458-billion annually, between 2008 negative rates, Larry Summers, a and flows, censorship and surveillance and 2010, in the United States alone Harvard economist and former follow close behind. The case of (including federal, state, and local US treasury secretary, bluntly digital money is no exception. Google, tax), and even more in Europe. Crime demanded the global abolition of all Apple, and Facebook already know and corruption, though difficult to cash currency at an IMF research a lot about their users and monetize quantify, almost surely generate even conference. Peter Bofinger, a German that knowledge. In time, as paper greater costs for society. economist and economic advisor to money evaporates from circulation, Furthermore, the use of cash the German government, also regards wholesale digitization of money would facilitates crime because it is coins and banknotes Modern societies ultimately empower governments anonymous. High denomination bills not fully grasping the efficiencies of with our increasingly valuable are especially problematic because this cashless movement seems like personal data. That is dangerously they are easier to carry and conceal. a hard pill to swallow for him. He valuable, because they control the Perhaps burglaries, larcenies, and explains: “If there is no more cash, technology directly themselves, or assaults would decrease because the zero interest boundary no longer indirectly through their multinational there would be simply less to readily exists, and nothing stands in the way corporations. Financial censorship steal. Perhaps digitized payments of negative interest rates anymore.” could become pervasive, unbarred would deter people from spending by any meaningful legal rights or The economic totalitarianism, guarantees. money on drugs, weapons and other where government has oversight black market goods, since e-cash over a system where money does not There is certainly a case for leaves a paper trail. While nothing escape, will be complete. However, anonymous digital cash, which is is really stopping such people from this also means that policies, fiscal technically possible. New-age crypto- withdrawing cash and then spending or monetary, will be able to serve the currencies such as Bitcoin, are almost, it illegally, the “Sunsteinian Nudge” is economy at full force. Central banks if not completely invulnerable to in effect—the very slightest friction will also need to get used to faster- detection. While it has certainly or inconvenience in the environment reacting policies, since lag effects seen greater adoption, Bitcoin has pushes people away from committing will be reduced. However, this also been hit with increasing regulation crime. means that traditional instruments of on exchanges which trade it for flat Undoubtedly, there are plenty monetary policy will lose their power; money. This regulatory trend has of ways to bribe officials, engage open market operations and advances recreated the very same choke points in financial crime, and evade taxes to banks will become ineffective that Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator without paper currency; however, as instruments to control national (or creators) Satoshi Nakamoto these involve higher transaction costs interest rates and money stocks. On sought to circumvent in the first place. and a higher risk of detection. the other hand, quantitative easing (i.e. the creation of money with electronic Habitual Inertia cash) may lend itself to become a far Monetary Policy Responses more influential tool than it is now. Continuing our discussion of the ramifications of negative interest In the current negative interest rate climate, traditional savings rates on individual spending habits, vehicles, especially savings accounts, Big Data, Big Brother the extra reinforcement from going have become less and less attractive. One of the few people with a fully cashless to coerce people to Logically, this results in a compelling critical perspective on this new spend more is controversial, to say the least. Our personal freedoms on 16 BUSINESS & TECH bullandbearmcgill.com

on spending and consumption would a $1000 pair of Yeezys and handing our chances are of losing control of be influenced and challenged. this stack of cash to the salesperson. our budget. This will ultimately affect For many users, having cash Would it make a difference? Do you our financial independence. equates to a sense of security, and really need that new pair of Yeezy Countries that are highly for many, it provides a sense of Boosts with the new colorway? digitally evolved are best positioned independence from government Technology has undoubtedly to unlock the benefits of going oversight. The rise of cyber-crime and made us a more productive society, cashless by focusing on migrating to growing concerns about the ability of and we can identify more pros than digital alternatives to cash. However, public agencies to look through digital cons in most cases. However, within there’s a long way to go before records will add to the increasing the context of personal finance, we are going totally cashless is a realistic unwillingness and discomfort among also becoming a society of spenders option in many countries. Fledgling many to let go of paper money. via technology. When you use cash in digital infrastructure in low-income Moreover, changing ingrained habits your daily transactions, it enables you countries with unequal access to the of tangible payment is not something to budget for discretionary spending, internet make the transition to digital that is easily overcome. and it is probably the safest form of money harder. For those countries transaction. There is also limited lagging in their digital evolution, the accumulation of consumer debt and, path to cashless nirvana is through Financial Psychology most importantly, less guilt, because investing in digital inclusion first, Today, all you have to do is swipe, you have many opportunities to which is both time-consuming tap, or confirm a transaction, and thoroughly think about your action and costly. But in this new age of you have the latest gadgets and gems. before proceeding. technological revolution, with the The physical action and emotional Of course, this may not work for highly supported drive to reduce attachment involved in going into your everybody, but we must be skeptical cash usage, grow payment platforms, wallet or purse to hand out your hard- of the notion of cashless transactions. and further development of online earned money is obsolete in our world The more we use our cards, the higher business, it is clear that the future is today. Try counting 100 $10 bills for cash-free. FALL 2016 ARTS AND CULTURE 17

Stefan Macleod Arts & Culture Writer Crying in the Club with Venus

The Bull and Bear was lucky Chris Steward: And the guitar We have different backgrounds to how to sit in on the rehearsal session of part… we started playing music, whether it Venus, a Montreal-based Dance/ MS: Yeah, the guitar solo — I be what instrument we first started Pop outfit (self-styled as ‘Adult wrote the guitar lead. (laughs) learning or what we grew up listening Disco’). The band’s Mile-Ex rehearsal to. So these sorts of differences creep space is tightly packed with musical B&B: As far as you guys into the music that we make, which is equipment ranging from synthesizers exchanging influences with each other sort of why Venus sounds like a bit of to electric guitars to drum machines, around the band’s inception goes, did a mishmash of different things. as well as a wide assortment of pedals, you set any generic limitations on the kind of music you were going to MS: Yeah like the new-wave amplifiers, and cables. The band style drumming is a major part of it started out as a collaboration between make once the band became a more involved project? Or did you just keep though. Like the New-Order-y drum Sophie Ogilvie-Hanson (vocals), machine hits. We even used to have Christ Steward (guitar, bass) and going with what clicked without any explicit goals. recording software set up with drums Markus Stahl (guitar) but has since I pre-programmed for our earlier expanded to also feature Paul Finckel SO: For me, I didn’t have any shows. But then we got Paulie in (drums) and Helena Stahl (keyboards, specific things where I said “we can’t here, who is in the McGill percussion vocals) allowing for a more typical do this, we’re going to specifically do program, so the live drums added a lot lineup and recording process. this”. I just knew that all the music I to our live show. Also, just now we’re Bull & Bear: Walk us through the had been writing since high school as incorporating a Roland R70 into inception of the band. sort of singer songwriter-y and like… our setup which is a hardware drum “sadgirl” songs. I wanted to make machine. Sophie Ogilvie-Hanson: Markus dance music and this was the first sent me this track he had be working opportunity to do that. B&B: You said that Venus feels on — kind of a bare bones thing. He like a bit of a mishmash of different gave me some of the influences he CS: And now it’s sad dance-y things—but are there any specific was looking towards and asked me to music. artists that you draw on as group? write some lyrics for it. Basically, he MS: It was definitely dance and SO: I’d say we’re all influenced asked me to sing whatever I wanted, pop oriented. I mean, not all of our by different stuff, but as far as my so that’s what I did and it became the songs are dance, but they definitely own songwriting is concerned I guess song ‘Hurt u’. always have a strong rhythmic element I also look to the new wave stuff B&B: So it was the instrumental to them. I wanted to make pop music, that Markus mentioned, but on the that came first and the lyrics fit into just music that people would enjoy… kitschier end of things. Blondie, The it? B&B: So there’s a bit of a social B-52s or something like that. I’m not SO: Yeah, that’s how a lot of our element to it as well? sure if it translates to our music… music has worked. One person has an MS: For sure. I like people to MS: Definitely Blondie was a big idea either instrumentally or lyrically dance at our shows; I hate shows influence for the instrumentals as well. and we just continually swap ideas where people are standing still…I feel B&B: But I guess it’s a ‘mopier’ and build on it that way. uncomfortable at those kind of shows kind of Blondie? Markus Stahl: For the first song so I want everyone to be moving at ours. It’s an important thing for me. SO: I think I was so interested —I didn’t know Sophie that well at first before with the idea of writing dance — but I knew she was a good singer. I B&B: Do you feel like a lot of what music that I was writing happier knew I needed some female vocals, makes Venus unique to you is that you songs but now I want to break out of so I figured Sophie would be perfect. have this mentality about making that, so I’m back to writing those sad I thought of some vocals beforehand dance music but obviously you’re girl songs again. when we first recorded, but they were incorporating some other styles? like…really bad. So Sophie came and MS: We’re exploring both sides CS: Yeah I’d say so. People have sang the vocals to ‘Hurt u’ and it just [happy and sad] on the new songs been experimenting with different worked so well with what I had written we’re writing. kinds of dance music for years now. So for the instrumental part. We were I feel like there’s definitely some room SO: It’ll be like dancing with both really going for the same thing, for various influences to be thrown tears in your eyes! Crying in the club! which is really rare. It just clicked… in. I suppose we all listen to slightly (laughs) Then Chris wrote the bass line. different iterations of similar music. MS: We’re working on like seven 18 ARTS AND CULTURE bullandbearmcgill.com tracks and probably three of them I same time these guys [Chris, Markus try to write semi-political lyrics but would call dance. Two of them are for and Sophie] have really clear musical I find it difficult…It’s not going to be sure straightforwardly groove driven ideas, so that definitely helps. It’s such protest anthems or anything like that, dance tracks but we have another a mix of styles but they but maybe something about pushing that’s a slower R&B song. The others B&B: So the diversity of styles the boundaries of what is acceptable are more contemplative… already at play gives you more freedom in terms of relationships and sexuality. CS: There’s definitely some to play what you want? MS: Sophie’s also said — and I nighttime R&B influences on there as PF: For sure. agree — that all music is going to be well. There’s some Blood Orange and political. Even the stuff that is very D’Angelo stuff floating around there. MS: Paulie brought in these drum personal. It’s not in a vacuum. That’s fills that are- B&B: When you write lyrics just a theory of art I guess…we don’t do you feel motivated for a song to SO: Lit. have to get too deep into dialectics of art or whatever (laughs). sound a certain way because of the MS: I don’t think a lot of other lyrics you’ve written? Or are you more drummers can play them because he’s SO: I think it’s hard to think of confident in your bandmates to come classically trained. I think they really politics without reference to being up with something that works? add to the style of our music and give involved in an academic institution SO: I think it’s kind of interesting us something different, rather than like we are now. I don’t really want when songs are melodically and just a cookie-cutter drum beat. my lyrics to just be about what I’m learning in school…well I do in the lyrically not conjoined. A lot of the B&B: One more comment on sense that I want a well-rounded musicians I respect are really sad, but genre: Do you think the term ‘Adult thought to be expressed in my music, have a really…dance-y vibe. Disco’ is something you’ll hold onto, but it’s not like I want it to be about or is it mostly a joke? B&B: So there’s some irony in the the reading what I did last week or mix then? CS: (jokingly) We’re clinging to it something. Anyways, hopefully I’ll be SO: Yeah, for example one of the MS: I think it personifies that writing some feminist pop…bangers songs we’re working on right now is whole thing we were talking about soon. called “Cry Baby” and it’s about me with sad lyrics/happy music. You B&B: This year the band has come being extremely sad…and like…crying. think of ‘adult contemporary’ as this back from a bit of a hiatus, mostly But at the same time it’s a very pop-y very sentimental cheesy thing…but because Sophie was on exchange song. I think that’s such a nice way then disco is straightforwardly fun… in Ireland. Did you manage to keep to deal with your emotions: if you’re SO: It’s half a joke and half true. songwriting abroad and was there any going to write a sad song, make it have element to being abroad that helped a nice melody and then…(laughs) MS: Right, every joke has some with your process? maybe it will dissuade some of your truth in it, I guess. sad feelings. SO: Yeah, I definitely wrote a lot CS: We wouldn’t want to be while I was away. It was depressing MS: I think it’s also more powerful making ‘Juvenile disco’. That sounds to not be able to play music really if you couple those lyrics about despair terrible….like the sort of thing that frequently. I didn’t have a lot of stuff or love-struck sadness and have the you would hear at year eight raves going on…or a lot of friends. So I music not match it. It’s not so cliché or something like that. Adult disco just wrote lyrics, had a lot of time to that way, I think. is something that has a ring to it and meditate on my life in Montreal and that we could stick to. SO: Also we work in a collaborative think about my relationships with setting so it’s not necessarily always B&B: A lot of the lyrics are clearly my friends and my partners here and your call what the exact vibe is. Maybe pretty personal, but you [Sophie] are think about what I wanted/needed you go into a rehearsal or studio also interested in social justice, for plus how that could translate into session having one idea and then it example. Do you ever feel like you some songs. will end up being completely different walk the line between purely personal B&B: Thanks for taking the time but sounding really cool because material and some broader social to answer these questions. Anything someone else had another idea. commentary? in store for the band in the future? B&B: That said, so the newer SO: My lyrics are definitely very CS: Yeah I think there’s definitely bandmates (Helena and Paul), do you personal and I try to walk the line an EP or some format of release in the feel like you’ve been able to bring your between being pretty explicit in what next couple of months. We’re waiting own ideas to the mix despite joining I want to say and maintaining some for a bunch of these demos to be the band later on? level of mystery so that the people realized and then we’re going to hit I’m singing about don’t know what Paul Finckel: Definitely, but at the the studio this month to start properly I’m talking about (laughs). I want to recording all of them. FALL 2016 ARTS AND CULTURE 19

Hayley Axelrad Arts & Culture Writer Skirting the Issues

s gender norms become less Victorian era. However, fast-forward thought was going to revolutionize Arigid, clothing trends follow to the present and you’ll find that men gendered fashion. However, the trend suit. ‘Unisex,’ a word that infiltrated are making an effort to tear down did not translate to the mainstream the clothing industry in the 1960s the gender binary by way of fashion. and the impact was left on the runway. and 70s, has undergone different Although it has not infiltrated the Similarly, in 1999, Rolling Stone manifestations throughout its history. mainstream completely, the men-in- released an editorial photoshoot by The first ripples of gender-bending skirts-and-dresses movement is well Mark Seliger that featured Brad Pitt fashion were seen with the ‘garconne’ underway, and the trend has trickled modelling skimpy mini dresses on a trend of the 1920s, a period when down from the runway to celebrities beach. The publication released the women sported cropped haircuts, long and other men unafraid to experiment photoshoot with the headline “A Man, skirts, and high collared shirts. Today, with fashion. this look may seem conservative, but back then, it was a complete deviation from traditional gender norms. It reflected a changing world, a world in which women were finally able to escape the stifling confines of the household. Similarly, the unisex fad rose to prominence again in the 1960s as a reaction to the oppressive gender norms of the 1950s, the baby boomer era. Women wishing to escape the category of what was thought to be typically ‘feminine’ began to don pants and ties, the garment rebellion of second-wave feminism. Of course, today, ‘unisex’ is hardly a relevant term for women, as they have adopted most clothing items that have, at one time or another, been considered categorically male.* But where do men fit into this? It would seem as though throughout history, women have adopted men’s clothing In recent decades, the A Dress, Another Planet,” with the as a means of bringing about political phenomenon of skirt-bearing men idea denoting that only on another change. But for the most part, when has seen its resurgence. That said, planet would men be seen in this men donned women’s apparel, it was the difference between the men who attire. This editorial did not inspire a perceived as “drag,” outside of the attempt to jump-start this trend today radical shift in men’s apparel; instead, realm of ‘normal.’ One such example and those who tried in past years is that it registered to readers as ridiculous— is when David Bowie wore a dress on previously, the methods that designers as a spectacle that, while interesting, the cover of his 1970 album The Man employed – though admirable – were would not be taken seriously as a Who Sold the World. too highbrow, elitist, or small-minded mainstream fashion trend. Likewise, It appears as though only one to bring about significant change. For in 2004, the Costume Institute at The article of clothing stands in the way instance, in 1984, Jean Paul Gaultier, Metropolitan Museum of Art put on of mainstream society accepting risk-taking fashion designer, sent a an exhibit called “Bravehearts: Men the idea of completely gender-fluid pack of male models down the runway in Skirts” that explored the history of clothing: the skirt. Skirts have almost of his spring/summer fashion show men in skirts in high fashion. A New always been gender-coded as female; dressed in skirts of different colours York Times reporter, wishing to test men did wear them in the early days and lengths. Gaultier was cited as the ‘so-called masculinity’ of the skirt of the Roman, Greek, and Egyptian saying, “I don’t believe that fabrics advertised by The Met, walked around Empires, but abandoned them in the have a gender, any more than certain Brooklyn in a Jean Paul Gaultier garments do,” a statement that many skirt and was subsequently mocked, 20 ARTS AND CULTURE bullandbearmcgill.com ultimately concluding that what the efforts were merely chalked up to his be a gangsta with a dress or you can be museum was pushing was merely an “weirdness,” and were dismissed as a gangsta with baggy pants. I feel like ‘academic theory.’ unsurprising because of his frequent there’s no such thing as gender.” Both Today, though, the main use of eyeliner. Jaden Smith and Young Thug wear difference is that many skirt-wearing More recently, two celebrities skirts and dresses with the intention men have explicitly made it clear have stood out as pioneers of the ‘men of bringing about change in the way that they want to actively break in skirts’ movement: Jaden Smith and that the public views traditional down gender binaries and spread Young Thug. In May of 2015, photos gender roles, rather than merely as this message to the public. Therefore, surfaced of Jaden Smith posing some sort of publicity stunt. the current trend of men wearing with his date at his senior prom, There’s still a long way to go skirts is revolutionary, not only in confidently donning a white skirt. In before the majority of men are terms of fashion, but politically as January 2016, Louis Vuitton released regularly donning skirts and no one well: it brings us one step closer to their spring/summer womenswear bats an eyelash; however, it does feel abandoning the gender binary. One campaign, which featured Jaden like our generation is coming close. indicator of this is a transition being posing in a variety of skirts among It seems as though the factor which made from skirts being worn by a group of female models. Smith separates these brave men from their models of high fashion to skirts being makes his skirt-wearing intentions skirt-wearing predecessors is intent: worn by celebrities in a very visible very clear in an interview with Nylon the fact that they are attempting and public way. There was, admittedly, Magazine where he states, “I’m taking to bring about change and actively somewhat of a ‘trial and error’ period the brunt of it so that later on, my pursuing this cause with the goal of for this. For instance, Kanye West kids and the next generations of kids blurring gender lines in mind. Many famously took to the stage in a knee will all think that certain things are gender bending pioneers throughout length Givenchy leather skirt at his normal that weren’t expected before history were considered ‘ahead of 2012 performance for Hurricane my time.” Similarly, Young Thug their time,’ so is it possible that this Sandy; however, what might have dons an elaborately ruffled dress time has finally come? been a heroic move turned cowardly in the cover of his 2016 album No, *For the purpose of this article, when, after being ridiculed, West and My Name is Jeffrey, which stirred the terms ‘male,’ and ‘men’ have been his publicist demanded that pictures an expected amount of controversy used to denote a masculine identity, of him from that night, which had and a mix of positive and negative whereas ‘female’ and ‘women’ have already widely circulated the internet, reactions from the rap community. As been used to denote a feminine identity. be removed from the web. As well, well, Young Thug sports a long black These words are used for the purposes Jared Leto wore a simple black skirt dress in a recent Calvin Klein ad with of convenience and conceptual clarity to the iHeartRadio Music Awards text overlay that reads “I disobey in and are not meant to be exclusionary. in 2014, and although he did not #mycalvins.” In the campaign’s video, regret the decision like Kanye, his the rapper says, “In my world, you can

PHOTO COURTESY OF NEW YORK MAGAZINE FALL 2016 ARTS AND CULTURE 21

KC Moore Obituary Arts & Culture Writer Public Libraries (300 BC - 2016 AD)

ublic libraries in North their many other achievements, Royal Library of Alexandria, was PAmerica have passed away public libraries dedicated their lives born in the 4th century BCE, evolving in 2016 after succumbing to a brief, to providing otherwise inaccessible from archives of written work that but violent, illness. They were two literature to the common person, have existed since the invention of thousand three hundred years old. thereby inspiring generations of the written word. It was a massive For most of their lives, libraries readers and writers. Among their fans centre for academia dedicated to the were a hub of scholarship and were many esteemed authors, T.S. nine Muses, and had an estimated literature. They held clay tablets, Eliot believed them to be, “The very 40,000 to 400,000 papyrus scrolls in parchment and papyrus scrolls, existence of libraries affords the best its possession when it was destroyed silk, handwritten manuscripts, and evidence that we may yet have hope by a fire at an unknown date. bounded books encompassing all for the future of man.” From then on, public libraries’ genres and subject matter. Among The first functional library, the first two thousand years were rather 22 ARTS AND CULTURE bullandbearmcgill.com

tumultuous, as they proliferated under greater good. The Education Act tradition of reading a book is teetering the Byzantine and Roman Empires of 1870, which established public precariously atop a steep cliff. but continued to be taken over and education for all children between Sadly, since the beginning of plundered by warring monarchs. the ages 5-12 in Britain, was vital in the 2010s, municipal governments During the Han Dynasty, Chinese improving literacy and promoting the across Canada have consistently cut scholar Liu Xin created the first book use of libraries. In fact, almost 100 funding to their public libraries every notation and library classification years later, it was Walter Cronkite, year, reducing their hours or closing systems, which were written on the iconic anchorman of CBS, who them down. Entire provinces have silk. Soon afterwards, the Chinese best captured the spirit of this ideal, scrapped elementary and secondary craft of paper-making spread to “Whatever the cost of our libraries, the in-school library programs. In 2011, Muslims, who then further refined price is cheap compared to that of an the Vancouver Public Library almost the catalogues. Libraries became ignorant nation.” lost its special collections department truly public, accessible to the masses Across the ocean, 1876 was a after a $1.4-million budget cut. through partnerships with mosques, landmark year for American libraries. Public libraries had been but most were destroyed in the It included both the founding of the extremely active members of their Mongol invasion. As manuscripts American Library Association and communities, not only by providing were still copied by hand and were too the publication of the Dewey decimal information but also by providing expensive to lose, libraries adapted system. After the American Civil War, sanctuary through good books. As during the European Middle Ages by women’s clubs led the expansion of the writer Anne Herbert once said, chaining books to shelves to prevent public libraries. They flourished for “Libraries will get you through times them from actually being taken out. several decades until the 1960s, when of no money better than money will Libraries regained importance during television first became commercially get you through times of no libraries.” the Renaissance through general available to the public. intellectual pursuits and partnerships Now, public libraries are a Television began to compete ghost of their once glorious past, with museums. Their unmatched with reading for citizens’ free time, way of taking a person through inhabited only by stressed university and, despite technology’s rapid students plugged into a cloud and time, whether through old books or advancement, no serious effort to architecture, will be sorely missed. old-fashioned folks who still get the save public libraries was ever made. paper delivered to their door every The golden age of the public Instead, attempts to integrate public day because they enjoy turning pages. library was during the Enlightenment, libraries into the new digital era made Books have been increasingly replaced when many distinguished European them obsolete. Libraries retained by electronic gadgets of all sorts as national libraries were founded. their relevance for a brief time by well as communal studying spaces. In Although libraries at this time only offering universal Internet access, 2015, McGill University’s collection offered lending services, in the 19th however, the cost of internet dropped of e-books surpassed its collection century they adapted a subscription and schools and cafes began offering of physical books. While libraries based model, and changed their it as well. As atoms were converted remain students’ natural habitats, focus to non-fiction subjects, such as into bits, prices of movies, music, and people curled up in a chair just to get history and philosophy. This version e-books dropped until people could lost in a book are few and far between. of the library forced members to afford to buy (or pirate) them rather Finding a person who has time to pay an annual fee every year, and than checking them out of the library. read is rare enough, and soon, it will unfortunately, was often guilty of The proliferation of the Internet become unjustifiable to keep rooms segregating people by class; however, also made it possible to work from full of books that no one ever touches. it quickly corrected its course. home, which radically altered the way It is only a matter of time before they The first free public library in which leisure time was spent and are deemed completely irrelevant and movement began in 1850 in England, further rendered the public library unnecessary. stemming from capitalism, the obsolete. Instead of reading, time at Public libraries are survived by nine-to-five lifestyle created by the home was spent answering emails chain bookstores, university libraries, industrial revolution, and the upper or finishing a report. Moreover, we and personal bookshelves. They were class fear that the working class was became dependent on the internet loved and will be sorely missed. In not spending their newly found free and machines for entertainment; lieu of flowers, their children have time fruitfully. Many thought that in a world now brimming with requested that donations (in monetary the working class should be spending technological distractions – movies, or book form) be sent to your local more time on moral activities, such video games, television shows, online library foundation. as reading, in the interest of the shopping, and social media – the FALL 2016 ARTS AND CULTURE 23

Adam Rutledge Arts & Culture Writer I Spend Way Too Much Money on Vinyl

spend an exceptional amount shops each weekend: shrewd and cash, I order a specific record that’s I of money on vinyl, paying full focused individuals sporting facial been stuck in my head for weeks from price in a time when music can be hair and stained band t-shirts, flipping Discogs. However, the value of some enjoyed anywhere, for free. Friends through the same sections time and records are so inflated that I have of mine scoff when I tell them I time again. These shops typically absolutely no chance of ever obtaining shelled out $125 over the weekend on offer re-presses and original copies them. Nevertheless, Discogs perfectly three new single releases, a couple of of acclaimed recordings from genres crystallizes an ironic intersection: EPs, and an LP. The proliferation of both common and obscure—from the love of physical artefacts and the music streaming services like Apple classic rock, alternative rock, jazz, convenience of the World Wide Web. Music and Spotify have made music hip-hop, and soul, but also hardcore Discogs is an open-source entity obsessions affordable and accessible— punk, film scores, and underground that was devised and built in 2,000 all you need is an internet connection, electronic music. However, the by Kevin Lewandowski. The heart of and the recorded musical history of majority of the action happens the website is a user-built database the world is at your fingertips. Yet, I online. Eclectic new releases can of music, where more than 311,000 stand by my decisions. Each record in easily be purchased from distribution people have contributed some extract my collection was purchased under websites like Hardwax, Honest Jons, of knowledge, culminating in a intense scrutiny and holds with it a and Phonica. Rare, coveted, and catalogue of more than 7.7 million distinct attachment. That specific discontinued records are found on recordings by 4.7 million artists. track or album meant so much to me Discogs, the quintessential online Users may easily read up on the that I parted with a meaningful sum music marketplace and discography. rarest of releases, find other albums of money to obtain it. Sometimes, when I’m feeling by an artist produced under different I see familiar faces in local record particularly ready to part with some pseudonyms, or discover something 24 OPINION bullandbearmcgill.com related that they may like. I tend to stick to more affordable some of the mysticism [around the While Discogs’ database is its represses of cult classics; my latest process]. I wanted to be transparent. bones, the website’s marketplace is purchase from Discogs was a $15 I wanted to give the customer the its meat. An invaluable tool for DJs, release of Martin Dumas Jr’s “Attitude, downright baseline so that he knows journalists, and music fans alike, Belief & Determination” from 2015. he [or she] can’t get it cheaper than Discogs allows individuals to purchase The original pressing last sold for here.” This way, the shopper gets pure records at a price determined by the $2163.43. market-driven prices married with seller. More than 23 million items are Such an underground market the bona fide digging experience; in available from thousands of vendors, has tangible effects on physical shops, other words, everyone wins! and because the marketplace stands which, despite the return of vinyl, has But hold on, $5000 for just a on top of the Discogs database, sale the potential to undercut in-store flimsy piece of wax? It’s commonplace items are rigorously categorized so sales. Why make the effort to actually for record-shoppers to bemoan that buyers are able to specify the go into brick and mortar shops when the inflated rates produced by the exact versions of records that they you don’t have to leave the comfort of invisible laws of the marketplace. want to purchase. Once ordered and your living room? Why spend time These high prices are typically caused paid for, the vinyl is shipped to the digging through disorganized crate by a hyper-short supply of a given door of the purchaser–a seamless upon disorganized crate when you can record (both old and new); however, process well-known in today’s world find exactly what you want with just a when demand surges, record labels of online shopping. few keystrokes? In an interview with seize the opportunity and capitalize. In crude terms, Discogs’ Resident Advisor, Discogs creator Such labels (generally) obtain the marketplace is a free market structure Lewandowski expressed empathy for proper licenses in order to press the where the price of physical music is his site’s effect on stores: “I’m not sure, record again, increasing the supply determined exclusively by supply and but I’d assume their sales would be and therefore getting the music in to demand. Sellers must be competitive down just because the internet gives the hands of hungry vinyl junkies. with their prices in order to compete buyers a huge selection. But I’d like to Whatever effects it may have on and secure sales, which means work with physical stores somehow, if vinyl heads and record stores, Discogs that records that were produced for example we could create a Discogs is here to stay. The website is not only in excessive quantities call for application that could help them.” the world’s premier virtual music astoundingly low prices. Nevertheless, Whatever the case, I’m confident database, but also an (almost) purely such records can still be fabulous. For that the shops will survive. Many vinyl- competitive marketplace that has example, Charles Wright and The heads would agree that the definitive tangible effects on the music industry Watts 103rd Street Rhythm Band’s feeling of digging for records cannot at large. 7” of “Do Your Thing”–a stirring, be replaced or properly explained, and So, the next time you stumble slow-burning, late 60’s funk track that the simplicity of buying through upon your parents’ old record memorable for its placement in Paul Discogs pales in comparison to the collection, look for the extra worn Thomas Anderson’s 1997 film “Boogie ‘authentic’ experience. sleeves tucked away in the corner of Nights”– sells for $1.30 CAD on Moreover, record shops are indeed the very top shelf. You may choose Discogs. Plainly listed, 256 people adapting. The world-famous Record to put the record on the disc of your have it, and 148 people want it, and Loft in Berlin prices their products family turntable, start the rotor, and those that want it can get it for a solely using the Discogs rate. Speaking carefully drop the needle onto the handful of change. to Electronic Beats, Record Loft grooved black surface. You may listen On the flip side, rare items are founder Christian Panneborg practice for the warm fuzzy muffle of the notes able to capture extraordinarily high in the industry: “Nobody speaks about resonating through the beloved stereo prices. Mistafide’s 12” of “Equity [using] Discogs as a price guide, but all system. Alternatively, type the name Funk” from 1980 is presently listed at do it. It’s easy to use and when you’re of the record into the Discogs search $3,605.72, and at one time, it sold for pricing tons of records, you need to be bar. You might just be sitting on a gold more than $5000. fast. In our case, I wanted to put this mine. process into public—maybe it kills FALL 2016 OPINION 25 Sympathy for the Devil Nathan Drezner Arts & Culture Writer How Black Mirror crafts compelling narratives out of disturbing characters riters today, especially in world. For me, watching one of these sister. All of this leaves a foul taste in Wtelevision, are not afraid narrative arcs unfold is like watching a your mouth, but it also attests to the of creating protagonists who are car crash come about in slow motion; show’s mastery of creating emotional fundamentally bad people. Anti- from the beginning, you know exactly and ethical complexity. heroes are commonplace like never what’s going to happen, but up until These morally dubious before among some of the most the collision occurs, you still try to characters—and the conflicting popular shows. In House of Cards, persuade yourself that everything is reactions they elicit—are the backbone Frank Underwood kills his way to the going to be just fine. But we all know of an incredibly cynical show that top. In The Walking Dead, the man that’s rarely the case. Every episode always assumes the worst in people. who was once representative of justice, of Black Mirror leaves behind a set None of the episodes even have an Rick Grimes, has a tendency to self- of broken people, and in the next antagonist. That is, there isn’t anyone destruct and unload on those whom episode, the cycle begins anew. We are who works specifically against these he cares about. In Daredevil, Matt introduced to a set of fresh, smiling characters, because their demise is a Murdock isn’t so much a hero as he is faces, but we’re painfully aware that recipe of their own design. In fact, the a selfish, flawed vigilante. In Breaking they will soon be destroyed. characters tend to deserve the fates Bad, Walter White is, simply put, a The characters who occupy much they receive, no matter how horrible meth dealer who destroys his family. I of the screen time in these often- they seem. think you get the point. brutal episodes are terrible people. To the viewer, though, it doesn’t Yet in many ways, the show that Even if these characters initially feel like it. Rather, it feels like the is most brazen about introducing seem innocent, that innocence is game they’re playing is rigged, like ethically-compromised characters is often is destroyed in a twist or reveal these technologies are designed to Black Mirror, the British anthology that makes them out to be horrible bring out the worst in people. And series whose third season was just people, often to the point where it’s what makes this so impactful is that released on Netflix. So far, 13 episodes necessary to question the sympathy these technologies seem to be a reality have been released over the course that the show initially gives them. that we are heading towards. Often, of three seasons, including a 2014 The characters are pedophiles, child the dystopian environments that the Christmas special. But unlike most murderers, and abusive spouses. They show creates are only years ahead of shows, which follow a traditional are motionless drones who sacrifice us, almost within our reach. In fact, serialized television structure or human life without batting an eye. some of the show’s narratives are feature anthologized seasons (think There’s even an episode following basically coming true. “The Waldo American Horror Story), each episode a member of what is essentially Moment,” released in 2013, essentially of Black Mirror functions as a mini- a eugenics army. In the very first predicts Trump’s rise to international movie, lasting between 45 and 90 episode, the Prime Minister of Great prominence as a political figure, while minutes. Set sometime in the near Britain must struggle with a choice “Nosedive,” an episode about a future future, the show explores the ways about bestiality. Yet somehow, you find where every human interaction is in which new technologies might yourself rooting for these wretched based around a rating system, is eerily radically alter our lives. And almost people anyway. You side with the reminiscent to a rating someone always, the consequences are grave. pedophile, you feel devastated by the might give their Uber driver. The Functioning as a source of social treatment of the child murderer, and familiarity of each episode—how divisiveness, the technology drives us you feel sorry for the abusive spouse. they depict ‘futures’ just like what apart. Instead of focusing on the large- You come understand the developers we have now, but with a slight twist— scale impact of a new technology, each and the motives of the army, feeling raises disturbing questions about the episode emphasizes its damaging sympathy for those caught in their progression of technology that we effects on one particular individual, web. It’s like Cinderella, except not take for granted. It forces us to reckon using him or her as a source for a the one where the poor child finds with the fact that in this age where the kind of metonymic analysis of the her way to the man of her dreams and effects of technology are inescapable, downsides of technological innovation. away from the awful family – it’s the our society could go astray at any These individuals often descend Cinderella where the step-sister cuts moment. It forces us to ask whether into madness, losing themselves in off her toes to fit her foot into the we really are better than this, or if the isolation of their technologically- glass slipper. And despite every sign insanity is only an arm’s length away. advanced, but socially-inhibited, saying you shouldn’t, you’ll quickly Are these the fates we deserve? find yourself rooting for the step- 26 OPINION bullandbearmcgill.com

Jordan Devon Arts & Culture Editor The Kids are Alt-Right

n October 13th, in a packed and truthfully, shrinking. As a result, 2016, student protesters swarmed Oauditorium in Columbus students and faculty members alike a California State University Los Ohio, the Trump campaign hosted are increasingly afraid to voice their Angeles (CSULA) lecture hall, where its first and only rally dedicated to opinions for fear of being ostracized conservative commentator Ben millennial voters. Students donning by their peers. Even comedians have Shapiro delivered a speech about “Make America Great Again” caps expressed reluctance to performing on censorship on college campuses. cheered on as the candidate lamented college campuses for fear of backlash Afterwards, the CSULA president Obama’s failure to mitigate student over politically incorrect jokes. The organized a “healing space” where debt and the rising costs of education. more conversations are shut down for students met and recounted the While the crowd maintained a not being “safe”, the more aggravated “traumatization” and “brutalization” consistent cheer throughout his and silenced people feel. Within they endured as a result of the address, one moment evoked this context, the contemporary free- lecture. In response to the hubbub, particularly boisterous applause: speech movement’s inception was that the university’s president vowed to when Trump vowed to protect free of a reactionary force, born to mock require that future political speakers speech on campus. Astonished by and troll those it deems oppositional share the stage with individuals who their reaction, Trump proclaimed, to freedom of expression. This bestowed countering viewpoints. “Wow! You like that more than the characterization, in recent times, most However, only a few weeks later, lower costs!” vividly describes the movement many CSLUA hosted a video lecture by But we shouldn’t be surprised. have only recently come to know by former Communist Party presidential The correlation between support for name: the ‘alt-right.’ With its focus on candidate Angela Davis; no other Trump on college campuses and the vulgar shock-humour, often sourcing speakers with differing viewpoints contemporary free speech movement tropes of Islamophobia, misogyny, were present to contribute their ideas cannot be overlooked; to the discussion. in fact, it stands as an It has become integral reason for many commonplace for millennials as to why speakers (usually they are supporting him. conservatives) to While the debate have their lectures over free speech has disrupted by protesters, existed for decades, the sometimes to the point past few years have seen of forced-cancellation. anti-Semitism, among other hateful Such was the case at Brown University its intensification on campus. With ideologies, the alt-right is devoid increasing frequency, students on the in 2013, where a lecture by Ray of legitimate political substance. Kelly, the then New York City police political-left have been requesting, Rather, as it pertains to free speech, or in some cases demanding, trigger commissioner was called off as a its purpose is to enrage those who result of the increasingly disruptive warnings before professors raise seek to suppress the espousal of even sensitive topics. While trigger protesters in the audience. A similar mainstream conservative ideas, such event happened at the University of warnings can serve as critical tools as gun ownership (mainstream in the for individuals who have experienced California Irvine in 2010, where then US) and cutting government spending Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren was trauma, they can also act as a gag on (even if in inefficient public sectors). expressing unpopular ideas. To this set to deliver a speech on the topic of Thus, between the ‘safe-space touting’ US-Israeli relations. Within minutes end, students have also created “safe left and the ‘free-speech propagating’ spaces” where they can support one of starting the lecture, students began right, college campuses have devolved heckling the speaker, shouting insults another in the absence of attitudes into places of perpetual culture war. or views they find offensive, though such as “propagating murder is not the threshold for such offense is But this war is grossly slanted an expression of free speech.” After often low enough to constitute a in favour of one side. College the interruptions intensified, Oren minor disagreement in ideology. This conservatives often lament the double left the podium, discontinuing the has created a precarious position standards of campus administrators, lecture. Whatever the intentions of whereby the parameters of acceptable maintaining that left-wing groups these protesters, I wonder how much discourse are continuously changing, are given preferential treatment. substantive change – economically, One example of note: in February socially, culturally, politically – will be FALL 2016 OPINION 27 accomplished through shutting down his name means confronting the his tendency to threaten legal action the opinions of people they share dominant voice on campus, the against those reporters or outlets society with. gatekeepers of political correctness whose coverage of him he deems With occurrences like these now who have been nothing but imperious unflattering or troublesome. But this routine, free-speech advocates have to those who don’t subscribe to their hasn’t dissuaded the average college sought out alternative means to have dogma. Indeed, I even know a few Republican; conservative students their voices heard. Earlier this year, liberals voting for Clinton that the see Trump as their weapon in beating after “Trump 2016” was chalk-drawn allure of Trump’s anti-censorship has back the scourge of social justice that on multiple locations throughout not been lost on. has consistently sought to silence their Emory University’s campus grounds, In the 2016 Presidential race, speech. Although the proponents some students asserted of free speech vary in they felt ‘triggered’ and political affiliation and ‘targeted.’ Leftist groups motive, the birth of mobilized in protest, Trumpism has given storming the school’s many, his supporters and administration building not, a perceived bulwark and demanding Emory’s against “safe-spaces.” president condemn the Republican nominee. With their lectures disrupted, In response, Republicans at Emory “political correctness” has become their speakers chased off stage, organized a free speech event, Trump’s all-purpose adversary, and and their clubs banned from headlined by conservative activist with that an umbrella for many campus, college conservatives and self-described “professional “called-out” collegians and silenced have undoubtedly experienced provocateur” Milo Yiannopoulos. conservatives was created. The mistreatment at the hands of their While student protesters disrupted candidate has suggested that growing detractors. While Donald Trump, Yiannopoulos’ lecture, the significant censorship by the left is the root- with his unconventional positions number of students chanting Trump cause behind seemingly every threat (at best), is far from the typical GOP slogans dwarfed their demonstration. confronting America, from illegal nominee, he represents an antithesis Did all these ‘Trump chanting’ immigration, to the economy, to to the social justice warrior; and for students vote for the GOP nominee? foreign policy, among others. Of college Republicans, who are fed up Probably not. For many, Trump is not course, it must be acknowledged with the status quo, that’s more than their conservative hero, but rather, that Trump himself is no advocate of they could ask for. a countercultural icon. Chanting free speech, especially as it pertains to the media: he is widely known for

Accomplished, Qualified Women Unfit for Garima Karia Opinion Writer United Nations Secretary-General Appointment

n October 13th 2016, the and media coverage speculated about recommendation of the UN Security Onext Secretary-General of their fates. This Secretary-General Council, formally appointed António the world’s most powerful diplomatic race, however, was different from all Guterres as the next UN Secretary- organization, the United Nations, those that took place before it. For the General. “Why?” Oh, but isn’t it was appointed. It was a hard-fought first time in history, five out of the ten obvious? battle between the ten nominees, as nominees were female. For the first The Security Council’s blatant is expected in highly competitive time in history, there was a chance disregard for the preference of political processes. The candidates that the new Secretary-General of countless individuals, prominent had to deliver numerous persuasive the United Nations could have been a organizations, and the former speeches, engage in rigorous debate, woman. Secretary-General himself was for subject themselves to grueling So, on October 13th, the UN good reason. That reason is that Q&A sessions, and stand by in General Assembly, acting on the António Guterres is a man. apprehension as straw poll results 28 OPINION bullandbearmcgill.com

We all know that there’s no way in terms, from 1999 to 2008, and was the global leadership. That’s not the case, this modern day and age that a woman first woman elected to the position at a however, and it must simply be a could ever come out of any arduous general election. matter of sex. political campaign victorious. It’s not Kristalina Georgieva currently Despite this reality, woefully like other parliamentary bodies have serves as the European Union ignorant activists and civil society taken steps towards gender parity in Commission Vice-President for groups lobbied for a woman UNSG. governance or anything. What year do Budget and Human Resources. In this The media screamed headlines the we think we’re in, 2016? role since 2014, Georgieva negotiates likes of “There Are Now Four Women Regardless, some people were and manages the EU budget, ensuring Vying to Become the First Female U.N. pretty upset that our 19th Secretary- that it is invested in a way that best Secretary-General” or Ban Ki-moon’s General will not be a woman. So, to serves EU citizens. From 1993 to 2010, proclamation that, “My replacement everyone across the globe that was she served in a number of positions in should be a woman.” Well, if even counting on shattering that glass the World Bank Group, and worked Ban Ki-moon said it’s “high time” for ceiling, let me explain why António her way to becoming its vice president a female head, especially since over Guterres is the best candidate for this and corporate secretary in 2008. 70 years have passed since the UN’s position. You could say they’re pretty creation (in which time there have As the former prime minister of qualified… for girls. been eight Secretary-Generals), and Portugal and United Nations High the launching of a wide-reaching Commissioner for Refugees, Guterres’ campaign to elect a female UN rivals Irina Bokova, Helen Clark, and Secretary-General, some thought that Kristalina Georgieva stood no chance the Security Council would respond to against his wealth of competence, the popular cry from the international experience, and most importantly his community… Y chromosome. Guterres is praised for Of course not! Everyone knows having the ability to bring some more that nice guys (or, in this case, nice rhetorical firepower to the UN. He’s ladies) always finish last. Politicking not afraid to call out adversaries in his and so-called backroom deals are the speeches – something a woman could biggest factors in determining who is never do because they’re just too soft- finally nominated! These women were spoken and consensus-seeking. How too naive to realize that victory only unfitting for the head of the UN! comes to those who can sell enough Bokova is the Director-General votes. Their noble, albeit effeminate, of UNESCO, a specialized body of morality kept them from making the the United Nations. She manages 195 necessary decisions better left to men! member states, five major programs, It’s a realist world, ladies! Everyone 25 official NGOs, and twelve knows it’s better to be feared than to specialized departments. Prior to Evidently, these women who have be loved. Get with the program. spearheading UNESCO conferences or led UN bodies and worked in embassies, But, of course, I kid. leading their Executive Board, Bokova lead governments and humanitarian The disturbing reality is that equal served two terms as a member of the operations, and communicated with opportunities for female politicians Bulgarian National parliament, as well diplomats in over five languages for are still staggeringly elusive, on every as Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs decades don’t have what it takes to lead level. Whether you’re the only woman and Minister of Foreign Affairs ad the United Nations. Indeed, they just permanently on the UN Security interim under Prime Minister Videnov. aren’t qualified because they weren’t Council or the only woman in a room Helen Clark has been the born with that critical chromosome. full of men at your first collegiate Administrator of the United Nations That Y chromosome that would Model UN conference, women are Development Programme, the third- enable them to represent more than constantly under-represented in highest position, as of 2009. Prior a meager one out of 15 nations in the places where their voices matter. So, to serving as the former Secretary- Security Council, and lead more than if the UN wants to credibly continue General’s third-in-command for half a mere twenty-two countries out of championing gender parity, I’d like a a decade, she served as New Zealand’s 196. If women were truly qualified woman in the Secretary-General’s seat, Prime Minister for three consecutive in this progressive, modern age, they please. would have come to represent more FALL 2016 OPINION 29

Kyle Rouhani The Haram Bae Opinion Contributor A meme we’re forbidden to love

n the 28th of May 2016, a who died in 2016. Twitter and Vine using gorillas to deride people of Ovisitor to the Cincinnati Zoo popularized the phrase “dicks out colour. It’s also a fact that this meme uploaded to YouTube a video of a four for Harambe”, which itself quickly contains numerous examples, which year old boy trapped in the enclosure became an independent appendage could conceivably fall under that of one silverback gorilla named of the main Harambe meme. Song category. To say that the popularity Harambe. By the 31st, the video had lyrics changed from “in the back seat of the meme itself is predicated on amassed over 12.6 million views of your rover” to “like that kid in your connotations of racism, however, is and 41,000 comments, spawned enclosure”, a member of Blink-182 to dismiss the nature of Internet a 338,000-signature petition, and even chimed in on Twitter with a humour: the use of levity in dealing made the front page of Reddit’s news modified version of a line from “What’s with real-life tragedy, and the section – not to mention primetime my Age Again?”, and Hip-hop artist epidemiology of Internet content. coverage on just about every Young Thug included a track titled Our feeds are inundated with clips of mainstream media outlet from local “Harambe” on his most recent album. carnage from the conflict in Syria, live cable news to Al Jazeera. Comment And, yes, alongside these innocuous feeds showing unarmed black men sections were full of angry people variations, some content creators put gunned down by police officers for no blaming the child’s parents – saying out iterations of the meme that were reason; with soundbites of politicians they were the ones who should have racist. Images appeared drawing “bragadociously” admitting sexual been punished, not the innocent comparisons between U.S. First Lady assault. In the wake of a major tragedy, gorilla. With so much coverage in so Michelle Obama and the gorilla; a we change our profile pictures to the little time concerning a logical choice photo of actress Gabourey Sidibe flag of the affected nation and share between the life of a human child and with text superimposed saying “they inspiring images of hope and global the life of a gorilla, is it any wonder the shot my husband”, floated around on kinship. The practice of using social Harambe meme became so virulent? twitter; captions asked what would media to express solidarity with a Among a generation brought up on have happened if Harambe were an particular cause is incredibly common “ebaumsworld” and “funnyjunk”, the albino Silverback instead of the more among millennials, so it isn’t a stretch absurdity of the highly inflammatory common black-furred variety. It may to imagine that same demographic reaction to Harambe’s demise, come as no surprise to anyone who employing a common practice in a combined with the genuine tragedy has perused the comments section tongue-in-cheek manner. In a time of a dead endangered animal gave the of a popular YouTube video: with when every other news story seems to story the makings of a perfect meme. a meme as ubiquitous as Harambe, include a death toll, a joke predicated The propensity of our generation for the bowels of the internet inevitably on the exaggerated mourning of an armchair “slacktivism”, in turn, lent spew out racist imagery parallel to animal killed in order to save a human itself to tongue-in-cheek wailing and conventional reactions. Just as any life is a natural, ironic response. mourning over a creature almost all of other form of expression can be used Sometimes it feels better to laugh us weren’t even aware existed – until to convey the full spectrum of human than to cry – and humour is as valid he didn’t. sentiment, memes can – and have and common a response to tragedy as All summer long, the Harambe been – co-opted by certain groups reverence and sombreness. meme grew in breadth and variety. wishing to achieve a particular goal; It’s not that “it’s just a joke!” is an Facebook and Tumblr feeds were Harambe, however, is not one of them. acceptable excuse for racist behaviour full of images showing Harambe It’s important to stop and – it isn’t. However, there are some on alongside the likes of Alan Rickman, acknowledge here that there is a our own university campus who feel Prince, David Bowie, and others very well documented pattern of the totality of the meme is racist. To 30 OPINION bullandbearmcgill.com

those people, it seems, anyone who Society, but perceived instances On October 14th 7:00pm, Lower participates in the spread of the of “SJW overreach” are not limited Field was awash in the glow of nearly meme is implicit in the perpetuation to our campus. UMass Amherst, four thousand candles as McGill of anti-black microaggressions and Claremont McKenna College, and students stand vigil in memory of stereotypes. The reality, of course, Yale – to name just three – each had a magnificent silverback gorilla. Or, is that a healthy majority of McGill their own variation on the classic tale: more accurately, the six thousand or so students are open-minded, worldly legitimate concerns over potential interested parties received a facebook thinkers who are just as disgusted discrimination and disrespect to notification at 6pm reminding with racism in general and anti-black minority groups were overshadowed them of the event, exhaled sharply racism in particular as authors of the by overzealous tactics and absurd through their noses in that “I just saw recent Daily article condemning the implications. All of these incidents something funny on my phone” kind ‘Harambe Candlelight Vigil’ event were shared extensively across social of way, and then went back to studying planned for October 14th. To paint media platforms and widely panned as for midterms or getting ready to go the thousands of people attending the examples of ideological overextension out. Because despite the musings of Facebook event as racists is to both by campus leftists. The growth of this an editorial board (without a single diminish the truly insidious nature of sentiment of derision and mockery Black member), this event was the racist underbelly of the internet for so-called SJWs is not innocuous nothing more than the localization and discount the genuine, active – it does genuine harm to the cause of a popular meme in the tradition effort by countless of these people to of creating a fairer, more equitable of absurdist humour in both internet work against racial discrimination society: the genesis of the alt-right is and millennial cultures. Instead in their lives. Such crusades against predicated largely upon a pushback of wagging fingers at perceived a meme achieve nothing – except against what many see as regressive, microaggressions in online imagery, making the crusader look out of touch, not progressive, leftism. It is a let’s move forward as a University and crotchety. Worse even, it could revealing and enlightening exercise to undertake the work of removing ultimately lead to a pushback against to look to these cultural images and barriers to opportunity in a practical, the very causes they champion. re-examine our values. Engaging in rational manner. The student body Examples can be found in the inflammatory, antagonistic behaviour, already endured the Obama .gif fiasco illustrious history of our Student however, only serves to undermine the of ’14. Few are eager to rehash it. credibility of the philosophy of equity.

Liam Prendergast Opinion Writer Tangerine with Fury

or the three days of SSMU’s while exposing students to providers booths, to the point where security FActivities Night, Tangerine, a of services students might actually became involved. The McGill Daily, subsidiary of Scotiabank, set up its want or need. again confusing opinion with news, display amidst other student groups. Sounds reasonable, right? published an article documenting the JanSport, TD Bank, and Tangerine self- righteous fury felt at the mere (with the largest presence of a bank on display) had all paid campus. to be in attendance, This petulant which as the Daily attitude embodies the reported, fully covered type of mindset shared the cost of security by these groups: they and maintenance for must have their cake the entirety of the and eat it too. Not event. Additionally, these corporate As usual, however, this totally having to pay for their attendance sponsors allowed for student-run isn’t good enough- they require that groups to table, for the first time, free understandable compromise was torn apart by a variety of McGill’s the people who do pay for the event of charge. For SSMU, whose chronic have nothing to do with it. Meanwhile, lack of funding has continually self-ascribed “radical” movements. Members of McGill Against Austerity the SSMU’s attempt to provide critical hampered its provision of services, services despite huge budget cuts was this arrangement seemed a fair way and ‘Socialist Fightback’ loudly and repeatedly heckled the corporate somehow “selling out” to corporate to cover the cost of Activities Night, interest. Rather, rad groups offered FALL 2016 OPINION 31 no balanced alternative – their way or austerity mandate. as Activities Night, where various the highway. As is typical of such radical companies are accessible under the A Corporate Presence organizations, however, no real same roof, undoubtedly make the whole process much easier. This is All the saber rattling does however alternative is offered. Despite recognizing the extreme budgetary particularly true for those from non- bring up a valid question: is there a Western backgrounds, who may not place for corporate advertising on difficulties of SSMU, the only ‘solution’ put forward is to completely abolish be familiar with Canadian banking campus? With the recent expansion of and telecom businesses. Speaking as billboards in the Shatner Building, as capitalism and establish a worker-led state, in which issues such as a budget somebody who foolishly continued well as the strategically positioned ads to use his Bank of America card in bathrooms, corporate advertising is (or currency) won’t matter. Ironically, it is the socialist redistribution of (acquiring a mountain of fees in certainly more visible on campus than doing so) through first year, I would it once was. tuition McGill students pay to other Quebec universities that is a large have greatly benefited from being An obvious reason for this is part of why there is a budgetary issue able to shop around for a Canadian McGill’s lack of funding. The Quebec in the first place. So until this socialist alternative in one efficient place. Government, under the guise of paradise is perfected, it would seem All this is not to say that McGill austerity measures, has slashed that SSMU must find other ways to should throw open its gates to every McGill’s allocation of provincial pay its bills. corporate hustle for the sake of funding on a yearly basis, resulting in The argument has also been given money. University, after all, should an increasingly precarious financial remain a place dedicated to the open, situation. Since 2012, McGill has that corporate advertising crosses a line when it becomes involved with liberal education of its students. We lost over $50 million in Government are a fortunate far cry away from funding, having wide- many universities in ranging effects across the US, where campus the University. Those quads are a sea of affected include SSMU, hawkish salesman and which has been forced advertisement pervades to bring in additional everything from sports fees to make up for a to schoolbooks. McGill, projected $130,000 to its great credit, has deficit. Among the a balanced and fair budget cuts made was relationship with over $47,000 was from the ‘club fee,’ businesses. To conflate the presence which goes towards SSMU-registered SSMU, in that the ‘Student Union’ should only be dedicated to meeting of a few billboards or bank displays student clubs (something that would with ‘selling out’ is alarmist and have made tabling at Activities Night student interests. But I would argue that, in the case of Activities Night, cynical hyperbole, which neglects the difficult for some clubs had it not provision of vital services. been free). select corporate presence can be considered a service to students. Corporate advertising is thus a The fact remains that in our world, quick and easy way to make large evils of capitalism or no, banking sums of money without resorting to and telecom services are essential. the explosive issue of raising tuition. Whilst the members of Socialist One would think that groups such Fightback may find stuffing their as McGill Against Austerity would loonies under a collectively owned welcome this, as a way of avoiding mattress serviceable, the majority of McGill’s budget crisis passing on students need access to commercial to students, as well as enabling the and financial services that banks and continued funding of student groups. other companies provide.Hosting However, this is not the case. In events where they are on display is an Opinion piece for the Daily, Kian genuinely helpful, particularly for Kenyon-Dean of Socialist Fightback foreign students coming to McGill The views expressed in this considered the presence of Tangerine for the first time. For new students, opinion piece are the author’s own as “corporate… infiltration,” and went the first few weeks are stressful and do not necessarily represent those so far as to consider the presence of enough, even without having to do of The Bull & Bear. a few billboards within the Shatner the mad dash between various banks building as a violation of SSMU’s anti- and cellular companies. Events such