Welcome, Class of 2012!

MIT’s The Weather Oldest and Largest Today: Thunderstorms in the afternoon, highs in the 80s°F (28°C) Newspaper Tonight: Clear, lows near 60°F (16°C) Tomorrow: Sunny, highs in the lower 70s°F (22°C) http://tech.mit.edu/Monday Details, Page 2

Volume 128, Number 31 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Monday, August 25, 2008 First-Years Explore MBTA Sues Three Students to Stop Campus, Community Speech on Subway Vulnerabilities By Michael McGraw-Herdeg and Marissa Vogt During Orientation Staff Reporters An MIT student project showing By Ryan Ko to make the most of their “four very how anyone with a magnetic card Associate News Editor short years” at MIT: “It had long writer can ride the Boston subway for Incoming first-year undergradu- since come to [Da Vinci’s] atten- free was not presented at this sum- ate and graduate students descended tion that people of accomplishment mer’s DEF CON hacker convention upon the MIT campus as orientation rarely sit back and let things happen because of an emergency court order. activities officially started on Sun- to them. They go out and happen to But details sufficient to repeat the day. things.” attack were published in open court About 550 families from the in- Carol Chester, parent of David documents by the Massachusetts Bay coming class of 1,049 freshmen are A. Chester ’12, said that she “liked Transit Authority in its request for a expected to attend this year’s under- how Hockfield tied all the [themes] restraining order. graduate Orientation, whose theme together with Da Vinci.” On Aug. 19, a federal judge dis- is “TechTube,” according to Eliza- The message was not lost on the solved the gag order against three MIT beth C. Young, assistant dean for the incoming class. Nicholas A. Pellegri- students. The students’ legal counsel, Office of Undergraduate Advising no ’12 called the speech “inspiring” the Electronic Frontier Foundation, and Academic Programming. and said that he planned on pursu- called the decision a victory for free “From all of us to all of you, wel- ing a UROP as Hockfield had sug- speech and a sign that a federal state come!” President Susan Hockfield gested. does not prohibit talking about secu- David M. Templeton—The Tech The inbound gates of the Kendall/MIT subway stop are seen on Sun- said at Convocation in Killian Court During Convocation, the Orien- rity vulnerabilities. day evening. yesterday, speaking for a stage as- tation coordinators presented Hock- The MBTA said in court that they sembly which included prominent field with the Convocation Book, would need five months to fix the Judge George O’Toole Jr. sided MIT administrators and housemas- which contains the names of the new security flaws and asked for a court with the students; he denied the re- Students’ ters of the undergraduate dormito- class. order to silence the students during quest for a five-month injunction and ries. A total of 19 Freshman Pre-Ori- that period. They argued that if they dissolved the existing order. Presentation Hockfield praised the merits of entation Programs were held this students discussed their research, Zackary M. Anderson ’09, Russell the incoming Class of 2012, and us- year, according to Young. New this they would violate the National Infor- J. Ryan ’09, and Alessandro Chiesa ing the 16th-century scientist, engi- year were Discover Urban Studies mation Infrastructure Protection Act, ’09 planned to present research on Shows How to neer, and artist Leonardo da Vinci, and Planning and Discovering Brain which prohibits knowingly causing Sunday, Aug. 10 that would have shared her vision of MIT culture and Cognitive Sciences. The number “the transmission of a program, infor- shown how the MBTA’s CharlieTicket Get Free T Fare through three points: multi-disciplin- of freshmen participating in FPOPs mation, code, or command” that in- could be reprogrammed to contain up ary thinking, respect for and fascina- increased from 468 for the Class of tentionally damages a computer used to $655.36 using an inexpensive mag- By Michael McGraw-Herdeg tion with the natural world, and the 2011 to 560 freshmen this year. in interstate commerce. netic stripe writer. The students would Executive Editor hands-on engagement embodied in The schedule of events is similar The students — legally represent- also have discussed weaknesses in the Documents made public by an MIT’s motto “mens et manus,” which to last year’s, with a few more pro- ed by the EFF — argued that Pow- CharlieCard. MBTA lawsuit against MIT under- translates to “mind and hand.” grams for parents. One student event erPoint presentations and cards with The CharlieTicket vulnerabilities graduates show how anyone can get Encouraging the incoming stu- is a diversity lecture by Eddie Moore magnetic stripes do not represent the were discovered in the spring by a free T fare by copying an existing dents to meet and get to know the Jr., a professional speaker who will kind of “program, information, code, team of four Computer and Network CharlieTicket or by making their faculty, Hockfield closed with a or command” whose misuse the law Security (6.857) students working on own. quote from Da Vinci, entreating them Orientation, Page 12 was meant to prevent. a final project; the MBTA was not It is not clear what, if anything, a notified at the time. Three of the stu- restraining order issued by the Fed- dents are those named in the MBTA’s eral District Court of Massachusetts Dean for Graduate Education Steven suit. The fourth student, Samuel G. on behalf of the Massachusetts Bay McVeety G, did not participate in Transit Authority served to protect. the DEF CON preparation, Ander- That restraining order had the effect Lerman ’72 Shares Thoughts on MIT son said, and was not named in the of cancelling the students’ presenta- MBTA’s complaint. Anderson, Ryan, tion at the annual DEF CON hacker By Keone Hon memories of being an undergradu- eration that’s going to invent the fu- This is the first interview in a ate at MIT. ture. Being at MIT is the merger of Subway, Page 14 Vulnerabilities, Page 17 five-part series introducing incom- The Tech: You’ve been at MIT the two things that excited me when ing students to some of MIT’s facul- since you came here for your under- I was young: teaching and science. ty, staff, and student leaders. Today, grad. What about this place keeps TT: What’s a typical day like for Out in the Open: Some MIT The Tech interviews Steven R. Ler- you here? you? man ’72, Dean for Graduate Educa- Steven Lerman: I love the inter- SL: Lots of time in meetings. I tion, who offers advice for incoming play among technology, science and mostly deal with questions of two Scientists Sharing Results, students, discusses his work with education. For me the exciting part types. One type is from individual graduate students, and shares his of my work is educating a new gen- students. Some amount of my work is helping students resolve individu- Posting Unpublished Data al problems: problems with funding, By Carolyn Y. Johnson leaving unfinished work and ideas in problems with their research super- The Boston Globe the open seems as reckless as leav- visors, et cetera. Barry J. Canton, a 28-year-old ing your debit card and password at a The other issues I deal with are biological engineer at the Massa- busy ATM machine. about setting new programs and chusetts Institute of Technology, has Canton is part of a peaceful insur- policies. For example, we’re about posted raw scientific data, his thesis gency in science that is beginning to to roll out a new dental plan for grad proposal, and original research ideas pry open an endeavor that still com- students. Another example from last on an online Web site for all to see. municates its cutting-edge discover- year is a new policy that gives grad- To young people primed for ies in much the same way it has since uate students a P/D/F grading option openness by the confessional exis- Ben Franklin was experimenting for courses outside their majors. tence they live online, that may not with lightning. Papers are published Policies such as graduate financial seem like a big deal. in research journals after being re- aid — how do we support more grad But in the world of science — viewed by specialists to ensure that students — are also important. where promotions, tenure, and for- the methods and conclusions are Aside from that, my wife and I tune rest on publishing papers in sound, a process that can take many are housemasters at one of the grad- prestigious journals, securing com- months. uate dormitories … The Warehouse petitive grants, and patenting discov- “We’re a generation who expects eries — it’s a brazen, potentially self- Lerman, Page 16 destructive move. To many scientists, Open Science, Page 8

Ne w s Ar t s World & Nation ������������2 Will Gardasil work? New Beck album is Opinion ��������������������������4 Page 12 something to hear Arts ��������������������������������5 Colleges lobby for lower Page 5 Eric D. Schmiedl—The Tech Comics / Fun Pages ������6 MIT students fight the annual East vs. West Water War on drinking age Woody Allen movie flops Kresge Oval on Sunday afternoon. See page 11 for more photos Sports ��������������������������19 from Orientation and Residence Exploration. Page 15 Page 5 Page 2 The Tech August 25, 2008 Wo r l d & Na t i o n On TV, Timing Is Everything Georgian President Vows To At the Olympics By Bill Carter The New York Times Rebuild Army, Unite Enclaves In mid-2005, Dick Ebersol, the chairman of NBC Sports, had se- cured the support of the International Olympic Committee for the criti- By C.J. Chivers with “the crisis in Georgia” and take black smoke across the countryside. cal move of the finals of the key television sports of swimming and The New York Times place in Brussels, Belgium. With the bulk of Russian troops gymnastics to morning hours in China so they could be shown live in TBILISI, Georgia According to senior French offi- now withdrawn to the enclaves or to prime time in the United States. But he had one more person he needed President Mikheil Saakashvili of cials who helped negotiate the cease- Russian soil, Saakashvili framed the to consult: Michael Phelps. Georgia said Sunday that he planned fire agreement, the Russians must war against South Ossetia and Rus- “Michael was the first outsider I talked to about it,” Ebersol said in to rebuild his country’s shattered pull all their troops back to posi- sia — a military defeat that imper- an interview from Beijing, where he wrapped up NBC’s coverage of army, and that even after its decisive tions before the crisis began on Aug. iled his government and threatens the games Sunday. He said he wanted to make sure that competing in defeat in the war for control of one 7. The Russian troops stationed in Georgia’s fragile economy — as a the morning would not harm the performance of the likely American of Georgia’s two separatist enclaves South Ossetia and Abkhazia before seminal moment that offered the star of the games. he would continue to pursue a policy that date may stay, and may continue seeds of political and national suc- Ebersol had already developed a close relationship with the swim- of uniting both enclaves under the to send out patrols into a “security cess. mer, so much so that Phelps and his mother had attended the funeral Georgian flag. zone,” a thin buffer zone roughly In an interview in his office of his young son Teddy after a plane crash that also seriously injured “It will stay the same,” he said five miles beyond the enclaves’ bor- that stretched until nearly 2 a.m., Ebersol. of his ambition to bring the two en- ders. But the Russians are not al- Saakashvili said that Georgia had Competing in the morning, Phelps said, was no problem. claves, South Ossetia and Abkhazia, lowed to set up fixed positions in the gained allies in the world and would under Georgian control. “Now as security zone — an agreement that embark upon a campaign of rebuild- ever.” Russia has not adhered to, Sarkozy ing. He predicted continued Ameri- Prospectors Rush To Also on Sunday, France called said Friday in a telephone call with can support, and noted that he spoke an emergency summit meeting of President Bush. by phone with the presumptive A Boom in Natural Gas the European Union for Sept. 1 to In the Georgian Black Sea port Republican nominee for president, By Clifford Krauss discuss “the future of relations with of Batumi, the first American naval Sen. John McCain, as often as twice The New York Times HOUSTON Russia” and aid to Georgia, accord- vessel arrived Sunday to distribute a day, and said that he was in regu- American natural gas production is rising at a clip not seen in half ing to a statement from the French humanitarian aid. lar contact with Joseph R. Biden Jr., a century, pushing down prices of the fuel and reversing conventional president, Nicolas Sarkozy. A train carrying oil cars ex- who has been picked to run for vice wisdom that domestic gas fields were in irreversible decline. The meeting was framed as a ploded while traveling near Gori, president on the Democratic ticket. The new drilling boom uses advanced technology to release gas response to Russia’s failure to meet the city in central Georgia that Rus- Saakashvili also said that the trapped in huge shale beds found throughout North America — gas the terms of the cease-fire agreement sia had occupied for about 10 days. Bush administration had not com- long believed to be out of reach. Natural gas is the cleanest fossil fuel, that Sarkozy negotiated between Georgian officials said the train had municated disappointment or sig- releasing less of the emissions that cause global warming than coal or Moscow and Tbilisi. Sarkozy, in a struck a mine left behind by Russian naled a decline in its support for him oil. statement, said he was responding to troops. No one was reported killed since he gave the order late at night Rising production of natural gas has significant long-range implica- the demands of “several states” for in the blast and the raging fire that on Aug. 7 to attack Tskhinvali, the tions for American consumers and businesses. A sustained increase in the summit meeting, which will deal followed, which sent thick plumes of South Ossetian capital. gas supplies over the next decade could slow the rise of utility bills, obviate the need to import gas and make energy-intensive industries more competitive. While the recent production increase is indisputable, not everyone At U.S. Prodding, Switzerland is convinced the additional supplies can last for decades. “The jury is still out how big shale is going to be,” said Robert Ineson, a natural gas analyst at Cambridge Energy Research Associates, a consulting firm. Destroyed Kahn Network Data By William J. Broad ciations with Khan, acting as middle- evidence of a clandestine relationship Delegates for Clinton and David E. Sanger men in his dealings with rogue na- between the Tinners and the CIA. The New York Times tions seeking nuclear equipment and Over four years, several of these Ready to Back Obama The president of Switzerland expertise. officials said, operatives of the CIA By John M. Broder stepped to a podium in Bern in The Swiss president, Pascal paid the Tinners as much as $10 mil- and Dalia Sussman May and read a statement confirm- Couchepin, took no questions. But lion, some of it delivered in a suitcase The New York Times ing rumors that had swirled through he asserted that the files — which in- stuffed with cash. In return, the Tin- Delegates to the Democratic National Convention arrive in Denver the capital for months. The govern- cluded an array of plans for nuclear ners delivered a flow of secret infor- having largely put aside the deep divisions of the primary fight between ment, he acknowledged, had indeed arms and technologies, among them mation that helped end Libya’s bomb Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, although some destroyed a huge trove of computer a highly sophisticated Pakistani program, reveal Iran’s atomic labors hold lingering concerns about Obama’s level of experience, according files and other material documenting bomb design — had been destroyed and, ultimately, undo Khan’s nuclear to a New York Times/CBS News poll. the business dealings of a family of so that they would never fall into ter- black market. More than half of the delegates that Clinton won in the primaries Swiss engineers suspected of helping rorist hands. In addition, U.S. and European now say they are enthusiastic supporters of Obama, and they also be- smuggle nuclear technology to Libya Behind that official explanation, officials said, the Tinners played an lieve he will win the presidential election in November, the poll found. and Iran. though, is a far more intriguing tale important role in a clandestine U.S. Three in 10 say they support Obama but have reservations about him or The files were of particular inter- of spies, moles and the questionable operation to funnel sabotaged nuclear they support him only because he is the party’s nominee. Five percent est not only to Swiss prosecutors but compromises that governments make equipment to Libya and Iran, a major say they do not support him yet. to international atomic inspectors in the name of national security. but little-known element of the ef- The poll, which was taken before Obama selected Sen. Joseph R. working to unwind the activities of The United States had urged that forts to slow their nuclear progress. Biden Jr. of Delaware as his running mate, also suggests that Clinton’s Abdul Qadeer Khan, the Pakistani the files be destroyed, according to The relationship with the Tinners 1,640 pledged delegates are evenly split over whom they plan to vote bomb pioneer-turned-nuclear black interviews with five current and for- “was very significant,” said Gary S. for on the floor of the convention during the roll call vote on Wednes- marketeer. The Swiss engineers, mer Bush administration officials. Samore, who ran the National Secu- day evening. Friedrich Tinner and his two sons, The purpose, the officials said, was rity Council’s nonproliferation office were accused of having deep asso- less to thwart terrorists than to hide when the operation began. We a t h e r Thunderstorm Today, Situation for Noon Eastern Daylight Time, Monday, August 25, 2008

130°W 125°W 120°W 115°W 110°W 105°W 100°W 95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 75°W 70°W 65°W 60°W But Sunny Stretch to Continue 40°N By Cegeon J. Chan Staff Meteorologist Welcome Class of 2012! From moving into to your dorm to outdoor 1022 events, the weather (so far) has shown its sunny side. The weather machine (the dome ball atop the Green Building) has provided five straight virtually 35°N cloud-free days. However, this afternoon will mark a short disruption to this pattern (a reboot), in the form of a cold front. Today will start off slightly humid and cloudy. The approaching cold front will sweep through the Boston area this afternoon. The good news is that afterwards, behind the cold front, the dew point (a measure of the humidity) 30°N will quickly drop. However, there is slight uncertainty in the timing of the thunderstorm. The later it arrives, the more heat that gets accumulated at the surface, which in turn, gives the thunderstorms more strength. Alternatively, the earlier it arrives, the weaker any showers will be. After that, a high pres- sure system will build in and a new streak of sunny weather will begin. 1008 25°N

1008 Extended Forecast Today: Thunderstorms in the afternoon. Humid with highs in the lower 80s°F (28°C). Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows near 60°F (16°C). Tomorrow: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s°F (22°C). Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols Tomorrow Night: Mostly clear. Low in the lower 50s°F (11°C). Snow Rain Fog High Pressure Trough Thursday: Sunny again. Highs in the lower 70°F (22°C). - - - Showers Thunderstorm

Friday: Sunny still. Highs in the upper 70s°F (26°C). Q Q Q Q Warm Front Light Low Pressure Haze LLLLL Cold Front Moderate Compiled by MIT Hurricane Q Q Meteorology Staff L L Stationary Front Heavy and The Tech August 25, 2008 Wo r l d & Na t i o n The Tech Page 3

After Glow of Olympic Games, Russian Actions Reignite Tensions Over Strategic Port in Ukraine China Faces Uncertain Future By David L. Stern The New York Times SEVASTOPOL, Ukraine By Jim Yardley and the muted Western response to state. China’s 51 gold medals, the Russia’s guided missile cruiser Moskva appeared suddenly on the The New York Times repression will convince leaders that most of any nation, were the product horizon, dark and imposing like a fortress in the twilight, and steamed BEIJING their current model is working. of a state-controlled sports machine. on Saturday into this Black Sea port, where its sailors were given a The elaborate closing ceremony “China was eager to present Those successes are one reason that hero’s welcome. that ended the Beijing games on something that shows it is a new some analysts doubt Chinese leaders “Russia! Russia!” chanted hundreds of supporters from the embank- Sunday also ended nearly a decade power that has its own might,” said will rush to change the status quo. ment, as fireworks burst. in which the ruling Communist Party Shen Dingli, a professor at Fudan “They have earned a tremendous The ship, more than 600 feet long and bristling with guns and mis- had made the Olympics an organiz- University in Shanghai. “It has prob- amount of face because of the Olym- sile launchers, was one of several from the Black Sea Fleet that pa- ing principle in national life. Almost lems but it is able to manage them. It pics,” said Hung Huang, a media ex- trolled the coast of Georgia during the conflict between it and Russia. nothing has superseded the Olympics has weaknesses in its institutions but ecutive in Beijing. “They are going The fleet — which theR ussians say sank a Georgian gunboat that fired as a political priority in China. also strengths in those same institu- to ride on that for a while. We don’t on them — is based here in Sevastopol, a city populated mainly by For Chinese leaders, all that ef- tions.” have a culture that is pro-change. ethnic Russians. fort paid off. The games were seen Jacques Rogge, the president of China, by nature, has got to be pro- The next day, in the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, President Viktor A. Yush- as an unparalleled success by most the International Olympic Commit- voked to make changes. The eco- chenko presided over the first military parade in years — with a massive Chinese — a record medal count tee, declared on Sunday afternoon nomic reforms came about because display of tanks, armored personnel carriers and missile launchers — inspired nationwide excitement, and that choosing Beijing as a host had we were desperately poor.” to celebrate his country’s 17th year of independence from the Soviet Beijing impressed foreign visitors been the “right choice” and that the Indeed, for all the attention to Union. Russia’s willingness to send troops into Georgia, another former with its hospitality and efficiency. event had been a bridge between the Olympics, 2008 also marks the Soviet republic, to settle their territorial dispute this month has made And while the government’s uncom- China and the rest of the world. “The 30th anniversary of China’s initial Ukraine jittery, and the pro-Western Yushchenko used the celebration to promising suppression of dissent world has learned about China, and embrace of the market reforms that again push for inclusion in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. drew international criticism, China China has learned about the world,” have powered the country’s rapid “We must speed up our work to achieve membership of the Euro- also demonstrated to a global audi- Rogge said. “I believe this is some- economic rise. Liberals in China pean system of security and raise the defense capabilities of the coun- ence that it is a rising economic and thing that will have positive effects have hoped this anniversary would try,” Yushchenko said in a televised speech to thousands gathered in the political power. for the long term.” inspire new reforms, especially to a city’s main Independence Square. “Only these steps will guarantee our But a new post-Olympic era has To a large degree, the Beijing political system still marred by cor- security and the integrity of our borders.” begun. The question now is whether games reflected the might of the ruption and a lack of transparency a deepening self-confidence arising centralized power of China’s authori- and accountability. from the Olympic experience will tarian system: The stunning sports But critics say that the Olympics For Kennedy, An Unexpected lead China to further engagement stadiums contributed to a $43 bil- have underscored the deep resistance with the world and domestic political lion price tag for the Games that was within the Communist Party to be- Role in Finding the No. 2 reform or if the success of the games almost completely absorbed by the coming more tolerant of dissent. By Jeff Zeleny The New York Times CHICAGO Yes, Caroline Kennedy says, she was taken aback when Sen. Ba- rack Obama asked her in the late spring to play a primary role on his Democrats Convene in Denver To vice-presidential search team. “I was surprised and really honored,” Kennedy said Sunday in a telephone interview. “I thought it would be incredibly interesting and Plan Election Strategies obviously important.” When Kennedy endorsed Obama’s candidacy in January, making a By Adam Nagourney the next four days, including having states,” said Donald Fowler, a former considerable foray onto a political stage she has sought to avoid, she The New York Times Al Gore introduce Obama for his ac- national Democratic chairman who thought her announcement would be the extent of her public role in DENVER ceptance speech Thursday night, to supported Clinton in the primary. his campaign. Democrats gathering here for offer a fuller biography and a more “What has happened is that Republi- But for the past two months, she has been a detective, gathering their nominating convention are sig- detailed plan of what he would do as cans — McCain specifically — have information, asking questions and learning exhaustive details about nificantly more nervous about Sen. president. really twisted his great charisma, this some of the nation’s top Democrats. (No, she said, she would not share Barack Obama’s prospects this fall They said they were looking to electric personality, to discredit his anything.) Either alone or with her co-chairman of the search team, than they were a month ago, and are 1992 as a model, when Bill Clinton ability, his experience, his capacity, Eric Holder, she sat with senators and members of Congress, gover- urging him to use the next four days successfully used his convention to his judgment. I fear they are about to nors and other party leaders to listen and gather their comments. to address weaknesses in his candi- address persistent questions about do to him what they did to Gore.” “It was very thorough — and it was wide,” she said of the net that dacy and lingering party divisions his personal life and what he would Discussing the days ahead, Fowl- was cast for Obama. “His goals and values were really clear from the from the bitter primary fight. do as president. er continued: “Obama has got to do way he approached it. He wanted somebody who was an independent Obama’s aides said they had In interviews, Democrats arriving some things that will shore up his thinker.” learned from what they described as here said they remained confident ability to lead — not just to charm, They presented the information to Obama at a handful of private the mistake of the 2004 Democratic that Obama would leave Denver at but to lead. They’ve got to give credi- sessions, typically at Holder’s law office a few blocks from the White convention — when aides to Sen. the end of the week in a strong posi- bility to his understanding of foreign House. It was there, Kennedy said, that she watched Obama work his John Kerry’s campaign sought to for- tion to beat McCain. But many Dem- policy, his ability to deal with tough way down the path to selecting Sen. Joseph R. Biden Jr. bid convention speakers from going ocrats made clear that a convention people and tough questions, and his after President Bush — and would they had once anticipated would be ability to be more explicit and con- use these four days to draw sharp a breezy celebration of Obama had vincing on his health care policies Bomb Kills 25 at Baghdad Dinner contrasts with Sen. John McCain, turned into a more sober and conse- and energy policies.” By Erica Goode particularly on the economy and Mc- quential event. Doe Trippi, who ran the presi- and Stephen Farrell Cain’s opposition to abortion rights. This reflected a summer that they dential campaign of one of Obama’s The New York Times BAGHDAD “The stakes of this election will said demonstrated Obama’s vulnera- rivals, John Edwards of North Caro- Sheik Ayed Salim al-Zubaie held a large dinner party at his house be made very clear,” said David bilities and McCain’s resilience, and lina, said: “He has still got to get in Abu Ghraib on Sunday evening to celebrate the release of a family Axelrod, Obama’s chief strategist. the signs of lingering divisions be- to the meat-and-potato, blue-collar member who had been imprisoned by American forces for three years. “We are going to define the choice.” tween some supporters of Sen. Hil- workers. This is a big opportunity But as the guests sat in the garden waiting for dinner to be served, At the same time, acknowledg- lary Rodham Clinton and Obama. for him.” one of them, a man wearing a yellow dishdasha, detonated explosives ing persistent voter unease with “Back in June and July, I truly There are some things that may hidden inside the long robe. The bombing killed at least 25 people and Obama, his aides said they would thought he was going to blow McCa- be beyond the control of the Obama wounded at least 29 others, according to Iraqi police. use speeches and presentations over in out of the water and carry 30 or 40 campaign. Witnesses speculated that the target of the attack was a group of sheiks attending the dinner who were working with the Americans to fight insurgents. Biden’s Son Drew Consulting Fees “The smoke was everywhere mixed with blood and pieces of flesh,” said Yaseen Ahmed, 35, a guest who was wounded in the explosion and taken to a hospital in nearby Fallujah. “I went unconscious after that.” Abu Ghraib, notorious for its prison, is a Sunni area about 18 miles While Senator Pushed for Bill west of Baghdad where local forces known as Awakening Councils are By Christopher Drew Delaware, was one of the most sen- ties and many national politicians, paid by the American military to protect their neighborhoods. Many and Mike Mcintire sitive issues they examined while including Biden. of them are former Sunni insurgents who have incurred the wrath of The New York Times vetting the senator for a spot on the In late 1996, the company hired al-Qaida in Mesopotamia for turning on them. During the years that Sen. Joseph ticket. the younger of Biden’s two sons, R. Biden Jr. was helping the credit Biden’s support for the bankrupt- Robert Hunter Biden, known as card industry win passage of a law cy changes, which were signed into Hunter, who had just graduated from Three Years After Hurricane, making it harder for consumers to law in 2005, puts him at odds with Yale Law School, as a lawyer. The file for bankruptcy protection, his Obama of Illinois, who opposed the company promoted Biden to senior The Backup Is a Fixture son received more than ($400,000 bill and has criticized the presump- vice president by early 1998. And af- By Dan Barry ) in consulting fees from one of tive Republican nominee, Sen. John ter the younger Biden worked at the The New York Times NEW ORLEANS the largest companies pushing for McCain of Arizona, for supporting Commerce Department on electronic On the seventh-floor parking garage of a Holiday Inn that calls it- the changes, aides to Sen. Barack it. Consumer advocates and other commerce issues from 1998 to 2001, self the “jazziest hotel in New Orleans,” soldiers dressed for combat Obama’s presidential campaign ac- Democratic allies remain sharply MBNA hired him back on a monthly wait for the evening’s call to fall in. They chat, smoke and gaze out knowledged Sunday. critical of Biden’s actions, saying in consulting contract to advise it on upon an American city still in need of their armed presence. Biden’s son, Hunter, received the recent days that they could hamper such issues, aides said. At a sergeant’s bark, these two dozen men and women, all members fees from MBNA Corp. from 2001 to the campaign’s efforts to attack the Consumer advocates say that Sen. of the Louisiana National Guard, stand at attention for their nightly pep 2005 for consulting work on online Republicans over their handling of Biden was one of the first Democrat- talk. The sergeant instructs them to drive carefully, to be alert, to keep banking issues. Aides to Obama, who the nation’s credit crisis. ic leaders to support the bankruptcy an eye out for a hyperactive band of armed robbers and to remember: chose Biden as his vice-presidential The financial services industry bill, and he voted for it four times — “We’re not here to make friends.” running mate on Saturday, said the began seeking relief from Congress in 1998, 2000, 2001 and in March They slap clips into their 9 mm pistols and climb into decade-old younger Biden, who works as both in the mid-1990s from an increase in 2005, when its final version passed white sedans no longer of use to the state police. Then out they go, a lawyer and lobbyist in Washington, bankruptcies that was cutting into its the Senate by a vote of 74 to 25. on patrol, their flashlight beams skimming like the nation’s eye across never lobbied for MBNA and that profits. Its initial support came from Travis Plunkett, legislative direc- shotgun houses achingly abandoned and beautifully restored, down there was nothing improper about Republican lawmakers, who repeat- tor of the Consumer Federation of streets named St. Maurice, and Piety, and Elysian Fields. any of the payments. edly introduced bills to make it more America, a consumer group that op- On this night the shift supervisor is Sgt. Robert Barthelemy, 28, a But campaign officials acknowl- difficult for consumers to erase their posed the bill, said that Sen. Biden brawny sawmill worker from Natchitoches, more than 200 miles to the edged that the connection between debts. During that time, executives at had provided a “veneer of biparti- northwest. But he has earned his street stripes, first as an Army tank the Bidens and MBNA, the enor- MBNA, which was bought in 2006 sanship” that eventually helped the commander in Baghdad and for the last 18 months as a soldier in New mous financial services company by Bank of America, began donating credit card companies win over other Orleans. He wants to be a police officer someday; maybe here. then based in their home state of heavily to both major political par- Democrats. Page 4 The Tech August 25, 2008 Op i n i o n

Chairman Benjamin P. Gleitzman ’09 Editor in Chief Nick Semenkovich ’09 Business Manager Austin Chu ’08 Managing Editor Jessica Witchley ’10 Executive Editor Michael McGraw-Herdeg ’08

News Staff News and Features Director: Angeline Wang ’09; Editors: Arkajit Dey ’11, Jeff Guo ’11, Natasha Plotkin ’11; Associate Editors: Ryan Ko ’11, Emily Prentice ’11; Staff: Curt Fischer G, Ray C. He G, Ramya Sankar G, John A. Hawkinson ’98, Daniela Cako ’09, Mei-Hsin Cheng ’09, Diana Jue ’09, Ji Qi ’09, Kirtana Raja ’09, Yiwei Zhang ’09, Yi Zhou ’09, Nick Bushak ’10, Yuri Hanada ’10, JiHye Kim ’10, Joyce Kwan ’10, Manisha Padi ’10, Joanne Y. Shih ’10, Yan Huang ’11, Elijah Jordan Turner ’11, Lulu Wang ’11; Meteorologists: Cegeon Chan G, Jon Moskaitis G, Michael J. Ring G, Roberto Rondanelli G, Scott Stransky G, Brian H. Tang G, John K. Williams G, Angela Zalucha G, Garrett P. Marino ’08, Mike Yee ’08.

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Editors at Large Contributing Editors: Rosa Cao G, Brian Hemond G, Valery K. Brobbey ’08, Caroline Huang ’10; Senior Editors: Satwiksai Seshasai G, Jillian A. Berry ’08, Shreyes Seshasai ’08, Omari Stephens ’08, Sarah Dupuis ’10.

Advisory Board Paul E. Schindler, Jr. ’74, V. Michael Bove ’83, Barry S. Surman ’84, Robert E. Malchman property of The Tech, and will not be returned. Letters, columns, and ’85, Deborah A. Levinson ’91, Jonathan E. D. Opinion Policy cartoons may also be posted on The Tech’s Web site and/or printed Richmond PhD ’91, Karen Kaplan ’93, Saul Editorials are the official opinion of The Tech. They are written by or published in any other format or medium now known or later that Blumenthal ’98, Frank Dabek ’00, Daniel Ryan the editorial board, which consists of Chairman Benjamin P. Gleitzman, becomes known. The Tech makes no commitment to publish all the Bersak ’02, Eric J. Cholankeril ’02, Jordan Editor in Chief Nick Semenkovich, Managing Editor Jessica Witchley, letters received. Rubin ’02, Nathan Collins SM ’03, Keith J. Opinion Editor Andrew T. Lukmann, and Contributing Editor Rosa Cao. Guest columns are opinion articles submitted by members of the Winstein ’03, Akshay R. Patil ’04, Tiffany Dohzen ’06, Beckett W. Sterner ’06, Marissa Dissents are the opinions of signed members of the editorial MIT or local community and have the author’s name in italics. Col- Vogt ’06, Zachary Ozer ’07, B. D. Colen. board choosing to publish their disagreement with the editorial. umns without italics are written by Tech staff. Letters to the editor, columns, and editorial cartoons are writ- Production Staff for This Issue ten by individuals and represent the opinion of the author, not neces- Editors: Austin Chu ’08, Jessica Witchley ’10, sarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encouraged To Reach Us Steve Howland ’11; Staff: Ricardo Ramirez and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy submis- The Tech’s telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the eas- ’09. sions should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, iest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure whom

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August 25, 2008 The Tech Page 5 Ar t s MOVIE REVIEW hh Spanish Summer Vacation Woody Allen’s Latest is Breezy, Romantic, and Decidedly Unfunny By Praveen Rathinavelu ting, voice-over narration informs ARTS EDITOR us, Vicky is a steady pragmatist Vicky Cristina Barcelona — engaged to a practical, suc- Written and Directed by Woody Allen cessful douchebag — while Cris- Starring Scarlett Johansson, Rebecca Hall, tina is an aimless romantic, who Javier Bardem, and Penelope Cruz has barreled through a series of Now Playing men. Both actresses feel a little More than those of probably any other lifeless and stiff — particularly working director, Woody Allen’s films are re- Johansson — and the film never leased with the paralyzing burden of expecta- really takes off until the entrance tion. Woody Allen is supposed to be, without of their incomparable Spanish exception, funny. The expectations extend fur- colleagues. ther; his films must carry a sense of humor that Javier Bardem enters first, as fits with the public perception of Allen him- the mysterious, charming paint- self: anal, narcissistic, self-deprecating. When er, Juan Antonio. His role as the Allen releases films that don’t really fit this steamy Spanish lover is such a mold, people tend to freak out. stereotype, it should just make the Allen did his best to cripple expectations film feel staler, but Bardem deliv- with his dark, fantastic film Match Point. Like ers a smooth, effortless perfor- Match Point, his latest film, Vicky Cristina mance as Juan Antonio attempts to Barcelona, employs a soberer European set- (and succeeds in) seducing Vicky ting and a subtle social exploration. But while and Cristina simultaneously. Match Point was tight, brooding, and sexual, The interactions between Juan Vicky Cristina is young, breezy, and romantic. Antonio, Vicky, and Cristina are Match Point was a stronger, more complete sharp, fun, and interesting, but film, but Vicky Cristina Barcelona is vibrant the film shifts gears entirely when and cool. Maria Elena (Penelope Cruz) Photo courtesy of The Weinstein Company Allen moves through an idyllic, richly surges onto the screen. Cruz dis- Javier Bardem and Rebecca Hall star in Woody Allen’s Vicky Cristina Barcelona. colored Barcelona with his two female pro- plays an overpowering wit and tagonists: Vicky (Rebecca Hall) and Cris- presence that diminishes Johans- breakdowns of Maria Elena (who also has the of melancholy. We are left incapable of making tina (Scarlett Johansson), two mildly clueless son entirely. With the entrance of Maria Elena, tendency to assault the characters with various any overarching assumptions about the film or American women, ready to absorb the consid- the film forges a web of complex sexual in- weapons and objects). characters (despite the narrator’s attempt to in erable amounts of art, music, and wine that teractions between the characters, built around Vicky Cristina doesn’t rise to a bold, explo- the beginning) except that everything, particu- Barcelona has to offer. As the cheesy, but fit- the seemingly endless series of outbursts and sive climax but ends with an inconclusive sort larly love, is transient. ALBUM REVIEW Modern Guilt Far From Mellow Newest Beck Anxious and Spooky, Despite Danger Mouse’s Production By Sarah Dupuis images of players’ feet backed by loose ghost in my heart / That’s trying to see in Senior Editor cables — to the vocals — shy falsettos the dark / I’m tired of people / Who only Beck buried under church-echo harmonies — want to be pleased / But I still want to “Modern Guilt” Modern Guilt certainly doesn’t flaunt please you / And I heard of that Japanese Produced by Danger Mouse and Beck its openness. Danger Mouse’s work also girl / Who jumped into the volcano / Was Interscope Records seems to obstruct the emotion behind she trying to make it back / Back into the the songs; the chopped beats and erratic womb of the world?” etween his unpredictable album sounds come suspiciously and inappro- And in what just might be the song of content and hush-hush ties to Sci- priately close to Gnarls Barkley territory the year, Beck releases any self-conscious entology, it’s hard not to speculate (“Walls” in particular bears a resemblance irony and delves into a gorgeous, over-the- B about just what’s going on in Beck to St. Elsewhere track “Smiley Faces”). top number. That track is “Chemtrails,” Hansen’s brain. His most recent opaque But beneath the production and between notably different from the rest of the interviews leave out most details of his the lines of the lyrics lies a not only re- album because of Joey Waronker’s un- personal life, and so the truest glimpse we vealing but also revelatory record that relenting, bone-chilling drum fills and get of his personality comes direct from leans towards paranoia, sadness, and dis- Godrich-protégé Darrell Thorp’s three- the records. Alternating between funky comfort. dimensional, spooky mixing. The song is nonsense (Mellow Gold, Odelay, Midnite This uneasiness is present throughout ostensibly about the chemtrail conspiracy Vultures) and sonically rich emotion (par- the album. “Modern guilt, I’m under lock theory, or the belief that trails appearing ticularly the Nigel Godrich-produced al- and key / It’s not what I have changed / behind flying aircraft are actually govern- bums Mutations, Sea Change, and The In- Turning into convention / Don’t know ment chemicals being released on humans formation), Beck proves adept at showing what I’ve done, but I feel ashamed,” Beck for an unknown purpose. But Beck’s po- off his polar-opposite profiles, but never groans over the two-step rock of the titular etic lyrics are much more beautiful and facing the world with his full-on façade. track that sets the pace for the sound-word complex than the namesake theory. In an Between his unpredictable album discrepancy of the album. Perfect sum- honest and vulnerable falsetto (unlike the content and hush-hush ties to Scientol- mer single “Gamma Ray,” (which easily comical croon on Midnite Vultures track ogy, it’s hard not to speculate about just recalls the bass line of Le Tigre’s dance- “Debra”) Beck delivers a frightening and what’s going on in Beck Hansen’s brain. able “Deceptacon”) and likely chart can- captivating image: “I can’t believe what His most recent opaque interviews leave didate “Profanity Prayers” (a fun handclap we’ve seen outside / You and me watch- out most details of his personal life, and so number) offer up a great beachside sound- ing the jets go by / Down by the sea / So the truest glimpse we get of his personal- track, but also contain a severe duality: many people / They’ve already drowned” Xueyan Zhang ity comes direct from the records. Alter- Beck sings of “ice caps melting down“ on and “The chemtrails is where we belong / An origami butterfly, designed and built by Mi- nating between funky nonsense (Mellow the former, and on the latter, “you wait at That’s where we’ll be when we die in the chael G. LaFosse and Richard L. Alexander, is Gold, Odelay, Midnite Vultures) and soni- the light and watch for a sign that you’re slipstream / We’ll climb in a hole in the seen hanging on display August 8 in the Stata cally rich emotion (particularly the Nigel breathing.” The eeriness continues with sky.” Center. Godrich-produced albums Mutations, punchy, grooving “Youthless” (featuring Though fans of Beck’s humorous side Sea Change, and The Information), Beck Self’s Matt Mahaffey on bass), and the may be just as turned off as some die-hard proves adept at showing off his polar-op- self-descriptive line “they tried to turn Sea Change fans seeking a new breakup posite profiles, but never facing the world emotion into noise.” anthem, Modern Guilt puts the self-pro- with his full-on façade. The real standouts, however, come claimed Perdedor in a brand new role. But it seems the more obfuscated and when Beck’s sound matches his meaning. He’s a whispering prophet who inspects media-shy Beck becomes, the more hon- Closing track “Volcano” has percussion his own life and the world around him est he gets, because Modern Guilt — ap- just like the chugging of a freight train through a magnifying glass with a storm- propriately released on the artist’s thirty- pulling away from a station. Beck’s low grey lens. It’s a new Beck, and it’s a Beck eighth birthday — may just be the truest voice is mournful, slow and grounded as to watch in coming years — provided self-portrait Beck’s given us. he tells of sorrow — both his and others. he doesn’t withdraw into the chemtrails From the album artwork — shadowy “I don’t know if I’m sane / But there’s a completely. Nightline

We’re here to listen. This space donated by The Tech DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV 3-8800 OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER DEF TUV TUV OPER OPER August 25, 2008

Page 6

Steal My Comic by Michael Ciuffo The Daily Blunderbuss by Ben Peters

Theory of Pete by Cai GoGwilt

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that each column, row, and 3 by 3 grid contains exactly one of Crossword Puzzle each of the digits 1 through 9. Solution, page 14 Solution on page 14. 35 Croupier’s line 25 All together 42 Confront boldly 38 Salespeople 27 God of war 43 Sports conference 39 Forest units 28 Except 44 Knack   40 Cooking vessels 30 Hockey projectile 46 Aquatic mammal 41 Smacking of the sea 31 White House res. 47 Classic Olds 42 Short-order order 32 Keeps out 48 Opp. of syn.    45 Classified __ 33 Mediterranean island 50 Boo-boo 46 Implicit warning 34 Mind 51 Small bills 48 Length x width 35 Trudge 52 HBO rival   49 Mothered overly 36 Disappoints 53 By what means 51 Shaq’s surname 37 Web sites 54 Cozy room   52 Display in the best light 38 Tax preparer 55 Pianist Cliburn 57 Comic Mandel 41 Solemn 56 Pilot’s gauge: abbr. 58 Back-comb    59 Baltimore paper 60 Deed holder 61 City near Limerick   62 Asian holiday

DOWN    1 In the direction of 2 Genesis 3 Tijuana tomorrow    4 Part of the leg 5 Female quail    6 Gore and Franken Solution, tips, and computer program at http://www.sudoku.com 7 Number of Roman hills 8 Put forth ACROSS 21 Concluded 9 Oodles 1 Male turkey 22 Wedding token 10 Open-topped purse 4 Use a razor 23 Backbones 11 Rigorous appraisal 9 Postage 26 Bar bill 12 Dairy farm sound 14 __ pro nobis 29 Forensics letters 13 Forest deity 15 Spiral form 30 Modernist poet Ezra 18 Hair purchase 16 Hot chocolate 31 Andean country 19 One for Pierre 17 Mutually beneficial event 32 Word with sienna or umber 23 Blisters and bruises 20 Encore! 33 Waist cincher 24 Weak August 25, 2008 The Tech Page 7

Dilbert® by Scott Adams Page 8 The Tech August 25, 2008 MIT Scientists Are Promoting Open Science Movement

Open Science, from Page 1 centuries, scientific discoveries have Web site that scientists in Thomas F. The Web site, with tutorials from to adapt to a new business model, occurred at a steady clip, without the Knight ’79 and Andrew D. Endy’s top researchers on subjects from scientific publishers worry that open all information is a Google search help of wikis or Web tools. Journals labs at MIT used to share informa- basic stem cell techniques to dis- access could undermine the founda- away,” Canton said. “Not only is it publish papers that have been scru- tion. But today the Web site is backed secting mosquitoes’ salivary glands, tion on which scientific communica- a Google search away, but it’s also tinized by specialists, ensuring that by a National Science Foundation is informed by the experience of its tion is built. Journals typically make released immediately. As soon as it bad research doesn’t mislead other grant, and more than 4,000 biolo- cofounder, Moshe Pritsker. Pritsker money through a combination of happens, the video is up on YouTube scientists or the public. gists and bioengineers from across recalls how he as a graduate student subscription fees paid by individuals and on all the blogs. The old model Scientists who plunge into open- the world have signed up to share spent more than a month unsuccess- or by universities and advertising, feels kind of crazy when you’re used ness also risk giving a competing lab techniques, get practical tips, and fully trying to replicate a two-year- which support its editorial and peer- to this instant information.” a leg up. even detail their day-to-day work if old stem cell technique; eventually he review process. Openness has always been an in- “Maybe somebody has discov- they choose. flew to Scotland to learn firsthand. “The bottom line is it’s a wonder- tegral part of science, with scientists ered some interesting gene and Science Commons, a nonprofit It’s hard to say which, if any, of ful experiment, but it needs to be ap- presenting findings in journals or at doesn’t want to blab to the whole group based at MIT, works to Web- these forms of openness will gain proached carefully, or you go out of conferences. But the open-science world about why it’s interesting,” enable the scientific enterprise by traction in the wider community. business,” said Fred Dylla, executive movement, with many of its leaders said Michael T. Laub, an assistant working on other aspects of open- But the ethos of the Internet, where director of the American Institute of in the Boston area, encourages sci- professor of biology at MIT. He says ness: trying to find ways to make in- people are used to getting everything Physics, which publishes 11 of its entists to share techniques and even his lab is not overly secretive, but accessible journals broadly available from television shows to news articles own journals. their work long before they are ready does not post “all the gory details and developing Internet tools to ease without paying, is already challenging Eventually, the success of open to present results, when they are de- of what someone is working on, be- sharing of information. the scientific publishing industry. science hinges on utility: If research vising research questions, running cause I don’t want my grad students “In the same way you couldn’t There are open-access journals, improves, scientists will have to experiments, and analyzing data. In necessarily to be scooped by some- get to Facebook until you had the such as those published by the Pub- adopt it or fall behind. such open forums, the wisdom of the one else.” Web for 10 years — all sorts of stuff lic Library of Science, but scientific Canton, working in the relatively crowd could offer the ultimate form More broadly, the entire system had to happen to the Web itself to journals usually require a paid sub- new field of synthetic biology, has of peer review. And scientific infor- of credit in science is based on be- support the emergence of something scription to get access. But in Feb- seen the benefits firsthand. He and mation, they say, should be available ing the first to publish a finding in a like Facebook,” said John T. Wil- ruary, Harvard’s largest division, the colleagues devised a bit of genetic without the hefty subscription fees reputable journal; there’s no incen- banks, executive director of Science Faculty of Arts and Science, voted material that could be inserted into a charged by most journals. tive to post on blogs or community Commons. “I think the tipping point unanimously to make scholarly pa- cell to let it communicate with other It is an attempt to bring the kind of Web sites. Scientists try to get their will come when scientists look at pers authored by faculty available cells. revolutionary and disruptive change findings published in the top - jour someone next to them using the open free in an online repository, which They posted their work online, to the laboratory that the Internet has nals in their fields, and major scien- system and getting more discoveries, will begin beta-testing this fall. The but also submitted it to a journal over already wrought on the music and tific prizes are awarded to those who and saying ‘I want that.’” National Institutes of Health began a year ago to be formally presented print media industries. The idea is make breakthroughs. Another local effort, Somerville’s an open-access policy this year re- to the world’s scientific community. that opening up science could speed Despite these concerns, the coun- Journal of Visualized Experiments, quiring that NIH-funded research be Meanwhile, their work was incor- discoveries, increase collaboration, terculture scientific movement is is an open-access video journal that posted online for free, within a year porated into 18 different projects and transform the field in unforeseen gathering steam, and not just among seeks to increase transparency in of publication. by other labs. Canton was invited to ways. junior researchers. the how-to part of science, since re- Just as giving content away for workshops. On the other side are people who For example, OpenWetWare.org searchers often waste time trying to free on the Internet has proved trou- Last month, it came out in the see the benefits of the status quo. For started out in 2005 as Endipedia, a replicate another team’s experiment. blesome for newspapers as they try journal Nature Biotechnology.

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Orientation and REX Kick Off With A Bevy of Activities

(clockwise from top left)

Ahmed M. Hussain ’12 plays frisbee with some friends out on Kresge Oval on Sunday afternoon.

(left to right) Kahlil A. Dozier ’12, Tanmay Kumar ’12, and Jo- seph W. Colosimo ’12 are seen soldering circuit boards as part of Residence Exploration at East Campus on Saturday.

A wooden roller coaster is seen erected in East Campus’ court- yard Saturday as part of their annual Residence Exploration ac- tivities.

(left to right) Elena A. Tatarchenko ’11, Chao Xue ’12, and Ja- mie K. Huang ’11 tie dye shirts in front of Simmons Hall on Saturday. Page 12 The Tech August 25, 2008 Grad Students Have Researchers Question Long-Term Packed Orientation, Effect of Cervical Cancer Vaccines By Elisabeth Rosenthal have not yet demonstrated how long costs there. Further research is re- The New York Times the immunity will last, or whether quired in both areas. New Lab Open House Two vaccines against cervi- eliminating some strains of cancer- “I believe the vaccine is a great cal cancer are being widely used causing virus will decrease the advance, but we have to implement Orientation, from Page 1 day and tomorrow with “Graduate without sufficient evidence about body’s natural immunity to other it properly to get the benefits, and School 101,” which will help new whether they are worth their high strains. that hasn’t happened,” said Dr. Phil- talk about ethnic, racial, and sexual students learn about life at MIT, ac- cost or even whether they will effec- More to the point, because cervi- ip Davies of the European Cervical diversity in society. This event was cording to Ying Diao G and Kai Liao tively stop women from getting the cal cancer develops only after years Cancer Association. first included in freshman Orienta- G, the graduate orientation coordina- disease, two articles in last week’s of chronic infection with HPV, Dr. In developed countries, Pap tion last year. tors. New England Journal of Medicine Haug said there was not yet absolute smear screening and treatment have Giveaways this year include President Hockfield’s welcome conclude. proof that protection against these effectively reduced cervical can- T-shirts, as well as an emergency address to graduate students will Both vaccines target the human two strains of the virus would ulti- cer death rates to very low levels preparedness backpack from the Se- take place on Thursday, Aug. 28 in papillomavirus, a common sexually mately reduce rates of cervical can- already. There are 3,600 deaths an- curity and Emergency Management Kresge Auditorium. transmitted virus that usually causes cer — although in theory it should nually from cervical cancer in the Office. New events for this year’s gradu- no symptoms and is cleared by the do so. United States, 1,000 in France and “No question is a foolish ques- ate orientation are Lab Open House, immune system, but which can in Dr. Richard Haupt, medical di- 400 in Britain. tion,” advised Young. “Go to most of sponsored by TechLink, which will very rare cases become chronic and rector of Merck, called these con- Cervical cancer, like skin can- the programs. … Take this week as allow students to get to know labs cause cervical cancer. cerns “very theoretical,” noting that cer, can generally be caught at pre- an opportunity to meet new people.” from different departments, and MIT The two vaccines, Gardasil by continuing research and monitoring cancerous or non-invasive stages Undergraduate Orientation will Photo Safari, a combination treasure Merck Sharp & Dohme and Cer- suggested that immunity would be and treated. Because the vaccine officially close on Friday, Aug. 29 hunt, campus tour, and photo contest varix by GlaxoSmithKline, target long lasting and that the vaccine prevents infection with only some at the Greek Griller, at which point that will encourage students to ex- two strains of the virus that together would not lead to problems with of the cancer-causing strains, Pap fraternity rush and sorority recruit- plore the campus. cause an estimated 70 percent of cer- other strains. smear screening must continue even ment begin. Other highlights include Orienta- vical cancers. Gardasil also prevents He added that cervical cancer in those who are vaccinated. The coordinators of this year’s tion Olympics, a joint effort of Tang infection with two other strains that was “just the tip of the iceberg” and The Harvard study concluded Orientation are Chris J. Peters ’10, Hall, the Chinese Student and Schol- cause some proportion of genital that HPV caused a huge amount of that giving the vaccine to 12-year- Kelli B. Pointer ’10, Arti V. Virkud ar Association, and the GSC; a Bos- warts. Both vaccines have become expensive and stressful testing in de- olds would cost $43,600 for every ’11, and Andreas Wallendahl ’11. ton Harbor Cruise; and the relatively quick best sellers since they were veloped nations that could be avoid- “quality adjusted year of life” it A new Orientation blog site (http:// new International Culture Festival licensed two years ago in the United ed with vaccination. saved by preventing a cancer death; mitorientation.org/) was set up in (iFest). iFest, which was new at last States and Europe, given to tens of The vaccines, which require that price would often be consid- June, with the four student coordina- year’s orientation, will include per- millions of girls and women. three shots for a complete series, ered acceptable by health officials in tors and three UAAP staff members formances from more than 12 cul- “Despite great expectations and cost about $400 to about $1,000, de- wealthy countries, experts say. answering Orientation-related ques- tural groups, food from around the promising results of clinical trials, pending on the country and the fees Dr. Haupt said the study proved tions. world, and a cultural fashion show. we still lack sufficient evidence of for doctors’ visits. Unlike older vac- that it was best to vaccinate early. “It Graduate Orientation ends on an effective vaccine against cervi- cines that save money by preventing underscores the value of vaccinating First-year grad students learn Sept. 14, with the majority of events cal cancer,” Dr. Charlotte J. Haug, costly disease, these vaccines cost pre-adolescent girls,” since the vac- about MIT occurring between Aug. 24 and Sept. editor of The Journal of the Norwe- health systems money. cine works fully only in girls who Graduate orientation, hosted 6. For a schedule of events, see: gian Medical Association, wrote in The second paper published this have not been exposed to HPV. mainly by the Graduate Student http://gsc.mit.edu/index.php/orien- an editorial in Thursday’s issue of week, a study by Jane J. Kim and Dr. But if the vaccine were given to Council, kicked off on Sunday as tation/schedule/. The New England Journal. “With Sue Goldie of Harvard, looks at the all girls and women up to age 21, the well with a welcome barbecue at Angeline Wang contributed to the so many essential questions still un- issue of costs and concludes that the cost per year of life saved would be the Thirsty Ear Pub. It continues to- reporting of this story. answered, there is good reason to be vaccines will be cost effective only far higher — $120,400, the Harvard cautious.” if used in certain ways. In particu- study concluded. And if the vaccines In her article, Dr. Haug points lar, the researchers say the vaccines prove to require a booster shot, as out the vaccines have been studied will be worth the cost only if they many critics believe, that cost rises for a relatively short period — both prove to protect girls for a lifetime, to $140,000. In such cases it might were licensed in 2006 and have been and if current methods for screening make more economic sense to rely http://tech.mit.edu studied in clinicalT:10 in trials for at most for cervical cancer using Pap smears on Pap smear screening alone, the six and a half years. Researchers can be safely adjusted to reduce researchers said. Morris on Campus Life According to an Upperclassman

world view havingenoughmoney T:8 in

MIT Student Center 617.494.0929 226 Main Street 617.661.1070 727 Massachusetts Avenue 617.868.3543

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Monday, Rides of Skill and Chance. See eat while you’re at it and enjoy a already … establishment of structure/ they August 25, 2008 frosh. See frosh ride. Ride frosh gorgeous view! 19:17—Random Hall—Anti go together ride. 15:17—Random Hall—Speed RPG — Bonfire floor’s fierce 12:00—Ashdown House—Tired Diplomacy - A two week long reaction to the way you played 22:00 08:00 from an amazing weekend? tabletop strategy game com- D&D in your basement. Join us 22:00—Senior Haus— 08:00—Burton Conner—Miss Come relax with some smoothies pressed into two hours. Stab for a game of cthuloid horror S’MORES AND STORIES OF the cartoons and sugary cereal of and soothing music. Relaxing all your new friends in the back without the complicated rules, SENIOR HAUS PAST what your youth? We do. Come join us events run throughout the day- every 5 minutes. improbable heroics, and chain- does SPORT DEATH mean? for some toons and a sugar rush see the schedule for details. 15:17—Random Hall—Tie Dy- mail bustiers typical of tabletop oldfags and some alums (WHY to start off the day! 12:00—Baker House—Finger ing — Turn that boring white shirt role playing. Munchkins will be HAVEN’T YOU LEFT YET) 08:00—Next House—Woeful lickin’ good - If breakfast wasn’t into a psychedelic extravaganza. extradited. reminisce about the fucked up Waffles (Next Dining and TFL): enough, let’s go for lunch too! Look at all the pretty colors. 19:30—Das Deutsches Haus— shit they’ve seen and done in the Ease the pain of an early Mon- We will be ordering carryout from 15:33—Senior Haus—DROWN- Come enjoy a tasty meal pre- haus. courtyard. day morning (and looming ASEs) your favorite restaurants. Swing ING PUPPIES 101 in the pared by our skilled chefs and 22:00—MacGregor—Movie with freshly-made waffles and on by for some more, very excel- bathtubs. experience one of the greatest Night! You choose the movie other breakfast-like foods in our lent free food! joys of living in a cultural house. from MacGregor’s extensive dining hall. 12:00—Burton Conner—Food, 16:00 Enjoy meat and veggie options movie collection and then sit water guns, slip-and-slide, and 16:00-01:00—EAsT camPUS— in our New House 6 2nd floor back and enjoy. We’ll provide 09:00 our famous Jell-O Wrestling. A Tonight’s your last chance! lounge. all the candy and popcorn you 09:00—Baker House—Breakfast BC tradition, join us while we Express your eternal affections 19:30—Senior Haus—SU- can eat, while telling you how @ Baker — Early to bed, early duke it out in a tub ‘o goo. for East Campus, or that other PER SMASH BROTHERS residents can rent movies from to rise makes a person healthy, 12:01—EAsT camPUS—You’d cute frosh you just met, by draw- TOURNAMENT FALCON . . . MacGregor desk during term… wealthy and wise! So come on better hope that you don’t collide ing them on a building with laser PUNCH!!!!!!!!! in the basement. for free! down to grab a bite of breakfast with an H2 in your economy car. light. snax provided. 22:17—Random Hall—Nerf before another big day begins! You can kiss your ass goodbye 16:00—Senior Haus—REAL Shotgun Showdown — Our main thanks to the H2’s massive BARBECUE WITH A REAL 20:00 lounge is a war zone, and your 10:00 weight and raised bumpers. TEXAN: REAL FUCKING MEAT, 20:00—Next House—House of weapon is a nerf shotgun. Boom! 10:00—EAsT camPUS—East 12:06—EAsT camPUS—It’s not ALL MEAT, NO HIPPIE VEGGIE Cards (Next House TFL & Din- Headshot! Campus: Distilled and bottled about what the lulz can do for BULLSHIT. ing): Ever wanted to try out for in New Zealand by Lion Nathan you, it’s about what you can do 16:01—EAsT camPUS—Did the MIT Blackjack Team? Now’s 23:00 Wines & Spirits New Zealand for the lulz you know that 2% of America’s your chance, with poker, black- 23:11—Senior Haus—11 11 PM Limited. 111 Carlton Gore Td. 12:17—Random Hall—Minihunt Most Wanted live at East Cam- jack and other card games. A SUPER GAY EROTIC BOOTY Newmarket Auckland, New Have you ever looked Death pus? chocolate fountain and desserts DANCING courtesy of Neal. Zealand square in the eye and shouted, 16:04—La Maison Française— fill out the evening’s program. 23:17—Random Hall—Culinary 10:00-18:00—EAsT camPUS— “Lo, Evil One! I fear thee not!”? Cooking: Viens à La Maison 20:00—New House—New Construction - Ever made we’re in our dorm, tourin our Well, the MIT Mystery Hunt is Française and hang out, chat, House Movie Marathon: Enjoy famous landmarks out of food? frosh. Today our caged guides nothing like that. Come take a chop, and sauté as we prepare a night of some of the best ac- Neither have we. There’s a first are tamer after last night’s party. bite-sized taste of what it’s actu- one of our fantastic dinners, tion movies, complete with your time for everything. You might have to shake them ally like. which will be followed by eating favorite movie theater treats. 23:58—EAsT camPUS—TWO! until they wake up, but we’re still of said dinner. All skill levels sont 20:00—Ashdown House—Have MINUTES! TO MIIIIIIIIIDDDDNI- giving tours. It’s one of your last 13:00 bienvenues. your weariness massaged away IGHHT! chances to explore before the 13:00—MacGregor—BBQ! Visit 16:04—EAsT camPUS—joeg’s and feel refreshed after a week- 23:59—EAsT camPUS—Look housing lottery closes, so, as MacGregor’s barbeque pits and on it end of events. around you. Just look around JoeG says, GET ON IT! fill your stomach while the food’s 16:17—Random Hall—Duct 20:00—EAsT camPUS—Ex- you. 10:00—Ashdown House— still free. We’ll have burgers, hot Tape Construction — Duct tape press your eternal allegiance to Every hour, on the hour, a tour dogs, and vegetarian options is like the force; it has a light side East Campus, or that other cute Tuesday, guide will be waiting for you at hot off the grill. Finish it off with and a dark side and it binds the frosh you just met, by drawing it August 26, 2008 the student center (with a big some watermelon and good Universe together. on a building with laser light. sign that says NW35) to take you company. 16:20—EAsT camPUS—East 20:00—Simmons Hall—Chick to NW35, the new dorm. 13:00—Senior Haus—HAIR Campus: where our president Flick and Baking Simmons Hall, 00:00 10:00—Senior Haus—BACON DYEING color your hair awe- flies in a roflcopter Country Kitchen & Lounge Miss 00:00—Next House—Make BACON BACON BACON BA- some colors. never get a job. the girls from home or just want Your Own Pizza (Next House CON BACON? BACON, BACON 17:00 to get in touch with your feminine Basement/Country Kitchen): BACON! BACON. (BACON 14:00 17:00—Senior Haus—BE side? Whip up a batch of baked Learn to fight off those midnight BACON.) 14:00—Senior Haus—T SHIRT YOUR OWN MESSIAH de- goods to enjoy with one of your hunger pangs with the most 10:00—Next House—Boston DESTRUCTION + SILK- nounce the false saviors that favorite chick flicks. complete food group … pizza! Walking Tours (Next House SCREENING cut shit up. tie it have been fed to you by society. 20:00—EAsT camPUS—you- Bring Your Own Appetite. Lobby to … Who knows?): Come back together. spray shit on it. great photo op! tube marathon. We are slaves 00:00—Senior Haus—CULT with resident experts from Next ????? profit. (bring your own, or 17:17—Random Hall—Juggling to the internet. oh em gee squee MOVIE NIGHT kicks off with to see the city near which you’ll we have shirts for you.) in Closed Spaces - Things that roflcopter. “Live Freaky! Die Freaky!”, a be spending the next 4 years of 14:00—Next House—Back to are more challenging in narrow 20:16—EAsT camPUS—When musical, claymation re-telling of your life. See the hot spots for Kindergarten! (Next Courtyard & hallways, partial list: juggling, we do stupid shit, we think it’s re- the Charles Manson murders. food, fun, and entertainment … TFL): As you start college, you’ll poi, diablo. Random Hall: at- ally awesome. goes on all night. all within the limits of your little find the experience very similar tempting to keep things airborne 20:17—Random Hall—Chain 00:00—Ashdown House—Cel- frosh feet. to another first day of school... since January 7, 1717. Mail - Come meet some of Ran- ebrate the birth of our new dorm 10:15—MacGregor—Charles so join us for snacktime, finger 17:55—EAsT camPUS—Mario’s dom Hall’s amateur maillesmiths. in style as we serve cocktails River Kayaking Trip! We will and face painting, naptime, and entries are a lot more emo than See some impressive works and hors d’oeuvres. Suave and meet in front of MacGregor at a MOONBOUNCE — all the mine. Makes me want to cut and learn a few basic weaves chill is the name of the game at 10:15 AM and take a quick bus great things about being 5 all myself. yourself. this posh new place. trip upriver. Explore the Charles over again! 20:30—Senior Haus—COFFEE 00:00—Burton Conner—Action with adventurous MacGregor 14:17—Random Hall—Bacon, 18:00 + POLITICAL DISCUSSION with Movie Marathon. Explosions are residents for an hour and a half Onion, Garlic - You know what 18:00—Senior Haus—ALTER- our resident course 17 major, cool. before returning to campus. goes really well with garlic? Your NATIVE SEX SEMINAR learn all NICK WANG. libertarians are (Note: you had to have signed up mom. Join us for a delicious and the tricks you’ll never use, you encouraged to come, but be 03:00 on Sunday!) healthy feast of four of nature’s fucking freshmen. direct to you prepared for ridicule. 03:17—Random Hall—RHOP - 10:31—EAsT camPUS—When finest ingredients. from our resident experts about Breakfast at 4 AM. Question is, you pee on the wall, it’s basically bondage, buttsex, and most all 21:00 is it really early or really late? a urinal 15:00 fetishes. 21:00—Ashdown House—Join 15:00—La Casa—Join Spanish 18:00—EAsT camPUS—Pick a the frenzy of Advanced Pillow 07:00 11:00 House in this traditional Hispanic winner King of the Hill! If you have 07:30—EAsT camPUS—WHY 11:11—EAsT camPUS—East cook out. Not hungry? Don’t 18:15—La Maison Française— pillows, feel free to bring them SO SERIOUS? Heath Ledger is Campus: More American than worry, a quick match of soccer Dinner: Come see for yourself along. Otherwise, we have a few dead, so come to East Campus Michael Phelps before lunch will help. Join the why everyone says French extras. 11:17—Random Hall—Picture members of Spanish House as House has the best food on 21:00—Baker House—Movie 08:00 Scavenger Hunt - Boring campus we remember a little bit of home campus. Vegetarian options Night and Desserts - Seven 08:00—Next House—Weary tour or interactive puzzle chal- and share with you our culture. aussi. nights of partying makes one Waffles (Next Dining): Tired of lenge extravaganza? Difficult de- Don’t miss out! 18:17—Random Hall—Truffle weak. Ok ok fine, it’s only been REX yet? If not, come to Next cision, we know. *Meet in Lobby 15:00—Ashdown House— Making - Come to Random Hall two days but you get the point. Dining and grab some breakfast 7 any time during this block.* Much more fun than the Boston and make your own delicious We’ll be having a chill, laid-back before another busy day- more Tea Party, the NW35 Tea Party chocolates! Our trained chocolat- movie night following two days fresh waffles! 12:00 is a great time to relax, sip some iers will be on hand to help you of some intense east-side and 08:00—Burton Conner— 12:00-18:00—EAsT camPUS— tea, and savor some scones. create some tasty treats. west-side bashing. They’re magically delicious. OMGWTFBBQ. Your mother 15:00—Burton Conner— 21:00—Burton Conner—Break always told you to clean your Old School TV Afternoon. 19:00 out your Day-Glo shorts, it’s 09:00 plate. Come to the courtyard and Whoooooo loves orange soda? 19:00—Senior Haus—MAKE Hammertime. 09:00—New House—Waffle we’ll pile it full of greasy grilled 15:00—Senior Haus—HAUS YOUR OWN SEX TOYS be- 21:09—La Maison Française— Breakfast: Drop by and start your goodness. Listen to your mother TOURS all day, but especially cause November is so far away. La vache mâche sans relâche day off with a delicious waffle and chow down. now! learn about haus history, (for boys, girls, trannies, and dans le champ où le chien niche breakfast, complete with your 12:00-21:00—EAsT camPUS— see murals, pet our cats, meet Milena.) tout en léchant son chiot nais- favorite toppings. Salon du Campus d’Est. Trying weird residents. 19:00—Burton Conner—Come sant. 09:00—Baker House—Break- to catch the eye of that special 15:15—McCormick Hall—Crafts on down! You’re our next contes- 21:17—Random Hall—Heart fast @ Baker - If you need any someone? With our help and hair and cookies! Come relax and tant! Show off your knowledge Attack Food - I didn’t ask if you more convincing as to why dye, you won’t just catch their decorate whiteboards for your of useless trivia in Jeopardy, were a vegetarian, I asked if you Baker House is the best, most eye, you’ll blind them. In a good door after an afternoon at the or your best pickup lines in the wanted some f*%@#$! bacon. social, and friendliest dorm, stop way...? Philanthropy Event! Also, deco- Dating Game. We know some 21:47—Random Hall—Origami by once again for a fabulous 12:00-00:00—EAsT camPUS— rate some delicious cookies to of you are eyeing each other Architecture — folding of paper/ breakfast! Page 14 The Tech August 25, 2008 Students Surprised by MBTA’s Last-Minute Lawsuit MBTA Argues Students’ Presentation Was Not ‘Responsible Disclosure,’ Affording Little Time to Fix Subway Subway, from Page 1 If this MBTA court filing is accu- rate, then the students have discovered and Chiesa continued to research the a genuine weakness in the system, CharlieCard and submitted their find- and the MBTA’s system is capable of ings to DEF CON. revealing fraud after the fact but does After the presentation was can- not prevent fraud. celed, the presentation slides and a confidential report the students wrote Lawsuit surprised students for the MBTA became widely avail- The lawsuit surprised many DEF able online. This information, made CON attendees, who are accustomed public by the MBTA in open court to relatively cordial relations with filings, seems to show how anyone software companies who are informed could copy a CharlieTicket or create of security holes. It also surprised the a new one. It is unclear whether the students, who said they had until then students managed to copy or edit the gotten positive reactions from the content of the CharlieCard. MBTA. According to the presentation, The lawsuit was filed late on Friday, the students wrote software to gener- Aug. 8. But MBTA officials had been ate and analyze cards like the Char- aware of the talk since at least July 30, lieCard to crack encryption keys on when a vendor’s marketing represen- those cards, and they wrote software tative told them about a description of to read and duplicate cards like the the talk online at defcon.org. The students were in contact with Marissa Vogt—The Tech CharlieCard if their encryption key is (from left) Alessandro Chiesa ’09, Russell J. Ryan ’09, and Zackary M. Anderson ’09 appear at a press the MBTA since July 31 through Ron- known. That software was never put conference held by the Electronic Frontier Foundation to discuss their canceled presentation titled “The ald L. Rivest, the 6.857 professor who online. Anatomy of a Subway Hack” in Las Vegas, Nevada on Aug. 9. For court documents and a copy of oversaw their project. They had asked the presentation, which was distrib- him about a week earlier to help them weeks. haven’t slept since Thursday,” An- the vulnerability could possibly take uted to all DEF CON attendees, see contact the MBTA about the vulner- “I did not request any other docu- derson said Saturday afternoon. EFF more time, researchers usually offer http://www-tech.mit.edu/V128/N30/ abilities. According to the MBTA, ments from the MIT Undergrads, and attorneys participated in a Saturday more time, he said. “If it was me, I subway/. Rivest did not know the students they did not offer to provide me with morning hearing via teleconference. would’ve tried to give them more had submitted their research to DEF any other documents,” Sullivan said On Saturday afternoon, Judge time to fix it,” Zimmerman said. But, Did students get free T fare? CON. Rivest could not be reached for in his declaration. Douglas P. Woodlock issued an order he said, “public disclosure is a good The MBTA’s original complaint comment. Leaving the Monday meeting, the prohibiting the students and “all per- thing,” because intense public scru- says that they intend to sue the stu- On Monday, Aug. 4, an MBTA students felt that the issue had been sons in active concert or participation tiny can help force people to fix sys- dents on several charges. In “Count transit police officer and an FBI agent resolved based on verbal comments with any of them” from “providing tems. III: Conversion,” the complaint al- met with Rivest, two of the students, and that they would not face legal ac- program, information, software code, Should security researchers ex- leges that “the MIT Undergrads ex- and an MIT staff attorney to discuss tion, Anderson said. or command that would assist another plore systems which could be critical erted dominion over MBTA’s prop- the planned presentation. According But on Friday afternoon, around in any material way to circumvent or to security, like public transportation? erty by traveling on the MBTA lines to a declaration filed by the transit po- the time the students delivered a con- otherwise attack the security of the Well, Zimmerman said, “try not to do without paying fares.” lice officer, Sergeant Detective Rich- fidential five-page vulnerability re- Fare Media System.” anything that involves hiring a crimi- Anderson said in an e-mail that ard Sullivan, the students said they port, they learned the MBTA had filed The slides and the vulnerability as- nal defense lawyer.” “we never rode the T for free.” But did not hack into the MBTA’s system, a complaint in the Massachusetts fed- sessment report, made available in the When an important problem has MBTA system logs showed that they did not defraud the MBTA, and eral district court. They then received MBTA’s complaint, revealed enough been discovered with little time until someone with a CharlieTicket “ob- their presentation would withhold legal representation from the EFF. information to duplicate the students’ it is publicly announced, Zimmerman tained MBTA transit services without information necessary to let other The students were not provided no- attack on CharlieTickets. said, an organization like the MBTA proper payment,” according to a dec- people repeat their findings. tice until the MBTA had already sent “The court’s order is an illegal should fix it immediately. Because laration filed by project manager Scott The detective asked the students lawyers to the court to file the com- prior restraint on legitimate academ- lawsuits generally result in security Henderson, who based his analysis on to summarize in writing all the weak- plaint, said Kurt Opsahl, a senior staff ic research in violation of the First vulnerabilities becoming even more a photograph of a CharlieTicket in the nesses they found and explain how to attorney for the EFF. EFF staff and Amendment,” Jennifer Granickpeech, visible, the MBTA should “be think- students’ presentation that revealed fix those vulnerabilities. They prom- the students worked throughout Fri- an EFF representative, said in a press ing a lot about engineering right now identifying features. ised to supply this writeup within two day night to prepare a response. “We release issued by the EFF. Neverthe- and not litigation,” in terms of loss less, the students cancelled their talk mitigation, he said. If the system is on the EFF’s advice. irreparably broken, Zimmerman said, The complaint lists Anderson, the MBTA might consider switching Ryan, and Chiesa as defendants. back to an older form of subway au- Early court documents listed MIT thentication: tokens. and numerous Institute administra- “It’s very easy to fix,” said Brenno tors as defendants, but the court ac- de Winter, a Dutch journalist and se- tion to date has only considered the curity analyst. “In the Netherlands, three students to be defendants. MIT we’ve got a system that works. It’s attorneys have nevertheless paid close called paper,” he said. attention to the proceedings and have Dan Kaminsky, a security re- attended hearings. “We have aligned searcher who recently discovered a interests, but they’re not representing serious vulnerability in the domain us,” Anderson said. name system underlying the Internet, “We can’t comment on pending said that the students’ disclosure could litigation,” said Pamela D. Serfes, an have been handled more gracefully. MIT News Office representative. But the MBTA also responded inap- propriately, he said, by suing the stu- College ​Responsible disclosure? dents instead of just asking for time. The students did not success- Many computer software vendors fully talk with the MBTA about the are accustomed to learning of security problems they discovered until July vulnerabilities from researchers in the 31, only 10 days before the research responsible disclosure model, Kamin- was to be proposed. (They tried to sky said. “You can expect cooperation contact the MBTA through Rivest from software vendors in a way that Students about a week earlier, but he did not you could not expect six years ago,” get in touch until July 31.) Computer Kaminsky said. But the MBTA is Get 15% OFF full-price items. security researchers traditionally tell not a software company, Kaminsky companies about problems they find, noted. They may never have before Must show valid college ID. Restrictions apply. give them some time to correct the encountered people interested in test- problems, and only then disclose the ing their security for free, a common vulnerabilities in public, in a process occurrence outside of the software called “responsible disclosure” within realm, Kaminsky said. This was an the community. unpredictable “first-contact scenario,” Security expert Phil Zimmerman he said. said that traditionally researchers give “If your goal is to limit discus- at least a month after notification be- sion, this [restraining order] is not the fore they disclose a vulnerability in a way,” Kaminsky said. “Suppressing software system. In hardware systems talks in a culture that values freedom such as the MBTA’s magnetic-stripe of speech just highlights the speech and RFID card system, where fixing you’re trying to suppress.” Hiking • Paddling • Skiing • Camping Solution to Crossword Solution to Sudoku Backpacking • Trail Running • Climbing from page 6 from page 6 Travel • Snowshoeing • Biking • Rentals                                              Harvard Square          1 Brattle Square Second Floor          617-864-2061                   August 25, 2008 The Tech Page 15 Many Colleges Join Petition to Lower Legal Drinking Age to 18 By Shaila Dewan McCardell called “intimidation bor- of vodka beforehand,” said Diane The New York Times dering on bullying,” Laura Dean- Bash, a senior at Ohio State Univer- Atlanta Mooney, the president of MADD, sity. “You’ve got to preload before Two college presidents, both asked the public to call the signers you get to a bar because you can’t in Georgia, have withdrawn their and demand that they remove them- drink once you go in. I definitely names from a petition to reconsider selves from the list. drink a lot less now that I’m 21, and the legal drinking age after it drew “As the mother of a daughter so do all my friends.” blistering criticism last week from who is close to entering college, Despite such tales of excess, ex- Mothers Against Drunk Driving, it is deeply disappointing to me perts said there was little hard evi- safety experts, transportation offi- that many of our education leaders dence that binge drinking became cials, and politicians. would support an initiative without more prevalent after the drinking But 15 more from across the doing their homework on the un- age was raised to 21. One of the country have signed on, the orga- derlying research and science,” Ms. most comprehensive studies shows nizers said Thursday, Aug. 21. Dean-Mooney said in the statement. that heavy drinking among college All told, 123 presidents from “Parents should think twice before students, defined as five or more colleges including Dartmouth, sending their teens to these colleges drinks in a row, peaked in 1984. Duke, Ohio State, and Tufts are or any others that have waved the Other studies by Henry supporting the petition, which says white flag on under-age and binge Wechsler, a retired professor at the that raising the drinking age to 21 drinking policies.” Harvard School of Public Health, has fostered a culture of clandestine College presidents should focus show that binge drinking remained binge drinking and that students’ on changing the culture on cam- steady, with about 44 percent of use of fake identification has erod- pus, Ms. Dean-Mooney said. She college students doing it, from ed their respect for the law. cited efforts like requiring alcohol 1993 to 2001. “Twenty-one is not working,” education, scheduling more Friday The controversy shines a light the statement reads. classes to cut down on Thursday on the culture gap between college But critics have accused the night parties, fighting marketing ef- students and their nonstudent peers, presidents of misleading the public, forts like drink specials and ladies’ who drink less. shirking their responsibility to en- nights near campuses and coordi- Chuck Hurley, the chief execu- force the law and trying to dodge nating with local law enforcement tive of MADD, acknowledged that the problem of student drinking. agencies. widespread drinking on campus The Governors Highway Safety But students said they were not fostered a distinct set of problems. Association has promised to hold getting drunk in bars. “The drinking age is working far at its national meeting next month “From freshman year on, I hard- better in blue-collar America, or “a workshop to help highway safety ly ever went out on the weekends community college America, than agencies counter any effort in their without having four or five shots in Ivy League America,” he said. states to lower the drinking age.” Kendall Blanchard, the presi- dent of Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus, said he had pulled his name off the list in part because critics had misunderstood the petition’s intent. “It was clear to me that they didn’t see this as a dialogue; they saw this as some kind of effort on our part to turn our schools into party schools,” he said. The other president who with- drew from the petition was Robert M. Franklin of Morehouse College in Atlanta. Many critics said they objected to the suggestion that studies did not conclusively show a benefit to raising the drinking age, par- ticularly the reduction of alcohol- related traffic deaths among young drivers. “Why would you take the one thing that has been tried in the last 30 years that has been shown to be most successful and throw that out the window and say, ‘I have a bet- ter idea?’” said Alexander C. Wage- naar, an epidemiologist at the Col- lege of Medicine at the University of Florida. But college presidents say they are fighting a losing battle with binge drinking and alcohol poison- ing. “Many of our university presi- dents are doing as good a job as they can at enforcing the drinking age,” said John M. McCardell Jr., the former president of Middlebury College in Vermont and a leader of the petition effort, which began last month. “They’re doing all the right things, and what is the result? Well, young people are moving beyond the view of the college officials and often beyond the boundaries of the college campuses, and campus of- ficials have no authority there.” S. Georgia Nugent, the president of Kenyon College in Ohio, who signed the petition, said, “I think there’s a direct connection between this law and this pattern of secret, fast consumption of high-octane alcohol. It’s much more dangerous than the traditional great big, loud keg party because it happens qui- etly, out of view.” Mr. McCardell is the founder of Choose Responsibility, an organi- zation that advocates lowering the drinking age, but the petition drive, called the Amethyst Initiative after the gemstone that the Greeks be- lieved would ward off intoxication, calls only for “dispassionate public debate” of the issue. The drinking age has been 21 across the country since 1988. In a written statement that Mr. Page 16 The Tech August 25, 2008 Dean Lerman Offers Advice for Incoming Students Lerman, from Page 1 the project was mostly done in my deal specifically with it? center, led by John Belcher. SL: Things like both mental and … so I spend a lot of time working TT: So what’s the future of physical health are important in and Steven R. Lerman ’72 with students there: everything from TEAL? Is there a TEAL 2.0 coming of their own right … so my office Educational Background: SB 1972, Masters ’73, Ph.D. ’75. Dis- helping in the dorm government to out of CECI? definitely supports the changes at sertation in transportation systems, a branch of CEE. participating in social activities. Pri- SL: Well, although TEAL mi- MIT that have made health services Hometown: Elmont, Long Island, New York vately, I love the theater, music, and grated from 8.02 to 8.01, whether better and more accessible. We’re Years at MIT: 39 (Since 1969) books of various sorts, both techni- it makes sense to create its coun- not the health department, but we Office: 3-138 cal and non-technical. terparts in other GIR components do try to contribute to grad student E-mail: [email protected] TT: What advice do you have for of the curriculum is less clear to me life more generally. Students can ap- Some Hats Worn: Professor (Course 1; 1975-present); Director new students (both freshman and … maybe it doesn’t make sense in ply for funding to grad activities, for of Project Athena (1983-88); Director, Center for Educational incoming grad students) regarding math, for example. So the plan is to example. Computing Initiatives (1991-present); Vice Chancellor; Dean for adjusting to MIT? let TEAL continue, observe how it The biggest single thing [MIT Graduate Education; Housemaster of The Warehouse. SL: One of the most important gets changed; let individual faculty has done recently] has been the Favorite MIT Building: Baker House (“The architecture, furnish- things is that MIT works best for adjust it. growth of a large residential gradu- ings, everything gave the sense of it being very classy, very tradi- those who exert their own control There are other classes that are ate population. In the past eight years tional, like it’s going to last forever but also is very functional.”) over their lives. People aren’t neces- not TEAL, but use TEAL ideas. we have opened three new graduate As an Undergrad, Lived In: Bexley (1 year), Eastgate (married sarily going to come up and ask you One example is the class I have been dorms; the residential population student housing) if you want things. MIT works best teaching up until this year, 1.00. In- of grad students on campus is now Office Hours: Not kept, but always happy to talk to students if they when you come and ask, when you stead of lecturing for an hour, we close to 2500 students. That’s had a set up an appointment say ‘I need this, I have this problem, alternate between short lecture ses- tremendous positive effect on com- help me solve it.’ It’s a place that can sions and active learning sessions. munity, and it produces interesting be incredibly responsive when you This is not quite the same structure activities, things that grad students can articulate something that makes as TEAL, but uses the idea of active can do together. For instance, par- educational or research sense and learning in class. Most students find ticipation in club and IM sports is you want to work to achieve it. It that a more interesting class section. much higher. doesn’t work nearly as well for the But overall, the evolution of TT: Speaking of community, student who is more passive. MIT is teaching styles has to happen organ- what do you think about dining at tremendously flexible if you ask, but ically, not by one person dictating MIT? What’s the solution? isn’t going to find you and lead you the change. SL: I think it’s fair to say we still by the hand. TT: To change gears a bit, how don’t have dining completely right … has MIT changed since you first here. The symptoms are so obvious: TT: As Dean for Graduate Edu- came here? students aren’t happy, and the senior cation, one of your roles involves SL: It’s changed in some obvious administration is not happy. We’re working with the GSC. How would ways, and in some more subtle ways. still struggling to find the right din- you define that relationship? What The most obvious is composition of ing model that works well for our happens when interests collide? student body; we are much more students and our culture. We’re ex- SL: We talk about it. Once in a diverse … by gender, ethnically, perimenting, which is healthy, but while we disagree, but it’s always racially, religiously, however you we need to learn from that. about finding a middle ground. measure it. MIT was a much more If you go back to the 1960s and They’re helping express what the homogenous sliver of the American 1970s, we built a number of dorms priorities are from the infinite num- population than it is today. Today without thinking through what the ber of things we can do, and they the MIT population looks a lot like long term vision for dining at MIT have been very helpful with that. America; half women, 25 percent would be. It was an era of extreme Most of what they want makes underrepresented minorities. When individualism, with students not pretty good sense; my job is trans- I was a student we were very white wanting and not advocating for din- lating their desires into decisions by male, and to a lesser extent Asian ing options. We’re still unwinding the senior administration … helping male. My years as an undergrad the consequences of those decisions, them find solutions and implement- were about the time the shift started trying to find a new model that will ing them in a way that makes sense. to occur. As a result of our diversi- serve today’s students. We want The graduate student dental plan ty, today’s students are much more good quality food, reasonable costs, is a great example. The impetus qualified. The most obvious way is and an environment that students came from the GSC. We’ve always looking is at verbal SAT scores (our want to be in. I think that if we pro- known it would be great to have a math scores were always high). vide the right dining options, today’s dental plan for grad students, but At the graduate level, the most students would be interested. the real energy came from the GSC. noticeable change is international- TT: What are your short-term At some point in a student initiative ization. While we’re not as good of a and long-term goals as the Dean for they need an administrative unit to representation of the American pop- Graduate Education? run it, advocate for it, negotiate a ulation, we’re an interesting repre- SL: There are four main areas contract, and it’s unreasonable to ex- sentation of the world’s population. my office focuses on. One is work- pect students to do all that. Nearly forty percent our graduate ing with academic departments to Another example is the P/D/F op- students are neither permanent resi- achieve a greater level of diversity tion for grad courses; that originated dents nor citizens of the U.S. in the departments. This can only from them. Still another example is We are, as always, very depen- be accomplished by partnering with the GSC’s work to collect the data dent on research. The endowment departments, and helping to find that made grad student stipend in- has grown much faster than infla- students, recruiting, and convincing creases happen. tion, and so we’re able to do many them to come here rather than to one TT: I understand that you’re di- things to support undergrad and grad of our competitors. rector of the Center for Educational students, with a range of fellowships The second area is increasing fi- Computing Initiatives … so you and scholarships. That is due to the nancial support for students. We do spend a lot of time thinking about generosity of our alumni and the this by increasing the number of fel- effective ways of teaching and learn- extraordinary performance of our lowships for grad students, raising Martin Segado—The Tech ing? endowment. That’s all good for the money for supporting students over Steven R. Lerman ’72 is the Dean for Graduate Education. SL: Well, about finding ways to students. In the end that makes MIT their entire time here, and making use technologies to improve teach- more accessible financially than it students aware of other funds. I also ing. was previously. work with the Resource Develop- TT: As an undergraduate, what afternoon, I’d reverse the route … TT: Fair enough. So what do you And the life sciences over the ment office on fund raising, particu- was your favorite class? TT: Including picking up your think about TEAL? I know a lot of years have grown from a rather small lar with donors who are interested in SL: It was my first introduction to wife? students have pretty strong opinions group to something that permeates providing support to students. computing … actually, it was really SL: Of course; she needed to get … the Institute. More and more faculty The third area is improving grad- two classes. One is, interestingly home too! I had a Volkswagen Bee- SL: TEAL in the long term is are either using tools or methodolo- uate community and expanding sup- enough, the one I’ve been teaching tle, one of those old, noisy 4 cylin- the correct direction for MIT to be gies in life sciences than has ever port for student activities. This year over the past 10 or more … 1.00! der, run-down cars that were popular going. It’s something that diverges been the case. we piloted the Graduate Community The other was an operating sys- with college students in the ‘70s. I from the dominant culture of learn- TT: What are your most and least Fellows program, where students tems course that at the time was the put an incredible number of miles on ing and teaching at MIT, the lecture favorite parts of MIT? are funded to undertake work that equivalent today of 6.01 or 6.001 — that car … [The man I drove] was a format. And although students have SL: I have two favorite parts: the helps the graduate community. This a big undergraduate course in CS. lawyer. He got polio as an adult, just mixed opinions, almost all of the students and the faculty. year we funded five fellows, and I think it was 6.251, but I wouldn’t before the Salk vaccine was avail- studies that have been done sug- They go together. The faculty next year hope to fund ten to twenty. swear to that. able. He was handicapped as a result gest that well-constructed and active want to be here because of the qual- Each works with a staff member to TT: What sort of activities did of that. learning is the better way to teach. ity of the students. And most of the do various projects. you do as a student? TT: Anything else? Do you have Of course, there are always some students want to be here because of The fourth area is business pro- SL: UROP was a huge deal for any other advice for new students? students for whom one teaching the faculty. As important as facilities cesses, and this is sort of a catch- me. I UROPed for pay because I SL: I’d just like to reiterate that method works better than others, and all those things are, the faculty all. We are working on ways to needed the money. I mostly devel- MIT works best for those who are so we have to provide for other op- and students are most important. make things that students have to oped software for a project being run proactive rather than passive. It’s tions, but by and large the evidence As soon as you lose either part, you do easier. Petitioning, for example, in the Civil Engineering department. amazing what can get done here by is overwhelming that the more you, tend to go into a downward spiral. is currently all paper-based. Stan- I did that up until I started graduate students, faculty or staff when they as a learner, are actively engaged, The preservation of this excellence dard things, such as making sure we school, almost every summer. can articulate what they want. the better you learn. is the single most important goal understand our financial resources I also did odd jobs; the most in- MIT is not particularly hide- Some students found the change when running this university. in order to increase fellowship sup- teresting was that I used to drive a bound to tradition; we’re open to hard to adapt to, and there are cer- TT: How about student health? port also fall into the category of handicapped person from Lincoln, change. But it’s best when the change tainly parts of TEAL that change the To what extent is this a priority when improving business practices with MA. In the morning, I’d drop my originates from students advocating Henisi. Pat, cor sum nos doloreet elesseq uatuera esectem doloboreet, con heniscidunt at, quat dolobore diam, veliquisl el ut adip eraesto duis dolor sum ex exeros ea faci ea amcommo lorper adit nullaor at, commy nosto odolenim nostrud et laore feu facidunt alit lutetue modolor accum ea am, quamcon sequat wisl ullam, consequat. Iquat. Ut el iure feugait elit, quis adionsectet ex endre facip er accum zzrit lor sustis aut verit, sed modolor eraessim et dolore duis nisis ad minit in vendrem quatums andigna feuissed enim zzriusci tem nos dipsusto od magniat wismod tat, voluptat. Ut amcon volesequisl iure deliscillam quatetum dolorpe riusto del eriusto core facilit, qui tem nonsenim zzriustrud dolore conse molestrud modolore corpercilla feu faccum quisci blan volut iustrud minim ipsum ad magnibh esequatem qui bla con volor sectem zzrit eum nonum ese dolortisis amconullaore vulla feu feu feu feum duipsus tionsectem erci tet aci endreet lor si. culture of learning, but overall I’ve running MIT? Does [the Office of the ODGE [Office of the Dean for wife off at Tufts, drive out to Lin- for what they need or what students Magnim do doloreet, conulput wisi ex ex eu facincilit alit iustissed eugue vel dolore vent been a strong supporter. By the way, the Dean for Graduate Education] Graduate Education]. coln, drive him into town, and in the collectively need.

LEGAL COUNSEL MIT students, family, employers and start-ups seeking U.S. legal counsel, Thoughts? [email protected] campus or office consultation. Call: James Dennis Leary, Esq. 321-544-0012 August 25, 2008 The Tech Page 17 Class Project Shows Problems With Boston Subway Vulnerabilities, from Page 1 each with a different checksum value, and test each. One will work, accord- presentation. ing to the report. MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo The report does not say whether characterized documents available the students have successfully writ- online and in court filings as “harm- ten software to generate forged Char- less information that is now public” lieTickets without having to try all in an e-mail. the possible checksums. The final But that public information shows presentation in the spring 2008 sub- how to get free rides with a Charli- ject Computer and Network Security eTicket, leaving open the possibil- (6.857) was based on guessing the ity that the MBTA suspects an even checksum value by making many more serious compromise of its Char- cards, a “brute force” approach. That lieCard system. In partial response to work was done by four students: a request for information about their Samuel G. McVeety G, who did not research, the students submitted a participate in the DEF CON presen- 30-page sealed report to the MBTA tation, along with the three students last week; its contents are not known who did, Zackary M. Anderson ’09, but might include some vulnerabil- Russell J. Ryan ’09, and Alessandro ity even more serious than the ones Chiesa ’09. The project earned an A, which are now public. according to the MBTA. Numerous ways to get unpaid-for T fare are clearly laid out in the DEF Students recommend system CON presentation, available online changes at http://www-tech.mit.edu/V128/ A central system should store N30/subway/Defcon_Presentation. the current value of all tickets so pdf; in a report the students gave to that people cannot forge new Char- the MBTA, available at http://www- lieTickets, the students’ confidential tech.mit.edu/V128/N30/subway/10- report recommends. An “auditing declaration-henderson-vulnerability. system” should also be used to detect pdf; and in prior research on similar copied or forged tickets, the report systems. recommends. Anyone with a magnetic card The MBTA apparently has a Students’ DEF CON Presentation writer can repeatedly copy a Char- way to track all transactions and This is the first slide of the canceled DEF CON presentation on subway vulnerabilities. The students per- lieTicket onto another card, never trips made on every CharlieCard formed their research as part of 6.857 (Computer and Network Security). having to pay for a ticket again, if the and CharlieTicket and to associate said. “This is your final heads-up. possible ways to decode the encryp- known to be vulnerable to a cloning students’ “Vulnerability Assessment each transaction with a card’s iden- You’ve got two months left, and then tion key that protects CharlieCards. It attack — by standing near someone, Report” is accurate. In the T’s system, tification number. MBTA court fil- you’re screwed.” also suggests that the key may be the you can decrypt their card and copy a CharlieTicket is worth as much as ings allege that the system showed The students’ report suggests that same on every card, rather than differ- its identity and value. A NXP lawsuit its magnetic stripe says it is, and no CharlieTickets depicted in the stu- all CharlieCards may be protected ing from card to card — which could against security researchers which central computer tracks the tickets’ dents’ presentations were used to against duplication by a single en- be a serious problem if true. But in a sought to keep research details from values, according to the report. get unpaid-for travel. But the MBTA cryption key, but the report is unclear court filing, security consultant Eric being presented in public was dis- A single $25 ticket could be cop- system apparently does not prevent on whether they have decoded that Johanson said that the publicly avail- missed in Dutch courts. ied onto hundreds, if not thousands unpaid-for travel and is unclear what, key. If they have found this key, this able information about the students’ An NXP Semiconductors em- of blank cards, providing free travel if anything, is done to prevent it. could be what the MBTA’s restrain- findings describes an “aspirational” ployee advised the MBTA on July forever. The CharlieTicket and Char- ing order seeks to protect. CNET attack on the key rather than a func- 30 about the upcoming DEF CON A ticket’s identification number or lieCard should both include addi- reported on Thursday that the stu- tional one. presentation. “Of special concern is value can also be easily changed, the tional encryption to make them hard dents gave the MBTA “particular NXP’s MIFARE Classic card the announced intent to release open report says. A $5 card can be made to to duplicate or forge, the students’ information to complete the Charlie has undergone worldwide security source tools required to perform the say it is worth up to $655.36. report says. The report recommends card hack which they say they had no analysis because it is used, not only attacks,” wrote Manuel Albers, direc- A thief could take a 5 cent Charli- an auditing system be installed to intention of revealing in the Defcon in Boston, but also in London’s trans- tor of regional marketing for NXP. eTicket, rewrite it so that its value is detect cloning of RFID cards. It also discussion,” which could be this key. port system and in the Dutch trans- “Please let me know if we can sup- $99, insert it into an MBTA ticketing recommends that the CharlieTicket’s The students’ report discusses port system. The London system is port you in any way,” he wrote. kiosk along with a dollar, and receive checksum be replaced with a crypto- $100 in T fares on a fresh card, pur- graphically secure signature which chased for $1.05, the report says. The would be harder to duplicate. ticket would have “$100.00” printed The DEF CON presentation on the front and would appear identi- highlighted fixable weaknesses in Only the cal to a legitimate CharlieTicket. The “physical security.” The presentation report suggests that an attacker might includes photos of unlocked doors resell tickets. into subway stations, pictures of Three people arrested in New York open “turnstile control boxes” acces- are said to have exploited a vending sible “almost everywhere,” a picture MIT Coop has machine bug to get $800,000 worth of a “door key” found in an open box, of Long Island Rail Road tickets and and a photo of a computer screen in MetroCard fares for free, The New the MBTA’s operations center. (That York Times reported Tuesday. They picture was taken from an adjacent allegedly sold much of that fare — building with a telephoto lens, ac- suggesting that someone with similar cording to Tech photographer Eric profit motives might try to operate in Schmiedl, who gave a presentation Boston. on physical security at DEF CON.) USED books Magnetic card writers go for $173 on eBay, but they can be made Charliecard may be insecure for as little as $5 in parts, according In place of the students’ talk on to slides the students were to present Sunday, Dutch journalist Brenno de at this weekend’s DEF CON hacker Winter gave a talk describing vul- Buy online and get convention. Discarded CharlieTick- nerabilities in the MIFARE classic ets are available in many subway card, made by NXP Semiconductors, stations’ trash cans; other cards with which is used worldwide and is called magnetic stripes can also be found a CharlieCard by the MBTA. He de- for less than a dollar online. scribed NXP’s unsuccessful attempts on our supply of The information on the ticket in- to silence Dutch researchers who First Dibs cludes a checksum, a six-bit number found vulnerabilities in the system. calculated from the rest of the infor- Research results to be published mation on the card, which is used to in October will show how the card detect errors in the card’s data. There can be cloned in a few seconds, he are only 64 six-bit numbers. If you do said. “If anyone in the room is using not know how the checksum is gener- MIFARE Classic at this moment, this ated, you need only create 64 tickets, is your final wakeup call,” de Winter Used Books Buy your textbooks early @ www.thecoop.com.

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© 2008 Citibank. Citibank, N.A. Member FDIC. Citi, Citibank with Arc Design and ThankYou are registered service marks of Citigroup Inc. Citi never sleeps is a service mark of Citigroup Inc. MasterCard is a registered trademark of MasterCard International Incorporated 662_061708_flyr_BStu.ind August 25, 2008 The Tech Page 19 Sp o r t s MIT Dragon Boat Team Takes Volleyball Programs Receive AVCA Team Academic Awards for Second Gold Medal at Annual Festival Consecutive Season By Tanguy Chau The team began its weekend with continuously too. At that moment I MIT joined Vassar College as one of the only institutions to and Emily Craparo time trials on Saturday, June 7, in really felt good, and I knew I was in have both its men’s and women’s volleyball teams qualify for the Team Members which the team showed both its inex- a great team which I will be proud of American Volleyball Coaches Association (AVCA) Team Academic On Sunday, June 8, 2008, thirty- perience and its promise: in the first forever.” Award. Initiated in the 1992-93 academic two teams of paddlers from greater heat, the team floundered and posted a Ning Wu echoed Zheng’s spirit year, this award honors collegiate and high Boston, New York, and as far away as time of 3:08.84, well above their goal and expressed optimism for the future Sports school teams that display excellence in the Canada, raced down the Charles River time of three minutes. However, the of the young team. “I think we are a classroom by maintaining at least a 3.30 cu- at the annual Hong Kong Dragon Boat team rallied in the second heat, post- really amazing team … We actually mulative GPA on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 mark Festival. Despite the blistering heat, ing a time of 2:52.28. had only very few times of practice … Shorts on a 5.0 scale. the MIT Eager Beavers, sponsored The team’s mediocre perfor- I believe we can do better next year!” The college ranks produced 212 programs that met the require- by United Commercial Bank and the mance in the time trials resulted in Dragon boat races are traditionally ments, including a record-setting 62 among Division III women’s MIT Chinese Students and Scholars a relatively poor starting position in held on the fifth day of the fifth month teams. Joining MIT on the list from New England were conference Association, paddled to victory, win- Sunday’s races. However, the low of the lunar calendar (usually falling foes Mount Holyoke College and the Worcester Polytechnic Institute ning the gold medal in the festival’s seeding enabled the Eager Beavers to in June). The races originate from along with Bowdoin College, Maine Maritime Academy, Middle- recreational division. capture early victories against slower ancient China, where in 278 B.C. the bury College, Roger Williams University, Wesleyan University, and The day-long festival, held be- teams, bolstering their confidence. famous poet Qu Yuan committed sui- Williams College. On the men’s side, which included all three divi- tween the Weeks and Magazine As the team advanced in competi- cide by jumping into a river to protest sions, Stanford University and Vassar made the cut in addition to Street bridges, consisted of a series of tion, drummer Hu provided words the government corruption that lead MIT. 500-meter races to determine rankings of motivation both on and off the to the invasion and devastation of his —Mindy Brauer, DAPER Staff in the club, corporate and recreational water, and each of the team’s races home state of Chu by the neighboring divisions. In their second year of rac- was faster than the last. The day cul- Qin state. Locals rushed out on the ing and with only six practices behind minated with a close race against the water and raced in their fishing boats MIT Collects Eight Individual them in the 2008 season, MIT arrived Descendants of the Dragon (from the in a vain attempt to rescue him. To with little experience but plenty of Greater Boston Chinese Cultural As- commemorate this event, dragon boat NACGC/W Academic Awards spirit. The Eager Beavers consisted of sociation and the New England Chi- races are held on the day of Qu Yu- The MIT women’s gymnastics team registered the second-highest drummer Yuhua Hu PhD ’08, whose nese Youth Summer Camp) in which an’s death to honor his memory, and GPA among Division III institutions while ranking tenth overall for the job was to provide instructions and MIT achieved a time of 2:43.85, edg- zongzi (sticky rice wrapped in leaves) National Association of Collegiate Gymnastics/Women (NACGC/W) motivation to the crew; steerer Steve ing the Descendants of the Dragon’s is thrown into the river to prevent fish Academic Award. Southeast Missouri State University captured the Lin, who was responsible for the boat’s time of 2:44.30 and clinching the from devouring the poet’s body. top spot with a 3.8200 total as Ithaca College led Division III squads course; and paddlers Tanguy Chau G, gold medal. Dragon boat racing is practiced at with a 3.5933 GPA to earn fifth place. Xiangqiang Chu, Emily Craparo PhD Zheng recounted the final mo- a competitive level in 62 countries, The Engineers’ mark of 3.4938 beat out academic peers Brown ’08, Wenjun Ge G, Carol Huang, Da- ments of the last race: “At the end 13 fewer countries than necessary for University (11th), Stanford University (15th), Yale University (16th), zhi Liu G, Kesheng Liu, Tiejun Meng, of race, I was really tired and could consideration for inclusion in Olympic Cornell University (48th), UC Berkeley (52nd), and the University of Lixin Qin, Jinbo Wang G, Kailiang hardly lift my left hand, but I knew we Games. Dragon boats were used in the Pennsylvania (53rd). Wu G, Ning Wu G, Sa Xiao G, Qiong had to win. I could not help shouting 2008 Summer Olympic torch relay for In the individual awards, Southeast Missouri State was the paceset- Yang G, Weijia Zhang, Xinying Grace out ‘Go! Go! Go!’ … Immediately I the first time to carry the torchbearer ter once again with 16 honors while Ithaca led Division III with 12 Zheng G, and Haining Zheng G. heard guys in front of me shouting out in sections of the relay. nods. MIT totaled eight awards with Alison M. Barnard ’09, Marie S. Heglund ’10, Laura E. Kelly ’09, Katie M. Mingo ’10, Gina M. Poli- celli ’10, Sarah N. Trowbridge ’08, Kristen D. Watkins ’11, and Julia C. Zimmerman ’09 making the list. ­—Mike Stoller, DAPER Staff

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Check Out the 2007 Year in Review Inside! Congratulations, Graduates! The Weather MIT’s Today: Warm with light rainfall, 47°F (8°C) yearsOldest and Largestat MIT.Tonight: Periods of moderate MIT’s rainfall, 38°F (3°C) The Weather Today: Mostly cloudy, possibility Newspaper Tomorrow: Heavy rainfall, 44°F (7°C) Oldest and Largest of rain. 73°F (23°C) Details, Page 2 Newspaper Tonight: Overcast, 66°F (19°C) The Weather Tomorrow: Thunderstorms likely, MIT’s Today: Cool, 44°F (7°C) 81°F (27°C) Tonight: Freezing and Details, Page 2 Oldest and Largest Volume 128, Number 1 Cambridge,windy, Massachusetts 27°F (-3°C) 02139 Tuesday, February 5, 2008http://tech.mit.edu/ Tomorrow: Cold with gusting Newspaper winds, 35°F (2°C) Students, Supporters TurnDetails, Out Page 2 For Obama Was Star’sVolume 128, Number 27 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, June 6, 2008 Late on Monday Night, Thousands of People Attend Presidential Candidate’s Rally Welcome Prospective Students! Volume 127, Number 58 Cambridge,By Nick Bushak Massachusetts 02139years — a shorter political tenure Friday, November 30, 2007 LED Star Yunus to Give 2008 Commencement Address Star NEWS EDITOR than Clinton can claim. Kerry said By Angeline Wang On the eve of Super Tuesday, ea- of this relative inexperience that CONTRIBUTING EDITOR ger Bostonians stuffed themselves “experience is not defined by time Protected Ten thousand people are expected MIT’s 10-250 Renovations tointo crowded Begin Silver Line buses.During in Washington.” It is defined,IAP he said, IFC Elects Simpson The Weather to attend this morning’s Commence- They followed signs held by Barack “by wisdom, instinct, gut, and cour- Oldest and Largest Today: Cloudy, late rain, ment exercises, at which a Nobel Obama volunteers titled “This way age.” HighMultimillion 53°F (12°C) Dollar Makeover Will Upgrade Seating, Lighting, Audiovisual Equipment laureate will speak and about 2,300 Tonight: Rain, Low 41°F (5°C) for change” to a long, winding line Obama also tried to address con- Speech? Newspaper By Arkajit Dey Leaders; students will receive almost 2,600 STAFF REPORTER Receives outside the Seaport World Trade cerns that his caution, when applied Tomorrow: More rain, degrees. High 48°F (9°C) Center. to working as America’s commander By Nick Semenkovich The lecture hall 10-250 will be This year’s Commencement ad- Thousands came to Sena- in chief, would endanger the country. EDITOR IN CHIEF http://tech.mit.edu/ Details,closed Page for renovation2 during January’s No Rush dress will be delivered by Muham- tor Barack H. Obama’s “Stand for “I will keep you safe,” he said. He Independent Activities Period and the Star A. Simpson ’10, who facesmad Yunus, who won the Nobel Pretrial Change” rally, held last night at the added that “I won’t hesitate to strike spring semester. Large classes tradi- charges of possessing a hoax device,Peace Prize in 2006 for his devel- World Trade Center, many college- [against enemies]” if necessary. tionally held in 10-250 will move to came back to the East Boston Districtopment of microlending and for his Volume 128, Number 18 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday,other April venues 11, for 2008 the spring. age. Senator Edward M. Kennedy, And Obama emphasized his de- Chair Court last Friday, Feb. 1 for a pretrial work in alleviating global poverty. Senator John F. Kerry, and Governor sire to be a bipartisan leader, attract- The renovation will upgrade 10- hearing. At the hearing, her attorney In addition, President Susan Probation Deval L. Patrick, all of whom have ing the support of both Democrats 250 with new “seating, carpeting, asked the court to dismiss the case.Hockfield will address the gradu- By Joyce Kwan endorsed Obama, made appearances and Republicans. “I’m changing reg- The judge said that he would rule on lighting, heating, ventilation, and Found Yet ates, and Institute Chaplain Robert STAFF REPORTER Sloan Group Received A Record Number of Studentscooling,” Assistant Registrar Peter D. at the event. istrations,” he said. that motion on March 21, The Asso- M. Randolph will deliver the Invo- Star A. Simpson ’10 was sen- Attendees came from all around Kerry mentioned the world’s ciated Press reported. Bedrosian said. There will be several By Natasha Plotkin cation. Outgoing Graduate Student tenced Monday to one year of super- Boston to the rally, which began at 8 opinion of Obama as one of Obama’s STAFF REPORTER The charges against Simpson audiovisual equipment updates, in- Council President Leeland B. Ek- vised pretrial probation on a charge of p.m. with speeches from state and lo- strengths. He said “this man [Obama] stem from an incident on Sept. 21, Homophobic Threats cluding cameras dedicated to record On Wednesday, Alberto Mena ’09 strom will offer a salute from the disorderly conduct. The charge stems Attend Campus Preview Weekend cal political figures. Obama himself is being watched by the world.” 2007 when she walked into Logan classes for archiving on OpenCourse- and Reid C. Van Lehn ’09 were elect- graduate student body. 2008 Class from a Sept. 2007 incident when she did not take the stage until 11 p.m. While there were few attacks International Airport wearing a cir- After Incident, Community Discussed Values By Arkajit Dey Ware, which provides free online ed president and vice president of the President Phi T. Ho will present this was arrested at gunpoint at Logan When Obama spoke, two words on the Clinton campaign last night, cuit board covered by light-emitting By Ramya Sankar spend it at resuscitation department. and Nick Bushak course materials. Interfraternity Council, respectively. year’s Senior Gift, a fund that will International after airport personnel came up most often: “change” and there were plenty of digs at the Bush diodes forming a star. A Logan infor- STAFF REPORTER If this is what you want, go ahead.” STAFF REPORTERS “We are working hard to keep it Mena said that one of his primary support students working outside mistook a circuit board on her sweat- “belief.” Trying to dismiss concerns administration. Obama called the mation desk worker mistook her cir- A Sloan student was not ex- The full message is available on- A record number of prospective at its current capacity [of 450] with- goals is to improve IFC transparency MIT during January’s Independent MICHAEL Y. MCCANNA shirt for a bomb. The incident — and of those who believe he is naïve, war in Iraq a “recruitment tool” for cuit board for a bomb, and Simpson pelled or suspended after sending a line along with a response from the freshmen — 1021 — have descend- out impacting the front of the room,” and communication. Jason R. Kelly G receives his doctoral hood for completing his degree in Biological Engineering at the MIT’s public relations — incited na- Obama said “hope is not ignorance.” Al-Qaida. was arrested at gunpoint outside the homophobic, threatening e-mail to LGBT group at http://tech.mit.edu/ ed upon MIT for this year’s Campus Registrar Mary Callahan said. The Mena and Van Lehn will be Commencement, Page 19 hooding ceremony in Rockwell Cage yesterday. tional and local controversy. Obama also took a quick jab at other In a humorous aside, Obama airport. members of the Sloan LGBT stu- V128/N18/sloan/. Preview Weekend, according to Ben front of the room must remain spa- joined by four other newly-elected An East Boston District Court candidates who are now running talked about discovering that he was The arrest drew national atten- dent group. Group officers contacted the Jones, Associate Director of Admis- cious and “optimal viewing” from all executive board members: Jacob A. judge sentenced Simpson to one year with his message: “this change thing related to Dick Cheney. “That was tion and comparisons to the Janu- The e-mail was sent in Decem- Sloan administration, who notified sions. The event, which ten years angles must be maintained, she said. Levinson ’09 as Judicial Committee of supervised pretrial probation on is catching on, because now every- embarrassing,” he said. “You know, ary 2007 bomb scare, when Boston New OLPC ber; the resulting Committee on the MIT Police. Soon a court case ago was meant to attract women “10-250 is such an important space chair, David J. Hutchings ’10 as risk In Between Class, Students Blow Glass a charge of disorderly conduct and one is talking about change.” when they do these genealogical police mistook as bombs dozens of Discipline case was resolved in was filed, said Tom Armet G, an of- and minority students to MIT, is for the teaching mission and student manager, D. Ballin Smith ’10 as pro- ordered her to perform 50 hours of On the eve of the Massachusetts surveys, you’re hopingHELEN thatHOU—T you’reHE T EC H small light-up boards, displayingBeneath the Infinite, Students Learn Glassblowing and Develop Community February; a letter to the Sloan com- ficer of Sloan LGBT. now open to all admitted freshmen. life at the Institute. The Institute needs gram development chair, and Daniel community service, half of which Large classes will have to find otherprimary, venues Obama next semester, spoke carefully, as 10-250 related will tobe someone undergoing cool.” renovations cartoon characters, that had been Laptop Will munity was sent in March; and an After proceedings in January, CPW has grown explosively since a major lecture hall.” Chen ’11 as executive assistant. Chen By Jessica Witchley the pool of clear molten glass. kin. Edwards is one of six Glass much be completed with veterans, beginning during the Independent Activitiesminimizing Period direct and criticism extending of his into thePerhaps spring as semester. important as Obama’s scattered throughout the city as part open forum was held in April. The “the Cambridge Court case was then, increasing from 974 last year The project cost was roughly esti- ran unopposed for his position. STAFF REPORTER When the amount of glass is Lab members who together produce and to publicly announce that she had chief opponent, Senator Hillary R. speech was his supporters. of a Cartoon Network promotional incident and subsequent discussion closed pending further action,” said and 868 the year before. mated to be “several million” dollars will be substantially completed by the Planning, which approves funding renovated during the spring and sum- The position of recruitment chair On a Sunday afternoon in April, just right, he swivels on his heels about four dozen pumpkins in about made a mistake. Clinton. Andrew Saperstone, a freshman campaign. Open Like a have forced the Sloan school to se- Eric J. Silverberg G, another officer CPW runs from April 10 to April from a feasibility study completed beginning of August, leaving a month for Institute renovations. CRSP ap- mer because “room usage overall is is currently still open. According to Brendon Edwards plunges a blow and cries “To your left!” as he bears four hours. “I want to apologize for the results Instead, Obama tried to reinforce Marketing and Communications At Friday’s hearing, Simpson’s at- riously reevaluate its values and to of Sloan LGBT. 13. Living groups, student groups, over the summer, Bedrosian said. A “for punch list items and to allow fac- proved the project to “move forward lighter during this period” and just the outgoing IFC President Daniel S. pipe into a furnace hot enough to burn down on the smooth metal tabletop According to the popular stereo- of my conduct on September 21, 2007. his own message among undecided major at Emerson College, attended torney, Thomas Dwyer Jr., argued for implement diversity training, ac- MIT’s Committee on Discipline MIT organizations, and other groups final cost will be determined by the ulty to orient themselves to the new through the schematic design phase,” summer along would not have been Eads ’08, the people nominated for flesh from — a marver — that had been directly type, MIT people are geeky, artisti- Book, Have Although I never intended to act in a voters who might harbor last-minute the rally “hoping to solidify some a motion to dismiss on the grounds cording to students. heard on Feb. 14 a case against the offer more than 600 events through- contractors, O’Conner Construction, audiovisual and lighting controls” be- said Bedrosian. And at the end of this sufficient time to complete the up- the position ultimately decided not bone. Ed- behind him moments before. cally disinclined science nerds. But disorderly fashion, I now realize that doubts about his campaign. things.” He said he was leaning to- PERRY HUNG—THE TECH that wearing the circuit board was On Dec. 10, the officers of the student who sent the e-mail, whose out all hours of the weekend. brought on the project last month. fore the fall term starts, he added. phase, a schematic design estimate grades before next fall. to run for election. Mena said new Feature wards, an ad- Rolling the glowing glass ball the Glass Lab, where Edwards teach- the shirt I created caused alarm and Obama has served in the U.S. wards Obama, but was still undecid- Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama waves to an ex- free expression protected under the MIT Sloan LGBT received a ho- name has not been released, and the A smorgasbord of activities char- Demolition will take place during The results of the feasibility study will be presented to CRSP for final According to Assistant Registrar nominees would be named at the vanced glassblower and instructor, is over the marver, Edwards shapes the es, is located just below the heart of Two Screens concern at Logan Airport,” Simpson Senate for only three years, and he cited crowd during a rally last night at the World Trade Center in mophobic e-mail from a fellow case was resolved a few days after- acterized last night’s CPW opening IAP and construction will begin in were presented in September to the project approval. next IFC meeting. The exact date for trying to make a glass bulb at the end ball to the proportions necessary to By Nick Bushak said in a statement released Monday by served in the Illinois Senate for eight Rally, Page 17 Boston. Simpson, Page 8 Sloan student, threatening violence. ward, Silverberg said. festival, held in the Johnson Athlet- February, Bedrosian said. The project Committee for the Review of Space Bedrosian said it was preferable to 10-250, Page 11 the election has not yet been decided, of his pipe by rolling the pipe through begin the process of making a pump- Glass Lab, Page 12 NEWS EDITOR her attorney, Thomas E. Dwyer, Jr. “I A case was filed with Cambridge COD officials would not con- ics Center. Perennial favorites, like Eads said. One Laptop Per Child unveiled am appreciative to the Massachusetts officials, and Sloan administrators firm or deny that they had heard liquid nitrogen ice cream, drew long Mena’s primary goals for his the next generation of its XO lap- State Police for their diligence in pro- filed a complaint with MIT’s Com- such a case, standard practice for lines. Meanwhile, eager combatants OLPC Sued for Allegedly Copying Keyboard Design term include “leading all of the fra- Oversubscribed BiologyCounterpoint top last month. The new machine is tecting our citizens and apologize for mittee on Discipline. the tight-lipped committee. “I can’t wielded foam-laden swords and ternities and work on creating more smaller, cheaper, and will open like the expense that was caused that day.” The offending e-mail was a re- confirm” that this case or any other competed in “boffing” duels. By Joyce Kwan is patented. The suit was filed against courts as well, alleging copyright and cause of the large number of Nigerian transparency within our system, both a book to reveal two touch-sensitive sponse to an invitation sent out by had been heard, said Sheila E. Wid- Elsewhere, crowds of prospec- NEWS EDITOR OLPC, Founder Nicholas P. Negro- contract violation, said Lancor Co- languages, he said. Nigeria has over to fraternity members and the rest of Will Become displays. Simpson, Page 15 the Sloan Lesbian, Gay, and Trans- nall ’60, the committee’s current tive freshmen contorted their bod- MONICAA Natick-based KAHN—THE TEC H company filed ponte ’66, and OLPC’s representatives President Walter Oluwole. 250 recognized languages. The Ko- the MIT community,” he said. Mena Class Will Spill Into 4-370 According to Nicholas P. Negro- gender Club to an end-of-semester chair. ies in novel ways in large games of Benjamin W. Charrow ’08 wears a “CRYO-FAC” abox lawsuit in reference against theto One Laptop in Nigeria. According to OLPC’s official nyin keyboard, successful in handling said he also wants to “inform the Students in 7.013 Will Fill MIT’s Largest Lecture HallWellesley-Only ponte ’66, chairman of OLPC, pro- celebration. The response reads in The details of the proceedings Twister and four-square. Raucous East Campus’ Friday Afternoon Club at the 2008Per Campus Child Foundation Preview last Thursday, Lancor is seeking unspecified statement, OLPC is aware of Lancor’s the 250 languages, took eight years to MIT community about what the fra- duction of the computer is expected part: “If you fucking fags send me and the outcome are not known to potential rock stars amused them- Weekend in Johnson Ice Rink yesterday. claiming OLPC copied its multilin- damages from the group and a court claims but “has not been served with engineer, he said. ternities do both on and off campus, to start in 2010. V. Michael Bove In Short By Michael McGraw-Herdeg ment also announced in November something like that once again or anyone outside of those present at selves playing Guitar Hero and terday being Thursday, had not re- others. gual keyboard technology. injunction to halt sales of the XO lap- any legal documents related to this al- In January 2007, at the Consumer since we want to make people realize Publication ’83, Media Lab professor and former ¶ Steven R. Lerman ’72 will be- EXECUTIVE EDITOR 2007 that 7.015 would not be taught contact me in any other way, I swear the hearings, which did not include Rock Band. ally yet begun — was pretty intense Laura Bagamery,Lagos aAnalysis Pittsburgh Corp. (Lancor), a top (originally known as $100 laptop) leged suit as of this time.” Electronics Show in Las Vegas, a we’re doing a lot of things that the By Michael McGraw-Herdeg Tech chairman, is leading technical come MIT’s vice chancellor on Although 659 people have pre- in the spring. you won’t be able to study at Sloan Prospective freshmen agreed and slightly crazy. The fast pace of company owned by Nigerians, filed while the case is litigated. “OLPC has requested that LAN- friend of Oyegbola noticed a strik- MIT community appreciates.” EXECUTIVE EDITOR development. July 1. He will continue as dean for registered for Introductory Biology Another factor which may ex- for some time because you will Sloan, Page 15 that the weekend — which, yes- events appeals to some more than the suitPreview, in Nigeria Page where 11 the keyboard Lancor plans to file suit in U.S. COR identify the patents or copy- ing similarity between the keyboard Mena said that, to achieve these Counterpoint, the monthly The announcement was made graduate education. (7.013), only 566 seats are available plain the increased enrollment in rights in question, but the company of an early version of the XO on dis- goals, “keeping open lines of com- magazine which aimed to chronicle at an event OLPC called a Country in the 26-100 lecture hall where the 7.013 is that the Department of Biol- has yet to substantiate its claim against play and the Konyin keyboard, which munication is the first step. … I want campus life at MIT and Wellesley Workshop, where lab staff talked ¶ MIT purchased four life sci- subject will be taught. Students who ogy no longer gives credit for 7.012 OLPC with any documentation,” the he owned, Oyegbola told the Globe. to make sure that everyone is on the College, will resume publication in with representatives of numerous ence buildings in Cambridge for cannot fit in 26-100 will still be able to students who scored a 5 on the Students Use statement continues. “OLPC has the Oyegbola said he saw a document September as a Wellesley-only pub- countries and members of the press. $90.5 million, according to the MIT Student Fights to to see the lecture via a live video Advanced Placement Biology exam. utmost respect for the rights of intel- describing a keyboard layout nearly IFC, Page 12 lication, the publication’s co-editor The laptop will have no physical Boston Globe. The buildings, lo- stream shown in 4-370. A course in- The General Institute Requirements, lectual property owners and all the identical to his own on OLPC’s Web announced in May’s issue. keyboard. Instead, users will type cated at 185 Albany St., 195 Al- structor and teaching assistants will MIT’s core curriculum, require a stu- MIT Skills intellectual property used in the XO site after he heard about the likeness “We will be temporarily aban- on one of the displays using an on- bany St., 148 Sidney St., and 149 Protect Activists’ Privacy be in the overflow room to answer dent to have credit for any one of the Laptop is either owned by OLPC or from his friend. In Short doning the partnership that was screen keyboard. The displays them- Sidney St., contain about 150,000 students’ questions. introductory biology classes 7.012, By Michael McGraw-Herdeg paragraph about how his system theo- properly licensed.” Oluwole said they began trying ¶ Freshmen placed in Next House forged 16 years ago between our two selves are being developed by Pixel square feet of space. Tyler E. Jacks, one of the two 7.013, 7.014, or 7.015. For Indian EXECUTIVE EDITOR retically protected people’s privacy, he Oluwole said the OLPC attorneys to get in touch with Negroponte in will be allowed to participate in the institutions of higher interest due to Qi, a spinoff of OLPC by Mary Lou lecturers for 7.013, said that he has About one-fourth of the Class of A New York City Law Department learned that New York City had just have contacted Lancor’s attorneys. January. For three weeks, Lancor at- Housing Adjustment Lottery be- dwindling MIT interest and partici- Jepsen SM ’89. ¶ Economics Professor Olivier J. taught the subject five or six times 2009 received AP credit that satisfied subpoena to an MIT graduate student put his theory to the test. Lancor has records that Negroponte tempted to reach Negroponte without ginning next fall, according to Next pation and, more pressingly, because The organization is also aiming Blanchard PhD ’77 was appointed before, and that in the past it has at- the GIR biology requirement. The Flood Relief over text messages has raised ques- “If you just use a commercial pro- ordered two of its Konyin keyboards success until the company was finally house President Franklyn F. Lao our long-serving MIT co-Editor- for a bold price point: $75. The cur- chief economist of the International tracted about 500 students. Class of 2011 was the first which By Saajan S. Chana tions about how the First Amendment vider,” he said, “you end up with an online, Oluwole said. Oluwole claimed turned down, he said. ’08. Next residents were previously in-Chief is graduating, with no one rent model was popularized as “the Monetary Fund, effective Sept. 1. One cause of the subject’s unusu- did not receive AP credit, although I arrived in Delhi, like most inter- protects online speech, and whether archive of messages that could be pro- OLPC “reverse engineered” the Konyin Lancor did not want to go to the not allowed to participate in REX standing to take his place,” wrote co- $100 laptop” while it was in devel- Blanchard wrote the Principles of STEVE HOWLAND—THE TECH al popularity may be that two other about sixteen members of the class national travellers, in the middle of the government is allowed to ask vided to the cops if they wanted, and keyboard to use its software as the basis media and file the lawsuit, but “we due to the Residence-Based Advis- editor Kristina Costa, a Wellesley ju- Macroeconomics (14.02) textbook David L. Reens ’11, Brandon T. Lew ’11, and Allen S. Yin ’11 of team 10 retract their robot’s wall introductory biology classes, 7.014 received biology credit last fall by the night, when the temperature was service providers for messages they that might not be great. So I’m writing for the keyboard of the XO laptop and have not been able to communicate ing Program. Minor changes will nior, in the May column “One is the Laptop, Page 20 Macroeconomics. after a match during the 6.270 final competition on Jan. 31. Many teams employed defensive strat- and 7.015, will not be offered this taking an Advanced Standing Exam. DAV ID DA HE—THE T ECH a mere 70 de- store. that sentence in academese when my published the heavily adopted source with this person,” Oluwole said. Lan- been made to the lottery schedule Loneliest Number.” The Green Hall Farewell Party was hosted on Saturday, May egies such as this, yet walls often led to scoreless matches that resulted in losses for both teams. spring. 7.014 is usually offered every Jacks said that about 75 percent grees. I walked On a winter day in February, Ed- phone rings …” code online for the public to see. cor wants Negroponte to understand to accommodate this change. In the past few years, Counter- 10 in Amherst Alley. Green Hall, which has been a women’s 6.270 is an IAP class for MIT students where participants design and build a robot using LEGOs. semester, but it is not being taught Feature out of the ter- ward A. Hirsch G was in the Rotch Hirsch was asked for text messag- Such copying is forbidden under he violated our rights, he said. point has had money troubles. A De- graduate dormitory since 1983, will be converted in the fall to in 2007–2008. The Biology Depart- Crowding, Page 8 minal to see a melee of taxi drivers Library writing a thesis chapter about es sent by his TXTmob service during Nigerian patent law, Lancor Founder Oluwole said he has been subject ¶ Online pre-registration for IAP cember 2006 column, “Welcome to an undergraduate residence for members of the Kappa Alpha Next House Housemaster soliciting the custom of shell-shocked his TXTmob system, which he had the Republican National Convention Ade Oyegbola told The Boston Globe. to numerous hate messages via e-mail and spring starts Monday at 9 a.m. our Nightmare: Why Counterpoint Theta sorority in the fall. Green Hall residents were informed of travellers with the latest Bollywood developed to help protesters commu- in a broad subpoena issued by the New In addition to its patent in Nigeria, the and phone because of the lawsuit. The registration form is available at In Short the move in January. Search Delayed Konyin keyboard’s technology has a Negroponte, former director of http://student.mit.edu. hits blaring out of tinny speakers. It nicate during the 2004 Republican Musical The- NEWS ¶ Vote today in the Massachusetts Counterpoint, Page 21 The search for a new Next House housemaster will continue into patent pending in the United States, the MIT Media Lab, launched OLPC World & Nation ...... 2 was, you know, the usual spring break National Convention. As he began a TXTmob, Page 16 ater Guild Microsoft plans lab in Cambridge primaries! the fall because this spring’s search yielded only one candidate, Profes- scene. Oluwole said. in 2005 with the intent of providing ¶ OpenCourseWare celebratedOpinion ...... 4 sor Robert C. Berwick PhD ’82. Berwick will continue to be a candi- Oluwole said no other company a high-quality yet low-cost laptop to the addition of 1,800 courses with But I had a mission. I was there hosts ‘Wild Page 13 ¶ Register for classes by Friday, date in the fall. has Konyin’s shift-key technology that children in developing countries. The Campus Life ...... 5 The Tech will NEWS ARTS World & Nation .2 as part of the new D-Lab companion MIT News Office Publication Party’ Professors discuss feasibiltyan event hosted of by President Susan Feb. 8 or face a $40 late fee. Residential Life Associate Marc A. Lo will serve subject Information and Communi- ARTHUR PETRON—THE T ECH allows users to directly add accents to XO laptop, which is rain-resistant and Hockfield on Wednesday. Comics / Fun Pages ...... 6 publish once a Could there be Junot Díaz, MIT Opinion ...... 4 as “interim house director” in the fall, said Peter W. letters. The Nigerian government at- solar-powered, uses the open-source News cations Technology for Development Lagos Analysis Corp. filed a lawsuit in Nigeria against the One Laptop feats in ‘Jumper’ Send news information and tips to Fung ’09, Next House’s vice president and secre- Violates Federal Law tempted to create such a multilingual Linux operating system and features Sports ...... 20 month during hope for MIT’s professor and Arts ...... 6 (SP.716). I’m a member of one of Per Child Foundation saying the project copied its multilingual key- Page 11 Send newsPage information 14 and tips to [email protected]. tary. The dormitory’s current housemasters, Muriel eight teams working around the world Wednesday’s issue of Tech Talk appears to violate federal law. A board technology. The company is based in Natick, Mass. keyboard for 23 years but failed be- wireless Internet connectivity. [email protected]. the summer. Our student biodiesel Pulitzer winner, Comics ...... 8 Brief Medard ’89 and John Simmons ’90, will move off- on using IT to solve problems ranging front-page article discussing Dan Ariely’s book “Predictably Irrational” in- next issue is on project? is a cool guy. Police Log . . . .18 campus with their family but will officially still serve as housemasters, from education to matching workers cluded a color image of a U.S. $1 bill. The image is 5.125" long, 85 percent Friday, June 13. Page 15 Page 7 Sports ...... 24 with employers. My team works with as long as a real $1 bill. Printed images of U.S. currency Comics Musical NEWS Housemaster, Page 18 World & Nation ...... 2 Catholic Relief Services India, a non- must be “of a size less than three-fourths or more than PERRY HUNG—THE TECH Theatre Guild MIT launches $200,000 prize for governmental organization involved in Briefs one and one-half, in linear dimension, of each part of In a sweeping speech on Wednesday in the Tang Auditorium, Opinion ...... 4 flood relief in Bihar in northern India. any matter so illustrated,” according to 18 USC § 504, as amended by the Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick outlined a $3.8 billion presents energy technology ideas. Comics / Fun Pages ...... 5 Bihar is one of the most flood- Department of the Treasury under amendment 411.1. bond proposal to protect the state’s economy. It was Patrick’s ‘Pippin.’ prone states in India because of runoff The News OfficeLook was unavailable for comment on Thursday night.tofirst officialThe visit to MIT since his inaugurationTech in January of for campus, local, and world news and en- Arts ...... 7 —Nick Semenkovich 2007. Sports ...... 16 India, Page 12 Page 5 Page 9 Page 13 In Short NEWS World & Nation ...... 2 ¶ Feeling screwed? Voting in the Sunday at 2 p.m. in the Media Lab’s Police Log ...... 12 Opinion ...... 4 APO Big Screw charity fundraiser Bartos Theater. tertainmentCampus Life ...... 5 ends tomorrow in Lobby 10. Pick twice weekly during the term. The Tech will report someone who’s done their worst to ¶ Yes, MIT has journalism. See for Student Center dry cleaners forcibly Arts ...... 6 you and vote with dollars! yourself at The Tech’s open house closed by state ...... 14 Comics / Fun Pages ...... 7 today, all afternoon, on the fourth floor Sports ...... 20 ¶ A memorial service for Professor of the Student Center. Current students on OrientationJ. Mark Schuster PhD ’79 will be held and admitted freshmen are welcome. and your Commencement, your class elections and class hardships. In text and pictures, it will preserve the scandals, prizes, performances, sports events, and jokes that mark your time here. Years from now this newspaper will stand as a record of what MIT was like when you were here.

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