Volume 128, Number 6 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, February 22, 2008 MIT Drafts Response to Senate Inquiry on Endowment, Tuition by Natasha Plotkin Each Year

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Volume 128, Number 6 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Friday, February 22, 2008 MIT Drafts Response To Senate Inquiry On Endowment, Tuition By Natasha Plotkin each year. Associate News Editor President Susan Hockfield said MIT is compiling data to re- at a February 20 faculty meeting spond to the Senate Finance Com- that, in its request, Congress is be- mittee’s request for information ing “over-simplistic” about how about the school’s endowment, fi- schools manage their endowments. nancial aid, and tuition rates. She said that MIT has “a strong po- The committee sent this request sition on financial aid,” by, among to MIT and 135 other universities in other examples, supporting a need- the country with endowments over blind admissions policy and provid- $500 million on Jan. 24, in light ing 62 percent of students internal of increasing concerns regarding need-based scholarships. hikes in tuition and unprecedented She said that MIT cannot be endowment growth. compared with similarly ranked Omari Stephens—The TEch The request indicates that the universities such as Harvard Uni- The moon passed completely into the Earth’s shadow this past Wednesday night in the last total Senate plans to more closely moni- versity and Yale University because lunar eclipse until Dec. 2010. Here, the moon re-emerges after being completely eclipsed from tor university spending policies. MIT has a much higher percentage 10:01 to 10:51 p.m. See http://sunearth.gsfc.nasa.gov/eclipse/ for more information on lunar Iowa Senator Charles Grassley of students studying science and and solar eclipses. (R), ranking member of the com- engineering, which are, in gen- mittee, described the purpose of eral, more costly than study in the the request in a Finance Commit- humanities. She also noted that tee press release: “We’re giving the financial backgrounds of MIT In Short well-funded colleges a chance to students are different than those Late-Night Appearance describe what they’re doing to help of students at similarly ranked ¶ The cancelation deadline for students.” “More information will schools. MIT cannot match Har- the MIT Student Extended Insur- help Congress make informed de- vard and Yale’s recent financial aid Brings Prominence To ance Plan is next Thursday, Feb. 28. cisions about a potential pay-out increases for middle income fami- Those wishing to waive the plan requirement and allow universities lies without “eroding support” for can visit http://web.mit.edu/medi- to show what they can accomplish lower income families. cal/p-waiver.html. on their own initiative,” he said. She told the faculty that MIT 8.02 Instructor Fisher MIT Vice President and General will make a public statement on fi- By Ramya Sankar air drag or friction must slow down ¶ The spring final exam schedule Counsel R. Gregory Morgan, who nancial aid in early March but that STaff REPORTER a spinning ring, and so he sent an is now available. See the schedule was unavailable for comment, is they should not expect any sweep- “It’s like a drug,” said Physics e-mail to his Electricity and Mag- online at http://web.mit.edu/regis- coordinating the Institute’s effort to ing changes in financial aid, such Professor Peter H. Fisher, referring netism (8.02) students in the early trar/www/schedules/exams.html. provide a response within 30 days, as those announced by Harvard, to the 14 minutes of fame he got in morning hours of Feb. 7, requesting as the committee requested. Yale, and, most recently, Stanford a recent appearance on NBC’s Late their suggestions. ¶ Add date is Friday, Mar. 7: Re- The MIT administration has ex- University. member to designate a sophomore Show with Conan O’Brien. Within an hour, Fisher got several pressed concern at the possibility Regarding the Senate’s men- exploratory subject! See more on- Most of the time, Fisher re- dozen suggestions, ranging from re- of increased government monitor- tion of pay-out rules, Hockfield line at http://web.mit.edu/academ- searches dark matter. But for brief placing the air around the ring with ing or control over tuition rates. explained how endowment spend- ic-guide/sec8.html. few days at the beginning of Febru- helium to using an air table. With The Senate press release mentions ing cannot be simplified to just a ary, he found himself contemplating these suggestions and with the re- that college tuition is rising faster simple percentage, as MIT must ¶ Laptop security tagging is of- a more mundane problem: how to sults of several home trials in hand, than inflation, and that college en- take into account its various needs fered today in Lobby 10, from 9 make O’Brien’s wedding ring spin Fisher headed to Rockefeller Center dowments are exempt from a re- and the requirements of the 2000- a.m. to 11:30 a.m. For $10 cash, the on his desk for a long, long time. in New York City for the taping of quirement that private foundations MIT Police will affix a bar-coded Fisher appeared on O’Brien’s the show at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Feb. pay out five percent of their assets Endowment, Page 10 plate to your laptop. show on Feb. 8 as a guest to help 8. O’Brien improve his ring’s spin time. During the rehearsal, O’Brien, a Because of the Writer’s Guild strike, Brookline native, talked with Fisher the problem had occupied parts of about the Boston area. After discuss- O’Brien’s show for days. ing various possible spin methods, Contacted by supervising pro- they settled on using Vaseline and ducer Frank Smiley to help Conan Teflon. Some spins with Vaseline break his 41-second record, Fisher lasted more than 80 seconds during approached the challenge in the the rehearsal. (He set a 51-second problem domain he knows best: physics. Fisher theorized that either Fisher, Page 11 P/D/F Option Proposed For Graduate Students At Feb. Faculty Meeting By Shreyes Seshasai vidual instructors may prevent stu- Staff Reporter dents from using the P/D/F option Professor of Biology Stephen P. in their subjects, and departments Bell presented a motion at Wednes- may also limit the use of the op- day afternoon’s faculty meeting tion. that would allow graduate students The motivation for the proposal to take subjects on a Pass/D/Fail comes from a growing desire of basis, similar to the option cur- graduate students to take subjects Mark Thompson rently available to junior and senior outside of their primary field of re- Keynote speaker Ray Hammond comments on the future of Dr. King’s message by asking the audi- undergraduates. The motion will search, Bell said. Currently, gradu- ence, “What now?” at the 34th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration held in Walker on be discussed and voted upon at the ate students can elect either to re- Thursday morning. March 19 faculty meeting. ceive full grades or listener status. If the proposal is approved, But some students hesitate to take graduate students would be allowed subjects that might hurt their grade to take one subject per term on a point average, especially when they rts P/D/F basis. The subject’s units only want to get exposure to a dif- A World & Nation �� 2 would not count towards the total ferent field, Bell said. And subjects You mean you don’t record over video Opinion �� 4 number needed to fulfill degree taken with listener status do not rentals? Check out the review of ‘Be Campus Life �� 5 requirements, but the units would show up on transcripts and leave no count against any unit restriction lasting record that a student took Kind Rewind.’ Comics / Fun Pages �� 6 a student faces, such as those im- the subject. Page 8 Arts �� 8 posed by teaching assistant and re- Professor Charles H. Stewart III search positions. Sports �� 16 As the proposal stands, indi- Grades, Page 14 Page The Tech February 22, 2008 World & Nation Researchers Exploit Serbian Protestors Set Fire DRAM Vulnerability By John Markoff The New York Times SAN FRANCISCO To Unprotected U.S. Embassy A group led by a Princeton University computer security researcher has developed a simple method to steal encrypted information stored By Bostjan Videmsek able to disperse the crowd. “hold the Serbian government per- on computer hard disks. and Dan Bilefsky The Associated Press reported that sonally responsible for the safety The technique, which could undermine security software protecting The New York Times the small fires at the embassy were and well-being of our embassy em- critical data on computers, is as easy as chilling a computer memory chip BELGRADE, Serbia quickly extinguished by firefighters. ployees.” with a blast of frigid air from a can of dust remover. Encryption software Demonstrators attacked the U.S. Serbian television reported that He added that the security that is widely used by companies and government agencies, especially in Embassy and set part of it ablaze on the Croatian Embassy had also been had been provided was completely portable computers that are especially susceptible to being stolen. Thursday as tens of thousands of an- attacked, and the state news agency inadequate. The development, which was described on the group’s Web site on gry Serbs took to the streets of Bel- said the Bosnian and Turkish Embas- At the United Nations, Zalmay Thursday, could also have implications for the protection of encrypted grade to protest Kosovo’s declaration sies were also targeted. The police Khalilzad, the U.S. ambassador, said personal data from prosecutors. The move, which cannot be carried out of independence. said at least 140 people had been in- he was “outraged” by the attack on the remotely, exploits a little-known vulnerability of the dynamic random The United States has been a jured in the incidents, 32 of them po- embassy and would be seeking a unan- access, or DRAM, chip. Those chips temporarily hold data, including strong advocate of Kosovo’s indepen- lice. Security sources estimated that imous statement from the 15-member the keys to modern data-scrambling algorithms. When the computer’s dence from Serbia and was among 150,000 people joined the protests. Security Council condemning it. electrical power is shut off, the data, including the keys, is supposed the first countries to recognize the Groups broke into a McDonald’s The violence fueled growing to disappear. new state, stoking deep resentment. in central Belgrade and destroyed its fears in Washington and Brussels Rian Harris, an embassy spokes- interior. Witnesses said vandals were that Serbia was turning to the viru- woman, said that a body had been attacking foreign-owned shops, in- lent nationalism of the past. New Charges of Cheating found inside the building, but that cluding a Nike store, and were seen But Serbian analysts predicted all embassy staff members were ac- carrying off shoes and other goods as that the country would ultimately Emerge Against the Patriots counted for. the Serbian police looked on. embrace the West as it came to terms By John Branch Witnesses said that at least 100 The U.S. Embassy had been with losing its medieval heartland. and Greg Bishop people broke into the embassy, which closed since Sunday after it was In recent days, Western leaders The New York Times INDIANAPOLIS was closed, and burned some of stoned by demonstrators, and em- have looked on with growing alarm The Patriots’ pattern of illicitly videotaping the signals of opposing its rooms. One protester ripped the ployees had been told to stay home. as Serbia’s hard-line prime minis- NFL coaches began in coach Bill Belichick’s first preseason with the American flag from the facade of the R. Nicholas Burns, the undersec- ter, Vojislav Kostunica, who helped team in 2000, a former Patriots player said. The information was then building. An estimated 1,000 demon- retary of state for political affairs, lead the revolution that overthrew put to use in that year’s regular-season opener against the Tampa Bay strators cheered as the vandals, some telephoned Serbian officials to -for Slobodan Milosevic in 2000, has Buccaneers, Belichick’s debut as New England’s head coach. wearing masks to conceal their faces, mally complain about the breaching replicated the nationalist rhetoric of The habit of secretly taping signals, which is against league rules, jumped onto the building’s balcony of the embassy, said State Depart- the late dictator, who used Serbs’ continued at least through three championship seasons to the 2007 sea- waving a Serbian flag and chanting ment spokesman Sean McCormack. outrage that their ancestral heartland son opener against the Jets, when the Patriots were caught and subse- “Serbia, Serbia!” the witnesses said. McCormack told reporters on Thurs- was dominated by Muslim Albanians quently sanctioned by the league. A convoy of police firing tear gas was day that the United States would to come to power in Serbia. But it was not the first time the Patriots had been spotted taping another team’s defensive coaches at the Meadowlands. In the final preseason game of 2006, the Patriots were caught taping a Giants defensive assistant coach giving signals, several executives within the league said. Shift in Pakistan Could Curtail The incident prompted a letter addressed to all teams seven days later from the NFL vice president Ray Anderson that detailed the league’s interpretation of the rules. Attacks on Terrorist Suspects By Eric Schmitt emerged victorious from the elec- leader before attacking, this shift al- Security Council Weighs and David E. Sanger tion early this week, American offi- lowed American operators to strike The New York Times cials are worried that the new, more convoys that bear the characteristics New Sanctions on Iran WASHINGTON permissive arrangement could be of Qaida or Taliban leaders on the By Warren Hoge American officials reached a choked off in its infancy. run, for instance, so long as the risk The New York Times UNITED NATIONS quiet understanding with Pakistan’s In the weeks before Monday’s of civilian casualties is judged to be The Security Council on Thursday began formal consideration of a leader last month to intensify secret election, a series of meetings among low. new resolution on Iran’s nuclear program that imposes restrictions on strikes against suspected terrorists President Bush’s national security The new, looser rules of engage- cargo to and from Iran, travel bans, the freezing of assets for people by unmanned aircraft launched in- advisers resulted in a significant ment may have their biggest impact involved in the program and tightened monitoring of Iranian financial side Pakistan, senior officials in both relaxation of the rules under which at a secret CIA base in Pakistan institutions. governments say. But the prospect American forces could aim attacks at whose existence was described by Britain and France introduced the measure but said they would of changes in Pakistan’s government suspected Qaida and Taliban fighters American and Pakistani officials leave it open for “further substantive comments” from other council has the Bush administration worried in the areas near Pakistan’s border who had previously kept it secret to members next week before pushing for a vote in March. that the new operations could be with Afghanistan. The change, de- avoid embarrassing President Per- The tactic was adopted to meet objections from council members curtailed. scribed by senior American and Pak- vez Musharraf. Musharraf, whose Indonesia, Libya, South Africa and Vietnam, who said they wanted to Among other things, the new ar- istani officials who would not speak party lost in this week’s election by await the conclusions of a report by Mohamed ElBaradei, the director rangements allowed an increase in for attribution because the program margins that surprised American of- general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to be made public the number and scope of patrols and is classified, allows American mili- ficials, has been accused by political in Vienna on Friday before committing themselves to a final text. strikes by armed Predator surveil- tary commanders greater leeway to rivals of being too close to the Unit- The measure’s backers argue that the ElBaradei inquiry is about lance aircraft launched from a secret choose from what one official who ed States. Iran’s atomic past, not its current activities, and should have no bear- base inside Pakistan — a far more participated in the debate called “a The base in Pakistan is home to ing on the draft. But they agreed to the continued consideration in the aggressive strategy to attack al-Qa- Chinese menu” of attack options. a handful of Predators — unmanned interests of obtaining unanimity among the 15 council members. ida and the Taliban. Instead of having to confirm aircraft that are controlled from the But since opposition parties the identity of a suspected militant United States. Weather Snowy End to the Week Situation for Noon Eastern Standard Time, Friday, February 22, 2008

By John K. Williams 130°W 125°W 120°W 115°W 110°W 105°W 100°W 95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 75°W 70°W 65°W 60°W Staff Meteorologist 40°N A winter storm is fast approaching southern New England to finish the work week. Unlike nearly every storm to hit the area since late December, this one should remain mostly in the form of snow. Light snow should begin by noon and become steadier and heavier toward the evening. Expect a few inches on the ground by nightfall, which should feature a tough commute for 35°N anyone working until 5. 1021 Before tapering after midnight, we should see anywhere from 6 to 9 inches 1001 1008 with the lower amount as a result of sleet mixing in, which may occur briefly around 7 p.m. Even though the moderate snow will be over around midnight, light snow and flurries could continue through midday tomorrow. Unfortu- 30°N nately at this point it looks like a pretty dry snow, suboptimal for snowball fights and/or artistic endeavours. Sunny weather and moderating - tempera tures will be the rule after the storm’s departure as there is no reinforcing shot of cold air in its wake. The slight warming trend will continue next week 1008 likely causing the next storm to be mainly rain. 1019 25°N

Extended Forecast Today: Snow developing, several inches by dinner time. High 30°F (-1°C). Tonight: Moderate to heavy snow becoming lighter after midnight. Mix with sleet possible in the evening. Total accumulation around 7 inches. Low 27°F (-3°C). Tomorrow: Persistent light snow and flurries through midday, cloudy skies Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols thereafter. High 33°F (1°C). Snow Rain Fog High Pressure Trough Thursday: Sunny, melting snow. 38°F (3°C). - - - Showers Thunderstorm

Monday: Mostly sunny. 41°F (5°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 February 22, 2008 World & Nation The Tech Page

Arab Leaders Will Press Israel CIA Says it Used British Territory for Renditions For Response to Peace Initiative By John F. Burns The New York Times LONDON By Michael Slackman the initiative and look for other op- “The crisis was an awakening for In tones freighted with frustration, Britain’s foreign secretary, Da- The New York Times tions. It makes no sense to insist on those who didn’t know or were not vid Miliband, told the House of Commons on Thursday that, “contrary CAIRO, Egypt something that Israel is rejecting.” familiar with plans or ideas to drop to earlier explicit assurances,” the Central Intelligence Agency had Arab leaders will threaten to re- Many Arab leaders never warmly Gaza on Egypt’s shoulder,” said an confirmed using an American-operated airfield on a British island in scind their offer of full relations with embraced the idea of a two-state so- Egyptian government official speak- the Indian Ocean for refueling two “rendition” flights carrying terror- Israel in exchange for a complete Is- lution to the conflict because of their ing on condition of anonymity be- ism suspects in 2002. raeli withdrawal from occupied lands distaste for Israel, but they accepted it cause of the delicacy of the subject. The American acknowledgment contradicted previous assurances by unless Israel gives a positive response as a means to stabilize the region and Israeli officials have said over the the United States to Britain’s government that no such flights had landed to their initiative, indicating the Arab tamp down extremism. Now, however, years that they would like Egypt to on British territory or passed through British airspace. Each flight car- states’ growing disillusionment with there is a growing feeling that Israel take over administration of Gaza. ried a single detainee and stopped on the island of Diego Garcia. the prospects of a two-state solution wants to create only a rump Palestin- As a result, there is a growing sen- Although the CIA attributed its earlier denials to a “flawed records for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. ian state that would be neither viable timent in Arab states that the principle search,” the admission could add to the animosity the government here At an Arab League meeting in nor truly sovereign. And that, officials at the core of the peace process — the has aroused over its alliance with the United States in the wars in Af- March in Syria, the leaders plan to say, is not only unacceptable, but also two-state solution — has no future. ghanistan and Iraq. reiterate support for their initiative, dangerous. Increasingly, the peace process, once Miliband’s statement prompted protests from members of Parlia- first issued in 2002. The initiative That perception hit Arab leaders aimed at figuring out how to get from ment of various parties and from British-based human rights groups promised Israel normalization with hard when hundreds of thousands of here to there, is back to a more funda- that have contended for years that Britain was a knowing or unknow- the league’s 22 members in return for Palestinians crashed through the bor- mental point: where to go. ing partner in the American use of rendition flights. The term gained the creation of a Palestinian state on der between the Gaza Strip and Egypt “There Is No Longer Space for much of its notoriety from the American practice after Sept. 11, 2001, the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with in January, in the wake of an Israeli Two States on the Palestinian Land,” of transporting terrorism suspects secretly to other countries for inter- East Jerusalem as the capital, and a policy to cut off supplies to Gaza to read a headline in a recent edition of rogation. resolution of the issue of Palestinian protest the rule of Hamas there and Al Hayat, a pan-Arab newspaper in The director of the Central Intelligence Agency, Gen. Michael V. refugees. the continuing rocket fire on Israel. London. Hayden, informed British officials of the 2002 flights last week during But this time, “there will be a mes- When the Palestinians poured into One of Egypt’s English-language a visit to London. He issued a statement Thursday to the agency’s staff sage to Israel emphasizing the need to Egypt, suddenly, officials in both Jor- newspapers, The Egyptian Mail, ran in Washington saying a fresh review of agency records had shown that respond to the initiative; otherwise, dan and Egypt — the only neighbors this headline about a week later: “No the CIA had erred in assuring Britain previously that “there had been Arab states will reassess the previ- with peace treaties with Israel — grew Hope for Two-State Solution.” no rendition flights involving their soil or airspace” since the Sept. 11 ous stage of peace,” said Muhammad frightened that Israel planned to solve Egyptians and Jordanians say that attacks. Sobeih, assistant secretary-general of its Palestinian problem by forcing the way events have evolved, there is the Arab League in charge of the Pal- Egypt to absorb Gaza, and Jordan the no likelihood that a real Palestinian estinian issue. “They will withdraw West Bank. state would be formed. At Toyota, Global Giant Reaches for Agility By Micheline Maynard McCain Disaffirms Aides’ Concern The New York Times TOYOTA CITY, Japan At Toyota’s training center inside its Motomachi assembly complex here, workers use golf balls to limber up their fingers before they learn Over Close Ties to Female Lobbyist new tasks on the factory floor. Holding two balls in either hand, they try to make them revolve in op- By Elisabeth Bumiller our family but disappoint the people face value.” posite directions, which requires a surprising amount of concentration. The New York Times of America,” Cindy McCain said. Weaver declined to comment to The exercises are just a small part of Toyota’s plan to search contin- TOLEDO, Ohio “He’s a man of great character.” The Times on Thursday. He told the ually for ways to streamline methods to build its cars, breaking down Sen. John McCain on Thursday The couple were responding to an Washington Post Web site, however, the steps used in thousands of tasks on the assembly line in order to disputed an account in The New York article on Thursday that said Iseman’s that he had not informed McCain teach them to new employees and managers. Times that top advisers had confront- recurring appearances in 1999 at about the meeting in advance. Toyota sees the training centers — one here and another in George- ed him during his first presidential fundraisers, in his office and at cam- He also expanded on his initial town, Ky., as well as more planned for elsewhere in the world — as an run with concerns about his ties to a paign events alarmed some top advis- description to the Times of the discus- important tool as it gears up for its next major phase of growth. woman lobbyist. ers, prompting several to warn him sion with Iseman. He had said, with- With plants in 27 countries, more new factories under construc- “Obviously, I’m very disappointed that his association with her could out elaborating, that he had warned tion and workers speaking languages that include Russian and Turkish, in the article — it’s not true,” McCain threaten his reputation as a scourge Iseman away because of “what she Toyota’s top executives are trying a difficult balancing act — replicat- said at a morning news conference in of special interests. had told people” that had “made its ing the company’s success and operating principles in other countries Toledo, where he was campaigning McCain said he was never involved way back” to the McCain campaign. while ceding more control to these new outposts at the same time. for president. “At no time have I ever in such discussions. “I don’t know if In a statement to the Web site of Such thinking represents not just a challenge of reconciling con- done anything that would betray the it happened at their level, it certainly The Atlantic Monthly, Weaver said the flicting goals — to control and let go simultaneously — but alsoa public trust or make a decision which didn’t happen to me,” he said comments that concerned him were fundamental shift for Toyota, where senior management jobs are held in any way would not be in the public At his press conference, McCain about “strong ties to John’s committee entirely by Japanese executives, and whose major operations, from interest or would favor anyone or or- also said he had no knowledge that staff, personal staff and to him.” engineering to design to strategic planning, remain based in this city ganization.” a top aide had asked Iseman to keep Later in the day, one of McCain’s about 200 miles west of Tokyo. Asked if he ever had a romantic her distance from the senator and his senior advisers leveled harsh criti- relationship with the woman, Vicki campaign. cism at The New York Times in what Iseman, 40, McCain, 71, responded, John Weaver, a former top Mc- appeared to be a deliberate campaign Microsoft Will Share More Secrets “No.” He described his relationship Cain strategist and now an informal strategy to wage a war with the news- By Steve Lohr with Iseman as “friends” and said campaign adviser, had told the newspaper. McCain is deeply distrusted The New York Times he had last seen her “several months paper that he met with the lobbyist, by conservatives on a number of is- Seeking to satisfy European antitrust officials, Microsoft said on ago” at an event. a partner at the firm Alcale & Fay, at sues, not least because of his rapport Thursday that it would open up and share many more of its technical McCain’s wife, Cindy, stood at his Washington’s Union Station in early with the news media, but he could secrets with the rest of the software industry and competitors. side throughout the news conference. 1999. find common ground with them in Microsoft executives, in a conference call, characterized the an- “My children and I not only trust my “I don’t know anything about it,” attacking a newspaper that many nouncement as a “strategic shift” in the company’s business practices husband, but know that he would nev- McCain said. “Since it was in The conservatives revile as a left-wing and its handling of technical information. They also portrayed the er do anything to not only disappoint New York Times, I don’t take it at publication. moves as only partly a nod to the continuing challenge Microsoft faces from Europe’s antitrust regulators. The broader goal, they said, was to bring Microsoft’s flagship personal A Defective Satellite is Obliterated, computer products — the Windows operating system and Office produc- tivity programs — further into the Internet era of computing. Increas- ingly, people want a seamless flow of documents, data and programming code among desktop PCs and the Internet, especially as they make the But Numerous Questions Still Linger shift from using software on a PC to using services on the Web. By Thom Shanker down Wednesday, told reporters in head, almost the size of a school bus “These steps are being taken on our own,” said Steve Ballmer, The New York Times Hawaii on Thursday that he was pre- — was circling the Earth predictably Microsoft’s chief executive. The move, he said, was a recognition of WASHINGTON pared to share some details of the op- about 16 times a day. Microsoft’s “unique legal situation,” but it was also the company’s ef- Videotape of the Navy mission to eration with China to alleviate its con- It was still a bit of a long shot. The fort to adapt to “the opportunities and risks of a more connected, more shoot down a dying spy satellite made cerns that the debris still may prove fuel tank that was the bull’s eye was services-oriented world.” available Thursday shows an intercep- dangerous. Adm. Timothy J. Keating, only about 40 inches across. tor missile ascending atop a bright the commander of U.S. forces in the And although the United States trail of burning fuel, and then a flash, Pacific, has reached out to a number has hit test targets in space before — Scientists Measure What it a fireball, a plume of vapor. A cloud of of nations in the region to explain the including a satellite destroyed in 1985 debris left little doubt that the missile mission, as well. in a demonstration of an anti-satellite Takes to Push a Single Atom had squarely hit its mark as it spent Addressing the diplomatic con- weapon launched from a fighter jet By Kenneth Chang its final days orbiting more than 31 0 cerns, senior officials dismissed — the successful demonstrations have The New York Times miles above the Pacific Ocean. questions raised by the Chinese and been relatively few and far between. IBM scientists have measured the force needed to nudge one atom. A different kind of doubt still lin- Russians, and echoed by some arms What Wednesday’s successful About one-130-millionth of an ounce of force pushes a cobalt atom gers, though, expressed by policy ana- control analysts, about whether the ep- strike in space conclusively proved across a smooth, flat piece of platinum. lysts, some politicians and scientists, isode was really a test of space weap- was not infallibility but a robust and Pushing the same atom along a copper surface is easier, just one- and not a few foreign powers, espe- onry. They pointed out that the missile flexible military capability that can be 1,600-millionth of an ounce of force. cially China and Russia: used in the operation, the Navy’s SM- cited by either side in what no doubt The scientists report these minuscule findings in Friday’s issue of Should the people of the world 3 interceptor, was designed to counter will be the ensuing debate. the journal Science. be breathing a sigh of relief that the a limited ballistic missile attack and The mission was conducted from IBM scientists have been pushing atoms around for some time, risk has passed of a half-ton of frozen, had to be completely reprogrammed Navy warships. So the United States since Donald M. Eigler of the company’s Almaden Research Center toxic rocket fuel landing who knows for this unexpected task, the likes of can move this capability at will over in San Jose spelled “IBM” using 35 xenon atoms in 1989. Since then, where? Or should they be worried which the authorities are unlikely ever three-quarters of the Earth’s surface. researchers at the company have continued to explore how they might about the latest display of America’s to face again. The missile-defense interceptor be able to construct structures and electronic components out of indi- technical prowess, and see it as a thin- In missile defense, an interceptor was converted to an antisatellite capa- vidual atoms. ly veiled test for a shadow anti-satel- must find a red-hot enemy warhead bility in little more than a month. No Knowing the precise forces required to move atoms “helps us to lite program? as it arcs on a relatively short ballistic expensive research and development understand what is possible and what is not possible,” said Andreas Defense Secretary Robert M. path — a task often described as “hit- program. No battles with Congress J. Heinrich, a physicist at Almaden and an author of the new Science Gates, who personally gave the order ting a bullet with a bullet.” This time, over money. No starting from scratch paper. “It’s a stepping stone for us, but it’s by no means the end goal.” to proceed with the satellite shoot- the target — much larger then a war- on white boards in some lab. Page The Tech February 22, 2008 Opinion The Necessity of Hope Elsewhere, this administration’s policies with countries that have struggling economies. Chairman Rahmat Muhammad on homeland security have been guided by There have been two main objections to Benjamin P. Gleitzman ’09 the world-view that America is fighting a war Obama’s candidacy. The first is that at age 47, Editor in Chief On Tuesday, Wisconsin handed Barack between good and evil and that terrorists are he is too young and needs more experience in Nick Semenkovich ’09 Obama his ninth consecutive victory in the race everywhere, waiting to strike. Bush and his Washington. The second criticism is that he for the Democratic nomination. In state after advisors have engineered a campaign of fear would not fare well against McCain or Romney Business Manager state, Obama’s speeches have drawn together which has slowly eroded both the spirit and because he has neither military nor executive Austin Chu ’08 thousands of people from all backgrounds civil rights of the American people. experience. These are reasonable objections, to stand up and shout “Yes we can.” But, as This spirit is what Obama is trying to re- but Obama has the one asset that can trump Managing Editor Obama-mania fades in the coming months, the vive. Some might scoff at American optimism, either shortcoming: a unique ability to unite Jessica Witchley ’10 focus will turn to where each candidate stands calling it unrealistic and naïve. But they should America and to help us reclaim our rightful Executive Editor on the issues. Political pundits have repeatedly envy it: this attitude has allowed the U.S. in its place as first among equals in the international Michael McGraw-Herdeg ’08 argued that although Obama is inspirational, he short history to surpass every other nation in sphere. His ability to do so is based on a hope- doesn’t address the “meat-and-potatoes prob- economic strength and global influence. It is ful world-view of “us working together with News Staff lems.” David Brooks of the New York Times what gave the authors of our constitution the them” rather than the divisive “us versus them” calls Obama’s message of hope “vaporous.” audacity to say that all men are created equal. of the Bush administration. Editor: Nick Bushak ’10; Associate Editor: JiHye Kim ’10; Staff: Waseem S. Daher G, Curt So what are his policies? This question is be- But the dream of treating every human be- Despite what the pundits say, Obama’s mes- Fischer G, Ray C. He G, John A. Hawkinson ing echoed more loudly with Obama’s increasing with dignity is now in danger — the Bush sage of hope could be the world-view that truly ’98, Jiao Wang ’08, Daniela Cako ’09, Mei- ing success in the primaries. While I agree that administration has used fear to convince the turns America in the right direction. As a guid- Hsin Cheng ’09, Diana Jue ’09, Ji Qi ’09, Obama should provide a more concrete outline American people that certain groups should ing principle, it will influence his selection of Kirtana Raja ’09, Yiwei Zhang ’09, Yi Zhou of the policies he wants to enact and how, it is not be treated equally in the name of national advisors, who will in turn be critical to imple- ’09, Yuri Hanada ’10, Joyce Kwan ’10, Manisha my opinion that his message of hope represents security. The American spirit to stand up for menting real policies for change. Obama’s Padi ’10, Joanne Y. Shih ’10, Arkajit Dey ’11, a world-view that will have a real impact on what is right has been stripped and replaced message is a reminder of the way America Jeff Guo ’11, Ryan Ko ’11, Natasha Plotkin questions of policy. with a reckless panic. should be: a country of hope and optimism, a ’11, Emily Prentice ’11, Elijah Jordan Turner ’11, Lulu Wang ’11; Meteorologists: Cegeon Bush’s unilateral world-view has cost us Obama’s world-view could lead to policies country that does not retreat into nationalism Chan G, Jon Moskaitis G, Michael J. Ring G, the respect and cooperation of allied nations that reverse the damage done by the Bush ad- at the expense of the ideals that our forefathers Roberto Rondanelli G, Scott Stransky G, Brian and trapped us in an unjustified war. After ministration. In order to increase stability in fought so hard to realize. Throughout Ameri- H. Tang G, John K. Williams G, Angela Zalucha 9/11, there was a small window of time when the Middle East and protect our own national can history, when national turmoil threatened G, Garrett P. Marino ’08, Mike Yee ’08. we had the sympathies of the world — but security, our leaders need to work persistently to divide the country, leaders like Abraham instead of forging stronger relationships with with Iran, Syria, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to en- Lincoln, Martin Luther King Jr. and John F. Production Staff new allies (especially in the Middle East), we courage Israeli and Palestinian leaders to ratify Kennedy had the audacity to believe in the Editor: Steve Howland ’11; Staff: K. Nichole antagonized even our friends. Having gotten and enforce the two-state solution. We need dream of America and to challenge the nation. Treadway ’10, Yue Li ’11, Mark Yen ’11. us into the war in Iraq, Bush’s insistence that leadership that upholds the constitution by in- The message of hope reminds us that the dream Opinion Staff its neighbors constitute an “Axis of Evil” led sisting that even enemy combatants are entitled can still be realized if we as a country are not Editor: Aditya Kohli ’09; Staff: Josh Levinger Congress to enact policies that isolated these to a fair trial. We need to work together with burdened with fear but uplifted by hope. ’07, Ali S. Wyne ’08, Krishna Gupta ’09. nations. As a result those nations did little to rising economic powers like India and China to Rahmat Muhammad is a graduate student help in Iraq, and some even undermined its ratify trade agreements that ensure jobs for our in the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sci- Sports Staff stability. workers here at home while encouraging trade ences. Editor: Shreyes Seshasai ’08; Staff: James Zorich ’08, Albert Ni ’09.

Arts Staff Editors: Sarah Dupuis ’10, Praveen Rathinavelu ’10; Staff: Bogdan Fedeles G, Andrew Lee ’07, Alice Macdonald ’08, Tyson C. McNulty ’08, Tina Ro ’10, Kevin Wang ’10.

Photography Staff Editors: Perry Hung ’08, David M. Templeton ’08, Ricardo Ramirez ’09, Andrea Robles ’10; Staff: Alex H. Chan G, David Da He G, Dmitry Kashlev G, Andrew T. Lukmann G, Ramya Sankar G, Martin Segado G, Scott Johnston ’03, Christina Kang ’08, Arthur Petron ’08, David Reshef ’08, Martha Angela Wilcox ’08, Ana Malagon ’09, Peter H. Rigano ’09, Eric D. Schmiedl ’09, Jerzy Szablowski ’09, Diana Ye ’09, Daniel P. Beauboeuf ’10, Mindy Eng ’10, Helen Hou ’10, Monica Kahn ’10, Samuel E. Kronick ’10, Diane Rak ’10, Aaron Sampson ’10, Jongu Shin ’10, William Yee ’10, Kari Williams ’11, Sherry Yan ’11.

Campus Life Staff Editor: Charles Lin G; Staff: Bruce Wu G, Kailas Narendran ’01, Elizabeth Zakszewski ’06, James Scott Berdahl ’08, Michael T. Lin ’11; Cartoonists: Scott Burdick G, Daniel Klein-Marcuschamer G, Roberto Perez-Franco G, Emezie Okorafor ’03, Nancy Hua ’07, Jia Lou ’07, Ash Turza ’08, Danbee Kim ’09, Roxana G. Safipour ’09.

Business Staff Operations Manager: Michael Kuo ’10; Staff: Jeffrey Chang ’08, Cokie Hu ’08, Tai Ho Kang ’08, Neeharika Bhartiya ’10, Jennifer Chu ’10, Ritu Tandon ’10, Heymian Wong ’10.

Technology Staff Staff: Quentin Smith ’10.

Editors at Large Contributing Editors: Rosa Cao G, Brian Hemond G, Valery K. Brobbey ’08, Angeline Wang ’09, Caroline Huang ’10; Senior Editors: Satwiksai Seshasai G, Jillian A. Berry ’08, Omari Stephens ’08.

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 ofThe 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. Winstein ’03, Akshay R. Patil ’04, Tiffany Opinion Editor Aditya Kohli, and Contributing Editor Rosa Cao. Guest columns are opinion articles submitted by members of the 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- Editor: Jessica Witchley ’10, Steve Howland sarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encouraged To Reach Us ’11; Staff: K. Nichole Treadway ’10, Mark and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy submis- The Tech’s telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the eas- Thompson ’11. sions should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, iest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure whom

The Tech (ISSN 0148-9607) is published on Tuesdays and Fridays during Mass. 02139-7029, or sent by interdepartmental mail to Room W20- to contact, send mail to [email protected], and it will be di- the academic year (except during MIT vacations), Wednesdays during Janu- 483. All submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. two days before the date rected to the appropriate person. You can reach the editor in chief by ary, and monthly during the summer by The Tech, Room W20-483, 84 Mas- sachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass. 02139. Subscriptions are $45.00 per of publication. e-mailing [email protected]. Please send press releases, requests year (third class) and $105.00 (first class).P ostmaster: Please send all Letters, columns, and cartoons must bear the authors’ signatures, for coverage, and information about errors that call for correction to address changes to our mailing address: The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cam- addresses, and phone numbers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. [email protected]. Letters to the editor should be sent to let- bridge, Mass. 02139-7029. Telephone: Editorial: (617) 253-1541. Busi- ness: (617) 258-8324. Facsimile: (617) 258-8226. Advertising, subscription, The Tech reserves the right to edit or condense letters; shorter let- [email protected]. The Tech can be found on the World Wide and typesetting rates available. Entire contents © 2008 The Tech. Printed on ters will be given higher priority. Once submitted, all letters become Web at http://www-tech.mit.edu. recycled paper by Charles River Publishing. Brought to you by Campus Life The Tech, February 22, 2008, Page Figuring out Fashion The Art of Layering Manisha Padi and Ying Yang to actually see every layer — otherwise, how can For extremely cold days, insert another layer. anything and they add a pop to neutral pants, As spring semester kicks off, long hours in anyone tell you’re dressing so ingeniously? We Try a grownup short-sleeve over long-sleeve jackets, and suits. Even a bright colored scarf freezing classrooms and psets galore are bring- found that the best way to make this happen is to look. Guys, this means rich, unusually colored can brighten up the dullest of outfits in a flash. ing us back to earth after the good times of IAP. use the brightest colors on the inner layers and T-shirts or polos. Ladies have more options Also for guys, the bright and more embel- We all would love to show off the fruits of our to work out to neutrals in outer layers. This way, — for example, a short puff sleeve over a fit- lished clothes should be on top. Perhaps choose holiday bargain shopping, but the cold is forc- you can buy fewer thick outer layers (which tend ted long sleeve (a great way to use short sleeved a neutral colored thermal top over a graphic tee ing us to cover up with the usual MIT sweat- to be more expensive) and change up the inner sweaters from the fall). Also, we found a simple, or button down. In fact, a nice button down with shirts and baggy sweatpants. Isn’t it frustrating layers more often. A little strategically placed fitted collared shirt layered great on both gen- a cardigan is a great combination as well. We that cute, affordable clothes in the winter seem color will make your neutrals look chic and fun ders. are all geeks, but that doesn’t mean you can’t to come only in short sleeves? without seeming too serious and dull. For a final layer, you could go for a less fit- be a cool geek. Unlike its name, geek chic is We refuse to settle for bland, unflattering We started with a tight tank top or undershirt ted sweater, again the kind that shows off under very flattering for guys. Layering a button down winter layers and want to pack some punch with as the first base layer. Not only does it protect layers. An even more exciting choice is a warm shirt with an argyle cardigan or sweater vest not lively, practical outfits for every day tooling. the most important part of you (your chest) but vest. We recommend a tighter style, though only makes you look intelligent; it lets you feel So we here at Figuring out Fashion decided it also smooths over flaws to make them less poofy or not poofy is personal choice. A spring stylish at the same time. Avoid the ‘stuffy’ look to take a long trip to the mall, and a long, hard visible. jacket also works well sometimes, as long as it’s by keeping the buttons undone and exposing the look at what works and doesn’t work in the What next? If it’s not too cold, wear a warm tight. For a sportier look, go for a short track collar and cuffs. world of layering. sweater that buttons, zips, or has a low neck that jacket. We hope our ventures have given you some This weeks’ goal: To gain the fashion know- shows off the under layers while still covering If you don’t feel like layering up so much, ideas on how to put together layered outfits. how to always be able to take off our coats in up. For ladies, if you’ve made your under layer brighten up your look simply with a bright tur- We’ll join you in your layering adventures this class no matter how cold it is. long enough, now you can play around with tleneck underneath your jacket and add a bright semester, and we’ll see you around campus try- The key to sophisticated layering is being able shorter lengths. belt. Sorbet colors are perfect under just about ing to Figure out Fashion!

“I wasn’t alone. I was with my computer.” Campus Style Watch —Unknown Quotes from the “So what do you think the refractive index of alcohol is?” Ying Yang ’10 and Mani- Facebook Group: —Unknown in an alcohol line at a party sha Padi ’10 (the column writers) in their “That’s a singular matrix!” layered outfits. Yang is Overheard —Some guy commenting on a Super Smash Bros. wearing skinny jeans scoreboard from Express ($60), At MIT jacket from PacSun ($30), and sweater To submit quotes, join the Facebook group! from H&M ($15). Special thanks to group creator Kristin M. Rose ’10. Padi is wearing jeans from Express ($40), vest from Dots ($10), and shirt from Ae- rie ($7). They Top 5 Jazz Ballads to Put on While are both wearing accessories from Engaging in Sweet Baby-Making Love Aldo Accessories and shoes from Payless. Why we chose these: 1. Anything from John Coltrane’s Ballads album Layering up like this 2. “Tenderly,” Ben Webster in the cold Boston 3. “When I Fall in Love,” Isaac Hayes weather allows us 4. “Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love,” Charles Mingus to be comfortable 5. “La Mesha,” Joe Henderson and look cute at the same time. Notes: Coltrane’s Ballads album is a masterpiece in quiet beauty; if pressed, I’d recommend “Nancy (With the Laughing Face),” but just put the entire album on while doing your thing. Ben Webster’s tone is silky smooth and airily husky, perfect for any romantic encounter. Isaac Hayes croons a standard here in the most pleading, honest manner — laced with vibrato and Memphis soul — but still delicately. The only draw- back is the tune’s short length; try putting it on repeat for longer engagements. Mingus’s long composition echoes both Ellington and Billy Strayhorn (listen for the allusion to “Lush Life”), and presents some adventurous soloing. Stick around for the melody’s climax at the end (hopefully literally). Disregard McCoy Tyner’s piano intro to “La Mesha” and get right into the action. The trumpet’s leading tones during the spacious melody are lovely and Henderson’s passionate tenor is always a welcome sound while creating a little passion of your own.

DJ: Jack Murphy (http://runningreturning.blogspot.com) Running, Returning — Exploration into the depths of swinging, funky rhythm draw- Adam F. Schwartz ing from the Venn diagrams of jazz, funk, soul, and other stellar regions. Life Lemmas Time: 8-10 Sunday nights between “R&B Jukebox” and “For Your Pleasure” Iron Man iron to mush everything together. By David Shirokoff It’s 1:00 a.m., my lab starts in 8 hours, and A few years ago when I was 18 and mov- I’m still short one capacitor. I can’t believe my ing out to university, my mom gave me an iron. good fortune — finding an iron at this time may Don’t get me wrong, practical gifts are great and prove difficult as all the artsy girls I know are by no means am I ungrateful. I’m sure you can sleeping or partying. I rip open the box and, hav- imagine every 18 year old male, bags packed, ing never used one of these things before, actu- shipping out to the big city, dreams of receiving ally gaze over the instructions. an iron to go with that kiss from his mother. The Now you may be impressed with the idea truth is I don’t remember using an iron in the of making home grown capacitors and you’re first 18 years of my life. Why not just keep it probably dying to know just how great these that way for another 18? It’s not like one needs puppies really are. To satisfy any curiosities, I an iron to navigate the tribulations of frosh days. went through the pain of digging out my fresh- half. By this time I was the proud owner of an a chem. lab of its second greatest item, the first Rather, one could dream up half a dozen more man lab book. Wax paper has a relative dielec- ample supply of capacitors. Rather the new prob- being a Bunsen burner, and re-engineered it vital items: a coffee machine, a hockey stick or a tric of around 3, which translates into a surpris- lem was moving out of my residence. I needed into a portable, compact form. Thinking back to gross of Mr. Noodles. I contained my thoughts, ingly beefy capacitance of roughly 1 nanofarad a desk and a bookshelf to keep the iron on. In- those first years of undergrad, it’s a real miracle graciously accepting the iron wondering if I per square inch. Just to give you some physical stead of buying these items, I decided to build I only ever used the iron twice. Heck, closer in- would ever actually use the thing. So it sat in my intuition, one square inch already contains a ca- my own, plywood, sandpaper and some iron on spection reveals my Black & Decker even comes dorm, unopened for months, as a bookend hold- pacitance one hundred to one thousand times trim. I don’t think I need to spell it out, but iron with Teflon coating. Not only can I cook my ing up our friend Michael Spivak’s Calculus. larger than my dead dog. Unfortunately even at on trim just doesn’t stick by itself. eggs, I don’t have to worry about them sticking Freshman spring semester brought with it this rate you’d have to iron the whole damn roll Now I’ve used my iron twice in as many years either. Maybe an iron really is a perfect gift for E&M — my version of 8.02. The class had labs! of aluminum foil to pack any real punch (for the and it hasn’t ever touched a pair of pants. I start an 18-year-old engineering student. Although, if One lab prep required us to make homemade keen engineers out there willing to try this I have to wonder how such a situation might arise when my Mother knew her progeny was en route to capacitors — two pieces of aluminum foil, wax no idea what the breakdown voltage is). the answer hits me: an iron is nothing more than becoming the true iron chef, she may have opted paper as a dielectric and interestingly enough, an The iron lay dormant for another year and a hotplate with a handle — as if someone robbed for the coffee pot. February 22, 2008

Page

Steal My Comic by Michael Ciuffo

“Words, Words, Words” by Philip Engel

Across physics (5, 4) 16. Example about right unit of 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1. Edgy mirages, spectacles: 34. Sadness in Southwest: energy (3) Wonders! (8) Spectacles surround railroad (6) 17. Protest beheaded friend (4) 9

5. Seal like a youthful swan (6) 35. Female disciple is not amateur 18. “Hottie! You manage the 10 11 10. Introduce unusual discount (9) to earn first. Gee! (8) review sheet?” (5, 5) 11. Indian city’s operator greeting 20. Destroy uranium in decay (4) 12

(5) Down 21. Article one: Lullaby listing 13 14 15 16 12. Generally, Robert’s calm side (3) 1. Italian plumber netted all but (Brit.) (9) 13. “Of course around six, last puppet (10) 23. It lightens my day? (3) 17 18 reorganize. You slob!” (9) 2. Before mid-month, Communist 25. Bury inside preprint errors (5) 19 20 21 15. Lawless portrayal: Exes near Four splits again (9) 26. Chinese dynasty of ballroom prime locations (4) 3. Alternatively, charcoal or dance (5) 27. London district is Southern 19. Doctor messes up indoor chocolate source (5) 22 23 closeting (15) 4. Issues caused by changing times Ohio without me (4) 22. Hardy woman, nicknamed (5) 28. Look back into barren night, Theresa, hears horse race on and see inside (5) 6. Catalogue doesn’t have top glass 24 25 26 27 28 29 meadow (4, 11) cleaner (5) 29. Vault built of chromium and 24. Clue mix-up: See 8 Down (4) 7. Synthetic fabric only made after Spanish platinum (5) 30 31 27. Changing crone into croon (9) Nike (5) 30. Cyanide and arsenic (III), 32 33 31. A hairstyle hubbub (3) 8. Twiglike object without its tail (4) e.g., initially impair one’s nervous 32. Usually partially softened (5) 9. Lone and nothing but (4) system (4) 33. King who hitched many 14. Medieval weapon created from 34 35 an electrical unit together with large tree limb (7) ***Solutions on page 12

ACROSS 44 Writer Kingsley DOWN 31 Reporters’ 1 Industrial arts 45 Nonclerics 1 Haul off and belt hangouts class 46 French cleric 2 Sign of 33 In the lead 5 Winter Palace 48 Healthful saintliness 35 Mentalist Geller ruler getaway 3 Nearly round 37 Bird in 9 Ruffian cadres 50 Told ya! 4 Bamboo-eating hieroglyphics 14 Red hot flower? 51 Photographer’s mammal 38 Gala event 15 Imprint clearly workshop 5 Wimbledon game 39 Soleil Moon __ of 16 Met production 54 Bout site 6 Kind of mom “Punky Brewster” 17 __-Ude, Russia 56 Triumphe d over 7 High spots 41 No-no 18 Roster listing 57 Fond memories 8 Flightless bird 42 African antelope 19 Porkers’ pads subject 9 Dish the dirt 47 Circus tent 20 Happy retirement 62 Slightly inclined 10 Suited for 49 BB, e.g. 23 Boastful talk 64 London lockup 11 Pony’s comment 51 Trades 24 Pseudonym 65 Neck of the 12 Eminent 52 Receipt number Solution, page 12 25 Four score woods 13 Impudent 53 Band together 27 Sharp turn 66 Barbecue site 21 Chosen ones 54 Red of oil well 30 Ballpark fig. 67 Soil sweetener 22 King’s domain fire-fighting fame 31 Family man 68 Medicinal tablet 26 Third Greek letter 55 Fit to suit 32 Soulful Hayes 69 Alarm’s 27 Vitamin pill 58 Lecherous look 34 Throw disruption mineral 59 “Norma” song 36 Irritate 70 Once, once 28 Laos locale 60 High cry 40 Eve, often 71 Magnetic 29 Prevents from 61 Mall enticement

Crossword Puzzle Crossword 43 Court proceeding recording speaking 63 Tell it like it isn’t February 22, 2008 The Tech Page

Dilbert® by Scott Adams

Instructions: Fill in the grid so that each column, row, and 3 by 3 grid contains exactly one of each of the digits 1 through 9. Solution on page 12. 3 1 2 4 9 6 1 2 3 8 5 9 3 7 6 4 1 8 6 5 8 1 5 4 2 Solution, tips, and computer program at http://www.sudoku.com

Think you’ve solved it? If you’re an MIT student and your answer is correct, you could win a new iPod Nano! Go to libraries.mit.edu/puzzle to get a copy or submit your answer by March 3rd, 2008 to be eligible for the drawing.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNER OF PUZZLE #3, USMAN AKEJU Page The Tech February 22, 2008 Arts movie review Makeshift Movies With Heart and Soul Gondry’s ‘Be Kind Rewind’ Reevaluates the Creative Process By Charles Lin Jack Black hilariously recreate some of our say when you are old and about to die, you’re joy that because you feel good about yourself. campus life editor generation’s favorite cinematic scenes? First just a collection of memories. And before you It’s very indulgent, and you aren’t very hard Be Kind Rewind off, if you need more than that, this movie die you forget as well everything, you still are on yourself with what you’ve done. It’s good Written and Directed by Michel Gondry probably isn’t for you. But to answer, yes there somebody but it’s like you didn’t leave any- enough that you did it.” Starring: Jack Black and Mos Def is more, a lot more. Just be warned. thing. What’s the different when you’re dead Jack Black sums it up nicely on the movie’s Rated PG-13 “Be Kind Rewind” is a meta sandwich. A if you had a good life or bad life if you didn’t promotional Web site: Now Playing layered mess of narratives surrounds and com- leave anything?” “Here’s what Sweding is. You take what you plicates the good-natured story of two buddies To kill off the metaphor, what’s the meat like and mix it with some other things you like hen all the tapes in the video store willing to do anything to save their beloved of it all? What does “Be Kind Rewind” leave and make a new thing. It’s not the thing it was, get erased, an employee and his video store. To start, it’s a movie about people behind? If you manage but now it’s a new thing friend decide to replace them by making movies about movies. At one level (say to get past all the post- based on the old thing. W re-shooting the movies on a shoe- lettuce), it’s a wry jab at the age of YouTube, modern entrapments, A layered mess of narratives It’s putting you into the string budget. These two geniuses, played by where all it takes is a cell phone camera and what’s left? I posed this old thing you like.” Mos Def and Jack Black, crappily recreate a a free afternoon to construct your own block- question to Gondry, surrounds and complicates What it really boils slew of classic movies including “Driving Miss buster. For the rotten tomato, there’s a tongue- and he evoked a very down to is the extreme- Daisy” and “Ghost Busters.” Their hilariously in-cheek commentary about copyright culture simple ideal – that “Be the good-natured story of two ly personal nature of lo-fi remakes, replete with cardboard special and the impersonal nature of the Hollywood Kind Rewind” is a film creation. Chances are effects and overacted catchphrases, become an movie-making machine. To top if off with the about the joy of mak- buddies willing to do anything to nobody reading this unexpected hit with the locals. Soon the whole cheese, it’s a meditation on the past and what ing movies, movies that save their beloved video store. made “Ghost Busters.” town is onboard with their movie reinterpreta- we really leave behind when we leave this you can call your own. But with a lot of alumi- tion scheme, acting and producing remade hit world. As Gondry de- num foil and some tin- after hit. Gondry’s movies often dwell on the subject scribes of the characters’ motives, “They make sel, you can. You can take any movie you love The two protagonists hope that by renting of memory and “Be Kind Rewind” is no differ- them from the memories they have, they don’t and inject some of yourself into it. Despite the out these remade movies (Sweded as they call ent. It’s a vein that runs deep into his persona. watch the films and compare, it’s just a sort of cardboard effects and obviously lifted dialogue, them. Don’t ask why—it’s about as random as “I think I have this anguish to disappear,” collective vague memory that they share. And it can be a work that is both personal and en- it gets), they can raise enough money to save he recounts. “As I grew up my faith sort of don’t forget, they recycle all their junk, their dearing. It’s a very egalitarian ideal that Gon- their struggling store from being closed. Thus disappeared. I was always in anguish of dy- location, their home; they recycle themselves dry poses in “Be Kind Rewind,” an ideal that begins the harebrained premise of “Be Kind ing. When I was six I realized I might be dead in a way. It’s the difference between watching our home movies are our own masterpieces, Rewind,” a new film by Michel Gondry. one day and what’s going to happen to me? So a home movie and a movie on TV. You look at our own creations. As Mia Farrow toasts in the Is there more to this movie than watching obviously I gravitated towards those scenes, yourself, something you created, and you en- film, “Here’s to movies with heart and soul.” concert review Liars With No Age Liars Offer an Unrelenting Live Experience By Dugan Hayes ous for frequently changing members, so when devil’s in your eye, shoot, shoot — WE’RE killing someone and ditching the evidence, Liars the three flannel-clad instrumentalists took the DOOMED, WE’RE DOOMED!” Meanwhile, causing the audience to erupt for the first time. Paradise Rock Club stage, the audience didn’t know if they were “Be Quiet Mt. Heart Attack!,” normally a I swear I had nightmares that night about An- Feb. 8, 2008 the band or the roadies. There was no ap- two-chord minor key drone piece that opens drew repeating “Use a tiny screw, leave it in plause until Angus Andrew, the tall, scruffy, Drum’s by building up to the chaos that fol- the wrist” as the song ended. don’t think anyone will ever understand Li- and certainly unmistakable Australian singer lows, was dramatically re-envisioned for live “Plaster Casts of Everything,” one of the ars. I was fairly certain that I had a decent emerged. After Andrew settled into his chair performance. The tempo was dropped to about better songs from Liars, was the only song that grasp on them for a while, but all that was (he recently suffered a serious back injury), half that of the original and guitarist Aaron got the entire audience moving. Andrew intro- I blown to pieces this past summer when the band launched into “Leather Prowler,” a Hemphill beautifully mixed the melody of duced it by saying, “We’re going to play this they released their self-titled fourth album. restrained noise track from Liars that sounds “Drum Gets a Glimpse” into the drone. so loud that your moms are going to hear this To call that album a disappointment would be insincere in its attempt to replicate the sound After another few lackluster Liars numbers, back home.” For what it was — four minutes generous; to call it a disaster might be more ap- of 2004’s They Were Wrong, So We Drowned. the band began the centerpiece of the evening, of balls-out rawk — it was definitely fun. Liars propriate. Their 2006 album Drum’s Not Dead The night didn’t look good as they went into “A Visit from Drum” blended with “Drum and finished the set with their most beautiful song, was by far my favorite record of the year, com- “Houseclouds,” quite possibly the most regret- the Uncomfortable Can.” While drummer Ju- the meditative ambient pop of “The Other Side bining droning guitar anti-melodies, terrifying table song in the entire Liars catalog. Also lian Gross seemed at least a little bored play- of Mt. Heart Attack.” Drum’s is ostensibly a lyrics, and — most importantly — unrelenting, from Liars, “Houseclouds” does everything it ing standard rock beats during “Clear Island” concept album featuring the characters Drum pounding drums layered upon more and more can to replicate Beck’s most recent output. It’s and “Freak Out,” he was clearly having the and Mt. Heart Attack, who represent (respec- drums to yield one of the heaviest records I not a terrible pop song, but it certainly doesn’t time of his life pounding away during these tively) the primal and cerebral aspects of the had ever heard. Most of the tracks eschew tra- belong on the same setlist as “We Fenced Drum’s tracks with Hemphill joining him on band members’ personalities. So with a song ditional rock song structures in favor of a more Other Houses with the Bones of Our Own.” auxiliary percussion. The two were perfectly as peaceful as “The Other Side,” it’s easy to stream-of-consciousness approach that is just At least the cheesy synth line was played on a coordinated, nailing every tom, rim, and cym- get caught up in the background vocal “ahh- as unsettling as the music. And so when Liars reverb-soaked guitar, making the song slightly bal hit in the songs while throwing in plenty of hhs,” the bells, the delicate guitar arpeggios, came at me with a bunch of mediocre three- easier to swallow. surprises. “A Visit” was a perfect introduction and Andrew’s promise that he “can always be chord pop songs, I almost had to cry. That said, “We Fenced Other Houses” was to “Uncomfortable Can,” which is undoubt- found.” I certainly got caught up in the mo- But one bad release wasn’t going to keep fantastic. The slow-burning cauldron sing- edly the most terrifying and exhilarating song ment, but at the end Andrew cocked his head me from seeing one of the most intense live a-long built over the course of five hypnotic I’ve ever heard performed. Gross and Hemp- to one side, smiled an enormous grin, and bands in existence. In addition to frequently minutes until Andrew invoked the audience to hill pummeled the drums to bits while Andrew gave a double thumbs-up just to show that he changing musical styles, Liars are also notori- complete the call-and-response: “Fly, fly, the shouted out perfectly metered instructions for doesn’t take it too seriously.

Movie Review HHH 1/2 High School With a Side of Prozac ‘Charlie Bartlett’ a Serious Look at Human Complexities By Jillian Berry all teenagers want to do is fit in), Charlie de- and the movie is better for it. I can’t help but not believe how incredibly good-looking he is SENIOR EDITOR cides his ticket to popularity is to become the agree that no one else could have played Char- in real life; he looks like a leading man for a Charlie Bartlett unofficial school psychologist, offering both lie Bartlett as well as Anton. romantic comedy, not a school bully. The di- Directed by Jon Poll therapy and medication for the unhappy stu- Just like Yelchin, the supporting actors were rector told me he chose this to show that “a Written by Gustin Nash dent population. Meanwhile, he starts dating impressive. Downey knows just how powerful bully doesn’t just appear.” Starring: Anton Yelchin, Hope Davis, and Susan (Kat Dennings), the daughter of the and intense silence can be as he portrays the But really, it is the combination of Gustin Robert Downey, Jr. principal (Robert Downey, Jr.), who is suffer- alcoholic and unhappy principal. You feel his Nash’s script and Poll’s direction that make Rated R ing from his own demons. Obviously, the prin- pain but know there is still a lively person in this movie work. Nash wrote an intelligent Now Playing cipal does not approve of Charlie medicating there somewhere who wants to do right by his screenplay that shows the complexities of the students, which is one major plot line of students, and more importantly, his daughter. teenagers and adults alike. And Poll created f you’ve seen the trailers for “Charlie the movie. But the real conflicts are more in- In addition, Hope Davis as Charlie’s haughty, a high school that could be gritty and ideal- Bartlett,” you’re probably expecting the dividual, as characters grapple with trying to fragile, confident, and perfectly attired mother istic at times, but is perhaps the most like a movie to be a comedy in the style of fit in and realize they all far more complex steals every scene, though some of that might real school I’ve ever seen in a movie. With- I“Juno,” as I expected when I went to a than generic classifications. As I said, this is be due to the glue that seems plastered to her out this realism, none of these characters screening a few weeks ago. Instead, I found not a comedy. porcelain skin and bleach blonde hair. How- could have been as complicated and lifelike a rather serious drama with a few comedic Yelchin as the title character has an incred- ever, even more impressive than either of as they were portrayed, and the movie would elements. When I asked first time director ibly demanding role, and he does it justice. As these characters is Tyler Hilton as the bully, not have had the same resonance that I’ve felt Jon Poll about this, he explained that this is Poll told me, “I always knew it was Anton . . Murphey Bivens. Murphey, despite his bully- from it weeks later. This is not say the movie how the studio chose to market it. In fact, the . He was able to show great humor and kind ing, actually goes into “business” with Char- is without flaws. It’s a little slow at times, and original script was even darker and was made of a wisdom beyond his chronological year.” lie when the latter starts offering his services a little more humor would have been appreci- “warm and funnier with Gustin [Nash].” Charlie Bartlett, at any given time, has to be as school psychiatrist. Throughout the movie, ated, especially considering the advertising. “Charlie Bartlett” is the story of – you awkward, confident, witty, depressed, and just like every other character, we see that he But once I got over the fact that the movie guessed it – Charlie Bartlett (Anton Yelchin), confused. Yelchin is able to portray this mul- does not just fall into the box labeled “bully.” was not going to be a comedy, I enjoyed it for a wealthy teenager who is forced into public tifaceted personality with his confident walk, Instead, he shows a more sensitive side, with- what it is – an honest look at high school, the school after he is kicked out of yet another dry humor, intellectual speech, and wise eyes. out losing his tough exterior. And Hilton is complexities of human personalities, and the private school. An awkward and gangly teen And on top of all this, he doesn’t overpower so successful at becoming this character that need for people to listen to each other without who doesn’t really fit in (and as we all know, the rest of the cast; he lets other actors shine, when I looked him up on imdb.com, I could judgement. February 22, 2008 Arts The Tech Page Natya Presents DNA In Dance MIT Natya, known for its Bharatha Natyam dancers, performed an Indian classical repre- sentation of the Science of DNA last Monday in Little Kresge. (clockwise from right) ¶ Renuka Ramanathan ’10 and Samiksha Nay- ak ’10 use their bodies to represent DNA. ¶ Intricate costumes and jewelry like those worn by Amrita Saigal ’10 were an important part of the performance. ¶ Performers conveyed the complexities of DNA through dance. Photography by Kari Williams

It’s Election Season at the Coop, too! Now accepting applications from MIT undergraduate and graduate students to serve on the Board of Directors during the 2008-09 academic year!

There are few opportunities to work this closely with academic and business professionals from Harvard and M.I.T. You’ll gain valuable knowledge and experience in practically all areas of business, including finance, auditing, real estate, community relations, and charitable giving. • Gain priceless, practical business experience • Influence the way the Coop serves its students and members • Receive a stipend To be nominated as a candidate for the Coop Board of Directors, apply online at www.thecoop.com starting on February 7, 2008. For complete information, visit our website and click on Student Election. Email Allan Powell at [email protected] with any questions. Good luck on the campaign trail!

HTTP://www.thecoop.com Page 10 The Tech February 22, 2008 Endowment Pay-Out Rate Can

Up to Vary Due to Individual Accounts SPERM DONORS Endowment, from Page ties ought to spend.” He said that confidence that this opportunity is NEEDED $1100a month! although MIT has spent more than well stewarded.” plus individual accounts within the five percent per year for the past The request, which was sent Healthy MEN in college or with a college degree wanted for our endowment. She said those factors nine years, “It’s crucial that univer- as a letter and not a subpoena, is sperm donor program. may cause the appropriate pay-out sities maintain the capacity to man- comprised of eleven multi-part rate to fluctuate above and below age their own resources.” questions that ask for specific data, Minimal time commitment five percent from year to year. Kolenbrander said, “The nation ranging from investment man- Help people fulfill their dreams of starting a family. Vice President for Institute Af- has come to accept as fact that a ager bonuses to the percentage of Receive free health and genetic screenings. fairs and Secretary of the Corpo- college education is of fundamental the endowment invested in hedge ration Kirk D. Kolenbrander said importance and an opportunity that funds, and explanations of policies APPLY ONLINE: “Five percent has been regarded as should be broadly available. MIT and processes — such as setting tu- this magical line for what universi- must do its part to give the nation ition increases and putting restric- www.SPERMBANK .com tions on endowment spending. As a letter to the Senate, MIT’s response will be a public docu- ment. While metrics similar to the ones the Senate has requested are already publicly available, the Sen- ate has asked for specific statistics that MIT must compute, according to Executive Director of Student Financial Services Elizabeth M. Hicks. For example, the letter asks for the percentage of students receiving university grants that are greater than or equal to 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent of tuition and fees, as opposed to the average grant that a student receives — a number that MIT already posts on its financial aid Web site. Despite their concerns about the possibility of increased monitoring, both Kolenbrander and Hicks said they saw the Senate’s request as an opportunity to com- municate to Congress and the public that MIT is spending its endowment well and financing its students generously. “We view this as a great opportunity to tell our story,” said Hicks. “We believe we are using the endowment to help students,” she said, noting that the average debt for students who have taken loans has decreased from $23,000 to $15,000 over the past 10 years.

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to see if you qualify to participate and set up an appointment and interview. . February 22, 2008 The Tech Page 11 Fisher Says Conan’s Did You Want Staff Was Energetic, A Starting Salary Of Intelligent, And Fun Fisher, from Page of their leader,” he said. Fisher has gotten publicity be- record in the tape that aired on na- fore: he was interviewed about dark tional television.) matter for a summer 2007 episode of A tinkerer by nature, Fisher spent the PBS show NOVA. most of his time at NBC with the Aside from the ego boost of pub- $100,000 / YEAR technical staff. Fisher said he was lic exposure, Fisher said he enjoyed impressed at the staff’s multifari- being interviewed on O’Brien’s ous talents, ranging from sewing to show because, as trivial as the goal welding. was, he liked showing viewers how Are You a CSE Graduate And/Or Fisher said that he first heard math and science can be applied to O’Brien’s questions during the tap- real life. To increase students’ inter- A LAMP Programmer That ing — none of their banter was est in math and science, “you have rehearsed. He said that talking to to show how it [math and science] Graduated Top Of Your Class? Conan was just like having a normal applies to their life,” he said. conversation. Asked whether he would quit his O’Brien’s energy trickles down to day job to be on TV, Fisher replied his staff, Fisher said. “Organizations confidently and with a slight chuck- collectively assume the personality le, “I love my job.” Do You Want to Work On Exciting New Projects Like ON .Com ,Politics.com,Huge.com And Nerd.com? If So Then Call 888-292-1409 Or Visit Nerd.com

Daniel P. Beauboeuf—The Tech Corey G. Harris ’10 and Alexandra M. Beyer ’10 perform in Mo- cha Moves Dance Group’s 3rd annual performance of “Mocha Nights.” The last performance takes place tonight in Kresge at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $8 at the door.

Graduating this spring or next? Not sure what to do, exactly, but You’re curious about people and ideas, passionate about social justice, up for a challenge? You’re ready for commitment? You think you’ve got “teacher” inside of you? Consider the Brandeis University Master of Arts in Teaching program Our program: • 12 months; year – long teaching internship; leads to initial license • Small, personalized, inquiry – based; integrated, critical approach to theory and practice; outstanding students and faculty • Provides the support and guidance you need to become a bold and creative teacher, effective in today’s schools and ready to help make the urgently needed schools of tomorrow

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APPLICATIONS BEING ACCEPTED NOW GENEROUS SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE OPEN HOUSES- TUES., FEB. 26, WED., MAR. 19, 6:00 – 7:30 Abraham Shapiro Academic Complex on the Brandeis campus in Waltham 781-736 –2022 or email [email protected] www.brandeis.edu/programs/mat Page 12 The Tech February 22, 2008 Stanford University Expands Its Financial Aid Into Middle Class By Jonathan D. Glater “We heard very clearly from our won’t break the bank for well-fund- The New York Times parents, especially parents that con- ed schools.” SAN FRANCISCO sidered themselves middle income, The Stanford endowment is the Stanford University on Wednes- that the amount that we expected third largest of American universi- day became the latest prominent uni- from them was very difficult,” Coo- ties. versity to expand financial aid well per said. Cooper said the Stanford board into the middle class. It announced Students whose tuition, room approved last summer increasing that students from families earning and board are paid for will be ex- the share of endowment spent annu- less than $100,000 a year would not pected to contribute about $4,500 ally to 5.5 percent. She said the cur- be charged tuition. a year from summer earnings and rent average aid package, including Under the new system, which on-campus work, she said. For stu- loans and on-campus work, totals takes effect in the fall, families dents whose tuition is waived, the about $32,000, meeting most of the earning less than $60,000 would not university will continue to judge cost of tuition. pay for room and board. family assets and circumstances in If the wealthiest universities have Tuition next year is $36,030. determining aid. been extending aid to families well Room and board add $11,182. Lawmakers in Washington have into the reaches of the upper middle The move follows announce- criticized wealthy colleges for con- class, others have concentrated on ments of expanded aid by Harvard, tinuing to increase tuitions even as reducing student debt by replac- Yale and many others that provide their endowments swell. The law- ing loans with grants. Washington tuition breaks to families with in- makers have raised the possibility University in St. Louis on Wednes- comes well above average as tuition of requiring colleges, which ben- day became the latest in a parade increases have become an issue in efit from tax exemptions on dona- of colleges replacing need-based Congress. tions, to spend at least 5 percent of loans with grants for students from Yale said in January that it would their endowments a year, as private families earning less than $60,000. sharply increase financial aid for un- foundations are required to do. The Princeton University announced dergraduates, even for families with Stanford endowment exceeds $17 such a step a decade ago.

Steve Howland—The Tech annual incomes up to $200,000. billion. Overall, the actions are reshap- Boston University Academy high school student Craig Broady Karen Cooper, director of fi- “I hope we’re seeing a trend ing the financial aid landscape for (left) speaks with Kenneth F. Colucci, head of Strategic Rela- nancial aid at Stanford, said the and a shift in thinking,” said Sen. students entering college next year tions at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, on Tuesday at BUA. Stu- university would allot $21 million Charles E. Grassley of Iowa, the and could mean that in some cas- dents built robots as part of the For Inspiration and Recogni- to financial aid, raising the aid to- senior Republican on the Senate es, attending some of the nation’s tion of Science and Technology (FIRST) Robotics Competition, tal to $114 million. Cooper said Finance Committee, which has a wealthiest and most elite private which will be held Mar. 27-29 at Boston University. the increase was the largest in the central role in setting tax policy. colleges could cost less than going institution’s history. “Spending a little more on students to public universities.

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This space donated by The Tech February 22, 2008 The Tech Page 13 Page 14 The Tech February 22, 2008 Grad Student P/D/F Could Be Approved With Sunset Clause Grades, from Page view could revisit some of the restrictions currently included in the commented that there could be a proposal. sunset clause applied to the change, The motion was written in co- similar to how the Sophomore Ex- operation with Graduate Student ploratory option began as a five Council members and Dean of year experiment. After five years, Graduate Students Steven R. Ler- the faculty would conduct a formal man ’72. review to determine whether the P/ The full text of the motion is D/F option was being appropriately available online to people with MIT used by graduate students, and then certificates at https://web.mit.edu/ decide whether to adopt it formally. dept/libdata/libdepts/d/archives/ Bell also added that a five year re- facmin/080220/080220.html. ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINATION BEST ANIMATED FEATURE “LIKE NOTHING YOU’VE EVER SEEN!” -Peter Travers, ROLLING STONE PERSEPOLIS A FILM BY MARJANE SATRAPI AND VINCENT PARONNAUD Read THE COMPLETE PERSEPOLIS WWW.SONYCLASSICS.COM available at bookstores everywhere from Pantheon Books

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MIT TECH 2x2 FRI 2/22

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On Monday, Feb. 25, the Federal Communications Commission is holding a public hearing in Cambridge on the future of the Internet. Attend the Public Hearing on the Future of the Internet We have to act now to protect the Internet from corporate gatekeepers that want to block, Monday, Feb. 25, 2008 filter and discriminate against the Web sites 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and services you use every day. Harvard Law School, Ames Courtroom, Austin Hall 1515 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02138 Tell the FCC to keep the Internet free and open. Show up. Speak up. Save the Internet. Learn more at SavetheInternet.com/=boston February 22, 2008 The Tech Page 15 Legendary Blackjack Analysts Alive But Still Widely Unknown By Joseph P. Kahn draw on 16 (or less) and hold on 17 tions for Las Vegas.” The Boston Globe (or more). Why didn’t they? “I calculated CAMBRIDGE, Mass. Baldwin thought it possible to the house still had the advantage in Blackjack has been on a hot streak lower the dealer’s advantage (around the long run,” Baldwin says. “Be- lately, glamorized in best-selling 5 percent) by formulating a betting cause I was the only one who’d set books like Ben Mezrich’s “Bringing strategy based on precise mathemati- foot in a casino, my opinion was Down the House” and its upcoming cal modeling. Using desktop calcula- dominant — and incorrect. I didn’t movie adaptation, “21,” both chroni- tors, the four plotted the probabilities see any future in what’s now called cling the exploits of MIT teams that for thousands of hands, recalibrating card counting.” took the casinos for millions in the the odds as each theoretical card was 1990s. How they beat the odds and played. In doing so, they effectively Life goes on made a small fortune in the process created the first card-counting sys- While pleased to see the Horse- has become the stuff of pop-culture tem, a forerunner of more sophisti- men get their due, Thorp, who now legend. cated systems later used by the MIT heads a California-based investment Until recently, though, the black- teams and others. firm, says the four had neither the jack world had puzzled over one lin- After crunching numbers for 18 time nor the tools to develop their re- gering mystery: Whatever happened months — Thorp later borrowed search into a comprehensive gaming to the legendary Four Horsemen, a their notebooks and validated their strategy. “They didn’t have a winning group of young US Army research- findings on an IBM 704 computer system, a way to cut the odds,” Thorp ers who published the first ground- at MIT — Baldwin visited Vegas to notes. “They didn’t realize the game breaking guide to winning blackjack study how casinos worked. Back at was really beatable.” more than 50 years ago? Aberdeen, he continued the model- Maisel agrees. “In statistical None had gone on to become a ing that led to the JASA paper in terms, we still had a negative expecta- professional gambler or recognized which, the authors wrote, a “player’s tion,” he says. “Unless you got lucky, blackjack authority. Yet together they strategic problems are analyzed with you’d still lose in the long run.” Alex H. Chan—The Tech revolutionized the game with their the objective of finding the strategy Baldwin returned to grad school, Jet Li, martial artist and international film star, appears as one 1956 analytical study, published in maximizing his mathematical expec- eventually leaving mathematics to of three keynote speakers at the China in Development Con- the Journal of the American Sta- tation.” work in applied statistics and data ference on Monday in the Wong Auditorium. This is the first tistical Association, and their book Their study created a buzz in gam- processing. McDermott worked China in Development Conference organized by the MIT-China “Playing Blackjack to Win,” issued bling circles and a book deal for the for the federal government before Development Initiative. in 1957 and long out of print. authors. With a foreword by Charles spending 32 years with IBM in mar- “Everybody sort of knew who Van Doren, the quiz-show star soon ket research and business planning. we were, but nobody really knew,” to be tainted by scandal, “Playing Cantey abandoned plans to become says James McDermott, sitting in Blackjack” retailed for $1.75. It in- a preacher and pursued a career in his Cambridge apartment. “When I cluded a pullout strategy chart with government research. e-mailed a well-known blackjack ex- sections on “Draw or Stand,” “Dou- The four stayed in touch, though, pert on the 50th anniversary of our bling Down,” and “Splitting Pairs.” getting together once every decade or book, his response was, ‘My God, What it did not include, recalls so. But until the Internet came along, you guys are still alive?”’ Maisel, was an authors’ cover photo. says McDermott, nobody showed Not only are the Horsemen alive, “We were a Protestant, a Catho- much interest in their whereabouts. albeit now in their late-70s, but lic, a Jew, and a black man,” Maisel For that matter, the four didn’t pay they’re taking a well-deserved victo- says. “There was concern that put- much attention to the world of black- ry lap, too. Last month, McDermott, ting a black face on the cover would jack, either. .” a retired IBM executive, was induct- hurt sales in the South, so the photo “As I said in my [Vegas] speech, “JACK BLACK ed into the Blackjack Hall of Fame got pulled.” my knowledge of blackjack ended IS HILARIOUSBen Lyons, E! along with co-authors Roger Bald- Unlike the JASA article, the book with the first edition of ‘Beat the win, Herbert Maisel, and Wilbert was written for nonstatisticians. Five Dealer,”’ says Baldwin. Cantey. Only Maisel failed to make thousand copies were printed, hardly McDermott skimmed Mezrich’s “IT’S AS IF BILL MURRAY AND DAN AYKROYD MORPHED INTO the ceremony, held at a private club enough to make the authors rich or books about the MIT blackjack BEAVIS AND BUTT-HEAD. in Las Vegas and attended by scores famous, even though a copy recently teams but thought they dwelled too AXIM YOU’VE GOTond, TO M SEE IT of the game’s elite players. McDer- went for $300 on eBay. much on characters who “cared more TO BELIEVEamm IT.” mott, Baldwin, and Cantey signed “I think I made a total of $28,” on the action than the game itself.” In Pete H autographs and received a standing says McDermott with a laugh. Vegas, where casinos take a vigilant “GONDRY CREATES EVOCATIVE, ovation. Says Baldwin, “It was a slow-mo- (and aggressive) stance toward card JAW-DROPPING VISUAL IDEAS.” Meanwhile, their book is being tion gold rush, trying to make money counters, he didn’t play even a single Patrick Z McGavin, SCREEN INTERNATIONAL reissued this summer with a new off this. But nobody made reserva- hand of blackjack. introduction by Edward O. Thorp. Thorp’s 1962 bestseller “Beat the Dealer” drew heavily on the Horse- wesleyan university men’s research and is credited with ★★★★ doing more to popularize the game “IT’S LIKE NOTHING than any other single work. Thorp summer YOU’VE EVER SEEN.” and McDermott met in Los Ange- Jeff Craig, SIXTY SECOND PREVIEW les after the Las Vegas event, with Thorp inscribing McDemott’s copy l anguage of “Beat the Dealer” thusly: “Thanks for your paper, which ultimately led institute to this book.” “I expected to find more of the green-eyeshade, Rat Pack types, Arabic French Russian Spanish but these guys all had highly technical backgrounds,” McDermott says of his encounters with blackjack’s best and brightest. He adds, “I was amazed when several said our book had changed their lives.”

Crunching numbers 2 semesters Shrouded by myth, the story of the of language Four Horsemen is a classic American credit in 4 weeks tale of an oddball mix of academics of immersion and amateur card enthusiasts match- ing wits with the gambling establish- ment — yet never cashing in by beat- June 2-27, 2008 ing the casinos at their own game. Wesleyan University They met in the early 1950s as Middletown, CT Army enlistees at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. Mc- APPLY NOW! Dermott and Baldwin had done www.wesleyan.edu/summer graduate work in mathematics at Co- For more information call 860-586-2900 lumbia University. Maisel, who later or email [email protected] taught computer science at George- town University, was part of a team assigned to analyze such problems as weapons trajectory. Cantey, a ser- Join The Tech’s geant, was the ranking officer among Production Department NEW LINE CINEMA PRESENTS IN ASSOCIATION WITH PARTIZAN FILMS APARTIZAN FILMS PRODUCTION A FILM BY MICHEL GONDRY CASTING the foursome and its only African- JACK BLACK MOS DEF DANNY GLOVER “BE KIND REWIND” MIA FARROW MELONIE DIAZ BY JEANNE MCCARTHY American. and be one with the COSTUME MUSIC MUSIC EDITED PRODUCTION DESIGNERS RAHEL AFILEY KISHU CHAND SUPERVISOR LINDA COHEN BY JEAN-MICHEL BERNARD BY JEFF BUCHANAN DESIGNER DAN LEIGH Baldwin and Cantey were card Pandas. DIRECTOR OF CO- EXECUTIVE PRODUCED players as well, mostly of the penny- PHOTOGRAPHY ELLEN KURAS, ASC PRODUCER ANN RUARK PRODUCERS TOBY EMMERICH GUY STODEL PRODUCERS MICHEL GONDRY JULIE FONG BY GEORGES BERMANN WRITTEN AND ante variety. During a game of deal- DIRECTED BY MICHEL GONDRY TM and ©MMVIII NEW LINE PRODUCTIONS, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. er’s choice, blackjack was called. SOME SEXUAL REFERENCES www.bekindmovie.com Baldwin knew the game’s basics MOBILE USERS: For Showtimes - Text REWIND with your ZIP CODE to 43KIX (43549) — players try to draw hands total- AMC LOEWS SHOWCASE CINEMAS SHOWCASE CINEMAS NOW PLAYING BOSTON COMMON 19 CIRCLE WOBURN ing as close to 21 points as possible, SHOWCASE CINEMAS AMC LANDMARK’S HOLLYWOOD HITS Check Local Listings without going over — but did not [email protected] REVERE FRAMINGHAM KENDALL SQ. DANVERS For Showtimes. know that casinos forced dealers to No Passes or Discount Coupons Accepted.

MIT TECH 2x10.5 FRI 2/22 Page 16 The Tech February 22, 2008 Sports Game of the Week: Women’s Ice Kopylov Earns Sabre Hockey Nets First Win of Year Title as Fencing Wins By DAPER Staff from Kazmierski for a power-play Engineers put pressure on Castleton The women’s ice hockey team goal. Exactly 57 seconds later, Bar- State during the final period of regu- New England Champ registered its first win of the season bara J. McCarragher ’10 set up Sara lation, and eventually broke through last Friday with a 3-1 victory over E. John ’09 for what proved to be the when Kazmierski set up John for the By DAPER Staff captured seventh behind a 10-2 out- Plymouth State University and then game-winning goal. The game con- game-tying power-play goal with The men’s and women’s fencing ing while Jeremy S. Hurwitz ’08 just notched a 2-2 over- tinued as a defensive struggle until only 30 seconds left. teams won the New England Champi- missed the cut as he finished third time tie with Castleton the Panthers cut the deficit in half In overtime, Castleton State re- onship last weekend, the seventh time with a 10-2 ledger in the “C” pool. State College on Sat- with a goal with 6:46 remaining in corded a 10-2 advantage in shots but ever that both teams The women’s team claimed its first urday. Defensewoman the second period. Both sides played Bowens-Rubin denied every attempt, have won the title dur- New England Championship since Stephanie V. Brenman well in the third period, notching nine finishing the game with 46 saves. ing the same year. The 2004-05 after back-to-back runner-up ’09 and forward Lau- shots each, before Brenman sealed the After her great performances men’s squad earned finishes. The team edged out Welles- ren A. Kazmierski ’11 each tallied win with an empty-net goal with four over the weekend, Bowens-Rubin its 24th title while the ley College by six victories in the final three points during the road trip as seconds left to play. In net, Rachel A. was named the ECAC East Goalie women tallied their team standings. the team improved its record to 1- Bowens-Rubin ’11 collected 15 saves of the Week. In all, she recorded 61 14th crown. Cordelia S. Link ’10 finished sec- 15-2 overall and 1-14-2 within the for the first win of her career. saves, a .953 save percentage, and a A margin of three victories over ond in the individual rankings of the Eastern College Athletic Conference Against Castleton State, the Ka- goals against average of 1.44. In ad- Boston College was just enough to top foil pool with a 12-0 showing, East division. Plymouth State fell to zmierski-Brenman connection re- dition, Kazmierski was selected for help the men’s team secure its first powering the Engineers to a first-place 0-17-1 (0-15-1) and Castleton State turned as MIT took the lead 9:04 into the ECAC Honor Roll. championship since 2005-06. Igor tie with Wellesley. Lindley C. Gra- moved to 5-13-4 (4-9-4). the game. The Spartans dominated The team wraps up their regular Kopylov ’09 (10-2) earned his third ham ’10 compiled a mark of 10-3 in MIT opened the scoring against the second period though, out-shoot- season with two games against Salve straight sabre title, becoming the first the “B” pool while placing seventh Plymouth State 2:20 into the game ing the Engineers 22-4 and scoring Regina University tonight at home person to achieve this milestone since overall. In the “C” pool, Chun Li ’08 when Brenman connected on a pass two goals to take the lead, 2-1. The and tomorrow away, both at 7 p.m. Alan Williams ’85 won three consecu- went 11-2 to finish twelfth among all tive epee crowns from 1982-85. The competitors. Engineers tied Boston College for The sabre squad placed second first place in the sabre competition as with a record of 30-8. Yuhsin Chen ’08 Scoreboard Maximilian L. Brand ’11 (9-3) earned registered a career-best fourth-place sixth and Rangarajan D. Nadadur ’10 finish with a record of 11-2. In her first Men’s Basketball Men’s Ice Hockey (10-1) finished tenth in the individual appearance, Elena A. Tatarchenko ’11 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 rankings. ranked seventh after emerging from 1 The foil team posted a 29-7 mark the “C” pool with a 10-2 total. Laura Clark College (11-12, 6-5 NEWMAC ) 58 Boston College (13-2-1) 4 en route to a second-place finish. A. Evans ’10 bolstered the Engineers’ MIT (12-13, 3-9) 56 MIT (12-4-1) 2 Spencer R. Sugimoto ’08 (9-3) placed efforts with a 12th-place finish and a second, equaling his best finish since 9-4 record in the “B” pool. Women’s Basketball Men’s Volleyball his rookie season. Benjamin T. Switala The épée team captured fourth ’09 and Richard C. LaGrandier ’11 place, anchored by Stephanie H. Shin Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2008 Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2008 captured the 10th and 11th slots with ’10. Shin went 10-3 and finished ninth MIT (12-12, 4-8) 63 Emmanuel College (8-8, 3-0 NECVA NE2) 1 identical records of 10-2. in the individual standings. Zhenya Wheaton College (18-6, 11-1) 68 MIT (12-6, 6-2) 3 Gabriel A. Chan ’09 emerged Gu ’08 (9-4) finished twelfth in the from the épée “B” pool to record a “C” pool, and Joanna W. Tong ’08 (7- 1New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference fifth-place finish while MIT captured 6) rounded out the contingent in the 2North East Collegiate Volleyball Association New England Division third as a team. Matt L. Gethers ’09 “B” pool.

Upcoming Home Events Friday, Feb. 22, 2008 Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Salve Regina University 7 p.m., Johnson Ice Arena

Saturday, Feb. 23, 2008 Pistol Alumni Match 8 a.m., duPont Athletic Center Men’s Volleyball vs. New York University 2 p.m., Rockwell Cage Men’s Gymnastics vs. William and Mary College 2 p.m., duPont Gymnasium Men’s Tennis vs. Vassar College 4 p.m., duPont Tennis Courts

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No excuses, only opportunities Alex H. Chan—The Tech Forward Nicholas R. LaBounty ’09 crashes the net against Boston College in Johnson Ice Rink on Wednesday. LaBounty’s second period goal gave them a brief 2-1 lead, but MIT went on to lose 4-2. This space donated by The Tech