The Writing Anthology

Edited by Elizabeth Koele and Hannah Marcum Advisors Walter Cannon and Joshua Dolezal

A Publication of the English Department and the Art Department

Central College Pella, Iowa 2016 Dear Readers,

Welcome to the 36th edition of The Writing Anthology.

We are very excited to share this year’s publication with you. After reviewing nearly fifty submissions, we selected the following thirteen pieces to be featured in the anthology. The difficulty of this selection process is a testament to the excellent quality of student writing at Central College, and we are proud to see all the hard work put in by our peers.

Ideas have power. Each of the following essays was written with a unique goal to transform perspective. Through examining relevant questions and proposing solutions, the authors contribute to a broader global discourse. Considered as a whole, we believe this anthology develops a compelling statement concerning our present and future realities.

The first and last pieces in this anthology are natural complements. Both explore the association between humans and their health. Together, they build a framework for the progression of the collection. The first half of the anthology highlights human connection, both good and bad. Central to our arrangement is a philosophy essay that reminds readers of the origins of academic reasoning—a lens through which humans interpret their surroundings. Following this, the anthology’s focus shifts toward meaningful interaction between humanity and the environment, reaching for a balance between the two elements.

Each year the John Allen Award is granted to the author or authors of the best student writing. This year, we are pleased to announce that Dana Wolthuizen and Elizabeth Koele will receive this honor. Dana’s “A Scarlet Sea” threads together travel writing and historical perspective in a poignant memoir which highlights interpersonal connections. Similarly, Liz’s “Learning the Loess Hills” displays an environmental awareness woven into a place essay with historical, scientific, and visual elements.

The editors would like to congratulate all of the student authors: thank you once more for your exceptional work. Additionally, we thank the professors who took notice and submitted these essays to The Writing Anthology. Thanks also to Professor Brian Roberts and all of the talented artists for their outstanding contributions. We would like to recognize all of the glass artists: Ashton Mayer, Sean Robbins, Whitney Sowers, and particularly Melissa Ketchum whose glass piece appears on the cover. Finally, we would like to thank Steffanie Bonnstetter and Lindsey Maurer in Central College Communications.

Most importantly, we acknowledge our faculty advisors, Dr. Walter Cannon, Dr. Joshua Dolezal, and Dr. Cynthia Mahmood. Dr. Cannon was the founding editor of The Writing Anthology in 1981 and has remained a keen and dedicated advisor ever since. His influence can be seen in every edition and will be missed. Walt, we salute you.

Again, thank you to all who made this year’s publication possible. We simply couldn’t do it without you.

Enjoy the 2016 Writing Anthology!

Elizabeth Koele ‘16 Hannah Marcum ‘18

2 Table of Contents

A Note from the Editors...... 2 The Platonic Forms...... 35 Matt Imoehl Illness vs. Identity...... 4 Hannah Marcum Supervised Chaos...... 37 Bailey Anderson Ethical Perspectives of Stem Cell Research...... 8 Learning the Loess Hills...... 41 Michaela Mathews Elizabeth Koele * Recipient of the John Allen Award A Comparative Analysis of the Foreign Policies of Egypt and An Evolutionary Approach to Saudi Arabia After the Arab Spring...... 12 Vocalizations and Hearing Elisabeth Callejón Adaptations in Killer Whales...... 46 Stephanie Griffith & Jessica Mozga A Scarlet Sea...... 17 Dana Wolthuizen La Vega...... 52 * Recipient of the John Allen Award Sam Davis

La realidad y la fantasía de la Extraction and Depolymerization crisis española de la vivienda en of Natural Rubber from Common Los fenómenos ...... 20 Milkweed...... 57 Elizabeth Carman Kevin Jack

Tribes and Tribulations: An 19:22...... 61 Ethnography of College-Aged Gay Taylor Sanders Men and the Problems They Face...... 26 Emma Simmons

3 Illness vs. Identity Hannah Marcum

“Illness vs. Identity” shows Hannah’s skill in animating critical writing with creative elements. Her opening uses imagery to clarify the problem her argu- ENGL 270: Illness and ment will resolve, and she drives the thesis forward with questions that a reader needs to resolve. Like a strong narrative, an original argument allows the reader Health in Literature to discover something new. Hanah’s closing thoughts on how social perceptions of mental illness (and the identities of those suffering from mental illness) are constructed through language changed the way I read the two texts she explores. A bald woman in -Joshua Dolezal a pink t-shirt. A cane and sunglasses. A nervous tic, rocking back and forth. own thought processes to the invisible, getting covered over Eyes too close together. Eyes point of obsession. Letting it more thickly with darkness” too far apart. Too messy. Too pervade their interactions with (54). The darkness she neat. others will only make matters describes is her depression, Many kinds of illnesses worse. If and when they find which, even at her young age have physical characteristics an effective treatment and can of thirteen, has overtaken that we can identify the emerge from the shell of their her sense of self. In The moment we set eyes on them. malady, their healthy identity Hundred Hearts, a novel Many of them will be the only will be so lost to themselves by William Kowalski, the thing we ever know about that and others that the difficulty protagonist Jeremy Merkin person. Most of the time, we of recovering multiplies. This suffers from PTSD. He faces won’t ever imagine what is is the norm, but an effective some of the same problems beyond that one thing—the response to mental illness will as Elizabeth—for instance, person’s family, job, hobbies, combat the symptoms without during his first panic attack or sense of humor. They have wiping out the person’s he says, “I feel like I’m on become their ailment. identity. Jupiter” (Ch. 1). Taken with Mental illness can do Losing one’s self to Elizabeth’s comment about the same thing. Conditions sickness is a common theme being lost in space, this like depression and post- throughout narratives of suggests that people with traumatic stress disorder mental illness. In Prozac mental instabilities sometimes (PTSD) don’t always have Nation, Elizabeth Wurtzel’s feel as if they don’t relate to physical tells that would national bestselling memoir anyone in the human race. give them away in a grocery relating her experience with Towards the end of his story, store. Once we do know they chronic depression, she tells Jeremy is reflecting on who exist in a person, however, it her friend Paris, “I’m the he was before the explosion gets harder to see anything girl who is lost in space, in Afghanistan that caused his about them in a separate light. the girl who is disappearing disorder, saying, “that Jeremy Once again, their identity has always, forever fading away doesn’t exist anymore. He been overshadowed by their and receding farther and died five years ago…and the illness. farther into the background” world is better off without Where does that leave (53-4). Later in the same him” (Ch. 19). In both cases, them? Chances are, the illness conversation, she says she is an identity is lost, not only has already pervaded their “becoming more and more to Elizabeth and Jeremy, but 4 seemingly to the world. away, he was a lot of fun. The that all human connection was In that light, being Al I married went away to elusive, was the province of… or feeling lost to the world, Vietnam and never came back” the happy people on the other especially to family and (Ch. 4). If someone had loved side of the glass wall” (215). close friends, is another Jeremy as Helen loved Al, Her feeling of alienation is as theme common in these they likely could have made strong as a physical barrier. two narratives. Elizabeth the same observation about It is only after the failure of convinced herself that him. However, even after every romantic relationship, anytime she had a “freak- being back from Afghanistan every folie á deux, Elizabeth out” while she was with her for five years, Jeremy hasn’t initiates that she realizes friends, they got increasingly formed such bonds—his pot individuals with depression annoyed with her dealer is his best friend. “cannot possibly be until they decided rescued through the she “wasn’t worth power of anyone’s the trouble” (108). love” (215). Jeremy Elizabeth is able to goes a step further grasp when this is in his belief that her fault, but it only human interaction perpetuates her guilt will ultimately lead and causes her to to identity erasure. retreat further away. On a sidewalk in Another time she New York City, he faces that isolation stops and thinks, is when Rafe, her “Humanity is a college boyfriend, river…and I am a leaves her. She rock. If I stand here comes to terms with long enough, they’ll the fact that he was just wear me away, only attracted to her and I’ll disappear” “emotional rawness,” (Ch. 13). in part because How then do of his own savior we, as a society of complex, but more people at all points because that was of the mental health all he ever knew of spectrum, confront her. When he broke the problem at up with her, he Whitney Sowers, 2015 hand? How do left her “alone with we hang on to the [her] depression, having Elizabeth Wurtzel, on identities at risk and revitalize exhausted him and every the other hand, has several them? Should we change our other last resort [she] had” intimate relationships, yet interactions during and after (217). Similarly, one of the she still can’t connect with an experience with mental most insightful lines about anyone without centering the illness, or treat our friends PTSD in The Hundred Hearts relationship on her depression. and loved ones the same as comes with a memory of The bonds she does form act ever? And how should one Jeremy’s grandmother Helen. as shields from the rest of recovering from a debilitating In a conversation about her humanity rather than a step ailment renew their own husband Al’s deployment, she towards reintegration. In fact, identity? admits, “He wasn’t always she describes the worst part Naturally, these like that. Before he went of her depression as “a sense questions necessitate answers 5 on a case-by-case basis, but could be labeled and convicted on the illness, whether or Wurtzel and Kowalski provide as a war criminal. He wonders not that is what the person insight toward that end. One how he will ever go on needs. During the recovery very obvious answer is the from this point, how he will process, then, outsiders may fact that Prozac Nation itself ever live a normal life while pressure someone, with a so is a memoir. It was a way for denying his ugly past. long neglected sense of self, Elizabeth, a born writer, to One of the hardest to the near-impossible feat of explore and express who she parts of Elizabeth’s recovery recovering their identity as was before, during, and after process came when she it was ‘before.’ To address the nadir of her depression. realized, “I had fallen in this paradigm, our society Near the end of the memoir, love with my depression…I needs to change the way we she recounts, “It took me a thought it was all I had” (289). think about those with mental long time to get used to my She believes that the odd, illness. Even writing this, I contentedness. It was so often inappropriate effects of have struggled to shake the hard for me to formulate a “us and them” dichotomy that way of being and thinking pervades the culture. in which the starting point Even writing this, Jeremy Merkin is was not depression…because I have struggled to different. His inability to depression is an addiction” reenter the workaday lifestyle (292). Like any addiction, shake the “us and stems from sources much depression was hard for them” dichotomy larger than himself. For Elizabeth to quit, but as her one thing, the place he calls healing process dovetailed that pervades the home—Elysium, California— with the writing process, she culture. is not somewhere he even discovered a renewed identity wants to fit into again, as he in authorship. observes, “there is no middle Jeremy Merkin’s her illness were what people ground in Elysium, no one is answer to the question of liked best about her. It comes just sort of anything” (Ch. 12). identity is not so heartening. as a shock to her when her Compare this to Elizabeth, His therapist suggests that friends admit “they excused who finally finds solace if he can remember what this behavior as a sad flaw. It “in-between…a life where the happened the day of the wasn’t what they liked about extremes are in check” (293). explosion, a day that has been [her] at all” (290). Elizabeth Without that comfortable erased from his memory, it is struggling here with the middle ground to return to, will give him the closure thought of returning to Jeremy simply doesn’t return he needs to recover from society as someone without mentally. Another factor his disorder (Ch. 7). But depression for the first in Jeremy’s disorder is the then he does remember—“It time in a decade. However, army. In boot camp, groups was a crime. He’d tortured mightn’t the transition have of men are stripped of their and executed an unarmed been easier if her friends had individuality and built back prisoner” (Ch. 19). Suddenly, come to her earlier with their up as a single unit. But when Jeremy is faced with a new affirmation? This is where the three members of the unit are identity that perpetuates, burden is divided. A person “smithereened,” and others rather than heals, his whose identity seemingly get shot, taken prisoner, or instability. He only did such a begins and ends with mental shipped off to a hospital, there thing, he rationalizes, because illness is easy for others to is no ‘reboot camp,’ if you will “he’d given up any thought of overlook. That is not to say (Ch. 1). There is no time for ever going home again” (Ch. they ignore them—instead, the men to adjust to life as an 19). Now he is home, and he they refocus all interaction individual again—they just 6 get thrown in the middle of it, Helmand, and realized, “in that has, deals with, or suffers from maybe with a family, maybe moment with Smarty by the depression is at least part of completely alone, and are river, he hadn’t wanted to be a what causes society to confuse expected to survive. soldier anymore; he just wanted mental illness and identity. Just as Jeremy’s to be Jeremy” (Ch. 14). Perhaps Using person-first language search for identity isn’t as Kowalski’s point in having him is not only more respectful to successful as Elizabeth’s, the return to the river after his death people with mental illnesses, conclusion of his story isn’t is a wake-up call to society: there but also lessens the power of as fulfilling. Shortly after he are people among us who will the illness itself in the context. has uncovered the truth of his not regain their identity until Of course, this simple war crime, a brain aneurysm they die. They will be called change is not a panacea. On kills him. Even then, Jeremy soldiers or criminals or some its own, it cannot heal mental has not escaped the war. In other lifelong label, and nothing illness or reaffirm the identity the novel’s epilogue, we learn else. What are we doing to help of every human being who that his version of the afterlife them? suffers from it. But gradually, starts back in Afghanistan, There is a movement in it would change a paradigm with villagers and fellow the special education field for that plagues our society. The soldiers he knew in life. The ‘person-first language.’ This way those with mental illnesses novel ends without any is the simple act of saying, think about themselves is closure between Jeremy and for example, “person with affected by how society thinks his family—many loose ends disabilities” instead of “disabled about them, and the way are left dangling—but the person.” The American Speech- society thinks is a result of final moment where he joins Language-Hearing Association language itself. In the end, the his platoon at the Helmand claims, “to have may imply simplest individual changes, River is reminiscent of an possession and to be may imply diffused throughout the earlier scene. He had been identity.” By the same token, population, are often the most drawn to that river while he saying Elizabeth Wurtzel is powerful and enduring. was still alive, stationed in depressed rather than saying she

Works Cited

Folkins, John. “Resource on Person-First Language.” The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association, December 1992. Web. 13 March 2015.

Kowalski, William. The Hundred Hearts. Toronto, ON: Thomas Allen Publishers, 2013. Kindle file.

Wurtzel, Elizabeth. Prozac Nation: Young and Depressed in America. New York: Houghton-Mifflin, 1994. Print.

7 Ethical Perspectives of Stem Cell Research Michaela Mathews

LAS 110: Science and Michaela wrote this for our Intersections class: The Intersection of Society Science and Society. Students had to write a research paper on a sci- ence topic of their choosing but not just focus in the technical as- pects but instead delve into the impact it has on our society. I chose Michaela’s paper because I thought she took an original and insight- ful approach to the controversial topic of the embryonic stem cell. In the field -Paulina Mena of biological sciences controversy is quite common, but the use of working on ways to regenerate Paizley’s treatment consisted embryonic stem cells in certain cells in the human of blood transfusions in research proves to be one body using stem cells to cure order to distribute normal of the most controversial diseases such as Alzheimer’s, blood cells throughout the topics of the decade. Despite ALS, Huntington’s, and body. Unfortunately, after the debate, new discoveries Parkinson’s. a few years her body began on stem cells are made every Without the use of to destroy the normal blood day. Although embryonic stem cell research fifteen year cells being transfused into her stem cell research can old Paizley Carwell-Bowen’s blood. The doctors suggested be polemic, the benefits life would have never changed a stem cell transplant gained from this research for the better. Paizley lived into the bone marrow and undoubtedly outweigh with sickle-cell disease her chemotherapy to destroy the ethical and religious whole life. This is a blood the bone marrow cells that concerns. disorder where red blood cells produced the sickle cell. Four There are two main are not round but rather rigid years later it was safe to say types of embryonic stem and flat. As a result, the red Paizley’s life had changed. The cells: an embryonic stem cell blood cells are not able to blood flowing her body was and a somatic stem cell. A deliver oxygen efficiently to one hundred percent healthy. somatic stem cell is derived all the tissues. People living She no longer had the sickle- from an adult, whereas with sickle cell disease usually cell disease. Paizley can live a an embryonic stem cell is have severe impairment and full and pain free life because typically a three to five day live shorter lives. The disease of stem cell therapy (Lenzer). old cell that is derived from caused her to suffer from Without stem cell research a human embryo. Both types strokes and internal pain in Paizley’s miracle recovery are capable of dividing and various organs such as the would not have been possible. replicating. Embryonic stem brain and lungs, due to the Similarly to Paizley, cells, however, are unique lack of oxygen. At age six she an Australian rugby player’s because of their ability had a severe stroke that left life was drastically changed to differentiate into any her left leg paralyzed. Her with the use of stem cells. One specialized cell in the body. doctors told her parents it was day this man’s life changed They can be specialized as likely she would not live to be forever; he was severely muscle cells, bone cells, and eighteen (Lenzer). paralyzed from a tragic rugby even cartilage (Bethesda). Like many others accident. Before the treatment 8 Scientists are currently living with sickle-cell disease, he could not move from the neck down and could not organism. In other words, the are already created, they even breathe without the embryo is “defenseless and might as well be donated to help of a ventilator. After the unprotected.” The fact that science rather than destroyed. treatment the rugby player the embryo cannot defend As Christopher Reeves put could function fully without itself is problematic. Without it, “Is it more ethical for a a ventilator, for a maximum a voice it cannot determine woman to donate unused of twelve hours. He also had its fate (Ruiz-Canela). At embryos that will never some movement in his arms, the same time an embryo is become human beings, or to hands, neck, and shoulders. unaware of its own ability to let them be tossed away as His sitting balance improved improve lives and therefore, so much garbage when they significantly. His deep is unable to speak on behalf of could help save thousands of sensation was increased up to those suffering from various lives?” It should be a woman’s the abdomen (Shroff). Overall, debilitating and incurable choice to have her embryos the Australian rugby player’s diseases. donated to scientific research. life improved dramatically. Some argue that Other people disagree He could feel a sense of embryonic stem cell research with stem cell research independence and hope for the destroys lives because these because there is a connection first time in years. Without cells will do develop into an to the potential cloning of stem cell therapy his recovery organism. However, one can humans. Therapeutic cloning would not have been possible. counter-argue that the female does occur during stem cell Stem cell research still has body also destroys lives. research. However, this a long way to go, but this Bobrow brings up a good is by no means the same proves it has great potential point. Women produce and as reproductive cloning. to significantly improve shed eggs once a month. If Reproductive cloning, as in millions of lives. these eggs were donated to creating an exact genetic With all of these science, they could be used copy of another individual possible advancements in for research. The unfertilized is an ethical issue, but in medicine it can be hard to see eggs have no other use order for it to achieve this why some want to stop this (Bobrow). Instead of serving an embryo would have to be research. However, the issue no purpose in life, these eggs placed back inside the womb comes from the fact that these could be used to change the for the complete development. embryonic cells are three to lives of others through new Scientists working with five day old fertilized eggs developments in stem cell embryonic research are not (Bethesda). These cells are the research. involved with reproductive early stages of a blastocyst, The same irony occurs cloning. Embryonic stem cells which is a cluster of cells at fertility clinics across the are not being used for this capable for the creation of a world. The main overlying purpose. Instead scientists human being (Ruiz-Canela). reason people disagree with are working to find ways to To some these embryonic embryonic stem cell research differentiate these cells in cells are considered human is because they believe the ways that they can find cures beings. However, an embryo research destroys embryos, for diseases that are currently is not officially considered a yet infertility clinics discard affecting millions of people potential organism until it is thousands of embryos every around the world (Waite). 14 days old and the embryonic year merely because they are Some would argue stem cell is typically cultured no longer needed (“Stem-cell that society is “founded on around day three or five Research”). These clinics are an imperative- the need to (Bethesda). not commonly criticized or preserve and maintain life” For some the problem controversial for destroying (Waite). But what about the lies with the fact that embryos the way stem need to preserve a happy life? the embryo is not yet an research is. If these embryos With stem cell research lives 9 can be more than preserved, another person is added to the the support and funding of lives are saved and lives are list. Even more shockingly, embryonic stem cell research. improved. Every single day an average of twenty-one Controversy over embryonic scientists are working on people die each day due to stem cell research will always cures for diverse kinds of the unavailability of organs exist. However, the more diseases. Chronic illnesses (“Facts and Myths”). Imagine time and funding put into the such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, a world where organs could research the more efficient Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s be readily available for anyone the research will become, and cause many people to suffer who needs one. If embryonic maybe one day in the future everyday of their lives stem cells research is allowed the use of human embryos (Bestha). How is it ethical to continue without hindrance, will no longer be needed to let the people living with one day scientists will be (Mahley). these diseases suffer every day able to regenerate organs Many studies are of their lives? from these cells. Currently, making advances toward Right now is a crucial scientists are testing different finding cures already. At time for stem cell research as ways to differentiate stem cells UCLA researchers discovered President Obama has repealed into specialized cells. This is the genome map of embryonic President Bush’s federal a complex process but once stem cells. This is the first restrictions on the funding scientists find a way to send step to finding cures. “If we for stem cell research. Since the correct signals to produce can understand the function then researchers have been specific cells, the possibilities of 5hmC, that will lead to working hard to discover are endless. A world where greater understanding of how the possibilities these stem human bodies can regenerate genes are turned on and off cells contribute to science. themselves. Although this is and that could lead to the Federal funding is crucial for a long way down the road, it development of methods for the progression of stem cell is worth the time and effort controlling gene regulation,” research due to the nature and would completely change Jacobsen stated (University of private investors. These the medical field (Bethesda) of California - Los Angeles tend to not consider stem cell and it starts with allowing the Health Sciences).” research a viable investment current research to further In Thomsen’s study because it would take too advance. Many professionals recent discoveries were made long for them to receive dream of “off the shelf organs”, for ALS disease. Pre-clinical any returns. Therefore, the where stem cells will be the animal trials proved that weight falls solely on the answer to the organ shortage these new discoveries are shoulders of the government. (Darr). safe for humans. It is only Consequently, it becomes The controversy of a matter of time before new extremely vital for the stem cell research may even be stem cell therapies are tested government to understand the resolved by supporting it. This on patients. In the animal positive effects of this research may not sound possible, but model study the results (Robertson). it was proven by a Japanese showed the potential of According to “Facts scientist, Shinya Yamanaka. stem cells slowing down the and Myths - American Scientists are currently breakdown of motor neurons. Transplant Foundation” there working on different ways to This would lengthen the lives are currently over 123,000 produce regenerating cells of ALS patients (Thomsen). people on the waiting list without the use of stem cells. In a study conducted for organ transplants for Yamanaka found a way to by Kim Seung, Hong Lee, organs needed in order to regenerate cells by using skin and Yun Kim embryonic stem survive in the United States cells. This discovery would cell research was used to find alone. Every twelve minutes have not been possible without different ways of regenerating 10 nerve cells. The common the research will be worth it millions of people around the factor between the various in the end. If we can change world like me, up and out of diseases was the degeneration our view on what stem cells these wheelchairs.” of neurological cells. The can do for our society it opens Researchers get closer research for each of these up a whole new aspect of to finding cures for various diseases go hand-in-hand. The science… Now, 56 years ago, diseases every day. These study claims that neurological FDR dedicated new buildings diseases cause suffering to too cells can be regenerated with for the National Institutes many people to leave them the use of the patient’s own of Health. He said that ‘The feeling hopeless. Stem cell fibroblasts. This discovery defense this nation seeks research has a potential to is a major stepping stone on involves a great deal more change people’s lives for the the path to a cure for these than building airplanes, ships, better. Many people look at diseases (Seung, Lee, & Kim). guns and bombs. We cannot embryonic stem cell research Christopher Reeves be a strong nation unless we as a negative, but it is the first once again could not have said are a healthy nation.’ He could step in the direction to change it better, “Countless amounts have said that today. President medicine forever. If we as a of research have already been Roosevelt showed us that a society saw what embryonic done to find cures for diseases man who could barely lift stem cell research could do for such as Alzheimer’s, ALS, himself out of a wheelchair us it would open up endless Huntington’s and Parkinson’s. could still lift this nation possibilities to improve the Stem cells have potential to out of despair… We are on lives of people. solve many questions in the our way to helping millions medical, we just have to know of people around the world,

Works Cited

Bethesda, MD. “Stem Cell Basics.” What Are the Unique Properties of All Stem Cells? [Stem Cell Information]. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2015. Bobrow, MD, James C. “The Ethics and Politics of Stem Cell Research.” Trans Am Ophthalmol Soc 103 (2005): 138-42. Daar, A.S., A. Bhatt, E. Court, and P.A. Singer. “Stem Cell Research and Transplantation: Science Leading Ethics.” Transplantation Proceedings 36.8 (2004): 2504-506. “Facts and Myths - American Transplant Foundation.” American Transplant Foundation. American Transplant Foundation, 2015. Kim, Seung U., Hong J. Lee, and Yun B. Kim. “Neural Stem Cell-based Treatment for Neurodegenerative Diseases.” Neuropathology 33 (2013): 491–504. Lenzer, Jeanne. “The Super Cell” Discover. 30.10 (2009): 30-36. Mahley, Robert W. “Shinya Yamanaka, M.D., Ph.D. - 2012 Nobel Prize Laureate: How His Dream of a Research Career Provides Vision for the next Generation of Young Scientists.” Anadolu Kardiyoloji Dergisi/The Anatolian Journal of Cardiology Anadolu Kardiyol Derg (2013): 204- 06. Reeve, Christopher. “Use the Body’s ‘Repair Kit.” Time. 155.18 (2000). Robertson, John A. “Embryo Stem Cell Research: Ten Years of Controversy.” The Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 38.2 (2010): 191-203. Ruiz-Canela, Miguel. “Embryonic stem cell research: the relevance of ethics in the progress of science.” Department of Biomedical Humanities. Med Sci Monit. 8.5 (2002): 21-26. Shroff, Geeta, and Rakesh, Gupta. “Human Embryonic Stem Cells in the Treatment of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury.” ANS Annals of Neurosciences. 22.4 (2015): 208-216. “Stem-cell Research.” Culture Wars in America: An Encyclopedia of Issues, Viewpoints, and Voices. Eds. Roger Chapman and James Ciment. London: Routledge. Credo Reference, 2013. Thomsen, Gretchen M., Gowing, Genevieve, Svendsen, Soshana and Svendsen, Clive N. “The past, present and future of stem cell clinical trials for ALS.” Experimental Neurology. 262 (2014): 127–137. University of California - Los Angeles Health Sciences. “Scientists complete first mapping of molecule found in human embryonic stem cells.” ScienceDaily, 21 July 2011. Waite, Lee and Nindl, Gabi. “Human Embryonic Stem Cell Research: An Ethical Controversy in the U.S. and Germany.” Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, 39 (2003): 567-572.

11 A Comparative Analysis of the Foreign Policies of Egypt and Saudi Arabia after the Arab Spring POLS 231: The Middle East in World Affairs Elisabeth Callejón

I nominated this paper because it is an example of excellent writ- I ing paired with strong research and insightful comparative. Introduction -Jim Zaffiro

The Middle East is influenced by Egypt and Saudi implemented into Sharia law a region with more tension, Arabia. Together these states by religious leaders and the violence, and instability than could single-handedly shape royal family. These laws tell any other in the world. This the Middle East within the all citizens of the state how has become evident since the next decade as long as they they should conduct their day uprisings of the Arab Spring can maintain their partnership to day lives and the religious that occurred all over the and reach a level of stability standards which must be region in 2011 and removed in each of their states that is upheld by all individuals several rulers from their yet to be seen in the MENA (Ayoob and Kosebalaban). position of power (Gause). region. This paper will aim to Saudi Arabia is unique as This history of instability and analyze the effects of economic a state when it comes to a seeking of regional power prosperity, religion, regional its goals of “legitimizing by states in the region has led conflicts, and, for Saudi Wahhabism as an ideology” to a variety of foreign policies Arabia, regime survival and in its government because being formed by different the roles in the development very few other states in the states. Particularly interesting and objectives of the foreign Middle East have or are still comparisons of foreign policies policies of these states in a trying to do this (Winter). can be found between Middle post-revolutionary region of After the Arab Spring and the Eastern states that are allies. the world. push for more equality and Egypt and Saudi rights among individuals and Arabia have foreign policies II a lessening in authoritarian that are uniquely their own The Role of Religion style governments the idea and possess differences which of trying to implement could call into question the Religion is an aspect ideological based future of their relationship of foreign policy that differs governments has become with one another depending greatly between Saudi Arabia very unpopular with many on the form they take. As and Egypt. Saudi Arabia governments simply wishing repercussions of the Arab centers the foundation of to maintain regime stability. Spring continue to arise, their government on the While Wahhabism helps change in the region is royal family and Wahhabism, the al-Saud family continue inevitable, but the manner in a strict form of Sunni Islam its rule in Saudi Arabia it which the new Middle East (Ayoob and Kosebalaban). also causes conflict and 12 is formed will be heavily The ideals of Wahhabism are disagreement between the royal family and religious was quick to quiet them by to keep everyone happy. As leaders when it comes to stating that the “uprisings the Muslim Brotherhood modernization and new in surrounding nations” and took over and tried to influence coming from the Saudi Arabia were “contrary implement Sharia law into West. So far the al-Saud to Islam” and the ideological the Egyptian constitution family has been able to practices of Saudi citizens Coptic Christians and appease the religious rulers (Winter). Saudi Arabia has secularists began to protest by finding a balance between used Wahhabism to build a once again. After a military extreme Wahhabism and nation and also to constrain coup Egypt’s government growing Western influence. the state as a means of regime came full circle, going from a Saudi Arabia has also stability since the al-Saud militarily created regime to a played a part in creating the family came into power and democracy only to go back to instability caused by Islamic have been using it even more a militarily ruled government extremists. It is well known in recent years. The role of once more. General Al-Sisi that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia religion in Saudi Arabia is far has now come to power and trained and funded Osama different from that of Egypt. has once again been faced bin-Laden, the former leader Egypt has been the with difficult changes to be of Al-Qaeda and it is also center of attention in the made in foreign policy, as thought that Saudi Arabia world since the Arab Spring. well as many domestic issues. has been funding other The initial success of the He has thus far taken the side extremist groups in the region uprisings had many believing of the secularists and recently (Al-Rasheed). Al-Qaeda and that a democracy would an Egyptian court has banned its extremist ideology became emerge from turmoil in Egypt the Muslim Brotherhood very popular among Saudi and for a while it did. After from being a party and youth in the1980s and led Mubarak was overthrown charges have been pressed to many of them heading to Egypt had elections and against former president and Afghanistan (Al-Rasheed). elected Mohammed Morsi, Muslim Brotherhood leader, As these radicalized Saudi leader of the Muslim Morsi (BBC). The future of youth have returned to the Brotherhood, to power in June religious influence, or lack country there has been a 2012 (Haber and Ighani). This thereof, on Egyptian politics growing separation between change from authoritarian will help determine the final these religious extremist and regime to new democracy led outcome of the Arab Spring other youth pushing for more to drastic changes in foreign and the future of the Middle western ideals and rights. policy as well as policy within East as a whole. However, both groups are the state itself. seeking reforms from the Egypt varies greatly III regime making it even more from Saudi Arabia when it The Economics of the Arab difficult for the al-Saud family comes to the religious makeup Spring to find balance. of their states with the vast During the Arab majority of Saudi Arabia being The economic Spring Saudi Arabia used Sunni Muslim, while Egypt on prosperity of states played Wahhabism and the fact that the other hand contains a mix a large role in uprisings it is considered to be the of Muslims, Coptic Christians, throughout the Middle East. “cradle of Islam” as a means and a very small population of Egypt and Saudi Arabia of maintaining stability. As Jews. This religious diversity had very different economic Shia minority groups in the creates a unique atmosphere situations as the uprisings of east and groups of women in Egypt compared to many the Arab Spring began. Saudi throughout the country began other states in the region. Arabia has generally always small protests during the However, it also makes it been able to keep its citizens Arab Spring the government harder for the ruling power at ease economically. Saudi 13 Arabia’s large oil revenues development, and appeal to its Arab Spring in Egypt. Even lead it to “account for 20 citizens financial needs will be though Egypt is dependent on percent of GDP of the MENA a factor in determining if the other regional powers, such region” and “50 percent of the Arab Spring ever truly makes as Saudi Arabia, as well as stock market capitalization” its way to Saudi Arabia. the U.S. and are still slightly (Al Saud). These revenues Egypt has a very unstable after the Arab Spring have led the al-Saud family different economic situation they continue to play a vital “to increase spending to compared to that of Saudi role in both regional and $130 billion on its citizens” Arabia. Egypt’s minimal world affairs. If Egypt can after the uprisings of the amount of oil, large and develop an economy free of Arab Spring (Gause). Saudi growing population, and dependence on foreign aid Arabia’s economic strength insufficient amount of arable their foreign policy options and independence allow it to land lead it to be extremely and role in the MENA region increase domestic stability by economically dependent on would change drastically. paying off or ridding of those other states. Much of the The economy will be the who contest the government; tensions and discontent in greatest foreign policy factor this is a strategy that is often Egypt before the uprisings of in whatever government used (Winter). the Arab Spring were caused structure is implemented in The government’s by economic struggles. During Egypt. large oil revenues also Mubarak’s last few years allow it to spread its in power Egypt’s “national IV influence throughout the debt increased, GDP and Regional Conflict Middle East by providing economic growth rate shrunk aid to neighboring states by a significant amount, Regional conflict and as a way of forming good unemployment reached nearly the constant struggle between diplomatic relations and 30 percent, and inflation also Sunni and Shi’a Islam in the spread Wahhabism (Al Saud). rose to around 30 percent” Middle East is a concern However, if oil prices maintain (Saikal). Economic growth of the foreign policies and low levels for a long period of simply could not keep up with state survival of both Egypt time and demographic trends a rapidly growing population and Saudi Arabia. Egypt force a continuous rise in fiscal and government corruption and Saudi Arabia both have responsibilities, Saudi Arabia and unnecessary spending populations that are majority could face the uprisings caused did not help the economic Arab of ethnicity and Sunni by economic struggle in other situation. Islam of religious background Arab states. Overspending Every leader of Egypt, which causes them to be or corruption within the no matter what their other allies in the Middle East even royal family could also lead foreign policy positions were, though they may have other to dissent among citizens took into account Egypt’s differences. Apart from the of Saudi Arabia as it has in dependence on foreign aid. Israeli-Palestinian conflict the past when some princes Egypt receives billions of Egypt and Saudi Arabia take have had problems with dollars from both the U.S. and similar stances on conflicts in overspending on lavish and Saudi Arabia in foreign aid the Middle East. One state in extravagant items. The regime annually. However, instead particular is the largest source must also be wary of its of most of this going directly of worry; Egypt and Saudi dependence on other nations to the people of Egypt, or Arabia have stood united for water and food because their need for food and water, against Iran and its attempt of the lack of arable land it goes to military and other to spread Shia influence in the in their state. The regime’s types of government spending. Middle East as well as its aims ability to maintain economic This financial irresponsibility at nuclear proliferation (Al 14 stability, continue economic lead to the outcome of the Saud and Saikal). Hezbollah in Lebanon foreign allies. but both develop foreign and the Hadith rebels of policy goals that are centered Yemen are all Iranian V around economic prosperity backed militant groups that Conclusion or lack thereof. Egypt’s large Saudi Arabia and Egypt are population and slow rates concerned about (Al Saud). Egypt and Saudi of economic growth led to The Hadith rebels in Yemen Arabia have foreign policies the discontent that fueled are seen by Saudi Arabia that are strikingly similar and uprisings in 2011. If Egypt as a direct threat to Sunni different from one another. does manage to become a Islam as well as the al-Saud For Egypt their foreign policy legitimate and successful regime which is why the has changed drastically in democracy a more developed recent military campaign of the years following the Arab and stable economy that is many Arab states has begun Spring due to rapid changes in not dependent on foreign in Yemen (Winter). Neither who was holding power. Saudi aid must follow in order to Saudi Arabia and Egypt nor Arabia has not been affected ensure its success. Saudi Iran are afraid of a conflict by the Arab Spring in the Arabia also must continue to that could determine just same way Egypt was because keep its citizens economically exactly who the region’s they were able to maintain satisfied if the regime wishes greatest power is and stability with oil revenues to remain in power. In order possibly put an end to the and by stating that protests for both states to maintain Shia/Sunni argument. Saudi were combative of Wahhabism the influence they now have Arabia’s recent succession ideology and Islam. Saudi they must also slow down only make the situation more Arabia still believes the instability that Iran is unpredictable by having a themselves to be very stable funding in the Middle East. new king that seems to wish and due to this have stated If Saudi Arabia and Egypt to take a far more aggressive that they should be a regional can keep Iran in check and foreign policy and military leader and therefore wish provide solutions to other approach when it comes to to influence other countries regional conflicts both will Iran’s meddlesome tactics (Al as a manner of spreading emerge with more regional Saud). Egypt has recently stability and Wahhabism and international power been more focused on its ideology throughout the and influence. The future of domestic issues more than Middle East (Al Saud). The the Middle East lies in the their regional conflicts apart Arab Spring led to Saudi changes and implementation from their military assistance Arabia’s government turning of the foreign policies of to Saudi Arabia with the to Islam for an answer while Egypt and Saudi Arabia situation in Yemen. Egypt Egypt rejected the Muslim within the next decade. The even though it is in turmoil Brotherhood party and has final outcomes of the Arab is a pivotal Arab State that moved toward more secularist Spring will change the way is often the deciding factor ideas. This change in religious the world views the Middle in times of conflict (Saikal). position in Egypt has not East and Egypt and Saudi If rebels funded by Iran affected the amount of foreign Arabia will be the x factor of can manage to spread their aid it receives from Saudi whatever change arises, but influence into Saudi Arabia or Arabia and other Arab and for now the world simply Egypt it could cause the end Sunni Islam states due to the waits, watching. of whatever government is in fact that the need for alliances power in these states which and regime support outweigh would be catastrophic not the wants of religious leaders. only in the MENA region, but The economic also have severe repercussions positions of Egypt and Saudi for Egypt and Saudi Arabia’s Arabia are also very different, 15 Bibliography

Al Faisal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud, Turki. “Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Policy.” Middle East Policy 20.4 (2013): 37-44. Academic Search Premier. Web. 20 April 2015.

Ayoob, Mohammed. “State Power, Religious Privilege, and Myths About Political Reform.” Religion and Politics in Saudi Arabia: Wahhabism and the State. Boulder: Lynne Rienner, 2009. 91-105. Print.

“Egypt Court Bans Muslim Brotherhood’s Political Wing - BBC News.” BBC News. BBC News Services, 9 Aug. 2014. Web. 12 Apr. 2015. .

Gause III, F. Gregory. “Saudi Arabia in the New Middle East.” Council Special Report No. 63 (2011). Council on Foreign Relations, Inc. Web. 1 Apr. 2015.

Haber, Joshua, and Helia Ighani. “A Delicate Balancing Act: Egyptian Foreign Policy after the Revolution.” IMES CAPSTONE PAPER SERIES (2013). The Elliott School of International Affairs. Web. 1 Apr. 2015. .

Hinnebusch, Raymond A. “The Foreign Policy of Egypt, The Foreign Policy of Saudi Arabia.” The Foreign Policies of Middle East States. 2nd ed. Boulder, Colo.: Lynne Rienner, 2014. Print.

Rasheed, Madawi. Contesting the Saudi State: Islamic Voices from a New Generation. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge UP, 2007. 106,110-122. Print.

Saikal, Amin. “Authoritarianism, Revolution And Democracy: Egypt And Beyond.” Australian Journal Of International Affairs 65.5 (2011): 530-544. Academic Search Elite. Web. 15 April 2015.

Winter, Lucas. “Jordan and Saudi Arabia after the Arab Spring.” Foreign Military Studies Office. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.

Ashton Mayer, 2015

16 A Scarlet Sea Dana Wolthuizen

ENGL 343: Travel Writing Recipient of the John Allen Award

The blood swept lands and seas I was impressed with Dana’s careful description and research into the of red, mammoth London art installation marking the 100th anniversary of Where angels dare to tread. WWI, but I was equally impressed with the compassionate connec- As I put my hand to reach, tions she makes at the end of the essay between that event and all wars. -Keith Ratzlaff As God cried a tear of pain as the angels fell, Again and again. engulfed with poppies in poppies, representing each honor of Remembrance Week British Commonwealth - Stanza from “Blood Swept – seven days dedicated to military fatality during Lands and Seas of Red” a commemorating all who had World War I. The poppy poem by a WWI unknown perished in the line of duty for has been associated with soldier the British Commonwealth. memorialization since a Remembrance Week is held Canadian soldier, John Scarlet poppies annually in November, and McCrae, noticed the blushing cascaded out of the Weeping during this time each year, flower springing up from the Window, arched over the crimson flowers become disturbed ground at Ypres, bridge way, and dotted the the centerpiece of London, Belgium around May 1915 entire green space around hanging on crosses erected in where three battles had taken the Tower of London. A front of Westminster Abbey, place between the Allied and river of blood seeped from circling wreaths in cemeteries, German forces for control of the fortress, staining British and lining pathways around the city. McCrae took note of soil, flooding into a moat of St. Paul’s Cathedral. Poppy the poppies in his poem, “In ceramic blooms with emerald pins pepper the suitcoats Flander’s Field:” stems. I rested my head of commuters on the tube against the wrought iron gate and hang from the straps of In Flanders fields the poppies as people milled about the women’s handbags. Almost blow walkways around me – all every Briton has a poppy, Between the crosses, row on reverent. Even though we and to go without is almost row, were in the middle of the city, treason. However, 2014’s That mark our place; and in a veil of silence surrounded Remembrance Week was even the sky the tower. It reminded me more significant because it The larks still bravely singing of Memorial Day back in the was the 100th anniversary of fly States. My family silently World War I. Scarce heard amid the guns clustering around relatives’ The centennial below. headstones, painfully aware anniversary was specially of how alive we are in the marked by an art installation An American woman moment. Standing in front of at the Tower of London named Moina Michael the poppies, I felt my blood called Blood Swept Lands and working at the YMCA flowing freely, flowing life. Seas of Red. The tower was Overseas War Secretaries’ London had been encircled by 888,246 ceramic Headquarters in New York 17 came across McCrae’s poem ended in November; during seen the display a number in the November issue of the which, over 4 million visitors of times on my various Ladies Home Journal in 1918 came to see the display. At excursions around London. and was deeply moved. She the beginning of November, As I sat at my made a pledge to wear a silk exhibition managers urged internship desk on a Tuesday red poppy in remembrance for the public to avoid visiting the morning, my director and those who died in World War tower because it was becoming fellow intern joined the I. Word of her pledge spread, overcrowded, and the nearest United Kingdom in bowing and the poppy soon became underground station was our heads to pay our internationally accepted as a closed as a result. On the final respects for two minutes memorial symbol. A symbol day of Remembrance Week, a at 11:00 a.m. on November that still endures today. friend and I defied the requests 11 – Armistice Day. In the Like Moina, Paul and braved the crowds to see silence, I conjured up images Cummins was inspired by a the poppies one last time. of soldiers and the women poem and designed the tower’s The sidewalks teemed and children they left at poppy display from the words home to fend for themselves. of the anonymous soldier. Nurses tending to wounds, Cummins commissioned Eventually though, industrial workers producing 52 potters to make 7,000 each unique weapons, the opposing forces flowers a day. Each bloom fighting for their homelands handcrafted by cutting out bloom joins the as well. Then, I pictured clay poppy stencils, molding uniformity of the the devastation of London the flat petals into a cup- boroughs during World War like structure, and loading red sea. II’s Blitzkrieg. The decimation the flowers into the kiln. of the East End docks, St. Next, each one was painted Paul’s Cathedral miraculously and re-fired to harden the with pedestrians with hardly untouched, a beacon of glaze. Even though all the any room to walk. I bumped hope. The death of around blooms underwent the same into all the surrounding bodies 60 Londoners on October assembling process, each had and squinted up against the 14, 1940 in the Balham its own unique petal folds, sun at police officers who underground station along the imperfections, and beauty – an stood above the crowd with Northern Line, where people appropriate representation megaphones to direct foot slept to seek cover from the of each fallen soldier with traffic: “Keep walking people! Blitz. A bomb exploded on his own fears, loves, and You need to keep moving! Balham High Road over the memories of home out on the Do not stand in the middle northern end of the station, battlefield. Soldiers loading of the sidewalk!” Wood creating a huge crater in the their firearms and donning slats were put on some of street. A double decker bus their gas masks, caked the fences surrounding the crashed into the crater and in earth as they tunneled tower to prevent people from broke the water and sewage trenches. Clay underneath blocking the pedestrian flow lines. Water gushed into their fingernails; similar to the by stopping to look. I stood the station and flooded the potters investing their artistry on my tiptoes to see over the tunnels where 500 civilians into each soldier. Eventually slats, but my height wasn’t were sleeping. Each day that though, each unique bloom in my favor. We tried to I traveled to my internship in joins the uniformity of the red maneuver ourselves to an Balham, I passed the plaque sea. area without the slats, but the honoring the victims of the The “planting” of the crowd foiled our efforts. I was disaster. poppies began in July and thankful that I had already I strolled down the 18 pathways of Hyde Park and three on the underground Flanders field. Red flowering Regent’s Park where 11 and one on a bus in Tavistock and seeping into the once military personnel were killed Square – a block from my disturbed ground of each between two bombings during apartment; 52 people died borough. As Britons pin on memorial services on July 20, that day. The death toll seems their poppies and stay true to 1982. I rode the underground endless, spanning all the years, Moina’s pledge, the blooms from King’s Cross to Russell wars, and routine days. become more than just a mere Square almost daily where a London itself was symbol of remembrance. Each suicide bombing took place a battle ground. When poppy becomes a person, a on July 7, 2005, killing 26 Remembrance Week comes story, and a sacrifice. A sea of passengers. The bombing was and poppies spring from scarlet and a chorus of voices one of four attacks that day, the city, London becomes that won’t be forgotten.

Works Cited

“The Story Behind the Remembrance Poppy.” Great War: 1914-1918. Greatwar.co.uk. Web. Mar. 2015.

“Tower of London Remembers.” Historic Royal Palaces: Tower of London. Historical Royal Palaces, 2015. Web. Mar. 2015.

19 La realidad y la fantasía de la crisis española de la vivienda en Los fenómenos Elizabeth Carman SPAN 487: Senior

Seminar in Hispanic Elizabeth’s essay examines a recent and relatively unknown Galician film Literature and Culture from 2014, Los fenómenos. In the film, Neneta, a single mother, finds a job in the construction industry at the tail end of the housing boom and start of the economic crisis in Spain. I was impressed by Elizabeth’s clear and pre- El derecho a cise thesis, overall organization and detailed and sustained close readings la vivienda en España of the film’s various depictions of “home.” In addition, Elizabeth’s dis- representa más que una cussion of precarious labor, the dream of home ownership and the right to housing in contemporary Spain all help properly contextualize the film. declaración en el artículo -Kathleen Korcheck 47 de la Constitución Española. La ley requiere que el gobierno establezca producción cultural española. lo largo de la película, surgen unas regulaciones y un sistema Este ensayo se enfoca en la unos temas clave de la crisis que crea y mantiene un país película Los fenómenos, por española, como el concepto de propietarios. Sin embargo, enfatizar la representación y de la vivienda. Hay cuatro este derecho se ha convertido la importancia del concepto tipos de casas principales en en una norma en la sociedad de la vivienda en este texto Los fenómenos que incluyen la española. Según Ada Colau y visual. furgoneta poseída por Neneta Adrià Alemany, 87 por ciento Los fenómenos, una y su esposo, Lobo; las casas de los españoles poseían una película española dirigida por incompletas que construye la casa en 2007, que contrasta Alfonso Zarauza, se trata de compañía; el piso piloto; y la con el promedio europeo una mujer abandonada por su casa nueva de Neneta. A través de 60 por ciento (33). La esposo y forzada a mudarse de los aspectos denotativos y importancia y la popularidad con su bebé a su pueblo natal connotativos en las escenas, de la vivienda, junto con en Galicia. La mujer, Neneta, el director crea ciertos los cambios políticos y la encuentra un puesto de peón sentimientos y emociones que economía española y global, en la construcción y aprende se pueden asociar con cada llevó el país a una burbuja a trabajar como mujer en un casa incorporada. Exploro inmobiliaria caracterizada sitio de hombres. Con el paso cómo los elementos literales y por los bajos tipos de interés del tiempo, gana bastante simbólicos funcionan con cada y la construcción de miles dinero para comprar una casa tipo de casa en la película para de casas. Estos factores y la de la misma compañía para demostrar la situación precaria recesión global provocaron la que trabaja. Sin embargo, de Neneta y la gente española una crisis española en 2007 la compañía empieza a fallar en general. Sostengo que estas que queda hasta este momento y Neneta y sus compañeros casas diferentes simbolizan la en España. Debido a la no reciben sus cheques. Al realidad precaria y difícil de naturaleza reciente de la crisis, fin, Neneta no tiene el dinero la crisis, al igual que el sueño mucha de la información y suficiente para pagar su renta, de ser dueño de una casa en datos del periodo vienen de la y por eso pierde su casa. A España, así demostrando la 20 naturaleza contradictoria del salga Lobo de la furgoneta, de situación. Aunque este concepto de la vivienda en abandonando a Neneta y al tipo de casa es muy evidente este país. niño a la vez. Después de al principio, no parece tan La primera casa que sale él, Neneta se pone importante durante el resto que se ve en Los fenómenos nerviosa mientras la música de la película. Sin embargo, es la furgoneta que poseen lenta y triste toca en el fondo. aparece en momentos clave, y Lobo y Neneta, y este hogar Fuma y llora con el viento volveré a este punto al fin del móvil está incorporado por soplando el pelo sobre su cara. ensayo. la película entera. La casa Hay poca luz, y como la luz, Aunque todavía no está cerca de la playa y su hay poca esperanza en la cara están terminadas, las casas exterior es muy sucio y viejo. de Neneta. Su bebé empieza a que están construyendo También, está muy abierta al llorar, y apaga las luces y sale Neneta y sus amigos mundo exterior, como no hay para cuidarlo. Sin el dinero representan otro tipo de casa puertas actuales en la casa. de su esposo ocupado, Neneta principal. Las casas están Unas cortinas separan a la ya no tiene los recursos en las primeras etapas de la familia del espacio afuera de para apoyar a su niño y a construcción. La estructura la furgoneta, así que el viento sí misma. La vivienda en la básica está completa, pero sólo pasa por el interior de la casa que vive refleja la situación hay el armazón de las casas en (Figura 1). Estos detalles son y los sentimientos de ella. la forma de muchas paredes importantes para entender La oscuridad, la suciedad, la blancas. Otro detalle notable la situación de la familia amplitud, y la movilidad de en casi todas las escenas que la furgoneta incluyen este sitio es la falta simbolizan de luz. Lo gris del sitio crea la vida un ambiente deprimente. Sin desgraciada y embargo, el área hacia afuera precaria de la de las casas incompletas protagonista. normalmente brilla debido Según Guy al exceso del sol, así que las Figura 1. Neneta y Lobo en la furgoneta. Los fenómenos. Standing viviendas parecen estar en una Dir. Alfonson Zarauza, 2014. en su libro sombra permanente (Figura sobre la clase 2). Este contraste de la luz también, particularmente precaria, “the precariat can produce un efecto importante Neneta. Es obvio que la be identified by a distinctive en relación con el significado familia no tiene mucho dinero structure of social income, connotativo del tipo de porque vive en una casa así. which imparts a vulnerability vivienda. En mi opinión, el Sin embargo, el director going well beyond what sitio de la construcción sirve utiliza este tipo de vivienda would be conveyed by the para mostrarnos más que la money income received situación económica pobre de at a particular moment” la familia. La diferencia entre (12). En la vida de una furgoneta y una chabola Neneta, esta precariedad es que se puede mover y vulnerabilidad se una furgoneta. El director revelan por su vivienda. eligió este tipo de vivienda Abandonada por su porque no está situada en un esposo, le quedan poca lugar estable. Tal vez esta esperanza y recursos Figura 2. Neneta trabaja en la sombra del inestabilidad es un indicio a Neneta. Como la sitio de la construcción, que contrasta con de la inseguridad de la vida furgoneta, a ella le falta la luz de afuera. Los fenómenos, Dir. Alfonso de Neneta también. No pasa la estabilidad y tiene que Zarauza, 2014. mucho tiempo antes de que moverse para cambiar 21 como símbolo del estado de de su sueldo y su huida de Cuando la agente inmobiliaria, los trabajadores. Casi todos la policía. Trabaja con una Nina, entra en la casa con trabajan para que puedan meta, pero no puede lograr una pareja, el contraste mejorar sus situaciones de la lo que quiere. Es verdad que entre ellos y el piso piloto y vivienda o poseer una casa con el tiempo, compra una Neneta se hace aún más obvio. mejor. Aún Josué, un amigo casa bonita, pero como vemos Mientras ellos visten unos y compañero de Neneta, después, este sueño no puede trajes y la ropa sofisticada, ya tiene una casa bastante ser realizado. De esta manera, Neneta todavía se queda con atractiva, pero quiere moverse el director utiliza el sitio de una apariencia muy sucia. debido a sus vecinos ruidosos. construcción en la película También, Nina y la pareja Trabajan literalmente en un para demostrar la situación en no tienen la misma mirada espacio oscuro, pero muchos la que están los trabajadores y de asombro. Para ellos, una de ellos están simbólicamente Neneta y las circunstancias en casa como el piso piloto no en este espacio oscuro cuando que desean estar. es un sueño; es algo bastante trata a la vivienda también. La casa ideal que cotidiano. Ven la luz hacia afuera, que quieren Neneta y los otros Por la representación puede representar sus sueños trabajadores se observa en del piso piloto en esta película, de poseer una casa buena. el piso piloto que ve Neneta se puede ver la naturaleza Desean realizar sus sueños, antes de que compre una contradictoria de la crisis pero todavía se quedan sin casa. En comparación con lo española. Según Colau y las viviendas que quieren. gris y la suciedad del sitio de Alemany, en España “existe Como las casas que están construcción y la furgoneta, una cultura propietaria que construyendo, los sueños el director “pinta” el piso con no se da en otros lugares” de muchos trabajadores, colores vibrantes. Neneta anda (33). Aunque España es un incluyendo a Neneta, no por la casa con un asombro, país distinto en su cultura pueden ser realizados. Siempre tocando la cama y un vaso propietaria, no es distinto van a estar ellos en un mundo bonito (Figura 3). Admira con respecto a la idea de que de construcción, literal y la belleza y la riqueza de la alguien solo tiene que trabajar figuradamente. La economía mala les hace quedarse siempre en el proceso de lograr un mundo ideal, similar al proceso de construir una casa. Ciertos eventos ocurren en este sitio que demuestran esta tensión entre estar en la situación que ya tiene y lograr una vivienda mejor. De hecho, Josué está en el Figura 3. “…como el vaso que toca, la casa no pertenence a alguien sitio de construcción cuando como ella.” Los fenómenos. Dir. Alfonso Zarauza, 2014. averigua que quizás perderá su casa por no pagar la renta. casa, pero como el vaso que duro para obtener lo que Después, se vuelve casi loco toca, la casa no pertenece a quiere. Llevando su ropa de por no recibir su sueldo. Este alguien como ella. Está en una trabajo, se puede ver el sueño hecho de siempre estar en el fantasía. El director evidencia americano en Neneta durante proceso de ganar una casa es este punto debido a las esta escena del piso piloto. Sin evidente en la vida de Neneta diferencias físicas entre la casa embargo, vemos luego en Los también. Experimenta muchos y Neneta. Ella lleva la ropa fenómenos que este sueño es momentos difíciles en el lugar sucia de su trabajo, y su cara casi imposible para alcanzar. 22 de trabajo, incluso el robo y pelo no están maquillados. Pedro Simón, un periodista y novelista español, ha escrito no corresponden con sus comiendo en un restaurante mucho sobre la crisis y su emociones. Cuando Neneta caro a Nina y a los dueños de naturaleza contradictoria en entra en la casa, la vemos la empresa de construcción en un pasillo oscuro y muy para la que trabaja. Aunque angosto. Casi nunca vemos Neneta ya no recibe su sueldo mucha luz en la casa, pero se de la compañía, los dueños puede verla afuera de la casa todavía viven unas vidas de (Figura 4). Este contraste lujo. Literal y figuradamente entre la luz al exterior y la luz Neneta se queda excluida de al interior es reminiscente de este restaurante y este mundo. la iluminación de la furgoneta Sin embargo, Neneta Figura 4. Neneta está en la y el sitio de construcción. no es la única persona que oscuridad de su casa nueva. Los Aunque Neneta está en la experimenta el deseo de ser fenómenos. Dir. Alfronso Zarauza, oscuridad, siempre hay la propietario y la inhabilidad de 2014. esperanza de la luz hacia hacerlo. Dean Allbritton, en afuera. El director revela la su artículo “Prime Risks…,” cuanto al sueño americano. posibilidad de unos problemas habla de un cine de crisis, En una entrevista en el diario con la vivienda por el un tipo de cine que cuenta español El Mundo, Simón contenido también. Neneta no una historia de ficción habla sobre la validez y la puede abrir la puerta para ir al dramatizada y al mismo presencia del sueño americano porche, y hay unas manchas en tiempo representativa de la en España, diciendo que “[El el cuarto de baño. Aún tiene situación de muchos españoles sueño americano] es falso. A que dormir en el suelo durante viviendo durante la crisis. En una persona con dos piernas su primera noche en la casa, y su trabajo, dice, “Perhaps the amputadas no le puedes tiene mucho frío. Luego en la fundamental characteristic decir que va a ser Supermán. historia, esta casa nueva es el of this contemporary No sólo es una mentira, sitio dónde su amante y esposo iteration of ‘crisis cinema,’ sino que es una mentira se ven el uno al otro en un beyond the usage of physical mezquina.” Los personajes momento muy tenso. Aunque vulnerability as a metaphor de Los fenómenos trabajan técnicamente ha logrado su for vulnerability writ large, para ganar una casa como el sueño de poseer una vivienda is its attempt to organize piso piloto, pero no pueden digna, todavía se puede ver la the individual experience of hacer bastante para obtener realidad precaria de su vida precarity and vulnerability y mantener esa casa ideal. El por las características de la into a communal one” (103). sueño americano les engaña, casa y lo que pasa adentro. Se puede observar esta y vemos esta ilusión y engaño Al final, Neneta tiene que aplicación de una experiencia por la casa nueva que compra vender su casa nueva. Se individual a una comunal en Neneta, que es la cuarta repite la música lenta y triste Los fenómenos. El letrero de vivienda representada en esta que tocaba al principio de la venta de Neneta es el único película. película cuando estaba en la enfoque de la última escena Vemos esta casa por furgoneta, mientras la cámara de la película (Figura 5). La primera vez cuando entran se enfoca en un letrero Neneta y su amante ella le que dice que “se vende” la dice, “es la bomba.” La casa casa. Debido al uso de la enfrenta el mar y parece ser misma música, se pueden todo lo que había querido. asociar los sentimientos A pesar del entusiasmo de de la vulnerabilidad y la la protagonista, los aspectos inseguridad de la furgoneta denotativos de las escenas con esta casa. Justo antes que incluyen esta vivienda de esta escena, Neneta ve Figura 4. Neneta en el balcón de su casa. Los fenómenos. Dir. Alfonso Zarauza, 2014. 23 cámara echa un vistazo sobre escena ocurra justo después Sin embargo, alguien tuvo las otras casas, y todas tienen que compra su casa ideal, que lograr esta fantasía para la misma señal. Aunque las porque nos recuerda que su crear el sistema utópico. La películas dramatizan las acceso a la vivienda nueva no película nos hace pensar en situaciones de sus personajes, durará. Luego, cuando Neneta quién consigue este sueño, y lo el director de esta película aún tiene que vender su casa, ni que es más, en quién tiene el usa su obra para demostrar siquiera le queda la furgoneta. derecho a la vivienda en medio la naturaleza contradictoria Su esposo sale en la casa móvil de una crisis. Julio Vinuesa de la vivienda en la sociedad mientras ella permanece de Angulo habla de este asunto española. Aunque mucha pie fuera de la casa que está en El festín de la vivienda, gente tiene el sueño de poseer vendiendo. Ahora, ya no diciendo, “En la aplicación de una casa, y trabaja sin cesar tiene la poca seguridad que las normativas sobre vivienda para lograrlo, la realidad le ofrece la furgoneta. En su protegida, uno de los aspectos es que obtener y mantener estudio sobre unas películas más difíciles de gestionar este sueño no es posible. En diferentes que tratan de la ha sido la determinación “Sueños rotos,” un ensayo crisis, Albritton arguye que de los criterios con los que para Human Rights Watch dos de las películas analizadas establecer quienes tienen sobre la crisis española de la contienen unos protagonistas derecho a ser adjudicatarios vivienda, Judith Sunderland que “‘lose in some way (death de una vivienda” (86). Aunque escribe, “Las compras and jail, respectively) and are la Constitución Española esperanzadas de viviendas beaten by the system, but they dice que todos tienen este durante el boom económico do so in markedly different derecho, Los fenómenos ofrece español se han convertido en ways” (108). Este tema ocurre una perspectiva diferente por una pesadilla de ejecuciones en Los fenómenos también, la vida de Neneta. A pesar hipotecarias, desahucios y por ya otra manera diferente. del optimismo de Neneta sobreendeudamiento en plena El sistema español “vence” a sobre la oportunidad de crisis económica” (3). La Neneta por sus contradicciones poseer la casa de sus sueños, gente española compra con de la ideología. La compañía la crisis hace que esta casa la esperanza y vende con sus y la idea del sueño americano siempre quede en sus sueños. sueños rotos. le dan la esperanza de poseer Es difícil determinar quién Al final de Los una cosa y lograr sus sueños. tiene el derecho a la vivienda fenómenos, volvemos a la Sin embargo, la realidad de exactamente, pero sabemos vivienda de la furgoneta. la crisis no es tan optimista, quién no lo tiene. La gente que De manera interesante, la como vimos por los aspectos empieza sin la casa ideal, como furgoneta solamente aparece connotativos y denotativos de Neneta y su furgoneta, no en los momentos tristes o la película. puede trabajar ni hacer nada difíciles en la vida de Neneta. Neneta pierde por creer para obtenerla. Cuando hay La furgoneta representa la en un sistema que tiene unas una crisis, es casi imposible situación actual y difícil de ideologías contradictorias a moverse desde una furgoneta la protagonista, y sirve como la realidad. El director usa o chabola a una vivienda recordatorio de esta situación esta situación individual digna, a pesar del trabajo durante la película. Por para mostrarnos algo más duro y el optimismo del sueño ejemplo, después de comprar comunal con respecto a la americano. su casa nueva, Neneta va a crisis de la vivienda. Por sus Por las cuatros tipos la furgoneta para ver a su ideas contrarias y falsas, el de viviendas en Los fenómenos, esposo y le abofetea por su sistema capitalista creó una el director Alfonso Zarauza abandono de ella, mientras la fantasía que permitía ocurrir presenta la vida de Neneta. música triste y lenta toca otra el “boom” de la construcción Sin embargo, no es solamente vez. Es significativo que esta y, en última instancia, la crisis. la vida de Neneta. La 24 precariedad, la vulnerabilidad, demuestran la realidad difícil la esperanza que va a lograr y la inseguridad caracterizan y desesperada de su vida, la vida que quiere. Por medio mucho de la sociedad española además de la gente española. de las viviendas diferentes además. Por la iluminación y En Fuera de lugar, Peter Pál en esta película, el director el contenido de las escenas, Pelbart dice que “la crisis es nos enseña el lado difícil la esperanza y el sueño de ser una conjunción del ‘nada es de la crisis y la esperanza propietario están presentes posible’ y del ‘todo es posible’” constante de ser propietario, en cada casa. No obstante, (46). Se ven estos dos lados revelándonos la realidad la iluminación, la música, en Los fenómenos. Aunque contradictoria del concepto y el contraste creado por Neneta siempre está en una de la vivienda en la España la apariencia de Neneta situación precaria, todavía hay actual.

Obras citadas

Allbritton, Dean. “Prime risks: the politics of pain and suffering in Spanish crisis cinema.” Journal of Spanish Cultural Studies 15:1-2 (2014): 101-115. Impreso.

Angulo, Julio Vinuesa. El festín de la vivienda: Auge y caída del negocio inmobiliario en España. Madrid: Díaz & Pons, 2013. Impreso.

Colau, Ada, y Adrià Alemany. Vidas hipotecadas. Barcelona: Romanyà Valls, 2012. Impreso.

Los fenómenos. Dir. Alfonso Zarauza. Perf. Lola Duenas, Luis Tosar, y Ledicia Sola. Maruxiña Film Company y ZircoZine, 2014. Película.

PAPEL. “El sueño americano es mentira.” Elmundo.es. PAPEL, 29 sept. 2015. Web. 1 nov. 2015.

Pelbart, Peter Pál. Fuera de lugar: Conversaciones entre crisis y transformación. Madrid: Antonio Machado Libros, 2015. Impreso.

Standing, Guy. The Precariat. New York: Bloomsbury, 2011. Impreso.

Sunderland, Judith. “Sueños rotos: El impacto de la crisis española de la vivienda en grupos vulnerables.” Solidarios.org.es. Human Rights Watch, 2014. Web. 1 Nov. 2015.

25 Tribes and Tribulations: An Ethnography of College-Aged Gay Men and the Problems They ANTH 366: Ethnographic Face Field Methods Emma Simmons “It basically felt like they were shopping for a new In this course, students learned how to employ the methods that anthropolo- handbag, and you happened to gists use to carry out research, from interviewing to participant observation. Early in the semester, students chose a sub-culture to document. I chose be the newest, latest, most trendy Emma’s paper for both its engaging writing style and its very interesting con- style.” – Roderich tent. She documents the lives of gay college students, and does so through an engaging writing style that brings the reader into the lives of her informants. Introduction: -Jeffrey Bass

It is never easy to go against the norm. It can are “out” (openly express completed free listing, pile, be emotionally, physically, their sexual orientation) and and triadic sorting exercises and mentally taxing to attend a small liberal arts in order to elicit more fight against what one has college, if they would be my information. I also completed been taught is correct one’s informants for the semester. a direct observation exercise whole life. For many in the My informants, who will be in which I studied how Midwestern United States, referred to as Roderich and individuals in a small, rural, this “correct” path seems to be Simon respectively (both conservative college town the stereotypical “American pseudonyms), and I meet would react to a male-to-male Dream”; you meet the man several times a week. During public display of affection or woman of your dreams, our meetings I conducted (hand holding) close to the you get married, buy a house informal interviews and asked center of town. The findings together, and have at least questions about folk terms and of my research led me to 2 kids. However, this dream the gay college community in conclude that college-aged is not so easy for everyone general. I focused specifically gay men, particularly those to achieve, especially if he on the gay community on studying at a small liberal or she happens to be gay. a small liberal arts college arts college, face a variety Last semester, I had a chance campus and rural, more of challenges different from to observe some of these conservative communities, like those their heterosexual difficulties first hand while the ones my informants live counterparts face and that studying the micro culture of and study in, in the Midwest. these men have many ways of gay male college students. During these meetings, coping with these difficulties. Since I was close I carried out participant with some men involved observation and did an Ethnographic Findings: in this community, it made unstructured interview with it much easier to find my informant Roderich. Over the course of the informants. I asked two of During my participant semester, I identified several my friends, both of whom observation, my informants aspects of my informants lives 26 as gay students that they type of relationship they had for him. It makes it difficult found challenging. These developed with the person. for him to communicate challenges are described in Though a man’s close family his orientation to potential the following sections in and friends might experience romantic partners, and he is order from those seen as most “the coming out talk”, newer hit on by girls, meaning he has to least challenging for my friends probably would not. to come out more often than informants. They include: Often, my informants will Roderich does. Both Roderich coming out (how it’s done mention their orientation in and Simon, when questioned, and how people respond to casual conversation or will said that the way someone acts these men once they do), slip hints into a discussion should not be the definitive dating (especially online), and with new acquaintances. way of figuring out his sexual finding their place within a Simon mentioned that his boss orientation, though it can be a “tribes”. Finally, things that and many of his coworkers hint to probe further to see if are considered to be general discovered he was gay because a person communicates their issues faced by all gay men they heard him mention it orientation in other ways. are addressed at the end of during a conversation with Both informants consider the section, including: fear another coworker. This assuming someone’s sexual of hate crimes, difficulties informal way of coming out orientation because of their with people’s religious beliefs is incredibly popular with my demeanor to be extremely (both the beliefs of gay men informants (and, according to rude and an inaccurate way and those of the people they them, other gay men who are to truly discover a person’s interact with), stereotyping, already out with their family orientation. and the rise of the “GBF” and friends), and many new Since Simon’s (or gay best friend), as friends and acquaintances get demeanor doesn’t lead most well as self-acceptance a more casual treatment than people to deduce his sexual and the popular view that if they had known Simon or orientation, he communicates homosexuality is a choice. Roderich when they were first his sexual orientation in a exploring their new sexual different way than Roderich. Coming Out: Contexts in orientation. Simon mentioned when he Which It’s Done The way my began the process of his “big” informants utilize the coming out (the first time he One of the first, and casual conversation method began publicly presenting possibly biggest, challenges differs greatly between himself as a gay man, but a gay man faces is the them. The main reason for after he had come out to his decision to “come out”, or this discrepancy between close friends and family) and reveal his sexual orientation Roderich and Simon is due to he was meeting new people, to his family, friends, and the way they are viewed by he would drop hints about acquaintances. Though society. Coming out is a bit his orientation during a game there is the common idea easier for Roderich because called “20 questions”. During that coming out has to be a his demeanor more closely this game, he would supply specific sit down talk, there conforms to the common questions for the person are many other ways gay men stereotypical perception of to ask him. In this way, he choose to communicate their how a gay man behaves. would guide the person to the sexual orientation, which For example, he is more realization that he was gay, vary greatly based upon the flamboyant and makes more but he wouldn’t tell him or her context in which a person comments referencing his himself. He would make this comes out. According to sexuality than Simon does. new person ask if he was gay Simon and Roderich, their Simon, on the other hand, is before he would confirm he methods for coming out often often mistaken for a straight it. Now that he has been out changed according to the man, which is very frustrating for a few years, Simon seems 27 more willing to allow the orientation. Their sexual changed his preferences on topic to come up at random orientation is something quite Facebook from “is interested or will hint at it by saying private for them because they in women” to “is interested in things like, “Wow, that guy is want to be known for who men”. The act of putting his really cute, don’t you think?” they are, not for who they are sexual orientation online can Roderich does not usually attracted to. be an extremely important have any problem coming Social media websites, symbolic step for college- out to people that he meets. however, are very different aged gay men. Making things Since he behaves in a more from university classes. “Facebook official” is huge stereotypical way, he says that Roderich and Simon are for my generation. It gives most people usually something a new level assume that he is of validity because gay. this information is There are available to everyone certain places where you are friends with Roderich and Simon (and, depending on do not feel the need how public your to come out, for profile is, people example, in their you aren’t friends classes at school. with) can see this While on campus information on your at their college, profile. It is easily neither Roderich accessible. nor Simon feels the need to come Coming Out: The out to people they Responses are not personally connected with. One of the Neither feels the most stressful times need to discuss in a gay man’s life their orientation is waiting to see with their professor how someone will unless they are respond to him after particularly friendly coming out. In order with that faculty Sean Robbins, 2015 to identify the range member. If their of responses that sexual orientation comes up both very open about their gay men face, I had Roderich in class, it will usually come sexual orientation on their and Simon participate in a up during a class discussion social media websites, like free listing exercise in which (brought up by Roderich or Facebook, for instance. they listed all the possible Simon), or will be mentioned Social media provides a ways someone might react in a paper if relevant to the new platform on which gay upon discovering a gay topic being written about. men can communicate their man’s sexual orientation. For example, one of Simon’s sexual orientation and its After they had completed fraternity brothers discovered use seems to be prevalent their lists, I asked them to that he was gay because he among college-aged gay men. organize these responses into was helping Simon edit one of Simon mentioned that one of positive, negative, and neutral his papers for a class in which his coworker discovered his categories, where it became he was discussing his sexual orientation because he had apparent there were far more 28 negative responses than was going to be, and you have when he is at home. During positive or neutral. Simon to grieve for that lost part an unstructured interview, he and Roderich had several of yourself.” It is important mentioned, common responses in relation to note that the responses The community I grew to how people reacted to them Simon and Roderich listed are up in, I was the first openly coming out, including: the responses they would expect gay man in my high school’s person not being supportive, from anyone they come out history. Several people being shocked, confused or to. They could not think of had come out after their unsure of how to respond, and any responses that would be graduation, but I was the first being offended by the person unique to a college professor, one to come out in the high coming out. These seem to be a roommate, or classmates, school. And I was the only gay common responses gay men and both pointed out that man in a twenty-mile radius. fear when they decide to come responses are so varied that it The only reason it wasn’t a out. becomes difficult to list all of larger radius is because I live It was interesting the possible responses to this less than twenty-miles from to note that, according to situation. [the large state university], Roderich, a person trying where they have a fairly too hard to be supportive, Dating: Challenges and significant LGBT community something he called “hyper- Strategies on campus. It felt kind of normalcy”, fell into the isolating. I mean, I didn’t negative category. In his After coming out, know if there was anyone else experience, he has found the next big challenge for like me. And it felt very lonely when a person tries too my informants, and one of for a while because I… The hard to be accepting, even if the topics we discussed the dating pool was obviously they are completely loving most, is dating. Roderich and nonexistent in my school, and and tolerant, it can be very Simon both live on campus so I’d have to look outside. uncomfortable for the person at a small liberal arts college And I actually met Tyler, my who has come out. He said it’s located in a relatively small, first boyfriend, at an honor just strange when a person conservative Midwestern band audition. And the only acts like nothing has changed community, which means that reason I could tell was because even though both of them (the their dating pool is extremely he was fitting every single gay man and the person they limited. It can also be a bad stereotype I knew, and that’s have come out to) know things idea for members of a gay how I got the courage to talk are not the same. community this limited to to him. Another thing date each other because of the Due to the threat of Roderich touched on was potential for drama. In order the drama associated with the feeling of grief, loss, or to illustrate this, Roderich on campus dating, both of just a general sadness as a recounted a story of a friend my informants prefer to response. He classified these who dated another gay man look off campus for potential as neutral responses, stating, on campus that ended in a bad partners. For Simon, most of “These people might have to break up. According to him, the other gay men he’s met come to terms with losing a these two men do not talk have been through mutual part of a dream they might to each other and can hardly friends. He believes that most have had. For example, a dad stand to be in the same room. gay men meet each other might have been dreaming of Although the gay community either through friends or at walking his daughter down on his campus is small, it still social gatherings, like bars the aisle for years, but now provides Roderich with more or at conferences for gay he has to give up that dream. of an opportunity to connect rights. However, dating seems It’s not what you thought it with other gay men than more difficult for Simon than 29 Roderich because he does online for a more serious he has something wrong with not behave as stereotypically, relationship because of these him. Roderich believes that meaning his sexuality is not often unspoken expectations. the stigma of online dating as immediately obvious to There is also a slight is more present with the use potential romantic partners. implication that something is of apps which have a “hook- This makes it a bit more wrong with you if you can’t up” connotation because, even difficult for him to meet meet someone to date in real though some are advertised as other gay men if there is no life. It’s almost shameful “dating” apps, they are mainly personal connection already, to use an app or an online used as a place to find a hook-up. which can be through a website. Though the stigma friend or acquaintance or isn’t quite as strong as it is in Tribes: Used in Dating meeting them because of the heterosexual community, an LGBTQ+ group on campus. Tribes in the Body Type Bear Older Bear In order to Gay Male Tribes Cub combat the issues of the Community limited dating pool on a Otter small campus (and the Jock difficulties due to being less obviously gay), my Geek informants use online Twink resources, like dating Clean Cut websites or apps like Kink Tribes Leather Regular Leather Tinder or Grindr, to meet other gay men. BDSM/Bondage Meeting people online, Daddy however, has a different Discreet In a relationship connotation than it does Closeted if you meet them through a friend or by chance. Rugged According to Simon, when Poz you meet someone through Trans an app like Grindr (an app for meeting other gay men, or, as Roderich puts it, “…a it’s still there. According to An important part of tracking service for other Simon, most men that he has the online dating community is gay men” that allows you to found on online dating sites the use of “tribes” in order to message other users) or an are individuals that would be classify people. I first discovered online dating site, there is considered undesirable in the the existence of these tribes more of a sexual connotation. dating scene outside of the during a meeting with Roderich This is especially true with internet. For example, they while he was using his phone apps like Grindr and Tinder. have strange fetishes, don’t to browse Grindr. He explained When a man uses these apps, have a pleasant personality, how the app was set up and how there is the implication that or aren’t physically attractive, to create a profile, showing me he is looking for a “hook-up”, and he is slightly embarrassed a long list of tribes a person not a friendship or a more about being online for that can choose to include on his substantial relationship. reason. He is online because profile. According to Simon Simon and Roderich both he has such a small dating and Roderich, the reason that 30 find it difficult to meet people pool in real life, not because tribes are so important in these instances is because they can also help determine what a man’s tribe is fairly fluid. allow an individual to get a tribe he would best fit into. A man often chooses what rough guess of how a potential For example, both of my tribe he identifies with partner looks physically. It informants mentioned that and can move from one to can also help them get an idea men and boys that fit into another fairly easily because of how someone will behave the “twink” category tend to it is a reflection of who he and a small glimpse into their be more effeminate and are is and how he sees himself. personality. expected to be the bottoms According to Simon, “You’re The body type tribes (the partner who is penetrated not necessarily stuck in one are, of course, defined by body during sexual intercourse) in thing. Your tribe changes as type, including: the amount of the sexual relationship. Men you change.” While a man fat or muscle a person has, the who fit into categories such is still in college, his tribe amount of hair a person has, as “rugged” are expected to is still extremely important height, and age, with most be a “man’s man” and be more in his search for a partner. individuals in this group 35 dominant and aggressive Tribal membership becomes or younger. The kink tribes and top (the partner who less important once he is in are defined as: daddy (an older penetrates during sexual a committed relationship. man 50+ years of age, or an intercourse). According to Simon, kink older man with a younger Most of the tribes, tribes remain important partner) and discrete (someone especially the body type even after a man enters a who isn’t “out of the closet”). tribes, were defined by my dating relationship because Discretes could also possibly informants as having an age kink tribes deal with sexual be in another relationship and limit on them, generally a preferences which will don’t want their partner to person up to their early to continue to be expressed know or are questioning their mid-30’s. I questioned my within a dating relationship. sexuality. These individuals informants about this age limit According to my don’t want to make their and what happens to a man informants, there seems to identity public, but still who had identified as a certain be a fairly high demand for want to be part of the LGBT tribe once he passed the age twinks, especially within the community. Other kink tribes limits they had specified. Midwestern gay community. include: leather (individuals Simon and Roderich seemed Twinks seem to fulfill the who are turned on by leather puzzled by my question. Both more stereotypical image or who are interested in mentioned they had never of gay men. They are more bondage or BDSM, the considered what would happen effeminate, look younger, are sexual act of tying up one’s or how they would self- more slender, and tend to partner), and rugged (which identify in the future. Simon be the bottom in the sexual was defined as a lumberjack mentioned these tribes are relationship. They also seem type fantasy, a very strong mainly used during the search to be the foil to the bear man with facial hair). There for a partner, and a man is not category. Bears are bigger, are also two tribes that do not likely to be as involved in the older, and hairy. These two fit in either the kink or body dating scene once they have groups appear to be the most type categories. They are: poz reached their 30’s. He also popular within the college- (HIV positive) and trans (a mentioned that, though they aged gay community, and are transgender individual). might not be in the dating the two tribes I have heard Men can choose pool at the time they pass mentioned most often during their tribes based on the these age limits, they might my ethnographical research, parameters above or what rejoin at a later time as part of both inside and outside of it. feels the most comfortable a different tribe. In addition to this for them. A man’s demeanor For my informants, apparent cross over between 31 the kink and body type tribes who was killed after meeting including services, once he there also appears to be some two homophobic strangers came out. Additionally, he tribes that are very closely in a bar one evening. These received hate mail from one related to others. The otter men took Matthew out into of his more extreme religious tribe seems to be one of the country, tied him to a acquaintances telling him these. It almost seems to be fence post, beat him, and he was going to hell. These a filler tribe. It is separate left him for dead. Roderich reactions impacted him so from other categories, but it became very emotional while negatively that he no longer is also very closely related to recounting this story and attends church. Although both the bear and jock tribes. said, “I was just shocked that the church near his college In fact, when Roderich was someone would do that to is much more accepting than describing the otter tribe to another human being over the church he grew up in, me, he stated that they were something so trivial. I mean, Roderich stated he is too basically a combination of the he wasn’t flirting with these afraid of putting himself out bear and jock tribes. They are men, he wasn’t forcing his and making himself vulnerable not exactly chubby like a bear, sexuality upon this guys, only to be shunned again. nor are they as athletic as a but these guys were closed- He would rather have not jock would be. They are more minded and bigoted enough religious community than to hairy than a jock, but less so that they would do what they put himself through that sort than a bear. Tribes like this did. I mean, thankfully, they of emotional pain again. were harder to explore because were convicted of murder, so While problems with they were not often mentioned Matthew Sheppard’s family religious beliefs often leave during my interviews with my did get justice, but… Just a gay man feeling alone and informants. that fact that someone would isolated, he may also begin do that to another human to face problems with people Other Challenges Gay Men being astounds me.” This becoming too interested in Face: fear has prevented him from him because of his sexual public displays of affection, orientation. Roderich had Once gay college like holding hands, hugging, numerous issues with this students have become more or kissing another male, kind of “hyper-attachment” integrated into the gay without fear of someone when he first came out. He community, there are even nearby reacting in a negative hypothesized that these girls more challenges they face. manner. liked him because he behaves One of the biggest fears Religion can be one in a more stereotypical way for my informants is that of the biggest conflicts for and is an ideal candidate for they are going to become gay men both because of a “GBF”, or gay best friend, victims of a hate crime. This their religious beliefs and popularized by the mainstream is especially worrying to because of the beliefs of media. He was often Roderich. He believes his their loved ones. Many gay approached by people he had fear to be slightly irrational men are shunned by their never talked to before who because he is quite safe on faith communities or are wanted to be his best friend. his college campus, but it is even thrown out of them He said this was distressing something he worries about all together. Roderich, because, “The reality is I’m when he is off campus. He for example, was banned just another…I’m just another referenced Matthew Shepard’s from his church youth guy. Granted, I like other story as the main reasons for group because of his sexual guys and don’t mind going his fear. Matthew Shepard orientation. He also felt shopping or for Starbucks or was a young gay man living extremely uncomfortable anything like that, but I don’t in Wyoming in the early 90s attending church functions, want that to be the sole reason 32 someone wants me as their think of any, which is why I student comes out in casual friend.” He wanted to be seen think people who say being conversation. He might as a human being, but he felt gay is a choice are fucking change his sexual orientation as if he was being treated morons… It is not an easy or come out via social media like a new fashion accessory. road that I’m on now. I didn’t or make jokes about his sexual These girls did not care for choose it. But I’m going to orientation to new friends. In him for any reason other be who I am.” Simon also spite of these varied ways in than because he was gay. “It disclosed that, if given the which my informants come basically felt like they were choice, he would choose to be out, they seem to expect a shopping for a new handbag, straight. He does not feel very person to react negatively and you happened to be the optimistic about his future as when they do so. They stated newest, latest, most trendy a gay man. Nevertheless, in that the negative reactions to style,” he stated. spite of the difficulties they coming out are much more All of the difficulties face, both Simon and Roderich publicized and well known listed above can play a role in declared they will continue to than the positive or neutral the last challenge discussed be who they are and they will ones, so it is much easier here: self-acceptance. Many to remember these kinds of gay men find it difficult to reactions. I also realized that accept themselves when It is not an easy positive and negative reactions they realize their sexual road that I’m could be simplified into being orientation. A man’s religious supportive and unsupportive beliefs can play a large role on now. I didn’t respectively. After a gay in how difficult it is for him choose it. But I’m college student comes out, to accept himself as gay. If he begins to encounter more a man has been taught his going to be who I difficulties upon entering the whole life that homosexuality am. gay community. One of the is a sin, he is less likely to big problems is dating. accept his sexual orientation Both of my informants and will not come out of the never go back into the closet have difficulty with this closet. Fear is another reason and will persist in their efforts because they attend a small many men refuse to come to overcome the obstacles liberal arts college where the out. They may be afraid of associated with being gay. LGBTQ+ community is very how their families and friends small. These difficulties are will react to their sexual Conclusion: compounded because their orientation or how they will school is located in a fairly be treated in public. They This semester, I small, conservative, rural may even fear that they will had my eyes opened to community in the Midwest. be killed for being gay. It is a world that I thought I There are several ways my also possible they could be knew. For example, before informants overcome these in denial about their sexual my conversations with my limitations, including using orientation because many informants, I had no idea online resources like dating people view homosexuality as that coming out is a life- sites and apps to find potential a choice. long process, and that it is dating partners, and trying to Simon’s reaction to not always the big “coming meet new partners through this subject was particularly out” talk many people picture friends or in public spaces. forceful. I asked him if he it to be. That conversation Though online resources believed there were any is usually reserved for a are very useful to them, positives to being gay, and he person’s family and close they bring another set of responded, “Honestly, I can’t friends. Usually, a gay college challenges for my informants 33 to overcome. Although these fluid and a person can change On the other hand, if a man online sources do not carry the tribes as he changes. Once a does not fit the stereotype, same stigma that they do in person is in a relationship, his like Simon, he could have the heterosexual community, membership in a body type trouble dating, might often there is still a question if there tribe becomes less important, be mistaken as straight, and is something wrong with you though his kink tribes are still might have to come out more if you have to use a dating site important. often than men who fulfill the or app to meet people. In addition to these stereotype. Through discussions very specific issues gay college Possibly one of the about online dating, I students deal with, there are biggest challenges gay men discovered the use of tribes, several general problems they face is self-acceptance. These which are used in dating in face that affect all gay men. men might have difficulty general and online dating These problems include things accepting themselves and specifically. In general, these like fear of hate crimes and their sexual orientation for tribes are used online in order hate speech, which can lead to the reasons listed above. All to give potential partners an fears about openly showing of these challenges make idea of how a person might affection with a significant life difficult for gay college look or what kind of kinks other while in public. Religious students and make things that they might have before beliefs are also a hurdle many are easy for their heterosexual meeting. They can help a gay men have to overcome. counterparts much harder for man narrow down his search These men fear exile from them. Many straight people for a partner fairly quickly. their faith communities, hate take it for granted that they They can be broken down from extreme religious groups, can adopt, get married, and into body type tribes and kink and even hate mail. Roderich, easily buy a house while tribes, and there are several for example, felt extremely these simple things are still classifications for each tribe unwelcome in his church struggles for gay men. Both like: amount of body fat, how when he came out because of of my informants mentioned muscular a man is, how much the judgments people made that life would be a lot easier body hair he has, his sexual about his sexual orientation. for them if they were straight, preferences (or kinks), and Stereotypes are also a big but that they are going to his age. These tribes seem to challenge for my informants. continue to be who they are be used mainly by younger If a gay man fits a certain and keep looking for a person gay men, including college- stereotype, like Roderich to share their life with. They aged gay men. My informants who is more flamboyant and will keep moving forward and believe the tribes are specific effeminate that Simon, they learning how to overcome to younger gay men because might be seen as a potential the problems they face both older gay men are no longer “GBF” (gay best friend). They in college and off the college in the dating pool. They also are not seen for anything other campus. emphasized the tribes are than their sexual orientation.

34 The Platonic Forms Matt Imoehl

I nominated his paper for the Anthology because it does something that it is very hard to do in brief space for readers lacking prior acquaintance with the PHIL 280: Plato topic. That is, for a thoughtful reader it makes a compelling case that the famous dictum is wrong about “the measure of all things.” It is not humanity (“man,” in traditional translations) that is the measure of all things, as Protagoras has it; rather, it is the intelligible yet incorporeal realities which Plato calls “Forms” that are the measure. Sophomoric textbooks appear patronizing in their exposi- Throughout the tions of Plato’s theory by suggesting that the Forms are literally mental images, and Aristotle himself seems to trivialize it in his criticisms at Metaphysics I.9. Republic and other Platonic -Chad Ray dialogues, Plato gives arguments for the reality of the Forms through the thing only becomes big out with them. We understand mouth of Socrates. Plato’s of a previously smaller state. what it means to say that one Argument from Opposites But when a finger is identified object is bigger than another paints a picture of what is as both big and small, there object, because we understand meant by the Forms, and is a contradiction. Big and the Big. This suggests that we makes a compelling case for small are opposites, so the are capable of understanding their existence. I will also finger could not be identical an intelligible reality that address a second argument to Bigness itself and to cannot be perceived by the for the Forms that I will call Smallness itself. In the finger, senses. This reality that is not the Craftsman Argument. My the senses perceive the one sensed but is understood is the intention is to present and size as both big and small, reality of the Forms. defend these two arguments as though Big and Small This is a powerful for the reality of the Forms. were mixed together; but the and compelling argument. In the Argument mind understands Bigness Rational beings understand from Opposites, from the and Smallness themselves as many things that they never Republic (523-5), Plato asks opposites, which are clearly encounter in the physical us to consider three fingers. separate from the finger. In world. No one disputes that One finger is the biggest, fact, Bigness and Smallness the Pythagorean Theorem is one the smallest, and one in must be distinct from the true for right triangles, yet no the middle. When viewing entirety of the physical world, one has ever observed a right the medium-sized finger, since all physical objects triangle or the Pythagorean it appears big compared to participate in Bigness and Theorem. If you doubt the small finger, and small Smallness to varying extents, this, consider that lines in compared to the large finger. and the size can be compared geometry have no width and Our senses view the same to either or both. Though they points have no dimensions object as being both big and participate in Bigness and at all; they are “seen” by the small. In fact, anytime we Smallness to varying extents, mind, not by the senses. We identify something that is those physical objects should can mentally grasp concepts big, we immediately draw not be confused with Bigness that seem to explain truths comparisons to smaller things. itself and Smallness itself. The about right triangles, even Something is big only relative fingers refer us to Bigness and though we have never to smaller things, and a big Smallness but are not identical encountered a right triangle. 35 Even after the death of Our minds have the mental it is a reality in which humanity and the universe capacity to grasp the Form material objects participate itself, the Pythagorean of Circularity, and that Form to varying degrees. Note too Theorem will express an is the standard to which we that Circularity itself is not eternal, unchanging truth compare the drawing. The round or a circle, any more about reality. Given this fact, fact that the artist can come than Bigness is gargantuan. it is difficult to deny that close to drawing a circle The Form is what the artist the Pythagorean Theorem shows that he also has access understands and renders has some kind of reality, to the intelligible reality of sensible or material by apparently independent of the Form of Circularity. Some imitation, but is not a sensible us. This intelligible reality is Forms are more difficult to or material thing itself. The grasped by rational beings, grasp than Circularity, yet we artist’s understanding of but the Pythagorean Theorem seem to have some knowledge Circularity allows him to draw endures even when no of them. When we hear of an approximation of a circle rational beings are around to someone abducting a child, that refers observers to the understand it. we feel compelled to say that Form of Circularity. What the Plato’s second craftsman understands is that argument, the Craftsman How could an in virtue of which sensible Argument, is taken from circles are more or less round. the Republic at 596b, when artist attempt to This might be an intelligible Socrates says: draw a perfect formula, like “the complete set “Aren’t we also of points on a given plane, at accustomed to say that it is circle without a given distance from some in looking to the idea of each knowledge of given point on that plane.” implement that one craftsman The formula is perfectly makes the couches and another the Form of intelligible; its physical the chairs we use, and similarly Circularity? approximations, mutable and for other things? For presumably imperfect. none of the craftsmen fabricates Plato succeeds in the idea itself. How could he? “ the abductor has performed an arguing for the reality of the The ideas of chairs unjust act, even if we do not Forms. The Argument from and couches are not all that have a complete understanding Opposites considers a finger powerful, so consider an artist of the Form of justice. It seems that we perceive as both big that wants to draw a circle. that there are objective truths and small, and concludes The artist gives his best about the Forms of Circularity that Bigness and Smallness attempt at drawing a circle, and Justice that do not depend must be distinct from the but it inevitably fails to be a on human knowledge or finger, because Bigness and perfect circle. The drawing existence. Smallness are opposites, and will share some similarities to The Craftsman therefore could not be the a circle, and participates in the argument is compelling same thing. The Craftsman Form of Circularity to some as well, as it is difficult to argument shows that a extent. Yet the drawing is not describe reality without craftsman cannot create the the same thing as Circularity acknowledging the existence object of his craft without itself. When we examine of eternal, unchanging, knowledge of the Form of the drawing, we observe the imperceptible realities. How that craft. Our ability to judge imperfections that prevent the could an artist attempt to the object of his craft suggests drawing from being a circle. draw a perfect circle without that we understand a reality We can do this even though knowledge of the Form of that is distinct from the no one has ever seen a perfect Circularity? Circularity is physical world. 36 circle, or Circularity itself. no mere human construct; Supervised Chaos Bailey Anderson

ENGL 240: Personal “Supervised Chaos” is a study in defamiliarization. From witty exchang- Essay es with patrons to the chore of cleaning restrooms at a public library, Bai- ley captures a view of the library that few readers will ever have consid- “Excuse me, Miss, ered. These comic asides humanize her subject and add resonance to the are you a Christian?” He deeper message about vocation that makes the narrative so memorable. sat in a geometric armchair, -Joshua Dolezal looking up from the book he read, The Bible Code. my arm halfway between my it floats in a choppy sea With immense front teeth bookcart and the bookshelf in of craziness which I had and gray peppered hair with a front of me in the middle of encountered at my job at matching handlebar mustache, reshelving Friday Night Lights. the library. But it hadn’t he reminded me distinctly of a All I could do at this happened only once. He felt mouse. He looked as if he had point was nod, as if this made the need to remind me of his been working outside, covered perfect sense. I barely listened, theory every time he saw me. in a thin film of dried sweat and instead telepathically tried He soon became a regular and cigarette ash. The skin to send a distress signal to patron, and one every library around his mouth congregated my supervisor for the night. employee avoided in the most in folds and creases, laugh I inched my bookcart toward kind-hearted way possible. lines developing with every the elevator, but not nearly *** grin that stretched across his fast enough. When I began entire jaw. While my mind was searching for a dream career, Once I had answered occupied with the distress even from the first time his question in the affirmative, signal, he continued to explain my kindergarten teacher that yes, I was a Christian, the science and theology asked what I wanted to be there was no stopping him behind his Apocalyptic theory, when I “grew up”, I never as he recounted the contents somehow coming to the put a second thought upon of his book in a nonsensical conclusion, “And the Earth the possibility of being a flurry of misguided science. is moving farther and farther librarian. Even as I took “In the book of Revelations, it away from the Milky Way.” a high school job at the predicts the end of the world, “Tell your friends library and fell in love with and I believe we’re in the about this, I’m trying to get it, I never saw myself as a end-times. When the sun sets the word out to as many cardigan-clad, coffee-guzzling tonight, look at its position; people as I can so we can all human search engine in a it’s not exactly where it should repent and be saved in the pencil skirt. My job was just be. The sun is moving toward kingdom of the Lord.” that: a job; it wasn’t a career- setting in the east and rising I smiled and agreed option. in the west. Science suggests with him half-heartedly, I bounced between this happens once every 64 quietly assuring him that I majors for most of high million years and causes all would tell everyone I knew school, each of which I was life on the planet to end.” about the world’s end. sure of being the correct one As he finished If this happened only for me until I was presented explaining about the sun and once, it wouldn’t have been with another option, much 37 the moon, I was frozen with worth mentioning, because like the bouncing I did between hobbies as a child. boiling over all at once like a with activity on weeknights. Did I want to play piano? pot of potatoes. Shamelessly, Children dash around my What about ballet? Would I declared “I want to be a legs, squeezing between the I fit best into the journalism librarian” and when I did, it onyx bookcart and myself, world? Or maybe I would felt like the truest phrase I’d and hop into the elevator, like to be a substance abuse ever spoken. playing a wildly unsupervised counselor. What about an game of tag while their elementary school teacher? It’s a common thought mother checks Facebook, I felt like a helium balloon that libraries are painfully none-the-wiser. Teenagers floating within the branches quiet, so quiet they seem even in the young adult section of a tree, constantly being devoid of life. The quiet is somehow think it acceptable passed from one aspiration often believed to be strictly to play music without to the next without much enforced by tight-lipped, tight- headphones. An elderly consequence. In the back of bunned women with pointy woman shouts at her husband my mind, I knew that when noses and glasses that don’t that her hearing aid has run I found what I was looking out of batteries. Wednesday for, I’d have no problem being afternoon movies are heard tethered to it. I felt like a throughout most of the It wasn’t until the last helium balloon second floor, thanks to our month or two of my senior new state-of-the-art speaker year of high school when I floating within the system. There is even an found my tether, and it was branches of a tree, immense amount of smoking there all along, the most that happens in the bathroom attractive and prominent constantly being on stale, cold evenings (“too branch on the tree of my passed from one cold to go outside and do it!”) interests. I had turned a blind without the knowledge of the eye to it, which was hard to aspiration to the librarians behind the desk, do considering I stared it in next without much or so they think. And there, the face three nights of the at the center of it all: the week and about half of my consequence. exhausted librarian, smiling at weekends. each patron as he or she walks When I announced in while the noise and activity to my parents that I wanted quite fit the way they should. persists, as if it didn’t exist at to be a librarian, they looked When telling friends and all. at each other knowingly, family of my aspirations of *** proud that I had finally seen becoming a librarian, it wasn’t Checking the what I had been trying my rare to hear a joke somewhere bathrooms at the end of the hardest not to see: the love I along the lines of “You’d night was always a gamble; had for my job, the love my better practice your shushing”. public restrooms nearly job and coworkers had for Having been to many always are. Most of the time, me, the skills and interests different public libraries, I I was only met with smells: which made me perfect in a can testify that the iconic smells of sweat, toilet bowls library setting, and most of silence which accompanies left semi-clean from their the all, the passion I had been most people’s perception of the day’s usage, or other less suppressing all along. library is still alive and well in pleasant smells that reminded When I began to some places, but Washington me of just what went on in report my new plan to anyone Public Library was never one there during the day. I lived who asked, I felt this passion of them. The library I claim in fear of the days where I oozing out of every pore, as my own nearly vibrates was met with the source of it. 38 Whether I opened When I left to barcode, and put it back in its the stall to discover blood in attend Central College, I original spot, I ran the pages the urinal, wads of chewing knew I would miss a lot of through my fingers, checking tobacco stuck to the beige things about working at the the publication date and Date marble-tiled walls, or what library: my co-workers and Due slip in the back, reading appeared to be the resurgence supervisors; the atmosphere; a couple sentences of each of dysentery in Washington, and of course those quiet, before replacing it. Every once Iowa, someone had to roll up sunny Saturday mornings in a while, out of the corner their sleeves, put on latex where silence rushed to me of my eye, I would catch a gloves, and clean it. like the waves in the shallow flash of movement, but when During the work end of a swimming pool, with I turned, no one and nothing week, I dealt with a was there. I hadn’t yet lot at my job, from adjusted to the lack of disgruntled patrons activity, still expecting to various bodily the constant bustle fluids. Quiet Saturday between the stacks: afternoons were my patrons slowly pacing favorite part of the back and forth, slowly job; they were a true browsing through each rarity. and every book in the I relished collection and those the sunny Saturday who knew exactly what afternoons I spent they were looking for behind the desk upon walking in. The at the library, stifling silence seemed watching would-be tangible, a shroud of patrons stroll by airborne sand clinging the library windows to me even as I left. without a second Not a single newspaper thought. They page crunched as its walked their dogs, reader desperately tried pushed strollers to put it back together full of children the way it was when with one toddler he found it, and not who bounced along Whitney Sowers, 2015 a single child peeked behind, or simply around the stacks only basked in the sunshine to dash back to the kids’ of an uncharacteristically a gentle nudge and a warm room, giggling and babbling tolerable November day. embrace. all the way. The phone didn’t Not many craved to visit a Within the first week ring. While I kept expecting square building with watery of college, I was back behind to be approached by a patron fluorescent lighting and a the circulation desk, pushing in need of assistance, or just distinct smell of must on days a rattley, onyx cart full of one walking by as I worked, like this. As for me, I loved books and taking inventory they never came, and this the way I could hear every on the third floor of Geisler lack of discord pressed down newspaper page crinkle as it Library, which was deemed on my shoulders while I turned, how the quiet seeped a “quiet zone” for studying continued to rifle through beneath my skin until all I and research. As I picked up some of the oldest books I had could feel was peace. book after book, scanned the ever had the wary pleasure of 39 holding in my hands. weekday public library and the about working at Washington Somehow, the silence sense of control I had over all Public Library, tumultuous differed from that of the of it, whether that control was pandemonium was never on public library. The silence at real or imagined. As I looked it, but it is truly one of the the public library was well- over the desk of the public things I miss the most. I deserved after a long week of library from my black mesh yearn for the corny jokes the taking hurried lunch breaks throne with lumbar support, patrons told me (“What do interrupted by a patron and a I saw a chaotically governed you call a midget psychic who shrill, screaming phone (which kingdom, and I the perceptive escapes from jail? A small both presented themselves ruler with a hand in every medium at large!”) and even at the same time, go figure) corner of it. I’d be there in a the senseless Apocalyptic and calling patrons who are blink at any sign of trouble, theories which I got to hear all just sure they returned whether that meant showing about several times a week. I their overdue books. The a computer-user how to copy miss the infallible politeness silence at Geisler Library was and paste (for the third time and the impenetrable smile uninterrupted and intense. this week) or dashing to a I gave to each patron who Instead of soaking through shelf to catch the row of books walked into the double-doors, me and allowing me to relax about to topple to the floor. whether they were about after a long week, like the I had knowledge of every to give me trouble or not. I rare silence of a Saturday aspect, able to locate a subject never dreamed I would miss afternoon, it put me on edge in the Dewey Decimal System the antics of the weekday and made me feel as if I were without looking it up first and more than the solitude of the the only person left on Earth; make double-sided copies from weekend, but when the chaos it was humid and oppressive. two single-sided originals. is more satisfying than the It didn’t take me long As I ran through the calm, that is where passion to ache for the chaos of the list of things I would miss makes its home.

40 Learning the Loess Hills Elizabeth Koele

LAS 410: Ecotones: Recipient of the John Allen Award Exploring Literature, Science, and History Liz enchants the reader with a personal journey and connection to Iowa’s Loess Hills, the landscape she calls home. I particularly appreciated her fo- cus on time as well as the layered integration of natural history, art work such as George Catlin’s “Grassy Bluffs, Upper Missouri” and her per- Driving north along sonification of the hills. The power of “Learning from the Loess Hills”en- the edge of Western Iowa, courages readers to understand this fragile treasure and protect these the flat land surrounding gentle “friends” from human impact and encroaching ecological threats. the Missouri River is the -Mary Stark definition of perfect farmland. The soil is full of nutrients interstates, to retreating their opposite edge. We part and technology allows to the distant edge of the ways a short distance from water from the Mighty Mo horizon. Somehow, the hills’ our separate destinations, to be pumped into huge presence seems to grow the and I bid the hills adieu, sprinkler systems. Glancing further they recede from my assured they will be able to out my window, I look back point of view. They appear all manage the remaining miles at the large hill I had just the more amazing defiantly unaccompanied. As promised, descended, which stretches interrupting the flat farmland, we both reach our end, a mere into the distance. This long Iowa’s very own mountains 25 miles apart and although line of raised earth will follow standing sentinel throughout we neither started nor ended me the rest of the way home. time. Before I arrive home, I our journey together, it was Through those last 90 miles, will climb the hills one last pleasant to have a familiar it will range from looming time, reaching the last leg of companion for part of the over the road as I slide my journey. For a short time, way. down its slopes to change my way will proceed along

Ides of March (cut branch fires near Missouri Valley), 1994 Keith Jacobshagen (by permission) 18” x 46” 1 41 * * * year old, I didn’t pay a lot of geological processes that had As the bus climbed attention to the information created the hills and bluffs the hill, the excitement they presented. It was hard to were as laborious as those among the third graders was believe that these seemingly necessary to create a painting. uncontainable, and when the normal hills were almost one- Around 25,000 to vehicle finally bounced to of-a-kind and had been built 12,500 years ago, large a stop in a plume of gravel up over thousands of year. glaciers covering the mid- dust, we spilled out onto the Little did I know at the time, portion of North America grass of the recreation area. the hills that had always been began to recede, signaling the It was Fieldtrip Day and present at the very edge of end of the last Ice Age.5 As we were visiting Hillview my childhood were far more they departed, their massive Recreational Park, one mile impressive and complex than weight crushed the rock west of Hinton, Iowa. I could comprehend. beneath, pulverizing The park rangers quartz rock into silt. herded us together The powdered minerals and attempted to were swept up by the establish some melted runoff from semblance of order. the glaciers, running We started off with down into larger rivers, a hike through the particularly what is park’s variety of now known as the ecosystems. First, Missouri River. The we traipsed around silt’s journey was only the woods, jumping half over, as the rivers down steps carved washed the relatively George Catlin - Grassy Bluffs, Upper Missouri4 into the hillside and heavy particles into skipping along the dirt mud flats along their and mulch paths with energy In 1832, artist George banks. Over time, these only found in elementary Catlin departed from St. deposits dried out and were students. We stopped to poke Louis, Missouri, beginning swept up by strong western at weird plants and were his 2,000 miles journey up winds, which lifted the powder instructed on the different the Missouri River.2 Along from the Missouri River valley animals and trees residing the way he encountered eastward. The heaviest of the within the forest. The trees tall waving prairies, Native pulverized rock and mineral eventually gave way to the American tribes and chiefs, wasn’t carried far, piling up park’s reconstructed prairie, and endless herds of buffalo. not far from the banks of opening onto waving grasses Eventually, he arrived at the the river and forming what and the sound of songbirds. dramatic bluffs and rolling is today known as the Iowa By the end of our trek, it hills along the banks of the Loess Hills.6 seemed as if we had travelled river. Catlin marveled at Although a fairly miles. The class gathered the tall banks, comparing common type of soil, loess back by the shelter house, them to “ramparts, terraces, seems to be a mystery to and a couple of DNR rangers domes, towers, citadels and many. It’s found all over the began speaking about what castles.”3 He depicted these world, but rarely collects in made this area so special. In soaring bluffs in a handful of such large deposits and thus basic terms they described his paintings, sparking the is frequently overlooked. the complex processes that interest of other artists in the From the German word “for had gone into creating the process. Little did George loose or crumbly”, it is defined landscape around us. As a 10 Catlin know the lengthy by geologists as a “gritty, 42 lightweight, porous material and shortgrass determined by increased when before there composed of tightly packed moisture levels.14 Although was only prairie grass.18 This grains of quartz, feldspar, “less than 2% of the hills expansion can likely be linked to mica, and other materials.”7 themselves remain in native the increased human population It exists in multiple locations grasses and forbs,” these residing in and around the hills. across the United States statistics are still better It is incredible to think that and around the world, than many other areas in within space of a few miles such which may at first make the the state, where under 1% of a drastic change in ecosystems hills seem rather ordinary. native landscape remains.15 can occur. This mix of climates Other deposits exist near This mix of grasses becomes is just another reason the Iowa rivers such as the Danube in increasingly unique through Loess Hills are truly one of a Germany.8 However, the Iowa its location in the Iowa Loess kind. Loess Hills are a “geologic Hills. Some of the plants found Despite being thousands anomaly,” worthy of being within the hills are almost 100 of years old, the Loess Hills are studied by school children miles removed from where still constantly changing and and scholars alike.9 The hills they would traditionally be evolving. Some changes have are the second largest in the located. The environment been occurring naturally but world. They are surpassed hosted in the Loess Hills is many can be directly attributed only by the loess hills of capable of hosting mixed to humans. Before the arrival Shaanxi, China, which were grasses and other organisms of European settlers, several created far longer ago and that usually only thrive in the indigenous groups lived in the stretch deeper than the Iowa more arid western sections of Iowa Loess Hills, including the formations- an estimated 2.5 the United States.16 Glenwood, Great Oasis, and million years old and 300 feet Further examining Mill Creek peoples.19 They were deep.10 In contrast, the Iowa this natural phenomenon, eventually pushed out by later hills average 60 feet, but can the structure and location settlers in the late 19th and be as deep as 150-200.11 These of the Iowa Loess Hills help early 20th centuries. The new impressive statistics alone set create two very different residents attempted to rework aside the Iowa Loess Hills as but coinciding ecosystems. the land to their liking. They a geological wonder. The western side of the hills “caused erosion directly by Straddling the very faces directly into the strong digging out roads and cellars in western edge of Iowa, the winds that frequently rush the fragile soil.”20 The groups Loess Hills stretch slightly across Iowa. The orientation also worked to stop natural over the border of Missouri, also allows for exposure to prairie fires. Invasive species of up until just past Sioux City, the hotter afternoon sun, plants, such as leafy spurge and Iowa- a length of around all cumulating to create the garlic mustard, have lately been 200 miles. They can spread aforementioned arid conditions introduced to the ecosystem and from 10 to 15 miles wide, that mimic more western have begun to choke out the and overall cover a landscape climates. In contrast, the native species. These nonnative of approximately 650,000 eastern side of the hills is plants are especially problematic acres.13 The hills are covered more gradually inclined and considering that Iowa’s largest by an incredibly unique is more sheltered from the surviving prairies are found in ecosystem. Different from wind and sun. Upon these the hills, known as the Broken the tallgrass prairies to the slopes condition are more Kettle Grasslands Preserve. east and the Missouri River suitable for forests and the Over the span of a little over Valley wetlands to the west, tallgrass prairies that used to one hundred years, human the Loess Hills host a mixed spread across the rest of the interference has drastically grass prairie, which is a state.17 In recent decades, the changed the environment and mixture between tallgrass presence of forests has steadily ecosystem of the Loess Hills.21 43 28 In addition to the the present it’s important washed away. It would problems posed by human to appreciate the hills while be a tragedy for humans to settlement, the Iowa Loess they are still with us. accelerate the destruction of Hills face naturally occurring Through careful these irreplaceable hills. issues. When they were * * * young, the hills were Sighing as I adjusted smooth piles of loosely the radio, I lamented the fact deposited loess. As they that my drive back to school were exposed to weather, had only just begun. It had the soft soil began to been less than 20 minutes erode into rough, jagged since I had departed Le Mars, formations. Erosion, both and I have well over three natural and manmade, is hours left to go. At this point, undoubtedly the largest the landscape was still well- threat to the Loess Diagram of the landscape of the Loess Hills25 known and loved. I had been Hills. According to the driving this route all my life, United States Geological study, the Loess Hills shuttling back and forth to Survey, the Iowa Loess emerge as a fascinating the amenities and resources Hills “have one of the paradox. They host two very offered by Sioux City. Just highest erosion rates in different ecosystems on their how many times had I taken the U.S., almost 40 tons/ western and eastern slopes, this journey? The number acre/year.”22 It’s alarming working in harmony. A was almost impossible to to realize how quickly one-of-a-kind prairie covers calculate. I glanced out the the hills are disappearing. the hills, mixing short and window, noting exactly As author Robert Grant tall grasses. The geological where I was: the strange wrote: “The hills are in a composition of the very hills transition between small- constant process of erosion themselves also seems to be town Hinton and the very toward joining the relative a contradiction. Although edges of the city. This area flatness of the surrounding the loess is soft and unstable, was marked by an increasing countryside.”23 There are easily eroded by weather, number of buildings, and the several clearly visible if one were to “cut a Loess large substation next to the examples of the collapse of Hill vertically…its wall can highway. I passed underneath the Loess Hills. One is the stand for decades due to the the massive powerlines that uniquely named catsteps, interlocking characteristics stretched into the distance. which are formed when of the loess soil particles.”27 Tracing the path of the the loess slips and slumps The Iowa Loess Hills are an looming power lines in my repeatedly down the slope incredibly unique landmark, mind, I followed them west, of the hills, creating small defining the landscape and where they continued to shelves of vegetation.24 On ecosystem of Western Iowa weave through the gently the larger scale, large gullies for thousands of years. Many rolling hills. I could even are common in the Loess are not mindful of exactly picture where they crossed Hills, large gaps where how rare the hills and the another highway I frequented, the natural loess has been organisms that live upon further into the shadow of carried away by rainfall. them are, and it’s important the hills. Despite the metal They can be miles long, to spread awareness. The structures’ impressive height, over one hundred feet wide, Loess Hills are “dynamic they never quite seemed to and as deep as 80 feet.26 and rapidly evolving,” and dwarf the proud presence of Although it seems inevitable the delicate soil that gives the ancient hills I call friends. that someday the Loess the hills their name may 44 Hills may be no more, for someday be completely Crows over the Catsteps, 1994 Randy Becker (by permission) 20 x 29

References and Notes 1. Cornelia Fleischer Mutel, Mary Swander, and Lynette Pohlman, Land of the Fragile Giants: Landscapes, Environments, and Peoples of the Loess Hills (Iowa City: Published for the Brunnier Art Museum at Iowa State University by the University of Iowa Press, 1994), xvi-xvii. 2. Ibid, xv. 3. Ibid., xvi. 4. “Grassy Bluffs, Upper Missouri,” National Gallery of Art, accessed November 23, 2015. 5. “Geology of the Loess Hills, Iowa,” USGS, last modified July 1999, accessed November 16, 2015. 6. Robert L. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic Environmental Ethics: The Ecological Crisis in the Loess Hills of Iowa (Lewiston: Edwin Mellen Press, 2007), 18. 7. “Geology of the Loess Hills, Iowa.” 8. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 20. 9. Ibid.,20, 9. 10. “Geology of the Loess.” 11. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 19. 12. “Unique Features of the Loess Hills,” Loess Hills National Scenic Byway, last modified 2014, accessed November 16, 2015, http://visitloess- hills.org/.; “Iowa: The Loess Hills,” The Nature Conservancy, last modified 2015, accessed November 16, 2015. 13. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 16. 14. Ibid., 10. 15. Ibid., 18. 16. Ibid., 20. 17. Mutel, Swander, and Pohlman, Land of the Fragile, xxi. 18. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 20. 19. Ibid., 21. 20. “Iowa: The Loess Hills,” The Nature Conservancy.; Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 23,33. 21. “Geology of the Loess.” 22. Grant, A Case Study in Thomistic, 19. 23. Mutel, Swander, and Pohlman, Land of the Fragile, xxi. 24. “Geology of the Loess.” 25. Ibid. 26. “Unique Features of the Loess,” Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. 27. “Geology of the Loess.” 28. Mutel, Swander, and Pohlman, Land of the Fragile, xvi-xvii.; “Randy Becker’s Crows over the Catsteps also speaks of humanity’s attempted dominance over the land. While birds dance in the sky over the stepped hills, high-power lines dissect heaven and earth. ”

45 An Evolutionary Approach to Vocalizations and Hearing Adaptations BIO 320: Evolution in Killer Whales

Background Information Stephanie Griffih & Jessica Mozga

It was when baby Stephanie and Jessica wrote this for Evolution, an upper level biol- killer whale, Kasaka, ogy class. Students have to develop a proposal of research they would was born into SeaWorld like to conduct that answers an evolutionary question. I chose their and then transported to paper because they did a beautiful job of explaining what is known another park location when about vocalizations in killer whales. They were able to identify mother Takara was observed a gap in the knowledge of the evolution of vocalizations for hunt- producing an extreme long- ing and developed a hypothesis and a way to test that hypothesis. range vocal pattern never -Paulina Mena heard before by humans. Frequently studied today, killer whales have evolved the in auditory communication, vocal learning—vocalizations ability to produce a variety in response to adapted produced by choice in order of vocalizations with a wide vocalizations in prey, leads to achieve a certain goal— range of frequencies. These to increased fitness in killer has been studied among few vocalizations seem to serve whales, then the individuals groups of organisms such several functions, some who are able to perceive as birds, bats, elephants, known, but as witnessed with and respond to the new Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, Takara in the film Blackfish vocalizations will be successful and porpoises), and some (Cowperthwaite, 2013), some predators and a change in primates, but is considered unknown. Because of these auditory perception will be rare (Sewall, 2012, p 1). This whales’ geographical range, observed. type of call, often referred to they are difficult research Communication as a matched call, provides subjects but nevertheless among species in the Animal benefits to those that produce deserve to be studied due to Kingdom is regularly the vocalization as well as to their complex cognitive and observed, however, some those who listen and respond communication capabilities. organisms have evolved in to the call. These calls serve From this research review, we both auditory function as well many purposes including would like to know: what is as vocalized communication. finding a mate, parental care the evolutionary function of Many different forms of of young, group membership, different vocalization forms in communication through teamwork, and hunting. killer whale communication vocalization have been Bottlenose dolphins and how does this affect observed such as songs, clicks, and killer whales are well observed behavior? Our whistles, squawks, barks, studied for their match calls. hypothesis is that if changes and quacks in many different Male dolphins often form frequencies. The ability of alliances and change their 46 calls to match each other. perception is the result of the while in close proximity This is an example of group evolutionary development to each other—probably membership in organisms (p within their order. The just to maintain spatial 10). Likewise, killer whales ability to learn vocalizations cohesion—whereas higher form social groups referred is part of this complexity. frequencies were used for to as pods, and are extremely Beluga whales and killer long distance travel as well successful hunters in these whales have been known to as in the presence of mixed groups working together in imitate signals from other pods—perhaps to ensure that order to find food. Their individuals and species. This sound is received by intended strategy heavily relies on was witnessed by scientists individuals. the communication between in a study devoted to beluga Whistles in dolphins individuals in the pod (p 9). whales, particularly a calf not only indicate spatial Despite the imitating its father’s call but awareness but also serve as disadvantage to studying only after he was introduced a mechanism for individual Cetaceans in their aquatic to the group—a clear recognition in pods, contact habitat, this group of indication of vocal learning calls between mother and calf, organisms is studied often (Janik, 2014, p 60). The first distress calls, and aggression. due to the abundance of discovered evidence of vocal Signature whistles exchanged vocalization abilities including learning was recorded in between the mother and chirps, cries, moans, clicks, baleen whale males; all males calf is an essential form and whistles. Also, because of within a Hawaiian breeding of communication in the human advances in technology ground were found to all first few months of calf and mobility, these animals sing the same song to attract development. These vocal have been caught and heavily a mate but with elements communicative interactions studied in captivity. Dolphins in each theme that changed are important for bonding in particular are favored over time. Interestingly, and recognition (Janik, p 62). because of their size and the males synchronized this Distress whistles are different adaptability to controlled change, which also suggests in acoustic structure from environments. Captivity vocal learning was involved contact/signature whistles for Cetaceans, however, has (p 61). Cetaceans’ large in that they are emitted in disadvantages because of range of vocalizations have stressful situations, and a certain species’ large body developed due to cognitive whistle rising and falling sizes, food preferences, and capabilities—a result of in frequency twice can be a highly mobile behavior. complex social behaviors form of intimidation signaling Though they can be studied at and dependence on social (Stebbins, 1983, p 115). sea, it is difficult for humans relationships in large As important as vocal to observe Cetaceans without societies. signals are, the presence of disturbing their natural How Cetaceans use silence is also an informative behavior and because of the their abilities varies depending communication style. For complications associated with on behavior and function. example, because dolphins working at sea (Sebeok, 1977, Calls in killer whales and are commonly vocal within p 794). whistles in dolphins seem pods, the sudden absence of With the data that has to serve a shared purpose of vocals can act as an alarm been observed in Cetaceans, it spatial awareness and social call, perhaps to warn other is evident that their complex relationships (p 61). Filatova individuals of predators. communication style is highly (2013) found that different call Silence is also typical in advanced, probably meaning types were used for different killer whale pods while their physical features situations. For example, resting in close proximity involved with auditory low frequency vocalizations to pod members (p 115). It vocalizations and sound in killer whales were used is also used in attempt for 47 killer whales to ambush prey Vocalizations are relationship is observed in (dos Santos & Almada VC, found in various animals; killer whales and their prey 2004, p 402). The absence however, the ability for vocal that have adapted over time of acoustic signaling in learning is limited to only in response to one another’s Cetaceans represents the a few groups of organisms vocal communication strong bond that individuals including Cetaceans. This styles. Various species of share within pods as well as order has developed sperm whales, porpoises, the vast intelligence they have many unique auditory and dolphins (known as evolved. communication styles over odontocetes), which are Being the ocean’s top time that has increased their preyed upon by killer whales, predator, Orcinus orca, more fitness. Killer whales have have experienced loss in commonly known as the surpassed other Cetaceans vocal whistles. This suggests killer whale, this organism due to their highly evolved these vocalizations are costly has evolved to obtain this intelligence and vocalization to produce either because status. Their high level of capabilities. Their of energy consumption or intelligence displayed through dependence on community predation risk (May-Collado predation is evidence of the for successful hunting et al., 2007, p 9). Morisaka overall species’ fitness, which strategies demonstrates and Connor found that some was acted on by the forces their evolutionary need of these odontocetes have of natural selection. These for developed auditory adapted to using narrow- evolutionary changes as communication. Finally, their band click communication well as those pertaining to status as a top predator of and high frequency sound (p their auditory development the ocean is an indicator of 1439). In return, it would be have been studied widely. the species’ overall successful assumed that killer whales, Originally, researchers fitness. being the top predator, would thought that vertical respond through adaptation transmission—from mother Statement of the Problem specialized in hearing to calf—and changes that narrow-band clicks and high occurred in pod dialect was Our research proposal frequency sound over time. due to mimicking error. is based off the work of Filatova (2010) however Morisaka and Connor Significance argues that horizontal (2007) and their findings. transmission exists within Their focus was on the Our study is pods between adults. If the coevolution of killer whales important for further original evolutionary theory and their prey. In terms comprehension of this holds true, the similarity of evolutionary studies, predator-prey relationship in calls between observed the concept of coevolution that demonstrates pods should change at an is key in understanding mechanisms observed in identical rate, however, they relationships between two coevolution. By researching were found to change at different species. The idea the evolution of killer whales, different rates suggesting is that the relationship is we can better understand that cognitive development always changing; one species their level of intelligence and directly relates to the species’ determines the response of how this directly correlates to auditory signaling (p 965- another. In this situation, their fitness. The complexity 968). The signaling was the ability to adapt quickly of their communicative carried from the calf stage will generate the best-fit evolution may also aid to the adult stage in an individuals; therefore, sexual in further research and individual’s lifetime, thus reproduction is highly knowledge focusing on how leading to the development of favored for its beneficial the human language came to gene selection. This be (Janik, 2014, p 1). 48 horizontal transmission. Methods in order to simulate more narrow-band clicks and high naturalistic responses in the frequency—or “detected”—all As stated previously, killer whales. A variety of other vocalizations. Both our hypothesis is that recordings including narrow- undetected and detected if changes in auditory band clicks, high frequency sounds would be played for communication, in response sound, as well as other natural whales in captivity. Once to adapted vocalizations communication styles used a week, for four months, in prey, leads to increased in socializing, hunting, and each sound—undetected and fitness in killer whales, then traveling will be played for detected—would be played the individuals who are killer whales in captivity to on different days randomly able to perceive and selected each week. respond to the new Each sound would be vocalizations will be played before being fed successful predators to test if individuals and a change in would respond more auditory perception strongly. Playing each will be observed. If vocalization before we were to conduct meal times would be this research, the done to mimic Pavlov’s focus would be on classical conditioning multiple killer whale experiment in individuals in captivity. psychology with dogs Since this type of and bells, hopefully interaction between to receive similar prey and predator responses. Over time, would be difficult to various vocalizations observe in the wild by would be played for researchers, captive the captive killer killer whales are a whales, and after viable alternative for the vocalizations research purposes. were played, the Since Morisaka whales would be and Connor (2007) fed. Eventually, we have shown that would get to a point odontocetes often where the undetected preyed on by killer Melissa Ketchum, 2015 vocalizations would be whales are capable of played, and the whales producing narrow-band clicks trigger a response or change that can perceive these sounds and high frequency sounds, in behavior. Playing sounds would respond as if they are playing recordings of these meant to go as “undetected” or receiving food. This would vocalizations to the killer “detected” will help distinguish tell us which individuals whales in captivity allow to the fitness of individuals in are the most fit and evolved observe which individuals, if captivity. If an individual specialized hearings. The any, can perceive them. To responds to a narrow-band purpose of not performing the obtain these recordings, we click or high frequency sound, experiment at a set time each would use sperm whales, then this individual would be day would prevent the whales porpoises and dolphins as considered more fit than the from becoming accustomed to subjects for vocalization. others. schedule and therefore exhibit All recordings would be Recordings would be natural behaviors. Our target taken from wild populations referred to as “undetected”— subject group would include 49 individual whales of all ages frequency of sound emitted by sound are found in areas with to best simulate a wild pod. their prey. Also, if individuals less prey species in number, A microphone playing the can perceive the undetected it may be that other factors recording would be placed on vocalizations, then we would are causing this evolutionary the side of the tanks. expect the more fit whales to change in killer whale Individuals who respond as if they are going to auditory perception. respond to the undetected be fed when the vocalization Since age is another vocalizations at the end of the recording is played. These factor, showing results in experiment will be considered assumptions are based the form of graphing may be to have the beneficial hearing on the results of Pavlov’s beneficial to identify if this adaptation. Individual dog and bell experiment adapted hearing is due to recognition of captive in psychological classical genetics in juveniles. If the whales would be needed in conditioning. trait were passed on, we would order to document which Responses from the expect to see responses to individuals are responding target subject grouping the undetected vocalizations. and perceiving the sound would be important when Graphs would allow us to emitted. If individuals were interpreting results, because visualize the results and in fact interpreting the responses in juvenile show the differences between undetected vocalizations, then individuals would tell us that perception in adults and we would expect to see the this adaptation is beneficial juveniles. same individuals responding and is being passed down in The problem with each time the experiment is generations. Responses in any studying marine organisms is conducted. individual might give us more the vast size and depth of the information on the pods of ocean that limit our human Expected Results, Analysis, their ancestors and the pod’s technological capabilities. and Interpretation overall fitness. If individuals This prevents us from being can perceive the undetected able to study Cetaceans at full Since killer whales frequencies, this would potential. However, much are considered to be top suggest that they come from a research has been conducted predators, we would expect more successful pod. with organisms in captivity, that they would eventually In our results section, but these results differ from evolve in response to the to help analyze data, we would what would be expected in behavior of their prey. In our include all observations in a the wild likely because these study specifically, we would table. Separating individuals individuals live in controlled expect roughly one-third to who perceive undetected environments. In captivity, one-half of the individuals sounds versus those who individuals are not exposed to perceive and respond to only perceive detected sounds to predation, interactions the undetected recordings. would be beneficial, because with various Cetacean species, All individuals would most we could use this information or interactions with other likely respond to the detected to locate pod fitness on a Cetaceans of the same species. recordings, because these geographical scale. This Also, the fact that Cetaceans would definitely be perceived may include a map of pods are so mobile in the ocean and unless the individual suffers around the world related to humans are so limited affects from a hearing handicap. the individuals capable of the research that can be done. It is possible that none of perceiving undetected sound. Finally, human presence the individuals perceive or We could then compare and disturbance could cause respond to the undetected the location of pods to the unnatural behavioral and recordings; this could be distribution of recorded vocal responses that will skew simply because all individuals toothed whale species. If pods the data. Because of these 50 are not adapted to this capable of hearing undetected limitations, not much research has been published on certain This would be an enormous of the rate of change in the aspects of Cetacean behavior step to understanding species. Overall, our study is and communication in the killer whale auditory important, because this area wild, which is why our study communication adaptation of gained undetected calls could be used to advance our and their intelligence. We in prey has little research. knowledge on this subject. may also be able to identify Knowing which individuals where these changes are perceive undetected sound will Conclusion geographically occurring, help us identify the most fit which pods are more individuals in captivity, which Our data could provide successful in hunting, and how may indicate killer whale pod more evolutionary knowledge these changes correlate with success rates worldwide. on the coevolution between prey distribution. Age may killer whales and their prey. be an important indication

References

Cowperthwaite G. 2013. Blackfish. Netflix. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite. Dallas, Magnolia Pictures.

Dos Santos M, Almada V. 2004. A Case for Passive Sonar: Analysis of Click Train Production Patterns by Bottlenose Dolphins in a Turbid Estuary. In: Thomas JA, Moss CF, Vater M, editors. Echolocation in Bats and Dolphins in Illinois. Chicago: The University of Chicago Press. p 401-403.

Filatova OA, Burdin AM, Hoyt, E. 2010. Horizontal Transmission of Vocal Tradiitons in Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Dialects. Biology Bulletin. 37: 965-971.

Filatova O, Guzeev M, Fedutin I. 2013. Dependence of Killer Whale (Orcinus orca) Acoustic Signalson the Type of Activity and Social Context. Biology Bulletin [Internet]. [2013, cited 2015 Feb 10] Vol. 40, No. 9 pp.790-796.

Janik VM. 2014. Cetacean vocal learning and communication. Current Opinion in Neurobiology. 28: 60-65.

Morisaka T, Connor R.C. 2007. Predation by killer whales (Orcinus orca) and the evolution of whistle loss and narrow-band high frequency clicks in odontocetes. Journal of Evolutionary Biology. 20: 1439-1458.

May-Collado L, Agnarsson I, and Wartzok D. 2007. Phylogenetic review of tonal sound production in whales in relation to sociality. BMC Evolutionary Biology. 7:136.

Sebeok TA. 1977. How Animal Communicate. Bloomington, (IN): Indiana University Press. p 794-806.

Sewall K. 2012. Vocal Matching in Animals. American Scientist. 100(4): 306-315.

Stebbins, WC. 1983. The Acoustic Sense of Animals. Cambridge, (MA): Harvard University Press. p 110-118.

51 La Vega Sam Davis

Sam’s essay is a snapshot of an ordinary Sunday ritual--a walk with his host parents to their vegetable garden outside Grana- ENGL 343: Travel Writing da. But however ordinary that walk sounds, it’s really an exotic es- say full of wonderful characters, sharp description, and connections We found ourselves to his Iowa home and childhood. These experiences are why we travel. walking again, this time -Keith Ratzlaff away from the city center, and towards the countryside. fingers outstretched. The time walking. On a typical Laura, a friend of my host western border of Granada is weekday, I calculated that parents, was visiting for the formed by a major highway, I walked about seven miles, weekend, and we’d decided to and just to the west of that and up to ten or eleven if cap off a lazy Sunday with a highway lies our destination, I ventured out at night. visit to the garden, as Antonio, an open, fertile valley - La There’s something so my host father, was eager to Vega - a pastoral gem not yet balancing—so human— check in on his crop. Despite spoiled by urbanization. about putting one foot our leisurely pace, we were We sauntered on, in front of the other, and intent on escaping the buzz of crossing the river, pausing letting the mind go where it the city for the calming allure only for a moment when may. of La Vega - the vast, flat area Antonio spotted a familiar With the sun still of countryside neighboring face among the throngs of well above the horizon, I Granada proper. granadinos headed home for imagined it was around The valley in which the night. “Como andas?” she seven o’clock, but I Granada lies is somewhat inquired (literally “How are supposed it didn’t matter bowl-shaped, flanked by you walking?”, but meaning - I hadn’t bothered to foothills and mountains on “How have you been?”). I check the time all day, as nearly all sides. To the east thought it ironic, given our was the usual on Sundays is the city, rising and falling circumstances, and asked in Andalucía. Often the with the contours of the land, myself the same question. majority of the day was with the cathedral as the jewel At this point in my stay spent preparing for and in the center of its crown, in Granada, I’d long since thoroughly enjoying the the tanned stone standing in reconciled myself with day’s most anticipated contrast against the various the natural rhythm of my occasion - lunch. There grays and whites of office footsteps - I’d found my was nothing more on the buildings and apartments. pace, as it were. I suppose agenda. Further east, the Alhambra I finally slowed my mind Study abroad rests on its prominent perch, enough for my body to catch students like myself are overlooking the valley, which up, and the ensuing reunion trained to make the most is speckled with pueblos of had me feeling gathered for of their time, to go and go, many sizes, all connected once. I’m convinced that this to see and do, to make a to the main city through tranquility that’d somehow hasty trip to yet another branching roads. From the taken hold of me over the alleged paradise during south, the mazy foothills of the course of the last couple every spare moment – after Sierra Nevada grope towards months had something to all, it may be the chance of 52 the city fringe like withered do with spending a lot of a lifetime. However, those curious Sundays in Andalucía again because of urban sprawl see those long gravel roads began to catch ahold of me, and the ever-increasing lack tapering off into the distance, slowing me down and keeping of fertile farmland. Terracotta and electrical wires draped in me near, my plans to travel tiles ran the roofs, delicate an endless procession over the Europe gradually evaporating. cascades of earthen orange. hills, everything converging On Mondays, many of my There were wooden shacks and growing closer together friends in class used to nestled between bushes and towards a center point, until complain about the previous long grass, their frames suddenly, the line ends, and night’s frenzied return to warped from the searing earth touches sky. However, Granada, ranting on and on Andalusian summers. The rather than what meets the about deceiving budget flights paths ahead widened and eye, it’s the simplicity that and logistical hiccups. To be turned from concrete to dazes me - and the solitude! honest, I was envious, but gravel. I felt a rush. As a boy, I liked to imagine still I preferred to stay home. As a native Iowan, that the gravel roads were Almost every Sunday night, I’ll admit I’m actually quite unpaved only because the I’d leave my snoring host fond of long gravel roads, tires that had ventured out to parents to the news, lug my and fields of corn and beans, pound the rocks into asphalt mattress out onto the terrace of river bottoms strewn with were still too few. and lie down to watch the cottonwoods, the occasional Were it not for the first stars squeeze through thriving prairie (most hum of rubber on pavement, the twilight sky, Manolete the of which are long gone), I would have thought myself tiger cat purring in my lap. and sumac-laden county long removed from Granada. Before us, deep golden highways. I found a weird A mere five-minute walk back beams streaked the asphalt, sort of humble pleasure in towards the city could’ve land light pouring in through the attempting to explain the us in a shopping mall, which narrow streets running east Iowan landscape to my host sits adjacent to the highway. to west and spilling onto the parents during my first few We followed a winding dirt sidewalk. I thought of my days with them. It’s always road, passing beneath a home back in Iowa, of that bothered me when people canopy of roses in full bloom, soft pink light that floods in (especially natives) label Iowa which clung to a trestle that through the west windows in as plain and boring. There’s arched over the meandering the living room after supper. actually much to see, but it path. Beaming, Jesusa plucked As the sun continued to sink, must be sought after, and one and placed it in her hair, the west-facing sides of the with patience. It was this that something I’d already seen her buildings took on a salmon- I wanted to communicate, do many times by that point. tinted hue, much like the but my rusty Spanish didn’t The fragrance came in waves. peaks of the Sierra Nevada allow for it. Antonio and Rounding a corner, we in the distance, also ablaze, Jesusa offered polite smiles arrived at the gardens. The basking in the lingering in consolation and made me field before me was subdivided rays of Lorenzo (the sun as promise to send pictures when into about 20 rectangular personified by the locals). I returned home, although I plots of comparable size, We were nearing that was afraid they wouldn’t see marked by shallow ditches line which, on the western things the way I do. I feel a dug into the soil. Antonio fringe of Granada, marks bit stir crazy when I can’t see offered an explanation - a city the clash of the rural and all of the sky, and I’m calmed organization owns the land the urban – Autovía A-44. by a view that extends out to and rents out plots, providing From where we were, I could the horizon, not obstructed by tools and seed in exchange already make out the fields, office buildings and cathedrals for a monthly payment. It and the old plantation houses (as grand as they may be). seemed that many people took once abandoned but taken up When I picture home, I advantage, for the place was 53 still teeming with life even a rather gravelly voice, but kittens. with the fast receding light. her talk of universal energy On both sides of the Some had slings and baskets and harmony and love seems road, there were numerous already full of early spring to purify it, in a way. The plots of different shapes and harvests – beans, spinach, last time I saw her before sizes, but all seemed to be swiss chard, lettuce greens. leaving Spain, I told Laura plowed in the same manner We followed a footpath I didn’t know if I’d ever see – rows and rows of perfect towards the heart of the field, her again, and that I’d miss lines of elevated dirt, the passing a frail, hunched señora her terribly. She laughed and seedlings just beginning to who had dedicated her entire kissed me on the cheek, and poke through the crest and plot to flowers, which were told me our spirits have a unfolding, revealing the first in full bloom. We stopped connection - we’d find each small leaves, mere wisps of for a moment to shower her other someday. I can still light green at that point. I with compliments, and then picture her movements - kept walking, passing by row resumed our meandering running a thin hand through after row, lines bending and down the path, which was her hair, a cigarette dangling shifting in my peripherals, thinning now. An older precariously between her one after the other in man stepped out of our way, fingers. She’d take a slow and succession. treading lightly between rows methodical drag, then tilt her When I was a child, of potatoes, leaning on his head back slightly like she I used to blink my eyes with rake and brushing away the always did, gently exhaling regular intervals marking perspiration beading up at his the smoke through pursed each time the car passed an temples with a dirty glove. lips, with a faint whisper. electrical tower. My vision After a short time we reached Before she could enjoy would follow the rise and Antonio’s plot. He stood still a single puff of the cigarette the fall of that single wire, for a moment, legs apart, she’d rolled, Antonio called tethered precariously to hands on his hips, and then us over to behold the its wooden post. Then I’d went right to work. Laura and breathtaking cauliflower he’d imagine a man running on I collapsed on a nearby bench been coddling for the last few the shoulder at 55 miles an to rest our weary legs for a weeks. “Oui, oui,” whispered hour next to the car, like spell, and she began to roll a Laura in affirmation. We a road-runner, his legs a cigarette. all chuckled, and Antonio flesh-colored blur. I would Laura, a native of went back to his harvesting, make him plunge down into France, had been living beaming with pride. Laura lit the ditches and then, with a in Spain for more than 30 her cigarette. burst of speed, ramp off of years, and most recently had After a short while, the upcoming slope, up into moved to a humble abode when we’d finished the bulk the sky with a magnificent in the barren mountains of of the picking, Jesusa urged leap, limbs flailing in the air, Southern Spain, where she me to walk back down the finally slamming down again lived alone - save for her gravel road to catch a glimpse on the next downslope. But many feline friends. Even of the new litter of kittens by most often, especially when though she spoke Spanish the toolsheds – the owner of I was dozing off, I would with near-native fluency, she the plots had cats brought in stare directly out the window still answered questions with a while ago in an attempt to to my left —I always sat “Oui, oui.” A gentle woman do away with the rodents that on the left—and try not to of small stature, her lack plagued the old buildings. I move my eyes while watch of makeup and plain garb nodded, and started walking the stripes of corn and beans reflected her contempt for once again, back down the pass by me, something akin material things. Laura has gravel road, but not for the to a film reel. On other 54 occasions I’d pick out a row was a bit confused, but kept forcing them see things up ahead, and wait for us to on with Spanish as well in an from our own point of view. approach it, following it with effort to keep my host parents Perhaps we all just want to my gaze as it neared. Then, included in the conversation. be understood – I think we in that one moment when I asked Jimmy where he was all have something worth the car reached the row - a from, and told him I was from sharing, after all. Regardless, flash - the row would form a Iowa. “Wait, what the hell?” I took my chance to boast, straight line leading from my he exclaimed, suddenly, in and cracked more jokes than perspective to the horizon, English. “You’re not Spanish?” my usual self, making sure to but only for a passing instant, I tried to stifle my laughter laugh with extra delight as and then it’d be behind us, – here were two Americans, to communicate to my host quickly receding, bending and oblivious to each other, both parents that I did in fact have elongating once again. Ask hiding behind guises - one a sense of humor. My glee was any small-town Midwestern Asian and the other, Spanish. short-lived, as the Spaniards child and they will know Jimmy looked to the sky and became bored (Jesusa always what I mean. groaned, pestering me for told me she hated the sound Back at our plot, letting him struggle through of English) and wandered after some time (having been back towards Antonio’s plot, through considerable talk daylight quickly receding. regarding bean trestles and Golden hour had Jimmy’s voice was pepper strains), Antonio got laid-back, and he shaped and my attention, “Mira pa’lla.” set in, and the drew out all the vowels in his He gestured to a man in valley was bathed words – speech reminiscent a straw hat a couple plots of a surf bum, or someone of down. “Yimi.” I vaguely in an ethereal the like. I couldn’t help but remembered hearing this glow, the sun grin. He’d moved to Granada name come up over dinner three years ago, originally a couple times - the name clinging to the from Wisconsin, and had of a “funny” man Antonio horizon. been living with his family had wanted me to meet. We in Seattle, when out of pure all wandered over towards boredom they decided to Yimi’s plot. He was in the a Spanish conversation all that uproot and go somewhere middle of a conversation time. new. We talked of his family, with another gardener, also There was no holding of Spain, of what we missed an acquaintance of Antonio, back; we eagerly burst forth back home, and how the and we joined in. “Yimi” into rapid English. The granadinos teased him for his sported a Green Bay Packers Spaniards’ eyebrows raised, “nontraditional” gardening t-shirt, athletic shorts, and and they glanced at each methods. I asked him if he thong sandals - undoubtedly other, completely lost now, ever regretted the move. American. After a few but we didn’t care much “Never”, he asserted - “Look minutes of conversation, anymore. It felt incredible around, this place is beautiful!” Antonio introduced me to to speak my native language He was right. Golden hour Jimmy, whom I’d pegged as in front of my host parents, had set in, and the valley Asian all along because of for the burden of confusion was bathed in an ethereal my host father’s struggle that I was used to carrying glow, the sun clinging to to pronounce the English was theirs to bear for a short the horizon. If I blurred my sounds. Knowing little about time. There’s a certain dark vision, the landscape became me, Jimmy continued to satisfaction we get in turning something reminiscent of speak to me in Spanish. I the tables on someone, in a work of Monet, dashing 55 streaks of color squiggling place – I was an insignificant *** and squirming in a constant speck, but I did have a story. The sun had set and and dazzling display. Leaves For a moment, I was fully the cool of the night was and flowers danced and conscious of myself where I already upon us. We gathered swayed in the breeze, each was – my place in the garden, the night’s crop - cardoon miniscule movement catching in the valley, and in the stalks, leeks, beans, and the some of that heavenly golden world, as if things had been small red peppers that Jesusa light and reflecting it with put rightly back into scale hangs on a cord in the kitchen a quick flash. There was a and perspective. As soon as it to dry. We then stopped clarity that caused things to came, it was gone. I looked to briefly at the toolshed and seem dreamlike - colors so my surroundings once more, dropped off what we had pure, a breeze so gentle. I everything bathed in the borrowed. Those first stars remember turning to the glow of Lorenzo and radiating I’d grown so fond of were south and seeing the Sierra beauty. I saw the gravel beginning to appear overhead, Nevada, which had been to road, a gentle curve, and the speckling the sky. We gave my back most of the evening, electrical wires, draped like our farewells to the big sky, and in the vibrant, lucid light, tapestry, following road’s arc, and we set off, refreshed, back those mountains put me in my on and on. down the gravel road, toward the city lights.

5657 Extraction and Depolymerization of Natural Rubber from Common Milkweed Kevin Jack

The writing intensive Advanced Organic Chemistry course focuses on CHEM 430: Advanced the development of disciplinary, technical writing skills. The assign- Organic Chemistry ment represented here required students to write a research article in the format of the Journal of Organic Chemistry based on the experiments Abstract they performed during the lab section of this course. While the typical style for submission to this journal is technical I thought Kevin was able to write this piece in a way that was accessible to a lay audience and still Isoprene is a met the high standard of technical writing and experimental results common biologically -Jay Wackerly produced hydrocarbon and the monomer of natural rubber. Most natural rubber transition metal catalyzed been numerous attempts is extracted from Hevea methods. Characterization of at the isolation of NR from brasiliensis, a tree native to the recovered isoprene was plants domestic to North South America. Here we accomplished by 1H NMR America.2,3,4,5 Early in the describe attempts to recover and GC analysis. 20th century interest in isoprene from Asclepias finding a domestic source syriaca, common milkweed, Introduction for natural rubber stemmed which is native to and from its utility as one of the abundant in Iowa. Natural Natural rubber (NR) most important polymers in rubber was extracted from is a polymer of isoprene the world. It was used in a milkweed through a series produced in many plants, wide range of applications of liquid solid extractions. most notably the rubber such as tires, hoses, jacketing Depolymerization of isoprene tree, Hevea Brasiliensis. for wires, the soles of shoes, from natural rubber was Around 98% of the NR and water-proof materials. attempted by thermal, produced comes from this Because rubber was required peroxide catalyzed, and tree.1 However, there have for so many common products, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford both had a hand in investigating possible domestic sources of NR, namely goldenrod and milkweed.2 Interest increased during World War II when the Allies’ access to rubber in 5758 Southeast Asia6 was severely of petroleum refinement, Results and Discussion cut off, and there were still no chemical industries may domestic sources. This posed begin to rely more heavily The extraction a problem: on biological sources for of natural rubber from “A modern nation could their supply of commodity milkweed leaves by serial 8 not hope to defend itself without chemicals. solid liquid extractions was rubber. The construction of a One commodity effective and facile. Initially military airplane used one-half chemical used to make an aqueous extraction was ton of rubber; a tank needed synthetic rubber is isoprene. used to remove the water about 1 ton and a battleship, 75 Isoprene was first isolated by soluble compounds at reflux tons. Each person in the military the thermal depolymerization for 30 min. Next an acetone required 32 pounds of rubber of NR in 1860, by C.G. extraction removed the 10 for footwear, clothing, and Williams (Scheme 1.). Most terpenoids, isoprenoids, equipment. Tires were needed attempts to depolymerize glycerols, and sterols.4 for all kinds of vehicles and natural rubber yield low Finally a toluene extraction aircraft.7” molecular weight liquid allowed for the recovery 11,12,13 However, acquiring rubber natural rubber (LNR). of polyisoprene from the from milkweed or goldenrod LNR chains are shorter, and milkweed leaves. The yield was not feasible on a scale typically terminated with by mass was 2.2 % which large enough to supply the oxygen bearing functional is comparable to yields of war effort. The U.S. instead groups that increase the 2.4 ± 1.8 % reported by implemented the synthetic utility of the molecule Volaric4 but less than the rubber program, a grand and thus garnered more 4.4 % reported by Harvey 12 undertaking that ultimately research focus. Ravindran and Hallend.5 Recovery of succeeded and no doubt and coworkers reported NR was confirmed by 1H influenced the outcome of partial photocatalyzed NMR and comparison to a the war.7 With the advent of radical degradation of known standard. Our method quality synthetic rubbers in natural rubber at room of extraction, though not the 1940s, the demand for a temperature in the presence as high yielding as others, domestic source of NR was of hydrogen peroxide to was efficient and required virtually eliminated until the produce hydroxyl terminated no specialized equipment or 12 oil shortages of the 1970s, LNR. Sakdapipanich difficult set ups. when research into extraction and coworkers reported a A total of five of rubber from domestic metal-catalyzed oxidation depolymerization reactions plants began to resurge.3 depolymerization with were attempted to obtain 13 Today, interest Co(acac)2 yielding LNR. isoprene (Table 1). Since in obtaining commodity Inspired by these reports the amount of NR extracted chemicals--such as ethanol of partial depolymerization from milkweed was on for fuel use--from renewable we report our attempts to the milligram scale, sources has rebounded due develop a new, efficient depolymerization experiments to the prospect of declining synthetic strategy in order to utilized NR acquired from oil availability and increasing extend the reaction to obtain commercial suppliers. levels of atmospheric isoprene from natural rubber. Thermal depolymerization carbon.8,9 In 2007, ca. 13% of at 450 °C with a copper wire the crude oil consumption in the US was used for non-fuel chemical production.4 Without the vast, inexpensive source of 58 hydrocarbon byproducts Conclusion The resulting powder (17.05 g) and 150mL of DI water A fast and simple was transferred to a 250 method for the extraction mL Erlenmeyer flask. The of polyisoprene from A. solution was refluxed for 30 syriaca leaves was developed. min, vacuum filtered, and the

Fe2(CO)10 was the most retentate washed with water promising catalyst surveyed, and transferred to another with oligomers and a small 250 mL Erlenmeyer flask amount of isoprene observed along with 150 mL acetone. packed fractioning column, in the distillate. Thermal The solution was then which ensured that short decomposition of polyisoprene refluxed for 1.5 h, vacuum oligomers would not carry was successful in yielding filtered, and the retentate over with the distillate, measurable amounts of washed with acetone until successfully afforded isoprene isoprene. the filtrate was colorless. The in 2.2 % yield. The peroxide resulting pale yellow powder catalyst had no effect, Experimental Section was then transferred to a 250 evidenced by 1H NMR. mL Erlenmeyer flask with Using a catalytic amount of General. Milkweed 100 mL toluene. The solution leaves were picked from was refluxed for 1 h and then Fe2(CO)10 produced a mixture of oligomers and a small mature plants at the Central vacuum filtered. The filtrate amount of isoprene, evidenced College Field Station in was concentrated by heated by GC and 1H NMR while late July, 2015. The leaves evaporation under a stream the reaction with Pd(PPh ) were packed in mason jars of nitrogen affording 375 3 4 and stored frozen prior mg (2.2%) polyisoprene as a yielded a thick brown tar. 1 Reflux times were to use. The solvents used yellow white solid. H NMR were reagent grade and (300 MHz, CDCl ) 5.300 (t, constrained to 4 h to ensure 3 δ efficiency, so it is possible obtained from Sigma-Aldrich. J = 6.0, 1H), 2.208 (m, 4H), Pd(PPh ) , Fe (CO) , di-tert- 1.773 (s, 3H). that the catalyzed reactions 3 4 2 10 simply had not progressed butylperoxide, and cis- to the point of producing polyisoprene were reagent Thermal any isoprene before the grade and used without Decomposition of distillation. This could further purification. GC Polyisoprene. To a 50 mL explain why oligomers, spectra were taken on a HP round bottom flask was rather than isoprene, were 6890 Series with a 30 m added 1.03 g polyisoprene. A predominantly isolated in × 0.32 mm × 0.25 μm 5% reflux condenser packed with the Fe (CO) catalyzed crosslinked PH ME siloxane copper wire and a distillation 2 10 1 reactions. However additional column. H NMR spectra head were fitted to the flask, investigation will be required were recorded on a 300 MHz and a short path distillation in order to identify an spectrometer. Chemical shifts head was attached to the effective, low temperature are expressed in parts per condenser. The entire set depolymerization metal million (δ) using TMS as an up was wrapped in cotton catalyst. Next we may focus internal standard. for insulation. An udder was on a Ziegler-Natta complex attached to the distillation Extraction of head and immersed in liquid like TiCl4 that may work better than the peroxide Polyisoprene From nitrogen. The round bottom and alkene coordinating Milkweed. Six milkweed was heated in a sand bath complexes we surveyed. leaves were flash frozen in at ca. 450 °C . Isoprenewas liquid nitrogen, then ground collected in 2% yield (20 mg) 1 with a mortar and pestle. as a clear liquid. H NMR 59 The solution was allowed collected. GC data suggests (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ 6.453 (dd, J = 21.9, 10.5, 1H), 5.124 to cool, and concentrated the distillate was a mixture of (dd, J = 32.6, 10.5, 2H), 5.00 by boiling under a stream oligomers of isoprene. (d, J = 4.5, 2H), 1.850 (s, of nitrogen. The resulting 3H). brown tar was characterized Depolymerization by 1H NMR and found to be with Pd(PPh3)4. To a 10 mL Depolymerization polyisoprene. round bottom flask was added with Peroxide. To a 10 mL 0.333 g cis-polyisoprene, round bottom flask was added Depolymerization 7 mL toluene, and 2 mg

0.202 g cis-polyisoprene, with Fe2(CO)10. To a 10 mL Pd(PPh3)4. A reflux condenser 6 mL toluene, and 50 mg round bottom flask was added packed with copper wire t-butylperoxide. A reflux 0.332 g cis-polyisoprene, and a distillation head were condenser packed with copper 7 mL toluene, and 4 mg fitted to the flask, which was

wire and a distillation head Fe2(CO)10. A reflux condenser then immersed in a 125 °C were fitted to the flask, which packed with copper wire oil bath. The solution was was then immersed in a 125 and a distillation head were allowed to reflux for 2 h. °C oil bath. The solution was fitted to the flask, which was After refluxing, the solution allowed to reflux for 2 h. The then immersed in a 125 °C had turned to a dark brown flow of water through the oil bath. The solution was liquid with solid dispersed condenser was stopped and allowed to reflux for 2 h. The throughout which was the solution was allowed to solution was allowed to distill insoluble in all attempted distill into an udder immersed into an udder immersed in solvents. in liquid nitrogen. After 3 h, liquid nitrogen. Two drops of no distillate was collected. a light brown distillate were

References & Notes

1. Kauffman G.B.; Seymour, R.B. Elastomers I. Natural Rubber. J. Chem. Educ. 1990, 65, 422. 2. Johnson, M. Edison, a Biography; McGraw Hill: New York, 1959; 470–474. 3. Buchanan, R. A. Extraction of Rubber or Rubberlike Substances from Fibrous Plant Materials; U.S. Patent 4,136,131, 1978. 4. Volaric, L.; Hagen, J. The Isolation of Rubber from Milkweed Leaves. J. Chem. Educ. 2002, 79, 91-93. 5. Harvey, M.; Halland, L.F. Rubber-Content of North American Plants. Carnegie Institution of Washington 1921. 6. Before 1880, rubber production was localized in South America, mainly Brazil. It was believed that rubber trees could not grow outside the Amazon basin. In 1876, Henry Wickham smuggled seventy thousand Hevea brasiliensis seeds from the Amazon to Eng- land. With the help of the botanist Joseph Hooker and the support of the Royal Botanical Gardens, intensive scientific study of the cultivation and tapping of the rubber tree began. By 1907, the British had established rubber plantations with a total of around ten million trees in Malaya and Ceylon and had effectively dominated the rubber trade localizing the major source of NR to Southeast Asia to this day. Le Counteur, P.; Burreson, J. Napoleon’s Buttons: 17 Molecules that Changed History; Jeremy P. Tarcher/Pengiun: New York, 2004; pp 152-154 7. American Chemical Society National Historic Chemical Landmarks. U.S. Synthetic Rubber Program. http://www.acs.org/con- tent/acs/en/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/syntheticrubber.html (accessed Sept 10, 2015). 8. Dodds, D. R.; Gross, R. A. Chemicals from Biomass. Science, 2007, 318, 1250-1251. 9. Campbell C.J.; Laherrere, J.H. The End of Cheap Oil. Sci. Am. 1998, 78-83. 10. C. G. Williams, Proceedings of the Royal Society, 1860, 10. 11. I. Suhawati, A. Mustafa. Chemical Depolymerisation of Natural Rubber in Biphasic Medium. Advanced Materials Research, 2014, 1024, 193-196. 12. Ravindran, T.; Nayar, M.R.G.; Francis, D.F. Production of Hydroxyl-Terminated Liquid Natural Rubber. J. of Appl. Poly. Sci. 1988, 35, 1227-1239. 13. Sakdapipanich, T.; Yasuyuki; et al. Depolymerisation of Highly Purified Natural Rubber. I. Metal-catalysed Oxidation of Deprot- einised Natural Rubber. Journal of Rubber Research (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), 2001, 4, 1-10.

6061 19:22 Taylor Sanders

ENGL 240: Personal Essay Taylor’s essay came out of a set of journal assignments about working. Her evocation of shadowing a “hospitalist” over two days is humbling and harrowing by turns. The real key to this essay is its timing as it builds to the surprising climax. Many believe that a -Keith Ratzlaff physician’s training starts in med school, but it actually starts much sooner. In order the wall, my knees locked. I and out my mouth, I tried to even have a chance at felt bad for the patient as I focusing on something across becoming a physician you watched a four inch needle the room, I even tried holding must be an outstanding penetrate her neck, which I my breath. All I could really student, be involved in could see on the ultrasound make sense of was that the extracurricular activities, screen. The thyroid is a light room wouldn’t stay in focus, volunteer, conduct research, grey gland that wraps around it started to get really far and shadow a physician. the front of your throat, away, like I was zooming in My first official shadowing and sits directly next to the and out on a camera lens. experience started at the carotid artery, which appears Despite that, I told myself Thyroid Clinic with Dr. black. At first, if you don’t not to quit, to push through Mova. I followed Dr. Mova know what you’re looking because I would be out of the around for one day. He at, you could miss the mass room soon. performs thyroid biopsies and that needle is aimed for since When I woke up, I I arrived almost a whole hour it’s only a slightly different was on the floor, and my prior to his first appointment colored grey than the rest entire body was drenched to get the full experience. I of the thyroid. I remember in sweat. There were four had a seen a breast biopsy thinking that it wasn’t normal nurses crowded around me, before, so I wasn’t at all to be able to see this, and and the patient looked at me nervous, and I had bragged that I was lucky to be in this with wide eyes. I immediately that I could watch surgeries position. started to apologize and tried online (even while eating), Then, I realized how to get up, but eight hands so as I walked into the tiny hot the room was, and that told me to stay on the floor. room I was just excited, and I had a headache. I looked Being my stubborn self, I probably a little cocky. over at Dr. Mova, who had convinced them to let me sit The room was so a bead of sweat running on a chair and covered my bright, it was almost blinding. down his nose, I cringed at face in embarrassment; I told As I squeezed into a corner the thought of it landing on myself not to cry, and told between the patient, ultra the patient. My head swam the nurses I didn’t need a cold sound monitor, and Dr. and I told myself to stay still towel, but my sweaty body Mova, my heart quickened, and to focus on the screen, told them otherwise. When not out of nervousness but pushing myself to remember one handed me a juice and I actual, full body excitement. everything, because I didn’t told them I didn’t want any There wasn’t a lot of room want to miss a single detail. applesauce, they laughed at I tried breathing in my nose me, explaining that I needed so I stood leaned against 62 61 to relax, that I was very knew what it was like to be a surgeon enters through small confused. physician. holes, and adds some air so I went home early I stayed in the hospital that it’s easier to maneuver. that day because I was from 6:30am-5:00pm the Usually, the air dissipates on overwhelmed that I had first day, only stopping its own, sometimes it stays been so weak in a room full because I had told my mom inside the patient for too long, of such strong people. I I would be home for dinner, causing discomfort. The frantically Google-searched and more pressingly I had man was discharged the next my way to answers, trying developed huge blisters from day, after, as they put it, “he to make sense of why I had sprinting to keep up with Dr. passed gas.” fainted. I worried that I had Baustian’s long strides. I saw I had so many spent the last 6 years of my thirteen patients that day, and experiences that day that I life chasing after a career watched as he admitted two. talked to my parents about I wasn’t tough enough to The first man had tattoos all it until I went to bed. I was achieve. I remembered how so surprised that I had made I had doubted myself earlier so many connections with that year, when I struggled I went home early patients I only saw for a few with my class load and didn’t that day because I minutes, and couldn’t wait to think I was smart enough to get back to the hospital the become a physician. After an was overwhelmed next day to check on them. experience like that I dreaded that I had been so The next day, I wore tennis returning to the hospital shoes to keep up, and to help the next day and shadowing weak in a room my blisters heal. another doctor. I couldn’t full of such strong That day, I ate lunch imagine telling my parents in 10 minutes and saw 16 that I had given up on my people. different patients. Even dream that easily, so the next though I had had nothing to day I woke up before the do with their recovery I felt sun and arrived at 6:30am to over his body, and had had a sense of accomplishment as shadow a hospitalist. his gallbladder out the day many of the patients I saw the A hospitalist is a new before. He came back because previous day were sent home. type of doctor; they typically of intense stomach pains and I think my favorite moment of specialize in internal or family he when showed the doctor that day is when Dr. Baustian medicine and do a fellowship his stomach, it was obvious got to tell a man he hadn’t in hospital medicine. This something wasn’t right. It had a stroke. I have never type of doctor works only stuck out, but not from fat; seen someone so relieved, in the hospital, since most it looked inflated, like it and I immediately hoped that primary care physicians can was blown up with a pump. one day I would be able to make more money staying at Then, Dr. Baustian tapped give someone news like that. their practice all day many on the patient’s stomach. It Contrastingly, I also saw don’t “round.” This is where a sounded like a basketball. I someone die that day. hospitalist comes in; they are had never heard a stomach I had decided to stay in charge of patient care in sound that way before, but for Dr. Baustian’s entire shift, the hospital. They diagnosis Dr. Baustian didn’t even 7:00am-7:00pm. At 6:50pm, and treat a variety of admitted flinch. Instead he admitted the call overhead came for patients. I was lucky enough the man and explained that a code blue on the ICU. I to shadow Dr. Baustian, a he had a little extra air in his looked over at Dr. Baustian, man who made it his two abdomen. When someone and asked if I could go, or if I 63 day mission to make sure I has gallbladder surgery, the would be in the way, when he 62 told me of course I was going arteries. After the patient was with the family and returned my heart rate quickened, intubated, the group looked a few moments later telling and my palms felt drenched. more like a cohesive whole the team to stop, the family I wiped them on my khakis than individuals, the three wanted them to quit trying and stood up quickly. He, on nurses switching who did to bring her back. The doctor the other hand moved in slow compressions perfectly, while called the time of death, motion. He saved his chart, the doctors called out orders. 19:22. and then walked towards There were two small nurses, It was at that the stairs. For the first time, and one larger one, who moment that I realized I walked quicker than him, pushed into the old woman’s that watching the woman and as we pounded down the chest so hard I thought she die was a privilege. More stairs he said, “This is too would go through it as the importantly, I realized the quiet, this isn’t good.” frail body bounced with trust that patients and their When we got into the compressions. families put into physicians room, the nurses and techs “I found a pulse!” to make the correct decisions were waiting for a doctor to The cry set caused about their health care is the intubate. I couldn’t believe me to jump, but I was biggest honor I could ever how calmly Dr. Baustain immediately hoping that ask for. It is a responsibility strode through the group of the patient would recover. I that takes more than a strong people to the patient. I envied scooted closer, taking off my stomach and intelligence; it is his ability to remain stoic in cardigan since I’d started to empathy, it is passion, and it a room full of chaos. I stood sweat, and reminded myself is acknowledgement that life by the door, out of the way, to keep my legs bent so I is fragile. After that I knew recognizing that I was by far wouldn’t faint. The patient’s that my life wouldn’t be full the least important person skin was pale, and looked like unless I earned that privilege. in the room. Three nurses glass, except for her chest, My heart rate didn’t were already switching which moved like rubber as steady until Dr. Baustian off doing compressions, the nurses did compressions. and I were standing in front while a fourth was using an One of the smaller nurses of the elevator after a 30 ultrasound to find a pulse. asked for a wash cloth to put minute briefing meeting. There was another nurse on the woman’s chest, because He seemed even taller as we writing everything down, the wire from her previous stood listening to the elevator and yet another making sure surgery had begun poking beep down floors closer to us. he wrote it correctly. The them as they pushed on her. Eventually, he asked if I was last person I noticed was the Then, they lost the pulse. okay, and I told him I was patient. Probably because I I let out an audible fine, but what I was actually could barely see her unless I sigh and found myself feeling was much more strained my neck and stood praying, as I watched the complicated. on my tip toes, and only if scene unfold, “Dear God, the nurses stood in the right please stop the suffering of place. this woman, give her strength At first I didn’t to let go.” As I finished my notice that the woman prayer, I saw what looked was completely naked in like fruit punch start to come this crowded room; her up the intubation tube, I gown was pushed aside to realized a few seconds later it do compressions, and the was blood. That’s when the nurse looking for a pulse pulmonologist, the patient’s was checking her pelvic doctor, walked out, spoke 64 63 65