record exchange builds community | 3 waking up from a dream | 4 thunder rolls into first | 12

The Princeton ummer J ournal sA Publication of The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program Monday, August 9, 2010 Founded in 2002 princeton.edu/sjp investigative report Idling cars, buses damage environment, violate law This article was reported city traffic law that prohibits porters observed several city while awaiting passengers. improve air quality. and heart attack, the study by the staff of the Princeton idling for more than three buses in downtown Brooklyn The city’s anti-idling law, Idling cars and trucks in showed. Summer Journal and written minutes, causing adverse idling for as long as 10 min- first passed in 1971, prohibits New York City emit approxi- “In the U.S., 50,000 to by Elizabeth Gonzalez, Maria health effects and untold utes, presumably with their non-emergency vehicles from mately 130,000 tons of carbon 100,000 people die prema- V. Paredes, Franklin Lee and damage to the environment, air conditioners running, parking for longer than three dioxide per year, according to turely from air pollution each Alfonso Toro Jr. an investigation by the Princ- while bus drivers napped or minutes with their engines a study by the Environmen- year. Vehicles cause about 25 eton Summer Journal has re- talked on their cell phones in- running. The law was de- tal Defense Fund. High car- percent of these deaths,” said NEW YORK—New York vealed. side. In other instances, livery signed to reduce carbon emis- bon levels and other forms of Mark Jacobson, a professor of City public buses and liv- During one afternoon last cabs idled outside high-rise sions from vehicles operating toxins emitted by cars raise civil and environmental engi- ery cabs frequently violate a week, Summer Journal re- office buildings in Manhattan on city streets, and thereby risks for respiratory disease See Idling page 10

rich tucker and brian rokus :: the princeton summer journal A Princeton Summer Journal investigative report in New York City on Wednesday found several vehicles, including city buses, violating traffic laws against idling for more than three minutes. The license plate above has been blurred out.

analysis dinky Decades Nation’s shortest train may stop dead in tracks

By Melina Torres Princeton Junction and the considered, Bus Rapid Tran- a decision after the Regional Princeton University has later, University. Despite this his- sit (BRT), would offer addi- Planning Committee makes said that it does not have tory, community officials and tional stops, allowing passen- a recommendation. an established stance on Brawley,After 145 Calif. years in service, New Jersey Transit have gers to travel further into the “We are responding to this whether a bus or a train dusting off the nation’s shortest commut- been evaluating alternatives community and reducing the possibility since it was raised should be used. Instead, the er train may soon grind to a to “enhance and expand tran- number of commuter parking by the community,” Courtney school’s chief concern is ef- theses for halt once and for all. sit options in the Princeton spaces needed. The Princeton Carroll, New Jersey Transit ficient transportation for its Since 1865, the legend- community,” said Lee Sollow, Regional Planning Commit- spokesperson, said in an e- community. ary Dinky train has been Director of the Princeton Re- tee will meet in September to mail. “No decisions have been “I am completely neutral clues transporting passengers the gional Planning Committee. discuss the issue. New Jersey made, and the cooperative about whether we need a 2.7-mile distance between Under one option being Transit will ultimately make planning effort is ongoing.” See dinky page 10 By Brenda Duman

Brooklyn,During the N.Y. past few years, a across the universe wired market for cold treats heats up string of Princeton alumni have risen to powerful seats in gov- ernment, and seemingly each Astrophysics professors For now, time, the media has turned to those Tigers’ senior theses in reach for the stars theses stay search of a window into their political souls and intellectual By Alfonso Toro Jr. ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: philosophies. library- But when reporters scruti- Princeton’s nize and summarize the theses BellIt mayGardens, appear Calif. to be just bound of prospective Supreme Court a childish toy, but when Ly- guide to the justices or a First Lady, a ques- man Page blows up a beach By Paty Gutierrez tion arises: Just how much can ball, he is actually blowing galaxy really be learned about some- up a model of the universe. one from a senior thesis written An astrophysicist at Princ- By Elizabeth Gonzalez SantaIn the Maria, basement Calif. of Princ- decades earlier? eton University, Page and eton University’s Mudd “I don’t think there’s much his colleague David Spergel Library is an immense ar- value at all in digging up old se- have mapped nine years of ElLast Paso, week, Texas Princeton as- chive of documents—most nior theses in assessing current satellite research onto the trophysicists Lyman Page of which are one-of-a-kind. public officials and their quali- beach ball’s surface. For their and David Spergel sat in Rows of shelves are filled fications. After all, it’s usually phenomenal research and Spergel’s corner office in the with historical University been many years since the the- years of study, they recently planetarium on the Universi- papers that range over a sis was written,” Sean Wilentz, won the 2010 Shaw Prize and ty’s campus. Abstract colorful century. This collection a history professor at Princeton $1 million, which they will paintings by creative young includes approximately University who advised now- share with their longtime children decorated the filing 60,000 senior theses that Supreme Court Justice Elena collaborator, Charles Bennett cabinet, while a chalkboard Princeton students have Kagan ’81 on her senior thesis, of Johns Hopkins University. displayed mathematical written to graduate. In said in an email. “The universe is really equations. Next to Spergel’s light of the overwhelming And Kagan is not the only big,” Page said. But he and desk sat a treadmill that he trend of digitization that brenda duman :: the princeton summer journal Princeton graduate who recent- Spergel discovered that the walks on during conference has pervaded the world ly has had her thesis combed by easiest way to explain it is calls. After talking to Page of publishing, some have Patrons enjoy a treat at Fruity Yogurt, one of two frozen des- See thesis page 11 See stars page 10 See physics page 10 See digitize page 10 sert stores that have opened in Princeton. See story, page 2. Page 2 August 9, 2010 The Princeton Summer Journal boogie down Band takes Palmer crowd to Funkytown

By Stephanie Zhou played with different bands in 43 states and 32 countries, he added. Brooklyn,Two men N.Y. were setting up Growing up, Jones listened instruments onstage on the to a lot of 1970s funk from afternoon of July 31 at Palm- musicians like Stanley Clarke er Square. They performed a and Jaco Pastorius. Playing is sound check on a guitar and “the only thing I’ve done since fiddled with wires. A glint 1987,” he said. of sunlight reflected off the Members of Big Funk have sign—“Summer Music Series been preparing to release an on the Green.” album in the fall. Their band, Big Funk, per- “Our mission is to create. A formed as part of a free con- lot of music out there is not as cert series that takes place in creative as it could be,” Jones downtown Princeton on Sat- said, adding that they often urday afternoons during July perform with a great deal of and August. improvisation. “We play some- Soon, people began pouring thing different every night.” onto the grass with picnic blan- Colleen Kraun, a cousin of kets and camping chairs. Tod- Latham, comes to the concert dlers played as their mothers series every year. “The reac- watched. tion from the people is usually Big Funk—with Karl happy,” she said. “Kids come to Latham, 49, on the drums; eat, watch the band, and eat Calvin Jones, 46, on the bass ice cream from The Bent Spoon guitar; Don Braden, 48, on the nearby.” saxophone; and Nick Rolfe, 39, As the concert got underway, on the keyboard—have toured people walking by stopped in Europe, playing funky rock, to listen. A couple paused to with a touch of dance, jazz and watch the band perform. “I live soul, they said. in New York, but we’re on va- But they have not always cation. I just thought the music played together. was relaxing,” Elizabeth Rosa- “Everyone thinks it’s like rio, 29, said. the perfect Hollywood picture, Blues fan Andy Orloski, where the same musicians 57, attends the concert series play on the same band all their annually. “Even when it was life,” said Latham as he adjust- spittin’ a little rain, all kinds ed the microphone. “No one I of people have come,” he said. brian rokus :: the princeton summer journal know in this business plays “Couples, children, friends. . . Band members Nick Rolfe, Calvin Jones and Karl Latham (l. to r.) play a concert at Palmer Square on July 31. Their band, Big with just one band.” Jones has . Live music—nothing better.” Funk, blends dance, soul and jazz in a largely improvisational performance. Big Funk blends disparate tastes, cultures in performance By Frances C. Richburg some nice music.” “Music is communication,” :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: A married couple on va- Jones said. “Today’s gig is a cation from California said, gig with no rehearsal.” Princeton gets funky in Palmer Square Bronx,They’ve N.Y. got the funk—Big “They’re fun. We like it a The band’s soulful connec- Funk, that is. lot—perfect for a Saturday tion drives the passion be- By Tammy Chan But the audience did not seem in a film, appearing in the Early in the afternoon on afternoon.” hind their music, as all of to notice the lack of prepara- Susan Sarandon movie “Ber- July 31, locals were treat- Four men with different them have been playing their tion, applauding appreciative- nard and Doris.” ed to a performance by the tastes and cultural back- respective instruments for Queens,In the N.Y.center of a beautiful ly after each song. When the four finally col- band Big Funk, in Palmer grounds comprise the band. decades. green lawn in Palmer Square Big Funk started three laborated, they decided to Square. Karl Latham, 49, plays the Latham categorizes the under a tent that hovered over years ago when the four band name their band after a Miles In a grassy field, the band drums, while Don Braden, band’s genre as “dance, soul, a mini-stage, the band Big members met through their Davis recording, “Big Fun.” stood onstage and pieced to- 48, is on the tenor saxophone. jazz . . . I guess I would call Funk entertained a crowd of extensive network of friends. According to Latham, they gether the necessary parts In the 1980s, Braden wrote it.” According to Latham, 70 about 100 people on July 31. They began to tour together wanted to play their own mu- for their instruments. Sev- some of the music for “The percent of their performance Audience members of all and finally formed Big Funk. sic of the “funky period.” eral dozen people gathered Cosby Show.” Calvin Jones, is unrehearsed, and the band ages dispersed themselves Each of the four band Big Funk was able to bring around, on chairs, on mats, 46, soulfully plays his bass, therefore needs to connect ar- across the grass in hopes of members brings a different their rendition of the funky or on the green grass, all and Nick Rolfe, 39, is on the tistically. getting the best view of the background and experience genre to the stage at Palmer seeking shade from the sun, keyboard. Ben Kraun, one of Latham’s performance while the band to the group. Karl Latham, Square. yet refusing to depart from The men evoke a tranquil cousins, said that he has al- set up its equipment. The 49, the drummer of Big Even though they are es- the event. feeling in those who witness ways watched Latham and audience members sat under Funk, has traveled 50,000 sentially interpreting the Most of the audience was them perform. The laidback received his first drum set sunny skies with warm tem- miles performing so far this funky period in the way they new to the band’s funky fla- band has no mission, they from him. Kraun added that peratures as they waited for year. He has traveled all perceive it to be, it’s not just vor and was enthralled by the said. They seek to enjoy them- he would love to someday Big Funk to start its show. over Germany and the Unit- one genre, Latham said. “It’s harmonious melodies. selves and deliver their per- play with the band. “Music is self-expression,” ed States to perform with a [more like] a mixture of dance, David Johnson, who lives sonal creative perspective on Latham’s wife, Ann, also Calvin Jones, 46, the bass variety of other bands. Tenor soul and jazz,” he added. in Kingston, wore a comical music, they added. likes her husband’s music. player, said before the perfor- saxophonist Don Braden, 48, Looking forward to enjoy- “Who do you ride with?” shirt The band’s name pays hom- “Oh, I love it, of course,” she mance. “The same way we are founded Jazz for Teens in ing her first-ever viewing of a and said, “I like all kinds of age to a Miles Davis album said. “He’s very talented.” communicating right now,” New Jersey and also wrote Big Funk performance, Jane music and instruments. I like titled “Big Fun.” The band The band intends to re- Jones said, is the same way some of the music played on Holmann, 43, sat with her this music.” slightly adjusted the title to lease a live CD and DVD in “music is communication by “The Cosby Show.” Jones, daughter on a blanket. Her Harold, another audience form “Big Funk.” fall 2010. putting ideas together.” the bass player, has trav- friend had recommended Big member who said he likes They’ve been together for Lost in an eclectic mix of The band said that their eled to 43 states and 32 Funk’s music to her because every kind of music but clas- approximately three years rhythmic flavor, the crowd show is 70 percent improvi- countries with 12 different of its “creative splurge,” Hol- sical, added, “It’s a beautiful now, and they all perform in seemed to have big fun with sation and that they had not bands. Nick Rolfe, 39, the mann said. “So I wanted to day. I just want to relax with different bands. Big Funk. even rehearsed for their gig. keyboardist, has even been check it out myself.”

sweet treats Active culture of yogurt shops proliferates in Princeton

By Carissa Isabel Eclarin “It’s really nothing to fight Chen said she believes naments, tall chrome chairs about,” said Cindy Somasun- there is plenty of room for all and luminescent neon lights. deram, who owns Twist with the stores on Nassau Street It is also a chain. You Chicago,In the Ill. last year, Nassau her husband. “Be happy. Be offering cool treats. Indeed, can get Fruity Yogurt in two Street has been flooded by healthy. If you are a little bit she said that when visitors other locations in New Jer- delicious, fluffy frozen yo- happier than when you came come by looking for the ice sey—Hillsborough and New gurt. in, you’ve made my day.” cream store Thomas Sweet, Brunswick—as well as in Just across from FitzRan- Somasunderam said that she happily points them in California. dolph Gate is Twist, which the idea of starting a frozen the right direction. Friends Joy Kim and Sar- opened in January 2009 of- yogurt shop came to her and Twist and Fruity Yogurt, ah Miller said they make fering “yogurt without lim- her husband after seeing while both comfortable and weekly trips to Fruity Yo- its.” self-serve yogurt shops in fashionable, have very dif- gurt. Less than one year later, California while on vacation. ferent atmospheres. Twist is “I like Fruity Yogurt in October, Fruity Yogurt “We loved it and thought a mom-and-pop shop with better. They have better opened its doors just east of bringing it to the East home-style touches such as drinks,” Kim said, explain- of Washington Road, offer- Coast,” she said. wooden panels, bookcases, ing that she prefers Fruity ing equally tasty yogurt and Jenny Chen, the owner of long leather couches to sit Yogurt’s bubble tea. a similar orange-and-green Fruity Yogurt, said that she and lounge in, and a board Twist has its own loyal décor. is a “people person,” and that game station where custom- customers. Laurie Papell Though some might think she opened her store in part ers can play a game of Mo- and her daughter Emma that two frozen yogurt shops so that she could watch her nopoly. Freedman said they even in such close proximity could customers enjoy her food and Fruity Yogurt, meanwhile, have their own bowls at lead to a veritable “cold war,” try something different. “I has a more contemporary Twist. brenda duman :: the princeton summer journal both store owners insist their do this for my dream, for my feel with its pastel orange “It’s an addiction,” Papell Twist offers a range of frozen yogurt and toppings for local dessert lovers. relations are positively balmy. habit of cooking,” she said. and green walls, plastic or- said. August 9, 2010 Page 3 The Princeton Summer Journal Exchanging music, sharing community

By Tonya Jo Riley will be online,” Nancy Gro- ver, 31, said. “People like to own things.” Union Bridge,rinceton Md. record Customers say Princeton Exchange, tucked Record Exchange’s appeal away in an alley is largely due to its acces- at 20 South Tulane sibility to student budgets PSt., resides not at a physi- and its here-today-gone- cal crossroads but an intel- tomorrow inventory. The lectual one. In the store’s 25 “cheap racks” offer a wealth years, it has become known of eclectic and sought-after not only for its cheap racks finds, they said. of discount Mozart and Mo- “I’ll see something in town, but also its ability to the wall here that I want bring together a collective and the next day it’s gone,” culture of artists and au- Kemmeth Jackson, 39, diophiles. said. “It’s crazy how quick “It’s not like collecting the turnaround is.” coins, and stamps, and Ostrander shared his baseball cards,” explained strategy of “starting with owner Barry Weisfeld, 56. the budget CDs and trying “Records are something to find anything for $2 that you can inter- interests act with; they ::::::::::::::: me.” speak to you. T h e Records are The mission of best thing an art.” he’s ever rich tucker :: the princeton summer journal The store the store is not to found? Princeton Record Exchange, located at 20 South Tulane St., boasts a collection of more than 100,000 records. houses more “Patton than 100,000 encourage reflec- Oswalt’s records. But tion on a bygone ‘ W e r e - while records w o l v e s are a technolo- era, but to stimu- and Lolli- gy of a bygone pops,’ ” he era, the atmo- late community— said, grin- By Charles Walker however, the ability to obtain :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: sphere is more ning. an artist’s song through Mp3s, r em i n i s c ent something that is W h i l e iTunes and file-sharing has Retro feel ‘not about to change’ of an art gal- in itself an increas- not lo- Altadena,Before youCalif. enter Princeton placed a huge strain on the lery than of a cated in Record Exchange, your view is record business. New releases By Tammy Chan School of the Arts comes museum. The ingly antiquated a ma- partially obscured by a dozen have become available with “kicking around town” in mission of the jor city, news articles plastered over such ease that many consum- Princeton to visit the store. Tables turn on digitalQueens, N.Y. music store is not idea. Princeton the window, reporting on the ers have left traditional music These days, most people As the son of a freelance to encourage R e c o r d shop’s positive presence in stores behind. equate browsing for music musician, he had a childhood reflection on ::::::::::::::: Exchange the community. Crossing the Why have so many people with Apple’s iTunes store, filled with music and buy- the past, but has re- threshold, you are greeted by continued to go to the Princ- not old-fashioned record ing records. “It’s fun picking to stimulate community— ceived an extraordinary pulsating music, posters glo- eton Record Exchange? “It’s shops. But if the Princeton through the stuff; it’s like something that is in itself amount of national and rifying old ’80s rock bands or a treasure hunt,” said Liam Record Exchange is any in- a treasure hunt,” Ostrander an increasingly antiquated even international atten- other alternative genres, and Ostrander, a 19-year-old stu- dication, old-school tapes said. idea. tion. The store proudly dis- wall-to-wall shelves full of vi- dent with Elvis sideburns and vinyl are not dead yet. Weisfeld, originally from Musician Brandon Re- plays its profiles from no- nyl records, DVDs and CDs. who has been shopping at Whether it’s the difference Long Island, N.Y., started to villa, 30, has been coming table publications such as This quaint and eccentric the store since he was seven. in sound quality, the nostal- sell records when he was a to the store since he was a GQ, The New York Times hub of creativity on South Ostrander, whose classical gia of a used record or the student at the University of teenager. His older brother, and USA Today. Tulane Street is well-known musician mother inspired his aesthetic of a large, full-color Hartford. who previously worked at But Weisfeld hasn’t let for having the largest music love for music, passed over album cover, customers are Like many others, he de- the store, inducted Revilla the fame go to his head collection on the East Coast. the store’s massive classical still buying vinyl; and the veloped an interest in vinyl into the cult of musty vinyl yet. Perhaps the reason his “Literally every square inch collection to rifle through the Princeton Record Exchange at a young age, growing up and dollar CDs. store has become such an is used,” according to Barry punk records. is taking advantage of its with parents who were avid “It’s one of the few places institution in the commu- Weisfeld, the store’s owner. Ostrander previously had resurgence. record collectors. Their col- where you can still buy new nity is that Weisfeld treats With more than 100,000 an iPod but prefers buying The store, which has been lections became so exten- records,” Revilla said. “Re- his patrons as neighbors records and DVDs, the Princ- CDs and records when he can. in business for more than sive that Weisfeld decided cords are a must for any au- and not numbers. eton Record Exchange draws “Jimi Hendrix’s record sounds 30 years, “uses every cubic to open a store to share the diophile; it’s more of a tone On a recent afternoon, all sorts of clientele searching better,” he explained, adding inch,” store owner Barry wealth. style. CDs are really pure Weisfeld cheerfully greeted for something new. But what’s that owning the vinyl record Weisfeld, 56, said. It’s filled He started selling records and sometimes you want customers and passers- new may be completely differ- has more novelty and value. with a vast collection of casually in September 1975 to hear some of those [im- by and seemed to know ent depending upon the cus- Kemmeth Jackson, 39, who CDs, DVDs and vinyl, and after getting the idea from perfections] many by tomer. One man’s trash may has been coming to the store is known for its bargain bins a flea market. He finally in the record- ::::::::::::::: n a m e . be another man’s treasure. for 20 years, likes to pick and of CDs for $4.99 and DVDs opened up his first store in ing.” One cus- Weisfeld, who comes from choose from the diverse collec- for $1.99. March 1980. His parents Revilla isn’t t o m e r , Long Island, N.Y., attended tion. “There are times when Album covers have sym- gave him 12 months to make the only lo- Perhaps the P a m the University of Hartford and you like to pull out the vinyl bolized vinyl since records his new business profitable. cal musician reason his store H e r s h , majored in marketing, which and just relax,” Jackson said. were first produced. The cov- And he “kind of just made who grew up stopped allowed him to see what he For his part, Matthew Mil- ers are such a big draw that it,” he said. in the shop has become such an to chat called a “brighter horizon in ligan, a 21-year-old student, the store’s interior is stacked Weisfeld credits his busi- where The a b o u t life.” After college, his parents buys a lot of music online— with them from the floor to ness’ success in the age of Ramones and institution is that r e c e n t gave him an ultimatum: Make but still spends time at the the ceiling, allowing custom- digital music to the superior The Raincoats develop- it selling records in 12 months store. “It’s a cool place to go,” ers to rummage through the “condition and quality” of his are neighbors Weisfeld treats his ments in or settle down and find a 9 to he said. pile until they come across products. on crowded patrons as the com- 5 job. Milligan, who has been an attractive cover. From the retro feel of vinyl plastic racks. munity. Feeling motivated, he start- coming to the Princeton area “Unlike collecting coins to the memories it brings Liam Os- neighbors and not H e r s h , ed out selling albums from for five years, is drawn to the and baseball cards, records back to both collectors and trander, a who is a his car, which allowed him to store for its iconic status and and CDs talk to you. It’s listeners, vinyl records have 1 9 - y e a r - o l d numbers. f o r m e r “start figuring out the whole the appeal of finding a new amazing. It’s interactive,” marked their place in the t h e a t r i c a l e d i t o r marketing thing.” In 1985, he record hidden in its bins. Weisfeld said. Princeton Record Exchange, lighting major ::::::::::::::: of The moved the store to its present Customers also said they And customers agree. and customers say that’s not at North Caro- P r i n c - location, where it has thrived. are supporting an important “[This] place is an institu- about to change any time lina School of the Arts, has eton Packet and current Reflecting on how far he cause: It is becoming harder tion,” said Pam Hersh, a for- soon. been browsing the racks vice-president of the Princ- has come, Weisfeld said he for the physical music industry mer editor of The Princeton “There’s nothing better since before he was tall eton HealthCare System, “doesn’t eat out of trash cans to thrive. If they don’t invest in Packet. than listening to my Hen- enough to reach the Bob talked with Weisfeld about anymore.” records, shops like Weisfeld’s Liam Ostrander, 19, a drix on vinyl,” Ostrander Dylan. His mother, a free- the relocation of the hospi- In the era of digital media, might cease to exist. student at North Carolina said. lance classical pianist, first tal and the decline of The brought him to the store Princeton Packet. around the age of six when Weisfeld’s loyalty to his she was in town for a re- customers is evident in his cital. business decisions as well. “I love to buy records,” He was once offered $2,000 Ostrander said. “The to shut down the store for sound quality is better, a day for a modeling shoot, and maybe it’s just the but ultimately decided to novelty of having a record put his customers first. player.” “We had to decline,” We- Ostrander, however, does isfeld said. “We couldn’t go not feign a hipster-esque a whole day without being disdain for CDs or even dig- available to our custom- ital music. “I had an iPod, ers.” but the hard-drive recently During the past 25 years, failed, so now I’m using my that dedication has made laptop to listen to music.” Princeton Record Exchange Many other patrons a cornerstone of the com- echoed this affinity for tech- munity. nology, though most believe As Hersh, a woman who that digital media will nev- has spent her life tracking er usurp other forms com- the community pulse, said, pletely. “[Barry], this place—it’s a “I don’t think everything historic institution.” rich tucker :: princeton summer journal file photo Page 4 August 9, 2010 The Princeton Summer Journal Arts & Entertainment August 9, 2010 Page 5 The Princeton Summer Journal Arts & Entertainment ‘Inception’ bends reality, stretches minds

By Tashi Shuler-Drakes Page) and Arthur (Joseph endangered by his inabil- By Carissa Isabel Eclarin realm of his dreams. in the movie. Zimmer’s use Gordon Levitt), travel deep ity to let go of his past. Like “The Departed,” of Edith Piaf’s song “Non, into Fischer’s mind, the Each team member must with a twist of “Memento,” Je Ne Regrette Rien” (“No Bridgeport,hristo Conn.pher film unfolds a highly craft- play a part in the movie’s Chicago, Ill.hristopher no- “Inception” keeps its view- Regrets”), remains unfor- Nolan’s mind- ed architectural dreams- outcome, enhancing the lan’s new film, ers guessing from begin- gettable as the “countdown boggling sum- cape that leaves the viewer storyline without distract- is a summer ning to end, with its crime song” that brings the mer blockbuster, delightfully disoriented. ing the audience from the blockbuster drama and mind-bending characters from the dream “Inception,”C is pure genius. While the film is filled larger story about Cobb withC grand ambitions. elements. The consider- world back to reality. Dom Cobb (Leonardo with cinematic tricks, confronting his past. Dom Cobb (Leonardo able difference, however, The audience’s senses DiCaprio), makes a liv- slow-motion shots and What is so captivating DiCaprio), a fugitive who is its push toward the muddled and minds ing by entering people’s climactic music, “Incep- about this movie is the lives on the run for a extremity of a psycho- stretched, Nolan’s tech- dreams and stealing their tion” presents a lot of deep visual representations crime he didn’t commit, logical thriller, where “your niques successfully elicit secrets. The plot thick- questions for the viewer. of alternate realities. makes his living practic- mind is the scene of the the perfect combination of ens when he is recruited If the larger questions Throughout the movie, ing the dangerous art of crime,” as the film’s ad- suspense, thrill and “kick” to complete his hardest don’t capture the viewers’ viewers question whether “extracting,” the techno- vertisement explains. to keep viewers on the edge job yet—he has to plant imagination, then the un- what’s seizing their atten- logical process of travel- The genius of writer and of their seats and wanting a thought in the mind of predictability of it all will. tion is what they really ling into people’s dreams director Christopher No- more. Though one might his employer Saito’s (Ken With sites ranging from think it is. Not only does to obtain their secrets. lan, whose previous work feel frustrated and lost Watanabe) rival, Robert snow-covered mountains Nolan make you doubt The movie centers on includes “Batman Begins” because of the fast-paced Fischer (Cillian Murphy). to upside-down cities, reality, but he also makes Cobb’s biggest project and “The Dark Knight,” complexity of the movie, it Struggling with his own from zero-gravity hotels you doubt your doubts. yet: “incepting” an idea has yielded an intricate is a rewarding brain exer- inner demons, Cobb fights to beaches surrounded The result is a film that inside the mind of tech- film. Using his innova- cise that requires careful his way through a foreign by sandcastle ruins, the stands out from the other nology magnate Saito’s tive trademark technique attention to understand it. subconscious hoping to originality of Nolan’s summer blockbusters for (Ken Watanabe) com- of juxtaposing images and Nolan ends the movie see more than just light work cannot be denied. its innovative storytelling. petitor Robert Fischer music, Nolan delivers on the abruptly, finishing with a at the end of the tunnel. As the characters go The movie is a bril- (Cillian Murphy). hype surrounding “Incep- jolting message that chal- Nolan’s obsessively de- deeper into each stage of liant example of what Cobb’s colleagues Arthur tion” as this summer’s most lenges its viewers’ reading tailed visual landscapes Fischer’s subconscious, can happen to a person (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) talked about blockbuster. of the film and ultimately shift between dreams and they realize the dangers who chooses to not live and Ariadne (Ellen Page) Low lights, offset angles demands a second visit to reality. “Inception’s” world lie not only in his dreams, in the real world, but join in his quest to travel and impressive graphics the movie theater. Col- is one in which the line but in Cobb’s as well. With in a world of their own. into the different levels create different realities lectively, the film is more dividing the two realms is Cobb’s late wife haunting It’s a heart-breaking, of Fischer’s dreams. Only and dreams notable down than a summer blockbust- tenuous. As Cobb and his the dream world, each action-packed film that later in the movie does to the most specific detail. er—it’s an instant classic. partners, Ariadne (Ellen member of the team is can never be replicated. Cobb find out the real Hans Zimmer, the mov- The ending is open for dangers of “inception.” He ie’s music composer, has debate; nonetheless, be- must fight his own demons also created a deep, eerie tween subconciousness, to conquer his memories soundtrack to complement dreams and reality, Nolan and free himself from the the dark realm portrayed has created a masterpiece.

These kids are just all right

By Tonya Jo Riley & Yared Portillo large entrances, but the movie and almost gauche appearance, takes on too many stories to fostered by the house’s mellow properly develop them. Close lighting appeals to Paul, who is Union Bridge, Md. and friends of both Laser and Joni seemingly in search of a reason to Santa Maria, Calif. appear with enthusiasm but settle down. However, the natu- he most extraordinary fade as the film progresses. ral lighting and rolling vistas of thing about Lisa Choloden- Each character’s struggles would Paul’s garden and farm tempt ko’s “The Kids Are All seem to be bourgeois clichés in Jules and Nic, who have spent Right” is how ordinary a film focused on a traditional the last 18 years tied down by Tit turns out to be. What at first nuclear family. But Cholodenko parenthood and responsibility. glance appears to be an uncon- assumes that these clichés are The art direction, which at its ventional family quickly becomes negated by using a non-traditional core is reminiscent of television a portrait of a typical middle- family. The marriage, however, shows from the 1970s, emphasizes class American unit with typical is heteronormative. Jules is the the idea of left-coast liberalism middle-class American problems. stay-at-home mom, quitting her being assimilated into traditional The dramedy follows the fam- job to raise the kids, while Nic is America. From kitschy coffee mugs ily of married lesbians Nic (An- the breadwinner, coming home with slogans to Jules’ bohemian nette Bening) and Jules (Julianne frustrated night after night. look, the movie is a parody of a rel- Moore), and their children Laser Nic plays husband, a “Mad Men”- atively conservative family pegging (Josh Hutcherson) and Joni (Mia esque figure dressed in masculine themselves as the outsider-liberals. Wasikowska). At her brother’s re- style. This, in turn, fuels Jules’ But perhaps Cholodenko’s seem- quest, Joni reluctantly contacts the insecurities as the submissive ingly conservative portrayal of a man (Mark Ruffalo) who donated wife. It would have been a stronger modern family is just a continuance sperm to both of their mothers. statement on Cholodenko’s part of the inability of the characters to While the trailer attempts to to portray both women in a femi- truly express themselves emotional- portray the film as a quirky com- nine light, as mothers and wives. ly. Even at the climax of the movie, mentary on the new “modern While there is merit to showing all the whip-smart Joni can man- family,” as the movie develops, that same-sex families are as age to say to Paul is, “I just wished it morphs into a formulaic film. screwed up as everybody else’s, that you were better.” This may in- The romantic affairs are messy, it would have been more power- deed be the least vague dialogue in and the teens are full of angst. ful to show their differences. a script full of “ums” and “yeahs.” Laser, in search of a male influ- The final character is South- “The Kids Are All Right” is ence, puts his trust in a reckless ern California, which facilitates undoubtedly full of basic human and negatively influential friend. each character’s vulnerability by truths, but they are presented Joni struggles to break away from contrasting a tidy suburb with in a surprisingly conventional her family and pursue her own Paul’s organic garden. Through- way. Though it is an entertain- life as she prepares to transition out the film, characters are of- ing movie full of subtle nuances into college. And Paul, the sperm ten looking past their current and high-brow humor, it leaves donor, is an outsider without a true surroundings to the other side the viewer feeling that maybe the concept of family who exacerbates where the grass is not neces- kids are a little too “all right” the family’s strained relationships. sarily greener, but different. and wondering why they war- The side characters make The family’s unglamorous rant their own narrative. Page 6 August 9, 2010 The Princeton Summer Journal Editorials & Opinion

The Princeton Summer Journal

a publication of the toll of war princeton university summer journalism program The emotional Bianca Dennis Students Tammy Chan atlantic city, n.j. Bianca Dennis atriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady Brenda Duman dedication of a lifetime.” This Adlai Ste- Carissa Isabel Eclarin venson quotation articulates an ideal form Elizabeth Gonzalez Pof American patriotism. The best decision cannot Paty Gutierrez be made when emotions cloud better judgment. Shawdae Harrison The Aug. 9 issue of Time magazine appeals directly Franklin Lee to the American public’s emotions. The cover shows Shaiesha Moore the face of an 18-year-old Afghan girl. There is a hole where her nose should be. Though a veil conceals it, Maria V. Paredes her ears have been sliced off as well. These mutila- Yared Portillo tions are the result of her attempt to escape abusive Antonio Regulier in-laws. Her eyes stare directly into those of anyone Frances C. Richburg who picks up the magazine. The subtitle of the cover Tonya Jo Riley reads, “What happens if we leave Afghanistan.” Tashi Shuler-Drakes There is no question mark. It is stated as fact. “Emotion leads many Americans to want to pun- Alfonso Toro Jr. ish perpetrators of the September 11 attacks,” wrote Melina Torres Stephen Kinzer in a Boston Globe article in 2008. staff editorial Charles Walker ...... Many, like Kinzer, argue that huge political deci- Imani Watson sions leading up to the Afghan War were based on Jonathan Wigfall emotion. The Bush Administration claimed America Stephanie Zhou had to enter the war to fight the Taliban, but Rich- ard Holbrooke, the Obama administration’s special Friends for a lifetime representative to Afghanistan and Pakistan, aptly Program Staff noted that Afghan corruption fuels the Taliban. Directors The cover of the magazine champions the war his is not a 10-day pro- excited over newly discovered “Silly Richard Just ’01 and implies that staying involved will prevent gram.” With this quote, Bandz,” or learning to snap your atrocities like mutilation. The image and headline Michael Koike ’01 director Michael Koike fingers after an inspiring moment. bring so many raw emotions to the surface — a Greg Mancini ’01 sense of duty to intervene when a young girl is hor- summed up the Princeton There were some things that we Rich Tucker ’01 rifically mutilated; horror at the atrocities that UniversityT Summer Journalism would change for future students such a powerful regime can inflict; and pride in Program, which began with read- of SJP. The SAT prep would have Staff Associate America’s mission to spread fundamental freedoms ing assignments weeks before we been better if it had been more in- Samantha Pergadia ’11 to a country that shows women so little mercy. came and will continue after we depth. Additionally, we still have The cover implies that war is the only way to achieve these ideals. It creates a visual argument leave campus—with directors and the desire to be exposed to so much Counselors by suggesting that these mutilations will increase counselors guiding us through the more. We wish we had been able to Adrian Alvarez GS ’04 when the United States leaves Afghanistan. This college application process dur- learn about photography and radio Viviana Benjumea SJP ’08 implicit argument ignores the fact that mutilation ing the next several months. broadcasting, and spend more time Jonas Clark still occurs with American forces in the country. There are countless things that on video production and newspaper Marin Cogan According to the journalist Robert McMa- layout. All this might have been pos- hon, President Obama “stressed the importance the 21 of us from across the nation Amanda Cormier SJP ’07 of a stable Afghanistan in the effort to bolster love about this program. For some, sible if the program were longer. Ben Crair Pakistan’s government and pursue al-Qaeda it was the first time seeing the As it was, one consequence Angela Fabunan SJP ’06 safe havens in that country’s tribal areas.” East Coast. For all, it was the of the program’s frenetic sched- Melisa Gao ’06 This is almost a worthy cause, but only if stability first time reporting an investiga- ule was sleep deprivation. But Mario Rosser SJP ’08 in government means justice. Though China has had tive story in New York City and in the end, time spent working Becky Myers a relatively stable Communist government for decades, Leslie Primack SJP ’06 more than 15,000 women in China are sold into sex exploring The New York Times, hard was time spent bonding. slavery each year, according to Amnesty International. CNN and Daily Beast offices. While at this program, we Amanda Rinderle ’08 Stability does not guarantee fair treatment for women. But the intellectual atmosphere learned about how the advent of Brian Rokus ’99 The war in Afghanistan is not working. The forces was also strong on campus. At new media has put a lot of pres- Tasnim Shamma SJP ’06, in Afghanistan are not detaining corrupt politicians. Princeton, we have been able to sure on budding journalists, Princeton ’11 More than 1,200 U.S. troops have been killed in the engage in workshops featuring but we also learned many ways Eileen Shim SJP ’07 war, and it will soon surpass Vietnam as the lon- Marion Smallwood SJP ’07 gest war America has ever been involved in. News guest speakers with the most bril- to use it to our advantage. of Afghan civilian casualties is not scarce, and the liant minds. We had the oppor- Directors and counselors gave us murder of an Afghan child by American forces last tunity to meet public intellectual so much information about the col- October in Logar Province is just one example of the Cornel West and other inspiring lege admissions process and about tragedies that result from military intervention. The figures, from history professor how to find the best college without annual cost of the Afghan War—over $100 billion— could be spent on humanitarian aid and infrastruc- Anthony Grafton to New Yorker breaking the bank. By furthering correspondent Ryan Lizza. our education and polishing our ture improvement. Perpetuating a war that diverts The Princeton University Summer resources from actual progress due to judgment- During walks back to the dorms talents, we go into the world armed Journalism Program welcomes about 20 high school students every year to Princeton Uni- impairing emotions does not help the Afghan people. or meetings with newspaper teams, with tools for leading successful versity for a 10-day, all-expenses-paid seminar. Emotion does have a place in politics, but we had the chance to bond with lives. This means that those of Founded by Princeton alumni, the program’s allowing emotion to dictate decisions—espe- mission is to diversify the world of college jour- us who will go on to become jour- nalism—and, ultimately, the world of profes- cially in the war in Afghanistan—enables sex- and learn from the many person- sional journalism—by energizing students from alities of the directors and coun- nalists can continue to cultivate low-income backgrounds about the possibility ism, torture and other forms of injustice to of attending elite universities and working for flourish in a minefield of incompetence. selors. This could mean getting the art of reporting the truth. their college papers. For more information, please visit www.princeton.edu/sjp.

this is great news. Women have that the majority of the stu- ness cycle, like manufacturing, made enormous progress dur- dents in Advanced Placement construction, finance and car Franklin Lee ing the last several decades and honors classes as well as dealerships. The truthin the United aboutStates. Indeed, boysthe majority ofand club officers girls Women, by contrast, are dis- the appointments of Supreme and school leaders are female. proportionately employed in Los Angeles, Calif. Court Justices Elena Kagan As I write this article, I realize ‘safer’ industries, like health or the past four years, and Sonia Sotomayor show the that 16 of 21 students at the care, education and government the student body growing influence of women Princeton Summer Journalism work.” presidents in my high in a male-dominated sphere. Program are female. In early 2009, the Times also school, Los Angeles But there may be another So why is this a prob- reported that, since the begin- FCenter for Enriched Studies, reason why the last four presi- lem? Among lower-income ning of the recession, “a full 82 have been female. On one level, dents at my school have been Americans, men tend to go into percent of the job losses have female: Women are outpacing industries that require less befallen men.” In other words, men in educational achieve- education. According to a study the education gap between ment. According to the U.S. by Washington University in men and women may have had Census Bureau, 55 percent of St. Louis, less than 10 percent serious consequences for lower- college students are female, of nurses are men. And, accord- income American males during while only 45 percent are male. ing to the Bureau of Labor this recession. The difference of 10 percent Statistics, 97.8 percent of pre- Encouraging educational may seem small now, but the school and kindergarten teach- opportunities for lower-income National Center for Education ers are women. males would help them land Statistics has predicted that These industries are less in stable professions, which, in only 40 percent of the college volatile than the industries turn, could alleviate some of population will be male by where lower-income men tend the disproportionate impact of 2017. to end up. According to The future recessions. With all of My personal experience at New York Times, “Men are more this in mind, I am hoping for a school seems to confirm this likely to work in industries that male student body president at illustration by maria v. paredes prediction. It is easy to discern are more sensitive to the busi- my school next year. August 9, 2010 Page 7 The Princeton Summer Journal Editorials & Opinion Dinky a gateway to University RealityStephanie Zhou TV, but not enough reality history Brooklyn, N.Y. was clicking around on Yahoo! when some- thing caught my eye. The headline “Bach- Ielorette’s Final Decision” was the second most prominent Shaiesha Moore link. “Changes to Miranda Rights,” however, was num- ber 10 or 11. Has celebrity Chicago, Ill. news trumped real news? he massive steel, two-car train Entertainment news has that moves swiftly down the nar- not just caught America’s at- row 2.7 mile-long track has been tention—it has consumed it. running for 145 years. But today The headlines for stories about itT is facing an end to its historic ride. Lindsay Lohan’s jail sentence The Princeton Township and Borough, and Tiger Woods’ funny busi- along with New Jersey Transit, are con- ness have become as big as sidering replacing Princeton University’s those for articles on immigration beloved Dinky with a rapid transit bus law and health care reform. illustration by maria v. paredes system due to a need for transportation And reality television has improvement. Kim Jackson, Director of sped up this phenomenon. Celeb- Transportation and Parking at Princeton rities used to be made through have no public policy com- According to The New York should just ignore reality University, said, “The University has a their talent. Now the subjects ponent have increased in Post, 5.3 million viewers tuned television, celebrity news, the strong interest in transit service between of reality television shows frequency from less than 35 in for the season premiere of direction of Justin Bieber’s the campus and Princeton Junction that become famous by doing abso- percent of all stories in 1980 to “Jersey Shore,” making it the hair or the lack of mate- is frequent, reliable and rapid. Unfortu- lutely nothing. Just look at Kim roughly 50 percent by 2001. most-watched cable television rial on Miley’s outfit. But that nately, in recent years Dinky service has Kardashian on “Keeping Up This is wrong. Real news show of 2010. “Jersey Shore” would be like trying to build become less frequent and less reliable.” with the Kardashians” or Heidi should be about current is a reality show on MTV with a wall between celebrities and This proposal should not be approved Montag on “The Hills.” They events that affect people. cameras that follow eight house- the public eye when the only because it will destroy a landmark have become larger than life Last time I checked, Brit- mates with borderline-citrus- things in stock are windows. that the community loves. In addition, simply by appearing on camera. ney didn’t shave my head. fruit tans. Behind all the party- We have fame fever. there are reasons to believe that re- Reality shows have created To be sure, many Americans ing, drinking and fist-pumping, There should be a balance placing the Dinky with a bus will not a fresh batch of celebrities who agree that there should be less there is . . . more fist-pumping. between entertainment news make transportation more efficient. need to be covered, leaving less reality television. An MSNBC On July 23, a New York Times and the real news. Schools First and foremost, this small train has room for serious news. We all survey conducted in 2005 found reporter wrote a profile about should hand out newspapers something that many other options lack: know when Ellen joined the that four out of every five people Nicole Polizzi, the “Jersey Shore” such as The New York Times, history. Constructed in 1865, the Dinky “Idol” panel of judges, but do thought there was too much star more popularly known as The Washington Post, The Chi- has carried many influential and eccentric we all know when Sotomayor reality television on the air. “Snooki.” The article examined cago Tribune or even the local riders over the years. Travelers could have joined the Supreme Court? The people who disagree are “how much gel they can pump newspaper. Schools should also ranged from Albert Einstein and Woodrow This ongoing trend is dumb- probably on reality shows. into their hair before they make provide more journalism classes Wilson 1879 to more recent figures like ing down American society. But no matter what they tell the chicken parm.” And it went and debates on current events. Elena Kagan ’81 and Michelle Obama ’85. According to a study from a pollster, people continue to on to say that “in the first epi- Maybe then, teenagers will Second, it is an institution beloved by the Joan Shorenstein Center on watch them in large numbers. sode, Snooki got drunk, threw determine whether they will the community. One thoughtful Dinky the Press, Politics and Public Reality shows like “Hell’s Kitch- up and passed out.” Is that what be members of the Demo- traveler is Lowell Edmunds, 71, who has Policy at Harvard University’s en,” “The Bachelorette” and we have to do to be featured in cratic Party or the Republi- ridden the Dinky once every two weeks John F. Kennedy School of “America’s Got Talent” were the a world-renowned newspaper? can Party instead of Team for 20 years. He uses the Dinky to visit Government, news stories that highest-rated shows last week. I could say that the public Edward or Team Jacob. the University’s library for his personal research. The Dinky has provided him a gateway to the books that he cherishes. While expressing his love for books, Edmunds sat back on the brown seat in the Dinky and stared out the window at the moving scenery. “The Dinky, to Princ- eton, is like cable cars to San Francisco,” he said. “It is a symbol of this city.” Residents are speaking out. They have created a “Save the Princeton Since then, an elected lead- did not personally gain from cision to run for office. “I Dinky” group on Facebook, which has ership has taken over from the foundation.) The scandal endorse Michel Martell as 6,000 members, including Princeton an interim government and could hurt Jean’s ability to the next president of Haiti alumni and empathetic history buffs. Shawdae a United Nations stabiliza- attract international donors because he is the most com- To them and to the world, the Dinky is HarrisonIf I weretion force has been president deployed. to Haiti if he is(of elected. Haiti)petent candidate for the job,” a historical landmark that deserves to But Haiti is still plagued by Actor Sean Penn openly Pras said in a statement. be preserved—Princeton without the violence, and the U.N. has opposes Jean’s candidacy. “I Some might say that Jean’s Dinky is like life without history. baltimore, md. described the human rights want to see someone who’s nonexistent political back- Other community residents are opposed apper-singer-political situation as “catastrophic.” really, really willing to sac- ground will provide a new to the proposal because the train is es- activist Wyclef Jean Meanwhile, the aftermath of rifice for their country, and outlook for Haiti. But it seems sential to their daily routine. The Dinky has announced he the January earthquake has not just someone who I per- more likely that Jean is sim- serves as the only form of transporta- will be running for left the country in dire straits. sonally saw with a vulgar ply offering false hope to the tion for some like Elizabeth Scott Harvey Rpresident of Haiti in the Nov. With a country suffering entourage of vehicles that Haitian populace. The country who lives in Princeton Junction. “I do not 28 elections. Jean has been an through catastrophe, one would demonstrated a wealth in needs a president who truly drive,” she said. “The Dinky is my main influential resource for Haiti think that the ideal solution Haiti that, in context, I felt understands the problems it mode of transport, and even if it weren’t, as his efforts have raised mil- would be to elect someone was a very obscene demon- faces and how to solve them. I’d still do whatever I could to save it as it lions for the nation’s relief who knows the nation well. stration,” Penn told CNN. Wyclef Jean is not that person. is an icon, a historic landmark, a commu- after the Jan. 12 earthquake. But while Jean was born in One of Jean’s former band- nity event and so much more to so many.” Back in 2004, Jean created Haiti and maintains a home mates in the Fugees, Pras, Finally, there is no reason to believe that Yele Haiti, a charitable organi- there, he has lived in the is also skeptical of his de- a bus would be efficient or more reliable. zation for the people suffering United States since he was Professor Alain Kornhauser, director of in Haiti. He believes his presi- nine. Jean doesn’t speak flu- the transportation program at Princeton dency would change the coun- ent French, Haiti’s national University, is an advocate for saving the try for the better. Analysts language, and he is hoping Dinky, and disputes the University’s ideas are predicting that Wyclef authorities will waive the about accessibility. “It doesn’t improve ac- could project his star power Haitian constitution’s require- cessibility to or from Princeton compared into a solid electoral victory. ment that candidates live to what currently exists,” he said. “Plus, Like President Obama, Jean in the country for the five some minor improvements to the Dinky is relying on younger voters to years preceding the ballot. would substantially enhance accessibility.” get him into office, distancing Moreover, a candidate with A conductor of the Dinky, as well as an himself from the older candi- no political background can’t engineer, both of whom wanted to remain dates, including his 78-year- possibly know how to run a anonymous because of New Jersey Tran- old uncle, Raymond Joseph, nation, let alone a nation in sit policy, spoke about the disadvantages who has been the U.S. ambas- devastation. Haiti’s problems of a bus. They highlighted the fact that sador for the past five years. cannot begin to be reversed a bus would not be efficient because it But is Jean really the person without a ruler who has a plan would not be able to pick up all the pas- to lead Haiti out of turmoil? for the country. When asked sengers at once. “There have been times Haiti, currently a semi- about his political platform, when we had as many as 200 people,” democracy, has been subject Jean falls back on vague plati- the conductor said. “Now how many to decades of poverty, environ- tudes about the need to create buses do you think that would take?” mental degradation, violence, jobs, reform education, sup- According to the University, about 40 instability and dictatorship. It port Haitian agriculture and percent of undergraduates use the Dinky has long been one of the poor- attract foreign investment. throughout the year. A bus might not be est nations in the Americas. Another reason for skepti- able to take this enormous number of peo- Though economic sanctions cism is the scandal associ- ple as well as their luggage. And by making and U.S.-led military interven- ated with Jean’s Yele foun- several stops along its route, the bus could tion helped prevent dictator- dation. According to a 2006 be a rather slow form of transportation. ship from reemerging in Haiti tax return, Yele paid Jean I hope that the Dinky will see its 150th in 1994, Haiti’s fortunes did $100,000 to sing at a benefit anniversary. I hope to hear the Dinky not pick up. The then-president concert and made payments of screech across the tracks for years to come. was forced out of the country $250,000 and $31,000 to com- By saving the Dinky, we would not only in 2004, leaving Haiti with- panies partly owned by Jean. preserve a pleasant means of transporta- out a stable government. (Jean has insisted that he illustration by carissa isabel eclarin tion, but also an important part of history. Page 8 August 9, 2010 The Princeton Summer Journal Editorials & Opinion

a rest

GiveYared the Portillo test

Santa maria, Calif. very year, students spend countless hours in the classroom taking in new experiences. Yet every year, all the epiphanies and teach- able moments come down to one event at Ethe end of the school year, which turns them into nothing but a number—nothing but a test score. In her book “The Death and Life of the Great Amer- ican School System,” Diane Ravitch writes that test- ing has “become a central preoccupation in the schools and . . . not just a measure but an end in itself.” My school is no exception. It is 85 percent Latino, and about one-third of our school population is made up of English learners. Our test scores, consequently, aren’t very high. We have received a grant through the Quality Education Investment Act, which provides money to underperforming schools for seven years in order to help them improve their test scores. The re- sult is that many of the administrators at our school seem more concerned with raising test scores than making sure that students are actually learning. Administrators have attempted to improve test scores by emphasizing core classes, and failing to prioritize elec- tive courses. During the past few years, our school lost one of its best elective courses when the teacher retired and was not replaced. This coming year, we will have no woodshop class because our only woodshop teacher just retired, and there are no plans to hire a new one. For those students not interested in academ- ics, electives can serve as a motivating factor in school—something to encourage them to attend their illustration by maria v. paredes core classes. For instance, the prospect of a film and broadcasting class can keep students sitting through a challenging English class. Moreover, that very same elective can lead a student to a career. Teaching to the test can also cause problems in core classes themselves. Ellen Viruleg, a Harvard Ph.D. student who is writing her dissertation on standardized Breaking ground, healing wounds testing policies, says that tests only use a limited num- ber of questions, and those “items are pretty predictable.” The predictability of the test makes it easy to ig- nore many parts of the curriculum and avoid teach- against the mosque, saying, “The con- sway over Republican candidate for ing many subjects with depth. And making tests less troversy which has emerged regard- New York governor Rick Lazio, who op- predictable isn’t really a solution: Changing the tests ing the building of an Islamic Center poses the mosque. Lazio was quoted from year to year make it harder to compare results at this location is counterproductive in a New York Times editorial say- across time—in a sense, defeating the purpose of Imani Watson to the healing process. Therefore, ing, “This is not about religion. . . . standardized testing, which is to measure progress. under these unique circumstances, It’s about this particular mosque.” The problem, of course, is that we don’t have other we believe the City of New York What Lazio fails to realize is that Chicago, Ill. cost-effective ways to hold schools accountable. In 1989, would be better served if an alter- this issue has everything to do with Vermont tried to implement a student portfolio system in ecently, there has been a native location could be found.” religion and that rights are not condi- order to foster a higher level of creativity. But it is prohib- heated debate about a pro- As an organization dedicated to fos- tional. There would be no controversy if itively expensive for independent experts to grade port- posal to build a mosque two tering tolerance, the ADL should know there were a proposal to build a church; folios than to grade standardized tests. And so, while blocks north of Ground Zero, better. Its opposition to the mosque to oppose the construction of a mosque the idea of substituting portfolios for tests is a promising Rthe site where two commercial air- is a betrayal of its core mission. is clear religious discrimination. one, it would require more funding at a moment when planes hit the Twin Towers on Sep- The United States was built on fun- Granted, the terrorist group that the public education system is strapped for money. tember 11, 2001. Many groups and damental ideals and principles that in- senselessly killed thousands in 2001 Perhaps, then, the best thing to do is not to get rid of individuals have come out against the clude the right to practice religion freely. was Muslim. But doesn’t fighting standardized tests but rather to stop placing so much construction of the mosque, but their “The government has no right whatso- against the mosque mean that we emphasis on them. “I don’t think that we should just opposition is misguided. Intolerance, ever to deny that right,” New York City hold all Muslims accountable for the ignore standardized testing. I think it’s very powerful,” the reason why our great Twin Tow- Mayor Michael Bloomberg said about the attacks? If so, then what does that Viruleg says. But, she argues, the situation grows prob- ers were destroyed nearly a decade mosque. If the government were allowed say about us as a people? The group lematic when we start attaching “large stakes to the ago, is the same reason why there to deny the owners of the building the proposing the mosque, the Cordoba test.” Maybe if less importance were placed on standard- is resistance to the mosque today. right to host a religious facility, then it Initiative, says on its website that it ized testing, and more on the process of inspiring learn- Of all the groups opposed to the would have the right to deny any hom- is “committed to promoting positive ing, teachers would be less likely to teach to the test. mosque, none is more surprising than eowner, business owner or landlord that interaction between the Muslim World The sad reality is that education is subjective. We the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), same right, which would be nonsensi- and the West.” Rather than unjustly still can’t properly define good learning or teaching. an organization that “fights all forms cal. As Bloomberg remarked, “We would excluding people of the Islamic faith, That doesn’t mean we should stop trying to mea- of bigotry, defends democratic ide- betray our values if we were to treat we should embrace them. After all, sure success via standardized tests—only that we als, and protects civil rights for all.” Muslims differently than anyone else.” this building is meant to enrich and shouldn’t treat them as the most important factor. On July 28, the ADL came out Bloomberg’s arguments have no unite the community, not divide it.

Sweating it out An indecent proposal

is instructive. The Supreme Court over- overnight. Instead, a way must be found to turned Plessy v. Ferguson with Brown v. draw manufacturing and industry to Haiti Frances C. Richburg Board of Education by declaring “sepa- Paty Gutierrez and its large but unskilled workforce, be- rate but equal” unconstitutional. Though cause only through employment can the race is still a problematic issue in this Haitians pull themselves from the rubble. Bronx, N.Y. country, it has undoubtedly improved Santa Maria, Calif. However, businesses are unlikely to be t’s disheartening to see that the since the 20th century. n January, a devastating earthquake that attracted to Haiti unless the country first United States can remain so After centuries of oppression, this claimed more than 300,000 lives drew changes itself. After all, companies require divided on some of the most im- country legitimately found ways to begin the world’s attention to the Caribbean the kind of stability that comes only through portant issues, one of the most correcting the wrongs of segregation. island of Haiti. Fundraisers were held infrastructure—police, utilities and means prominentI being sexual orientation. Though the situation isn’t perfectly com- Ion network television. Pop stars paid musical of transporting goods in and out of the coun- Proposition 8 in California provided parable, I’m confused as to why homo- tribute. $5.3 billion dollars in aid was pledged try. To set the stage for that, Haiti will need that “only marriage between a man and sexuals cannot receive their equal rights from around the world to rebuild the country. foreign aid to pay for police, power plants a woman is valid or recognized,” effec- as well. All this attention, while much-needed, and ports. And that will not be cheap. tively banning gay marriage in 2008. On Many people might argue that there missed the broader point. Haiti has been a Even more than infrastructure, businesses Wednesday, the U.S. District Court in is no comparison between race and sexu- country in crisis for decades—a collapsed state will need a financial motivation to move or San Francisco made a remarkable deci- ality. However, both skin pigmentation with a broken economy. But now, eight months expand into Haiti. The United States will need sion when it overturned the proposition. and attraction are things that no one can after the earthquake, much of the aid prom- to offer tax incentives and financial subsidies But supporters of Proposition 8 aren’t control. ised has yet to arrive. And—considering that to make Haiti a profitable business alternative. fretting because they are hopeful that Refusing to recognize that gays have already seven years ago 80 percent of Haiti’s And this plan is also not without risks. when the decision is appealed to the a right to marry is a direct attack on population was below the poverty line, accord- Attracting large manufacturers to Haiti cre- higher court, the gay community won’t their character, implying that they are ing to the Central Intelligence Agency’s World ates the potential for worker exploitation. be as fortunate. not worthy of the same concessions as Factbook—Haiti is in worse shape than ever. Such “sweatshops” must not be tolerated. The Fourteenth Amendment to the heterosexuals solely based on whom It is now obvious that a new approach The Haitian government must implement United States Constitution prohibits they love. is essential to Haiti’s survival—not fair but strong labor laws to protect work- discrimination against individuals by Settlement of the issue by the simply more promises and no-strings- ers, and the United States must be careful government institutions. One of its Supreme Court seems almost inevitable. attached humanitarian aid. The United to choose only responsible businesses as re- clauses grants all people equal protection Hopefully the court will recognize that States must finally take steps to pull cipients of Haitian expansion incentives. under the law, meaning that states must gay rights are human rights. Haiti out of poverty once and for all. To be sure, this solution will most defi- enforce the law without doling out pref- The courts are obliged to give citi- Explained simply, the United States nitely be costly. However, the benefits of erences to any specific group. Logically, zens equal protection under the law. needs to help the Haitians grow an economy creating a prosperous and independent this should apply to marriage, but it does Anything less than full marriage rights from scratch. Realistically, Haiti can’t be Haiti will far outweigh the costs in the long not. for gay couples would be a miscarriage expected to become a First World country term—for Americans and Haitians alike. The example of race in this country of justice. August 9, 2010 Page 9 The Princeton Summer Journal Personal Narratives

the tape that held the breathing to hold back the tears. It was could wash the distant look from that tubes to her nose. I didn’t want useless. They flowed like river my mother’s face, and I faced Shawdae to let her go. She stayed in the rapids down my face. After I my own emotions alone for fear Harrison hospital for several months before cried for hours, she opened her of causing her more sadness. shapedThe shop me she knew home. A few weeks lat- eyes and smiled; the river sub- My wounds healed gradu- The losser, she was backthat at the hospital. broughtsided and flowed again, us but this together ally as I focused on becoming Baltimore, Md. I didn’t see my mother much time my tears were sweet. a support system for my two felt the blood rush from after Tarshia was born. She She had her first birthday younger sisters. As for my mom, my face when I was stabbed stayed at the hospital every party in the hospital. We deco- I never wanted to see her like Charles Walker with the news. “She may minute she could, cradling and rated a dreary conference room that again; I wanted to do my not make it,” replayed in praying for her baby girl. I felt with balloons and banners for best to protect her as she would Altadena, Calif. myI mind over and over in the like I had no one when she was her. Toward the end of the party, protect me. I watched her go same deep and ominous tone. I gone. Of course, Dad was pres- the doctors rolled her in on her to the other room to cry, but I alking briskly into Just in knew she wasn’t going to make ent, but he showed no emotion. bed. I could see her face light never let her go alone. I gained Time, the barbershop my it. I was losing her, my sister. I hated going to the hospital. up as we sang happy birthday. responsibility, insight into my father owns in Pasadena, Her name was Tarshia Mat- Watching the feeding tubes On May 12, 2001, she died. emotions, determination and Calif., I was greeted by the thews. I remember the day she and cords from her respira- When I lost my sister, I lost a perseverance. No matter how Wusuals. “Hey Charles!” hollered Uncle was born. I can still feel the tor running from her stomach part of my mother. I longed for heart-wrenching the situation Joe, who worked there as a barber. warmth from the first time I held and nose made me weak. Every her smile. I was consumed by may have been, looking back, Joey, my cousin, was also a barber at her. She looked up at me, and time I looked at her, my face her grief. I feared death, I feared winning that battle was the the shop, and like his father, always I gazed back at her. I stared at would twist until it hurt to try loss. No amount of consoling proudest achievement of my life. greeted me with a firm handshake. Then there was this cat Earl, a barber I had known since I started working there. He greeted me with his laugh, which was scratchy but familiar. They By bus, a journey of discovery always found time to acknowledge me in their own distinctive ways. To many people, it may seem weird to have a family composed of barbers and stylists. But to me, they were ev- Tashi erything. My barbershop family has Shuler-Drakes always supported me in my attempts to reach success. Even my high school report cards became the topic of conver- Bridgeport, conn. sations in the shop. “He made straight hree months ago, I A’s again,” my dad would casually men- was sitting next to tion to his customers. While clipping a friend on the bus a customer’s hair, he would mention home from school. my accolades: “My oldest triplet son TWe laughed and joked with is going to Princeton University this the other kids, but I was con- summer.” News like this would envelop fused when he said that he the entire shop, and by the follow- had something to show me. ing Saturday, I would be bombarded He opened a plastic bag that with hugs and coarse handshakes. he always carried with him When a child in my family comes and showed me his gun. of age, he must assist in the family When I asked why he needed business. For me, this age was five a gun, he told me that it was the years old. “I knew this day would key to protecting him. He then come, and I feel sorry for you guys,” said, “Don’t you want me to be said Krystal, my older sister, who there to protect you if anything had already faced the hardships of happens? You like my sister. I working in the shop. I was excited gotchu.” And I believed him. and frightened by what this new re- I’m not a perfect person. I sponsibility would bring to my life. illustration by maria v. paredes make mistakes. And maybe that The laboring tasks of my Satur- was a really big one. I didn’t days started early in the morning. tell him that he was wrong; I munity puts hope in few and choose not to care for us, we “destined for greatness.” But Battered bricks covered the right fac- didn’t tell him that, if anything, prejudges the others. It expects learn to care for ourselves, act- actually, I’m an integral part of ing wall, and tattered barber chairs his key for survival was getting only a select few to be great. ing as “adults” long before our my community. It needs me just filled the left side of the room. As a out of Bridgeport, Conn., not Even though every teenager of time. The lines of right and like I need it. So now, I think scrawny, chubby-cheeked, hyperac- shooting it up. I didn’t stop him Bridgeport is the future, there wrong are blurred for those who I’m going to start doing some tive boy, I was raring to do some- because I didn’t think I could. aren’t many advocates for us. have no one to believe in them. things right. I’m going to learn. thing. “I want you to make this I go to school in a city that This is what breaks us down, In turn, we end up believing in Not just because I can, but also place run as smoothly as possible,” creates kids who are likely to emotionally and psychologically. things that lead only to disaster. because so many of my peers my dad said. From that day on, my grow up in the criminal justice We deserve to be great, but un- My family and friends expect can’t. Not because people believe world was completely transformed. system. Not intentionally—but fortunately many of us think me to be better than my com- I should, but because the next Growing up in the shop was tiring inevitably—the kids of Bridge- that, like our old textbooks, we munity, because my mother time I sit next to a friend I want and challenging, and I learned the port are neglected. Our com- aren’t valuable. When people raised me to believe that I am to see his grades—not his gun. lessons of time management, disci- pline and work ethic. I stayed every day until 7 p.m. and sometimes until 9, to make sure the shop was cleaned properly at night. I took out the trash, and folded the thin, worn-out towels Living with autism after doing laundry. I was the cashier, the receptionist and the supply boy. on his own? Would he I had to rekindle my selves “The United Na- After a hard day of work, the whole Antonio ever have friends or Bianca friendships was to sit with tions of Cafeteria A.” We family went to church every Sunday. Regulier a girlfriend, let alone Dennis those people during lunch. taught each other about At times I wondered when I would get to experience col- United NationsThis is where I trulyof re Cafeteria- our cultures, consoled A have the opportunity to relax on lege? When I looked alized the cloud of race each other about heavy weekends—I felt as though I was a Roosevelt, N.Y. Atlantic City, N.J. at him, I saw a person that hung over us, filling workloads, discussed social pariah since I couldn’t hang out stepped into the wearing a mask. o an outsider, our heads with nonsense family problems, and at- with my friends. Though my week- room. Tears were But, during the two my school—At- about where we belong. tempted to solve the crazy ends were booked, I learned to grow streaming down years since Marquis lantic City High Black students sat with situations that came into and appreciate what I was given. the faces of my was diagnosed, I have School—is ex- black students, whites our lives. We each brought Through my dad’s constant support, Imother and stepfather. gradually removed that tremelyT diverse. In ninth with whites, Asians with different perspectives and I learned lessons that would prepare “It’s autism,” my mom mask and begun to see grade, I found walking Asians and Latinos with different talents to the me for the real world. After my dad said. “Your little brother him as my responsibility, down hallways shoulder- Latinos. It made me table, and we used all of would announce my accomplish- has autism.” The words my motivation, my little to-shoulder with students wonder why we clung these to enrich our experi- ments, he would always throw in the pounded my heart, and I brother. Whenever my whose shoulders were so tightly to notions we ences and understanding. phrase, “You’re a Walker,” reminding suddenly felt removed— parents needed a break different colors to be an either didn’t understand I let them into my me of a long line of hard workers. removed from myself, or wanted to escape from entirely new experience. or didn’t even believe. life, and they let me into My father, having grown up on my family, the mental Before that, I had never But I didn’t do anything. theirs. Because of them, a farm in Arkansas, was forced to this world. load, I of- shared classroom discus- I wanted to hold on to I am who I am today. I work in harsh conditions. He milked Was my five- ::::: fered to bab- sions with students of some part of the past, love to learn about the several hundred cows every day and year-old brother ysit. I show- Middle Eastern descent and though I knew I was different places of the operated a tractor by age 10. This retarded? He When I looked ered him, or had a conversation not allowing the experi- world, about the differ- upbringing made him into a man could not say at him, I saw a changed his with someone who spoke ences of other people who ent histories, and prob- who believed that persistence was “mommy” or diapers and Tagalog. I had never par- were different from me lems faced by those who the only means to a comfortable life. “daddy,” and person wearing made sure ticipated in a potluck in to help me grow, I didn’t don’t live in my small I think that my father’s initial was unable to a mask. he wasn’t which students’ Ethiopian make a change. I sat at neighborhood in Atlan- intentions for bringing me into the feed himself or last on our mothers or Jewish grand- a table that I grew not to tic City. The hardships shop were meant to prepare and even use the ::::: family’s pri- mothers brought food. It like, talking about things my friends face due to scare me. And it worked. Day after bathroom on ority list. was unlike anything I’d that didn’t really interest racism and stereotyp- day, I would see so many people who his own. Be- Because of ever experienced—but me, just because it was ing make me strive to were virtually stuck in a common cause of him, our lives Marquis, I have learned I soon learned that, for what I’d always done. correct notions held by routine. It made me realize that I would change; our family to look below the surface insiders, my high school My sophomore year, I people too simple-minded needed to work diligently to reach could never be normal, and see the uniqueness was anything but diverse. made a change. I stopped to accept others for who higher education. My father affirmed at least that’s what I that makes each person The first day of fresh- letting race dictate where they really are: people that goal for me by constantly show- thought. We could never special. My brother has man year, I knew very I sat at lunch. Instead, I with feelings and memo- ing me a demanding environment. go out without people also inspired me to suc- few people. I did not have sat with friends of Trini- ries, brothers and sis- I have one more year left in the stopping to stare or ceed, to always strive classes with old friends be- dadian, Pakistani, Indian, ters, moms and (maybe) shop until I reach my goal. And I making quiet comments. for nothing less than cause, by taking all honors Chinese, Vietnamese, dads, favorite movies and know how every challenging yet fa- Uninformed and misled, excellence. When I feel courses, I had isolated my- Bengali, Peruvian and Facebook accounts, goals, miliar Saturday will unfold: My fa- I soon despised Marquis. like giving up, I remem- self from the people I had Mexican backgrounds— dreams, aspirations, ther will yell at the top of his lungs, I longed to figure out ber that Marquis is de- known since third grade— people I loved and genu- love, hate, pain, joy and “Wake up!” The sun will light up my what he was thinking. pending on me to make the people I loved like inely wanted to spend everything else that room and give me a desire to pre- Would he ever think something of myself. family. The only chance time with. We called our- makes people, people. pare—prepare for the lengthy day. Page 10 August 9, 2010 The Princeton Summer Journal Buses, livery cabs, police cars spotted idling in New York

idling MTA officials contacted by “I’m just going to say that it ferred into the atmosphere it whether this officer would fall Magazine, and that he was Continued from page 1 the Summer Journal said that was 90 degrees yesterday.” heats up more than normal under the anti-idling law’s ex- idling even though he knew he ...... hot summer temperatures are Pecker said that MTA bus and consequences occur,” said emption for “emergency motor was breaking the law because no excuse for idling in violation drivers are reminded regu- Eric Larson, a carbon research vehicles.” he wanted to keep his car cool. neering at Stanford Univer- of city law. To the contrary, larly that they are not to leave engineer at Princeton Univer- “They call us high-class di- sity, referring to all cars, not MTA officials explained that their engines running when sity. Larson explained that Livery cabs vision. . . . It’s like for the just idling cars. MTA’s rules regarding idling their buses are not in service. higher temperatures have far- In addition to MTA buses famous,” the driver said. “I are actually stricter than the “It is their obligation reaching effects, ranging from violating the anti-idling law, put the AC on because it’s hot. Idling buses city law’s three-minute limit. to make sure [their bus] is harming crops to intensifying Summer Journal reporters When [the editor] comes in, During several hours in the Anna Pecker, a general turned off,” Pecker said, indi- hurricanes. also observed numerous livery she and others wouldn’t like afternoon and early evening manager with MTA New York cating that she would be in- In spite of Bloomberg’s pro- cabs (commonly called “black it to be hot. I don’t want to on Wednesday, Summer Jour- City Transit, said that MTA vestigating whether bus driv- fessed focus on improving air cars” because they are fre- spend money, but I have no nal reporters observed dozens has “zero tolerance for idling.” ers in downtown Brooklyn are quality, MTA buses were not quently black luxury sedans) choice. Otherwise I would like of Metropolitan Transporta- However, MTA bus drivers continuing to idle. “They all the only idling city vehicles with their engines running to save gas.” tion Authority buses parked who are caught idling are know [the policy].” spotted. Summer Journal re- while parked outside of office The driver said he pays for along and around Court Street given at least two warnings porters also observed a police buildings in Midtown and low- fuel out of his own pocket. in downtown Brooklyn. Many before facing more serious con- City response officer eating inside a radio er Manhattan. The public relations depart- of those buses idled for more sequences, including termina- New York City’s policies patrol car with the engine Drivers for those cars typi- ment for Glamour Magazine than one minute before either tion, Pecker explained. aimed at combating vehicle running parked near the Wal- cally explained that they were did not respond to repeated parking or driving off, and at In addition to those penal- idling have received renewed dorf Astoria on Lexington Av- awaiting passengers and were requests for comment for this least five buses idled for well ties, the New York City De- attention recently. Though enue, near 50th Street. When idling so that they could keep article. in excess of the three-min- partment of Environmental the city’s anti-idling laws date the officer was approached, he their air conditioning running A livery cab driver on Wall ute legal limit—often while Protection can issue citations back to the 1970s, the issue refused to comment and rolled and their cars cool. Street who sat in his car while parked within a few feet of to bus drivers who violate the has been a focus of Mayor up his window. One driver stood for sev- idling for several minutes be- a sign warning, “No Engine law. Pecker said that in those Bloomberg’s administration. Another officer nearby, who eral minutes near his black fore being approached by re- Idling. Max Fine $2000.” cases, the bus drivers are re- Last year, Bloomberg signed declined to give his name, said Lincoln Town Car while the porters said that he had been When approached by re- sponsible for paying the fines into law a bill that further that police officers must re- engine ran outside the Condé unaware of the anti-idling law. porters, several drivers of the themselves. limited idling time for non- main in their cars so they can Nast building in Midtown at “The law is great,” he said. idling MTA buses refused to In response to emailed ques- emergency vehicles near respond quickly to emergency 4 Times Square. After being When asked why he contin- comment about their appar- tions regarding DEP’s strate- school zones and expanded the calls. approached by reporters, he ued to idle, the driver said, ent violations. In one instance, gies for enforcing the city’s city’s ability to enforce idling NYPD media officials did said that he was waiting to “You’re right,” and turned off a driver ignored reporters anti-idling law given the vio- violations. not respond to inquiries about pick up an editor at Glamour his car. standing outside his bus for lations observed by reporters One of the most important more than 10 minutes while in downtown Brooklyn, DEP reasons to cut vehicle emis- he continued to talk on his spokesman Angel Roman sent sions is that vehicle exhaust cell phone and sit in one of the an email containing links to a can lead to serious health con- bus’s passenger seats. Later, city report and a press release. sequences, according to Re- he appeared to close his eyes A subsequent request for com- becca Kalin, founding director and take a nap. Meanwhile, ment went unanswered. of the non-profit organization his bus’s engine continued to Officials in the New York Asthma Free School Zone. run. City Police Department’s Of- “Schools are worth worry- Another MTA bus driver, fice of the Deputy Commis- ing about because children who initially refused to com- sioner, Public Information, have special vulnerability to ment and who refused to give likewise did not return nu- pollution [from car exhaust]. his name, exited his bus after merous requests for comment Their vulnerability stems continuing to idle for a few for this article. However, an from immature immune sys- minutes and approached re- officer in the community af- tems and faster metabolisms,” porters. “Do you know how fairs unit for NYPD’s 84th she said. “Until the NYPD hot it is outside?” he asked, his Precinct in downtown Brook- begins ticketing drivers for en- bus still running behind him. lyn said that he was surprised gine idling, informed citizens When asked whether he to hear of the violations. will need to take the lead in was aware of the anti-idling “There has to be city bus stopping idling.” law, the driver responded, rules, but I am almost sure Of course, health issues are “There are a lot of laws.” He that [the buses] must have not the only byproduct of car continued, “I’m a human being been shut off,” said the officer, emissions. rich tucker :: the princeton summer journal just like you.” who refused to give his name. “When carbon gets trans- Buses lining up in downtown Brooklyn left their engines running for as long as 10 minutes.

Stellar research on campus Web may hold future of thesis

periment could benefit from “If you love [science] and it way to maintain this mass col- for students across the coun- stars more time. captures your imagination, digitize lection—and he thinks that try, and we’re not interested in Continued from page 1 “The more we figured out, go for it, study it,” Page said. Continued from page 1 digitization could be a smart providing that,” she wrote...... the more fun it was,” Page “It’s hard and can be frustrat- ...... solution. “I perfectly understand [the through Euclidian geometry. said. “It’s a wonderful thing ing, but you have to love it to asked whether Princeton will While Princeton currently University’s] rationale in 1998 “The geometry of space is to build an instrument that get through it. You need to take steps to digitize its senior offers PDFs of theses and also . . . but in 2008 with Google, it actually flat,” Spergel said. other people don’t know yet. love what you are doing to thesis collection. provides photocopies upon re- doesn’t make as much sense,” The team’s research reveals It’s an amazing feeling.” become a scientist.” “Mudd is really an archive. quest, it has made no plans to Linke said. that only five simple numbers Spergel added, “You start Over the years, Page It holds original sources of digitize them. The question of Google facilitates easier de- are needed to describe 99.9 off stumbling blind and and Spergel have built up history and everything from digitization was first brought tection of student plagiarism. percent of outer space. things don’t work, but once in a rapport. Like fraternal student letters . . . to issues of to the attention of University In addition, Grafton suggested Page joined the project in a while something works out brothers, they even man- the ‘Princetonian,’ ” said An- administrators in the mid- restricting access to the the- 1991, and Spergel joined as and it is great.” They eventu- age to finish each other’s thony Grafton, Princeton his- 1990s by the staff at Mudd ses, and posting them with the lead theorist in 1994. ally collected data from the sentences. Later today, the tory professor and author of Library. But the University read-only capability. They named the satellite the satellite for nine years. satellite they have worked “Codex in Crisis,” a book that decided it did not want to have “Reading electronically is Wilkinson Microwave Anisot- It was exactly the type on for 16 years is expected addresses the implications of a “thesis mill online,” Linke a lot more practical now. . . ropy Probe after a colleague of work Spergel imagined to shut down. mass digitization. said. . Places like the Center for who passed away during the himself doing as a boy. He “We are a little sad, but Princeton has been collect- Dean of the College Nancy Digital Media at George Ma- experiment. This satellite became interested in phys- it’s the right thing to do, like ing these senior theses since Malkiel explained via email son University and others are was launched into space on ics at a young age, and he everything, it has to come to 1923. Mudd Library stores that there could be a major turning to the use of digitiza- June 30, 2001. The total cost studied it as an undergradu- an end,” Spergel said. most of them, and it takes in problem with digitizing the tion,” Grafton said. And hav- for the satellite was almost ate at Princeton. Page, on In September, Page and roughly 1,200 every summer. theses. “If they were readily ing a resource like Princeton’s $150 million. the other hand, had never Spergel will travel to Hong Daniel Linke, university ar- available on-line, they would thesis collection online, he ar- Originally, the satellite heard of astrophysics until Kong to collect the Shaw chivist and curator at Mudd, constitute a very low-expense, gued, would be “fantastic” for was supposed to collect data he reached Bowdoin College Prize. “This award is wonder- wants to find a more efficient high-class term paper service historians. for just one year. But after as an undergraduate. Once ful but it pales next to the joy a successful first year, the there, he grew more and more of actually doing the work,” team agreed that this ex- passionate about the subject. Page added. Scientists map the galaxy Future of iconic train uncertain physics Page joined the project measure something about the University wants an easy ac- cases and suitcases. in 1991 as the instrument universe that advances our dinky cess to its ill-placed parking Halvorson enjoys the social Continued from page 1 Continued from page 1 ...... scientist, and Spergel joined knowledge,” Page said. “It is garage next to Baker Rink.” atmosphere of the train. “On a in 1994 as the lead theorist. an amazing feeling.” ...... Kornhauser’s chief concern typical day, there might be five and Spergel, the average Together with a team, they It is a feeling you wouldn’t train or bus, and it’s not my is that the BRT doesn’t im- professors from the University person would believe that as- designed and built a satel- have imagined he would have fight,” University President prove accessibility to or from who some on the Dinky may trophysics is simpler than it lite to collect data in outer experienced if you had known Shirley Tilghman said. “We Princeton. not recognize and two Nobel seems. “If I could summarize space. They named the probe him in high school. He slept do need transportation back “Some minor improvements Prize winners. It is nice meet- 99 percent of the universe, it the Wilkinson Microwave behind his book in physics and forth. I’m agnostic on that to the Dinky would substan- ing people from the town as just takes a handful of num- Anisotropy Probe, after Da- class and did not learn to love subject.” tially enhance accessibility to well,” he said. bers,” Page said. vid Wilkinson, a colleague the subject until he was in Tilghman spoke more about and from the arts center.” “Moving [the Dinky] a little On September 28, Page who passed away. “David college, he said. her excitement for the future Princeton University phi- bit is better because I prefer and Spergel will fly to Hong was deeply involved in mak- The satellite will stop col- arts complex that will be built losophy professor and Dinky the train to the bus,” Halvor- Kong to receive the $1 million ing this happen, and unfor- lecting data this month. Page next to the existing Dinky sta- advocate Hans Halvorson also son said. “It is more social. On Shaw Prize for their work tunately he passed away,” and Spergel already have tion. As part of the planning expressed disappointment a bus you sit at a corner.” showing that the universe Spergel said. “We thought plans to work together again process, there has already with the plans. Peter Chan from Toronto can be mapped using Euclid- it would be a good tribute to on a telescope in Chile. been discussion of moving the “I would do anything if I recently visited campus with ean geometry, that its total name it after him, and NASA “It’s a little sad, but it Dinky Station 460 feet south could keep it,” he said. “I think his wife and son, a rising high energy is zero, and that it is was generous to allow us to makes sense,” Page said. to Faculty Road. almost all of my professor col- school senior. Though he was 13.7 billion years old. do that.” “It’s like a car that you’ve Despite the University’s leagues take the Dinky.” riding the Dinky for the first “They are the two super- They launched the probe in had your whole life and claim of neutrality, some be- A change would mean shut- time, he was sympathetic to stars of cosmology, no pun 2001 at a total cost of about served you really well, and lieve that it is less impartial tering Princeton’s famous the potential loss of the his- intended,” Princeton Uni- $150 million. Originally, they you know [the right thing to on the issue. Professor Alain train station, which, with its torical train. versity President Shirley planned to collect data for one do is to] trade it in,” Spergel Kornhauser, director of Princ- Gothic architecture, looks like “If anything near that sen- Tilghman said, adding that year. Instead, they collected said. “In some ways, it’s a sat- eton University’s Transporta- a replica from a Harry Potter timental nature were to be “there’s no more profound data for nine years. isfying moment to know that tion Program and Dinky ad- movie. Rough, brick-layered taken away in my community, question than ‘where did the “It is a wonderful thing it has been done and worked vocate, said that the BRT is archways harbor commuters it would definitely be an emo- universe come from?’ ” to build an instrument and out so well.” being proposed “because the waiting patiently with brief- tional situation,” he said. August 9, 2010 Page 11 The Princeton Summer Journal Media scrutinizes famous theses Johnson shoots for greatness thesis “Because the thesis was a ed to learn what beliefs and coach and Gown eating club and Former NBA player study of socialism in New York attitudes the potential First learned to balance basketball Magic Johnson and former Continued from page 1 Continued from page 12 ...... City in the early 20th century, Lady would bring to the White ...... practice and other commit- Princeton assistant coach there was a fair amount of right- House. Accordingly, commen- ments. Armond Hill are two other pundits and prognosticators. In wing commentary to the effect tators zeroed in on her the- manages to stay strong and Today, Johnson still has basketball figures who have the past few years, reporters that Elena was and is a socialist. sis, titled “Princeton-Educated remain humble. a busy schedule. He makes inspired the current Princ- have examined the theses of This happens to be, and to have Blacks and the Black Commu- “I think our team morale is time for his wife and two eton coach. then-Supreme Court nominees been, nonsense, as any straight- nity,” because she explored the pretty good,” he said. children, ages three and five, Johnson recognizes the op- Samuel Alito ’72 and Sonia So- forward reading of the thesis topic of race in Princeton as an Born in Lansing, Mich., especially on weekends when portunity Princeton has this tomayor ’76, along with First would show. And so the argu- African-American student. Johnson lives in Plainsboro. his days aren’t as hectic. season, saying his team has Lady Michelle Obama ’85. ment got nowhere,” he said. Patrick McCain, the editor He moved often during his After some thought, John- the basketball experience “Reporters do this sort of Sotomayor’s thesis also drew of RightPundits.com, called childhood because his dad son depicted Princeton in one needed to take them far. thing because the source is attention from some reporters the thesis “a fundamentally was a college professor; as word: “stimulating.” When asked about Prince- easy to track down, and it has who attempted to distill and racist document” and said it better jobs came along, the “You’re going to meet so ton’s archrival Penn, Johnson a kind of authenticity about extrapolate the 178-page docu- showed “that Obama identi- Johnson family changed loca- many interesting and excit- said, “I know they want to it that seems compelling,” ment into fodder for some politi- fies with black militancy, ut- tions. ing people,” Johnson added. beat us, and we want to beat Wilentz said. cally provocative quips. terly obsessed with race in Johnson’s parents divorced Johnson has proven that them. . . . Penn will always be The senior thesis has long For example, Washington America and her own black- when he was young. “I was so self-confidence can go a long a motivated game.” been a requirement for gradu- Wire, a Washington Journal ness.” McCain concluded that young, I don’t view myself as way, but admits to being ner- No matter how intense ating from Princeton. Students, blog, wrote that Sotomayor ap- as First Lady, Obama would a kid that suffered,” he said. vous before his first practice the rivalry is, he prefers the usually working closely with a peared to support Puerto Ri- do “untold damage” to Ameri- “I did miss having a mom in as head coach—just as he was motto he has adopted for his faculty member, can write about can independence based on her can race relations. my household though.” when he started as a play- team: “Play hard, play togeth- any topic. The final product can thesis, “La Historia Ciclica de While McCain and oth- Johnson remembers step- er under legendary former er and have passion.” be well over 100 pages—pages Puerto Rico: The Impact of the ers believed Obama’s thesis ping onto the court at an Princeton coach Pete Carril. With former player Sydney that reporters and commenta- Life of Luis Muñoz Marin on is reflective of her viewpoint early age. Carril has always had a Johnson at the helm, a new tors hope will contain insights the Political and Economic His- today, Stanley Katz, a Wood- “Basketball gave me self- strong influence on Johnson, age of Tiger basketball has about their now-famous writ- tory of Puerto Rico, 1930–1975.” row Wilson School professor, confidence,” Johnson said and over the years, Johnson emerged. ers. Or ammunition to be used However, the White House suggested otherwise. smiling. said his relationship with “Princeton is home for me. against them. said at the time that Sotomayor “I think the theses can some- As a student at Princeton, Carril has changed from I left Georgetown to come Kagan’s thesis was the most was not advocating for Puerto times be a useful reflection of he was a member of the Cap coach to mentor. home,” Johnson said. recent recipient of that more Rican statehood in her thesis the state of a person’s mind as a malicious brand of media scruti- or in a subsequent law review student,” Katz said in an email. ny. This summer, while Kagan’s article also cited by Washington “Mrs. Obama was writing about A role model on and off the court nomination was pending before Wire. Rather, she was merely race and college education, and the Senate Judiciary Commit- anticipating a possible outcome. her thesis reveals quite a lot to fully develop the friend- still remember today. tee, Jeffrey Lord, an online Daniel Linke, a Princeton about her reactions to being in johnson ships that define most child- His experiences as a bas- contributor for the American University archivist and cura- a white, elite institution. I think Continued from page 12 hoods. Despite this, he doesn’t ketball player have also con- Spectator, wrote, “The issue— tor at the Seeley G. Mudd Man- quite a lot can be learned from ...... view his childhood negatively. tributed to his philosophies the issue—of this confirmation uscript Library, where Princ- her thesis.” year two,” he said of his first In fact, Johnson’s experiences as a coach. When asked to hearing for a Supreme Court eton’s senior theses are stored, Not every senior thesis has two years as the men’s head in various parts of the world predict what this year will Justice should be not Ms. Ka- questioned the value this type set off a firestorm of criticism, coach. gave him a knack for forming bring for his team, wheth- gan, but socialism. Socialism, of speculation. however. Alito’s thesis, which Still, Johnson emphasized friendships with people of dif- er it’s defeating the team’s the philosophy she professed “How much does what you examined the Italian Constitu- that an important part of his ferent backgrounds, skills he archrivals Penn or winning such admiration for in her 1981 write when you’re 20 or 21 tional Court throughout its his- job is making certain that has deployed on the court and an Ivy League champion- Princeton thesis titled ‘To the years old and when you’re try- tory, drew less attention during his players learn lessons that as a coach. ship, Johnson responded, “I Final Conflict: Socialism in ing to meet a deadline really his confirmation process, per- they can apply off the court. “I recognized the value of just want to work our tails New York City, 1900-1933.’ ” reflect your greater intellectu- haps because he focused his re- When asked what basketball being comfortable around a off, focus on positioning our- In that same vein, Fox News al development?” Linke asked. search on a foreign country. meant to him, Johnson an- lot of people,” he said. selves.” host Sean Hannity said on his “Generally the media coverage “People can extrapolate all swered, “The value of work- Johnson’s experiences Entering his fourth season show, “The [Obama] admin- on these things is superficial. they want. But a senior thesis ing together.” working with others also at the helm, Johnson is under istration may also have been They don’t take into consider- says a good deal only about the Born in Lansing, Mich., helped him in his career as a lot of pressure to deliver a fan of Kagan’s senior thesis ation the context needed to un- quality of mind of the person Johnson, the child of a world- a player, where he was rec- an Ivy League championship. in which she explored the his- derstand the circumstances in when he or she was graduating travelling professor, spent ognized as one of the best And regardless of whether tory of the socialist movement which they were written. Most college,” Wilentz said. “That most of his childhood moving basketball players in Princ- that happens, this year could here in the U.S. So is this just of the media just grabs bits might be a nice source for to everywhere from Florida to eton history. In 1996, for be a defining moment for another Obama radical being and pieces and run with it. But writing a biography, but not Nigeria. He said he learned a example, during Johnson’s Johnson’s career. elevated to the highest levels that’s the 24-hour news cycle.” for assessing whether some- lot from those experiences— junior year, he helped the “Pressure is not a word I of our government?” Though Michelle Obama one is qualified to sit on the most notably, how to get along Tigers defeat UCLA, the embrace. Pressure is think- Wilentz said that he be- was not a Supreme Court nom- Supreme Court.” with others. Only staying in NCAA defending national ing about everything but lieved this type of conclusory inee, her thesis also garnered — Includes reporting by Tashi one place for about two years champions, a feat that many what’s in front of you,” John- analysis is inherently flawed. media criticism. People want- Shuler-Drakes. at most, Johnson wasn’t able Princeton basketball fans son said.

The Princeton University Summer Journalism Program

...... is deeply grateful to everyone who ...... made this year’s program possible

our generous supporters our guest speakers

Princeton University Vice President Robert Durkee ’69 The Flannery-Reilly Family Mike Abrams of The New York Times Peter Seldin ’76 John Eligon of The New York Times The Class of ’69 Community Service Assistant Dean of Admission Jameel Freeman Fund Professor Robert George The Princeton Review Professor Eddie Glaude Princeton Garden Theatre Professor Anthony Grafton The Trenton Thunder Sarah Graham of The New York Times Sheldon L. Baskin ’58 Professor Stanley Katz Kathy and Michael Bates P01 Professor Brian Kernighan ’69 Robert N. Burt ’59 Georgetown University Professor Athelia Knight B. Peter Carry ’64 Admission Officer Sam Fox Krauss ’10 Jonathan C. Coopersmith ’78 Ryan Lizza of The New Yorker John F. Curley, Jr. ’60 Melvin McCray ’74 of Columbia University James H. Duffy ’56 Professor Stacey Sinclair Robert K. Durkee ’69 Professor Tracy K. Smith Juliet K. Eilperin ’92 Columbia Journalism School Professor Jill Nevel Field ’77 Sree Sreenivasan Louis A. Jacobson ’92 Professor Cornel West GS ’80 Charles M. Kerr ’69 Noy Thrupkaew of The American Prospect Benjamin Markham ’02 President Shirley Tilghman M. Greig Metzger II ’82 Alexander Wolff ’79 of Sports Illustrated Avery S. Miller ’90 David S. North ’51 our accomplished alumni who Neal Peirce ’54 returned this year Richard K. Rein ’69 Martin E. Robins ’64 Viviana Benjumea SJP ’08, Williams ’13 Jeffrey S. Samberg ’88 Amanda Cormier SJP ’07, Columbia ’12 Melanie H. Stein ’86 Angela Fabunan SJP ’06, Bowdoin ’11 Anna Maria Verdi ’89 Walter Griffin SJP ’05, Princeton ’10 Norman R. Williams ’65 Leslie Primack SJP ’06, Brown ’11 George S. Wilson ’61 Mario Rosser SJP ’08, Columbia ’13 Tasnim Shamma SJP ’06, Princeton ’11 our colleagues within the Natalie Shields SJP ’06, CUNY ’11 university community Eileen Shim SJP ’07, Yale ’12 Marion Smallwood SJP ’07, UPenn ’12 Marianna Bogucki Amy Campbell Cynthia Cherrey and our program associate, who led Jim Floyd ’69 the program to its most successful Rick Kitto ’69 summer yet Seva Kramer Jennifer Neill Laura Spence-Ash Samantha Pergadia ’11 Tara Zarillo Thank you. Page 12 The Princeton August 9, 2010 s ummer J ournal Sports basketball Princeton on the rebound

to achieve success Coach jumps through hoops By Jonathan Wigfall :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Camden, N.J.tanding in his princ- eton basketball polo shirt, shorts and Nike sneakers, No halftime S36-year-old Sydney Johnson By Maria V. Paredes stood tall in Jadwin Gym. “I’m glad I came to Princ- for Johnson ’97 eton. Without a doubt, it Gaithesburg,Inside a Jadwin Md. Gym con- was the best choice,” he said ference room just below Car- confidently. Johnson, the Ivy ril Court, men’s basketball League Player of the Year in coach Sydney Johnson ’97 is Brian rokus :: the princeton summer journal 1997, local Hoagie Haven cus- at ease, wearing his Princ- The Trenton Thunder defeated the Binghamton Mets on Friday with a seven-run seventh inning. The win put the Thunder atop the league. tomer, and family man has eton basketball polo shirt, defined Princeton basketball reminiscing about the past for many years. three years and pondering Johnson, a member of the his team’s future. Class of 1997, was a stand- After three less-than-stel- Lucky number seven out point guard. He made the lar seasons under previous transition from player to head coach Joe Scott ’87, the team coach at Princeton in 2007, seems to be on the verge of a By Jonathan Wigfall and the bats of the local nine. :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: after playing in Europe and renaissance. Last year, the Antonio Regulier The Mets drew first blood being an assistant coach at team finished second in the in the top of the fourth inning Georgetown University, un- Ivy League, with a conference on a grounder by designated der former Princeton basket- record of 11-3 and an overall Camden,The Trenton N.J. and Roosevelt, Thunder deN.Y.- hitter Luke Montz, scoring By Melina Torres mals, volunteers vary in their ball coach John Thompson III record of 22-9. feated the Binghamton Mets first baseman Marshall Hub- service from providing foster ’88. But while Princetonians at Mercer County Waterfront bard. They added one run in homes to helping out with “As soon as I got here, I may have high hopes of win- Park on Friday. After trailing the fifth on an RBI double TeamBrawley,As China Calif. pitches walked onto the dog events. adoption viewed [the players] as my ning an Ivy League champi- in the first six innings, Tren- by third baseman Zach Lutz turf of the Trenton Thunder “They all help out some guys,” he said. “I’m very ex- onship, so far Johnson has ton erupted for seven runs in and two more when Thun- baseball field at Mercer County way, some with the dogs, oth- cited to be with guys that yet to deliver. Johnson, who the seventh, on the way to a der starting pitcher Andrew Waterfront Park, heads turned ers with fundraisers,” Marie wore my same jersey.” knows he is facing high ex- 7-4 victory. The win moved Brackman and relief pitcher when she appeared on the Revesz, volunteer at BPAA, Since Johnson took over as pectations this season, said the Thunder into first place J.B. Cox both walked in runs, jumbo screen. A commotion said. “Every Saturday we go head coach, the overall mo- he is trying to emphasize to in the Eastern League. putting the Mets up 4-0. swept over the crowd members out to PetSmart to hold pet mentum and expectations of his team the importance of The seventh inning rally Though Mets pitcher Rob- as they gawked at the furry adoption days.” the team have changed. De- taking the season one game began when Thunder short- ert Carson held the Thunder cinnamon-brown chow mix. China’s story is not unusual spite Johnson’s resume and at a time. stop Luis Nunez smashed a at bay through five innings, When she was led off the field, for average-sized dogs. “She the Tiger basketball fans, “I try to stay in the pres- t w o - r u n he ran into trouble in the children ran toward the real was abandoned at the shelter Johnson remains humble. He ent,” he said. “If we lose, we Trenton 7 t r i p l e , sixth. After star of the game. by her owners, and she has a knows many expect a lot from lose.” binghamton 4 s c o r i n g striking out The Trenton better shot of getting adopted him as coach this season. Johnson was candid in ad- outfielder two and walk- Thunder AA [with us through our events] at “Pressure is not a word that mitting that his first years D a n i e l ing two, Mets baseball team PetSmart,” Revesz said. I embrace,” Johnson said. at Princeton were not a com- Brewer and third baseman m a n a g e r c o l l a b o r a t e s Revesz added that some pop- Hopes for a successful sea- plete success. Matt Cusick. Tim Teufel with animal ular breeds, such as shih tzus, son are high, but Johnson “Tough year one, mediocre After Binghamton hurl- brought in adoption organi- get adopted fast on Petfinder. See coach page 11 See johnson page 11 er Eric Nieson walked first Cox who zations in host- com, an online site that works baseman Justin Snyder and walked the ing a Dog of the with adoption centers to pro- outfielder Austin Krum, next hitter to Day event each mote its available pets. While Trenton leftfielder Justin load the bas- game. During an average-looking dog like Christian hit a sacrifice fly, es. The Thun- this event, a dog China typically does not find a plating Nunez and moving der could not usually walks home on Petfinder, she is likely Snyder to third. The momen- seize the op- onto the field to be adopted through the Dog tum continued when Trenton portunity to between the sec- of the Day program at Trenton second baseman Corban Jo- get on the ond and third Thunder games or events at seph hit a two-run triple of board, how- innings and is PetSmart. his own, scoring Snyder and ever, when designated hitter introduced to the crowd. “[It is] no fault of their own Krum and putting the Thun- Damon Sublett struck out. China was almost eutha- that they are homeless,” Revesz der up 5-4. “Sometimes it happens,” nized at a local shelter when said. “She is temperament-test- The Thunder also added said Franklin of the sixth in- she was saved by the Burl- ed and deemed to be a good- two insurance runs later in ning opportunity. “You’re not ington Pet Animal Alliance quality dog.” All China needs the inning when catcher Aus- always going to succeed in (BPAA). An animal shel- is to meet potential adopters to tin Romine singled to left, those situations.” ter must hold animals for at win them over with her person- scoring Joseph, and then The Thunder received a set- least seven days in Burlington ality, she said. scored himself later in the in- back a week ago when Bran- County. If homeless dogs are BPAA gets the dogs the ex- ning on a single by outfielder don Laird, one of the team’s not claimed by their owner, ad- posure they need. “We are the Daniel Brewer, a hit that put best players, was promoted to opted, or taken by a rescue advocate for the animals. They the Thunder ahead 7-4. triple-A Scranton. However, group, they may eventually be don’t have voices,” Revesz ex- “We needed an inning like Laird’s replacement—Corban euthanized. BPAA saves these plained. this,” said Thunder manag- Joseph—has made his impact dogs that are out of time and Because China was the Dog er Tony Franklin about the felt since his arrival. pairs sheltered dogs with foster of the Day at the Thunder team’s seventh inning fire- When asked about the call- families while trying to find game on Friday, BPAA expects works. up, Franklin was supportive, them loving homes. to find her a home quickly. Prior to the seventh, the noting “We’re in the business With a team of approximate- “[An animal gets adopted] Thunder crowd of about 5,000 of getting guys to higher lev- ly 70 volunteers, BPAA cares very quick once we get them had little to cheer about ex- els as quickly as we can.” for approximately 100 dogs and exposure at an event like this. Brian rokus :: the princeton summer journal cept for Chase, the Thunder The Binghamton Mets are cats at any given time. Guided It then makes people wonder Princeton basketball head coach Sydney Johnson ’97 returns to his bat dog that made repeated now fourth in the Eastern by the passionate purpose of about other dogs,” Kathleen Al- alma mater to revamp a team struggling to recreate past glory. trips from the dugout to fetch League. finding homes for these ani- len, a BPAA volunteer, said.

LeBron spectacle turns basketball into a circus

reigning MVP, he was courted Cleveland Cavaliers after ple for younger generations book “The Narcissism Epidem- in the minds of teenagers. Tammy by many teams, including the seven unsuccessful quests for who look up to NBA heroes ic: Living in the Age of Entitle- Whether or not it is desired Chan New York Knicks, New Jersey a championship. like him for inspiration. ment,” thousands of teenagers by the athlete, being an in- Nets, Miami Heat, Chicago Hosted in the setting of the In our society, where self- were asked if they considered fluential icon carries with it Queens, N.Y. Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Los Boys and Girls Club of Green- promotion is already promi- themselves an “important” the responsibility to act as a Angeles Clippers and his wich, Conn., the 28 minutes of nent in social networking sites person—12 percent said yes. positive role model. Every ac- nown as King hometown Cleveland Cava- contrived suspense over James’ such as Facebook and Twitter, In the late 1980s, roughly the tion role models do is watched James on Twit- liers. In order to publicize his announcement drew in nearly figures like James propel nar- same number of teens was by millions, and many of ter with “Chosen decision, James demanded a 10 million viewers, making it cissistic ideas that flourish asked the same question with their watchers are teens who 1” tattooed on one-hour live ESPN special. the third most-watched show within youth culture. Ten 80 percent of girls and 77 per- may be impressionable and hisK back, LeBron James On July 8, the network ran of the year thus far. years ago, updating statuses cent of boys saying yes. may try to emulate them. A holds the image of a typi- a widely publicized segment The television program was never heard of; a decade These statistics reveal a traditional press conference cal high school jock—one titled “The Decision,” during drew high ratings but also later, it’s almost second nature. dramatic change in teenagers has been sufficient for every whom most high schoolers which James ended weeks drew criticism for prolonging This boost in self-promotion is with respect to how they view other top athlete to date. praised while others hated. of silence and secrecy and the wait of James’ actual deci- fostered by the idea that status their own importance and role That—and not a televised, Since July 1, when James announced his future team. sion and making a spectacle of is worthy to publicize. in society. With this increase egotistic spectacle—would became a free agent, both After considering many of- the process. Several studies have empha- propelled by the availability have been a refreshing move basketball fans and non-bas- fers, James told viewers that In a world as narcissistic sized this rise in narcissistic of social networking sites, fig- in pushing James away from ketball fans alike anticipated he had decided to join the as professional sports, James’ behavior. In Jean M. Twenge ures like James only exacer- adding to our already narcis- his decision. As the league’s Miami Heat and leave the conduct was a pitiable exam- and W. Keith Campbell’s 1950 bate the idea of self-promotion sistic society.