[email protected] VOLUME CVIII, NUMBER 26 PASADENA, CALIFORNIA MAY 1, 2007 Midterms week can be pleasant The Tech Photo by Matthew Glassman now online

TECH STAFF

The California Tech now has a user-friendly niche on the internet at tech.caltech.edu. The site, cre- ated by junior Michael Comstock, will update every Tuesday to in- clude articles and photos from the paper version of the Tech. Previous Tech editors David Chen, Jon Malmoud, and Jon Senn were successful in creating the Tech’s first website last year, which posted archived PDF’s. However, the site was restricted to Caltech IP addresses. The new website was unveiled on April 13 when it linked to the prank edi- tion of the MIT newspaper. The new site uses basic HTML and CSS to display articles and relevant photos. Plans for the site include a search option, “This week in photos”, and forms for submitting article ideas to the Tech. “It’s been fun working on the site,” said Comstock. “It has been nice putting the Tech on the In- ternet in a visually appealing and simple way. It’s been hard doing it under a harsh deadline, but I Ben Zax, a freshman in Page, flips through his Math 5 textbook in preparation for midterms. Midterms week extends from look forward to making many last Wednesday to this Wednesday. improvements and adding more interactivity.” Chameau Math, fruit flies, and video games for scholars Photo courtesy of Nora DeMuth physics course. names Stolper BY MARISSA CEVALLOS new provost Unicyclists, video game pro- Jack E. Froehlich Memorial grammers, and fruit fly enthusi- Award: William Clark The video game expert Clark BY VIBHA LALJANI asts were among the handful of undergrads honored at the 2007 won the Froehlich award as a stu- Undergraduate Academic Awards dent with creative career path— President Chameau announced last week. the junior CS major is the lead on April 18 that geologist Ed- Creative contributions to re- programmer at a start-up video ward M. Stolper will step up as search and top-notch GPAs quali- game company this summer. Caltech’s new provost on Aug 1, fied six undergrads for the presti- “My interest in using my graph- 2007, replacing three-year pro- gious awards and a lunch in the ics research in video games was vost Paul Jennings. Athenaeum. apparently creative enough for the In affirming the appointment of The winners, Alex Alemi, Wil- group who selects the winner,” Professor Stopler as provost, Kent liam Clark, Matthew Fisher, Po- said Clark. His favorite game is Kresa, Chairman of the Board of Ling Loh, Vickie Pon, and Huan Metroid Prime for Gamecube. Trustees said in Chameau’s email, Yang were hand-selected to re- When he isn’t spending 40-50 “Through his service as division hours a week on his work, Clark ceive named awards by profes- Pictured from left to right: Willliam Clark, Victoria Pon, Huan chair and interim provost, the sors. sings and plays guitar for his band members of the Board of Trustees Moneyshot Mafia and is slowly Yang, Po-Ling Loh, and Matthew Fisher. Alex Alemi is not have come to admire Ed Stolper’s Meet the Scholars making his way through every pictured. unique combination of energetic South Park episode with his girl- Housner Award: Matthew Fredrick J. Zeigler Memorial leadership and focused dedica- George W. Green Prize: Alex friend. Fischer and Huan Yang Award: Po-Ling Loh tion to the Institute’s academic Alemi Matthew Fisher, a senior in Sophomore math major Loh, and research mission, as well as A sophomore in Physics, Alemi Arie J. Haagen-Smit Memo- the depth of his commitment to Computer Science, and Huan winner of the Perpall speaking won the George W. Green Prize rial Award: Vickie Pon Yang, a senior in Physics, re- award for her pure math SURF, Caltech’s faculty and students.” for his research with Professor Pon’s research on how fruit flies The members of the Provost ceived this year’s Housner awards said the math department liked David J. Stevenson on why Ve- detect scents is one of her many for an outstanding piece of origi- her “knack for explaining math Search Committee spent four nus lacks a moon, featured in achievements, as her prize recog- months choosing the new provost. nal scientific research. Though to a non-mathematical audience.” December’s Scientific American. nizes a chemist or biologist who Yang confesses he spends about The Zeigler is given to a pure or In Chameau’s e-mail, Profes- The prize is given for original has shown academic promise and 10 hours per day on work, and applied math student who has sor Paul Wennberg, who served research or creative scholarship made recognized contributions in is often found in lab on Saturday shown excellence in the class as chair of the faculty search - beyond class work. Alemi, who research to Caltech. The junior in nights, he still gets out enough to committee, noted that “Ed Stol- room or in research.. In her free is currently taking 54 units, was biology, also former ASCIT sec- play basketball in his free time. time, the Avery UCC sings in the per is an engaging and energizing matched up with Professor Ste- retary, is active in the Caltech Y. Fischer enjoys cooking, reading, Caltech Glee Club and is a mem- venson last summer as part of swing dancing and, when he’s ber of the Caltech Christian Fel- Please see PROVOST, Page 3 Ph 11, a selective research-based bored, riding his unicycle. lowship.

In This Issue Tennis finishes Bright Eyes: new album a season Be wary of changing admissions Page 2 breath of fresh air NFL draft picks a bore Page 4 Cindy Ko goes to Coachella Page 6 Page 4 Baseball earns extreme stats Page 8 Page 8 2 THE CALIFORNIA TECH OPINION MAY 1, 2007 From the Editors Keep admissions blind, not crippled Calling this a truly unfortunate ized segment of the higher-educa- lation by an order of magnitude. criteria on our admission process BY VALERIE SYVERSON idea doesn’t seem too much of tion market. The large-university The truth is that there aren’t very – to try to turn Caltech into anoth- an exaggeration. After all, as the “business model” which works many people suited to this univer- er MIT or Harvard or Stanford. Yesterday morning, a Direc- memo acknowledges, Caltech’s even at other elite universities sity, even among our already-bi- The marketing department has tory memo arrived by e-mail with historic approach to admissions such as MIT and Berkeley isn’t, I ased applicant pool. Surely it’s a given us the slogan “There’s Only the unexceptional headline “Two has always been demographics- think, really applicable to the po- difficult enough task already for One Caltech”, but this new at- New Committees for Student Af- blind – a factor which renders it sition Caltech fills in this system. our admissions office to pick out tempt to change our historical ad- fairs”. Most Techers probably unique among schools of its aca- Is it, perhaps, more useful to those people who will thrive here, missions policy smacks rather of skipped over reading it, especial- demic caliber. consider it in terms of an ecologi- without asking them also to take another attempt to swing Caltech ly since it was rather long, but this It seems to me that part of cal model? Not every organism into account other traits such as toward the mainstream. Like it or one was worth the effort, because the conflict here might be a race and sex. not, we’re a weird little niche of buried three-quarters of the way conceptual incompatibility The real problem academia, and it seems a pity to into the text was the following between what’s taught to ad- Surely it’s a difficult enough that keeps women and try to become anything else. Let’s statement: missions officers and what’s task already for our admis- minorities from being keep it weird. historically been the Caltech proportionally repre- “The Task Force on Admissions approach. In politics as well sions office to pick out those sented at Caltech isn’t If you have comments on is asked to formulate recommen- as in large-scale business, the one we can solve here this issue, please contact the dations that will: soundest policy is often to people who will thrive here, – it’s a wider problem Task Force on Admissions. · Improve Caltech’s ability to “move to the center” in terms without asking them also in the culture at large, Chairs: Geoff Blake (Pro- enroll students who also are admit- of the clientele targeted; we a failure of education fessor of Cosmochemistry ted to our top competitors see this in the increased nor- to take into account other and encouragement at and Planetary Science and - Increase the representation of malization of business mar- primary and second- Chemistry), Richard Bischoff women amongst undergraduate keting tactics, in the swing of traits such as race and sex. ary educational levels (Director of Undergraduate students the major U.S. political par- which keeps smart Admissions). · Increase the representation ties during national elections, and in a community has to be present kids from pursuing the interests Members: David Busse of underrepresented minorities in this new set of goals aimed at in huge numbers in order to sur- that would bring them here. This (interim Director of Finan- amongst undergraduate students. changing Tech’s admissions poli- vive. The members of the Caltech is something that needs changing, cial Aid), Maria Gutowski Furthermore, the Task Force cies. A couple of decades of this community, in fact, have histori- but the way to do it isn’t to profile (undergrad), Brandi Jones on Admissions is asked to make approach has shown that it works cally been a rather odd bunch, the prefrosh, it’s to improve the (Director of Minority Student a recommendation as to whether well to improve demographic a fact generally accepted and level of cultural and institutional Education), Niles Pierce (As- Caltech should continue the histor- diversity at large schools. How- even embraced in our institute’s support for students at all levels sociate Professor of Applied ic practice of primarily considering ever, in terms of college-as-busi- culture. What works at a large of society so that they can, if they and Computational Mathe- individuals and their qualifications ness – and that mentality seems school doesn’t necessarily work choose, become the kind of peo- matics and Bioengineering), in making admissions decisions or to be what’s put us in the situa- at a small one, because the ques- ple who would do well at Tech. I Erin Schuman (Professor whether increased consideration tion of considering this change -- tion of personality “fit” becomes think everyone knows this. of Biology), Michael Woods should be given to the composi- Caltech is a niche product which much less important when you With that in mind, there’s no (undergrad). tion of each entering cohort.” caters to a small, highly-special- increase the student body popu- reason to impose such additional “The Caltech Myth”: passion pummelled by problem sets? Debate over whether Caltech is a “good” institute still ongoing

dents have a chance to contrib- long process. His arguments I would respond with a ques- “The Caltech Myth” in ute to once-in-a-decade changes showed a belief that the students tion: in an age where students The California Tech as President Chameau settles in are transient; that by disappearing across the nation are still faced Caltech 40-58, Pasadena, CA 91125 historical context: Is advertising e-mail: [email protected] with his new vision for the insti- in around four years and having with ever increasing amounts of editorial e-mail: [email protected] the intellectual tute. For the undergrads to have a all memory of them lost within a information that must be learned “trial by fire” proper voice, we just need to have decade, students must rely on the to attain a basic level of compe- VOLUME CVIII, NUMBER 26 a perspective of the institute as faculty to respond to and address tence in a field, where do we pick productive or stifling? long ranging as any faculty and as complaints. Where Joe’s article up our analytic thinking skills that Marissa Cevallos Editor-in-Chief full of memories throughout past opened with something like, make Tech graduates so notable? BY CRAIG MONTUORI decades as the collective alumni ‘Caltech is a great place. Actu- I’d argue that we get these skills Kimberley Ho association. Additionally, as Tech ally, this is just a myth, not the from our Housemates and (to a Business Manager has changed, so has the percep- reality,’ Ted’s article expressed lesser extent) from our TAs, who For the rest of the term, I’d like Chandra Barnett to address ‘the Caltech Myth,’ tion of Tech, both from within the hope to improve the state of teach the specifics of material that Circulation professors only touch on. which several students over past and from the wider world. In the institute to make Joe’s version Matt Glassman decades have examined. For each this article, I look at how we have of the Myth a reality (10 April It is one thing to write down Photography Editor and pore over the theory that of them, the Myth is something perceived ourselves through a 2003). Valerie Syverson different. It is based on popular, few voices from gushes at us from Sonia Tikoo external perception, as well as the late 60s and classes, but another to Yang Yang how we perceive ourselves to be early 2000s. In an age where students across sit down and solve the Layout Editors sets, some of which seen by the rest of the world. To begin, I’ll Evans Boney Most recently, in 2003, Ted begin with Joe’s the nation are still faced with ever have problems that Marissa Cevallos Jou wrote about the decades- central ques- would be unsolvable Andrea Dubin long struggle to improve Caltech, tion, of whether increasing amounts of informa- if it were not for that Mark Eichenlaub or not Caltech is senior who did that Hamilton Falk through programs like the Stu- tion that must be learned to at- Leighland Feinman dent-Faculty Conference (SFC). a “good educa- problem last year or Matt Glassman Looking at another source, the tional institute.” tain a basic level of competence someone like Rob Anna Hiszpanski 1985 Cain Report on admissions Joe argued that Forester, who goes Robert Karl in a field, where do we pick up our over the problems and Cindy Ko said that Caltech is perceived as an undergraduate Natalya Kostandova a “narrow, grim school” by high education is not materials to make sure Radhika Marathe school students and admissions just hurling aca- analytic thinking skills that make years of undergrads Harold Martin officers. Ted also quoted heav- demic informa- Tech graduates so notable? understand the Phys Sara McBride 1a material. Craig Montuori ily from a 1968 article by Joe tion at a student Vibha Laljani Rhodes, claiming it was only in the hopes that These arguments Harrison Stein a myth was that Caltech was a he or she absorbs some of it, say- Let’s also look at some of the naturally focus quite narrowly on Valerie Syverson “good educational institute.” ing “[The students] feel; they can arguments that other students academic quality, breadth, and va- Sonia Tikoo riety, attempting to put constraints Jonathan Tsai Ted also references what he calls be destroyed.” He seemed to ref- (and a professor) used to argue Staff the first reference to the Myth in erence today’s current admissions against Joe. on answering the deep question of 1949, by Bernard Shore, talking policy of looking for students with Mark Jackson ’69 believed whether or not Caltech is a “good Dr. Gary Libman about Techers “intense intellec- passion, but said that during that that Joe’s argument about what educational institute.” They ig- Advisor tual curiosity” being restrained by time, they were so constrained by we today refer to the “like drink- nore many other factors affecting The Tech is published weekly except during the academic workload, restrict- the curriculum that their passion ing from a fire hose” effect of the ‘goodness,’ but that’s about all I vacation and examination periods by the As- sociated Students of the California Institute ing Techers to “a preconceived was crushed by the drudgery of Tech education was overstated. can get from 900 words, sad to of Technology, Inc. The opinions expressed pattern that ignores individual doing endless sets and meaning- He argued that by throwing end- say. herein are strictly those of the authors and advertisers. differences, needs, abilities, and less introductory lab experiments. less information and material at Next week, I want to look at Letters and submissions are welcome; e-mail interests.” However, the core of his argu- us, we are being taught the ana- Joe Rhodes’s second part of his submissions to [email protected] as plain-text attachments, including the author’s name, Clearly, we’ve had these intro- ment was that these myths were lytic thinking that makes process- ‘The Caltech Myth’ series, where by Friday of the week before publication. spective periods where we look lacking any foundation in fact, ing this information possible. He his views on Tech’s failings in The Tech does accept anonymous contribu- tions. The editors reserve the right to edit and within the institute to try to find especially the “Caltech is a good says, “If the information flow promoting a well-rounded Techer abridge all submissions for any reason. All ways to improve. Why now? educational institute” statement, seems excessive at times, it is again provoke an interesting re- written work remains property of its author. The advertising deadline is 5 PM Friday; all What better time, than with a new which made up the major amount precisely because of the ‘massive sponse. From his writings, Ted’s advertising should be submitted electronically President, a new Provost, a new of the following article (25 April information increase’ Rhodes comments, and our awareness of or as camera-ready art, but The Tech can also do simple typesetting and arrangement. All VP of Student Affairs (and a new 1968). cites; the alternative is an increas- today’s Tech, by the end of the advertising inquiries should be directed to the Student Affairs, for that matter)? On the other hand, Ted argued ing gap between what a Caltech year I hope to reach some sort business manager at [email protected]. For subscription information, please send mail For the rest of the year and that the process by which the in- graduate should know and what of conclusion about the state of to “Subscriptions.” throughout the summer, we stu- stitute is improved is a decades- he does know.” Caltech today. THE CALIFORNIA TECH NEWS MAY 1, 2007 3 The Outside World

surgical anaesthesia, and in many by a panel of scientists, the two and massage service only, and not revealed. Denying legal viola- BY VALERIE SYVERSON cases were not adjusted for body countries advocate a higher cap in violation of any laws. However, tions, he nonetheless resigned weight or drug resistance; fur- on greenhouse gases and a slower she claims to have a list of more “for personal reasons”. Palfrey SCIENCE & LAW thermore, the cardiac arrest usu- timeframe for reducing emissions, than 1000 phone numbers, some expressed her sympathy, but ally caused by potassium chloride as well as inserting language into from elite Washingtonians, which renewed her threats to reveal Efficacy, humanity of le- often does not occur, possibly the report stating that the cost of would nonetheless be embarrass- clients if proceedings continue. thal injection questioned due to interference from the other available current technologies to ing to many if revealed. Her attorney claims she has giv- drugs. reduce emissions “could be unac- Former head of the U.S. Agency en four years of phone records to Lethal injection with a three- The study concludes that many ceptably high”. for International Development, ABC News. drug “cocktail” has been the stan- executed prisoners may be con- Their position is expected to Randall Tobias, resigned last week dard for death-penalty executions scious as they suffocate, rather anger island nations and other after his name was the first to be Compiled from CNN, AP, New Scientist in thirty-seven states since its than killed painlessly as is the in- countries already feeling the im- invention thirty years ago. How- tention. pact of global warming. ever, a recent study shows that the These findings, as well as con- The plan, under discussion at Stolper will replace Jennings implementation of the procedure cerns over competent adminis- the IPCC conference in Bangkok, Provost, from page 1 community for 28 years. After varies widely between states, tration of the injections, raise must be unanimously approved receiving his Ph.D. in geologi- drawing questions as to whether presence in our community. His questions regarding the constitu- by the 120 governments repre- cal sciences from Harvard in it is an inhumane method of ex- passion for and intimate knowl- tionality of lethal injection under sented. The final report will be edge of the Institute greatly im- 1979, he came to campus as ecution. the 8th Amendment. Proposed issued Friday. an assistant professor. He was The standard set of drugs ad- pressed the search committee.” solutions include the use of car- Professor Kip Thorne said Cha- promoted to Associate profes- ministered consists of sodium bon monoxide or the guillotine, sor in 1982 and professor in thiopental as anaesthetic, pan- U.S. POLITICS meau’s email, “Ed Stolper knows as well as calls for a total ban on and understands our Caltech com- 1983. Professor Stolper was curonium bromide as paralytic, the death penalty. Accused DC madam will elected to the National Acad- and potassium chloride to stop munity, and its diverse cultures sell client list for defense and components, extremely well. emy of Sciences in 1994. the heart. U.S., China cooperate to $$ unless charges dropped While simultaneously con- However, the study, published As provost he will make wise deci- weaken UN climate policy Deborah Palfrey, accused of sions, based on consultations with ducting research, Stolper was in PLoS-Medicine last week, the acting provost in 2004 and found that the dosages of anaes The International Panel on Cli- running a prostitution ring in members of our community, on - served as the Executive Offi- thetic administered to the execut- mate Change (IPCC)’s proposed Washington, has vowed to reveal our shared core values, and on a plan for fighting climate change her client list to pay her legal de- vision for strengthening Caltech’s cer for Geochemistry between ed were widely variable within 1989 and 1994. He was Chair and between states, varying from is too strong for the U.S. and fense bills unless charges against greatness.” China. her are dropped. Professor Stolper, William E. of the division of Geological 6 to 70 mg/kg body weight. In and Planetary sciences from some cases, the dosages admin In their initial comments on Palfrey claims her business was Leonhard Professor of Geology, - 1994 to 2004. istered were barely sufficient for the IPCC policy as drawn up an escort, adult phone-fantasy, has been a member of the Caltech ASCIT Minutes: April 25, 2007 ANNOUNCEMENTS DVD on website; Tucker Max may visit Chameau talks about teaching Officers Present: Chris Gonza- Erin will come back next week Bring your questions and sug- les, Andrea Dubin, Angela Zah, with more details and specifics Sponsored by CPET -Ekta reported that Tom Man- gestions for President Jean-Lou Mike Woods, Ekta Bhojwani, about funding. They will talk to Tuesday, May 1, 2007 nion wants to make up for pre- Chameau at this Q&A forum! Patrick Herring, Zack Higbee, the office of public events about a 5 PM, Come early for refresh- frosh weekend and has offered This discussion takes place at 5 Daryl Coleman place to hold the event. ments to do a fireworks display at some Beckman Institute Auditorium PM at Beckman Institute Audi- other time this term. We need to torium on May 1, 2007. Come -David Liu from AIChE re- come up with a time to do it. The early for refreshments. Guests: Ellen Hsu, Christine quested funding to take all the Caltech is a premier institution for night before commencement was This event is sponsored by Parry, Erin Flanagin, Stephen profs in Chemical Engineer- scientific research, but how can it suggested as a possibility. CPET, Caltech Project for Ef- Wilke, David Liu, Robin Abra- ing (12) and about 30 students improve its quality of teaching? fective Teaching. Visit our web- ham to lunch. This would cost about The new Caltech president will site at $1000, which would swamp our discuss what role teaching plays at *DVD library http://www.its.caltech.edu/ budget. We want students to take a tech school and he will describe his own teaching experience. ~cpet/. *Funding requests the initiative to talk to the fac- -The DVDs are now up on the ulty on their own about going to library’s website and are ready for -Blacker, Lloyd, and Fleming lunch. ASCIT can subsidize some check-out. request their multihouse funding of it, but first David will see how for the trip to magic mountain on much the ChemE department Book sale Friday and Saturday Friday. Approved (7/0/0) will fund. John Hall also said he *IHC News would fund faculty social events, The annual Friends of Caltech memberships will be accepted -Robin Abraham requested so that might be another possibil- -The IHC decided that the can- Libraries book sale will be held on on both days. For further infor- interhouse funding for BFP, ity for funding non painting was not a rotation Friday, May 11, 2007 from 9:00 mation about the sale, please Fleming’s interhouse. Approved violation am to 4:00 pm and on Saturday, telephone (626) 395-6411. For (6/0/1) -The art committee needs $40 May 12, 2007 from 10:00 am to additional information about to buy hangers to put up a display 2:00 pm on campus in the Winnett The Friends of Caltech Librar- -Ellen Hsu requested interhouse of ditch day shirts. Requested by Good Luck on Midterms! Lounge. ies, please visit: http://library. funding for Lloyd interhouse. Ap- Patrick. Approved (6/0/0) For Caltech faculty, students, caltech.edu/friends/ proved (7/0/0). and staff: During this event, when Andrea Dubin you become a new member of The -Christine Parry and Erin Fla- *Other News Friends of Caltech Libraries, you nagin want to bring Tucker Max ASCIT Secretary will receive 1/2 off your member- to campus. They would like fund- -Gonzo will get on the Bylaw ship dues and a 25% discount on ing for flyers and food. He has al- changes. He has been meaning to books purchased that day! New ready agreed to come. Parry and revise them, but hasn’t had time. ADVERTISEMENT Tired of CDS lunches and dinners? $2.00 Burger, Fries, and Drink EVERYDAY for all Caltech students, staff, and faculty Enjoy The Greatest Happy Hours in the Area. All Well Drinks, Beer & wine, Monday to Friday 11am-7pm only $1.99 Burger Continental 535 S. Lake Ave. Pasadena (626) 792-6634 Always 20% off for all Caltech students, staff, faculty 4 THE CALIFORNIA TECH SPORTS MAY 1, 2007 Tennis in review Tennis closes ships, “We had some really good BY NATALYA KOSTANDOVA effort, and we lost against Whit- tier when we played them before. hopeful for MEN It shows us that we can improve After having some ups and and that we actually peaked at the downs, the men’s tennis team end of the season.” next year finished 7th out of 8 in SCIACs, The outlook for the upcoming defeating Whittier at the Champi- year is quite positive, as the team onship this Friday and Saturday. does not have seniors to lose, un- The season was difficult, as the like the previous year. team lost almost an entire start- ing line from last year after the seniors graduating. Composed WOMEN of mostly freshmen and sopho- The women also had an intense mores, Beavers did not have a championships experience, com- single senior and had a hard time ing very close to placing 5th in the competing with larger, more ex- conference. They fell just short perienced teams. into 6th place out of 8 teams com- The team dropped one place in peting, ranking above both Cal SCIACs last year, when it placed Lutheran and Whittier. The match 6th in the final round. The 2006 against La Verne, which decided season also saw a higher number the final ranking, concluded with of wins outside the champion- a score of 4-5, with the deciding ships, with four victories during game going into third set. the season as compared to this Sophomore Chen Yee Liaw year’s two. played her way to earn a spot on The team started off strong, the SCIACs 1st Team, an honor winning their second match of the reserved to eight women in the season with a score of 6-3 against entire conference field. Liaw also La Sierra University. However, ranked fourth in the Intercol- the promising start was followed legiate Tennis Association West by a string of thirteen losses Region rankings. against other conference teams, Throughout the season, the only broken up by a close 5-4 team was able to defeat La Si- Photo by Mandy Gamble win over BIOLA University. The erra University and Cal Lutheran Sophomore Chen Yee Liaw returns the ball in a singles match against Colorado College on March championships, which took place with a score of 6-3 in both games. 18. Liaw is ranked fourth in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association West Region rankings. at CLU, witnessed the team de- They also decidedly defeated vis- feat Whittier with a score of 5-3. iting Mills College with a score The match was very close, with of 8-1. Eric Tai (JR) battling #6 Whit- The team, which has improved tier player in the deciding match. significantly since the beginning NOTABLE VICTORIES IN 2007 The match went into third set, of the term, is going to lose two which started with Tai in a tight of its starter players, Diana Lin situation, being down 2-5. How- and Kelly Lin, who will graduate ever, he starting battling back in June. and brought the score to 6-5 in Nevertheless, the team’s per- Men Women his favor. The match ended unac- formance this year gives much ceptably with a default victory for hope for the year to come. “We’re Biola, 5-4 Mills, 8-1 Caltech after Tai’s opponent was proud to be competitive within unable to continue due to physi- the league,” said freshman Leslie cal condition. Tong. Hopefully, the team will La Sierra, 6-3 Cal Luth, 6-3 Co-captain Vivek Narsimhan continue to be competitive next La Sierra, 6-3 (JR) said about the champion- season as well. NFL Draft not what it’s cracked up to be BY HARRISON STEIN Eschewing public ridicule and (), and the Fal- Mr. Irrelevant, the last pick in the a Hall of Fame quarterback or he choosing the best player available cons took someone named Jamaal draft. can just as easily become Ryan In a National Football League instead of addressing other glar- Anderson probably in memory of Since NFL General Managers Leaf. might be typically devoid of extended ing holes, Detroit Lions GM Matt the old days when Jamal Ander- are (usually) smarter than us, it’s the next Jerry Rice, or the next amounts of excitement, it was Millen drafted another receiver, son was their star running back. really hard to tell what teams suc- Charles Rogers. Therefore, let’s probably too much to ask to fol- Georgia Tech’s Calvin Johnson. Other than that, the lengthy draft ceeded and which failed. I can just say the NFL draft was very, low an exhilarating regular season With an unbelievable mix of was pretty ordinary as most teams assign grades for the drafts, but very long and I wish I could have with a similarly riveting draft. speed, size and strength, Johnson filled their biggest needs with rea- the odds are, I’ll look like an idiot my Saturday back! There was very little intrigue in is the best receiver to come into sonable picks. Teams that typi- three years from now. this year’s two day extravaganza, the draft since...Detroit’s Charles cally draft poorly—the Redskins, JaMarcus Russell can become as the first round was pretty pre- Rogers. Dolphins and Vikings—drafted dictable, the second round lasted Unfortunately for Lions fans, poorly again, and teams that typi- for ages, the second day had just Rogers was a disaster and is now cally draft well—the Bears, Patri- two recognizable names (Heis- out of the league. Hopefully, the ots and Panthers—did so again. man Trophy winner Troy Smith returns will be slightly higher for Both NCAA championship par- and traded NFL receiver Randy Johnson as the Lions have been ticipants were well represented Moss), and the teams combined an unfortunate mess since savior in the draft. The Dolphins took Next week in sports for zero blockbuster trades. Barry Sanders retired. Ohio State speedster Teddy Ginn A quarterback went #1 for the The Browns surprised the pun- about 10 spots too high, and the 6th time in 7 years, the Detroit dits by passing on princely Notre Colts took his receiver teammate Lions took a receiver in the first Dame quarterback , Anthony Gonzalez to bolster the Men and women’s Ultimate round for the 4th time in 5 years, but then surprised them again by best receiving corps in the NFL. and the champion Colts drafted giving a king’s ransom to re-enter Florida had two players, Jarvis even more offense. the first round when Quinn was Moss and , drafted frisbee teams compete in As expected, the Oakland Raid- still available at pick 22. from their dominant defense. ers selected LSU quarterback Ja- Cleveland gave Dallas its sec- There was very little intrigue Regionals Marcus Russell with the first pick. ond round pick and next year’s after the first round because most Russell immediately becomes the first for Quinn who will team up of the top players were actually NFL’s strongest, but also its most with mammoth tackle Joe Thom- picked in the first round. Caro- scrutinized quarterback as he nev- as, this year’s top pick. The trade lina picked sliding USC receiver er won any “big” games at LSU might be risky, but with one win- Dwayne Jarrett which should be Women’s water polo wraps and had two first round receivers ning season in the last ten years, interesting because Jarrett and (Craig Davis and ) this was a risk the Browns had to future teammate Keyshawn John- up at his disposable. make. son have a well-publicized feud. Nonetheless, a dormant fran- In addition, the Redskins draft- Heisman Trophy winner Troy chise can’t be picky and after ed safety LaRon Landry even Smith was thoroughly exposed in turning down sure-fire star Matt though they already have one of the championship game shellack- Leinart last year, the Raiders had the best safeties in the game (Sean ing by Florida and fell all the way Track seasons winds down to strike gold in this draft. At the Taylor), the Texans drafted a to the bottom of the fifth round, least, Russell should reinvigorate young defensive lineman, 19 year although he is in a good posi- the team and at best, he could be old Amobi Okoye, even though tion with the Ravens. Some guy the next Steve McNair. they did the same thing last year named Ramzee Robinson was THE CALIFORNIA TECH FEATURES MAY 1, 2007 5

ADVERTISEMENT 6 THE CALIFORNIA TECH ARTS & ENTERTAIMENT MAY 1, 2007 COACHELLA MUSIC AND ARTS FESTIVAL And a mini concert review of the Red Hot Chili Peppers come to a compromise and go for tionable at best, but my “better bent up over small snafus, like a they will probably have requests BY CINDY KO one out of the three days, specifi- judgment” said, ‘Yes, go ahead wrong note here or there. to play that song until they die. It’s cally, on Saturday. The big headlin- and eat that burrito that has been In other words, the Red Hot a paradigm of how some bands Every spring term, I have er for Day 2 was the Red Hot Chili sitting on that table in the warm Chili Peppers have ascended into may have a more self-centered at- the choice of whether or not Peppers, a band I’ve never seen in sun for a very long time. It costs titude about playing to their audi- to squeeze an ultra fun trip to concert, but have heard marvelous seven dollars, you will be fine.’ ence, in contrast to a band like the Coachella Valley Music and Arts things about. The next few hours were ac- Chili Peppers, who have the au- Festival into my midterms week- After driving two plus hours companied by a headache dience as their main concern. end. Of course, if I do, I have into the desert of Indio, California and the plaguing urge It seems to me that they re- plenty of work to make up when I without air conditioning (to pre- to *reject* my dinner, ally relish the act of play- come back, but hopefully the ex- vent overheating the engine and to which ended when I ing music together, no perience of seeing all my favorite save on fuel), at 1 PM, I arrived at finally stopped by matter what the song bands at once is more than worth Coachella a sweatier, crankier ver- the first aid tent for is and if this is the it. sion of myself. We waited in line Tylenol. Hooray, 3000th time they’ve Coachella is a two-to-three day for a very short amount of time best time ever. played it. weekend in the desert where rock and were checked through secu- Fast forward to The concert was bands, DJs, and other big name rity very quickly, compared to the evening, I was fi- superb. World-fa- performers play for the whole previous Coachella that I went to. nally feeling nor- mous bassist, Flea, entire day. Typically, the num- They didn’t even fight to take away mal again, and it was ultra-friendly ber of attendees reaches upwards my water bottle—a point they was right in time and chatted with of 25,000 people. Where do you made very clear to do in 2004. I’m for the Chili Pep- the audience, even put that many people, plus four guessing that the event planners pers. Now, being ruining a joke and performance stages, eatery areas, did a better job streamlining the the tamed concert- getting embarrassed shade tents, film tents, life-size process over the years, and it was goer than I am, I no about it. art pieces, etc? A polo field! a nice change from the hour-long longer seek the “pit” Singer Anthony Kie- Yes, nothing like acres and lines from last time. area of the concert to dis, although now rotund acres of flat grass to have a week- The Red Hot Chili Peppers get kicked, punched, and adorned with a facial end party for 25,000. Coachella weren’t scheduled to go on un- and pushed by my sweaty hair style made popular by has been often compared to the til near the end of the evening, so “pit” neighbors. I’m 1970s pornography, was as Woodstock of yore; in fact, in its my boyfriend and I had plenty of happy to say that I’ve Courtesy of the desert sun, Cindy Ko’s long- energetic and glowing in inaugural year, it was the “anti- time to kill. There were plenty of outgrown my desire to cultivated pale streak was ruined-- welcome to his performance. I have to Woodstock,” promising to make lesser-known acts to explore, so get within spitting dis- Tanville, aka Indio, CA, site of Coachella. admit that the most interest up for the shortcomings and di- we moved from tent to tent in the tance of the rock band, I had in the Red Hot Chili sastrous happenings of Wood- horrendous heat to watch DJ Steve and get pummeled in Peppers before this concert stock ’99. Aoki, DJ Heather, The Frames, and the process. a zen of performance-dom, where was minimal—I’ve never bought Thanks to Coachella creator a few others. Instead, I was satisfied to the day to day rigors of touring, their CD, or anything—but I can and front man of Jane’s Addic- Another cool thing was this sta- stand a distance away from the the labor of rehearsals, and the appreciate their musical talent. tion, Perry Farrell, Coachella al- tion where you could charge your stage, but still in good view of rigmarole of sound checks don’t But in a brief hour and a half of ways seems to boast the best line- cell phone by riding a bicycle- the stage and the very useful seem to take the toll that they watching them perform, I under- ups of the year. In the past, it’s powered charger! It was part of a jumbo-tron screen. used to. stand why the Chili Peppers have had Bjork, The Strokes, Weezer, power-conservation themed exhibit From my view, I enjoyed a They float on the philosophy kept a huge, and still-expanding The Cure (who had not officially that had solar panels and other stuff very good RHCP concert, which of music for music’s sake. For fan base and have gained a time- played as a band since the 80s), to look at. I would have tried the started with “Can’t Stop” from example, when they played their less reputation for being one of Kraftwerk, Coldplay, Radiohead, bikes out but exercise in the desert their 2002 album, By The Way. first hit “Under the Bridge” from the world’s greatest bands. The Chemical Brothers, and the seemed like a really bad idea. To I think one of the great things 1991, I was thrilled to hear it from Someday in the future when I list goes on. be frank, the heat was killer—per- about watching a more seasoned the first chord to the last, just as have grandkids that listen to the Furthermore, Coachella seems haps I wasn’t well prepared, but band like the Chili Peppers play they were thrilled to be playing Red Hot Chili Peppers, I can brag to have the magical power of re- I felt fainty every now and then; is that they have a large range it. to them that I once saw the Chili uniting legendary bands like The and it wasn’t helped much by the of songs to pick from for their This would be analogous to the Peppers live in concert. Yes! Put a Pixies and most recently, Rage sweaty, “wet butt” smell of the au- playlist and they can’t seem to current-day Radiohead playing check next to future Cool-Grand- Against the Machine. diences in the stage tents. So goes do any wrong with pleasing their their song “Creep”, or the late- ma status! This year, due to my stupidly the Coachella experience. audience. They lack the self- stage Beatles playing “I Want to full schedule and unwillingness At dinnertime, I settled on a veg- conscious rambling between Hold Your Hand”—bands just to fork over hundreds of dollars gie burrito that turned out to be a songs that many younger bands don’t want to play their first hit for a three-day pass, I decided to big mistake. Festival food is ques- will exhibit, and they don’t get because it’s boring for them and

CD REVIEW

Unfortunately, the composi- BY ROBERT KARL God. and as a Techer I feel like we have Cassadaga seems to mostly toy tions aren’t as unique as those off In stark contrast with some of a lot in common. Well, we both with the personal conflict dealing previous albums. The melody Bright Eyes singer and song- the lyrics, this album is remark- complain a lot, I guess. with finding God, and in telling of the verses in “Classic Cars” writer Conor Oberst’s earlier al- ably accessible for Bright Eyes. Like any good story, the begin- his stories Oberst makes a point sounds exactly like Bob Dylan’s bums often sound like they were There is a greater amount of 70’s ning of Cassadaga is tied to the of poking fun at our major re- “The Man In Me” with new lyrics, written and recorded while bounc- pop and country-western music end. In the last song on the al- ligions. Bright Eyes may be an right down ing around on a influence in this new album than bum, “Lime Tree”, Oberst juxta- acquired taste in a few ways, but to the or- crosstown Los has been present in Oberst’s work poses the end and the very begin- he is a breath of fresh air for those gan riff and Angeles bus af- before. This makes for a more ning, a tree of knowledge and the weary of the lyrical abyss of pop- drum beat. ter an emotion- listenable album, when compared loneliness of death. ular music. Cassadaga The back- al breakdown: to the screaming and electronic ing vocals choppy, discon- noise of previous albums. on “Make nected, heavy, Pedal steel guitar, fiddle, and Bright Eyes a Plan To and stylistically organ form a reliable background Love Me” conflicting. across many songs on the album, are reminis- But Bright and Oberst experiments with less cent of The Eyes’ new al- Grade: A- dissident backup vocals that recall Mamas & bum Cassadaga popular country song choruses. The Papas or has mellowed This is no doubt a consequence Simon and out, more like of his growing up in Omaha, Ne- Garfunkel. taking a train across the Midwest. braska. Don’t fret, however; Oberst’s Oberst’s usually wavering, whiny The musical style isn’t the only dark, quirky songwriting is still voice has been sedated and isn’t accessible part of the album (if going strong. First time listeners so exasperated. you’re not from the Midwest). might be taken aback by lines like The new album flows well, a It seems that Oberst is in touch “The Bible’s blind, the Torah’s novel improvement for Bright with (and making fun of) life deaf, the Qur’an’s mute/If you Eyes. Every song is crafted to at Caltech. On “I Must Belong burned them all together you’d have you move to the music, or Somewhere”, an upbeat song get close to the truth”. Few other at least make you rock back and about the hopelessness of change, artists could pull off this dark, so- forth in your chair. Toned down Oberst comments about the na- bering line from the song “Four are the heavy electronic instru- ture of science and the humani- Winds”. mentation and drumbeats com- ties: “Leave the novelist in his Themes like life, death, in- mon on Digital Ash In A Digital daydream tune/Leave the scien- nocence, and spiritual belief are Urn (2005) in favor of the style tist in his Rubik’s cube/Let the recurring in his work, as is the from I’m Wide Awake It’s Morn- true genius in the padded room symbolism conjured up by scales, ing. remain”. Throughout his albums, drugs, mirrors, and especially internal conflict is a major theme, THE CALIFORNIA TECH FEATURES MAY 1, 2007 7 TheTech is online!

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ADVERTISEMENT 8 THE CALIFORNIA TECH MAY 1, 2007 Season Review Caltech Baseball tops several SCIAC statistical leaderboards Photo by Andy Chung scored, steals, and strikeouts (by a cream after games, and focused on BY: HAMILTONY FALK pitcher), but was among the con- sportsmanship, not running up the ference’s leader in hit basemen, er- score, and treating their opponents The Men’s baseball team had a rors, strikeouts (by a batter and by successful season this year, win- with respect. The team hopes to a pitcher) and most importantly, win a few more games next sea- ning two games, including a 25-3 having a good time. While their re- win over their rivals, the “Alums” son, but won’t mind if they don’t. cord did not reflect it, some teams “We’re really just in it to try and at home, and a hard fought 5-3 win were so intimidated by the mighty over Dodgertown, a team of such get on one of those NCAA com- Beaver men that they batted with mercials about going pro in some- high quality that it shares part of their non-dominant hands as a its name with a professional base- thing other than sports,” said one sign of respect. The team really imaginary team member, “and the ball team. The team had an off enjoyed going out for pizza or ice year in the categories of hits, runs pizza after the game!”

Caltech players are leading Batters Struck out: Caltech is leading the SCIAC in: 1. K. Noertker, CIT..... 62 SCIAC as a team with: Wild pitches 1. M. Tan, CIT...... 23 Errors (Fielders) 147 errors 2. K. Noertker, CIT.... 15 1. M. Glassman, CIT... 25 22 losses 3. M. Comstock, CIT.. 11 1. K. Noertker, CIT..... 25 63 wild pitches 4. R. Bogner, CIT...... 10 58 hit batters .174 team batting average Hit batters Stolen bases against (lowest in league) 1. M. Comstock, CIT... 21 1. S. Surdyk, CIT...... 58 2. R. Bogner, CIT...... 18 2. K. Noertker, CIT..... 57 Statistics as of 4/24/07

Kevin Noertker realizes he forgot his cup in the locker room.

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