Republican Scott Brown@@@ Wins skyline Mass. @@@ Senate Election, Details Page 2

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Volume 129, Number 62 Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139 Wednesday, January 20, 2010 ‘Metaphysical Plant’ Takes Home Recent Report Calls Coin in Annual MIT Mystery Hunt For More Awareness By Margaret Cunniff Staff Reporter After nearly 42 hours of time- Of Faculty Diversity travel, riddle-solving, and very little sleep, team Metaphysical Plant found By Meghan Nelson sities. the much coveted Mystery Hunt coin, Staff Reporter concluding the annual MIT puzzle The Initiative for Faculty Race Expand, clarify recruitment competition. An estimated 1000 MIT and Diversity released its final report The backgrounds of both minor- students, alumni, and unaffiliated on the minority faculty experience at ity and non-minority faculty are re- puzzle solvers formed the 37 teams MIT last Thursday after a two and a markably similar, the report found. who participated in the event. half year effort. Stemming from an Fifty-five percent of minority faculty The coin was found on January effort to understand why a dispro- hold PhD degrees from either MIT, 17 at 5:50 a.m. near the southeast portionately small number of MIT Harvard, or Stanford, indicating gate of Old Ashdown, under roughly faculty are members of minority missed opportunities in hiring a di- an inch of soil. groups, the report found that there verse faculty by simply not expand- This year’s hunt began at last Fri- are inequities in the minority faculty ing the search to more universities. day at noon and was written by Be- experience. Fifty percent of white faculty and ginner’s Luck, the winning team of Of 1,009 faculty members, only forty three percent of Asian faculty last year’s competition. At the begin- six percent are classified as minori- also hold their PhDs degrees from ning of the hunt, teams were faced ties, an increase from the four and those three universities. with one round of ten puzzles and a half percent in 2004, where the The large percentage of faculty one “meta”-puzzle, a more complex federal government defines minori- members from three specific univer- puzzle requiring the use of several ties as naturalized or permanent resi- sities is not caused by a deliberate previous puzzles’ solutions to solve. dents who self-identified as African, pipeline or network, but instead by a As the Hunt progressed, teams un- Hispanic, or Native American. Since lack of a concerted effort to broaden locked additional challenges, adding Asian residents are represented at the sources of applicants, the report ten more rounds and 92 puzzles to MIT at a higher percentage than rep- said. Expanding the search even to the Hunt. resented at the general U.S. general just the top twenty ranked schools Jasmine Florentine—The Tech Inspired by the 30th anniversary population, they are not considered This year’s Mystery Hunt, organized by the team Beginner’s Luck, of Mystery Hunt, the theme this year underrepresented minorities. The Diversity, Page 11 began with a silent skit accompanied by an MP3 file which the Hunt numbers of minority faculty are participants were instructed to listen to on Friday, Jan. 15. History Munt, Page 10 comparable to other science univer- See page 13 for an additional article with Report excerpts. At MIT, Ritalin Use on Par ‘Eleanor’ Gets Second Among Other With Peer Schools; Formal Silicon-Paneled Cars in World Race

Disciplinary Action is Rare By Ana Lyons To the unexpecting eye, her pres- side of several states on her North Associate Editor ence on the road during a test run American tour, demonstrated the By Jessica J. Pourian be enticed to obtain the drug from Meet Eleanor. Her sleek, reflec- often demands a second glance, team’s newest technology to her Staff Reporter their peers, often around exam week, tive body spans the length of nearly perhaps even reminding onlookers many sponsors on firsthand visits, “If you’ve ever been like super or come to believe that they might in 16 feet — encrusted with over 580 of a UFO. But the banners decorat- and has been the center of attention ridiculous caffeinated and drank two fact have ADHD, due to a perceived silicon solar cells and capable of ing her sides proudly announce that during of dozens of club outreach Rockstars and didn’t have anything difficulty to focus on coursework. generating an estimated power out- she’s not from outer space. She’s the events as the team’s tenth genera- to eat, sort of get that brain fuzz and If the administration finds a stu- put of 1200 watts. Her streamlined most recent creation of MIT’s stu- tion single-passenger solar car. can’t look at anything straight and dent using Ritalin without a prescrip- curves and futuristic design make dent run Solar Electric Vehicle team But her biggest accomplishment everything is peripheral vision; that’s tion, however, they will likely focus her an instant star of any roadway, (SEVT) — a fusion of novel design, yet comes from her completion of how being on Ritalin feels to me.” on the student’s health and send the whizzing past other cars at speeds meticulous construction, and some the 2009 World Solar Challenge last Duncan, a freshman at MIT, is student to mental health services of up to a potential 90 mph and of the latest solar car technology. October — the team’s primary race just one of many students around the rather than take disciplinary action, boasting a drag coefficient of only Since her unveiling last Febru- United States who have taken Ritalin. said to David W. Randall, Assistant 0.11. ary, Eleanor has seen the country- Solar Car, Page 12 While Duncan was on it legally for a Dean of Student Support Services couple of weeks with a prescription (S^3). from his doctor for attention-deficit “Drug abuse, including abuse of hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), it prescription drugs, happens at all ended up not working for him. college campuses,” said Randall. “It Ritalin, a stimulant that is primar- doesn’t happen here at any greater ily used to treat hyperactivity and at- frequency than other colleges.” tention problems, is also sometimes misused as a study aid. Ritalin use is average at MIT While some studies suggest that MIT numbers are in fact in line competitive schools located in the with the national average. The 2006 Northeast see the highest use of Rit- survey at MIT found that only four alin in the nation, a more recent 2006 percent of students had tried a stimu- survey of MIT students conducted lant like Ritalin in order to enhance by the American College Health As- their academic performance in the sociation shows that MIT’s stimulant past year, while seven percent ad- abuse is actually in-line with that of mitted to trying it at some point in the national average. But with the their life. A national survey con- sudden pressure and difficulty of MIT, speculation is that students may Ritalin, Page 14

Chris pENTACOFF held on Sat. January 23–24 starting The MIT Solar Electric Vehicle team’s solar car, Eleanor, is being inspected at one of the control stops

In Short at 6 p.m. in 26-100. during the world solar challenge in Australia.

¶¶An ‘Alice in Wonderland’ Extrav- ¶¶Students can give input regard- aganza, sponsored by the Literature ing the Stellar Next Generation department, takes place tomorrow: a learning management system, Opinion Column: World & Nation ��������������������������������������2 day-long roving reading of Alice and which will replace the current Stellar Populists at the Gate Opinion ����������������������������������������������������4 Wonderland, starting in room 14E- system, tomorrow at 2 p.m. in 1-150. 304 at 9 a.m. For a complete sched- See the IAP event listing at http:// Arts ����������������������������������������������������������6 ule, see: http://lit.mit.edu/spotlight student.mit.edu/searchiap/iap-9668. Page 5 Campus Life ��������������������������������������������8 html for more information. ¶¶The 32nd Annual Science Fic- Fun ����������������������������������������������������������9 tion Marathon sponsored by the Send news information and tips to Sports ����������������������������������������������������16 Lecture Series Committee will be [email protected]. Page 2 The Tech January 20, 2010 Wo r l d & Na t i o n Obama Pressing for GOP Surges to Senate Protections Against Lenders By Jackie Calmes and Sewell Chan The New York Times WASHINGTON Victory in Massachusetts President Barack Obama on Tuesday stepped into the middle of a fierce lobbying battle by reinforcing his support for an independent agen- By Michael Cooper lose their filibuster-proof majority in It was a sharp swing of the pendu- cy to protect consumers against lending abuses that contributed to the The New York Times the Senate. lum, but even Democratic voters said financial crisis. The president’s move also signaled a tougher line and a BOSTON Beyond the bill, the election of a they wanted the Obama administra- more direct role as Congress weighs an overhaul of banking regulation. Scott Brown, a little-known Repub- candidate supported by the Tea Party tion to change direction. The financial industry and congressional Republicans have singled lican state senator, rode an old pickup movement also represented an unex- “I’m hoping that it gives a message out the administration’s proposed consumer agency in particular, hoping truck and a growing sense of unease pected reproach by many voters to to the country,” said Marlene Con- to greatly weaken if not kill it. With liberal Democrats and Web com- among independent voters to an ex- President Barack Obama after his first nolly, 73, of North Andover, a lifelong mentators fighting just as hard for a strong independent office, the issue is traordinary upset Tuesday night when year in office, and struck fear into the Democrat who said she cast her first becoming a central point in the debate over regulation. he was elected to fill the U.S. Senate hearts of Democratic lawmakers, who vote for a Republican on Tuesday. “I Obama personally weighed in on Tuesday in a one-on-one meeting seat that was long held by Edward M. are already worried about their pros- think if Massachusetts puts Brown in, at the White House with Sen. Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., the chair- Kennedy in the overwhelmingly Dem- pects later this year in the midterm it’s a message of ‘that’s enough.’ Let’s man of the Senate Banking Committee. Reports last week suggested that ocratic state of Massachusetts. elections. stop the giveaways and let’s get jobs Dodd might drop the consumer agency from the emerging Senate bill in By a decisive margin, Brown de- Brown was able to appeal to inde- going.” order to attract support from Republicans and some centrist Democrats feated Martha Coakley, the state’s pendents who were anxious about the Brown ran strongest in the suburbs on his committee, but Democratic aides disputed that. Democratic attorney general, who had economy and concerned about the di- of Boston, where the independent vot- been considered a prohibitive favorite rection taken by Democrats, now that ers who make up a majority in Massa- to win just over a month ago after she they control all the branches of gov- chusetts turned out in large numbers. Taliban Leaders Unlikely easily won the Democratic primary. ernment, both on Beacon Hill and in Coakley did best in urban areas, over- With 93 percent of the vote counted, Washington. He rallied his supporters whelmingly winning in Boston and To Accept Offer, Gates Says Brown had 52 percent of the vote to when he said, at the last debate, that running ahead in Springfield, Worces- By Elisabeth Bumiller Coakley’s 47 percent. he was running not for Kennedy’s seat ter, Fall River and New Bedford, but The New York Times An aide to Brown said at 9:20 p.m. but for “the people’s seat.” her margins were not large enough to Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates said Monday that there could be that Coakley had called Brown to con- That seat, held for nearly half a carry her to victory. a surge of Taliban followers willing to reintegrate with the Afghan gov- cede the race; an aide to Coakley con- century by Kennedy, the liberal lion of Coakley’s defeat, in a state that ernment of President Hamid Karzai, but that for now an Afghan govern- firmed that she had conceded. the Senate, will now be held by a Re- Obama won in 2008 with 62 per- ment reconciliation with the Taliban leadership was unlikely. The election left Democrats in publican who has said he supports wa- cent, led to a round of finger-pointing Gates, who made his comments on his plane en route to India, was Congress scrambling to salvage a bill terboarding as an interrogation tech- among Democrats. Some criticized reacting to the announcement on Sunday of a major new Afghan initia- overhauling the nation’s health care nique for terrorism suspects; opposes her tendency for gaffes — she offend- tive to offer jobs, security, education and other social benefits to Taliban system, which the late Kennedy had a federal cap-and-trade program to ed Red Sox fans when she incorrectly followers who defect. The plan is in the final stages of preparation and called “the cause of my life.” Brown reduce carbon emissions; and opposes suggested that Curt Schilling was a has qualified support from U.S. officials, who see luring large numbers has vowed to oppose the bill, and once a path to citizenship for illegal immi- Yankee fan — while others criticized of Taliban supporters to change sides as critical to success in Afghani- he takes office the Democrats will grants unless they leave the country. a lackluster, low-key campaign. stan. But Gates, like other U.S. officials, effectively ruled out reconcilia- tion with the Taliban leader, Mullah Muhammad Omar. Karzai has of- fered repeatedly to talk directly with Omar, with little result, but Afghan Managing Disasters With officials are now considering removing his name from the United Na- tions’ list of terrorists. Those placed on the list are barred from interna- tional travel and their bank accounts can be frozen. Small Steps “I’d be very surprised to see a reconciliation with Mullah Omar,” Gates told reporters. “And I think it’s our view that until the Taliban By Henry Fountain the clinic, which has two examining works for initial relief and recovery, leadership sees a change in the momentum and begins to see that they The New York Times rooms, a laboratory and a pharmacy, long-term reconstruction — “building are not going to win, that the likelihood of significant reconciliation at A week ago, Elizabeth Sheehan, to Port-au-Prince if a medical team back better,” in the parlance of redevel- senior levels is not terribly great.” the founder of Containers to Clinics, and supplies can be arranged. opment specialists — requires more a nonprofit organization in Dover, “It can be used in this disaster situ- involvement of local people. Mass., was preparing to deploy the ation,” Sheehan said, and then left in “You can’t just sweep in from out- Drug Companies and a Pivotal group’s first medical clinic overseas. Haiti or sent on to Bani, on the Do- side and drop something in and say, Made from two shipping containers, it minican Republic’s south coast, to ful- ‘This is exactly what you need,’” said Senate Race Help Lead the Markets was to be sent to the Dominican Re- fill the original mission. “We are com- Laura Sampath, manager of the Inter- By Javier C. Hernandez public, where it would begin to fulfill mitted to long-term primary health national Development Initiative at the The New York Times NEW YORK the group’s long-term goal of building care for women and children.” Massachusetts Institute of Technol- The possibility that the dynamics of the health care debate could health care infrastructure in developing Containers to Clinics is one of many ogy. “It has to be almost driven from shift helped spur Wall Street higher on Tuesday, overshadowing concerns countries through networks of small innovative approaches to building or the community.” about the strength of banks and the American consumer. container clinics in rural areas. Then, rebuilding infrastructure in developing The MIT effort includes the D- Investors bought on the prospect that a Republican might win the Sen- last Tuesday, a magnitude 7 earth- countries, to help forestall disasters or, Lab, whose instructors and students ate seat once held by Edward M. Kennedy in Massachusetts, denying quake struck the Dominican Repub- as in Haiti, recover from one. Among work on low-technology solutions Democrats the 60th vote needed to surmount Republican filibusters and lic’s neighbor, Haiti. Hospitals in the them are new ideas and projects to to infrastructure problems and spend advance health legislation. capital, Port-au-Prince, were destroyed supply quality housing, clean water, time in the field implementing them. As voters went to the polls in Massachusetts, shares of pharmaceutical or damaged, and basic medical care proper waste treatment and affordable Among the projects are ones to manu- companies surged; the chance that the legislation could stumble reduced was practically nonexistent. Sheehan energy, in addition to health care. facture ceramic water filters in Ghana; concerns that profits would suffer. Merck climbed 2.91 percent, and Pfiz- said her donors immediately started Their promoters share a belief that install chlorine dispensers to treat er was up 2.62 percent. Rising health stocks pulled the broader market calling her. “They all said, ‘Why don’t while the conventional top-down ap- drinking water in Kenya; and develop higher, along with gains in materials and utilities shares. you send it there?”’ she said. proach, by governments and large relief a bicilavadora, a pedal-powered wash- Now, the group may dispatch agencies coming in with large projects, ing machine, in Peru. We a t h e r It’s All About The Ratio Situation for Noon Eastern Standard Time, Wednesday, January 20, 2010 By Brian H. Tang STAFF METEOROLOGIST 130°W 125°W 120°W 115°W 110°W 105°W 100°W 95°W 90°W 85°W 80°W 75°W 70°W 65°W 60°W Meteorologists often describe snow as “wet” and “dry.” An example of 40°N wet snow is the kind we just got in yesterday’s storm. It tends to stick to tree trunks and street signs like paste, is hard to shovel, and makes good snowballs to pelt your friends or enemies with. On the other hand, dry snow is quite light 1005 and powdery, blows around easily, and makes for great skiing and snowboard- 1023 ing. There are a number of factors that determine whether we get wet or dry 35°N snow, but it generally comes down to the type of snowflakes that fall out of the sky and corresponding snow to liquid ratio that results. Wet snow has snow to liquid ratios that are generally around or less than 10:1. That is, for every 10 inches of snow you melt, you get one inch of liquid. When temperatures are just below freezing, snowflakes tend to take the form 30°N of plates, columns, and prisms which compact and stick more easily. Along 1000 the coast of MA, we typically see this type of snow. Every now and then, the right meteorological conditions set up and we see snow to liquid ratios that 1000 are greater than 10:1 yielding dry snow. When this happens, snowflakes are 25°N forming in supersaturated air around 5°F (-15°C) resulting in big fractal den- drites that pile up much faster due to their shape and propensity to trap air as they deposit on the ground.

Extended Forecast Today: Cloudy in the morning, then clearing in the afternoon. NW winds 10- 20 mph. High 37°F (3°C). Weather Systems Weather Fronts Precipitation Symbols Other Symbols Tonight: Partly cloudy. NW winds 10–15 mph. Low 26°F (-3°C). Snow Rain Fog ° ° High Pressure Trough Tomorrow: Sunny. NW winds 5–10 mph. High 36 F (2 C). - - - Showers Thunderstorm

Friday: Partly cloudy. N winds 5–10 mph. High 37°F (3°C). Q Q Q Q Warm Front Light Low Pressure Haze Saturday: Sunny. N winds 5–10 mph. High 34°F (1°C). LLLLL Cold Front Moderate Compiled by MIT Hurricane Q Q Meteorology Staff L L Stationary Front Heavy and The Tech January 20, 2010 Wo r l d & Na t i o n The Tech Page 3

Siddiqui, Alleged Pakistani JAL Bankruptcy Filing Sets Off Reorganization, State-Led Bailout Militant, Stands Trial in NYC By Hiroko Tabuchi The New York Times TOKYO By Farah Stockman trial may also help settle a lingering Pretrial documents filed by pros- Japan Airlines, the once-mighty flagship carrier and Asia’s biggest The Boston Globe mystery that hangs over her strange ecutors allege that Siddiqui, who airline, filed for bankruptcy protection on Tuesday, setting the stage for In the summer of 2008, a shop- story: Where was Siddiqui from 2003 graduated from MIT in 1995 with a a state-led bailout that could bring sweeping changes to this corner of keeper in the Afghan city of Ghazni until her capture in 2008? biology degree, was a fervent believer the global aviation market. noticed a strange sight: a woman After her disappearance, Siddiqui’s in jihad and interested in weaponry. JAL has been crippled by years of mismanagement and more than in burqa drawing a map. In a region family said she was abducted and tor- Some of her behavior and statements $25 billion in debt, and its application for protection signals the coun- where nearly all females are illiterate, tured by US intelligence agents. She were seemingly bizarre, leading to a try’s largest corporate failure outside the financial sector. Though JAL he found it suspicious and called the has become a cause celebre in Paki- court-ordered evaluation of her men- planes will keep flying, because of a bailout of 600 billion yen, or $6.6 police, according to an Afghan intel- stan, as thousands routinely rally in tal status, which has also been in dis- billion, the company’s humbling is a reminder of how some of postwar ligence official. her support, chanting anti-American pute. Japan’s most prominent corporations have failed to keep up with shifts In her bag, police found two pounds slogans with posters of her photo- One document filed by the gov- in the world economy. of deadly poison, as well as hundreds graph. The government of Pakistan is ernment, written in Siddiqui’s own “Today marks a new starting line — JAL lives on,” the transport of handwritten notes on making not paying for her defense. handwriting, says: “It is better to die minister, Seiji Maehara, said after the carrier entered a court-led reor- only bombs and viruses, but machines But US officials insist that Siddiqui while fighting infidels than to die or ganization. Kazuo Inamori, founder of the electronics company Kyo- to bring down US drones, according to ran away to join a militant group, and become handicapped by one’s own cera and a top management guru in Japan, has been tapped as JAL’s US court documents. prosecutors have filed documents that negligence and carelessness when chief executive, succeeding Haruka Nishimatsu, who resigned. The woman turned out to be a portray her as an anti-American fight- making weapons.” The bankruptcy case, coupled with a new Open Skies agreement Pakistani named Aafia Siddiqui ’95, er in Pakistan’s lawless border areas Other documents in her possession between the United States and Japan, could herald an opening of Ja- an MIT-and Brandeis-trained scientist during her years of absence. at the time of her capture explained pan’s rigid aviation sector, which is dominated by JAL and its rival, All who spent years in Boston before re- “The US government had an inter- the manufacture of C-4 explosives, Nippon Airlines. turning to Pakistan and vanishing with est in clearing up … what they say are gun power, and deadly germs, al- her three children in 2003. wild charges,” said Tom Malinowski, though some papers described weap- Siddiqui, 37, standing trial begin- Washington advocacy director for ons that would be almost impossible Glassmaking Thrives Offshore, ning yesterday in a federal courtroom Human Rights Watch, one of several to make, such as viruses that do not in New York, accused of grabbing a groups that included Siddiqui’s name attack children. Declines in U.S. rifle and trying to shoot the FBI agents in reports about possible secret CIA Siddiqui’s lawyers have main- By Louis Uchitelle who came to interview her in Ghazni. prisoners but never drew a final con- tained that she was abducted, by ei- The New York Times If convicted, she faces life in prison. clusion as to what happened to her. ther the United States or Al Qaeda, The majestic steel beams of a soaring office tower beginning to The testimony will hinge on nar- “It matters where she has been for the and that as a result is suffering from rise from the ruins of the World Trade Center are a tribute to American row questions of her actions when she last five years. I don’t know what the a mental illness caused by post-trau- resilience, but also a marker in the decline of yet another industry. Not was confronted by US agents, but the truth is.” matic stress. an inch of imported glass went into the two lost towers, built 40 years ago. The lower floors of the new one will soon be sheathed in Chinese glass. The decline of glassmaking in America started gradually in the Hackers Who Leave No Trace 1990s and accelerated during the Great Recession. What’s more, the By John Markoff rity intelligence at VeriSign iDefense, for hackers because so many people big companies, like Corning and Guardian Industries, say that even as and Ashlee Vance which helped Google investigate the use them. But McAfee, a leading the economy improves, they are unlikely to bring domestic employ- The New York Times Chinese attacks. “But some of the software security firm, predicts that ment and production back to pre-recession levels. Imports, for one MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. more devious folks in our outfit were Adobe’s software will become the thing, inhibit sales. And bigger profits lie abroad, so they are channel- The crown jewels of Google, Cis- saying, ‘Well, they could also insert top target this year, as Microsoft has ing investment and expansion to their overseas factories. co Systems or any other technology their own code — and they probably improved its products after years of “Those who are looking through the rearview mirror, waiting for company are the millions of lines of have.”’ attacks and Adobe’s software has be- the glass industry in this country to come back, should know it isn’t programming instructions, known as For example, a foreign intelligence come ubiquitous. going to come back, not the way it was,” Russell J. Ebeid, Guardian’s source code, that make its products agency might find it extremely useful Adobe said it was still investigat- chairman, said in an interview. run. to know who was asking particular ing the attacks but so far had no evi- Some are pressing the Obama administration to offer protection for If hackers could steal those key in- questions of Google’s search engine. dence that any sensitive information the nation’s glassworkers by raising existing tariffs on imported glass, structions and copy them, they could Security researchers took particu- had been compromised. particularly from China, as is happening on steel and tires. That action easily dull the company’s competi- lar interest in the fact that the Silicon Brad Arkin, the director of product or something similar is supported by the United Steelworkers and also tive edge in the marketplace. More Valley company Adobe Systems was security at Adobe, said the company by many of the small manufacturers that operate more than 300 facto- insidiously, if attackers were able to one of the companies hit by the recent generally expected to face increas- ries in the United States. make subtle, undetected changes to wave of attacks. ing attention from hackers given the that code, they could essentially give Computer users around the globe growing popularity of its products. themselves secret access to every- have Adobe’s Acrobat or Reader soft- But he added that the company em- For Xbox, Focus Shifts thing the company and its customers ware sitting on their machines to cre- ployed industry-leading practices to did with the software. ate or read documents, and Adobe’s respond to threats. “The security of From Game to Video The fear of someone building such Flash technology is widely used to our customers will always be a criti- By Brian Stelter a back door, known as a Trojan horse, present multimedia content on the cal priority for Adobe,” he said. The New York Times and using it to conduct continual spy- Web and mobile phones. Given the complexity of today’s Executives at Microsoft are fond of saying that its subscription ing is why companies and security “Acrobat is installed on about 95 software programs, which are typi- gaming service, Xbox Live, should be thought of as a cable channel. experts were so alarmed by Google’s percent of the machines in the world, cally written by teams of hundreds or They want the Internet-connected Xbox to be seen not merely as a disclosure last week that hackers and there have been a lot of vulner- thousands of engineers, it is virtually gaming machine for teenagers, but as a media portal for parents and based in China had stolen some of abilities found in Flash,” said Jeff impossible to be perfectly confident grandparents, too. The company is even producing shows for users: it its intellectual property and had con- Moss, a security expert who sits on in the security of any program, and is in the middle of the second season of “1 vs. 100,” an interactive ver- ducted similar assaults on more than the Homeland Security Advisory tampering could very well go unde- sion of a game show that was on NBC. two dozen other companies. Council. “If you can find a vulnera- tected. The content ambitions do not end there. Microsoft has held in-depth “Originally we were saying, ‘Well, bility in one of these products, you’re Companies are understandably talks with Walt Disney Co. about a programming deal with ESPN, ac- whoever got it has the secret sauce to golden.” reluctant to discuss their security fail- cording to people close to the talks, who requested anonymity because Google and some 30 other California Products from Microsoft, includ- ures. But one notable incident shows the talks were intended to be private. companies, and they can replicate it,”’ ing Windows, Office and Internet Ex- just how damaging the secret tamper- For a subscriber fee, ESPN could provide live streams of sporting said Rick Howard, director of secu- plorer, have long been favored targets ing with source code can be. events, similar to those from ESPN 360, a service available from some high-speed Internet providers. Microsoft could also create some inter- active games with ESPN, the people said. One of the people said the Children Awake? Then They’re deal was not imminent. The companies declined to comment. Probably Online U.S. Troops Arrive in Haiti, Filling By Tamar Lewin 500 texts a day. heaviest media users reported spend- The New York Times The study’s findings shocked its ing a similar amount of time exercis- Void Left by Quake The average young American now authors, who had concluded in 2005 ing as the light media users. Nonethe- By Marc Lacey spends practically every waking min- that use could not possibly grow fur- less, other studies have established a The New York Times PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti ute — except for the time in school ther, and confirmed the fears of many link between screen time and obesity. U.S. military helicopters landed on Tuesday at Haiti’s wrecked Na- — using a smart phone, computer, parents whose children are constantly While most of the young people in tional Palace, and troops began patrolling the capital’s battered streets, television or other electronic device, tethered to media devices. It found, the study got good grades, 47 percent signs of the growing international relief operation here. But the troops’ according to a new study from the moreover, that heavy media use is of the heaviest media users — those presence underscored the rising complaints that the Haitian govern- Kaiser Family Foundation. associated with several negatives, in- who consumed at least 16 hours a day ment has all but disappeared in the week since a huge earthquake Those ages 8 to 18 spend more cluding behavior problems and lower — had mostly C’s or lower, compared struck. than seven and a half hours a day with grades. with 23 percent of those who typi- Haiti’s long history of foreign intervention, including an U.S. oc- such devices, compared with less than The third in a series, the study cally consumed media three hours a cupation, normally makes the influx of foreigners a delicate issue. But six and a half hours five years ago, found that young people’s media con- day or less. The heaviest media users with the government of President Rene Preval largely out of public when the study was last conducted. sumption grew far more in the last were also more likely than the lightest view and the needs so huge, many Haitians are shunting aside their And that does not count the hour and five years than it did from 1999 to users to report that they were bored or concerns about sovereignty and welcoming anybody willing to help — a half that youths spend texting, or 2004, as sophisticated mobile tech- sad, or that they got into trouble, did in camouflage or not. the half-hour they talk on their cell nology like iPods and smart phones not get along well with their parents “It is not ideal to have a foreign army here but look at the situation,” phones. brought media access into teenagers’ and were not happy at school. said Enide Edoword, 24, a waitress who was standing in a camp of And because so many of them are pockets and beds. The study could not say whether displaced people. “We are living amid filth and hunger and thirst after multitasking — say, surfing the Inter- Dr. Michael Rich, a pediatrician the media use causes problems, or, a catastrophe.” net while listening to music — they at Children’s Hospital Boston who di- rather, whether troubled young people When Preval asked a meeting of religious and business leaders on pack on average nearly 11 hours of rects the Center on Media and Child turn to heavy media use. Saturday whether they supported the intervention of the U.S. Marines, media content into that seven and a Health, said that with media use so “This is a stunner,” said Donald F. the response came with a caveat. half hours. ubiquitous, it was time to stop argu- Roberts, a Stanford communications “They said, ‘Yes — as long as it’s temporary,’ ” said Bishop Jean- “I feel like my days would be bor- ing over whether it was good or bad professor emeritus who is one of the Zache Duracin of Haiti’s Episcopal Church, who attended the meeting. ing without it,” said Francisco Sep- and accept it as part of children’s en- authors of the study. “We have no choice because the government has collapsed.” ulveda, a 15-year-old Bronx eighth vironment, “like the air they breathe, The report is based on a survey of At the international airport, where the U.S. Air Force now controls grader who uses his smart phone to the water they drink and the food they more than 2,000 students in grades 3 incoming and departing planes, Haitian officials are on hand and insist surf the Web, watch videos, listen to eat.” through 12 that was conducted from that it is still theirs, even if it more resembles a military base. music — and send or receive about Contrary to popular wisdom, the October 2008 to May 2009. Page 4 The Tech January 20, 2010 Op i n i o n

A Nov. 6, 2009 article on the Division of Student Life Visiting Committee’s visit to MIT and the Undergraduate Association’s response misspelled the last name of the Dean for Stu- dent Life. He is Chris Colombo, not Colomobo. Chairman Corrections Austin Chu G Editor in Chief Nick Bushak ’10 Business Manager Letters To The Editor Mark Thompson ’11 their own academic performance rules and let- Managing Editor MIT’s Resources for Room for ting me stay an extra semester. They based this Steve Howland ’11 on my academic adviser’s comments that I was Executive Editor Off Campus Housing Improvement at “capable of doing far better than my grades Michael McGraw-Herdeg G The January 6th edition had a wonderful Student Support suggested.” If this sounds familiar, it’s because News Staff opinion piece by Ethan Solomon on the subject people with ADHD are used to hearing things of living off campus. like this. Only in my case, it cost me an extra Editors: John A. Hawkinson ’98, Jeff Guo ’11, Services Natasha Plotkin ’11; Associate Editors: Pearle I wanted to connect with everyone thinking semester of tuition that my family really could Lipinski ’12, Maggie Lloyd ’12, Ana Lyons about moving off campus to let them know that While I was an undergraduate with undiag- not afford. My level of self-esteem may have ’12, Robert McQueen ’12; Staff: Vinayak there is an MIT Off Campus Housing Service nosed Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder felt different at the time, but I wish they would Ranade G, Daniela Cako ’09, Elijah Jordan that can guide people through the process of at MIT, Student Support Services failed me, big have followed their own rules and kicked me Turner ’11, Jingyun Fan ’12, Ziwei Hao ’12, locating a rental in the area. With over 60 col- time. I had a lot of contact with them through out instead of letting me stay (and fail) another Camille Z. McAvoy ’12, Sandhya Rawal ’12, Zeina Siam ’12, Margaret Cunniff ’13, Joy E. leges in the greater Boston area, there are a few my fraternity pledge program, self-referral, semester until I left on my own. Lee ’13, Meghan Nelson ’13, Jessica J. Pourian pitfalls that inexperienced renters can encoun- and when I was on academic probation. Their Now, the professionals in the business ’13, Yuliya Preger ’13, Divya Srinivasan ’13; ter and our job in Off Campus Housing is to response was always the same: a worthless, should know that MIT has no legally liability Meteorologists: Brian H. Tang G, Allison A. try to prevent people from encountering those canned, and crappy time-management spiel in this situation. In higher-education, identi- Wing G, Angela Zalucha G, Elizabeth Maroon pitfalls. This service is available to all affiliates and one-page weekly organizer. I could have fication and advocacy for students with dis- ’10, Vince Agard ’11. of MIT. presented their spiel and a copy of this “plan- abilities is the student’s responsibility; the re- Production Staff I encourage anyone considering a move ner” is now available online. I guess PDAs and sponsibility of the undiagnosed teenager with Associate Editors: Divya Chhabra ’13, Connor off campus to review the detailed information smartphones are too high-tech. poor self-awareness and self-esteem who has Kirschbaum ’13, Aislyn Schalck ’13; Staff: on our web site: http://web.mit.edu/housing/ The best support I got at MIT came from not yet heard of ADHD or Ritalin. Would it re- Joanna Kao ’13. och/ or visit our office in W59-200 for assis- pledging to the Kappa-Sigma fraternity. It gave ally have been too much to expect more from Opinion Staff tance. me an immediate support system and links to MIT and S^3 than the same time-management Editors: Joseph Maurer ’12, Ethan Solomon Linda Patton some of the best guys I know, regardless of what- lecture and a “not legally negligent” quality of ’12; Staff: Florence Gallez G, Alejandro Rogers B. G, Gary Shu G, David Weinberg G, Keith Assistant Director ever stereotypes there are about fraternities. service? A. Yost G, Josh Levinger ’07, Daniel Yelin ’10, MIT Off Campus Housing Service In contrast, S^3 “supported” me by waiving Eric Beam ‘94 Ryan Normandin ’13. Sports Staff Editor: David Zhu ’12; Staff: Aaron Sampson ’10, Michael Gerhardt ’12, Nydia Ruleman ’12, Russell Spivak ’13. College Admissions is No Scam­ — Arts Staff Editor: S. Balaji Mani ’10; Associate Editors: Maggie Liu ’12, Samuel Markson ’12; Staff: Sudeep Agarwala G, Bogdan Fedeles G, Matt Just Reflection of Socioeconomic Fisher ’10, Joyce Kwan ’10, Joanne Y. Shih ’10, Kevin Wang ’10, Tracy Kambara ’11, Sun K. Kim ’11, Yü Linlin Huang ’13, Emily Nardoni ’13, Jenny Xie ’13. Disparity Photography Staff Editors: David M. Templeton ’08, Andrea Robles ’10; Associate Editors: Vibin Kundukulam ’11, the disparity in students’ profiles due to their their own worth when the near inevitable Jessica Liu ’13, Sunny X. Long ’13, Sam Range Maggie Liu varying socioeconomic backgrounds. They rejection letters arrive…the fault lies in the ’13; Staff: Vincent Auyeung G, David Da He make an effort to judge each student in the system, and the system isn’t going to change, G, Perry Hung G, Sheng-Ying Aithne Pao G, Recently, the Boston Globe ran a piece en- context of his school, his activities and wheth- because it benefits the people it is designed to Arthur Petron G, Melissa Renée Schumacher G, titled “The College Admissions Scam.” The er or not he made the most of the opportunities benefit — people who understand how much a Martin Segado G, Noah Spies G, John Z. Sun author, Neal Gabler, seemed to reiterate what he had been given. They would not juxtapose a real meritocracy would threaten their power.” G, Scott Johnston ’03, Martha Angela Wilcox ’08, Peter H. Rigano ’09, Eric D. Schmiedl ’09, has been in the magazines since I started high student from an inner-city school with a fam- Your conspiracy theory is unfounded. There is Biyeun Buczyk ’10, David Chen ’10, Helen Hou school. College admissions is a game and the ily income of less than $60,000 with a student no complete meritocracy in any place. How- ’10, Monica Kahn ’10, Corey Kubber ’10, Alice more money you have to ‘play,’ the easier it from Greenwich, Connecticut whose father ever, the college admissions system is attempt- Li ’10, Diane Rak ’10, Jongu Shin ’10, Christian is to navigate the system. Thank you for your owns a shipping industry. ing to do the best while understanding the vast J. Ternus ’10, Michael Yu ’10, Dhaval Adjodah originality. You’ve done your research well. What about the legacy admits? Neal Gabler inconsistency in socioeconomic levels of ap- ’11, Jasmine Florentine ’11, Dan Kubaczyk ’11, What really peeved me about his piece was his rightfully points out that some students gain plicants. Michael Y. McCanna ’11, Michael Meyer ’11, Aaron Thom ’11, Allison M. Alwan ’12, Yuanyu adamant statement that “the admissions sys- acceptance to elite colleges because of their Furthermore, if these lower-class school Chen ’12, Rachel Fong ’12, Jessica Lin ’12, Rui tem of the so-called ‘best’ schools is rigged family background. However, the college ad- seniors were truly exceptional, they will be Luo ’12, Andrew Shum ’12, Meng Heng Touch against you…indeed, the system exists not to missions process is not so cut-and-dry. I regret great anywhere. While most top schools’ ad- ’12, Jennifer L. Wong ’12, Feng Wu ’12, Arfa provide social mobility but to prevent it and to to admit this, but colleges need these legacies missions officers would take these exceptional Aijazi ’13, Cole Houston ’13, Elijah Mena ’13, perpetuate the prevailing social order.” and generous donors in order to compensate lower-class students in a heartbeat if they show Oscar A. Viquez Rojas ’13. As someone who has gone through the gru- for the less fortunate students who are accept- extraordinary potential, even if they don’t, Campus Life Staff eling college admissions process, I can relate ed based on their own merit. Why can’t the ad- these lower-class students can still ultimately Editor: Michael T. Lin ’11; Staff: Roberto to Gabler’s frustration with the system. There missions process be a complete meritocracy? achieve success. To already have doubts about Perez-Franco G, Christine Yu ’11; Cartoonists: is no denying that the upper echelon of society Because for many schools, they need funding an individuals’ success simply because he or Michael Ciuffo ’11, Ben Peters ’11, Michael Benitez ’12. always has an upper hand in the system. They for the opportunities they want to provide to she didn’t enter the top ten undergraduate have the money to send their kids to SAT prep the less well-off students. programs is itself a debasement of any meri- Business Staff classes. They have the money to send their kids MIT, is fortunate enough not to have to tocratic tenets. Advertising Manager: Greg Steinbrecher ’12; Operations Manager: Sherry Yan ’11; Staff: to private cello lessons, elite prep schools, and rely on the full tuitions of legacies. Schmill For the students fortunate enough to re- Wendy Cheng ’13, Moya Chin ’13, Jennifer other boundless chances to grow and develop. explained that MIT has been lucky to have an ceive the top-notch education that they do, Fong ’13. Is it fair that one student may be presented a impressive endowment fund and generous do- they must seize the opportunity and fully rise Technology Staff platter of choices and a choir of attentive par- nations from alumni. Because of this, MIT is to the challenge. For those who have not been Director: Quentin Smith ’10. ents and teachers while another student strug- able to provide students with a family income lucky enough to gain this early opportunity, gles to balance a part-time job, a single-parent of under $75,000 free tuition. Many other col- they must realize that where one goes to col- Editors at Large family, and is still getting all As? leges hope to achieve MIT’s diversity in terms lege is only a small stepping stone. There is no Contributing Editors: Caroline Huang ’10, Jessica Witchley ’10, William Yee ’10, Arkajit Of course it’s not fair. But the disparity of students’ socioeconomic backgrounds and scam. Those who are given more opportunities Dey ’11, Monica Gallegos ’11, Robin L. Dahan amongst students’ backgrounds is not some- have made a conscious decision to move to- from birth may have the initial advantage but ’12; Senior Editors: Brian Hemond G, Charles thing that the college admissions officer can wards this diversity. ultimately it comes down to the individual and Lin G, Andrew T. Lukmann G, Ramya Sankar help ­— it is intrinsic in society. And according Gabler writes: “So here’s the bottom line his own capabilities. G, Satwiksai Seshasai G, Shreyes Seshasai G, to Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admissions at MIT, for all those exceptional middle-class and low- ­Maggie Liu is a member of the Class of Benjamin P. Gleitzman ’09, Ricardo Ramirez many college admissions officers understand er-class high school seniors who will doubt 2012 and Arts Editor at The Tech. ’09, Nick Semenkovich ’09, Angeline Wang ’09, Praveen Rathinavelu ’10. Advisory Board be given higher priority. Once submitted, all letters become property of Paul E. Schindler, Jr. ’74, V. Michael Bove ’83, Opinion Policy Barry S. Surman ’84, Robert E. Malchman The Tech, and will not be returned. Letters, columns, and cartoons may ’85, Deborah A. Levinson ’91, Jonathan E. D. Editorials are the official opinion of The Tech. They are written also be posted on The Tech’s Web site and/or printed or published in any Richmond PhD ’91, Karen Kaplan ’93, Saul by the editorial board, which consists of Chairman Austin Chu, Edi- other format or medium now known or later that becomes known. The Blumenthal ’98, Frank Dabek ’00, Daniel Ryan tor in Chief Nick Bushak, Managing Editor Steve Howland, Execu- Tech makes no commitment to publish all the letters received. Bersak ’02, Eric J. Cholankeril ’02, Jordan Rubin tive Editor Michael McGraw-Herdeg, Opinion Editors Joseph Mau- Guest columns are opinion articles submitted by members of the ’02, Nathan Collins SM ’03, Keith J. Winstein rer and Ethan Solomon, and Senior Editor Andrew T. Lukmann. MIT or local community and have the author’s name in italics. Col- ’03, Akshay R. Patil ’04, Tiffany Dohzen ’06, Beckett W. Sterner ’06, Marissa Vogt ’06, Dissents are the opinions of signed members of the editorial umns without italics are written by Tech staff. Zachary Ozer ’07, Omari Stephens ’08, Marie Y. board choosing to publish their disagreement with the editorial. Thibault ’08, B. D. Colen. Letters to the editor, columns, and editorial cartoons are writ- Production Staff for This Issue ten by individuals and represent the opinion of the author, not neces- To Reach Us Editors: David M. Templeton ’08, Steve sarily that of the newspaper. Electronic submissions are encouraged The Tech’s telephone number is (617) 253-1541. E-mail is the eas- Howland ’11, Divya Chhabra ’13, Aislyn and should be sent to [email protected]. Hard copy submissions iest way to reach any member of our staff. If you are unsure whom to Schalck ’13. should be addressed to The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, contact, send mail to [email protected], and it will be directed to

The Tech (ISSN 0148-9607) is published on Tuesdays and Fridays during the Mass. 02139-7029, or sent by interdepartmental mail to Room W20- the appropriate person. You can reach the editor in chief by e-mailing academic year (except during MIT vacations), Wednesdays during January, and monthly during the summer by The Tech, Room W20-483, 84 Massa- 483. All submissions are due by 4:30 p.m. two days before the date [email protected]. Please send press releases, requests for coverage, chusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Mass. 02139. Subscriptions are $50.00 per year of publication. and information about errors that call for correction to news@tech. (third class). Postmaster: Please send all address changes to our mailing address: The Tech, P.O. Box 397029, Cambridge, Mass. 02139-7029. Tele- Letters, columns, and cartoons must bear the authors’ signatures, mit.edu. Letters to the editor should be sent to [email protected]. phone: Editorial: (617) 253-1541. Business: (617) 258-8324. Facsimile: (617) 258-8226. Advertising, subscription, and typesetting rates available. addresses, and phone numbers. Unsigned letters will not be accepted. The Tech can be found on the World Wide Web at http://tech.mit. Entire contents © 2010 The Tech. Printed on recycled paper by Mass Web The Tech reserves the right to edit or condense letters; shorter letters will edu. Printing Company. January 20, 2010 Op i n i o n The Tech Page 5 Populists at the Gate 2010 Will Reverse Much of What Democrats Have Gained the Tea Party became the loyal opposition not Keith Yost by choice, but by default. As an anti-establish- ment, populist voice in an era of widespread In the beginning, it was nothing more than economic and security fears, the Tea Party knee-jerk catharsis, drawn from the tattered, Movement gained power just by showing up. frustrated, and disenfranchised remnants of There was no grand coalition of shadowy inter- small-c conservatives and angry libertarians. It ests or savvy media manipulators behind this was disorganized and chronically off-message, feat — it was a matter of circumstance, of right defenseless against being used as a public place and right time. soapbox by every ‘birther’ conspiracist and What has resulted is simultaneously the one-world-government loon that didn’t feel he best and the worst of democracy. had a large enough audience on the Ron Paul The best: despite all the epithets that are internet forums. It was derided as far-right thrown at it, the Tea Party Movement has fringe, dismissed as corporate astroturf, and tapped into a deep and genuine dissatisfaction joyfully mocked as latently homosexual. over the direction of the country. It represents But after everyone took their jabs, everyone the ability of spontaneous, grassroots activism cracked their jokes, the guffaws died down and to spur democratic change. It has ushered in a the cable news anchors dried their eyes of the groundswell of political involvement that be- tears of laughter they had shed, it remained. lievers in democracy should hope to sustain, Now, as the Tea Party Movement gears up to rather than quash. hold its first national convention in Nashville The worst: just as the Tea Party gained next month, it does so with polling numbers power by circumstance, it seems to choose its from NBC/WSJ that suggest it is substantially standard-bearers just as arbitrarily. The absurd more popular than either the Democratic or Re- process by which the Tea Party adopts its fa- publican party. It has evolved from an amateur- vorite sons is best exemplified by Joe Wilson, ish, angry mob to an increasingly organized a no-name congressman from no-where, who and cogent operation with a base of followers instantly raised a staggering $3 million for his that rivals the major parties. 2010 race ($1.2m more than his opponent) The time for snickering at the “teabaggers” merely by being disrespectful to the President is over. They’re “tea partiers.” on national television. If you promise fame, “Elections have consequences.” Those money, and power to those who say outrageous Monica Gallegos—The Tech three words deftly understate the impact that things, you will find no shortage of outrageous job approval ratings have tumbled — Obama is It is easy to imagine scenarios where Dem- 2008 had on the Republican Party. In the after- people. Waves of demagogues and unscrupu- down roughly 16 points since his inauguration ocrats survive the crush of populists. Ross math of their defeat, the GOP was not merely lous politicos have made Tea Party gatherings (bringing him under the magical 50 percent Perot tapped into a similar discontent in 1992, out of power, but also leaderless and adrift. In their stalking grounds, speaking whatever shib- line), while his congressional colleagues have and fizzled out soon after. Populism alone does the year that has followed, there has been little boleths are necessary to attract their next clutch fared even worse. The favorability numbers little to bridge the sometimes wide ideologi- consensus on who is in charge, on what plat- of followers. have flipped — when Rasmussen asked them cal gulf that exists between the wings of the form Republicans should compete, on whether “Elections have consequences” is a fun, on the eve of the 2008 election who they trust- Republican party, of which the house election or not the party should move to the right or the snarky way of telling those who are out of ed more to handle issue X, the public favored in New York’s 23rd district is a fresh reminder. left, or even on what “right” and “left” really power to sit down and shut up. However, after Democrats over Republicans on every single The Tea Party Movement might turn out to be mean. In the braying, bickering din that has be- witnessing a few recent elections, it might be issue they were polled on, with a 20-point mar- just another faction of a fractious Republican come the Republican Party’s not-quite-internal more apt to say “Elections ARE consequenc- gin on health care, and double digit leads on party, and a potentially embarrassing one if it monologue, Newt Gingrich and Dick Cheney es.” In the face of overwhelming public oppo- education, the economy, Social Security, and fails to rein in its more extreme elements. compete for airtime on equal ground with Rush sition, Democrats supported the bailout. As a ethics. Now, the picture is reversed, with the But it is more likely that the Tea Party rep- Limbaugh and Joe the Plumber. consequence, they’ve lost governor’s races in Democrats’ sole leading issue as education, resents a huge boon for Republicans. As long It is against this backdrop of intense Re- Virginia and New Jersey, and might even lose and the Republicans holding double digit leads as dismal economic conditions continue (and publican dysfunctionality that the Tea Party their filibuster-proof Senate majority in a fight on the economy, national security, immigra- they will), elections are going to be won by the has risen to prominence. In the power vacuum, on the homiest of their home territory. Their tion, and Iraq. Everywhere, anywhere, Demo- party that best harnesses the force of populism. crats are hurting. Not only has the Tea Party captured populist The most telling statistic of all comes from sentiment, but it has focused it on an issue Nielsen. In 2008, cable news viewership spiked, that is inherently in Republicans’ favor. This What’s the Rush? reflecting the increased interest in the news is not the dreaded takeover of the party by the that comes with an election. Between 2007 religious right or some other undesirable, un- The Benefits of Moving Rush to IAP and 2008, average daily viewership of con- electable faction. Beneath it all, the core mes- servative Fox News went up by 260,000 for a sage of the Tea Party is fiscal conservatism. laws of this particular house, removing a mem- total of 1,070,000, left-of-center CNN went up It’s a message that appeals to independents Charles Z. Zien ber of the fraternity requires 75 percent of the by 200,000 for a total of 700,000, and liberal and moderates, it’s a message that resonates brothers to vote as such. Though I probably MSNBC gained 180,000 for a total of 480,000. with the conservative base, it’s a message that’s Like many other MIT men, I decided to join could have gotten 25 percent of the brothers to Between 2008 and 2009, average viewership brought the GOP back to power after its de- a fraternity my freshman year. I spent a good vote against the motion, I decided that it was fell at CNN and MSNBC by 100,000 and feat in the 90’s, it’s a message that fits well with part of Rush going from house to house, enjoy- best for me to leave. Unfortunately, the only 80,000 respectively. In contrast, viewership at the current times, it’s a message that can form ing the steak and lobster dinners, go-kart rides, room available on campus was a dingy single Fox News continued to rise, gaining another the basis for a big tent — any Republican can and other freebies. Eventually, someone at one at a rather antisocial entry in MacGregor. 120,000. stand up and talk about entitlement reform of the houses took a liking to me and invited As much as I disliked my fraternity, it was For those who don’t parse statistics well, and fighting the deficit while agreeing to dis- me back to his house multiple times. my social network, and leaving meant losing here is the short and dirty: when the election agree on the rest. It’s a message that (despite At the time I was not particularly concerned practically all of my friends. For three semes- was over, liberals went home and tuned out. the profligacy of Bush), the public consistently with joining a fraternity. I had just arrived at ters after disaffiliating, I was completely iso- Fox News watchers did not. That makes a big trusts the Republicans to act upon better than MIT and did not have a clue what was going lated from the MIT community before I made difference when you’re trying to get out the the Democrats. on. Rather, I was accepting the invitations new friends and found an acceptable place to vote during a boring mid-term election and no To win in 2010, Republicans are faced with mainly to squeeze every last drop of free stuff live. longer have the coattails of a charismatic Presi- the relatively simple task of embracing the Tea out of Rush. I received and accepted a bid, but My story illustrates a key flaw in the way dential candidate to ride on. The populists are Party as fellow travelers. If they are principled, de-pledged after a few weeks, having decided MIT times Rush. An early Rush doesn’t just at the gate. They are outside the castle, building they will do so while disavowing, rather than that the house was not an ideal place for me. hurt freshmen; it hurts fraternities. It is not their siege engines and sharpening their axes. adopting, the hyperbole that the tea partiers However, it soon became apparent that the easy to find and evaluate potential members One day very soon, they are going to ask for have been rightly ridiculed for. But even if Re- vast majority of my fellow Baker residents had in only a week. I have watched fraternities something, like Tim Geithner’s head on a pike, publicans take the reins of populism by shout- pledged at fraternities. I loved the culture in completely change character in the space of and it’s not going to be Republicans they blame ing about death panels, Democrats are in for a Baker but reasoned that, since all of my friends a few years because they took chances with when they don’t get it. long year. there were moving into fraternities, I would grab-bag pledge classes. Such rapid changes probably be better off in a fraternity myself. are not desirable; most people join fraternities Through a friend of a friend I heard of a fra- to be with like-minded people, not a random ternity that was accepting new members post- group. rush (fraternities often do this when they don’t When I first contemplated leaving the fra- get enough pledges), so I went to check it out. ternity during my freshman year, I went to The guys were nice enough, and after coming David Rogers, then director of Fraternities, over a few times I was offered a bid, which I Sororities, and Independent Living Groups, to accepted. discuss my options. There were two: stay or go. Soon after joining I began to have serious I told the Dean about my experience and asked doubts about my fraternity ­— it turned out that him why Rush was at the beginning of the year. the people who rushed me were graduating se- His response: “That’s how it’s always been.” niors, and I had little in common with most of But that is not the basis for prudent poli- the other brothers. I thought about de-pledging cy and, frankly, is beneath the level of dis- but decided against it because I did not want course that MIT promotes. MIT’s early Rush to live in the dorms for the rest of my time at policy might have made sense when fraterni- MIT. ties played a critical role in meeting freshman After moving into the house my sophomore housing needs, but this is no longer true now year, I gradually grew more and more alienated that freshmen are required to live in a dorm. from the fraternity. I was in a tight spot — I Having to choose where you will live and who wanted the social benefits associated with be- your friends will be for the next four years be- ing in a fraternity but did not like where I was. fore even signing up for classes is both point- Moreover, there were no available rooms in any less and extremely detrimental for all groups of the dorms I would have considered living in. involved. A Rush during Independent Activi- I decided the best idea would be to stay in the ties Period in January, after freshmen have got- house for the remainder of the year and put off ten settled and fraternities have gotten to know moving until the next year. the freshman class, makes much more sense. It Over time my relationship with one of is imperative that the Rush policy be changed the brothers, a house officer, grew especially so others do not have to go through what I did. strained, and he brought forth a motion to have Charles Z. Zien is a member of the Class me removed from the fraternity. Under the by- of 2010. Monica Gallegos—The Tech Page 6 The Tech January 20, 2010 Ar t s MOVIE Review hh½ Originality is Key to New Gilliam Film ‘Imaginarium’ Will Have Your Imagination Running Wild By Emily Nardoni by their sixteenth birthdays. As Valentina’s STAFF WRITER own sixteenth approaches, Parnassus has to The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus figure out a way to save her soul. Meanwhile, Directed by Terry Gilliam the presence of a mysterious stranger in the Starring Heath Ledger, Johnny Depp, Colin troupe, Tony (Ledger, Depp, Law, Farrell), Farrell, Jude Law, Lily Cole furthers Parnassus’s quest but creates prob- Rated PG-13 lems of its own. Now Playing In order to appreciate “Imaginarium,” the viewer must be willing to abandon all precon- here’s been a fair amount of hype over ceptions and step into Gilliam’s world. There the new Terry Gilliam film, “The Imagi- will be times when you have no idea what’s go- narium of Dr. Parnassus.” Gilliam, a ing on or you are too creeped out by what’s on Tmember of the classic Monty Python the screen in front of you to be able to relax comedy troupe, is best known for his directo- and enjoy the film. There will be times when rial pursuits of visionary plots and imagina- you must search for connections between plot tive sequences. Early trailers promised such a threads, hoping they’re there and that you’re classic Gilliam-style production, while Heath just too confused to see them. Any movie that Ledger’s tragic passing generated significant places such heavy emphasis on the way it looks buzz for the movie. And though the highly-an- and its intensely imaginative storyline is going ticipated film has its flaws, it presents a starkly to encounter such frustrations. original storyline coupled with some powerful But the difference between “Imaginarium” performances. and, say, “Avatar,” is the stark originality of its The story, written by Gilliam and Charles story. The Devil, played wonderfully by Waits, McKeown, tells the tale of Doctor Parnas- is a hard-betting man who waltzes around in Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics Heath Ledger’s fantastic last performance as the original Tony. sus (excellently portrayed by Christopher his bowler hat, intent on wreaking some havoc Plummer), a thousand-year-old man who has in poor Parnassus’s life. Even though the audi- different actors — Johnny Depp, Jude Law, and assuredly against the Devil himself are all been given possession of a magic mirror by ence is never quite certain why Parnassus was Colin Farrell. straight out of a fairy tales, but this one takes the Devil (Tom Waits) that lets the user step given control over the mirror in the first place, The juxtaposition between the fantastical place in the twenty-first century. Such con- into an alternate reality of his own imagina- the concept is a wondrous idea: a gateway and modern elements of the film has grown trast provides a satirical look at the nature of tion. Parnassus now leads a travelling theater into the imagination held by an immortal man on me more than anything else from my initial man’s desires and provides a ground for feeling troupe consisting of a dwarf (Verne Troyer), whose woes all trace back to wagers with the reaction to the film. Unrestrained hyperbole is strangely touched by the bizarre things that go love-struck teenager Anton (Andrew Gar- Devil gone wrong. And Gilliam’s clever reac- manifest in everything from the giant antique on in “Imaginarium.” field), and Parnassus’ daughter­­— and the ob- tion to Ledger’s passing one-third of the way carriage that houses the travelers, to the scary If you are willing to do away with your in- ject of Anton’s affection — the beautiful Val- through filming was both respectful to a part extent to which people’s imaginations will take hibitions and enjoy Gilliam’s wild ride, then entina (Lily Cole). Alas, many years before, that was intended for Ledger (Tony), and fit- them, to the highly exaggerated character de- “Imaginarium” is worth the viewing. However, Parnassus had struck a deal with the Devil ting with the story; all of his character’s scenes fects. Tony’s cunning greed, Anton’s love, and this is not a film made to everyone’s liking, so that he would hand over any of his children in the alternate reality are split amongst three Parnassus’ hubris that leads him to wager so be forewarned. MOVIE Review hhh WHAT’S AHEAD

The French musical collective Nou- Cera Reveals His Smooth, Badass Side velle Vague creates irresistible bossa nova covers of unruly rock classics, A Story of Boy Meets Girl Stands Apart Thanks to Cera’s Awkward Charm sung by a revolving cast of chanteuses. Their latest, 2009’s 3, features another By Stephanie Bian break from the douchebag magnets who have itself to the dangerous appeal in his alternate set of outstanding tracks and guest ap- Youth in Revolt previously rejected him when he meets Sheeni personality. pearances by Martin Gore of Depeche Directed by Miguel Arteta Saunders (Portia Doubleday), a beautiful and Though “Youth In Revolt” tells the typical Mode and Ian McCulloch of Echo And Written by Gustin Nash and C.D. Payne cultured young woman. Needless to say, it’s story of boy meets girl, it stands apart from The Bunnymen. The groups earlier Starring Michael Cera, Portia Doubleday love at first sight. But to woo her, Nick needs the mundane romantic comedies filled with releases, 2004’s self-titled effort and Rated R to trump her “perfect” boyfriend by becoming clichés and charming, fast-talking characters 2006’s Bande a Part include memorable Now Playing the racy badboy of her dreams. through the power of Cera’s signature awk- versions of “Just Can’t Get Enough,” Enter François Dillinger, Nick’s alter ego ward charm (and a refreshing badassittude). “Making Plans for Nigel,” “Dancing t’s no surprise that in the opening moments who is everything he’s not — “bold, contemp- His body language alone is enough to convey With Myself,” and “Heart of Glass,” of “Youth in Revolt,” the latest movie that tuous of authority, and irresistible to women.” a certain immaturity when it comes to girls. In all of which have been in concert ro- relies on Michael Cera’s distinct charm, Equipped with a mustache, cigarette, and a one scene, Nick is walking Sheeni back to her tation. On this tour, Nouvelle Vague Iwe are introduced to Cera as Nick Twisp, significantly deeper voice than his counter- trailer after a day at the beach. As they walk continues to subvert cult classics by whose delicate last name is a testament to his part, François feeds Nick advice on how to side by side, we watch as Cera uncomfortably The Clash, Joy Division, The Specials obvious virgin status. You’ve probably at least stir up trouble in order to get the girl. Under folds his arms as if he were a Tyrannosau- and many others into sunny, wistful heard of Michael Cera and the certain type of his influence, Nick manages to set a five-mil- rus rex and has no idea how to maneuver his pieces of exotica. Nouvelle Vague will virginal adolescent he always portrays: gawky, lion dollar fire, destroy two cars and a trailer, limbs. Suddenly, he reaches out to grab Shee- be at Somerville Theatre next Sunday soft-spoken and unintentionally witty. Like sneak into a girl’s dormitory, and elude the ni’s hand, and she neatly avoids his grasp. It is January 24th - come join The Tech at most teenage boys, Nick has only one thing on police long enough to convince Sheeni that this sort of laughable gracelessness in Cera’s the show and look out for Arts Editor his mind and is constantly reminded of the lack he’s the one. Through François, we are able actions and words that make this film worth a S. Balaji Mani’s review next week. For of action he’s getting by everyone around him, to see what Cera could be like in an alternate watch. But most of all, who wouldn’t want to Innovatingtickets and information call World Mu- including his divorced parents. Nick catches a universe, where his gangly adolescence lends see Michael Cera as a smooth criminal? sic / CRASHarts at (617) 876-4275.

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Courtesy of The Weinstein Company No excuses, only opportunities Cera at his best — ridiculously awkward moments with girls. January 20, 2010 Ar t s The Tech Page 7 ARTS COLUMN MIT’s Spring Weekend Or, How the Boy Bands Killed Mainstream Rock By Matt Fisher digm of their era’s music and offered listeners and I frequently listen to Hunky Dory), was cretly talented, and try very hard to keep this STAFF WRITER a new experience. To differentiate themselves almost completely disconnected from their information from their consumer-base) had to from The Beatles, subsequent bands needed performance product. People didn’t buy Ma- conform to the relentlessly boring, unimagi- illing out this year’s spring weekend to add something to their image in order to donna albums because of her musical talent, native styles of Pearl Jam and similarly hellish poll, I was, yet again, disappointed survive. No one was as good as they were, so they bought them out of some weird compul- “power rock” bands, or lose their customers. with the selection. The class of 2010 competitors needed to offer a slightly differ- sion consisting of 4 parts aspiration, 3 parts Smart, once popular bands like REM fell off F has yet to see a rock band that writes ent product. For example, both The ‘Stones amazement, and 1 part disgust. the radar screen. In desperation, we harnessed new music. The Ying Yang Twins in 2007: no and The Beatles started in the “Swinging Inadvertently, these incredible entertain- our hopes to Green Day, and U2, but as time need to comment; Third Eye Blind in 2008: London” movement of the sixties playing as- ers opened the door for purely performance progressed, they appeared to conform as well. unoriginal power-rock; Ben Folds played in tonishingly similar music. As they both hit it value bands such as *NSYNC. Some bril- (Maybe they just got old and no longer felt 2009: at least we hired a decent musician that big, they diverged. The Beatles started mak- liant music executive realized the drivers of compelled to drag the musical world for- year, but if it weren’t for copying Jeff Buck- ing more experimental, avante garde music, Madonna’s sales, and decided to compete in ward.) Regardless of the reasons, some clever ley, who somehow copied Elliott Smith, Ben and The Rolling Stones owned the “bad boy” that market. The “boy bands,” and their simi- record-label executive changed rock music Folds would still be opening for no-name image that made Jagger a sex symbol. Both larly untalented heirs, never pretended to pro- forever the first time he realized that five guys bands in the East Village. were great bands, and both made excellent, duce appreciable music. Their songs were not in jeans could dance in unison. Sadly, it looks to me like this devolution progressive music, but they did it with differ- meant to be enjoyed while prone on your bed, Let’s go to the evidence: MIT offers an ex- towards the lowest common denominator in ent “music as product” staring at the ceiling. cellent case study as its spring weekend bands our spring weekend selections — derivative, platforms. Instead, their artistic are voted on by majority rule. (We think. Ig- three chord songs typified by bands like Third This is where our While there is nothing wrong habitat consisted of noring the selection-process, which clearly Eye Blind — is not the student body’s, or even story gets interesting. groups of high school needs to be changed.) In the last three years the event’s organizers’, fault. Starting in the Many bands in the with loving repetitive, simplistic girls crowding around of the sixties, MIT hosted Janis Joplin, Chuck eighties but accelerating in the nineties, our seventies and eighties someone’s new pair Berry, Jefferson Airplane and The Beach generation witnessed the marginalization of started selling their mu- music for dancing, music as pure of bright yellow jel- Boys. In the seventies, Chuck Berry and the progressive, mainstream rock. The murderers sic more as product and lies. These CDs were then-young Aerosmith. The eighties saw some of popular rock? Boy bands. less as music. Bands product de-intellectualized the marketed as product to smaller, once-hip bands along with big names Blaming the “commercialization” of rock like The Clash, The entire realm of popular music. a young audience that like REM and The Ramones. The nineties, music seems to me to be a meaningless, petty Ramones, and the punk didn’t know any better probably our best decade, had The Violent argument. Music has been commercialized movement in general ­­­— us! By destroying Femmes, the shockingly popular Belly, and since the Enlightenment. Haydn had a patron. sold music as little pieces of tangible rebellion. the once immutable relationship between rock Sonic Youth. The most recent decade has seen Mozart starved because he wouldn’t sell out, Hate your parents? Buy London Calling (1979). as music and rock as product, these bands only one good band: Cake, in 2006. and Beethoven made it because his music was Your girlfriend is an uptight, pro-establishment eliminated what used to be the thriving genre While this seems a little “if this, then so epically powerful that he changed what au- square? Listen to the Sex Pistols. These bands of popular, accessible, original rock music, that,” the surge in popularity of the boy bands diences were demanding. Great artists don’t marketed their sound, giving the punk genera- replacing it with machine-made beats and through the nineties destroyed the mainstream need to compromise and weaken their art in tion a soundtrack, and bought bright pink lim- dance videos. appreciation of rock music in our genera- order to achieve commercial success. By of- ousines with the proceeds. They started the de- While there is nothing wrong with lov- tion. The dumbed-down version of pop music fering consumers something they didn’t even volution by prying “rock as music” away from ing repetitive, simplistic music for dancing, stands only to remind us what previous gen- know they wanted, artists can create popular “rock as product.” In many ways, the lack of or even enjoying it for it’s easily accessible erations had, and we have somehow lost. Few masterpieces. There is no reverse correlation musical progress portrayed by these bands was, rhythms, the advent of music as pure product current bands create great music while realiz- between popularity and greatness in music — in itself, experimental and new, but that didn’t de-intellectualized the entire realm of popular ing mainstream appeal: Radiohead, The Shins, at least, there shouldn’t be. change the impact. music. Perhaps consumers lost their interest The Strokes, Cake, and maybe Spoon. Vote for Throughout the second half of the twenti- Building on the success of these artists’ in rock as an art form, or perhaps they sim- these bands for Spring Weekend in the years eth century, rock was marketed on two tightly abilities to sell their images to the world, the ply started preferring the less challenging ap- to come. Don’t let our children fall victim to bound platforms: “rock as music” and “rock bandwagon grew. Performers like Michael peal of the “new pop.” For whatever reason, the same fate that the rationally-acting music as product.” In the sixties and seventies, popu- Jackson, David Bowie, and Madonna popu- the effects spread throughout the industry. industry foisted on us in response to our disin- lar bands made music for young people that larized their music by creating commercially In addition to the divergence of “rock” as terest. Fight back. (And if you are in charge of was both original and commercial; everyone incredible backbones of multi-media perfor- different from pop music, the rock fork was picking Spring Weekend acts, give us a little loves Abbey Road (1969). The Beatles fol- mance. Their music, while in many cases in- forced to a lower common denominator as more credit. We might not be hip NYU stu- lowed Beethoven — they changed the para- credible (Thriller really is an amazing album, well. Bands like Metallica (who I think are se- dents, but we can appreciate good bands.)

Eleven names as Kyle Adkins Glara Ahn valuable Sharat Alankar as our own. Albert Chang Kapil Dilwali

You don’t build a 200-year history of excellence in financial services Amanda Levy without learning a few things. Like how to recognize and celebrate colleagues with exceptional qualities. And the importance of training Crystal Mao and developing them throughout their careers. We are proud to welcome the eleven Massachusetts Institute of Technology students Rachel Mayer who will be joining us full-time this summer. Congratulations to them on all their success. Armand Mignot

This is where you need to be. Tom Qiu

jpmorgan.com/careers Allyson Randolph

An Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D/V. © 2010 JPMorgan Chase & Co. All rights reserved. Page 8 The Tech January 20, 2010 Ca m p u s Li f e Brouhaha Rhythm Explaining the Awesome

By Michael T. Lin objectivity), we as a generation seem awfully its significance becomes independent of the the big deal is about a brooding rich boy who Campus Life Editor willing to celebrate or praise cultural icons medium it’s in — for an example, ask Chuck is consistently paired with interesting villains I’m not precisely sure when the word “awe- simply because they’re “awesome.” Those who Norris’s PR department, whose campaign to that make his personality seem bland by com- some” was first used to describe something know me well are keenly aware of what could cement his manly reputation has been self- parison. indefinably spectacular and/or amazing, but it politely be called a “sensitivity” to Batman and sustaining for years. Batman as a character To be fair, I’d be lying if I said that I’d never seems as if in recent years, it’s gone from the what is more accurately described as a futile has been in some legendarily bad comics and shouted “That was totally wicked!” (regional upgraded, superlative version of “cool” (itself a effort at counter-hype. movies over the years, but variants of “awesome” exist in many flavors) reissue of “groovy”) to the heavily-used catch- The fervor of my crusade miraculously never seems after an exciting movie or show, and my pants all adjective of our generation. I don’t have against the Caped Crusad- to lose favor among his would promptly burst into flame if I attempted anything against the word “awesome” in and of er is directly proportional We as a generation seem fans for it. His devotees to deny that my standards for awesomeness are itself, but I do have to wonder at what point we to the amount of free pub- awfully willing to celebrate have declared him awe- actually fairly low. Marvin the Martian’s disin- stopped demanding more than “it’s awesome” licity that Batman receives some, and awesomeness tegration of Duck Dodgers ranks pretty high on as justification for holding something in high from the Awesome Gener- or praise cultural icons is a shield against even the my Awe-So-Meter, which I think puts the lower regard. ality. (Ironically, the fact most potent bullets of me- threshold somewhere between marshmallows My campaign against what I’m calling the that Batman is so popular simply because they’re diocrity. The problem, of in my breakfast cereal and a packet of mustard “Awesome Generality” stems largely from my and is thus occasionally re- “awesome.” course, is that at a certain that isn’t half-water. Pedantic though it may be experiences arguing on the Internet, a hobby stricted from use in televi- point, the awesomeness of of me to say so, I’m going to call “public ser- that I really shouldn’t engage in if my tolerance sion has given ex-Batman the idea becomes such a vice announcement” and politely suggest that for head-to-desk frustration is feeling low. Sort clone and personal favorite comic icon Green given that its positive characteristics become assessments of awesomeness be vetted with of like building a house of cards with chop- Arrow a shot at the mainstream spotlight, so I indistinct and taken for granted. Eventually, self-assessment and a rigorous peer review sticks — it takes forever to accomplish what suppose there’s a silver lining, after all.) the situation reaches a point where you have process. I don’t know about you, but I would you’re attempting, and even if you succeed, The idea of the Awesome Generality is like a single idea surrounded by adoring fans, only definitely be interested in reading a journal of you’ll never have a compelling reason as to so: An idea — like, say, Batman — enters the some of whom fully understand its genuinely papers on why things like S’mores or lightsa- why you did it. It seems as if everywhere (or at cultural consciousness. Over the course of time, good qualities. And standing behind them are bers should be regarded as awesome. It might least on the Internet, that paragon of statistical its exposure and popularity grow so much that a handful of people (like me) wondering what even be kind of groovy. East Meets West Five Observations on Silicon Valley from an MIT Perspective By Rob Lemos and Erdin Beshimov continues to permeate the atmosphere. Inter- seen as creating opportunities for better inno- and the company was founded only two years During the first week of January, a class estingly, we found, at least anecdotally, that vations to take root. Failure is encouraged and ago! Absolutely impressive. of 90 MIT MBA students traveled to Silicon cleantech start-ups don’t seem to be as hot in rarely punished. It’s the spirit of the American Valley as part of the annual MIT Sloan Entre- the West as here in the East. Cleantech typical- West! Not that this message isn’t well known; preneurship and Innovation Class Trek. Our ly requires large infusions of initial investment most of us have heard it multiple times before. Silicon Valley is flat purpose was to cast a deeper glance at the en- and returns usually take several years. This was But hearing this message live and being contin- Silicon Valley has a culture characterized trepreneurial ecosystem on the West Coast by an interesting surprise since there’s so much uously stressed by some very successful people as fast-moving, encouraging of failure, and engaging entrepreneurs and venture capitalists excitement about energy here East, at least at brought it to life that much more. wary of prolonged investments. Add to that list in the Valley. We met with successful compa- MIT. Hardware bets certainly can be very suc- At the same time, we heard from Doug Le- a spirit of experimentation that is rampant and nies such as Genentech and LinkedIn, hot Web cessful, but the feeling in the Valley is that it’s one, Sequoia Capital partner and MIT Sloan reinforced by the individuals who embody it. 2.0 startups such as Aardvark and Yammer, and important to choose wisely. alum, that successes and failures should be bal- The environment is flat and welcoming; a nice premier venture capital firms (VCs) from Se- In a similar vein, consumer web is gener- anced. If you haven’t failed, you haven’t tried; change from the entrenched and often bureau- quoia, Kleiner Perkins, Accel and more. ally preferable to enterprise software. Typi- but if you’ve only failed, you don’t know how cratic culture in the East. It was amazing that As co-founders of the MIT Entrepreneur- cally, consumer web startups are able to launch to do things right. on our trip we were able to schedule meetings ship Review (think Harvard Law Review, quickly and learn, iterate, and adapt based with some very busy and accomplished people except from and for MIT, set to launch in on user feedback, which is more difficult to at just a couple of days’ notice. This is much February-March), we were keenly interested do with enterprise software applications. As Social media will reshape the world less likely to happen in Boston. in entrepreneurial and industry trends, local founder and CEO of Aardvark, Max Ventilla, It’s not just that the icons of Web 2.0 such investment perspective, and the Silicon Valley aptly pointed out, the only real risk in consum- as Facebook and Twitter are all based in Silicon culture. er web is product fit. Valley, but that startups out West are respond- Pivot Here are our top 5 observations: ing quicker than anyone to the burgeoning Entrepreneurs cannot predict how their business ecosystem around Facebook and Twit- businesses are going to go. Business plans are The pathway to success is paved with ter. There was a big surprise in store for those only worth as much as the paper they are writ- Be wary of hardware failure students who visited Zynga, a rapidly growing ten upon. Therefore, an entrepreneur has to VCs in the West are big on capital-efficient Fail often but fail quickly — this is, perhaps, (an understatement) social gaming startup, and pivot upon his or her business plan according start-ups. The mentality that start-ups should the most reiterated message from the Valley. It expected to see a small, plucky, garage-based to the customer. Be careful not to let your cus- stay agile and respond quickly to the market, a appears as though trial-and-error is an evolu- outfit. We found instead a huge (yet superbly tomer rule the roost, but pay special attention carryover from the days of the Internet bubble, tionary process in the West where failures are funky) office and seven hundred employees – to what the customer wants.

After our trip, the top question we are left wondering is this: Is Silicon Valley going to host the next decade of Malcolm Gladwell’s “outliers”? If not, where will they come from? At the MIT Entrepreneurship Re- view, we hope to continuously explore this question and many more by exam- ining the interplay between science, technology, and entrepreneurship. If you want to be on the cutting-edge of thought-leadership in entrepreneur- ship, follow us on Twitter @MITER- eview for updates and news about our upcoming launch.

Rob Lemos and Erdin Beshimov are MIT Sloan MBA students Class of 2011. To learn more about the MIT Entrepreneurship Review, go to http:// entrepreneurship.mit.edu/MITER.

Reminder to all Juniors! Textbooks bought and sold, new & used, online buybacks. Buy, sell, rent Associate Consultant Internship Resume at cheapbooks.com (260) 399-6111, Submission Deadline español (212) 380-1763, urdu/hindi/punjabi (713) 429-4981, Date: Thursday, January 28, 2010 see site for other support lines. Time: BY 11:59 p.m.

Include resume with SAT scores, cover letter with office preferences, Put your and unofficial transcript. Students studying abroad should note that in Lions, tigers, and ad here. their cover letters. penguins, oh my. Applications must be submitted through BOTH Career Bridge and Word. www.joinbain.com. First round interviews will be held on-campus on Monday, February 8, 2010.

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] W20-483, 617-253-1541 W20-483, 617-253-1541 W20-483, 617-253-1541 January 20, 2010

Page 9

Steal My Comic by Michael Ciuffo Instructions: Fill in the grid so that each Sudoku column, row, and 3 by 3 grid contains exactly Solution, page 12 one of each of the digits 1 through 9. 2 4 3 3 8 1 2 3 4 8 7 3 4 3 2 9 6 7 9 3 2 5 4 9 2 7 1 5 9 4

ACROSS 39 Left... (during a Brian 30 Eye lasciviously 1 Online business heist) 2 Greek letter 32 Amish pronoun 6 Banned big bang 43 Quilt filler 3 One’s other self 35 Actress Falco 11 Cal. pages 44 Eagle quarters 4 Wedding vows 36 Bill attachment 14 Nita of old films 46 Perform on stage 5 Elevates 38 Spanish river 15 Puccini opera 49 Unnerving 6 2004 Olympics 40 Pianist Peter 16 Artist’s rep. 51 Spoken site 41 In flight 17 Left... (in 52 Infrequent 7 End of a sock 42 Toothed wheel Hollywood?) 54 Wandered 8 Psychic power 45 ‘74 kidnap group 20 Lauder of 57 Bikini part 9 H.S. subj. 46 Games mall cosmetics 58 Town official, of 10 Diplomat’s forte 47 Box 21 Track official yore 11 Kenyan terrorists 48 Medical selection 22 Neighbor of Leb. 60 La Scala cheer 12 Shrek’s mate? process 24 Had a feeling 62 Left... (in a 13 Sound system 50 Carve in relief 28 Job for Perry debate) 18 NFL prop 53 Sushi bar order Solution, page 12 Mason 68 Shih Tzu or corgi 19 Spasm 55 Goof 29 Van Gogh’s 69 Folkways 22 Sheraton parent 56 Coolidge’s VP brother 70 Old lab burners co. 59 Easy win 31 Mubarak’s 71 Compass dir. 23 Iranian ruler, once 61 Cast ballots predecessor 72 Designs 25 Spanish wine 63 Our sun 33 G.I. entertainers 73 Burpee specialty drink 64 Madrid Mrs. 34 Graffiti 26 Redact 65 Marsh practitioner DOWN 27 Putin’s vacation 66 June honoree

Crossword Puzzle Crossword 37 Wall recess 1 “Dune” composer home 67 Old draft org.

Dilbert® by Scott Adams Page 10 The Tech January 20, 2010 ‘Time Travel’ Theme of 2010 Mystery Hunt Puzzles

History Munt, from Page 1 On the opposite side of the coin was the number “300,” with the years of was time travel. In keeping with that the lost rounds in a ring along the theme, teams learned that time had edge. “warped” so that they were compet- Metaphysical Plant was com- ing on the 300th anniversary of the posed mainly of Hunt veterans and Hunt, not the 30th, as they solved the included roughly 75 people. “Physi- first meta-puzzle of the hunt, cal Plant” — a previous incarnation The warp in time led to the cre- of Metaphysical Plant — won Mys- ation of multiple “lost rounds” from tery Hunt in 2005, but had roughly previous Mystery Hunts. These lost 25 more members, many of whom rounds included a round from 2009, were alumni from Random Hall. Of closely based on last year’s theme that 100, about 50 stayed with the of “Escape from Zyzzlvaria” and team to write the 2006 Hunt. It was rounds from supposed hunts as early those 50 that made up the core of this as 1710. year’s winning team. As part of the theme, complet- Andrew Thomas ’03, one of this ing every additional round caused year’s winners and a winner in 2005, a change in history that altered the said this year’s Hunt was “one of the original puzzles from the first round, more smoothly flowing and better requiring the first round to be solved executed hunts in recent history.” twice. According Wesley Carroll Though most of the team had ‘92, one of the writers of this year’s been involved in Mystery Hunt be- Hunt, “One of the things that is un- fore, some members of the team usual about this hunt is we wrote a had never previously participated in set of puzzles that with very small Mystery Hunt. tweaks could be resolved for differ- Winning is just the beginning for ent puzzles.” Metaphysical Plant — the prize for The design of this year’s coin was winning Mystery Hunt is writing also tied to the theme of the Hunt. next years Hunt. Writing the Hunt Elijah Mena—The Tech The coin was designed to appear like is a process that takes an entire year, Team Codex Seraphinianus coordinate and work on problems Friday night during the Mystery Hunt. They a pocket watch, with one side bear- and involves writing puzzles as well were based in several rooms in Building 5 this year. ing the number 30 and the inscrip- as working out the relevant Mystery tions “2010 MIT History Mystery Hunt administrative details. Begin- concept by May. Once a concept of editors. The writing of the puzzles writing of the 2006 hunt, said writ- Hunt” and “It’s About Time” in a ner’s Luck finalized their theme by was finalized, members of the team continued throughout the year. ing Mystery Hunt is like “[having] a ring around the outside of the coin. February and finished a complete began submitting puzzles to a team Thomas, who was involved in the second job for the year.” Selected 2010 Mystery Discword Esme Weatherwax says: “On a recent visit to Ankh-Morpork I picked up this discword puzzle from the Ankh-Morpork Times. It seems they forgot to Hunt Puzzles print the diagram, but I know these things always have 180-degree rotational symmetry and have something to do with current events. I’m sure I could Puzzle solutions, credits on p. 15, Discword hint p. 13. summon up the diagram, but that ate’nt right; I should solve it the way the locals had to.”

TURNWISE 14. Carry on excitedly 9. The tooth cart 1. Doorstep accessory 17. Metal source driver 100% Reliable 7. Kind of snake 18. Dope 18. Crowning 8. A single time 19. Formerly named ceremony 10. Noisy disturbance 25. Remove, as a ruler 22. Lord Vetinari 15. Writing fluid 26. Embrace 30. Provincial 16. The followers of a 27. Tilt 35. Begetting small god 32. Adherent (suff.) 36. Takes by surprise 20. Similar 37. Just ___ (“Hold 41. Hogswatchnight, 21. Skill on.”) elsewhere 23. Acquire 38. Rep. 43. It follows aleph 24. Bubbly, swirly tub 44. Home for pigeons 28. Body of water 47. Anger 29. Agitate 34. Take advantage of HUBWARD 39. Beyond 2. Maneuvers RIMWARD 45. Belonging to us adroitly 13. Male cat 46. Three singers 3. Neglected 15. A maiden’s last 4. Affirmative words? WIDDERSHINS response 23. Shall, slangily 3. Witch or vampire, 5. Bothered 31. Clubs, and others sometimes? (abbr.) 6. Double-cross 33. Heavenly light 6. Body of water 7. A social gathering show 11. Fill completely for a particular 40. “No lie!” 12. Fish eggs purpose 42. Ecksian animal Planar Complex On one of Leah’s many explorations of previously unknown planets, she recorded the following notes: “This strange planet is perfectly flat,and has a strong magnetic field of precisely 1 gauss. It appears to now be uninhabited, but the former residents, whoever or whatever they were, made a very com- plex product on parallel assembly lines.” The following data accompanies the log entry:

AXE 48-6i LIMIT -225-525i BLITZ 360+840i MILK 15-45i BRINK -280+440i NAMES -98+256i CHARD 960-640i NOW 198+24i CLAMP -48-384i PLATE -438-384i DOUBT -120+300i QUARK -24+172i EARTH -548+36i STARE -628-344i ERA 32-4i STAY 169-234i FLARE 420-540i THE -33-19i GOURD -240-360i TO -27+24i ITS 90+65i WHOA -378+96i JAZZY -1664-832i WHY -52-26i LEVER 180+240i ZONE 456-192i January 20, 2010 The Tech Page 11 Mentor, Hiring Challenges Facing Minority Faculty

Diversity, from Page 1 hire told the diversity initiative staff was notably worse for minority fac- suring impartial assessments of fac- Rafael Reif in April 2007, a pre- in an interview, “That is the absolute ulty, especially blacks and women. ulty members. “It’s those discussions liminary report was released in July would increase diversity in terms of last thing in the world that I wanted Experiences with mentors ranged that help — just an awareness about 2007 which said a full report would both race and background of hired to have, to be labeled like that [an op- from positive, with mentors person- the fact these exist can really have take twelve to twenty-four months faculty, said Paula T. Hammond ’84, portunity hire] … this made life dif- ally supporting their mentee, to the a huge difference, because people, to conduct, as a “short and dimin- Professor of Chemical Engineering ficult for me in the beginning. How negative where the faculty “received once they’re aware, can adjust ac- ished report will not yield results and Chair of the Diversity Initiative. could I expect them to respect me if I ill-conceived or overly-directive ad- cordingly and that allows them to act substantive enough to convince and The number of qualified minority was a special appointment?” vice,” the report read. more openly,” said Hammond. induce change, will diminish per- applicants could increase by building Fully clarifying what this pro- Instituting a set formal mentoring ceptions of MIT’s commitment to relationships with a larger network gram is and how it is used would process for all schools, one in which Different models researched the effort, and could possibly dam- of schools and following the prog- avoid the confusion that a faculty “the mentor is personally involved A significant portion of the study age MIT’s credibility in this critical ress of potential faculty members, member hired by it might be the in the success of the mentee,” can also examined existing programs area.” the report suggested. second-choice or not as qualified, the improve all faculty member’s experi- within the Institute, and in other uni- The detailed research needed for A few departments have excelled report recommended. ences, the report suggests. The report versities that have improved diver- the comprehensive study ultimately in hiring a diverse faculty, such as also recommends that each junior sity, in hopes of establishing other included both qualitative examination the Program in Writing and Human- Mentoring needs overhaul faculty member should receive two successful programs. In particular of cohort analysis of faculty progress istic Studies, while others have not Once hired, a significant number trained mentors involved in advo- the MIT Pappalardo Fellowships and from 1991 to 2009, and qualitative hired a single minority faculty mem- of minority faculty members leave cating, guiding, and reviewing their Department of Biology’s outreach aspects such as personal interviews ber over the past twenty years, such the Institute before promotion to as- mentee. program were noted, as well as the among eighty percent of the minority as Nuclear Science and Engineer- sociate professor without tenure, the Despite advances to ensure a University of Michigan’s Science faculty, faculty meetings for both ju- ing (Course XXII). Inevitably, some stepping stone to receiving tenure, commensurate experience among and Technology Recruiting to Im- nior and senior faculty members, and fields simply contain a smaller pool the report found. The first three to all faculty, hidden biases in the hir- prove Diversity and Excellence and a quality of life survey distributed to of minority candidates, and, Ham- five years at MIT, the report identi- ing and review process still affect the Fisk-Vanderbilt Masters-to-PhD. the entire faculty. mond said, “we have to acknowledge fied, are the most critical to a minor- minority progress, the report said. Bridge Program were discussed. Even though the multi-method re- those differences.” ity faculty member’s career, as most Interviews with minority faculty One unexpected finding was the search took more than two years, ul- Departments that have experi- of the faculty members who leave do also revealed that some feared that extent to which schools within MIT timately the result provided a clearer enced successes in the past in hiring so during this time period. subjectivity influenced the tenure had promoted diversity. “I was also picture of minority faculty life than diverse candidates “indicate the po- While no one reason exists as process, while no interviewed Asian impressed with the degree to which seen before, said Lotte Bailyn, who tential to experience gains in faculty to why minority faculty leave, their or white faculty member expressed a number of department heads and headed research for the Diversity even given these kinds of challeng- lessened chance for promotion is the the same fear. deans that we spoke with had al- Initiative. es,” and improving and expanding most likely cause. The report found “It requires strategic action to find ready been thinking about this issue “I think it was very important to recruiting efforts can increase diver- that 74 percent of white faculty were candidates; for example, we can’t over the past several years. There’s have these multiple approaches in sity gains, the report said. promoted to associate professor just wait for applications to arrive been more thought and effort than order to understand better what the Confusion about certain hiring without tenure, while only 55 percent and then complain that no one from may have been realized.” said Ham- situation is,” Bailyn said. “I’m hop- practices also undermines the expe- of minority faculty were, indicating a underrepresented groups is there,” mond. ing that other universities will begin rience of minority faculty members. large disparity that may cause minor- Hammond said. The report suggests While the numbers of minority to copy it.” When a candidate is considered for a ity faculty to pursue other opportuni- the only way to combat these hidden faculty at MIT and other peer engi- Most of the MIT’s 59 minority job, at the end of the search the “Pro- ties. biases is to train faculty to become neering schools are comparable, the faculty members participated in the vost retains access to a small num- Even once promoted to associ- more vigilant of them. Diversity Initiative considers MIT a diversity’s initiative research studies. ber of faculty slots that can be made ate professor without tenure, it takes Examples of how to eliminate leader in this field. “The top science Seventy-two percent of minority fac- available to departments that … find longer for minority faculty to achieve the impact of hidden biases on the and engineering university in the na- ulty responded to the quality of life an excellent faculty candidate who tenure, with a mean of 6.9 years, in evaluation process already exists. tion and the world is the place where survey, with 69 percent of faculty re- will increase diversity and whom the contrast to a mean of 6.4 years for For instance, the School of Sci- this type of work can happen, and sponding overall. Eighty percent of department wishes to hire,” accord- white faculty, and 6.2 years for Asian ence sponsored faculty forums from we hope to share this with all of our the minority faculty also participated ing to the report. That is considered a faculty. 2008–2009 to discuss how “uncon- peers so that they can form partner- in interviews. “Provost Opportunity Hire.” The report found that mentoring scious expectations … govern our ships together to address these prob- “I feel honored that such a large Candidates hired as an oppor- of all faculty members was marked interactions,” informing and teach- lems” said Hammond. portion of the minority faculty were tunity hire sometimes suffer from by a “[lack] of consistency, including ing how hidden biases affect their willing to take part in the effort and thoughts that they were not as quali- level of commitment and a defined judgments of others. Details unprecedented share their experiences,” Hammond fied a candidate. As one opportunity role for mentors,” but mentoring Such conversations are key in en- Commissioned by Provost L. said.

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What are the implications of these 2 graphs for: ENERGY • ENVIRONMENT • ECONOMICS? Learn the science that can provide some answers. Page 12 The Tech January 20, 2010 Solar-Powered Car Completes Cross-Continent Race Solar Car, from Page 1 ous cars, Eleanor’s design featured an upright seating angle and a rack- — where she finished the 3,021 kilo- and-pinion steering mechanism meter trek from Darwin to Adelaide, with a conventional steering wheel Australia in only five days, placing in order to comply with new regu- second in the “Silicon Class” and lations. Additionally, Eleanor in- fifth overall, out of 38 teams. cludes fixed fairings (drag-resistant Eleanor averaged 73 kilometers external structures) and cruise con- per hour during the race, according trol for the first time in MIT SEVT to team member Michael P. Roberts history. ’11. The “Tokai Challenger” from Racing Down Under Tokai University in Tokyo, Japan, In stark contrast to the busy finished first overall but was placed streets of Massachusetts Avenue, in the “Challenge Class” and “Gal- where curious onlookers point their lium Class” because of its use of the cell phone cameras at the car dur- more expensive but more efficient ing the occasional test run, Eleanor solar cell array. faced large stretches of open road “When we crossed the finish line, and the scorching heat of the out- we weren’t really sure of what to ex- back. pect, since most of the team hadn’t “The temperature in the car done solar car before,” said one of around noon was at 110°F, but the the team’s current leader, Alejandro drivers all had a camel pack of wa- F. Arambula ’12. ter to sip throughout the day,” said “But the fact that we crossed an Roberts, one of the team’s drivers. entire continent in five days on a For three of the five days of the Vincent Auyeung—The Tech car that we built ourselves, it’s not race, MIT’s team led the roughly 20 “Eleanor,” the MIT Solar Electric Vehicle Team’s current race vehicle, reveals the gear and cockpit something that a lot of people can cars in its class, but was passed by mounted on her chassis. Her aerodynamic top and solar array are suspended on sawhorses (rear). say.... It’s something we’ll keep with the University of New South Wales us for a long time,” he said. on the fourth day. “It was really rough to be first Leading to the 2009 Race [in our class] for four days, then be When eleven SEVT team mem- passed in last day, simply because of bers and alumni, including Arambu- a slightly better car — knowing that la, traveled to Australia to race El- we were doing almost our complete eanor at the World Solar Challenge best” said Arambula. last October, it was the first time But the team will now be “ready THANK YOU . . . that the team had raced in the World to come back in two years and be M IT Solar Challenge since 2005. competitive with the top-tier teams,” According to Arambula, the team he said. normally designs, builds, and races To attend the race, held from each car on a two-year cycle but did October 24–31, members had to not compete in the 2007 Challenge, miss around two weeks of class, but primarily due to lack of funds and expressed that the skills that they membership. earned in exchange were well worth Eleanor’s predecessor in the it. “Almost every team member has 2005 race, Tesseract, was a gallium something to say about how the ex- arsenide-paneled car which finished perience has gone beyond just the sixth overall in World Solar Chal- academics,” said Arambula. lenge and also placed third in the “Every student that doesn’t do North American Solar Challenge an extracurricular here is missing — a race that the current SEVT will out on a hell of a lot,” he said. not compete in. Instead, the team will spend more time on the design Eleanor’s Namesake of the next car. Eleanor only recently returned ® Despite this brief lull in activity, from Australia via boat roughly two Bose® Wave® music system however, MIT’s solar car team was weeks ago, and team members say able to raise the roughly $300,000 that they’re already beginning plans necessary to construct Eleanor. for the team’s next car for the 2011 Raising funds is entirely mem- Challenge. ber initiated. “All team members In designing the next car, the help organize funding,” said mem- team says that they will likely ex- Thank you to Students, ber Kelly Ran ’12. plore the use of higher quality but Thank you to Students, Another feature that sets the more expensive gallium arsenide car apart is its custom made power solar cells as well as modified body Faculty, Staff and trackers ­— designed by Robert Pila- shape and steering control. Faculty, Staff and wa ’06 — which monitors and regu- Although the upcoming car cur- Employees of M.I.T. lates optimum power outputs and is rently remains officially unnamed, better tailored to Eleanor than those Roberts recalls that Eleanor’s name available commercially. comes from the most elusive car in BoseEmployees Corporation was of M.I.T. founded and The purpose of the power track- the movie “Gone in 60 Seconds” — ers is to “ensure that solar cells are a little-known fact to most of the putting out the most power at a cer- public. Henisi. Pat, cor sum nos doloreet elesseq uatuera esectem doloboreet, con heniscidunt at, quat dolobore diam, veliquisl el ut adip eraesto duis dolor sum ex exeros ea faci ea amcommo lorper adit nullaor at, commy nosto odolenim nostrud et laore feu facidunt alit lutetue modolor accum ea am, quamcon sequat wisl ullam, consequat. Iquat. 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©2004 Bose Corporation. Patent rights issued and/or pending. Delivery is subject to product availability. January 20, 2010 The Tech Page 13 Achieving Meritocracy a Struggle, Race Report Says By Meghan Nelson examining the academic environment “Ideally, in a meritocracy, people one that can yield negative experienc- jority faculty on attempts to increase Staff Reporter and culture that exists at MIT. Draw- should be blind to race and gender. es for [minority] faculty even before the diversity,” read notes from another Two colleagues admonished him ing upon the research and successes Why does that matter? All that matters their career has begun.” such forum. once for drinking beer at his first fac- in departments at MIT and other is how good you are by some mea- Race and excellence do not reside ulty meeting, mistaking an energy universities, the report also includes sure,” said one minority faculty in one as an either-or situation, the report ‘Climate of silence’ drink for alcohol, he tells the inter- several recommendations to improve of the report’s interviews. said, but instead exist independently Many faculty members are un- viewers. Another participant confess- diversity. But resting comfortably on the of each other. The obstacle at hand is comfortable discussing race at MIT, es that he deliberately places books Some findings are encouraging idea that MIT is a meritocracy ignores that many faculty members focus on which limits open discourse on these in his office as evidence to visitors of and attest to MIT’s commitment to di- the immediate fact that disparity still only one measure of excellence, and, issues and stifles productive changes, his academic qualifications. Others versity. For example, no salary dispar- exists. “Although the meritocracy con- according to the report, demanding the report found. complain that they are misidentified ities exist among similarly-qualified cept presents an appropriate ideal, ten- one type of eminence undermines the The report found that presump- as custodians. faculty members; non-tenured minor- sion is created by the presumption that efforts of those succeeding in other tions that science and academics are “That’s what it’s like being black, ity faculty express more satisfaction true meritocracy is already achieved at areas. not affected by race can have negative day-to-day,” at MIT, said an anony- with their lives than non-tenured non- MIT,” the report said. “To insist on orthodoxy stifles one effects. “Science is often presented as mous minority faculty member, as minority faculty; and the numbers of Hidden biases, subjectivity, and of the pillars of MIT which is to en- though individual and group charac- part of a series of interviews conduced diverse faculty are increasing after a assumptions can still plague how mi- courage innovation and entrepreneur- teristics — including but not limited by the Initiative for Faculty Race and 2004 faculty resolution to double the nority faculty members are evaluated. ship of ideas,” said a minority faculty to race — are irrelevant. What is im- Diversity to examine the experience of percentage of minority faculty within “It is not possible to proclaim a fully member interviewed in the report. portant is one’s scientific acumen and minority faculty. a decade. meritocratic process when our society The report, in turn, echoed the sen- talent. But the best intentions of neu- These episodes serve as shocking Still, surveyed tenured minority presents innate biases to which all can timent: “In particular, the tendency to trality can backfire,” the report stated. reminders of the potential for misun- faculty expressed more dissatisfac- be susceptible on some level,” said the use two or three highly defined metrics “I think many of our faculty that derstanding and the ignorance sur- tion than their white or Asian tenured report. as a means of evaluating quality can are not minorities often don’t fully rounding race, as documented in the peers, the report said. Some minorities “The idea of meritocracy is some- lead to a more myopic view of excel- appreciate the nuances of what it is Diversity Initiative’s recently-released expressed concern that they experi- thing that everyone at MIT embraces. lence.” An underlying idea in the re- to be a minority … racism is more report. enced exclusion in terms of resources There’s not a problem with the con- port is that diversity not only includes subtle now. I’ve never experienced a At an institution where only six and mentoring which the tenure pro- cept, the issue is that when we execute race, but also background, talents, and place as good as MIT but there can percent of faculty members are mi- cess did not adequately credit them it we can’t guarantee that we have ac- accomplishments, and maintaining a still be a problem …. The perception norities, such incidents shed light on for, and others were concerned about tually included everyone in the pool,” restricted view of excellence is limit- that ‘it’s a lot better now so we can the minority faculty experience, one being labeled the “token minority.” said Paula T. Hammond ’84, chair of ing and causes qualified applicants to throttle back our attention and effort’ where subtle racial judgments some- Regardless of whatever subtle the Diversity Initiative. be missed. is uninformed, inappropriate,” said times marginalize and isolate minority level of racial bias exists on campus The notion that diversity and ex- one minority faculty member in an faculty members. however, ultimately open discourse on Excellence and diversity cellence are inversely linked still ex- interview. Inequities do exist in the experi- race and active inclusion by all will Whether including race as a fac- ists on campus, and there are indica- To break down the awkwardness ences of minority versus non-minority improve and avail the community. tor for jobs causes less-qualified ap- tions that some non-minority faculty that faculty members feel about dis- faculty members, which contribute plicants to be chosen is an issue that believe it is the case. cussing race openly, settings of active to a sometimes negative climate, the Meritocracy at core has long-plagued the nation, and it is “The MIT faculty also pose a real discussion must be established, the re- report concluded. Even with recent What role diversity has, and should also a concern at MIT. While most problem. Some faculty have strong op- port recommends. Inviting respected efforts to increase levels of diversity have, at an institution which values non-minority faculty supported state- position to anything that they view or scholars to speak on the issue can also among faculty, the overall environ- merit and ability above all else over- ments that diversity is good for the label as ‘affirmative action’ and have help ease these tensions. ment at MIT is one where minority shadowed the findings of the report. community, the report also found that no commitment to diversity,” read “By engaging a number of our fac- faculty do not always feel appreciated Given MIT’s scientific base and re- “the anticipation from some members notes from a discussion at a minority ulty in more direct conversation and or included. lentless push for objectivity, some fac- of the community that the intentional faculty forum quoted in the report. including a number of our lead faculty The report focused specifically on ulty, minority and non-minority alike, inclusion or recruitment of a minority “The persistence of this notion in these kinds of conversations, we the recruitment, mentoring, and pro- regard race as irrelevant to achieve- faculty member might, in some cases, among MIT faculty is quite irritating, can begin to break down some of this motion to tenure of minority faculty, ments, according to the report. represent a lowering of standards is but is part of the pushback from ma- awkwardness,” said Hammond.

Minority Faculty Mistaken for Students Minority Hires by Department, 1991–2009 Nuclear Sci. & Eng. Asian/Paci c Islander Women (85%) Mathematics ESD (01-09) Black Women (100%) Chemistry Biology Political Science White Women (54%) EAPS Media Arts & Sci. Hispanic Men (70%) Architecture Brain & Cognitive Sci. Physics Asian/PI Men (52%) Mechanical Eng. EECS Black Men (58%) Chemical Eng. Linguistics and Phil. White Men (38%) Economics Urban Studies & Plan. 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Foreign Lang. & Lit. Civil & Environ. Eng. Materials Sci. & Eng. History Minority Faculty Mistaken for Support Staff Anthropology Management Aero/Astro Asian/Paci c Islander Women (44%) Biological Eng. STS Black Women (62%) Literature HST White Women (54%) Music & Theater Arts Writing & Hum. Stud. 0% 5% 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% Hispanic Men (40%) Source: Report on the Initiative for Faculty Race and Diversity Underrepresented minorities hired from 1991–2009, by department. (Dual hires are Asian/PI Men (13%) counted at 50 percent in each department.)

Black Men (54%)

White Men (11%)

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% Minority Faculty Mistaken for Trespassers

6% Asian/Paci c Islander Women 0% Black Women 1% White Women 0% Hispanic Men 2% Asian/PI Men Black Men 42% 4% White Men 0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% Source: Report on the Initiative for Faculty Race and Diversity Percent of minority faculty who responded affirmatively to the question “In your daily Discword Hint: In the original version of this 2010 Mystery Hunt puzzle, partici- encounters on the MIT campus, has anyone ever assumed that you were a student, pants were expected to independently produce this grid. From here, the puzzle support staff or trespasser?” Hispanic women are not included because of their functions similarly to a traditional crossword puzzle. small numbers. Page 14 The Tech January 20, 2010 MIT Ritalin Misuse Rates on Par With Other Colleges

Ritalin, from Page 1 are turned away with recommenda- popular with students who have a line” said David Randall, associate straight to Mental Health. tions to improve their study habits. B-/C average, “students who feel dean of S^3. “For the most part if someone has ducted by the American College Sometimes, Medical will diagnose like they need an edge” he said. Duncan stayed on Ritalin for a problem with narcotics they would Health Association in 2008 found ADHD where it has not previously Yet, Ritalin abuse “doesn’t hap- three weeks without seeing any im- work with the Community Develop- that 5.6 percent of students had tried been diagnosed. pen terribly often” Trujillo said, say- provement. “I’ve seen like a bazil- ment and Substance Abuse Center a stimulant. MIT has just conducted When students were “younger ing that people who use Ritalin are lion psychologists,” he said, saying (CDSA),” Dave Kennedy, Director a new survey about drug, alcohol and and weren’t causing a disruption, “typically not recurring users.” that he had “part of the symptoms” of the Office of Student Citizenship stimulant abuse that will be available they were overlooked because the Around midterms or finals stu- of Attention Deficit Disorder, but not Office said. “There are obviously this spring. work wasn’t so demanding, and they dents “may try it once or twice and all, so doctors have been reluctant to exceptions, but most substance cases When asked why he thought stu- didn’t have to pay attention fully to may not try it again.” Trujillo said. prescribe him the drug. are treated as a health condition be- dents turn to Ritalin for academic perform well grade-wise” Girard Girard said Ritalin use is “not Eventually, he did get a prescrip- fore disciplinary.” reasons, Daniel A. Trujillo, the as- said. typically in the top three concerns” tion, but he found it to be useless. “If someone is … caught by the sistant dean of the Community De- Once they get to MIT they often at Medical she said, though they do “I’d drift off into space and start police that’s one thing. If they’re velopment and Substance Abuse “find that it actually is hard to stay see a number of students come in surfing the Internet. Being on Rit- caught by friends or by a housemas- Center said that students at MIT are at the top of the class” and may “not with a legitimate prescription from alin for me was like hyper focus, ter is something else.” Randall said, “very bright and high functioning” be able to take information in during ADHD, saying it might be one of the but for everything you don’t want “Our biggest concern would be for but “then there’s an experience when lecture,” she said. top health issues students may have. to concentrate on,” he said. “I’d get the students’ health and well being,” students come to college and have totally locked in on randomly surf- adding that S^3 would not refer a stu- a had a certain high school experi- Trends of Ritalin abuse Experiences on campus ing the internet and be like, well, dent to the MIT Police if they were ence.” They realize “I’m not able to Unlike Duncan, others may use Asked whether or not they think damn, that was four hours.” Duncan found with a stimulant problem. perform; I haven’t had this problem Ritalin just as an experimental drug. Ritalin abuse is prevalent at MIT, admitted that the main focus of his “S^3 collaborates very closely before.” Since it is so readily available on students said no. Internet explorations was usually with [MIT Medical] Mental Health Randall, the S^3 dean, said, “I college campuses through other stu- “I don’t think many people at MIT stumbleupon.com. for students who identify as having think in competitive environments, dents and dormitories, many students do it without a prescription” Nargiss When Ritalin didn’t help his drug problems,” Randall said. S^3 also competitive colleges, MIT in- think “If it’s available and I know I’m Mouatta ’13 said, adding that she had focus, Duncan turned to differ- will work with each student on a cluded, there is some pressure to going to have a late night, maybe I never heard of anyone taking it. ent drugs, like Nootropil, which he “case by case basis,” reaching out to find a leg up and Ritalin seems like should consider using this because However, students do try to get a found on the Internet. each student in a different way. a quick leg up. In the long term it I’ve heard it might help,” Trujillo hold of the drugs. The drugs are “normally used Trujillo said that a student com- doesn’t have the benefit students said. Sometimes students “look online to treat dementia but are commonly ing to the administration through think it would.” According to Trujillo, Ritalin and come in with a story” in order used off label to make you think bet- CDSA would be referred to Medical Some students find themselves abuse is more widespread in the to get the drug, Girard said. “Doc- ter, help you concentrate, what not,” as well. “MIT takes a health focused struggling when they enter MIT and northeast and men are twice as likely tors are pretty good at reading peo- Duncan said. They “sort of helped approach” he said. The use of Ritalin try to turn to a medical solution. Dr. as women to take it. The most com- ple,” she said, and can “get the sense my concentration” he said. is seen as “symptomatic of other un- Kristine A. Girard ’86, the Chief As- mon users of Ritalin are Caucasian they want a prescription.” “We know “I bought them from a reseller derlying issues in the students’ life.” sociate of Mental Health, said that and Hispanic, with a much higher there’s borrowing,” she said. online,” Duncan said, “The FDA Selling pills and other drugs, sometimes students come to MIT usage rate than those of Asian/Pa- According to Girard, approxi- doesn’t regulate overseas pharma- however, constitutes a bigger of- Medical thinking they have ADHD. cific Islander or African American mately 51 percent of students taking cies” and he was able to simply order fense, Trujillo said. Those sorts of Mostly, they don’t, and the students descent. These stimulants are most Ritalin will be asked to share drugs. them. He received around 80 doses cases “go through the student con- For example, Duncan noted that he for less than $50. Duncan said he duct office and the committee on was approached by a friend while took it for about a month with “basi- discipline.” taking Ritalin. cally no side effects.” While MIT Medical “does not “I think I told him that I had got- However, his parents eventually have a comprehensive substance ten a prescription. Later, he was like found it, “flipped out” and sat him abuse program” there are “clinicians ‘Dude, give me some Ritalin.’ He down for an intervention talk. who have expertise in substance is- offered to split the profits,” Duncan sues,” Girard said. said “but my parents kept it under No formal abuse policy Ritalin is a drug that should not lock and key. They knew how many As Randall said, MIT has no for- be used without a prescription, she tablets there were supposed to be in mal policy on abusing Ritalin for reminds the MIT community. the jar. If there were fewer, my ass academic or other recreational pur- Students who have a drug prob- was toast.” poses. Unlike steroids and narcot- lem can talk to S^3, the CDSA, Men- Apart from friends, stimulants are ics, a student found abusing cogni- tal Health, or talk to a trusted faculty available “all over the place, some- tive enhancing stimulant will not be member such as an academic advisor times students look for resources on- reprimanded and instead be referred or housemaster.

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Eating Disorder Treatment Treatment of Adults Suffering from Anorexia and Bulimia Nervosa www.ststravel.com Informed clinicians refer their clients to Laurel Hill Inn. LHI provides the most effective treatment and deploys the highest staff-to-client ratio in New England. We provide extensive programming in a highly structured and supervised non-institutional therapeutic setting. Evening, day, and residential treatment as well as weekly support groups in West Medford and West Somerville. Call Linda at 781 396-1116 or visit www.laurelhillinn.com. Want to get free movie tickets? Then write movie reviews for The Tech. (Advance screening opportunities also available!) [email protected] January 20, 2010 The Tech Page 15 100% Reliable Discword Solution Planar Complex Solution Solution As suggested by the flavor text, each of the numbers is a product of Gauss- First note that the bold words are ian integers representing the different letters. A careful bit of complex arithme- a little odd, and some of them unusu- tic can solve for each letter in turn: ally long. There are exactly two of each length from 5 to 16 characters, E = ERA×THE/EARTH = (2+1i) and if you compare them letter-by- I = ITS×ERA/STARE = (-5) letter, you will see each same-length B = BRINK×LIMIT×WHOA×E/(MILK×NOW×EARTH×I×I) = (2i) pair has one position where both A = BLITZ×NAMES×TO×I×ERA/(LIMIT×ZONE×STARE×B) = (3-2i) words have the same letter, such as S O = WHOA×STAY×ERA/(WHY×STARE×A×A) = at the end of AGNES and NAILS. If (-3+6i) you collect all these letters, they spell T = TO/O = (5+2i) SEE WALLY WOOD. It you research R = ERA/(E×A) = (2+1i) Wally Wood, a comic book artist, you S = STARE/(ERA×T) = (-4-1i) will find his “22 Panels that Always Y = STAY/(S×T×A) = (-2+3i) Work.” Each of the 7 panels in this H = EARTH/(ERA×T) = (-3+1i) puzzle is an example of one of the 22 X = AXE/(A×E) = (6+0i) types, such as “silhouette,” “one big W = WHY/(H×Y) = (1-5i) object,” etc. If you assign letters A–V N = NOW/(O×W) = (5-3i) to the 22 panels in the order they ap- M = NAMES/(N×A×E×S) = (1-1i) pear, and then collect the letters for L = LIMIT/(I×M×I×T) = -3j the 7 types of panels represented in K = MILK/(M×I×L) = (-1-2i) the puzzle, they spell SHADING. F = FLARE/(ERA×L) = (5+5i) P = PLATE/(L×A×T×E) = (2-4i) V = LEVER/(L×E×E×R) = 5j Selected 2010 Mystery Hunt Z = ZONE/(O×N×E) = (-4-4i) J = JAZZY/(A×Z×Z×Y) = (4+2i) Puzzles — Credits C = CLAMP/(L×A×M×P) = (-4+4i) ‘100% Reliable’ by Mark Halpin D = CHARD/(C×H×A×R) = (2+4i) ‘Planar Complex’ by Joseph DeVincentis U = DOUBT/(D×O×B×T) = (-1+0i) ‘Discworld’ by Joseph DeVincentis and Craig Kasper G = GOURD/(O×U×R×D) = (-2-3i) Q = QUARK/(U×A×R×K) = (2+5i)

Now plot the positions of the letter values in the complex plane: MIT Hummus Experience O ^ V Q F C D Y B JT Hummus.mit.edu H E <- I U R X -> S M K A G L N Learn How To Make Hummus Z P |W v The answer CYBER HUMAN is spelled out on the 2 prominent diago- For Beginners nal lines. 7PM / Tuesday January 19th / W11 Hummus Tour (RSVP required - [email protected]) 10AM / Tuesday January 26th / Tribe hummus factory

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This space donated by The Tech www.SPERMBANK.com Page 16 The Tech January 20, 2010 Sp o r t s MIT Track and Field Routs Opponents In First Meet of Season By Greg McKeever and Simmons winning the 4x400m daper Staff in 4:14.79 and Marie N. Burkland In its season opening meet, the ‘13, Tania K. Morimoto ‘12, Alicia MIT Men’s and Women’s Track & J. Kaestli ‘12 and Johnson beating Field teams took on Bates and Colby out Colby by over 10 seconds in the Saturday afternoon. 4x800m. The women picked On the men’s side, Tech easily up where they left off beat both opponents, winning all but last season, winning 10 one track event. of 12 events to outlast The Cardinal and Gray dominated Bates, 160-127. Colby the shorter sprints, placing four in the took third with 97 points. top six of the 55m hurdles and five of Portia M. Jones ‘12 helped lead six in the 55m dash. Brian C. Djaja the way with three individual wins ‘13 led the way in the hurdles with while Jacqueline M. Wentz ‘10 add- a personal-best time of 8.01 seconds. ed two event victories. Each of the other three hurdles, Nich- Wentz gave the Cardinal and Gray olas W. Leonard ‘11 (8.17), Andrew Elijah Mena—The Tech first-place points in both the 800m, J. Musacchio ‘13 (8.20) and Joshua Phillip D. Hunt ‘12 is pole vaulting over the bar. He tied for fourth place in the event at the tri-meet held with a time of 2:22.75, and the mile, D. Duncavage ‘13 (8.50), would also by MIT on Jan. 16 versus Bates College and Colby College. Both men’s and women’s team won. finishing in 5:15.61. Other event set personal records. Morton ran 6.64 wins came from Jamie L. Simmons seconds in the 55m, as Tech took the Daniel J. Ronde ‘11 (52.24) and one-two in the mile and 3000m. finisher in the 5000m, with his time ‘12 in the 600m (1:38.67), Brooke top six spots in the event. Leonard (52.79) went one-two in the Kyle J. Hannon ‘13’s time of 4:26.13 of 15:38.83. C. Johnson ‘13 at 3000m (10:18.92) Morton also secured individual 400-meters. John A. Granata ‘11 took was just over two and a half seconds MIT will be back in action at a and Alina E. Gatowski ‘11 in the wins in the 200m (23.02), long first in the 600-meters with a time of better than Hemagiri Arumugam pair of meets next weekend, hosting 5000m (18:31.05). jump (22-2.50 feet) and triple jump 1:25.33 while Gilbert D. O’Neil ‘13 ‘10 in the mile. Paul D. Welle ‘11 its own Coed Invitational on Satur- The Engineers captured both relay (47-8.00 feet). Teammate Mattias paced the field in the 800m, finishing ran 3000-meters in 8:52.47 to best day, January 23 while also compet- events, with Kirsten H. Aarsvold ‘11, S. Flander ‘11 was the runner-up to in 1:58.23. Richard J. Prevost ‘11. Gihan S. ing in the Terrier Classic at Boston Emily Kuo ‘13, Martha M. Gross ‘12 Morton in both jumps. Tech teammates also finished Amarasiriwarden ‘11 was the top University on Friday and Saturday.

Sc o r e b o a r d Ski Team Sets Men’s Basketball Wednesday, January 13, 2010 Personal Records at Worcester Polytechnic Institute 53 MIT 76 Women’s Swimming & Diving Weekend Slaloms Saturday, January 16, 2010 Saturday, January 16, 2010 Clark University 51 Colby College 113 By Alexis Dale races. Friday, they put two racers in team representative MIT 54 MIT 185 the top 25, Michael J. Yurkerwich MIT Skiing had its first weekend ‘11 and Jason D. Pier ‘13 at 12th and Sunday, January 17, 2010 of slalom racing Friday, Saturday, and 25th, respectively. Captain Ian C. Women’s Basketball U.S. Coast Guard Academy 117 Sunday with a two-day carnival at Wolfe ‘10 was the team’s third fin- Wednesday, January 13, 2010 MIT 183 Cranmore followed by isher in 38th (one of his best career the non-league Tecnica finishes). On Saturday, these three Wheaton College 64 Sunday, January 17, 2010 Cup at Gunstock. The racers competed strongly; Yurker- MIT 39 Springfield College 133 new club team’s dili- wich finished 31st, Pier 32nd, and Saturday, January 16, 2010 MIT 167 gence in training has Wolfe 40th. If the nine competing Mount Holyoke College 42 paid off; though the men’s teams were scored with three Women’s and Men’s teams again fin- racers instead of five, these MIT Men MIT 29 Men’s Track and Field ished 10th and 9th in their respective would have come in 6th for the day. Saturday, January 16, 2010 divisions, every MIT finisher had the Unfortunately, Kevin A. Rustagi Men’s Swimming & Diving Bates College, Colby College best or second best slalom race of ‘11 — the much-needed depth in the their career this weekend. Men’s team — was among the com- Saturday, January 16, 2010 MIT 1st of 3 On the Women’s side, MIT had petitors disqualified from both the Colby College 79 another solid performance from its Friday and Saturday events. MIT 189 Women’s Track and Field team of two. Captain Jillian R. Red- The biggest MIT highlight over dy ‘11 finished 53rd on Friday and the weekend was the second place Sunday, January 17, 2010 Saturday, January 16, 2010 57th on Saturday. Sarah J. Laderman finish by Yurkerwich. U.S. Coast Guard Academy 126 Bates College, Colby College ‘12 also skied consistently, finishing MIT Skiing will continue with MIT 174 MIT 1st of 3 Friday and Saturday 62nd and 60th, Slalom then Giant Slalom at Water- Sunday, January 17, 2010 respectively. ville Valley on January 23-24. The Men’s team had two exciting Springfield College 85 MIT 215 Up c o m i n g Ho m e Ev e n t s Wednesday, January 20 Men’s Basketball vs. Springfield 6 p.m., Rockwell Cage

Saturday, January 23 Men’s and Women’s Track and Field — Coed Invitational 12 p.m., Johnson Track Men’s Basketball vs. Wheaton 1 p.m., Rockwell Cage Women’s Basketball vs. Clark 3 p.m., Rockwell Cage

Ev e n t o f t h e We e k

MIT Men’s Hockey vs. Boston Bruins ­— Alumni Game Johnson Rink, Saturday 7 p.m.

On Saturday, the MIT Men’s Ice Hockey Team and Friends of MIT Hockey will host the MIT Alumni vs. Boston Bruins Alumni Hockey Game. The doors will open at 6:30 pm and tickets will be for sale at the entrance ($5 for MIT students, $10 for adults). This event marks the first major fundraising event for MIT Hockey since the cuts to the varsity programs last year. A silent auc- tion for items including Bruins and Celtics tickets and a 50/50 raffle Melanie Adams—The Tech will take place during the course of the game. Go see MIT’s own face Defense takes charge as Aparna A. Sud ‘13 stands her ground against Mount Holyoke College on off against legends from the Boston Bruins! Jan. 16. The Engineers lost with a final score of 29-42.