“riverfield, o riverfield, DIGITAL EDITION #3 — School of mine since From our homes I was young …” To yours …

— SCHOOL ANTHEM — — THE NEWSPAPER STAFF —

Published biweekly by and for the Upper School students of Riverfield Country Day School in Tulsa, OK APRILMAY 3, 6, 2015 2020 THE COMMONS

The Class of 2020 — (top row, left to right) Will Dozier, Clay Powell, Finn Murdock, Logan Basden, (second row) Alex Motazedi, Mitchell Scott, Allie Anderson, Carson Keesling, Noah Owens, Ale Lema, Jonathan Taylor, Caleb Beasley, Ethan Shaw, Jake O’Shaughnessy, (middle row) Monserrat Zavala, Lilly Baugher, Ava Fritts, Hannah Grenier, (bottom row) Autumn Workman, Rachael Hollis (with Goose), Zoe Zamora, Shashwat Singh, Hannah Davis and Carson Chomosh (not pictured: Emma Blake, Zoe Treat and Chloe Wilson) … PHOTO BY ANDY’S FINE PORTRAITS

A thank-you to Mrs. Dickey from this year’s staff —

Mrs. Patricia Dickey has been a faculty mem- ber at Riverfield since 2006 when they began the Upper School’s newspaper, The Commons. Since then, she has served as staff adviser for the Mid- dle School’s newspaper, Ravin’ Times, as well, co-taught the 6th grade Journalism elective, and the Middle School’s Broadcasting elective. A MOST UNUSUAL YEAR As staff members of The Commons, it is with heavy hearts that we announce Mrs. Dickey’s By Shashwat Singh, Will Dozier, ed to see what the future holds for each and every retirement. and Jake O’Shaughnessy graduate. Mrs. Dickey has consistently worked to make CLASS OF 2020 The impact Riverfield has had on us cannot be our publications remarkable, winning two recent described in words. Who can forget reading Sweepstakes awards (essentially state champion- he end of high school for the class “Brokeback Mountain” in 10th grade English ships for The Commons) from Oklahoma Scho- class, going to Campout, or the daily reminder lastic Media. of 2020 is anything but normal. Whether she was interacting with students, Instead of saying goodbye to our that we attended a high school that keeps its own the newspaper staffs, or proofing the latest edi- friends, teachers, and the rest of barnyard animals? tions to create the best content possible, the im- the Riverfield family in person, To the senior class, we appreciate sharing pact Mrs. Dickey has had on the school during we are at home, waiting for the these and other experiences with you, and we her tenure is immeasurable. TCOVID-19 pandemic to recede. thank you for your kindness, creativity, and We are eternally grateful for her help and This was certainly unexpected, but the manner friendship. Regardless of what the future brings, support, not only to those who participate in the in which the school and its students, particularly we will remain connected by the memories of Newspaper elective, but students across the the seniors, have handled the turmoil is inspiring. these formative years and the lifelong bonds we school. We invite everyone to take a moment to To say this year’s graduating class is diverse is have formed. We could not have asked for a better appreciate Mrs. Dickey’s years of hard work and an understatement. We participated in a wide group of individuals to spend high school with. dedication to this publication and this school. range of activities throughout high school, with We are extremely grateful for Riverfield’s Mrs. Brooke Knight, Riverfield’s Yearbook our passions spanning from traditional STEM and continued support throughout this part of our adviser, will take over the Newspaper elective as humanities fields to artistic and musical pursuits. lives’ journeys, whether we have been here for a well in the Fall of 2020. With such a broad array of interests, we are excit- year or our entire lives.

a traditional commencement ceremony cannot be held at this time BECAUSE of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, A number of alternative honors are planned for our graduates instead. Seniors are being featured each day on social media. Yard signs have been placed in their front yards. On Friday, May 8, a special faculty surprise is planned for the seniors’ last day of classes. On Friday, may 15, graduation gift boxes will be given to seniors in a drive-by on campus from 5-6 p.m. On Friday, june 26, a graduation ceremony will be held, hopefully in person. More information to come …

THE COMMONS is published biweekly dur- VOLUME XIV ISSUE 13 ing the school year by the Upper School Newspaper elective class SPRING 2020 STAFF at Riverfield Country Day School, 2433 W. 61st Street, Tulsa, Oklahoma 74132. The staff reserves the right to edit any article or WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2020 letter submitted for publication. Send all EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ...... Brenden Paul submissions to the Editor-in-Chief at NEWS EDITOR...... Andrew Jordan [email protected]. All opinions SPORTS EDITORS ...... Jack Bluhm, Jon Morley DESIGN EDITORS ...... Jake O’Shaughnessy expressed are those of the individual writ- ers and do not reflect positions of the staff, OPINIONS EDITOR ...... Shashwat Singh ...... Quinten Nokes adviser, or school administration. A&E EDITOR ...... Catie Doerr PHOTOGRAPHY EDITORS .. Anna Claire Boyd REVIEWS EDITOR...... Mason Malloy ...... Chloe Tunnell Online: riverfield.org/community/studentnewspapers.cfm FEATURES EDITOR ...... Will Dozier COLUMNISTS ...... Ava Fritts, Jack Jones

THE COMMONS Wednesday, May 6, 2020 THE CLASS OF 2020 Allie anderson Logan basden LILLY BAUGHER

Tulsa Community College Oklahoma State University (Botany) Continuing his music career … (Undecided on major)

Prom and Llamapalooza …

CALEB BEASLEY EMMA BLAKE Carson chomosh

University of Kansas Hendrix College Kansas City Art Institute (Film Production/History) (Pre-Teaching/Social Justice) (Musical Theatre/Fashion)

Hannah davis WILL DOZIER AVA FRITTS

University of Tulsa or Belmont University of Tulsa Kansas City Art Institute (Computer Simulation/ (Art History or Ceramics) University (Audio Engineering) Cybersecurity)

Hannah grenier Rachael hollis Carson keesling

Kansas City Art Institute University of Oklahoma University of Tulsa (English) (Business or Law) … after taking a growth year

ALEJANDRO LEMA ALEX MOTAZEDI Finn murdock

Missouri University of Science University of Tulsa No College Plans and Technology (Chemical Engr.) (Philosophy/Physics/Mathematics)

JAKE O’SHAUGHNESSY NOAH OWENS CLAY POWELL

Oklahoma State University or Milwaukee School of Engineering Rochester Institute of Technology Florida State University (Computer or Mechanical Engr.) (Mechanical Engineering) (Exercise Science/Physiology)

Mitchell scott Ethan shaw Shashwat singh

Michigan State University Oklahoma State University University of Southern California (Computer Engineering) (Philosophy, Politics & Economics) (Entomology)

JONATHAN TAYLOR ZOE TREAT Chloe wilson

Tulsa Community College University of Arkansas Clary Sage College (Business) (Public Health) (Cosmetology)

AUTUMN WORKMAN Zoe zamora MONSERrAT ZAVALA

Kansas City Art Institute Columbia College (Missouri) Tulsa Community College (Fine Arts — BFA) (Radiology) (Criminal Justice)

THE COMMONS Wednesday, May 6, 2020 STAY SAFE AND WELL — NEWS / SPORTS We’ll SEE YOU IN THE FALL! 3 Students judge online school experience Sports fans watch NFL draft By Jack Bluhm the Tigers to a national champi- their already star-studded of- SPORTS EDITOR onship under the coaching of Ed fense. Lamb will be another big, By Chloe Tunnell Sophomore Adam An- Orgeron. The Cincinnati Ben- aggressive target for Dak Pres- STAFF WRITER drews says, “Well, I do like One of the most important gals took Burrow to help with cott to throw to. the fact that I don’t have to get days in American sports comes their weak QB position. At No. 27, the Seattle Sea- Since Riverfield has spent ready and go somewhere, but on NFL Draft Day, when col- No. 6 overall pick, Justin hawks drafted Jordyn Brooks, a most of the fourth quarter at that also means I don’t see as lege athletes choose their new Herbert, showed off this last linebacker out of Texas Tech. It home in “distance learning,” it many people on a daily basis.” season. Teams fell in love with was a shock. No one had even Jack Hendrix, in 11th professional team. It is a key is time to ask the students how event for both the team drafting his arm talent. His throwing, considered him a Top 32 pro- they feel about switching to grade, also has mixed feel- and the player being drafted. release of the ball, and accuracy spect, maybe not even Top 50. online school. Which aspects ings. “I like it since we don’t It must be one of the best were second to none. The But Seattle chose him anyway. did they like, and which did have finals and I can sleep feelings in the world hearing Chargers likely have a future all But after taking a step back and they dislike? more. But it sucks since I your named called on Draft -star in Justin Herbert. analyzing his game, Brooks Freshman Jackson Eddle- can’t see people. It’s pretty At No. 17, the Dallas Cow- does everything, and everything boring, too.” Day. An athlete can then call man says, “Sometimes it’s himself a professional athlete. boys chose CeeDee Lamb, one decently. He is an all around easy, other days it’s not. “The workload is differ- It is also exciting for teams of the top three wide receivers good player. He was also the Sometimes it can be kind of ent,” junior Amanda Bose that are rebuilding their fran- in the draft. The Cowboys have Big 12 leader in tackles for loss hard. I prefer real school be- said, “but I really miss the chise and need new young and added a very talented player to with 20 in 2019. cause I miss my friends, and socialization aspect that I had talented players. classes are harder to keep up going to school.” There are two basic strate- with.” Hannah Davis, in 12th, thinks positively. “I don’t gies for drafting players in the Sophia Roytman, also in NFL. Teams can choose the best 9th grade, had this to say. “I mind online school. It was available player (the most tal- kind of like it. It has its perks. I hard getting into the groove of ented player regardless of posi- get to sleep more sometimes, things at first, but now I have tion) and add him for depth. Or and also I hang out with my a routine.” teams can choose the best play- family more. But at the same Overall, senior Finnian Murdock summed up how er in a specific position to fill a time, I miss seeing my weak position on their team. friends.” most students think. “I dislike This year, Draft Day was “I think the workload is the fact that I can’t see my held on April 23-25, and many harder in some classes, and the friends, and the work we have sports fans watched it in the will to work is not there as is so different. But I do love absence of live sports. Here are much,” says Anna Claire the free time. I definitely pre- fer real school, because in my some of the highs and lows. Boyd, a 10th grader. “Then, The No. 1 overall pick, Joe the upside is no finals and less view, human interactions are Burrow, had an electrifying homework.” vital to learning.” senior season at LSU leading ARTWORK: SPORTINGNEWS.COM

MLB’s Arizona Plan sparks hope

By Brenden Paul When teams are not playing three or four months, depend- STAFF WRITER games, the plan states that teams ing on how long the plan are to be quarantined in their would take place. MLB All- Recently, Major League Phoenix hotels. Star Mike Trout stated that he Baseball officials have dis- Baseball insiders such as would miss the birth of his cussed multiple plans to get Ken Rosenthal have stated that child. the 2020 season underway. this plan could take effect any- This is also potentially bad There were two or three solid time, starting as early as late news for umpires. There is talk plans in place, but now there May. It would start with training of having automated strike appears to only be one: the camps, then get into regular zones instead of umpires, and Arizona Plan. season games, which would be even possibly having some This plan states that all 30 held in all stadiums without fans players wait for at-bats in the clubs will have training camps in attendance. stands instead of together in and regular season games in However, there are a lot of the dugout in order to abide by Arizona, more specifically the sacrifices that players and social distancing guidelines as Phoenix metro area. They will coaches would have to make in much as possible. Everyone is getting plenty of screen time these days! utilize Chase Field, the home order to make this possible. At this point, it seems this PHOTO: SOUTHWESTSCHOOLS.ORG stadium for the Arizona Dia- First of all, the players is the most feasible option for mondbacks, as well as 10 would have to take a pretty sig- the MLB. But it is all up to spring training stadiums and a nificant pay cut, due to the how much the front office ex- couple of municipal fields shortened season. ecutives and players and where minor league spring Second, they would have to coaches are willing to compro- The Commons wins training takes place. be away from their families for mise with each other. top awards in state competition

By Patricia Dickey and 3rd Place awards in Front HOCKEY SEASON — who would’ve won? NEWSPAPER ADVISER Page Design. Shashwat Singh took 1st Place and Honorable By Jon Morley -17, and they were second in the who else would have made the On April 27, Oklahoma Mention in Opinion Column SPORTS EDITOR North. They also would have playoffs, but that’s it for this Scholastic Media (OSM) held a and shared 2nd Place with Will had a spot in the playoffs. years ECHL season. Along with virtual Spring Media Monday Dozier. Will also placed in The remainder of the ECHL Next would have been the the Tulsa Oilers, we look for- and awarded its annual honors News Story and Critical Review hockey season was canceled in South Carolina Stingrays. Their ward to next year. to Oklahoma high school publi- (online or print.) Jack Bluhm the wake of the worldwide out- record was 44-14, and they were cations. took 3rd Place and Honorable break of the coronavirus. No- in a tight race at the time and The Commons was given Mention across all divisions in body wanted this to happen, almost tied with the Florida multiple awards for Overall Sports Column. Quinten Nokes because the ECHL was so close Everblades who had a record of Newspaper: Highest Honors took 3rd Place in online or print to ending their season and going 43-13. Nobody knows which (highest rating), All-Oklahoma Feature Photography. Mason to the playoffs. team would have won the South (top two or three in the divi- Malloy took Honorable Mention Since that is not happening, division. All we know is that sion), and the prestigious James in online or print Critical Re- let’s see how everything turned they both would have made the F. Paschal Memorial Sweep- view. out in the standings. Who would playoffs. stakes Award for the best news- The Commons regularly have clinched their division and The next team that would paper or magazine in the small competes against schools that gone to the playoffs? Here are have made the playoffs were the and medium schools division. hold Newspaper classes five my picks. Cincinnati Cyclones in the The last award was the days a week and only publish First would have been the Western division. They had a equivalent of a state champion- monthly. It is a tribute to the Newfoundland Growlers in the record of 38-17 and clinched a ship. It was the second time The talent and hard work put in by North Division. They finished playoff spot before it all shut Commons has been awarded every member of the staff that the season with a record of 42- down. The Allen Americans had this honor. It also won in 2018. the publication took top honors. 17, and they clinched a playoff a good season finishing at 40-14 Several talented staffers won Consider joining them next spot at the time. and clinched a playoff spot as individual awards as well. Jake year, and maybe you’ll win Next would be the Reading well. O’Shaughnessy took 1st, 2nd some awards, too! Royals. They had a record of 37 It’s a shame we won’t see ARTWORK: NBCSPORTS.COM

THE COMMONS Wednesday, May 6, 2020 ENJOY GAMES, BOOKS, MUSIC A&E / REVIEWS & MOVIES THIS SUMMER ... 4 Progress on Grand Theft Auto 6 By Mason Malloy article, “the next GTA title has Also, the “game will balance Studio ART AND THEATRE REVIEWS EDITOR been in development since 2012, realism and arcade, and it won’t but production didn't begin be as realistic as Red Dead Re- During this quarantine, properly until 2015, but even demption 2.” many people are starting to go then the team was focusing One feature many fans are ELECTIVES change plans back to older games they have- more on Red Dead Redemption interested to see is “a giant pris- n’t played for quite some time. 2.” on which will play a part in the I have been playing “Call of So Rockstar Games is cur- game.” That feature is definitely Duty: Black Ops 3 Zombies” to rently working on the new going to add some realism to the pass the time as well as “Grand Grand Theft Auto. But what game, and there might be prison Theft Auto V.” about the features of the game? breaks or heists which could be I came across an article on According to a leak from interesting as well. GamesRadar+ (gamesradar- GamesRadar+, there are many Rockstar does not have a .com) that addresses rumors misconceptions about the release date yet, as the game is and leaks that Rockstar Games game’s features. First, the still in development. However, may be releasing a new GTA “game is set in both Vice City we do know for sure now that this year. and a new fictional location GTA 6 is happening for sure. It According to the April 15 based on Rio de Janeiro.” is just a matter of when.

Maybe too much screen time? ART BY KATY REDMOND The joys of getting outside … The chase experience ART BY ANNA TIDMORE By the Staff

By Andrew Jordan During the weeks of re- Look for it! STAFF WRITER finale mote learning, the Art and Theatre director Liz Theatre classes have continued Brillhart has been discussing Previously … After being in the midst of the chaos to run the ground with a loud thump working on different projects. options with the students who subjected to scientific experi- in the opposite direction. Will and laid there, unconscious. Art instructor Greg de have been involved in “Little ments to increase the amount saw him running and started to “Now, let’s get out of Verges asked his students for Shop of Horrors.” “We are of his brain he can use, along chase after him. here,” Cassie said, leading the artwork on the theme of officially postponing it until with pursuit by an organiza- “Come back here,” he growled group toward the exit. “Interior Spaces.” You can see next year,” she announced. tion that intended to use that as he ran, turning corners and a couple of the results here. “We do not have a date plan- power, Chase finally comes skidding on the marble floors of * * * * * * * * Mr. D is now editing their ned at this time, but hope to face to face with his nemesis, the headquarters building. remarkable works into a video announce a date in the fall. Will, in the hallway of the or- Chase kept running, his The van traveled down the that will be released shortly. Watch our Facebook page!” ganization’s headquarters. breath starting to come in gasps. road as the sunlight started to Will is ordered to kill Chase, He skidded around a corner and fade into night. Chase sighed and both draw their guns sim- ran into his sister, Cassie, as he looked out the window ultaneously. knocking her over. and thought about the day’s Her face lit up as soon as she events. saw him. The rest of their team “Hey, you did good today,” creative fiction was with her. They were all safe. his sister said, turning around “Look out!” Chase managed from her front passenger seat. BANG! to get out between breaths, “Oh well, thanks. I’m just Will’s bullet whizzed past “That one soldier is coming glad it’s over.” Chase as its force knocked fast!” His sister laughed as she him to the floor. His sister looked down the turned back and looked out the Will’s gun took the main hallway, and as if on cue, Will windshield. “I don’t know impact of Chase’s bullet as it slid around the corner. about that. I think we’ve just shattered into pieces. Will The rest of the team pointed begun.” yelped as plastic pieces cut a their weapons at Will, who came to an abrupt stop. Sighing, he THE END small gash in his face. Chase took the opportunity raised his hands above his head. “Well, you got me,” he said, looking at the brother and sister. “You don’t know what you’re ALBUM COVER ARTWORK: NPR.ORG doing, he’ll find you,” Will said, shaking his head. Then he cor- rected himself. “We’ll find you,” MUSIC REVIEW: he said, glaring at them. Cassie simply laughed. “Good luck with that!” she said Fiona Apple’s latest as she reached out her hand and sent a concussive force straight By Will Dozier Along with the lyrics, the into Will, sending him flying STAFF WRITER instrumentals work to show raw backward into a wall. He fell to introspection, containing uncon- Once in a blue moon, Fiona ventional and percussion and Apple drops an album. Last sounds from her home. time, it was her groundbreaking These instrumental quirks “The Idler Wheel...” are best realized on the title Now, after eight years, she track, “Fetch the Bolt Cutters,” has released “Fetch the Bolt which instrumentally ranges Cutters,” which takes the raw from metallic clashes to dogs sincerity of “The Idler Wheel...” barking and then finally resolv- and turns it up tenfold. ing to the sound of breathing. Recorded in her home, Fiona With this unprecedented and does not restrain herself. In her unrestrained sound, this album most unbound songs to date, she can be thought of as a sound- proudly displays her narrative of track to her liberation. Apple, self-empowerment and love in a along with many women and world that tells you to be quiet. marginalized individuals, fetch- These empowering lyrics are es the bolt cutters to break the best demonstrated on “Under chains that keep people from the Table,” where she proudly pursuing happiness and loving proclaims: “Kick me under the completely. table all you want, I won’t shut “Fetch the Bolt Cutters” is a up.” fantastic addition to Fiona Ap- The narrative of self- ple’s discography and will go acceptance and liberation is also down as one of the best albums shown on the meditative open- of the year. ing track, “I Want You to Love I give this album 4.5 ravens Me.” On this song, she estab- out of 5. lishes that all the good and bad in her life has led up to this ILLUSTRATIONS BY PENNY MUSICK and CALEB FUQUA point where she has found peace with herself.

THE COMMONS Wednesday, May 6, 2020 OPINIONS / FEATURES 5

Oil prices plummet Pit bull: All bark and no drive The world needs to fix its Who is the worst driver out I was skeptical at first. A crude oil price problem. Fast. there? Is it someone old? Just dog slamming on the gas? May- Just a couple of weeks ago, getting started? Jake O’Shaugh- be her owner was helping with oil futures were trading below civil nessy?? Regardless of what you Wacky the gas? Getting into the passen- zero. This means, quite literal- discourse believe, I think I found them. ger seat of my car, I quickly ly, that oil producers were CNN and other media report WORLD realized that in order for the trying to give their oil away that on March 29 in Washington man to be able to reach the ac- with no takers, even when the By Shashwat Singh state, a man was charged with By Ava Fritts celerator and the steering wheel, price of a barrel was almost several offenses during a high he would have to either have nothing (and then became less speed chase, including DUI and spider legs or risk losing them in completely collapsing. This than nothing.) hit-and-run. His car reached 109 leaning over and steering the those car crashes. means hard power pressure via According to the Wall mph, crashed twice, and even wheel. His pit bull was in the I still wonder how the dog its military presence in Saudi Street Journal, there have been went off road into pedestrian driver’s seat. was able to hit the gas, but the some positive developments. Arabia while negotiating with His explanation? He was Russia, which cannot bear the walkways. fact that nobody got seriously The United States is producing One of the state troopers teaching her how to drive! injured is a miracle. two million fewer barrels than brunt of today’s oil economy I’ve heard of taking your with most of Europe shut chasing the man down noticed Drive safe whenever possi- expected as of April 29, but something very strange. He saw pets for a ride, but not the pets ble, folks. And thank you for down for the near future. this is a minor development in the man in the passenger seat taking you for one! reading my column. the grand scheme of global oil Additionally, the U.S. production. needs to further subsidize do- Leading oil producers need mestic oil drillers. On April to come together to coordinate 27, Diamond Offshore Drill- crude oil output while finding ing, Inc., based in Texas, filed methods to fight the effects of for bankruptcy, citing the oil So, what is Claremore like? SARS-CoV-2 on the industry. price war. According to OilPrice.com With coronavirus-induced I have been talking to a lot museum with a self-guided

on April 27, even after their lockdowns drastically reduc- more people during quaran- tour that talks about the allur- landmark deal to end the oil ing oil demand while similarly tine, and many ask the same ing history of Claremore. A price war, Russia and Saudi devastating the U.S. GDP, the question: “What is it like to FARM restaurant on the first floor, Arabia continue to fight for government needs to take fur- live so far away from every- The Pink House, serves lunch market share over the com- ther steps to protect the future one?” It’s definitely challeng- and tea. modity. As China crawls of American oil. ing, but it’s not all bad. life Next time you’re in Clare- towards full functionality in Oil prices were largely Our farm is in Verdigris, a By Anna Claire Boyd more, I highly recommend the near future, Saudi Arabia brought down because of Sau- tiny town near Claremore. It checking out these intriguing seems to be winning, but Rus- di Arabia and Russia, but if is not a well-known town, so sites and dining at one of the sia thus far remains unwilling the United States doesn’t in- it’s easier to lump it with the is the Belvidere Mansion. The mom and pop restaurants to back down from a drawn- crease its influence over the neighboring city and just call second and third floors contain a you’ll find around here. out economic fight. matter and protect its econom- it Claremore. It takes me 30- The U.S. must step in to ic health, America will be the 45 minutes to arrive in Tulsa, prevent its energy sector from one that loses the most. and 15-20 minutes to Owasso. Contrary to what some think, Claremore has a lot to offer. Its restaurants include Buffalo Wild Wings, Sonic, and Charlie’s Chicken, and there are also many unique trump’s bad comments restaurants like the Nut House Deli. My favorite place was Okie Annie’s, an old fash- endanger Americans ioned burger joint. Sadly, it wasn’t as popular as the food chains around it and shut By Jake O’Shaughnessy But when the President of down a couple of months ago. STAFF WRITER the United States suggests that Claremore also has fun everyday disinfectants might activities and places to go! Donald Trump has really kill the virus inside the human The Will Rogers Memorial shown his ignorance this time. body, then you can bet at least Museum is there, and it is a During his televised briefing one person out there is going to fascinating place to check out. about treatments for COVID-19 try it for themselves. Another great place to go A beautiful and historic mansion … PHOTO: BELVIDEREMANSION.COM on April 23, the president began If you give Trump the bene- rambling about possibly treating fit of the doubt and trust that he it with ultraviolet light. was telling the truth when he However, even though what claimed he only made that com- he was saying was scientific ment to get on the nerves of the nonsense, it was far from the media, then that is also unbe- most dangerous thing he said. lievably bad. The President of During the middle of his the United States should not be An explanation of Machine learning tangent, Trump said, “I see the making dangerous medical com- disinfectant, where it knocks it ments just to get on the nerves The term “machine learn- are taught the concept of linear out in a minute—one minute!— of the media. ing” refers to a certain type of regression, a fancy term for and is there a way we can do These actions show gross artificial intelligence. But what “line of best fit.” Basically, you something like that by injection incompetence on the part of exactly is it? tech have a scatterplot of data plotted inside, or almost a cleaning?” Trump, and an inability to fulfill Machine learning is a meth- on a 2D graph. By finding the This is more than just a bad the duties of the presidency. od of creating AI which relies CORNer relationship between the mean comment. This is dangerous. There is only one course of ac- on a simple framework and values of the X and Y values, Doctors and health departments tion that should be taken for it. training the machine on tangible By Jack Jones you can draw a line to represent all over the country as well as President Donald Trump should data, allowing it to “learn” over the changing of one value with companies that manufacture be removed from office under time as opposed to having hard- respect to the other. This con- disinfectants immediately Section 4 of the 25th Amend- coded, conditional AI. certain results. For example, a cept forms the basis for machine sounded the alarm. ment of the U.S. Constitution. Talking about a machine as programmer could give the net- learning. The programmer feeds if it were an actual living being work years of stock market his- it the data, and the computer capable of thinking and learning tory to train it to predict the draws the line. over time is definitely an inter- market’s future. The network Take the stock market exam- esting prospect. But it’s not will analyze the data and adapt ple. Maybe you have a 2D exactly an accurate or practical its own algorithms to achieve graph, with time on the X axis model of how a machine actual- the expected results. and wealth on the Y axis. The ly “learns.” Learning to build neural network would take the existing There’s a fair chance that network models requires as data, draw a line of best fit, and none of that may have made much understanding of machine since lines are infinite, the same sense to you. And that’s fine. It learning theory as it does actual line can be used to represent the does sound like science fiction technical knowledge. value in the future. magic, but it’s not. Machine learning isn’t actu- Why do we need a computer This kind of AI revolves ally all that complicated, and the to do these calculations? The around synthetic neural net- best way to understand it is to answer has to do with the com- works, which is a fancy way of stop thinking of it like computer plexity of the data. Machine saying “programs that can pro- magic and start thinking about it learning allows computers to cess data and learn from it.” like what it actually is: a geome- track large amounts of compli- Trump’s uninformed speculations about possible treatments put Neural networks can be giv- try problem. cated data and account for them lives in danger. PHOTO: COMMONDREAMS.ORG (GETTY IMAGES) en data to analyze to achieve In high school algebra, we in ways a human cannot.