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A Forum for Free Student Expression at Florida International University Vol. 23, Issue 65 www.fiusm.com Wednesday, February 15, 2012 GEOPOLITICAL SUMMIT New York Times writer speaks to University students NICOLAS SARAVIA his latest book: Our view of the world international relations junior. Staff Writer and our response to globalization. Despite its internal issues, the [email protected] He explained that that progress author believes that America still plays is halted in America because of the a major role in world politics. The University hosted Thomas “broken” political system. “We believe the US has done a lot Friedman, a New York Times foreign However, he believes that despite of dumb things, but it is still the tent affairs columnist, to speak on Feb. 13 differences between the two main polit- pole of the world,” said Friedman. “If about America’s challenges and his ical parties, the country is “nowhere we weren’t talking about post-911, we latest book “That Used to be Us.” as near as divided as we watch it on would be talking about how we are in The lecture was part of the Geopo- the middle of an [information tech- litical Summit “Rediscovering nology] revolution that takes the world America,” which was held in the from connected to hyper-connected.” Graham Center Ballrooms to discuss The author recalled that when he issues that currently face the nation We cannot fix our wrote “The World is Flat,” the world’s and the world. bigget cities were well connected to “We cannot fix our problems if we problems if we each other, but small towns were still don’t ask what world we are living in. don’t ask what out of the grid. That is not how we start our day politi- However, he said that this has cally,” said Friedman, to a large audi- world we are living changed, as people in places like ence of students, faculty and commu- in. Daraa, a Syrian town of 97,000 nity members. Thomas Friedman, people near the Jordan border, can Friedman, a three-time Pulitzer Columnist record situations of the recent uprise Prize winner, has worked at The New New York Times and post them online for the world to York Times since 1981, where he has see. covered events such as the First Pales- “In the next five years, we will live tinian Intifada and the 1982 Lebanon in a planet where everyone has a cell- War. phone,” he said. He is also the writer of the best- cable.” Friedman commented on social selling non fiction books “The World “I think he’s right. The system media, advising young enthusiasts ALFONSO YEC/THE BEACON is Flat” and “Hot, Flat, and Crowded.” is unwilling to compromise. There that even though their “lives may be Thomas Friedman, New York Times foreign affairs columnist, Freidman focused his lecture on two is no sense of unity in the political spoke at the Modesto Maidique Campus on US political issues. of the country’s challenges described in system,” said Carolina Mendoza, an SEE SUMMIT, PAGE 2 BIOLOGY TOWN HALL MEETING Lecture makes science simple Rosenberg to speak MARIELLA ROQUE cancer, nutrition and stem-cell research. Staff Writer “Science cafes are not [usually] held by students [email protected] and here [the students are] doing this on their own,” to BBC community said Anya Goldina, professor of Science Café. “We The loaded jargon of science has often driven actually brought the concept of Science Café into a LAUREN ROVIRA In the meetings, students are people away from trying to understand its content. class.” Asst. News Director allowed to pose questions to Rosen- The Science Café lecture series that started last The Science Café was an idea derived from the [email protected] berg with a number of University Saturday is seeking to make this a situation of the Café Scientifique, a grassroots movement started issues. past. in 1998 in the United Kingdom. The idea was to University President Mark In a previous meeting on April A year-long course by FIU’s Quantifying Biology create an informal setting that would bring together Rosenberg is holding a town hall 6, 2011, Rosenberg said, “My in the Classroom program, The Science Café held experts in science and technology and the general meeting at the Biscayne Bay Campus expectations were exceeded here its first of four open lectures on Feb. 11 at the Coral public. today to address the concerns of the because we got excellent questions, Gables Museum. University community. the students stuck with it for the full It featured the topic of stem-cell research and Taking place from 3:30 p.m. to 5 two and half hours, and they dug disease therapy. p.m., the meeting will be held in the in.” Each session, according to QBIC Secretary Wolfe University Center room 221. “The president not only Sophie Bhaijee, is geared to “help students learn The aim [of Science Café] is to put In the past, town hall meetings answered our questions, but there to talk about science in terms that will make the have centered on the growth of the was a great turn out of student and general public understand.” science back in culture and culture back University and the requirements faculty questions towards the pres- The three students planning the event were Areej in science necessary to continue expanding. ident and other administration,” Bukhari, Alana Van Dervort and Myrlyn Verdelus. Areej Bukhari, The meeting will cover no Denise Halpin, SGC-BBC presi- “The aim [of Science Café] is to put science Biology Student specific topic, and instead will dent said then. back in culture and culture back in science,” said provide a forum for students to Shortly thereafter, Rosenberg Bukhari, a biology student in the course. voice their questions, concerns unveiled the University’s Worlds When choosing the discussion topics, the class The program has spread all over the world and and opinions. Any campus related Ahead Strategic Plan. distributed surveys to communities around the was adopted in 2007 by FIU’s QBIC, a four-year ideas that students may have will be In an email to the University University. The survey consisted of a section where program providing “a more in-depth approach to the considered at the meeting. regarding the town hall meeting one could rate, on a scale of one to five, the interest biological studies.” This time around the meeting is on April 14 where the plan was one has in a certain science-related theme. At the lecture, a scientist delivers a brief speech sponsored by the Student Govern- presented, Rosenberg said, “I A total of 210 people were interviewed. ment Council at Biscayne Bay The top four topics were alternative energy, SEE CAFE, PAGE 2 Campus. SEE MEETING, PAGE 2 COMING UP Sports ONLINE www.fiusm.com RADIO Radiate FM Check out Friday’s issue for Follow us on: Tune in to Radiate FM from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. on the 2012 Baseball Preview on everything Twitter - @FIUSM Mon., Wed. and Fri. for our Opinion, Sports about the Panthers’ upcoming season. Facebook - FIU Student Media: News, and News shows. FIU Student Media: Sports The Radioactive Underground: 88.1 - 95.3 - 96.9 2 The Beacon – Wednesday, February 15, 2012 NEWS www.fiusm.com NEWS FLASH Thomas Friedman addresses the LOCAL US government responds to Buju Banton’s appeal challenges America faces today The U.S. government says plenty of evidence supports SUMMIT, PAGE 1 a federal jury’s conviction of Jamaican reggae star Buju Banton on cocaine conspiracy and trafficking charges. digital, politics is still analog.” Banton is appealing the February 2011 conviction. He also talked about the youth’s new Defense attorney David O. Markus says his client was challenges in the changing job market, I think he’s right. The system is unwilling to relentlessly pursued by a government informant, resulting and what the new employers look for. in improper entrapment. “It is not enough to be a radiologist. compromise. There is no sense of unity in the Federal prosecutors filed their response Friday in You have to bring something extra as a political system. Atlanta’s 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. non-routine worker,” he said. “I had to The prosecutors say Banton’s words and actions, in find a job. You have to invent one.” Carolina Mendoza, tape-recorded conversations and a videotaped meeting in Another aspect of the job market Junior a Sarasota warehouse where Banton tasted some cocaine, tackled by the lecture is the increase in International Relations major revealed that the singer “eagerly brokered” a drug deal competition. Friedman explained that between a friend and undercover government agents. this also affects his profession, because of an increase in writers. “The country is full of people that book, with University faculty such as NATIONAL Despite America’s challenges, the didn’t get the word.