The Sycamore by The Sycamore

Health ti ps: Stay healthy over break!

Sycamore the

wells’

December 2008

Environment

social and environmental focus magazine

Think

globally Act Locally The [Im]Morality of Meat Consumption

Sycamore the

wells’

December 2008

social and environmental focus magazine

Constants Health Tips and tricks to keep healthy over break P. 6 collegiate & opinion Oxymorons? P. 7 Entertainment Music and Movie Reviews P. 8 Memory Loss in the 21st Century P. 9 Creative Writing Contest LARGE LOVE and Within the Pages of Books P. 17 Style Vintage: Recycling in the World of Wardrobe P. 20 Photography Contest Vacation Back Cover

features Think Globally, Act Locally Does the activist’s mantra still hold water? Oren Robinson, ‘09 P. 10 The [im]morality of meat consumption Dinner has rights, too. Alex Schloop, ‘12 P. 14

and then some Editors’ Letter Letters to the Editors P. 5 Distractions P. 21 Horoscopes P. 22 Dear Minerva P. 23

On the Cover

This photo was graciously submitted by Gabe Cleveland, ‘10. If contests aren’t your thing, but you’d like to submit your photos anyway, The Sycamore would love to have them! Email them to SycamoreGraphics @gmail.com!

The Sycamore December 2008

editors’ letter Sycamore’s Cheif Editors, Alex Schloop and Victoria CarreÓn, on the focus of this month’s Sycamore

I wish I could explain to you how thrilling it is to me that you’re reading this right now. If you had told me three or four months ago that I’d be editor in chief of a collegiate magazine, I would have laughed at you and walked away. It was one day in late August that Victoria and I were sitting in the anti-social room in the dining hall, talking over cherry crisp about starting a magazine. It’s amazing to me that this conversation resulted in The Sycamore. This magazine is the result of many late nights and meetings that our wonderful Editorial Board had to endure, and for them I’m eternally grateful. If you’re in any clubs that voted yes on our grievance or trial club presentation, thank you! If you didn’t, I hope this edition will change your mind. The Sycamore started in a swarm of confusion, chaos and misconceptions. The famous rumor mill of Wells was definitely

in working order, and it took a lot of patience and energy to stop that vicious cycle. On that note, The Sycamore is a magazine, something that didn’t recently exist on campus until now. The Chronicle was once a magazine and then transformed into a literary magazine, something that every college campus should have. With this publication, we’re filling in the remaining gap. We’re not in competition with any other publication on campus. I hope that you find The Sycamore informative and entertaining. Our focus for this edition is environmental issues, encompassing both the social and physical environment. Each issue, the E-Board will come up with a focus for that edition that we, as an E-Board, find interesting and relevant to Wells that semester. Please feel free to email theme ideas to SycamoreChiefEditors @gmail.com. Happy reading! Alex Schloop

Dear Lovely Wellsians, Right now, I am probably sitting on a porch swing, observing the blue skies of New Mexico. As many of you know, I have left Wells College with indefinite plans. I wish I could experience your reactions to the premiere issue of this magazine in person. As life will have it, I cannot do so, yet I believe I will feel when you read this. This publication has been a dream of mine for a while, and it hurts that I won’t be able to share the joy of holding its inaugural piece in my hands at the same time as you. I want to sincerely thank every individual that has helped make this wish a reality, especially the editorial board and my co-editor, Alex Schloop. It is with great pride that I present a work that is the result of sweat and tears. I introduce to you The Sycamore of Wells College. May Minerva’s wisdom ever guide you!

P.S. Remember: Read, Write, Grow. The Sycamore December 2008

Always, Victoria CarreÓn

Sycamore the

wells’

social and environmental focus magazine Editors in Chief

Copy Editor/Creative Writing Editor Graphics/Layout Editor Media Editor Style Editor Assistant Graphics Editor Contributing Writers

Club announcements?

Contributing Artists

Advertise here!

Email SycamoreGraphics @gmail.com!

Publisher Treasurer Secretary

Alex Schloop, ’12 Victoria Carreón, ’10 Ana Giovinazzo, ’11 Molly Cichy, ’10 Chelsea Eriksen, ’11 Elsa Dial, ’11 Jenny Carlos, ’11 Courtney Kasche, ’11 (P. 6) Sam Share, ’11 (P. 9) Oren Robinson, ’09 (P. 10-13) Steph Marvin, ’12 (P. 22) Gabe Cleveland, ’10 (Cover) Molly Cichy, ’10 (P. 3, 5, 21, 23) Oren Robinson, ’09 (P. 10-11) Alex Schloop, ’12 (P. 14-15) Elsa Dial, ’11 (P. 20) Jacobs Press Steph Marvin, ’12 Loey Rotchford, ’11

SycamoreChiefEditors@gmail.com

For Letters to the Editors questions and comments, private concerns, article submissions, article suggestions, theme suggestions

SycamoreCreativeWriting@gmail.com For Creative Writing Contest entries

SycamoreGraphics@gmail.com

For Photography Contest entries, photo and artwork submissions, club announcements

SycamoreStyle@gmail.com For article suggestions

SycamoreEntertainment@gmail.com For article suggestions

SycamoreAdvice@gmail.com For Dear Minerva questions

The Sycamore December 2008

letters to the editors

Theme Just to clarify... How do you come up with themes Is The Sycamore in conjunction for each of your issues? What sort with The Onyx? of themes do you have in mind for ~Cat Abrego future issues? 2011 ~Kate Maple We’re actually completely separate 2009 from The Onyx, and we aim to The theme for the first issue was decid- provide a different type of media ed by the chief editors, Alex and Vicci. to students, in the form of wellresearched editorials and collegiate They were trying to keep the first opinions along with regular columns theme pretty broad to make it easier and sections pertaining to the magaon us, the E-Board, to come up with zine’s social and environmental focus. articles that fit. But in the future, we And we fully support and encourage plan to sit down as an E-Board and our sister publications, to get rid of come up with a theme that we feel is that rumor. relevant to Wells students based on ~Molly what people are talking and concerned about. With that in mind, we can’t really plan themes too far in advance, Beginnings What made you decide to start The because we can’t be sure of what type Sycamore? of social and environmental issues ~Audrey Wojtkowski Wells people will want to hear about. 2012 By all means, please send us suggesWhen I got on campus, I was excited tions of themes you’d like to see! ~Molly and Alex to work on a publication that would broaden my experiences. Since I was already editor in chief of my high Reduce, Reuse, Recycle! school newspaper for two years, I You should add a new section about everyday things students can decided to not go down that route. I’m no creative genius, so I didn’t think do in their dorms to support the that I would be much help to a literary Presidents’ Climate Commitment. Recycling programs are apparently magazine. I joined the yearbook, but I wanted to work on something that not very common. ~Kate Maple was more writing-intensive. Vicci 2009 had wanted to work on a magazine The Sycamore December 2008

for a while, and once we started talking about it, it was clear that we should start a magazine. I really feel like we found our niche: one that still needed to be filled on campus. ~Alex Wells didn’t really have just a general magazine available for students to work on. This publication provides not only that type of literature, but also provides interested students with the cance to use professional software for layout (i.e. Adobe InDesign), unlike other publications. ~Molly

Who is “Dear Minerva”? Minerva is our advice editor and she’s an excellent listener. You can usually find her standing by the front entrance to Main.

Something to say? To submit a letter to any one of the editors, please send your question or comment to SycamoreChiefEditors @gmail.com. You’ll be famous instantly, we swear. 5

Courtney Kasche

Contributing Writer

the blues It’s horrible. You can’t eat, can’t sleep, have crying spells—yet many do not understand the causes. Depression is a nationwide problem on college campuses. Many students do not even realize that this monster is treatable. Depression often causes students to lose interest in activities, experience sleep and eating changes, have crying spells, become more irritable, have difficulty concentrating, or even attempt suicide. Students often hesitate to ask for help because they are embarrassed. It is essential to know that if you are experiencing these symptoms, you are not alone. Talk to the campus medical center or ask for a referral somewhere off campus. The Community Medical Center here at Wells has counselors and medical staff available to help. Simply call and make an appointment. Write down any questions you may have beforehand. Take a friend with you if you need the support. Try to stay positive and know that there are resources on campus to help students get through these difficult times.

t i ps

2009

no drinks for

for staying healthy during cold and flu season

Watch what you eat. It is suggested that you have at least three servings of vegetables and two servings of fruit each day.

This New Year’s Eve, try celebrating without alcohol. First, stand your ground. Do not let anyone tell you that you have to drink. Try to make plans to go out for dinner or dessert with friends, or throw a dance party. Make sure to have plenty of virgin drinks nearby in order to avoid temptation. Find something fun for you! Plan ahead in order to get a good number of people involved, and you will be guaranteed to have a great new year!

Wash your hands whenever you can, particularly before meals and after using the restroom. Carry hand sanitizer with you for other times. Get plenty of rest! Go to bed the same time every night. Remember to take a daily multi-vitamin! Get a flu shot before they run out. 6

t i ps

to stay fit this holiday season

Eat breakfast on the days of holiday gatherings to avoid overeating at meal time. Take control of your portion sizes. Limit items that are high in fat, such as creamy, cheesy, and fried foods. Drink a lot of water. This can help reduce hunger. Use healthier items and ingredients when cooking to reduce fat and calories. Remember to indulge on some of your favorites, but moderation is key!

high-class-martini-glass.com

Health

The Sycamore December 2008

collegiate & opinion

oxymorons?

…Or just morons? Wells faces accountability and regression with the new smoking policy Alex Schloop

Chief Editor

One of the biggest changes that Wells has had to face this semester is the new smoking policy. In this statement, Wells made a commitment to “provide a total smoke free environment,” to initiate “positive programs aimed at smoking cessation” and “provid[e] education about the health hazards of smoking and second hand smoke.”1 Worded this way, the smoking policy seems more of a transition than an absolutist admonition. The opposite appears to be true. Many students have been faced with pressure to quit smoking because of this policy, but this is not as simple as it seems. Addiction to nicotine does not evaporate as quickly as a new policy is written, and some students who began an education at a smoke-friendly school have found themselves shunned. Isn’t forcing our smoking students off of campus contradictory to the goal of building a respectful community? It’s difficult to feel respected if you are forced to stand on the side of a road in the traffic and cold to smoke a cigarette. Five years ago, in the mid-term Middle States review, Wells was told to increase enrollment. They have succeeded, but at a cost. Many have criticized the Office of Admissions for presenting Wells as something that it’s not. As Alex Meeks (2009) said, “[…S]moking is a trait generally associated with the lower class, and by eliminating smoking from our campus, the college gets rid of a visible population that, while not all are from the lower class, shows the traits of those with a lower income.” Even some non-smoking students on campus argue that there should be a designated area for students to smoke on campus. Many students also suggested that marked trash bins could be placed to reduce the multitude of cigarette butts left on the ground, especially on Wells Road. Cigarette butts are not biodegradable, yet Wells refuses to provide proper receptacles for them. Inti Ossio (2011) reminds us that “according to some faculty and outside members of the Wells community, it is not aesthetically pleasing to have trash cans all around the Wells campus.” This may be true, but the refusal to place trash bins and the lack of a smoking area on campus could be seen as a step backward from climate neutrality, despite the document recently signed by President Ryerson. Wells should not be pushing issues off the table to claim progress, but should be taking on challenges with a determination to resolve them, even if it makes the college look a little rougher around the edges.

“The refusal to place trash bins and the lack of a smoking area on campus is a step backward.”

The Sycamore December 2008

Emily Knapp, ‘12 “Well, I’m for the policy because cigarette smoke really irritates me and I can’t be too near people who have recently smoked, or I can’t breathe. I understand why the smokers on campus are upset, because leaving campus is probably very irritating for them. But I am glad that I can go to the other dorms and not have to hold my breath if I need to go past a certain area. I think that the smokers should have to leave campus to smoke, but the areas were they can smoke should be better for them. Would it be hard to put a few benches out or at least provide a place where they can smoke out of the wind and rain?” Maggie Mahr, ‘11 “As a person who’s allergic to cigarette smoke, I was initially content with the policy. But, I wasn’t pleased with the way Wells announced it. They just made the decision without consulting with the student body. Also, smokers have just as many rights as non-smokers. I believe that there should be a designated spot for them to go that isn’t off campus.” Courtney Kasche, ‘11 “I am for the smoking policy! Although I do worry about safety of students smoking late in the dark. Perhaps offering security nearby to ensure student safety [would help].” Alex Meeks, ‘09 I think that the best way to make the policy better is to designate specific areas where people can smoke. I know the campus is supposedly “smoke-free,” but many campuses that designate themselves as such still have specific areas where people can smoke. This all just goes to show that some people at this college don’t care about the well-being of the students or the local community as much as they claim to. We’ve been exiled for smoking because someone wants a “picture perfect” campus. 7

entertainment

chelsea eriksen

1 The Yelling

myspace.com

This band fluidly fuses blues, rock, and alternative music. Nathaniel Cox destroys on the vocals, and is reminiscent of Andrew Stockdale from Wolfmother. Robert Davis impresses with the guitar while Michael Judd bangs out some awesome beats on the drums, and Chris McKee brings it all together with the bass. Altogether, the sound is strong and rough, unlike anything else coming out right now. Check them out at myspace.com/theyelling. Don’t be surprised if you start seeing this band everywhere!

Entertainment Editor

2 Frog Eyes

Menomena has a very clean and ethereal sound. The piano catches your attention and grips you with the superbly paired chords and drums. Their unusual punk/funk sound is put together with a diverse set of instruments. Listening to the song “Cough Coughing” off of the album “I am the Fun Blame Monster,” you can hear the way the arrangement of instruments is executed amazingly. The band produces, mixes, and records its own music. Menomena is a band you won’t forget. Listen in at myspace.com/menomena.

scratchrecords.com

4 Lilya 4-Ever

5 Funny Games

Based off of the 1997 German version, this is an intense movie that will make you squirm. The movie starts by introducing a family of three on vacation. Two young men stop at their cabin and begin to confuse the family by playing mind games with them. The young men refuse to leave and more “funny games” continue. Overall, the movie was very effective in its creepiness and is sure to send chills down your spine.

4 wordpress.com

Although this foreign movie is very heart-wrenching and haunting, it opens your eyes to child sex slavery. The film opens in Estonia with a girl named Lilya. Her mother has remarried and is moving to America with no plans of taking Lilya along. At 16, Lilya is forced to start prostituting herself to stay alive. One night, she meets a charming man named Andrei. Andrei asks Lilya to move with him to Switzerland, claiming everything is better there. He drops her off at the airport and promises to meet her, but she is soon picked up by a man who she believes will be giving her a job picking fruit. Lilya quickly discovers that she has been lied to. The following events take you on an emotional roller coaster. This movie will definitely give you some perspective and is worth watching.

toxicshock.tv

music and movie reviews

3 Menomena

2 myspace.com

Frog Eyes is a unique and utterly invigorating band. Their sound is cacophonous at times, yet somehow comes together to create wonderfully unusual noises. They are an experimental band, but could be considered rock/alternative/indie. Their lyrics are frenzied and strange, and yet Carey Mercer’s voice and feeling captivate you. His wife and drummer, Melanie Campbell, is known for adding different objects to her drum set. You haven’t heard anything like them before. Hear more at myspace.com/frogeyes.

The Sycamore December 2008

entertainment Memory Loss in the 21st century Sam Share

Contributing Writer

gizmodo.com

A human life really consists of nothing but memories. Every instant in the present is slipping into the past and gradually fading from consciousness, except for those moments that are so vivid, memorable, and real that they stay with us as part of our long-term memory. When we take a look back at our younger days, it is these visceral experiences that resonate the most. The time we fell out of the swing and broke our arm, the time we stayed up all night lighting fireworks at our best friend’s lake house, the time we climbed that mountain off the side of the highway: these stick out the most. These memories make us feel happy, fulfilled, and content with our lives and what we have done with them. Life in the 21st century presents us with rapidly diminishing opportunities to create such lasting memories. It is for this very reason that feelings of personal fulfillment are at an all-time low, and record numbers of people are suffering from depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. The average American adult spends 40 hours per week at work, while the average American child spends about the same amount of time imprisoned in school. This is time that could otherwise be spent really living and creating memories. Children spend 8 hours a day in class, sitting and being generally disinterested and inactive. The detriments to their physical health because of this are known to be quite extensive, but I believe the effects on a child’s mental health are even more devastating. Getting acclimated to such a sedentary and boring lifestyle prepares children for the mundanity and monotony that they will face when they enter the “real world.” Besides the massive amount of time we spend at work or school, our lives at home are also becoming more isolated and mundane. Our increasing technophilia has come at great cost to the health of American society, as we would now rather spend our time “social networking” than actually meeting the people in our communities. Our jobs leave us too exhausted to pursue our hobbies or other “extraneous endeavors,” and we end up frittering away most our free time in front of the television or computer. The almighty screen has become our best friend: the one we turn to when we are bored, lonely or just have nothing better to do. Television and computers do offer immediate satisfaction of emotions such as boredom and sadness, and often in an intelligent and stimulating manner. But in the long run, they lack what we can find only in another human: the warm, fulfilling, and real companionship of a conscious being. Televisions and computers also put us in a situation where, instead of creating our own memories, we are living vicariously through Jack Bauer or our 12th level sorcerer. Are our lives really so boring that we have to set up fictional alter-egos in order to conjure up a sense of fulfillment? My point is simple: lasting memories are what give a person a sense of satisfaction, and modern society limits opportunities to create such memories. The proverbial “man” or “system” is not necessarily responsible—that’s not what I’m saying here. There is no one putting us down for their own gain, at least as far as I can tell. This is a problem of the way our society has evolved under a rampant free-enterprise economy. This letter is a call for everyone to peel themselves away from the screen, go outside, and create memories. The only way to happiness and fulfillment, to achieve satisfaction in your life, is to feel the reality of conversation with a stranger, of rolling in the dirt, of jumping into a freezing cold lake stark naked in the middle of the night. There is nothing preventing you from doing these things, so make your life worth living. The Sycamore December 2008

Think Globally

What does the digital revolution do to change our perspective and our impact?

The Sycamoreâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; December 2008

Act Locally The Sycamoreâ&#x20AC;&#x201A; December 2008

Oren Robinson

Contributing Writer

feat u r es

here

have

been

interesting where you see your position in the world, or how you

studies dealing with ceiling height in work environments and the

effect on productivity. It’s been suggested by these studies that a higher ceiling, or a lack

ceiling,

actually

encourages

more creativity, abstract thought, and bold decision-making. Studies have also indicated that

lower

ceilings

and

cramped

work

environments show increased productivity for repetitive or detailed calculations and tasks. To illustrate this apparent trade-off between creativity and efficiency, imagine two high school classes competing to complete their math homework, one team indoors in a low-ceiling sterile and calm classroom, while the other team is tackling their algebra on the playground. I know I’d put my money on the indoor class; their environment seems to be appropriate for a mathematical mode of thought. However, if the competition were to produce an imaginative mural, I’d easily jump ship and vote for the outdoor team, whose endlessly fascinating surroundings will allow for associative thinking and fresh ideas. I would also liken this comparison of surroundings and mindsets to our daily lives. How many times do you find yourself sitting in front of the lake when you need to examine where you’re heading? And how often do you bring your next essay with you to the dock to work on? Do you sometimes feel like you’re “thinking globally” but have none of the impact on your local world that you wish to see? Likewise, do you sometimes feel like you’re “acting locally” and getting so much done, but feel like you’re missing the bigger picture? No matter

feel you provide the best service to yourself and others, thinking globally and acting locally are two distinct processes that have always been difficult to juggle. And now to make things worse, we’re in a time of revolution. The information age is reaching maturity and the digital revolution (not the one in television broadcasting) is well underway. If you are “connected” to the emerging systems as most middle class American college students are, we’re supposedly living in a global village where our farthest neighbors are right next door, and our sphere of influence encompasses the entire globe. How do you think globally and act locally when, in fact, those terms are becoming obsolete? When the playground and the classroom merge into one, how do we work hard while keeping our head in the game? One answer is to identify exactly how our environment has changed.Whereas the earliest societies functioned on flow of physical resources, we are now witnessing a shift to a society that functions on the flow of information. In the global village, the most underprivileged are those who are out of the loop: those who have no physical infrastructure to access information, or those whose social, economic or political situations limit their access to (and ability to share) information. Whether through education, Internet, or media access, the average middle class American has many resources that are taken for granted. We must keep in mind that many of us have more power over information than the most powerful people in the world have had throughout history. We must also keep in mind that most of us have more access to information than billions of people all over the world who are not so well off. Accordingly, our privilege of information access should send us all a powerful mandate to face this fact honestly. There is another adage that says “the world is your playground,” and if we mean to be activists in this day and age, we need to do our best to adapt to our new and exciting informationcentered world (our new “playground”) while remembering that we also can never leave “the classroom.” One of the easiest ways to apply this reasoning is to understand the resources you can find and

“We need to do our best to adapt to our new and exciting informationcentered world while remembering that we also can never leave ‘the classroom.’”

The Sycamore December 2008

Oren Robinson

“Many of us have more power over information than the most powerful people in the world have had

throughout history.”

give through the Internet. If you have interest in helping charitable causes or causes that any organizations or governments support, chances are that a brief series of search queries on any major search engine will be able to get you relevant and local contact information for local groups and events. For example, did you know that at thehungersite.com, you can give donations to many charities for free, every day? In fact, over 300 million have visited this website (about the population of the entire US), but less than 10% of those visitors keep up regular donations. How many of us can honestly claim that sometimes we see the Internet just as a playground and not a classroom? Of course, harnessing the powers of the Internet will not solve our original problem of thinking globally and acting locally anyhow. In fact, just as any resource in abundance can become more of a harness than a tool, investing time in the Internet can easily disengage you from thinking globally or acting locally. While information opens doors of opportunity, it is engagement with people around you that truly gives our global perspectives context and our local works meaning. And so another area where we can transcend information barriers is in everyday communication. Just as we can actually travel “farther” over Internet cables if we familiarize ourselves with the territory, we can also travel farther through any medium, even by word of mouth, if we familiarize ourselves with active listening, critical thought, and true attentiveness to opposing or unfamiliar viewpoints. The more we distance ourselves from others—even passively—the more we encourage invisible but palpable obstacles to deeper understanding and cooperation. Whether it means examining your emotional biases and prejudices honestly, being bold in the sharing of your ideas, or even just seeking out people who may need to be listened to, we cannot afford to marginalize or stigmatize anyone, even (and especially) those to whom we may feel unable to relate. And of course, one area we cannot afford to ignore in The Sycamore December 2008

this discussion of information and activism is The Man: the powers that be and the status quo. This is where the term “information revolution” seems to cheapen the term “revolution.” While most revolutions imply that grassroots efforts materialize into formidable actions, we’re witnessing the birth of systems that stifle such activity and quarantine knowledge with no other historical comparison to draw. People have always seen what they want to see, but now personalization has overridden standardization, and people are being shown what they want to be shown. Newspapers are failing while personalized news feeds “feed” us the articles written by those we already agree with. The need for multilingual and international understanding is perhaps greater than ever before, while educators are falling short. For example, teachers may recommend automatic translation websites to help with homework. Math and science are crucial in today’s job market and most high school students are reliant on their calculators. The very systems and tools that can make an activist’s life easier and more productive can tempt nearly anyone into chronic laziness. This laziness can also breed two of the staunchest barriers to positive change: ignorance and complacency. Thus, the activist of today actually has some reliable missions to always bear in mind when thinking globally and acting locally. Sincerely confront ignorance and complacency. This means not only in others, but in oneself, and in all aspects of our digitally transforming world. Humbly but fervently engage ourselves to realize our dreams, and realize that our dreams cannot be static or defined, but must be constantly questioned. We must recognize our privilege and be able to play on the playground and work in the classroom. And as traditional barriers blur, we must learn to do this all simultaneously. Simply put, global and local are both here and now. All that’s left for us to do is think and act. Who ever said this was going to be easy? 13

feat u r es

The[Im]Morality of

Meat Consumption Vegetarians have the right idea. The poor treatment of animals on factory farms and the farms’ negative environmental effects make a legitimate case for the lifestyle. Alex Schloop explores why vegetarianism is an ethically-grounded way of life for all of us.

Soul Food: Wells, as we know, is not known for its vast selection of cuisine choices, but the Sodexo staff does make a

gallant effort to provide vegetarians with options. Every meal features at least one main veggie dish on the vegetarian side. The question, then, is whether you get your food from that side… or from the dark side. I mean, meat side.

raditionally, animals have been seen as “machines” that have no moral standing whose serves only as means to human ends. The book of Genesis from the Bible enforces this traditionally western belief. “Be masters of the fish of the sea, the birds of heaven and all living animals on the earth” (Genesis 1.28). With advancements in ethical theories and scientific research, however, non-humans are gaining ground in the moral realm. Largely because of the British philosopher Peter Singer, animals have been regarded more and more as sentient creatures that hold moral status. Those who maintain that animals have no sentience argue that humans are superior, often citing that humans are a different category altogether and should not be compared to any other species. There are many arguments for animal rights that are 14

emerging every day. Scientific research is fueling such ethical stances. For example, Irene Pepperberg, a Harvard graduate, conducted an “interspecies communication” study on a African gray parrot named Alex. Through this study Pepperberg found that parrots can communicate and are sentient.1 This study debunked the common thought that animals are simply machines. Perhaps the most influential theorist on animal rights is Peter Singer, a twentieth-century consequentialist. His influential work, “All Animals Are Equal,” argued that discriminating animals is equitable to racism and sexism. Coining this term as “speciesism,” Singer argues that different treatment based on species violates the principle of equal consideration, or “equal consideration of comparable interests.” This point is explained in “All Animals Are Equal.” Singer writes: “If a being The Sycamore December 2008

Alex Schloop suffers, there can be no moral justification for refusing to take that suffering into consideration. No matter what the nature of the being, the principle of equality requires that its suffering be counted equally with the like suffering—in so far as rough comparisons can be made—of any other being.”2 In this, Singer says that if a being can suffer or experience joy, it is sentient and therefore should be considered morally. He succeeds in grouping humans and non-humans together in one group by saying “no matter what the nature of the being.” Using this utilitarian thought, animal rights are justified, and therefore a human’s consumption of animals is reasoned to be immoral. This is relatable to the argument for vegetarianism because of the typically inhumane treatment of animals in the process. According to Peter Singer, cruelty to animals is abundant in the meat-producing industry.

Chief Editor

consumption. It is hard to reason, then, that the termination of a pig’s life is worth a slice of bacon for breakfast. There are more reasons than animal rights issues to avoid having bacon for breakfast, however, including health and environmental issues. In a cover story from E, the environmental magazine, Jim Motavalli explains how eating meat is wasteful of resources and even perhaps harmful to a human’s diet. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, or EPA, United States “factory farms” produced 1.4 billion tons of animal waste in 1996 alone, and a British court case from the 1990s suing McDonald’s for rainforest destruction and promoting unhealthy eating habits is at a stand-still. Diseases such as E. coli and Salmonella are expedienced by factory farming; in 1997 over 25 millions pounds of hamburger were reported to be infected by E. coli.3 Motavalli also discusses how eating meat consumes vast amounts of scarce resources. His arguments As one authority on the imply that it is selfish to eat subject has said, “cruelty is meat while there are starving acknowledged only when people in the world, because profitability ceases.” So producing meat takes much hens are crowded four or more energy than eating five to a cage with a floor lower objects on the food area of twenty inches by chain. It takes 4.8 pounds of eighteen inches, or around grain to produce one pound the size of a single page of beef.3 (Other sources, of the New York Times. such as Wikipedia.org, cite this number to be higher, The cages have wire floors, since this reduces around 8 pounds of grain for one pound of beef ).5 He cleaning costs, though wire is unsuitable for the calls this a “colossal waste of resources,” using a quote hens’ feet; the floors slope, since this makes the from Frances Moore Lappé, author of Diet For a Small eggs roll down for easy collection, although this Planet. “… [I]magine sitting down to an eight-ounce makes it difficult for the hense to rest comfortably. steak. ‘Then imagine the room filled with 45 to 50 In these conditions all the birds’ natural instincts people with empty bowls in front of them. For the ‘feed are thwarted… Frustrated at their inability to do cost’ of your steak, each of their bowls could be filled so [carry out their natural instincts], they often with a full cup of cooked cereal grains.’”3 In this way, develop what farmers call “vices,” and peck each abandoning the practice of meat consumption would other to death. To prevent this, the beaks of young benefit humanity as well as non-human animals, thus birds are often cut off.2 producing the most good, validating vegetarianism Through such examples it is easy to see that the average from a utilitarian standpoint. animal suffers a great deal in its processing for human Arguments against animal rights are becoming few The Sycamore December 2008

feat u r es and far between, but some still exist. Some argue that “moral status”-granting properties, such as family relationships, are solely humans properties that animals do not have. This belief is quickly undermined, however, by recent scientific evidence. As Lori Gruen writes, “[M]any species of non-humans develop long-lasting kinship ties—orangutan mothers stay with their young for eight to ten years and while they eventually part company, the continue to maintain their relationships.”4 Another common argument against the rights of animals is that human DNA must be present to create a morally relevant being. The classic comeback for this argument is an example of how the human race might treat an intelligent, communicating extraterrestrial if it were to land on Earth. Although these beings are not human, common sense leads us to believe that we would treat it as a moral, sentient being. If an alien were to demand that we take it “to our leader” we would not disregard it and feel justified in killing it for our consumption. Through displaying the errors in counterarguments and explaining the moral, environmental, and health reasons why animal consumption is not adventageous, vegetaianism is justified. Because abstaining from eating meat would benefit hungry human populations of the world, our earth’s ecosystems, and our society’s morality, vegetarianism is a viable and reasonable option.

Alex Schloop are you a vegetarian? i'm a vegan yes

1.10% 14% 84.90%

no percent of students

if so, why? i believe it's morally wrong to eat animals

33.30% 47.60%

Health reasons i dislike the taste of meat

23.80%

i believe in animal rights

81%

if you are a vegetarian, would you eat meat if you knew that the animals were raised free-range and were treated humanely? Maybe

16.70% 50%

no yes

33.30%

Virginia Morell, “Minds of their Own: Animals are smarter than you think.” National Geographic Magazine Mar. 2008. https://global.wells.edu/icsfileserver/9fd1fc33-4c44-4830-af85b9efc72b4a6f/5bf7d05d-8c9d-48a6-a47e-d54829c28a97/c7df5902-af2a4b30-9ea2-b5263f1795a0/ morrell%20animal%20minds.html (4 November 2008). 2 Peter Singer, Animal Liberation, 2nd ed. (New York: New York Review of Books, 1990). 3 Jim Motavalli, “The Case Against Meat.” E Magazine https://global.wells.edu/ICSFileServer/9fd1fc33-4c44830-af85-b9efc72b4a6f/8d046f76-b91d-48e1-94a6-31ce57f40117/9258c800-955c-4568-a6ee5c562c88078b/motavalli%20meat.pdf (4 November 2008). 4 Lori Gruen, “The Moral Status of Animals,” The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy (Fall 2003 ed.), ed. Edward N. Zalta, http://plato.standford.edu/archives/fall2003/entries/moral-animal/ (3 December 2006). 5 Wikipedia.org Title of poll: Meat Consumption at Wells November 2008 1

The Sycamore December 2008

cre at i v e w r i t i n g

ch e l s e a

e r i k s e n

large love Judus Brown arranged the table of books, awaiting the customers that would soon enter Andy’s Book Nook. Andy walked past Judus and smiled. “Don’t expect many people to come in; this isn’t exactly the most popular place in town. I handed out flyers for the past week, though, so I hope we’ll get a decent turnout.” Judus looked up at Andy and smiled politely while tapping his pen on his desk. “Well thanks, Andy. For my first signing, I could do a lot worse.” Andy nodded in acceptance of what was intended to be a compliment. “Always glad to help one of my neighbors. In fact, did you know that Gladys, who lives in the house on the corner, is a writer? She wrote a mystery about…” Judus stopped listening and grinned at the first customer of the day. The old lady looked skeptically at Judus and his table of books. “What’s all this, then? You write this book? Hm… LARGE Love. That’s an interesting title. What’s it about?” “It’s a guide to life. It’s about the comfort of fat, and how it adds to one’s happiness.” “Oh, my. Well, good luck with that now.” The old woman walked away, glancing behind her with a peculiar look on her face. The rest of the day went slowly. Judus sold only two copies, and he was beginning to get discouraged. Yet he took comfort in the fact that he knew his book was true genius. Being a writer was just a tough lifestyle. The door jingled, tearing Judus from his thoughts. He looked up to see a stout man in his early 30s. “What kind of book are you selling?” the stout man named Henry asked. “What kind of book are you looking for?” Judus countered. “I just need something for my wife’s birthday. She’s The Sycamore December 2008

always reading those romance books; is it something like that?” “I think this book may be very appropriate. It’s about love: loving your life. Pretty romantic, I think. You know what? I’ll sign this for you. What’s your wife’s name?” “Oh, well, her name is Libby.” Judus scribbled some words and handed him the book. “I hope she loves it.” Henry took the book to the cashier, paid, and walked out of the store. Judus smiled to himself and hoped more people like Henry would come along. V When Henry got home, he knew that Libby would be watching her soaps and gabbing on the phone, so he took the book out and opened the cover to read the inside panel. I was 37 and miserable. At that point, I was exercising nonstop and counting every calorie. I hated my job, my life, and my obsessive routines. So after work one night, I drove to a McDonald’s and gorged myself on fatty, delicious substances. Never have I felt more satisfaction in my life. This is a book about living your life and loving your food. Henry decided he would have to get his wife another book, because he couldn’t wait read this one. His stomach growled at the mention of food. He frowned at the fruit sitting on the table, untouched since Libby 17

cre at i v e w r i t i n g had brought them home. That’s when he noticed a box “Your book is genius! My friends and I love it. My of donuts on top of the toaster oven. Opening the box, wife can’t stop reading it. We want to start a club to he smiled at his copy of LARGE Love. support your philosophy. I was hoping you might be our director.” “Well you see, Henry, I’m a busy man. But I suppose I V could make an exception for this club. The book should Judus thanked Food that the shop was finally closing. be read, and read by many. I accept,” Judus said. He had only sold five books all day. Once home, he “That’s great! We wanted to get together next headed to the couch, flicked on the TV, and turned to Thursday. Everyone’s gonna be so excited when I tell the Food Network. He then got up and walked into the them. If you have a pen and paper, I’ll give you the kitchen, getting out the ingredients for dinner. It was address.” strange for him to think back to when he would run on the treadmill and do 150 sit-ups before dinner. He V would make brown rice and vegetables, or some other disgustingly healthy dish. It made him sick to think “Oh, Libs, you did such a great job. Everything looks about. so good. I’m starving. I hope they get here soon. I can’t Finally, his dinner was ready to eat and Judus sat down wait to get my mouth on that lasagna!” to his delicious meal. He washed down his supper with Libby laughed and smiled kindly at Henry as she a big glass of milk and a giant slice of chocolate cake. fondled his ever-growing stomach. “How much weight have you put on now?” she questioned curiously. “About 10 pounds. You should see Jacob though; he V put on 13. Oh, and you should hear him brag. Me and “Henry!” Libby called out. Dan were about to slug him.” “What, dear? I’m on the last chapter! You have to “Well, that’s Jacob. Always the showoff. I don’t know read this book, Libs. It’s amazing. I told Dan about it if you’ve noticed but I’ve put on a few pounds myself. and he’s already halfway through. I read a chapter out Doesn’t my butt look big, Henry?” loud to Jacob and he’s going to get one tomorrow. We’re “Oh, yes, sweetie, very big indeed! Did you hear that? thinking of starting up a club.” I think someone’s here!” “Jeez, what’s so great about the book?” Soon, the whole kitchen and living room were filled “Well it’s about this guy, Judus, who has this great with club members eagerly awaiting Judus’s arrival. The idea about life. He was once really into being fit, and doorbell rang and Henry excitedly walked to the door. then he finds the key to life through food. You should “Judus, come in! Help yourself to the food. Do you just read it. The boys and I are going to try and meet want to begin in the living room?” with Judus. We want him to direct our club.” “Yes, that sounds fine. Let’s get started.” Judus looked “I guess I’m going to have to buy a copy then. Can I around the house. It was very clean but not impressive be in your club, Henry?” in any way. He smiled at all of the perfectly pudgy “Of course, but you have to start reading first.” people. “Well, first, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Judus Brown and I am the author of LARGE Love. V I will be selling my books at the end of the meeting Judus was eating a hot pastrami sandwich when he so anyone who hasn’t bought one can buy one then. I heard the phone ring. would really like for all of you to introduce yourselves “Rgggrhhggg,” came the noises from his overstuffed and then tell us how you feel about food.” mouth. He got up off his stool and walked slowly over Everyone introduced themselves, and most people to the ringing phone. He swallowed before picking up. simply said that they really liked or loved food. However, “Hello?” when it came to Henry’s turn, he had much more to “Hi, um, this is Henry Lonsdale. I came into the say. Book Nook the other day and you signed a copy of your “Hello, everyone. After reading Judus’s book I realized book for my wife, do you remember?” that I couldn’t just love food anymore, I had to worship “Yes, I remember. How can I help you?” Judus replied it. Food is everything. It sustains us, it creates us—it is uncertainly. us. I had always felt bad for being overweight because 18

The Sycamore December 2008

I was ashamed of my love for food. But I no longer feel ashamed. They should feel ashamed. They deprive themselves and… diet! Why? So they can look thin, so they can make everyone else who is bigger feel bad? Since reading Judus’s book, I’ve put on 10 pounds, and I feel great!” Everyone began clapping and cheering. After the meeting, everyone gathered around Judus with praise. “I think we should bring as many people as possible. Why deprive anyone of the love and wealth of knowledge that we now have?” Judus said. All 15 of the extra books he had brought were sold. Judus was glad that everyone had seen his genius. V

“Hey, Dan, great meeting last night, huh?” “Oh yeah, it was just great.” A man named George, who was more or less a weightless waif, walked by Dan and Henry and began restocking the apples. “The enemy,” Henry whispered to Dan. “Hey, skinny, why don’t you let me and Dan take care of those apples?” George ignored Henry’s taunt and kept working. “Nothing but a bag of bones, that’s what you are. It’s disgusting. Go eat something for Food’s sake!” Dan said loudly. George ignored them still. Henry picked up some peanuts and began throwing them at George, and Dan did the same. “Eat up, you skeleton man!” V

At their next meeting, Judus asked Henry and Dan to Henry thought about the meeting the night before and tell everyone what had been happening at work and how amazing it had been. Everyone was worshipping everyone laughed and clapped for them. Incidents of food and gaining weight. Henry felt glad to be a part obese people assaulting or harassing healthy-looking of something so revolutionary. There were now 46 people around their town became common. All the members in the club and it was growing. Practically policemen were on Judus’s side. They were very fond of everyone knew about the book, and those who didn’t the donuts and cake at the end of the meetings. Judus would know soon. Henry walked through the doors of was spreading the word, and he smiled to himself, the Shop Rite and smiled at Dan, who was working. thinking of all the people he had touched.

anna feldman

Chelsea Eriksen is a sophomore and a Creative Writing major. Anna Feldman is a junior and a Creative Writing major.

you’re creative. So, show us! Enter The Sycamore’s Creative Writing Contest every month for a chance to win cool prizes! Send your poetry, prose, or creative non-fiction (maximum 1,500 words, please) to SycamoreCreativeWriting@gmail.com. Mom will be proud. Congratulations to Chelsea and Anna, the prose and poetry winners of the first-ever Sycamore Creative Writing Contest! The Sycamore December 2008

within the pages of books declare to the world something fancy, fascinating and elusive (I can hear her breathing) sublime starlets vibrating in the salt-sprinkled sky at the peak of flavor. declare to the world magnificence and rarity (I sniffed the air), a poignant story of satiny elegance, sari-silk, and strange songs... be comforted. declare to the world wisdom in a treasure chest, basil and ancient stone in a daydreaming attachment (I am buoyed by a second wind) the silver blue piano, a miniature luxury that makes ordinary things magical. declare to the world a velvet rhinestone, almost shabby with extraordinary beauty (I am the glamorous type) a thunder bearer with the charms of a life at sea... which color do you like best? 19

style

elsa dial

Vintage

Style Editor

Recycling in the World of Wardrobe In a song by the 1990s hit band Ace of Base called “Wheel of Fortune,” the singer declares her love to some guy with an unexpected revelation: “I’m in love with you… I like your style.” The parallelism of the syntax in this single line of a pop ditty heightens the significance of one’s personal style. In the World of Wardrobe, the word “style,” used on its own without any modifiers, tends to have a positive meaning. “She has such great style,” “living in style,” and so on. Style can be a defining element for every individual. One’s apparel and accessories ought to be the aesthetic expression of one’s personality, be it dressing boldly in costume or wearing simplicity with subtlety. Even the choice not to care about the way one looks says something, because that’s a style statement in itself. Fashion refers to an overall trend that many people favor. In contrast, style is a personal preference that is steady, yet evolves throughout one’s life. Because style is a process of growth, the need for new clothes is continuous. Ah, but how do we do that without producing lots of waste and losing money? A dilemma, mon ami. But through years of contemplating and pilgrimages to admirable closets, I have gleaned secrets from the wise sages of style. And these words they spake unto me: vintage shopping! Matchmaker, Matchmaker! (A Shopping Guide)

If you like…

Ben & Jerry’s Phish Food ice cream, listening to G. Love and Special Sauce & drinking milk straight out of the container

Licking Cheetos dust off your fingers, listening to New Wave music & wowing people with your collection of strange accents

Watching Saturday morning cartoons, listening to girl rap & running away from home

Sipping pomegranate martinis, Josephine Baker & reading the New Yorker

Then you will like…

Trader K’s 119 The Commons, Ithaca

Salvation Army 161 Grant Ave, Auburn 381 Elmira Rd, Ithaca

Service League Petrune Shop 126 The 104 W Seneca St, Commons, Ithaca Ithaca Rescue Mission Thrifty Shopper 193 Grant Ave, Auburn The Sycamore December 2008

distractions

Words

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Winter Christmas Hanukkah Ramadan Snow Cheer Ice Sledding Mittens Scarves Gloves Hats Skiing Skating Bells Coco Doves Finals Studying

The Sycamore

T h e S y c a m o r e is always looking for new members! If you have some free time and are interested in writing articles or taking photos, then come to a meeting! Some available positions are: Staff Photographers Please contact Molly Cichy at SycamoreGraphics@ gmail.com.

Extra points if you can find the mistake word!

Staff Writers Including H e a lt h , C o ll e g i at e & O p i n i o n , E n t e rta i n m e n t , F e a t u r e s , and S t y l e . Please contact Alex Schloop at SycamoreChiefEdito r s @ g m a i l . c o m .

Sudoku

The object of Sudoku is to fill in all the blank squares with numbers. Every row of nine squares must have all numbers from 1 through 9, but not necessarily in order. Every column of nine must also have the numbers 1 through 9. Every three by three block of squares must have the numbers 1 through 9. Good luck!

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The Sycamore

In an effort to eliminate paper waste, T h e S y c a m o r e will instate a subscription policy starting next semester. If you have enjoyed this issue and would like to recieve issues in the future, please fill out the insert and campus mail it to Alex Schloop. These cards will also be available in the mail room at the beginning of each semester. A few extra copies will be printed for those who don’t subscribe. Subscriptions are free! Starting next semester, T h e S y c a m o r e will also be available online, so be Distract-O-Scope: At a lack for distractions? The Sycamore’s tried watching for the link! and true scope is just what you need. To create, rip out this page, roll it into a tube, put it to your eye, and focus. We promise you will be distracted immediately, or your money back. The Sycamore December 2008

horoscopes

Steph Marvin

Contributing Writer

sagittarius Capricorn December 22January 20 Give yourself a theme song; it will lift your mood. But be careful! If you go around constantly humming it, people will become greatly irritated and may want to bludgeon you, which will certainly not lift your mood.

Club announcements?

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Aquarius January 21-Feb.19 Recycle seven papers and see what happens. Probably nothing, but you never know. And hey, at least you’ll have been helping the environment, right? Pisces February 20-March 20 Try something new. Teach yourself a song on the guitar or try to make a Mickey Mouse pancake. Aries March 21-April20 Pet a fluffy bunny and you’ll get an A in that class you’re worried about. Disclaimer: bunny must be of a certain fluffiness to grant A in said difficult class. However, bunny cannot be too fluffy, either. Bunny cannot be brown, white, black, gray, or calico. Bunny cannot be a hare and cannot have red or pink eyes. Results not typical. Taurus April 21-May 21 Beware of men in tights. If you are a man and happen to be wearing tights as you are reading this, beware of yourself. You could be a danger.

November 23-December 21 Green means go, so make that move you’ve been wanting to make. Remember that anything you do over break can be left at home once you get back to school, so go a little wild and do some of the things you’ve always wanted to do. Don’t hold back—but don’t leave everything behind. Always remember your toothbrush!

then I guess you probably shouldn’t buy that lottery ticket. Cancer June 22-July22 Keep an open mind. Remember: on the other hand, you have different fingers. Leo July 23-August 22 The fifth person you meet with brown eyes will be good for you. So, think back. Who was the first person with brown eyes you ever met in your life? Can’t remember? Ouch. Well, too bad for you. Virgo August 23-September 22 Don’t always believe your parents. Sometimes they’re wrong. Tonight, check under your bed. There just might be a monster. Libra September 23-October 22 Give someone a hug today to send a smile on its way. Or don’t.

Scorpio October 23-November 22 Thinking about heading into Ithaca to go Gemini May 22-June 21 to the movies tonight? Don’t. Do your Catch a snowflake on your laundry. I can’t tell you exactly why right tongue for extra luck. If it’s not now, but trust me: you’ll need that extra snowing when you read this, pair of underwear. 22

The Sycamore December 2008

DEAR

MINERVA Dear Minerva, I’m very close with my family, and I feel trapped in the Wells bubble. My family is going through some really hard times right now, and I want to be there for them, but I’m stuck here. What should I do? Dear Fearful Family Member, Dear Minerva, I have a friend who likes to think that they’re the best at everything. I’m constantly dealing with their huge ego, and I’m getting sick of it. I want this person to remain my friend, but I also want them to enjoy a slice of humble pie. What should I do? Dear Pestered Pal, Confrontation can certainly be a helpful tactic in a circumstance like this one. Take your friend aside at some point and try to present your situation in as neutral a way as possible. Try to remember a specific time when your friend said something that seemed egotistical. Bring this up to them and explain why it bothered you. Make sure they understand that you are not attacking them. If your friend isn’t responsive, perhaps you need to evaluate whether this flaw is worth their friendship.

Often, all a family needs when going through tough times is knowing they have your support. I’m sure your family wants you to do well in school and stay focused rather than worry. One thing you could do to show you care is send letters to family members. This may help you to feel close and bring a smile to their faces. Although the Wells bubble can seem allencompassing, there are sweet ways to stay in touch with the world outside. Dear Minerva, I’m still involved with my significant other back at home, but I’ve developed feelings for a friend here. We flirt a lot and I think the feelings are mutual, but then I feel guilty when I talk to my significant other. What should I do? Dear Flirty Friend, In a relationship, it’s important to identify what you want. For example, do you want to be monogamous, or do

Do you have a question that you want Minerva to answer? Submit it to The Sycamore and see it in the next issue! The Sycamore December 2008

you want to have the freedom to flirt with other people? These are decisions you need to make and then discuss with your partner. If you cannot agree and cannot compromise, then you have to decide whether that person is worth changing for. The reason you are probably feeling guilty is because you haven’t told your partner about this attraction. In order to avoid this guilt, you should discuss boundaries with your partner. Remember, honesty is exceedingly important to a relationship. Dear Minerva, I got this really great idea for a story to write. I have a lot of it planned out, and I’m excited, but whenever I sit down to write, nothing comes to mind. I can’t think of cool scenes or dialogue or anything. How does one come up with good, detailed material to write about? Dear Writer’s Block, Being a writer myself, I sometimes have this problem. I start thinking too much about where to start, what details to use, what scene to begin with, etc. What usually helps me, is to just relax. Sit down at your computer and start to write about your idea, write about the characters, and once you begin and start to get into it, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of ideas!

SycamoreAdvice @gmail.com 23

Photography contest

“Vacation”

Congrats to Beth Pallace, ‘11 “This photo was taken in midtown Manhatten during one of my regular therapeutic jaunts. Though I had forced myself into a different circumstance seeking refuge from the norm, reality was very much present. This photo is proof that one is never truly on vacation.”

Photos gathering dust? If so, enter some into The Sycamore’s Photography Contest! Up to 2 submissions per issue will be accepted per person. Send your JPEGS to SycamoreGraphics@gmail.com. Photos gathering digital dust also qualify, of course.