Ed. 59 - Online

editors-in-chief

More Words, Less Meaning Until we bother writing in sentences again

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remember the joy I felt when I came home from my school in Barcelona to find that Matthew Ashley, who had been next door neighbor in England, had sent me a card.

Even though it was mailed at least a week earlier, the memories of playing “football” in the garden and riding bikes together came freshly to mind, and I could almost, almost feel I was back in his living room at that moment. That same year, I created my first email account teeligoati@hotmail.com, which translates to “I choose you,” as Ash would say in Spanish before letting Pikachu attack in the Pokemon cartoons.

When I left Spain for Korea, my best friend Lucas Vival Falch made me a farewell card that I’ve unfortunately lost since. But I still remember that he drew, rather sloppily, a blue airplane that was supposed to represent Korean Air. When I left Korea for Brazil, some of my classmates wrote me farewell cards that I have still kept. I’ve read them a few times since. When I leave Brazil, I expect that my yearbook will carry messages and pictures that will give me fond reminders of the times spent at Graded. Those memories will be my link to the past.

One day I got a Facebook friend request from Ben Thornley in Chester, in the northwest of England. He said he and I were friends in nursery school and that my sister and his sister were friends. I’d completely forgotten about Ben so I messaged my sister asking if she knew Ben. While waiting for her response, I went to her friends list and found Rachel Thornley, his sister. So I confirmed Ben as a friend.

My sister replied that same night and told me that yes, she and Rachel were friends and that I had been friends with Ben. Still excited at having heard from Ben (even though I still couldn’t remember him), I messaged him back saying, “Yes, my mom remembers you as well” and “What school do you go to?” and “When did you move to Chester?” and so on.

He replied the next day. I replied that night. We exchanged messages went back and forth until we had nothing more to say. So we ended the thread by having me upload the class picture of my class in “Thames Ditton Infant School” asking him to “tag” himself, and him, commenting below, that he’d ask his mom. After that exchange, I have not heard from him since, never had to hear or force out more quick lines of meaningless words.

If in need, basic clothing, a roof and bread would

Minjae Park satisfy us. But when not in need, they don’t. Similarly, the quickness, ease and subsequent frequency of communication have resulted in a lack of patience and a resulting under-appreciation of words. Long bodies of text are unbearable. Text that hasn’t been updated loses interest. Thus we shorten our messages and do so often. While “hey what have you been up to” from Matthew Ashley would have called for a response such as, “Swimming classes here are fun, they give a lot of homework here,” a comment of “hey wassup” on my “Wall” is nothing more than a wave that I promptly reply with a nod, “nm, you?”

Words clearly aren’t cherished in the same manner they used to be. Sure, getting a Facebook message from a long-lost friend like Ben is special, as is knowing that we can share photos instantly. But being able to talk to him so often spoils the memories that keep us connected. I’m glad we stopped talking and left things as they were. Just imagine having a yearbook that can be updated each week. “Look at his hair” would be “that’s not the boy I knew” or even “I can’t be bothered.” Leaving things as they are to sink in is often much more meaningful than reading a predictable and polite response published today. If someone writes on my Wall, of course I’ll reply in the same predictable and polite manner so as not to be rude. It’s rude to ignore someone who’s waving at you, even online. But why not write in complete sentences for a change?

I appreciated being able to communicate with Ben in Chester in a matter of seconds. When I left summer school everyone was consoling each other with “we can always talk on Facebook.” Being connected to the rest of the world is incredibly comforting. Some half-jokingly say they can’t last a day without their cellphones or computer. Despite the advantages of being online, the subtle and meticulous nature of the offline world embodied in Matthew Ashley and Lucas’s cards reminds me how hurried writing has become. Words have become so overused that their meanings have worn off.

With all the changes in just the past ten years, I certainly won’t bother writing a card, putting it in an envelope, stamp it and send it to everyone I message on Facebook because despite everything I’ve said, I, like the millions on Facebook or Hotmail, can’t be bothered. But it would be worthwhile to regulate how frequently I get online to write, omit the shallow nonsense that the reader doesn’t care for and measure up each sentence before clicking “send.”

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editors-in-chief

Musical Insanity Rock, jazz and homework

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:00 p.m. The perfect hour in which my brain is at its optimal state to finish whatever homework I have. If my brain’s processing power fails to work due to some disturbances around this time, I would once again have to go through the mystical hours of darkness past midnight. It is a spiritual experience very few people other than seniors and full-IB students have gone through. let me describe some characteristics of these surreal hours: it is when the line between dream and reality disappears, and you find yourself holding desperately on to your sanity that is slowly eroding away under the immense pressure of particularly cumbersome physics problems or undecipherable English poems. Every day I make a futile attempt to use my time more wisely and not go through this midnight insanity.

One day at nine o’clock, I was sitting in front of my computer, determined to finish all my homework before midnight and save myself from another of those experiences. My hands were hovering over the keyboard, ready to descend at the smallest signal from my brain. I was waiting and waiting but nothing came. Instead, my nerves tightened and my hair began to stand up as the thunderous drum beats reached my ears. My hovering hands turned into firm fists and hit the table instead of the keyboard. That was enough. I got up and marched to my brother’s room on a crusade against the evil forces of rock music and drumming that were thwarting my work.

As soon as I opened the door, I found myself in a completely different reality in which everything dissolved into the inexorable drum rolls and the motto of life became “rock and roll.” It took me several seconds to recover from my momentary trance from the contact with the hitherto unknown world and realize my purpose for marching into my brother’s bedroom. I began to shout into my brother’s ears to stop that rock madness. My voice, however, merged with the drum beats as soon as it came out and failed to

2 • the talon

Yumi Park have the stopping effect I wanted. After few more shouts like that and my brother’s deliberate ignoring of me, I slammed the door (even that sounded like just another beat on the drum) and strode back to my room. It was not a permanent defeat on my part. It was rather a temporary retreat to devise a better counterattack.

Nelson Cho

In my childish impulse for revenge, I took out my alto saxophone and played some jazz. By blowing as much air as possible into the mouthpiece and moving my hands ferociously, I, too, dove into the world of musical insanity in which all that mattered was the black notes on the sheet music and the sound from the horn. Soon, the entire house was rocking with the beats from the drum and funky jazz melody.

The musical chaos of that night finally came to an end when the annoyed neighbor made a phone call to our house. It was only then the frenetic music dissolved into utter silence, and I faced the list of homework written on my whiteboard like a death sentence. At that moment, I realized rock, jazz and homework were not a very good combination. The mystical hours of darkness were once again crying out my name.

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Promessas, mentiras e carros emplacados O pleito municipal e suas falhas

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o dia 5 de outubro acontecerá o primeiro turno das eleições municipais no país inteiro. O segundo turno de votação está planejado para o dia 26 do mesmo mês. Nestas eleições será eleito o novo prefeito de São Paulo que governará a cidade pelos próximos 4 anos.

A disputa pela prefeitura na cidade de São Paulo vem se acirrando desde o dia 10 de junho, quando tiveram início as convenções partidárias sobre coligações e escolhas dos candidatos. Os principais candidatos à prefeitura são: Marta Suplicy (PT), Geraldo Alckmin (PSDB), Gilberto Kassab (DEM), Paulo Maluf (PP), e Soninha Francine (PPS). Uma pesquisa encomendada pelo jornal “O Estado de S.Paulo” e pela TV Globo demonstrou que, no dia 17/07, Marta Suplicy (PT) teve 41% das intenções de voto, enquanto Alckmin (PSDB) segiu em segundo com 26%. O restante das intenções de voto estava dividido entre Gilberto Kassab (DEM), Paulo Maluf (PP), Soninha Francine (PPS), Ciro Moura (PTC) e Ivan Valente (PSOL). Além disso, 12% das intenções de voto apontaram para branco/nulo e aqueles que não sabem/não opinaram.

No entanto, nenhum dos candidatos tem, de acordo com a pesquisa feita pelo IBOPE, 50% dos votos, o que garantiria a vitória no primeiro turno. A alta porcentagem das intenções de voto atribuídos a Marta Suplicy é principalmente impulsionada pela técnica de “visitadores” que o Partido dos Trabalhadores implementou, relata o jornal “Estado de S.Paulo.” Assim, o PT se diferencia dos outros partidos pois utiliza candidatos a vereador para divulgar de porta em porta a campanha da petista.

Alguns do candidatos a prefeito têm “fichas-sujas” de acordo com um documento liberado pelo Supremo Tribunal Federal. Este documento inclui todos os candidatos que respondem à ações criminais ou processos por desonestidade administrativa no Estado. Entre os candidatos a prefeito, a lista traz Marta Suplicy, Paulo Maluf e Gilberto Kassab. A lei prevê que todos aqueles alfabetizados entre 18 e 70 anos compareçam e votem. Será divulgado para todos os eleitores a lista dos candidatos “fichas-sujas”. Ficará, então, a cargo dos eleitores a escolha, ou não, por candidatos cujos nomes estejam na lista.

Muitos dos candidatos têm oferecido soluções para o transporte público para atraírem mais votos. Dentre todos os candidatos que estão correndo para a prefeitura, somente Gilbert Kassab propôs um plano que restringe o

Carlo H. Neumark

Gráfico da pesquisa do jornal Estado de S.Paulo

uso de automóveis. Paulo Maluf também fez um apelo à amplicação do uso de automóveis através de um plano que ampliaria as pistas da marginal para cima do rio Tietê e Pinheiros. Ambos a Marta Suplicy e Geraldo Alckmin fizeram propostas para a ampliação das linhas de metrô de São Paulo. Porém, Marta divulgou que seriam necessários dois PACs(Programa de Ace-leração do Crescimento) para que sua proposta pudesse ser executada.

De acordo com a reportagem “Megacidades” do “Estadão”, São Paulo necessita de 175 bilhões de reais para resolver seus maiores problemas estruturais. Este calculo foi feito através da soma de todos os projetos existentes nas áreas de transporte, obras viárias, habitação e saneamento.

Entretanto, esse número é sete vezes o tamanho da verba que a prefeitura de São Paulo tem.

A maioria das soluções apontam para a ampliação do sistema de transporte público, especialmente de linhas de metrô. De acordo com o secretário municipal de Infra-Estrutura Urbana e Obras, Marcelo Cardinale Branco, “Sem investimentos contínuos e consistentes no metrô, simplesmente não haverá solução para o trânsito”. Estimam-se cerca de R$62 bilhões para a melhoria e construção das linhas e estações de metrô. O governo espera concluir a meta de 163 quilômetros de linhas de metrô até 2025.

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news

Brasil, mostra tua cara!

Esta seção pretende abrir espaço para que brasileiros falem do Brasil. Os autores dos textos aqui publicados têm plena consciência da importância de manter bem informados os leitores do Talon.

A cegueira tem várias formas Juliana Valle

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adaptação cinematográfica feita pelo cineasta Fernando Meirelles a partir do livro Ensaio sobre a Cegueira, do escritor português Jose Saramago, desencadeou protestos da Federação Nacional dos Cegos dos Estados Unidos (NFB). O presidente da Federação, Marc Maurer, diz que o filme retrata os cegos “como monstros e isso é mentira”. A organização planeja manifestações em frente a 75 cinemas onde o filme estreará na sextafeira, 3 de outubro.

Pode-se ver, em um vídeo do youtube.com, que José Saramago ficou bastante contente com o resultado do filme, dizendo ao diretor brasileiro sentir-se tão feliz com o filme como ficara com o romance. Ensaio Sobre a Cegueira, tanto o filme quanto o livro, retratam uma cegueira epidêmica que assola a população mundial. A cegueira é inexplicável e sérias medidas, como a prisão dos infectados, são tomadas para controlar a epidemia. Trancafiados e sujeitos a péssimas condições de vida, os portadores da “cegueira branca” transformam-se em... (bom, assista ao filme!) Trata-se de uma obra fictícia que não retrata, de forma alguma, o cotidiano de um cego.

Sobre as manifestações nos Estados Unidos, Saramago contesta que o livro, publicado em 1995, “retrata uma cegueira da razão”. “A estupidez não discrimina os cegos dos que enxergam”, Saramago disse a uma emissora portuguesa. É importante notar que, em geral, a sociedade contemporânea tem dificuldade em diferenciar a realidade da ficção. Neste sentido, a atitude da NFB demonstra a incompreensão da metáfora criada por Saramago. Se concordássemos com a atitude de Marc Maurer, haveria protestos em cinemas toda semana. O filme contém cenas explícitas, chocantes para qualquer um que as assista, mas o romance também apresenta essas imagens. É inacreditável que alguém consiga associar um deficiente da vida real aos “cegos” e suas ações no romance.

4 • the talon

Passou da hora de se aposentar!

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Rafael Mocelin

os 90 anos de idade, o prefeito mais idoso do Brasil vai tentar a reeleição no domingo, 5 de outubro. Susumo Itimura é o nome da fera. Ele vai tentar o seu quinto mandato na cidade de Uraí, no norte do Paraná, onde também exerce a função de produtor rural. O curioso é que Susumo, do PSDB, não tem participado da campanha eleitoral e a família garante que “são apenas as limitações da idade”. Susumo já é muito conhecido na cidade e não precisa de campanha. No entanto, o prefeito-nôno diz que a idade não é um fator negativo, mas positivo, já que “às vezes, o velho tem a cabeça melhor do que o novo” e completa afirmando que manterá o ritmo “se Deus der saúde.”

A idade não é o único absurdo desta história, pois Susumo Itimura tem bens acumulados que somam mais de 55 milhões de reais e mantém diversos filhos e parentes em secretarias municipais. Além disso, Itimura foi condenado em julho, junto com um ex-secretário, a ressarcir verbas que foram usadas de forma irregular em seu governo.

Ao ler esta reportagem, uma pessoa sã poderia confundi-la com o texto de um comediante. Primeiro, o candidato não faz campanha por causa das “limitações da idade.” Ou seja, se ele não pode promover sua própria candidatura, o que significa tirar algumas fotos e discutir programa e propostas de governo, como é que vai agir durante o quinto mandato? E pra piorar, o próprio candidato disse que sua saúde está “nas mãos de Deus”, ou seja, Susumo nem garante estar saudável e poderia cair morto a qualquer momento se Deus descuidasse dele por um segundo que fosse. Parece brincadeira.

Infelizmente não é.

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Nutrição “Leital”

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Oscar Garcia

a província de Gansu, na China, 580 crianças foram afetadas pelo consumo de leite contaminado. Em setembro, a morte de dois bebês em apenas duas semanas alarmou pais e autoridades. As crianças apresentaram cálculos renais em função da ingestão de melamina, uma espécie de acrílico.

Dadas essas condições, é importante perguntarmos: “Que tipo de leite estamos ingerindo?” Aquilo que, num passado muito remoto, vinha puro, saído da vaca, agora passa por processos variados como a pasteurização e a higienização. O alimento que deveria representar o aspecto mais singelo de nossa existência, aquele que nos é dado por nossas próprias mães, agora passa de uma máquina a outra e pode levar-nos à morte.

Dezenove representantes da marca “Sanlu”, cujo leite fora ingerido pelas crianças chinesas, já foram detidos.

Entretanto, o problema se estende mundialmente. No Brasil, casos de leite contaminado vêm aparecendo cada vez menos esporadicamente. Dentre outras substâncias, nosso leite já foi contaminado até com soda cáustica! O alimento agora virou “commodity”. Países como a Nova Zelândia e a Austrália, bem como a Comunidade Européia, estão exportando leite em quantidades e preços astronômicos. O alimento básico tornou-se item de luxo na mesa de famílias pelo mundo inteiro. É cada vez mais difícil, para não dizer inviável, suprir as necessidades da maioria da população, o que leva as corporações a diluirem o leite produzido, fazendo-o “render mais”.

O escândalo chegou a tal ponto que as pobres vaquinhas, geneticamente modificadas, não conseguem mais produzir leite e sim o que chamo de “água suja”. A companhia Altagenetics, por exemplo, baseada em pesquisas realizadas em 2005, afirmou que “a demanda já existe em mercados que recebem adicional por proteína”. Em outras palavras, existe uma fatia de mercado interessada em pagar um pouco mais para que o leite seja enriquecido com proteínas, pois elas já não se encontram mais no liquido. No mesmo relatório, a projeção para o futuro indica que “praticamente todas as indústrias produtoras de laticínios pagarão por gordura e proteína” não mais presentes no nosso leite.

Conseguimos! Nós, animais racionais, podemos “trocar tapinhas nas costas” e comemorar o feito: destruímos as propriedades vitais do primeiro alimento ingerido por qualquer ser humano. Não que nossas mães sejam o prob-

lema, mas o leite ingerido depois é. Daqui a pouco sequer haverá leite para nossas crianças tomarem; existirá apenas “cherry flavoured Dr. Pepper”. Parece que hoje em dia é tão perigoso tomar leite quanto ter ações do Lehman Brothers e do Opportunity, ser presidente da Bolívia ou pensar na Sarah Palin como vice-presidente dos Estados Unidos. A nutrição à base de leite tornou-se letal e, se não revertermos essa condição, acabaremos como os bebês na China: mortos.

Carpe Diem perverso

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Andrew Churchill

Uma boa notícia: o índice de desmatamento da Amazônia brasileira caiu de 27.379 km2, em 2004, para 14.039 km2, no último ano. Uma má notícia: esta, que acabou de ler, é a única boa notícia. Os números são chocantes: o desmatamento equivale a 2,5 Distritos Federais. Neste mesmo ritmo, a Ilha do Cardoso, Ilhabela, Serra do Mar e Jacupiranga sumiriam num piscar dos olhos. Não teriam nem chance.

Mas todos nós sabemos do problema. Sabemos dos índices, das estatísticas, dos números. Mesmo assim, não fazemos nada. O por quê disso também não é difícil de entender. Não conseguimos sentir os efeitos agora. Não temos preocupações porque os problemas parecem muito distantes. É um tipo de carpe diem perverso. É por isso que ainda existem comunidades nos Estados Unidos, e no mundo, que não acreditam no aquecimento global. Não conseguem ver três passos à frente. É por isso que os bancos dão abundantes empréstimos mesmo sem saber se os proprietários poderão pagá-los de volta. E aí desaba Wall Street.

Os brasileiros têm que começar a agir como cidadãos; como ativistas.Do contrário, podemos dizer adeus à maior floresta do mundo, cujo território equivale ao da maioria dos países do oeste-europeu. Se querem um fato diretamente relacionado ao cotidiano, saibam que a Amazônia absorve 100% das emissões de CO2 brasileiras. Como já destruímos 17% da área total da floresta, isso corresponde, cada vez mais, a menos CO2 absorvido, o que afetará diretamente o ciclo das chuvas no sudeste brasileiro, ou seja, aqui em São Paulo. Podemos esperar pela volta da seca e até mesmo o “apagão” de 2000 poderá se tornar realidade. Se a preservação da Amazônia depende desse tipo de incentivo, que mais parece uma ameaça, não precisamos olhar longe. Basta abrirmos os olhos.

the talon • 5

news

Macacos me mordam!

Uma explicação sobre a crise financeira mundial

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olsa de valores? Especulação? Ações? Concordata? “Subprime”? Crédito? Falência?Hãããnn?

Muita calma nesta hora. Mercado financeiro é complicado, sim, mas não é bicho de sete cabeças; tudo tem lógica.

A crise financeira que vem abalando o mundo inteiro assusta todos aqueles que investem na bolsa e entendem do assunto, e ao mesmo tempo é incompreensível e quase desinteressante para os que não estão envolvidos. Parece complicada demais para entender, mas não é.

Tudo começou com o atentado de 11 de setembro de 2001. Depois do colapso da bolsa americana no dia do desastre, os juros nos Estados Unidos começaram a despencar dia após dia, mês após mês, ano após ano. Para quem não sabe, juros é a taxa que os cidadãos pagam ao governo ou a uma empresa, em forma de dinheiro. No caso do governo dos Estados Unidos, os juros são controlados pelo “Federal Reserve System”, o Banco Central americano, conhecido como Fed. Depois do atentado, o Fed diminui em grande escala os juros para movimentar a economia que havia sido abalada junto com as torres gêmeas.

Com os juros baixos, era muito mais fácil obter dinheiro por meio de empréstimos. Pode-se dizer que o dinheiro estava barato. Em 2004, os juros anuais cobrados sobre um empréstimo nos Estados Unidos eram de apenas 2%. Ou seja, se você pegasse 100. 000 dólares emprestados, teria que pagar apenas 102.000 dólares de volta para o banco, depois de um ano inteiro com esse dinheiro. Para vocês terem idéia do que isso significa, façamos uma comparação: os juros anuais em um empréstimo no Brasil são de mais de 10%!

O que aconteceu então? Os americanos começaram a fazer hipotecas. Uma hipoteca é quando você pega dinheiro emprestado de um banco para comprar um imóvel (casa, apartamentot,terreno etc.) e coloca esse imóvel como ga-

6 • the talon

Alex Saller rantia. Isso quer dizer que você fica devendo dinheiro para o banco e se não conseguir pagar, o banco toma o imóvel que você comprou. O problema começou, na verdade, quando os americanos passaram a comprar imóveis como forma de investimento. Um investimento é quando você compra alguma coisa por um certo valor e depois vende por um valor maior. Você não usa o imóvel-investimento para nada; o objetivo é ficar com a diferença entre a compra e a venda.

Com tanta gente comprando imóveis só como investimento, os preços dos imóveis subiram devido à especulação. Especulação é o que ocorre quando se prevê o quanto um imóvel ou uma ação ou uma empoliticalhumor.about.com presa valerão no futuro.

Como havia muita gente querendo comprar, quem tinha imóveis aumentava os preços, especulando quanto eles deviam valer. Os preços subiram?

Tudo bem. O problema é que alguma hora os preços tinham que cair. E caíram! Você pode pensar “opa, que bom!”. Mas não é bem assim; preços caíram? Aí complicou.

Por que complicou? É simples. As pessoas que haviam feito as hipotecas já não tinham como pagar os bancos de volta, pois seus imóveis já não valiam tanto quanto na época em que eles os compraram. Imagine que você fez uma hipoteca de 500.000 dólares para comprar uma casa, somente como investimento, quando os preços estavam em alta. Beleza, você conseguiu comprar a casa-investimento mas, de repente, os preços dos imóveis começam a cair e a casa passou a valer somente 250.000. Doeu, né? Você não tem como devolver aqueles 500.000 que havia tomado de empréstimo originalmente. O banco vai ficar sem o dinheiro.

Nesse momento começa a crise do crédito. Criou-se uma “bolha”; termo econômico que se refere a uma estrutura que ilusoriamente faz parecer que há muito dinheiro no mercado.

O centro dessa bolha é um espaço que deveria estar lotado de dinheiro, mas ele está vaziozinho.

news Enquanto isso, os bancos pioraram muito mais a situação envolvendo-se no mercado do “subprime”.

Com a taxa de 2% ao ano para os empréstimos, os bancos não conseguiam ganhar tanto dinheiro. E qual é o maior e talvez único objetivo de um banco? Ganhar dinheiro. Ponto. Para conseguir ganhar esse dinheiro, eles pensaram “Já que a gente não ganha com hipotecas normais, vamos começar a emprestar dinheiro para pessoas desconhecidas e desempregadas sem ter nenhuma garantia de que eles devolverão esse dinheiro. Como a gente está correndo um risco maior, poderemos cobrar dessas pessoas mais do que os 2% de praxe”. Not good. Nesse momento, a crise do “subprime” começou e serviu como catalisador para o caos atual.

Os bancos de investimento americanos emprestavam dinheiro sem nenhuma garantia e esses empréstimos viravam papéis sujos. O que acontece é que os bancos, americanos ou não, vendem seus papéis e seus empréstimos entre eles. Está tudo interligado. Os espertalhões que tinham se envolvido com o “subprime” misturavam os papéis ruins aos bons (empréstimos com garantia que, ironicamente, também estavam virando papéis sujos) e vendiam para outros bancos e assim sucessivamente. No final, todos tinham papéis ruins e, inevitavelmente, tornaram-se vítimas de uma possível crise.

O pior aconteceu. Os americanos que tinham pegado dinheiro emprestado não conseguiam devolver o empréstimo ao banco. Um por um, os grandes bancos começaram a cair num efeito dominó.

Primeiro, em setembro deste ano, os dois principais bancos de hipotecas dos Estados Unidos, Freddie Mac e Fannie Mae, deram sinais de que podiam quebrar e declarar falência, que é mais o menos quando uma empresa morre; ela não consegue pagar as suas dividas e então é forçada a vender os seus bens restantes para depois ser apagada do mapa. No caso das gigantes hipotecárias, o Fed chegou com a cavalaria de 200 bilhões de dólares para salvar as duas financeiras.

Depois foi a vez do Bear Stearns. Um dos principais bancos de investimento nos Estados Unidos, que teve de ser comprado pelo JP Morgan, um dos dois grandes bancos que ajudaram a salvar os outros decadentes durante a crise. Para quem não sabe, um banco de investimento é um banco criado a partir do dinheiro dos investidores, que são as pessoas que compram ações desse banco e passam a ser donos de uma mínima parte dele. Com esse dinheiro, o banco investe em diferentes setores do mercado para obter lucro sobre o dinheiro que ele havia colocado inicialmente. Todo o dinheiro

www.thedigeratilife.com obtido é então dividido entre os alegres acionistas. Cabe lembrar que dentre os setores de mercado no qual os bancos de investimento atuavam encontravam-se o “subprime” e as hipotecas.

O desastre se alastrou. O quarto maior banco de investimento dos Estados Unidos, o Lehman Brothers, não achou nenhum comprador e declarou concordata, que é um tipo de falência em que o falido ganha um pouco mais de tempo para pagar suas dívidas ou tentar achar algum comprador dos seus bens. À derrocada do Lehman Brothers seguiram-se a venda do Merrill Lynch, outro ícone da economia americana, para o Bank of America; a ajuda do Fed, de 85 bilhões de dólares, para salvar a AIG e assim em diante...

Agora, há falta de crédito e de confiança, os dois pesadelos da economia. Ninguém quer emprestar dinheiro para ninguém; ninguém quer comprar nem papéis nem ações de ninguém; ninguém quer nada com ninguém. Está tudo estancado.

O futuro é completamente incerto, mas o que se sabe é que os governos dos diferentes países afetados vão tentar ajudar. Os Estados Unidos já aprovaram um pacote de salvação (Bail Out) de 850 bilhões de dólares. O objetivo desse plano é comprar todos os papéis sujos dos bancos e limpar a economia. Com isso, a confiança dos investidores vai crescer e, teoricamente, tudo voltará a funcionar normalmente.

Peraí! Só está faltando um pequeno detalhe. Como o governo americano comprará papéis dos bancos, ele passará a ser dono de grande parte deles. Então, devemos esperar por uma forte regulamentação. O governo vai, certamente, impor limites para os empréstimos dos bancos e proibir atrocidades como a do “subprime”. O “free market”, tão famoso nos Estados Unidos, vai mudar de cara e o mundo inteiro vai ter de mudar junto. O capitalismo vai seguir firme e forte, mas as regras do jogo não serão as mesmas. Ainda é muito cedo para dar palpites sobre o placar, mas esse jogo vai ser

the talon • 7

news

Financial crisis The way it all begun Maria Victoria Guijarro Janet Bodnar asked her son, a current sophomore at college, what he was learning lately in class, and in specific, if he had been discussing anything about the financial crises at hand. Peter responded, “Not really, we have test coming up so were covering textbook material in class.” Janet sighed in disbelief as she was shocked to hear that Peter’s Economic professor was passing up a great opportunity to discuss an issue significant to all world economies. Janet feels the need to find out “how we got into the current predicament and how we might get out of it.”

Many called Janet asking whether parents should begin informing children on the current issues concerning the economic crisis. Janet responded with a determined “yes,” later responding that it is essential for all high school and college students, the leaders of tomorrow, to be well informed.

After all, they are the ones who will be the individuals able to bring change in the future. To better understand the financial dilemma, it is essential to analyze the origins; the world of real-estate.

A couple of years ago, when the market for real-estate was extremely high, real-estate was seen as the best investment one could make. With a large amount of consumers and a limited amount of houses to sell, the owners of these limited products where in luck. The owners had the power to set the price where they desired, leading the consumers to have little power to negotiate and simply follow through with the investment regardless of the high prices. As this process continued, many became aware of the large profit the sellers were making, leading many to want to buy houses to sell at a higher price later. However, in order to gain the profit, the houses would have to be bought first. This is the part where the banks enter the complex picture.

In simple terms, when one is in need of a loan, they go to the bank. Ideally, before loaning someone money, the bank will examine people’s financial background to see how much they can realistically loan and later pay back. However, this expectation was not enforced during the rise of the real-estate business. With so many people applying for loans to buy, and later sell, the houses, the banks lost awareness of who they were loaning money to. They began to give money on the assumption that when the houses were sold, there would be plenty of money in the consumers’ hands to payback the bank. With this mindset, the US banks gave out millions of dollars in loans, leading for the real-estate market

8 • the talon

to go from having million of buyers to millions of sellers. With so many houses in the market at such high prices, no one was able to afford them, meaning that none of the individuals who took loans to buy the houses were getting a profit. This consequence led the real-estate business to come to a sudden drop and create the beginning of a big crisis.

The ways that banks work are as follows: Once people store their money in the bank, bankers use that money to give loads to others with the assumption that it will all be paid back. Not only will the total amount be paid back, but with interest. This interest rate is what allows banks to make a profit. It can be seen as the extra fee people need to pay in order to have the luxury of borrowing money, along with paying the total back of course. Recently, with the rise of the financial crises, people began to feel slight discomfort in saving their money in banks in fear that they might be bankrupt in the near future. If they were to become bankrupt, then the money that they put in the banks to be saved might be used completely to give people loans, and perhaps, never come back. With such distrust, banks began to make less money, leading to the layoff of workers.

With so many people now unemployed and others not being able to payback their loans, a drop in consumption was seen in the US, where the people began to cut back spending in order to maintain a decent lifestyle. When consumption levels begin to fall, the economy experiences a huge blow, as consumption is a driving force keeping the businesses alive and working.

As you can see, this is a tragic cycle that is targeting economies all over the world with so many factors to consider. With people unable to payback their loans, banks going bankrupt and a major decrease in consumption, where will we go from here? Could our generation be the one to bring stability to the issue at hand? The future of the financial system could potentially be in our hands. No pressure.

point of view

Internet Apocalypse What if the system shut down?

Isabella Freyre

I

f you woke up on a gorgeous day only to discover that the

as the World Wide Web. The development of the graphical

Internet had collapsed, what would be your immediate reac-

browser, Mosaic, in 1993 was a big boost, only defeated later

tion? Can you imagine a world without it, living at the end

by the overwhelming power of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer.

of the first decade of the twenty-first century? We would

Although the basic applications and regulations that make

be forced to resume ancient and forgotten habits, writing

the Internet possible had already existed, the network was

elaborate letters instead of quick emails, having to confront

not translated publicly until the 1990s. As the availability of

extensive lines in stores instead of ordering online, placing

email and websites were standardized, the Internet opened

expensive international calls instead of benefiting from Skype

to people in departments other than physics, computers and

or Instant Messenger. Online games? No longer. Viruses would

engineering, notably college students. Currently, Brazil en-

cease to be in our computers, but only in us. Blackberry cell

joys the position of the sixth-leading online country in the

phones would no longer be a fixture in our hands. I can only

world, with thirty-nine million Internet users.

imagine the severe cases of Facebook withdrawal at Graded.

This last July, we in São Paulo experienced a small

With the progress of the Internet, content floats in

demonstration of the riveting consequences associated with

a virtual cloud, only one click away. Pictures are posted on

Internet loss. Internet users in our state suffered a halt of

the web, music is shared, movies are viewed, and opinions

various data transmission services. The result was chaos as

are formulated. The Internet is intricately entangled in daily

companies, government agencies, and banks were deep-

routines; without it, people would feel detached and disori-

ly affected and could not conduct business. People were

ented.

blocked from instant communication with others. This pheA benefit may be actual human contact, forcing

nomenon of Internet failure is genially portrayed in an epi-

people to leave the comfort of their computer screens and

sode of the comic cartoon, “South Park,” which criticizes

venturing into the agitation of human behavior. The immedi-

the influences of technology as the townspeople frantically

ate and easy accessibility of information would be a tremen-

attempt to organize their lives amidst the collapse of the

dous loss, one that many would mourn. Human development

Internet in the United States. In the episode, people do

would retrace its success, making slow deliberate advances.

not know how to behave towards each other without having

The tranquility to reflect would shock us, so accustomed to

only their virtual relationships. The news reporter melan-

hurried resolutions.

cholically proclaims that there is no news due to the lack

It is incredible that such a recent accomplishment

of internet. Even the appointed “messiah,” Starbucks, can-

has expanded so drastically and unified us globally at an un-

not offer free Wi-Fi to its customers. There is no sanctuary

precedented rate, astonishing even in the intriguing realms

in this dreadful reality and people search for solace in an

of science fiction. In a span of merely ten years, the number

internet refugee camp. Talk about grim humor.

of people connected to the Web increased from seventy mil-

I remember with a fondness enthusiastically watching

lion to one and a half billion. It seems odd to remember that

The Jetsons and being awed by their modern enhancements

we once lived in a world without the gains of the Internet.

to ordinary life. Now, as I sit on my bed writing and listening

But what exactly is the deciphered obscure origin of the In-

to the sounds from my computer alerting me of my friends’

ternet? How did it establish such an influential position in

conversations, it is interesting and a bit crazy to think about

our lives? The Advanced Research Projects Agency, known as

the entertainment of “The Jetsons” show. Could it be that

ARPA, was created in February 1958 to gain a technological

we have surpassed their calculations in innovation or are we

lead after the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, a series of

still pre-Jetson-age?

robotic space missions. Decades later, in 1989, a significant

Technologically, I cannot envisage what the next de-

event occurred in making the Internet easy to use. A new pro-

cade will hold, but I am sure of one thing: it will definitely be

tocol for information distribution was provided based on hy-

intriguing.

pertext, embedding links to text. This became known in 1991

the talon • 7

point of view

Online Connections How our lives have gotten better

O

kay, I admit it, I’m hooked. I’m simply addicted and I can’t live my life without it. I am constantly online. Whether it’s because of Facebook, MSN, the New York Times or even just the CourseWeb, I live and breathe the Internet.

Hyperbole aside, my contemporaries and I depend on the World Wide Web. We live in it. Most of us have grown up surrounded by it: online games, ICQ, the Sims, Oregon Trail and Mavis Beacon. One can say that we are the pioneers of an age that is characterized by our inability to live “unplugged.” The evils that rise from that are known to all. As the Atlantic Monthly said, Google is making us “stoopid,” teenagers aren’t able to properly socialize and the online predators threaten. Although these are certainly preoccupying issues, they are overshadowed by the great advantages brought to us by the internet, such as how it brings people together. It is certainly very practical and, because of it, we are quickly exposed to much more information than previous generations.

This vacation I attended Columbia University’s summer program for high school students. Although unforgettable for countless reasons, what I loved most about it were the numerous friendships that I made. If it weren’t for technology and, most importantly, the Internet, I would’ve lost touch with them all. Because of tools such as Facebook, email and MSN, it is possible for me track down my new friends almost instantly. A letter that would have taken weeks to be delivered is now replaced by a simple click. I am always astonished when an old friend that moved a long time ago reappears in the form of a Facebook friendship request.

Making communication easier and more accessible not only helps us maintain friendships that probably would’ve been lost, but also, they help fortify the existing ones. I talk to my friends all day long, we text each other during class, email each other when we are far away, and keep each other company on MSN during the countless “all-nighters.” I know them much better now than if I had to rely on a phone call every other day. Our relationships grow stronger because we are constantly communicating with one another.

The Internet hasn’t only brought us together, but it has also added a significant amount of convenience into our lives. Everything in the Internet era is practical. eBay allows us to haggle for prices, making a conventional item much cheaper. Amazon not only makes our shopping life easier, but

8 • the talon

Victoria Steinbruch it suggests new purchases based on previous ones. It is possible to grocery shop, settle our bank accounts, and check our grades as well as our homework online. Apples iTunes Music Store allows us to buy TV series, podcasts, movies and listen to songs in a efficient, yet legal way. The internet has organized our lives in the manner that we now have much more freedom to pursue our true interests. We have gained so much time by eliminating simple but time-consuming tasks that we are able to dedicate ourselves more to our true interests. In our extremely busy lives, gaining time is the greatest gift of all.

Our constant exposure to information is a privilege that we don’t acknowledge enough. Often I find myself “Googling” things that I don’t know and immediately I am enlightened by the thousands of sources willing to take me out of the dark.

I can’t imagine having to do research simply through books and without the friendly aid of a search engine. We have the world at our disposal, waiting to be discovered slowly through our curiosities. Like everything in life, there is a flip side to that, but again, I believe that what we can gain is superior to what we lose. The amount of knowledge that we acquire simply by “site-hopping” is incredible.

We have access to so much more information than we can handle, and it’s all there, waiting to be read. The Internet opened a door to a whole universe of critical thinking. People are now able to share their opinions and comment on the opinions of others through comment sections and blogs.

Information that had to wait for the sunrise to come out along with newspapers now can be instantaneously posted and instantaneously accessed.

The Internet has not only shaped our lives but our ways of thinking as well. It has made us greedy, but also satisfied our appetites. We have more information, more friends, more conversations and more entertainment, but also we have more of the world at our disposal. More power is given to the individual, because in the Internet, we are all equal. We have access to the same sites and the same information. We can make a difference through the power of our opinions. Most importantly, it has made the world smaller by connecting us to each other and making our lives easier.

point of view

What is Lost by Being Online Seeking quality, not quantity

U

nless you’ve been living under a rock for the last two decades, you’ve probably heard about the Internet. If you happen to be one such person, as unlikely as it is, you’ve missed out. The Internet has been revolutionary in the way we access information, communicate and even shop. Some people seem to find that the Internet is the greatest thing since sliced bread. Poor unfortunate souls. The Internet isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I admit, I am a frequent user, and, yes, if I am on a computer and the Internet is down, I don’t know what to do. And no, I’d never dream of sending a postcard when I have email. But there are some things sacrificed in favor of this practicality. Spending so much time online doesn’t even come close to being as fulfilling as reality. I hate to break it to you, Internet lovers, but sliced bread still takes the cake.

What with all those nifty little functions, we can communicate easily and almost instantly with everyone else on the planet. Now we can catch up with that random person we met once somewhere long ago. Great, but what about the people AROUND us? How many people feel abandoned by their friends, who prefer their online companions to themselves?

What with online identities, constant profile maintenance, and just plain old fashioned online socializing (an oxymoron if ever there was one), we find that we have less time for our more personal relationships. It’s great that we can keep up with the few distant people we really care about, but there are other ways to do so with those so much closer. What’s more personal, a Wall post on Facebook or a phone call? What can you do through text that you can do vocally or in person?

What ends up happening is that relationships become fragmented texts in which nothing is really said. I’m not advocating abandoning your massive contact and friend lists, but asking that you realize that you are isolating yourself from those closest to you, both physically and emotionally.

In the article right across the page, Vicky said that you can find anything on the Internet. Some might say if you haven’t, then you haven’t looked hard enough—I can’t remember exactly who said that, because, I found it on the Internet. This is another key issue: the amount of information versus the credibility and depth of the information. Websites can be started up by anyone and anything can be written in them. In no way do online sources or databases possess the credibility of written ones. Teachers’ attacks on the studentfavorite Wikipedia are well founded; anyone can edit the in-

Martin Shores formation we access. The solution? The one that the same Wiki-hating teachers keep going on about: read a book! All that knowledge can’t quite be condensed into pixels. There’s a perfectly good reason for vast libraries to be kept all over the world, both public and private. Sure you can come across just about any random scrap of useless information by typing in a few keywords, but what good does it do you in the end?

If you want to do some REAL research, use the library. Don’t get me wrong, I love Wikipedia, and I wouldn’t even think of doing any form of research without the anonymous contributors of this free online encyclopedia. But with the Internet, recognize that it’s more quantity than quality.

This is where I will deviate slightly into larger societal criticisms, but bear with me for a while, because I guarantee it’s related. Our modern lifestyles are a direct result of the industrial revolution. Even most of our problems (the larger, more meaningful ones, such as poverty and global warming, not boy/girl trouble) can be traced back to that explosion of production. This idea that speed is of primary importance is also born during this time period. Practicality is a major defense for Internet supporters, and in no way are they wrong.

What we would spend hours looking for in a book, we can find in seconds online. And I don’t just mean research for a school project. Read the Lord of the Rings trilogy? No! Not when I have SparkNotes! I’d be lying if I said I have never used SparkNotes or any other form of online summary. No lie, it feels great to have something done quickly and have more spare time. It’s all about practicality, how fast you can get reading Romeo and Juliet before you can get back to something you actually want to do. But the personal connection to the text is lost.

How do you measure the tone, the warmth, the feeling of an online text? The Internet has left us in need of signs and symbols to express our feelings. We are now talking to a screen, not a face. Sarcastic jokes need explanations, as there is no way to tell sarcasm from honesty. We have the emoticons for small semblances of sentiment, MSN downloads broken hearts, tearful smileys, and so on. Emotion has become a colon and a parenthesis, an “x” and a “d.” If we have to resort to punctuations, we have really lost our personal connection in the way we communicate. While it has become easier to connect, actually saying something meaningful has become harder. It’s like looking and not seeing, hearing but not listening. We’re online, yet disconnected.

the talon • 9

point of view

In the Year 2015 Response to the pseudo-documentary that shocked many of us

W

e all saw the video 2015 on Community Read Day, a film which is actually titled Prometheus: the Media Revolution, Part 2. After leaving the auditorium I felt a rush of conflicting emotions. How could something like that be so close to reality? Why is the revolution of the media so scary? Wasn’t it supposed to be a good thing? That same day I went home and searched for the video on YouTube. I found two videos: one was the video we all saw and the second was the first part of the video. I was curious about the first part so I watched it. While Part Two focuses more on how the media is evolving and may until 2015, Part One goes beyond that and states that virtual reality is the most successful and demanding market on the planet. Isn’t that scarier?

Part One was more of a timeline that recorded the events that will shape our future. The timeline ends in 2050 when Second Life (now evolved into Spirit) is bought by Prometeus (a company created by Google). I won’t go into greater detail, so that you can watch it. Part Two, which we saw, focused more on the battle between Microsoft and Google, the latter eventually winning.

The part that shocked me the most about 2015 was the fact that there would no longer be newspapers.

No more “Folha de São Paulo” or “Estado de São Paulo”.

Geekwhat.com Everything would be online. In 2015, it’s most likely that The Talon will be fully online and no longer printed. The Google Grid would make our cybernetic life much easier. How can we live in such a world?

I think most people were freaked out by 2015 because we haven’t evolved to the point were we can live without the printed word. We forget that we will evolve with the media, and adaptation is the only way it can survive, in a way. We are responsible for the Internet growing so fast. We must evolve with the media so that the change won’t be too drastic. That was my initial thought. Then another idea took over. What if we don’t evolve with computers? What if we are left behind and the media eventually takes over our minds?

We would live in a world where computers evolve much fast-

10 • the talon

Jesús Cervantes Ruiz er than we did. We could not adjust and the consequences could be catastrophic: we will be forced to live virtual lives that we can’t take in; our brains will not function correctly.

Eventually, we may catch up but by then we will have already become so empty-headed that thinking woul be a painful process. We would all live virtual lives and stop talking to each other. This is when Fahrenheit 451 comes in. No longer could we make the choice between burners and builders. Instead, we would be posting something new in our blogs.

The ending of 2015 reflects on this. A man sends a picture to his friends to go outside and enjoy the beautiful day. At first that may seem acceptable but when you start thinking about it, it no longer seems right. We can’t look out the window anymore and must be told by our friends that the day is marvelous. Will our lives really turn into that?

The answer is yes. Humans can adapt and we have to the Internet. We are growing even lazier than before. The Atlantic Monthly article “Is Google making us stupid?” tells us that Google is partly responsible for our demise. I heard that the Theory of Knowledge (TOK) students discussed this article in class and the issue is worthy of debate. I have heard mixed reactions about Google. Some believe that it is making us stupid because there is so much information but we no longer need to look for it. All we have to do is click on the first link that is shown to us by the search engine (most of the time it’s Wikipedia). Not only are we growing lazier but we are growing more impatient. If Google takes more than ten seconds then we are frustrated by how slow it is.

Next time you find yourself doing that, try to remember that you no longer have to search books in the library and spend hours just trying to find one or two books on your subject. We don’t need to use the Dewey Decimal System, we have Google. On the other hand, that’s a good thing about Google. We receive so much information that we can search for anything. The draw back to this is that not all things posted on the Internet are true. In August, we were shown 2015, read Fahrenheit 451, and some read “Is Google making us Stupid?” It’s obvious that the teachers are trying to tell us something. We have to be grateful that we are at a point in history where so much information is at our disposal. Maybe 2015 will come true, but don’t be freaked out by it. The best we can do is to evolve with the media and once in a while remind ourselves that it was our decision to make things the way they are now.

point of view

Is Technology Helping or Harming Us? How a miserable couple and a Graded survey shed new light

A

s I sat in a restaurant’s lounge waiting for my table, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for a couple sitting next to me.

The two were clearly having one of the worst dates of their lives. Despite how unfortunate this was for them, the incident showed me a different perspective on how technology influences people’s lives. The woman sat the full twenty minutes that it took them to get a table, blabbering with a friend on her phone without even glancing at her date. On the other hand, the guy was clearly wishing there was a hole where he could throw himself into to avoid the humiliation he was suffering. Since such hole was not available, he appealed to his cell phone as well and started to flip through his messages, trying to pretend the situation was under control. The sweat dripping down his face was a clear indication that it wasn’t.

Now, some would judge the lady guilty for creating such an awkward atmosphere for a date, but I say the blame is on both. If the man at least tried to create conversation before the woman resorted to her phone as a means of distraction, the whole situation could have been avoided. But this social awkwardness is not the aspect I was struck by. What truly fascinated me was how both appealed to their cell phones as a way to dodge the circumstances they were facing. The scene shed new light on the subject because, before, I surely would have argued that the use of their cell phones was just making the situation worse, since it was an even stronger barrier to their verbal communication. But now I can see how it actually shielded this couple from having to face an even more embarrassing scenario, which would have been to sit facing one another without having a thing to say. However I do not know if this is necessarily a good thing. Nevertheless, their situation brought my attention to the endless discussions surrounding the enigma of whether technology damages human relationships or whether it benefits them.

In a survey sent out recently to Graded high school students, 94.7% say they have a Facebook page, 48.9% have an Orkut account, and 30.9% have a MySpace page. Only 0.06% say they do not own an account on any of these “social utility networks.” Of those who do own an account, 13.8% check it

Amanda Rudzit only once a month, 13.8% check it once a week, 38.3% check it once every day and 41.5% check it twice or more each day. The survey also revealed that 5% of high school students claim they don’t own a cell phone, while 78% of students own one mobile, and 21% own two or more. When asked if they considered themselves to be addicted to their cell phones, 17% said yes and 84% said no. Still, 38% of students said they never check their messages during class, while 49% answered they rarely do so; 13% claim they did so often (i.e.once every period), and only 4% said they do so more than three times every period.

The results of this survey show that technology definitely does have an influence in the majority of Graded high school students’ lives. But certainly this is a reality that stretches way beyond our community. According to a CBSNews. com poll, 67% of teenagers worldwide own a cell phone and consider it an important means of communication with their friends.

Many may think that technology makes communication between people much more Nelson Cho impersonal and shallow while it increases in alarming amounts the pace and quantity of information that can be shared. One controversial example is the use of Facebook: I think that it is fantastic, as it is a quick and entertaining way to contact my friends and keep in touch with those who live far away. On the other hand, some argue that it damages relationships because what could be a more personal interaction between two people becomes more shallow and limited.

The debates concerning technology are vigorous: Is the skill of multitasking facilitated by the Internet a good one, or is it distracting, superficial, and unsatisfying? Is the information shared online helping us learn more about our world, or exposing us to people who might have harmful intent? I believe there is no right or wrong answer to any of these questions but certainly that, like everything else in life, the use of technology has its positive and negative effects. It is our duty to control its influence on our lives, so our use of it is balanced and healthy.

the talon • 11

point of view

You’re Inside the System A concern about Graded’s new database

T

he teacher insisted he show us something interesting on the computer before the lesson began. He logged into his laptop, simultaneously projecting his screen onto the whiteboard. He opened the Internet browser and proceeded to a web-based system called Veracross. He warned us that what we saw may be shocking. After typing his username and password, he hit the “login” button.

What followed was jarring, to say the least. The teacher clicked on our class name/block and instantly, our names appeared on the screen; All of us in the room. The teacher then clicked on a student’s name (with her permission), a student with decent grades so as not to embarrass her, and all her information spilled onto the screen: a photo of her, her birthdate, her allergies, her home address, a map to her house (courtesy of Google Maps), even a list of the infractions committed and her grades.

I found out later that the school was testing this new system for storing data regarding the students in one convenient location. All teachers have access, whether they teache the students or not. All that is needed is the click of a button. Before this, the programs used for databases did not communicate well with each other. The many programs used by the administration to track attendance and scheduling were not compatible with the Integrade system used to keep track of our grades. To fix this, the Veracross system was implemented this August. And like it or not, you’re in it.

A few weeks ago, I went to my teacher’s office to ask about a test I had taken earlier in the day. I stepped inside only to find him and a colleague staring at the com-

12 • the talon

Andrew Churchill puter screen with my picture on it. My Veracross account was opened and all my information was visible. One can imagine that this was probably just a very eerie coincidence, and it turns out the teachers were only discussing some error in my grades.

I’ll be honest, though, it was a little strange to see two teachers huddled over a computer staring at some of the data of my life on a screen, but it did not bother me too much; however it did spark a small thought in my head, and this thought was disconcerting. Technology fails. It breaks down. It crashes.

And once it’s connected to the Internet, it’s exposed.

There have been numerous cases of entire databases being hacked. No matter how safely protected information is, once it is online, consider it an aquarium for the world to see. All someone needs is an aptitude with computers and a strong will and nearly Google any system can be hacked. The United States government has had its databases hacked, and they probably were using more advanced defensive technology than Graded.

So if someone asks me why I don’t want all my information online in one place, I won’t say it’s because I don’t want Mr. Huynh snooping through my information, or Ms. Pfeiffer looking at my math grades. Quite frankly, I would not care less if they did so. But I’m not comfortable with this new Veracross system because it is, in my forthright opinion, risky.

And no matter how much easier it makes the lives of teachers or administrators, some may view it as an invasion of privacy and a threat to the safety.

features

Consuming Its Own Kind How progression has led to inverse results

F

ace it. We have reached a point where all of humanity’s work and discoveries are consuming its own kind. Society’s constant need to find something greater, more efficient and more practical has led to more problems than imaginable.

The world has lost sight of the original aim, striving for the better, without focusing on the now. It has been estimated that 1.5 exabytes (1.5 x 10^18 bytes) of new information will be generated around the world this year. This fact may seem to show innovation, but in reality, all that information can be seen as a major threat if misused.

Take the progression of science as an example. There is nothing greater than feeling the alleviation of a pounding headache after the 30 to 40 minutes needed for that single pill to work its wonders. The thought that a single capsule containing some form of remedy which will ease the pain is something remarkable. Antibiotics have saved the lives of millions thanks to the pioneer initiative taken by the British scientist Alexander Fleming in 1928 when he discovered penicillin, the first antibiotic used to cure bacterial infections.

But there is a problem. Because we use antibiotics with such frequency nowadays, bacteria are becoming immune to its effects.

As I learned through Mr. Amaral’s lectures, if we are not certain that something is a bacterial infection, we should avoid the excess consumption of medicine as the bacteria in our body will simply adapt to become immune to its effects and, in turn, lead us to become sicker, more easily. For me, this was a frustrating thought to accept, and one which I couldn’t do much to change. At that moment, I reassured myself that I would not take medicine for any given pain, but only when truly necessary. And yet I wonder, when I find myself in a situation where I feel the urge to, will I, or others for that matter, hold back? A similar thought can be applied to the Internet.

I don’t know what I would do without the Internet.

Its vast amount of information, its efficiency, its practicality, its entertainment and all its other mind-blowing qualities make my everyday life possible. Think of all that is possible with the use of the Internet. The New York Times is able to print more information in a week of its publication than a person was likely to come across in the entire 18th century.

Those who have access to the Internet are exposed to masses of information, and all it takes is a single click. How would

Vivian Lorencatto people answer their 2.7 billion Internet searches performed per month during the B.G. (Before Google) era? Our world is overflowing with information, and yet some wonder whether this is actually making us stupid.

Yes, we have access to masses of information, but is it really enriching our minds? If it’s not in bullet form, simple language or understood in five minutes, then I’m most likely to click on the “back” button and attempt to find the answer on a site with more clear, distinct headings like Wikipedia).

Once I do find manageable information and understand the underlying concept, am I done? Did I learn? Some would argue that the knowledge available on the Internet is diluted to the point that the true essence of the information is missing, whilst others claim that in reality, the simplified information is all that matters anyway.

Nelson Cho

I would not like to think that what I’m learning is superficial, but then again, how else I am supposed to conduct research? Yes, I could resort to the library and read a series of different texts to find what I need, but is this realistic? I’m afraid it’s not, and I’m not speaking just for myself, but also for many who have grown up online and can no longer use the more traditional methods.

These two scenarios, the progression of science and technology, are merely two of the many other things which were once seen as remarkable discoveries, are now creating new problems.

the talon • 13

features

The PGC of 2008 A once in a lifetime experience

I

Ho Jun Yang

t all started with a video shown to the ninth graders in Flex.

Before leaving for the retreat, many did not even know what PGC stood for, let alone expect much of it. People like me were reluctant to lose their weekend. Most students thought that the retreat would be an excuse to miss a day of school, while others thought that it would be a trip filled with leisure time. Then there were many excited 9th graders who believed that the PGC retreat would be a great experience.

But above all, what all ninth graders expected was a weekend filled only with fun, not what was truly to come. Who would have guessed that the trip the freshmen class were about to participate in would be filled with so many emotions and unique experiences?

bringing the freshmen class closer and closer each day. This bonding and formation of trust would have been impossible to gain in a normal day of school, emphasizing how the trip was an irreplaceable experience. The PGC retreat reached its end around 3 o’clock on Sunday, September 7, leaving the freshmen with an amazing journey.

Following are some interviews with 9th graders, asking them what the trip meant for them.

Jesús Cervantes: Q: Did you want to go to PGC? A: Yes, I had no doubt about it.

Q: Would you recommend future 9th grades to participate in the PGC retreat?

A: Yes. You will love it as much as I did if you put your heart into it.

Q: What one word would you describe PGC with?

A: It’s impossible to describe PGC with one word.

Isabella Ryan: Q: Were you planning to go on the PGC trip in the first place?

Nelson Cho

PGC stands for Peer Group Connection. It is a program at Graded that has developed into a rewarding tradition over the years. The program’s purpose, partly, is to better integrate the freshmen into the high school community and to give our first year in high school a memorable start. In addition to integrating the freshmen class into the Graded community, PGC has become a comforting aspect of many of our lives. After being the leaders of the middle school, it is extremely frightening to walk through the high school hallways. Now, I think we all know that there is a senior that we can count on, which is very reassuring. The PGC group this year, consisting of fourteen seniors, has demonstrated excellent leadership. The seniors created a collective and inclusive mood for the freshmen, making many happy to embark on this once in a lifetime opportunity.

During the trip, the freshmen were divided into groups in which many did not feel comfortable. As the complaints unravelled, the trip proceeded. Throughout the weekend, the groups went through a series of activities of all sorts,

14 • the talon

A: I didn’t really want to because people from other grades said they didn’t like it, but I’m very glad I did! It was the best experience I’ve had in a while.

Q: Did you learn something new about yourself?

A: I learned that I judged the people in my group before even knowing them, which is very disappointing because they ended up being great people.

Q: If you could describe PGC in one word, what would it be?

A: That’s really hard. I think I would have to say emotional. I felt everything imaginable. Being with people that I thought had nothing in common with, made me feel something really rewarding. I couldn’t have asked for a better group, for better leaders or for a better retreat.

As a final word, I would like to say that I also enjoyed it tremendously. I really recommend it to any future ninth graders because this experience is something that can’t be articulated in words. It’s an experience that can only be understood when participated in.

features

Offline Graded A look behind the scenes

“E

hauheuaheuaheuah.” No, I wasn’t really laughing. In fact, I haven’t moved a single muscle in my face while pressing e, h, a, and u. Just like how a typical online conversation doesn’t show much about real feelings, online events that you see everyday do not show the whole truth. For anything to be online, there needs to be an offline. It’s not only about the front stage where the spotlight shines.

It’s not only about the lead actor. It’s about the offline; the back-stage.

Did you ever stop to think how many people are working to make your day offline? Let’s take five seconds and count them.

Just in school, there are more than 300 people working for you, sacrificing their time and sweat to make your day work. You. This is where you glance over the number and flip the page. Three-zero-zero is just a number to your naked eyes. In the last edition, Melanie and Amanda published “Graded in Numbers” where they showed then numbers of things and people required to make it work. Here’s a brief summary of what really goes on, or rather, off.

Last night, when you took a shower and went to bed complaining about the unmanageable workload, there was a guard walking around the school during his shift and more guards at each gate, telling jokes to each other through their walkie-talkies to keep themselves awake. By the time you fell asleep, six members of the maintenance crew had just finished cleaning up the A3 lab and organizing classrooms.

And don’t forget the trash they had to pick up that you left in the hallways or the cell phone they had to take to the lostand-found because you left it below your desk. Now they are on their way to the 18 bathrooms, boys’ and girls’, to wipe

Nelson Cho the floor and replace the papers. After four hours of cleaning up your trash, they go home. But the guards don’t. While you spend the “not-enough hours” sleeping, the guards spend what seems like an eternity awake. Near the end of this eternity, the maintenance crew makes their way to school, while the transportation crew arrives at your home. By the time you go to school and are on your way to your locker, 20 people in cafeteria are already peeling onions, washing apples, cutting meat, boiling water and checking and re-checking ingredients. Oops, I forgot to tell you that you forgot to greet the guards Nelson Cho that stayed up all night just so you could come through the gates safely.

At 8:10, you sit in your desks and look at the white board, both of which are continually being replaced by the maintenance crew. You don’t notice that the door-knob that was broken yesterday is now fixed or that the walls which were once filled with your graffiti are now painted. An hour ago, 57 employees were sitting at their desks working to begin the school day and making sure everything runs smoothly.

The secretaries, the photo copy center, the reception, the nursery, the cashier, the snack bar, the library, the accountant office and many others, turned on their lights before you were even fully awake.

Offline work doesn’t stop there. It is going on while you read this article and will continue after you leave this campus. All of this work to keep this institution alive and your offline world running.

the talon • 15

features

Unforgettable Gentlemen Some questions for Graded’s new guys Melanie Vladimirschi Thomaz Paes

Michael Calvo

Richard Joo

Grade: 9 Coming from New York Q: How many hours a day do you spend online?

A: I spend around 2 hours.

Grade: 9 Coming from Cincinnati, originally from Switzerland Q: How did it feel not having a computer at home because of your shipment?

A: It felt awful. It was the worst sensation in the world.

Grade: 11 Coming from PACA Q: Do you think the Internet is good or bad considering the fact that people are so dependent on it?

A: It’s good to a certain extent; it helps you keep up with demands that society makes upon you. On the other hand, people are becoming each time more addicted to the Internet, so much so that they end up excluding themselves not only socially, but it keeps them from doing many other things that would be beneficial as well.

Gabriel Dias Grade: 10 Coming from Singapore, originally from Brazil Q: Do you prefer orkut or Facebook?

A: Facebook, because I can talk to my friends in Singapore easily and because I’m very used to the site. Also, I like the applications on it and I’m addicted to Jetman and things like that.

16 • the talon

Alex Felsberg Grade: 10 From Brazil, but coming from St. Paul’s Q: If your computer were limited to only one website, what would it be?

A: www.globoesporte.com.br

Matt Reinhart Grade: 11 Coming from Kennett Square, Pennsylvania in the states Q: How many times average, per day, would you say you go on Facebook? Would you consider it an addiction?

A: I probably go on Facebook about 5-7 times a day. It really isn’t an addiction at all. It’s just something to do when you’re done with your homework or chores. It’s a time where you can sit down, relax, and “socialize.”

features

The Year 2038

The future of our electronic lives

T

he computer made a whirring noise and stopped. She glanced at the flashing screen and rolled her eyes.

“I’m not ready!” She muttered, but the increasingly loud electronic shriek was too noisy to ignore and the girl quickly retuned to the screen.

“Students, please submit your calculations.” The voice was computerized and rigid, and was constantly demanding work from the pupils. After submitting her calculations to the machine in front of her, the girl anticipated her next assignment. A monotonous blare and the shutting down of her program came instead. Finally, school was over.

She pushed the promising scarlet button in front of her and watched as the menu rolled up. Then, she selected the pancake with strawberries and chocolate fudge. With it, a tall glass of skim, lactose-free milk. As she awaited her afternoon banquet, she touched her stubby fingers to the screen and drew a building with television screens as walls and a mechanical dog running around. Suddenly, the doorbell of her bedroom rang and a frail woman wearing an apron carried in the tray that held the pancakes. The Getty Images maid left the food on the desk and scurried off, without saying a word to the girl who sat unblinking in front of the computer.

As the 195-pound girl ate her snack while staring at her wall, which was playing a comedy, her mother stood in the kitchen and programmed the menu for the following two days. Once she selected the grilled salmon with vegetables and sautéed potatoes, the screen displayed the recipe and she saved it to that day’s dinner. Soon after, the middle-aged mother drew the grocery list onto the screen and, on another webpage, selected the items she needed one by one.

She simply had to click and the groceries would be at her house in a matter of minutes. Smiling delicately, the woman

Georgia Caldart retreated to her bedroom to shop online for herself and her daughter. What did it matter if imported goods took almost a whole week to arrive, she thought.

The teenage girl, who was now playing games online, struggled greatly to ignore her nagging mother, who insisted in popping up on her screen while she played. Giving up, she paused her virtual tennis match to answer the woman’s call.

“Sweetheart, do you know what time it is? It’s past four o’clock,” said the woman’s genuinely concerned face through the webcam.

“Yes, mother dear, I know.”

“Aren’t you a tad late for your dance lessons, pumpkin?” The mother furrowed her eyebrows when the girl rolled her eyes.

“Now, now, darling, I thought we had discussed this.

Ballet is important for your peace of mind and soul. And I thought you had said you liked it! Please, sweetie, go. Do this for your old mother.” The pixilated face shut off and a large room with a young woman dressed in tights and a leotard came on.

So glad you could join us, Kathy! Read the subtitles on the screen. Why don’t we start today’s lesson with a plié?

The girl answered with a nod and stood up. As the music began, she bent her knees and straightened them, in first, second and fifth position. Her arms she left by the side of her body, since the computer sensor could not capture movement from her hips up. The lesson continued with Kathy copying what the teacher demonstrated, and cheating whenever she had the chance. Forty-five minutes later, Kathy was panting from standing on her toes for so long.

While Kathy sweated through her ballet lesson, her seven-year-old brother stared into his own monitor. He was laughing hysterically as he watched his opponent wither on the floor after being shot. Another game began and, just as he had the other time, he shot all his enemies dead, between peals of laughter.

At eight o’clock sharp all monitors in the bedrooms shut off. Both the children recognized this to mean that dinner was set on the table. They carried their lazy bodies over to the dining room, which was used only once a day for supper. There sat the whole family together: mother, father, daughter and son. For the first time that day, they greeted each other and ate together like a real family.

the talon • 17

features

Who are You Online?

The dangers of the Internet

A

re you a member of Facebook, MySpace, or any other social network? It is almost impossible to live in today’s technological world without text messaging your friends or surfing the Internet for hours, if not days. People, old and young, communicate, meet and learn about each other by posting their profiles and pictures online. But who are you online? And do you really know the people you meet online? Chances are, if you have a fake self online, the stranger you are talking to might well be fake. That is, everyone can be anyone online.

According to the PBS program Frontline, the Internet has radically “transformed” the experience of childhood.

While some use the Internet for appropriate purposes such as research, others abuse it to invade other people’s privacy.

Free from protection, adolescents create a virtual society online, revealing their identities to strangers and sometimes online predators.

The majority of the people who use the Internet forget that they are exposing themselves when chatting to strangers about their lives, feelings and homes, making it easy for predators to take advantage of this naiveté. Predators lure vulnerable targets to engage in sexual conversations and then expose them to unwanted sexual materials. Statistics show that one out of five children has been sexually solicited online. According to one survey, more than half of teenagers said that they had a friend who physically met someone they first met through chatting online.

Despite the risks, there are many who gain their fame through the Internet. For instance, in South Korea there are many celebrities such as Hae Sun Ku and Han Byur Park, who reached their current level of fame through the online world. Before becoming well known celebrities, both posted pictures of themselves on their homepages, initially merely for their friends to see. Little did they know these photos would reach a much wider public, attracting not only a lot of fans but also, large players in the entertainment business. In Korean, there is a word used to describe such famous figures who achieve fame through the Internet. The word “all-zzang,” meaning “best faces,” is given to those who end up winning the interests of the entertainment agencies and management companies through the Internet. These all-zzangs have acting ca-

18 • the talon

Jeong Min Kwak reers and appear in numerous well-known films and dramas.

While these celebrities project a rather optimistic and positive light to the power of the media, there is still a tragic side. On the 21st of January 2007, Yoo Ni, a Korean singer, committed suicide. Yoo Ni did not win public support and was, therefore, constantly criticized and attacked by “anti-fans”; a term used to describe those with critical and usually groundless views. Their cruel and bitter charges soon grew into a rampant rumor, causing Yoo Ni indescribable psychological pain.

Yoo Ni’s death highlights the consequences of “cyberbullying” and “cyber-harassment”. These two terms describe a situation wherein a person is tormented, threatened and harassed by another using the Internet or any other form of digital technology. The use of technology in cases like these is far crueler than real life confrontations since in these scenarios, words are used more freely. Typed insults can be read and reread over and over again, whereas spoken words can come in one ear and easily leave through the other. To make matters worse, online verbal attacks and insults are often open for everyone to see, magnifying the level of humiliation and disgrace.

The power of technology is growing everyday. Once we lose control over its power, the online world can turn into a place not only for friends, but for abuse.

Nelson Cho

entertainment

Graded’s Brightest Star A little more about “Graded’s #1 Stalker”

H

Cássia Di Roberto ow did you get started with theater?

volved. Thousands and thousands and thousands of students

Ever since I was little, I have always been fascinated by the-

became involved for the first time in theater with me. My

ater. I watched my first musical when I was very young and

biggest claim to fame from my original teaching placement

have been amazed by it ever since. In school, I was always in-

in Portland, Oregon, was that we would do musicals with a

volved with theater and that developed my passion even more.

cast of 600. They were these giant, mega-musicals, just enor-

I started taking piano lessons when I was very young and that

mous spectacle productions. These were all big things, but

contributed to my liking of theater. My brothers and I were

they, point being, introduced so many people to theater, or

all musical to some

better yet, so many

degree, but I was

students to theater.

clearly

Many of them went

the

most

musical. I also grew

onto

up in a small town,

theater, but even

so going to the big-

the ones who didn’t

ger cities that were

seemed to enjoy

nearby,

watch

it, appreciate it as

High School Theater,

one of their best

or big productions,

experiences. Over-

or

Commu-

all I’m also proud of

nity Theater, would

getting such an ex-

just be so exciting.

cessive number of

It was like entering

students, compared

even

to

this magical world.

Nelson Cho

At the same time I

to

professional

many

other

teachers, involved.

was also taking piano lessons and starting to compose my own

I guess that’s one of my claims to fame. It’s great because,

music. It just seemed to naturally fall into place.

as opposed to many other teachers, so many kids have been involved in my productions.

What made you want to choose theater as a career path?

It was my passion. Before that, I actually wanted to be a

Out of all these students is there one that stands out the

spy (chuckles). That was my first goal. And then, of course,

most?

I wanted to be a movie star. Everyone wanted to be a movie

Oh, one of the most prominent ones was a fellow named Jay

star! But then I finally realized theater was in my future.

Frank, who graduated from Grant High School, in Portland.

There was a time where I was going to major in journalism

He was the winner of a presidential scholarship of the arts.

in college, but I thought, no, this isn’t where my passion

He wrote the top play in the nation and it even went on to

is. Theater is my true passion. So I just had to stick with

have professional performances. Out of all the students in

that.

the United States, he was the top playwright. We got to go to the White House because of it. I ended up getting an award

What are you most proud of, in all your years of theater?

called Distinguished Teacher (proud smile). He also went on

Well probably I’m most proud of the fact that I have intro-

to be on MTV and he’s now a broadcast journalist, and still

duced probably hundreds, or even thousands, of students to

does theater. I’ve had a lot of students who work in Hol-

theater. Well, as you know, last year was my 200th produc-

lywood, New York, and all over the world as actors, singers,

tion and within those, so many students of all ages were in-

dancers, models, news journalists, every sort of thing. They

the talon •19

entertainment are not necessarily famous, but working people. Another one

excited by it. So that was a great production where everyone

of my former students writes screenplays. He makes a million

became really close and the students keep in touch until to-

dollars for each screenplay he writes. His most prominent

day because of it. It was that kind of experience where you

film is Black Hawk Down. He was the writer for that, and he

say, “Remember when?!”

was one of my students. I had other students who went to work for David Letterman, one is currently working for Ellen

If there’s anything you would change about your experi-

DeGeneres, others have been on shows such as CSI and Des-

ence in theater, what would you change?

perate Housewives. It’s not so much about the fame and the

Oh well, there are so many times where you say, “If only I had

glory, but about doing what you love. So many students that

done that…” or “If I only had more time!” The thing about

have been interested, have been able to succeed and work in

theater is that there is only a finite amount of time and you

the theater business for a living. But don’t get me wrong, I’ve

can’t always control every factor, whether it be money, or

also had my fair share of students that weren’t so prominent,

weather, or even if the performers are having a bad night.

and haven’t always been able to be so successful, and have

You know, you can’t remember a lot of what you regret, but

gone through some dry spells. They would then have to work

rather the best part of it all. Sometimes, you end up having

at another job, but always ended up going back to theater.

to do many musicals over and over. For example Grease, is the show I’ve done the most. I have done eight different pro-

Do you keep in touch with these students?

ductions of Grease, at different places. Each time you do it,

Oh, with all of them! I also know that I had a very strong

you find yourself improving it a little bit more.

influence; they are not where they are because of me, but because I helped. They had to have the passion, true, but

Do you have any experience outside of theater working on

sometimes it takes a matter of someone saying, “You can

something else?

do it!” or “Yes you can.” I was often that person, while also

Yes, on film, the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus, I was choreog-

helping them polish their skills and so on. Helping to push

rapher for that. A lot of my students were also involved in

them to a direction where they could go.

that. It had a lot to do with the film taking place in my high school where I was teaching. So I worked very closely with

Out of all these productions which one was your favorite?

the production, helping them with whatever they needed. In

Out of all my 200 productions, which one was my favorite?

the end they hired me to be the choreographer because they

Let me think which one was the most exciting. Well Fiddler

saw my mega-production of My Fair Lady, so they said, “We

on the Roof was the largest. Maybe the most exciting was the

want you!” My credit in the movie is choreographer, but I did

production of The Music Man, my first mega-musical with a

lots of other things with film too, so that’s my more extensive

cast of hundreds. It was just, kind of a beyond belief spec-

film work. I’ve done professional theater, semi-professional

tacle. There was a big finale in The Music Man, with the song

theater, community theater, college theater, dinner theater!

76 Trombones, so for my finale I had 76 trombonists on stage,

Film and television are fun, money’s good; they always have

playing 76 trombones. That’s the sort of thing I would do for

good food on the film sets. However, it doesn’t have the same

the spectacle. That was definitely the most exciting. I got

reward to me as theater does.

so much attention for that! But that’s okay because we love attention!

This year’s musical…

What is your best theater memory?

Can you describe Soirée Encore to us?

Oh well, Music Man wasn’t my best theater memory, but it

Soirée Encore is a collection, or a musical revue, which is

certainly created some excitement. I did a production of a

nothing more than a collection of songs, scenes, dances, and

show, which was a musical called A Hollywood Story. So I

comedies, that have no relation to each other, there’s no

composed the songs and wrote the lyrics. My students and

story. It’s an evening of just glamorous entertainment, some

I produced it at my high school; that was such a unique ex-

dramatic, mostly comedic, all related to music, but not nec-

perience, having my students produce it with me, and be so

essarily Broadway music; some pop music is involved. It’s,

20• the talon

entertainment again, just sheer entertainment. The other goal with it is

teachers as well, but there has to be one person who’s in

that I’ve built it as a community musical, not a high school

charge, to make sure it all happens, and that’s me. People

musical, a community musical. So I’m involving high school

often ask me what I do after the show’s all directed and cho-

students, middle school and lower school students, teach-

reographed. I say that my job is just to say “Go!” and it bet-

ers, parents, and alumni. Adding all of this together forms

ter be ready by then.

our community. So the whole goal is to make us feel good, working together for the excitement of theater. I also like

How were the auditions for the musical and how did you

the part where the older students help the younger students.

run them?

Often elementary students will hero-worship the older stu-

In this case I’m inviting people to be involved; it’s not a situa-

dents. You know, this is sort of like me. When I was a child

tion where you either will be or not. Everyone will get a part,

I looked up to the high school students doing theater in my

it’s just a matter of choosing who will get the parts, and you

small town, so I wanted to do that. So it’s a really good ex-

have to fit the parts. On some cases I hand-picked songs to fit

ample for this situation.

the 11th grade and 12th grade “stars” of the school, always leaving room for new students too. It’s typical, just like in

How did you come about the idea for this year’s musical?

sports for JV and Varsity; in theater you give privilege to the

Well in this case, you’re choosing songs and dances that seem

older students who have had more experience.

to tailor the talent that you have available, so you choose pieces that will help show off those talents you have, first

Why do expect this year’s musical to be the biggest musical

for the high school students, then later the middle school

ever at Graded? And what will you do to achieve this?

students. It’s easier with a musical revue to involve more

First of all the number of people— make sure everyone is

people who have different jobs in our community. In interna-

welcome. We have had the biggest turnout of high school

tional schools there isn’t much time to do a giant production.

students ever, which is excellent. Now I’m in the process of

Something like Fiddler on the Roof would take more time. In

process of picking production staff, so I don’t know the num-

an American high school everybody lives close to the school

ber yet. But adding cast and production staff together, it will

so the rehearsals have an easier schedule. In international

probably be the biggest musical at Graded. Also making sure

schools, you often have people living very far away, so you

it has good production elements, nice lighting, and nice cos-

can’t just have that much rehearsal time. Last year, we did

tumes. You spend a lot of time looking at details to make sure

a fairly dramatic musical, Cabaret, or a story musical. This

everything runs smoothly. This isn’t like Broadway where you

time I wanted to do something different. Also my first musical

can spend a million dollars, but with what you can spend, you

here was Soirée, so I wanted to achieve that same excite-

make it look like you’ve spent that amount. So it’s the big-

ment again this year with an encore. This time, however, the

gest show in the sense of numbers of people, good production

whole community will be involved.

elements, and creating a sense of excitement, and spectacle with music.

What do you expect opening night to be like?

Exciting! Just like with the first Soirée, people were saying, “Such a buzz of excitement! What’s this new exciting thing?”

I’m hoping everyone will want to come see it.

What are your responsibilities as a theater director?

For this particular musical I’m the director and the choreographer throughout most of it. Some of it will be done by students. I’m also a producer in the sense that I have to oversee everything: costumer, music, lighting, props, and so on. Of course though, just like in regular theater, you don’t do everything by yourself. I have many students to help me, other

Nelson Cho

the talon •21

entertainment

A Second Opinion The Talon’s new advice column Anonymous High School Teacher Do you have a dilemma that needs a second opinion? Problems with your love life? Trying to coexist with a demanding parent? Wondering where you should go to college?

Why not ask the candid advice of a high school teacher?

Submit your questions for the next edition’s column to the red folder in the Writing Center.

Dear Second Opinion, My friend and I keep falling for the same person. I get too shy and she ends up “winning.” What do I do?

Thanks, Sick of “Losing” Dear Sick of “Losing,” Is it possible that your friend falls for the same person as you because she wants to be more like you? Perhaps sharing the same taste in potential romantic interests makes the person feel as though she has the great taste you seem to have. On the other hand, these repetitive situations might also be a wake-up call for you to take more risks and be the first one to make your move – you never know what is possible unless you step up and find out for yourself.

Just a Second Opinion

Dear Second Opinion, My dad has come down with a bad case of the “Nice Guy.” In one day, my brother spent the money that was supposed to last a month. At first my dad yelled at my brother, and rightfully so, but a few hours later he apologized. I think this will just encourage my brother to do it again. Should I talk to my dad or let it be?

Sincerely, Frustrated Sister Dear Frustrated Sister, In all honesty, your father is an adult and must be responsible for his actions. While you have your heart in the right place, it doesn’t seem like it’s your place to solve his “problem.” It probably couldn’t hurt but how, exactly, would you like your father to respond if you did, in fact, pursue this talk? If you think it would make you feel better to say something then it certainly is your choice. But be careful— sometimes our hearts are in the right place but when the expected outcome isn’t what we hoped for, we can find ourselves more frustrated than we were before.

Just a Second Opinion

22• the talon

Dear Second Opinion, I would like to know if a college admissions officer would be more likely to accept a person whose college essay talks about loss.

Curiously, Moi Dear Moi, If the essay asks for you to write about an experience that perhaps changed you or helped you grow somehow, then the topic of loss might very well be an effective topic. However, if you are writing such an essay to arouse sympathy, be careful — college admissions officers can smell manipulation quite easily, and if you don’t sound sincere in sharing such a difficult and sad experience, you could very well hurt your changes instead of winning them over.

Just a Second Opinion

entertainment Dear Second Opinion, There seems to be no way to escape my world revolving around school. I wake up in the morning already stressed out from school! Do you have any advice on my situation?

Sincerely, School’s My World Dear School’s My World, Graded certainly offers a great deal in terms of curricular and extracurricular activities. Sometimes the temptation of getting too involved puts your personal life and/or well-being at stake. My only advice is to find a balance between what needs to be done and what you want to get done while ensuring you take care of your mental, physical, and psychological wellbeing. There is no quick fix to these situations – obviously you are not alone. But ask yourselves these questions, honestly: Are you using your time wisely? Do you take too many breaks between tasks such as checking out Facebook or spending a lot of time on MSN? Do you allow for fun during the weekend BUT use some of that time to catch-up? You are blessed to have so many opportunities at your disposal but you should also try to appreciate all that life has to offer. Strike that balance – only you can truly make the necessary choices.

Just a Second Opinion Dear Second Opinion, When I’m depressed, I eat candy and get fat. But I’m depressed because of this. What should I do?

Candy Person Dear Candy Person, From the outset, let me tell you that often students feel depressed. You are not alone. But the question remains what to do about it. Depression is a deep-rooted problem, and there may be facets of your bouts of depression that need the attention of a professional. You probably already know this, but eating poorly certainly doesn’t make anyone feel good. It can be temporarily satisfying (hence the expression “comfort food”) but this positive feeling is so fleeting, and in the long run only serves to punish with feelings of self-loathing. While I don’t offer a quick remedy for such a serious issue, I will ask you to perhaps write down what you do well, who are your friends and why they like you, and then step back and see if you can find those qualities in yourself. You seem in touch with your feelings so you are already on the right path. Be kind to yourself— maybe treat yourself to a day of shopping— but whatever you choose to do, remember that you are worth the effort, that yours is the only opinion that counts, and be a kind and gentle friend to yourself. You deserve this.

Just a Second Opinion

All photos from Getty Images

the talon •23

entertainment

What’s Happening in São Paulo Places and events worth knowing about Carlo Neumark and Vicky Steinbruch Royal Rua da Consolação, 222 3255-6413 Women: R$40 Men: R$60 Wednesday through Saturday A lounge with British atmosphere, Royal usually hosts many celebrities. It has a couple of tables, a dance floor and many “camarotes.” The walls are black with replicas of Picasso’s drawings, as well as quotes from the book Decameron by Bocaccio. The low-key illumination and the leather sofas carry the purpose of giving a vintage feel to the place. Graded students are often seen there on Saturdays when DJ Zé Pedro floods the club with Brazilian songs remixed with house beats. It can get very full on peak nights. Very full. It is also

Heaven

the house of internationally acclaimed DJ Felipe Venancio.

Rua Agusta, 3000

Obaoba

Esquina com Estados Unidos 3083-3264 Wednesday through Friday This São Paulo favorite has reopened after three years of “reformas.” Located in the heart of Jardins, it plays mostly hip hop and house music. It is open Wednesday through Friday starting at 10:30pm. The price is R$60 for women and R$120 for men. Being a great place to have lots of fun, many Graded students can be found during their weekend escapades. It is advisable to have names on the list or a table since it can get really crowded at the door. The price is a bit high but this can be attributed to the club’s novelty. Many speculate that soon, Photobucket

once the hype dies down, the price will go down as well.

Ritz Famous for having arguably the best burger in São Paulo, this celebrated restaurant is considered very laid back despite the great quality of its food. The waiters are often university students. It has a delicious menu, with a focus on sandwiches and salads. The appetizers are amazing, especially the “croquetes” and the “bolinhos de arroz.” It is open every day of the week for both lunch and dinner. The price range is from R$25 to R$36 per person.

24• the talon

Arcoweb

entertainment Yabany Rua Professor Atílio Innocenti, 53 3078-7773 Monday through Saturday Some of the best Japanese cuisine in São Paulo can be found here, along with a trendy decor. A great place to meet new people, the restaurant is filled with teenagers and young adults. The “combinado do chefe” is one of the restaurant’s specialties. It consists of assorted types of sushi, sashimi and other rolls arranged as the chef pleases. Another hit is the Colibri

salmon “temaki crispy,” a delicious cone shaped roll with a crispy topping over the salmon. The price range is from R$30 to R$60 per person.

Skye Av. Brigadeiro Luis Antônio, 4700 Open daily for lunch and weekends for dinner This chic sushi bar is located on the roof of the Hotel Unique.

Known for its amazing view over Ibirapuera Park, Skye is also famous for its unique atmosphere, in which one can enjoy lounge music while sitting in front of a red-lit pool. The spectacular view is not all: the hotel has amazing modern architecture and is commonly referred to as a “watermelon” due to its circular dark windows and half-circle-shaped green structure. Be sure to dress fashionably, and enjoy the presence of a mix of handsome foreigners and Brazilians, while eating well -prepared food.

raiapintada.blogspot.com

TIM Festival Parque Ibirapuera, 21-27 October 2008

Unique because of its international guests, this festival will take place between the 21-27 October 2008, in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. Confirmed for this event are Kanye West, MGMT, The National, Gogol Bordello, Carla Bley, Esperanza Spalding, Sonny Rollins, Stacey Kent, Klaxons, The Gossip, and Paul Weller. The main event will be Kanye West with his notorious show “Glow In The Dark,” which will take place on 22 October.

www.timfestival2008.com.br

the talon •25

entertainment

Live to Eat: Snickerdoodle Cookies The snack that provokes nostalgia and pride

Ms. Mary Pfeiffer

I

t was a simple email, a request of my fellow American high school teachers: “Have you ever had a snickerdoodle?”

I was surprised at the fast and furious responses. My request provoked gentle nostalgia by some, and passionate regionalism by others. Since most of the teachers chose “Reply All,” it became one of those online group experiences. First, the proud familiarity: Mr. Ajemian: Even to this day, me at 38, my mom will make them before I come home for a visit. She never mentions she made cookies, but she has them stored in an old-fashioned cookie jar (in the shape of a hen wearing an apron). Then at some point I stumble across them, and she gives me this look, just like she did when I was 12, snooping around for sweets! It’s our own little tradition.

Mr. Pagenkopf: Okay, now I’m hungry for “grandma’s snickerdoodles.” I have no clue where the word comes from but my grandma used to make them all the time. We loved them as little kids because they had cinnamon and sugar on them and because we liked saying the word “snickerdoodle.” I still have my grandma’s recipe for snickerdoodles in the cookbook she gave all her grandkids for Christmas many years ago.

Mr. Lewis: I’m a big snickerdoodle fan. I don’t remember my mom making snickerdoodles, although she was a master cookie maker (think 20-40 dozen Christmas cookies of all shapes, sizes, and flavors, hundreds of metal cookie cutters at home). When my wife Solange went to the States before we met, she lived with a family where the mom baked snickerdoodles. When we met, I tried one, loved it, and promptly got the recipe. Ever since then I make snickerdoodles often with my kids, and they LOVE them!

Ms. McClelland: I remember snickerdoodles from potluck dinners in our small-town Upper Midwest prairie church basement, and Girl Scout meetings, where almost all the women/mothers were of the Good Housekeeping/Betty Crocker clan, who got recipes from magazines, cereal boxes, and from each other. In my family, we mostly made chocolate chip, oatmeal, and ginger snap cookies, so snickerdoodles were a special treat when we attended community events. I love anything with cinnamon!

Mr. Condon: I grew up with snickerdoodles. I’m not sure if my mother or grandmother initially turned me on to their doughy delight, but my brother and I would put them away. I always associated them with Fourth of July and patriotism, not that my family celebrated either day or idea.

The passionate regionalism and ethnocentricity came

26• the talon

from—well, let’s say that they are normally thoughtful people.

I’ll just quote them verbatim: Mr. Bair: My mom makes the best ones in the entire world. Western Pennsylvania is a haven for snickerdoodle-making folks and we take great pride in our cookies.

Mr. Lippman: I think California is too hip for snickerdoodles. Never had them.

Mr. Berg: Not to mention, snickerdoodles are decidedly for the goyim.

Mr. Lippman: I mean had it been hamantashen or macaroons, I would be OK.

Josh Berg

Mr. Lewis: In Wisconsin, hip is just a projection of the pelvis and upper thigh bone on each side of the body.

Mr. Ajemian: I think Lippman has had them [in California], but they were vegan with wheat germ and a sugar substitute, maybe even organic. Just not the same.

Fortunately this Snickerdoodle War of Wars lasted just an hour or so.

Then there were the snickerdoodle clueless, like Mr. Watlington, who responded, “Never heard of them. Were they invented before the internet?” Yes, Mr. Watlington, well before you graced this sweet old world. The fascinating website Food Timeline tells me that snickerdoodle-type cookies have been around since Roman times, and that’s not surprising since its ingredients are the basic trinity of butter, flour, and sugar. In Medieval Europe, a similar cookie was called a jumble, with Germans adding spices to their version. European immigrants then brought this culinary heritage to the northern New World.

Snickerdoodle recipes are found in American cookbooks of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, but there is debate about whether it is of New England (and therefore English) or Pennsylvania Dutch (German) origin. Here’s what is (un)known about the cookie’s origin and name: • “Snickerdoodle. A New England cookie made with flour, nuts, and dried fruits. The name is simply a nineteenth-century nonsense word for a quickly made confection.” (John F. Mariani’s Encyclopedia of American Food and Drink) • “Snickerdoodle. Originating in 19th century New England, this whimsically named cookie has a characteristically crackly surface and can be either crisp or soft...The name appears to have no particular meaning or purpose.” (Sharon Tyler Herbst’s Food Lover’s Companion) • “I do not know the origin of the name, but it has been pro-

entertainment posed that it is of German origin and derived from the word ‘schnecken,’ i.e. sticky buns.” (Craig Claiborne’s The New York Times Food Encyclopedia) • “Snickerdoodle, a biscuit made from a creamed mixture enlivened with nutmeg, nuts, and raisins. It is a specialty of the Pennsylvania Dutch, a community with many sweet biscuit and cookie recipes.” (Alan Davidson’s Oxford Companion to Food)

My mother Gweneth’s handwritten recipe file rests in a cupboard in Red Wing, Minnesota, so I cannot be 100% sure which snickerdoodle recipe she used in order to draw me out of my bedroom with the redolence of warm cinnamon-adorned cookies. Without her to call, I sought out the wisdom of others, and after quite a lot of research and recipe comparisons, I settled on two trusted sources: Martha Stewart and the Good Housekeeping recipe book. I recently made both, and discovered that both are really good. No losers there. But as in an election, there must be a winner. I prefer the Good Housekeeping recipe for this reason: the raw dough tastes better, and dough-eating is a cornerstone of cookie-baking.

One unusual item in the ingredients is cream of tartar, considered by many to be an essential in snickerdoodles. According to O-Chef, which is a great source for cooking questions, “Cream of tartar is obtained when tartaric acid is half neutralized with potassium hydroxide, transforming it into a salt. Grapes are the only significant natural source of tartaric acid.” Cream of tartar is the white unsalty salt-like crystals on the inside top of wine or on the cork—it may ruin the drinking experience of a fine wine, but it’s quite harmless. In baking, cream of tartar helps prevent sugar from crystallizing, stabilize egg whites and create an overall creamy texture. Note that cream of tartar is not available in every grocery store here; I got mine at Emporium.

One ingredient that appears in some snickerdoodle recipes and not others is vanilla. Yet when given a choice, I always prefer it; no baked good will suffer from having vanilla—it’s the taste and aroma of comfort. Some traditional recipes use shortening (a.k.a. Crisco) instead of butter, which does help produce a “tender crumb,” as bakers call the desired delicate texture in baking. Some recipes use a mixture of shortening and butter. But I prefer using all butter, which looks and tastes of nature—which shortening certainly does not, if you have ever seen or cooked with it. Some shortening is also trans-fat, which might scare off some of you; the Crisco brand is now “trans-fat free,” but nutritionists argue that it is still not healthful because the vegetable oil used is fullyhydrogenated. Being a gal from Wisconsin, I’ll stick with the cow, thank you. Here’s the recipe that will deliver the address at my Snickerdoodle Inaugural 2008: Snickerdoodles 2 2/3 cups flour 2 teaspoons cream of tartar (cremor de tártaro) 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 225 grams unsalted butter, softened 1 ¼ cups + 2 tablespoons sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla 2 eggs, room temperature 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1. Mix flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl.

2. Beat butter and sugar until pale yellow, add vanilla.

3. Add eggs one at a time, mixing between each egg.

4. Add dry ingredients, mixing just until blended, no more.

5. Shape into 1 ½ inch balls, place on a tray, refrigerate for around 2 hours or more.

6. Meanwhile, mix together remaining 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon in a small bowl.

7. Preheat oven to 180 Celsius.

8. Take balls out, roll each in palm briefly, then flatten in your palm to a fat disk. Dip and swirl in cinnamon-sugar mixture to completely coat. Place 2” apart on pan—these don’t spread much.

9. Bake for 10 minutes. Cool on sheet for 2 minutes, transfer to cooling rack.

10. Gobble them up.

Josh Berg

THIS MONTH’S STAFF REVIEWS: Amanda: So soft I felt I was biting into a cloud.

Christopher: They prove heaven exists because worldly creatures can’t make stuff this ace.

Felix: Flavicious!

Danielle: Don’t be fooled by this cookie’s small size and plain appearance. You will not soon forget its big flavor.

Carlo: This cookie will keep you drooling. Feel free to use The Talon as a napkin.

Emily: If dropped, this cookie calls for an extension of the “five-second rule.”

Nelson: Ever wonder why there are so many members in The Talon?

Jeong Min: Patience doesn’t go with these cookies.

GIVE ME MORE! Minjae: I’d run after practice for another one.

Vicky: Exquisite—fit not only for kings, but also for the entire court!

Jesús: If you take a picture of one, you will want to eat that too.

AJ: My only regret is swallowing so soon.

the talon •27

entertainment

“I Value the Music I Steal” Downloading music online: stealing?

Luiza Justus

T

he controversial online world of music is fascinating and

However, even though buying CDs is more about the art of

contradicting on so many different levels. Nowadays, it is

music, downloading music online is definitely more practi-

common for people to attain most or all of their music online.

cal and no money is spent. This is definitely controversial.

It is a rapidly growing industry; and while music is available

Whether or not it is “wrong” to illegally download music is a

to be legally downloaded, most people choose to do it ille-

difficult question to answer. On one side, the artist is not get-

gally and for free. To what extent is this wrong? Are we being

ting the money for what he/she produced, but on the other

dishonest by making use of what is available to us?

hand, they are getting more renowned for their talent and

Of fifty surveyed students, ninety-eight percent say

will get more famous and successful because of it. Bands such

that they download music online. However, only sixteen per-

as The Killers and The Arctic Monkeys began advertising their

cent download it legally. Some think it is unethical to get

music online – and that is how they became the hits that they

songs without paying for them while others say that if it

are today.

is available, then using that resource is not a problem. An

“I would know less about the world if I didn’t [down-

interesting statistic is that even though almost every single

load music]. I value the music I steal,” said Luisa Alcântara,

student interviewed said that they download music online,

a Graded sophomore who uses music as a form of acquiring

fifty-four percent say that they still buy CDs. So if one of

culture. Music broadens knowledge, it nourishes the soul, and

the reasons for this download mania is to save money, then

it should be available to everyone. “If any day someone came

why do people continue buying CDs even though the music is

up to me and said pay a million dollars for everything you

available for free? The answer is simple – CDs give a sense of

stole I would wholeheartedly and happily pay for it if I had the

legality, a sense that the music is real and directly from the

money,” said Luisa. However, do we have the right to listen

artists’ bare hands. If it comes from an authentic album, it is

to it without paying for it first? Eighteen percent of the inter-

not just a song: it is art. When a band is truly special to me,

viewed students said “Yes, [it is wrong] but I still do it.” They

I need to find every single album they ever made and have it

are clearly aware of the situation and aware of the illegality

in my collection in order to truly feel in touch with them.

of it, but are not concerned enough to do anything about it. Others take a different view on the matter: “Either we steal from them or they steal from us. It’s not like Mick Jagger needs to buy a new car.” This approach is a generalization about all artists that is not true – many starting bands actually need the money to make it in this difficult industry. The number of bands that make it to the big-time is very slim. Downloading music online can either help or hurt the chances of small bands making it – it really depends on the way the subject is looked at. There is no way of reaching a conclusion on whether downloading music is right or wrong. The artist is not getting money for what he/she has worked for, but is definitely getting recognition. After that, it’s just a matter of determining which of the two is lh5.ggpht.com

28• the talon

more essential.

entertainment

Check These Out!

Where do our Tech and Library Media professionals go online?

I

Ms. Carol Fifield can’t get through the day without going to this web-

Tim: www.ultimasports.co.uk/canam/ If you think Lambo-

site:

rghinis, Zondas and Ferraris are fast, check this site out.

Meryl: I always check the weather at www.climatempo.

The best part is you have to build it yourself. It currently

com.br

holds the world record for the fastest accelerating and

Luis: As a great football fan (soccer for the NorthAmericans), I can’t go through the day without checking the latest news

de-accelerating road car in the world. www.youtube.com/ watch?v=OuvBLWciOXs

from Europe’s greatest teams. I check the following websites:

For advancing your knowledge, check out this website:

UEFA RSS feeds www.uefa.com/rssfeed/introduction.html

Francisco: info.abril.com.br/download/windows.shl

Guardian Unlimited Football (England) www.guardian.

The

best technology magazine in Brazil.

co.uk/football

www.download.com/2000-2001_4-0.html?tag=hdr;snav

Marca.com (Spain) www.marca.com/

Software downloads (free or shareware)

La Gazzetta dello Sport - Calcio (Italy) www.gazzetta.it/

Meryl: www.aldaily.com Arts & Letters Daily

Calcio/

Sonia: familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home.html The

And, for any tech news I check my Google reader for RSS

American Academy of Family Physicians website has basic

feeds www.google.com/reader and my favorite online

health information.

magazine Network World www.networkworld.com/ Silvia: www1.folha.uol.com.br. I love going to this website to

Tim: www.engadget.com See what is new as it comes out or even before it comes out.

read José Simão’s column. He’s a very quick-witted journalist who writes funny and interesting things about Brazilian politics, facts and people who are always in the limelight,

This website is so imaginative:

such as our president. I’ve never read anything so creative,

Tim: andysaunderskustoms.freeservers.com/cars.htm The

fun and true. Zé Simão really makes my day.

UK king of building radical cars. The website is poor but his cars are not, just a little weird.

Go here just for fun: Carol: www.youtube.com/watch?v=sge5pUSJIRY Pride & Prejudice—Harry Potter Style

And some other favorites: Francisco: games.yahoo.com/

Douglas: www.mygazines.com I can read articles in magazines from all over the world. Free!

and

radiosonline.com.br/

Games and radios online Cecilia: Plan your weekends here:

Francisco: mundocanibal.uol.com.br/

ciaux.com/SPindex Comprehensive guide about São Paulo

Tim: www.facebook.com Yeah…even us oldies use it.

City vejasaopaulo.abril.com.br/ Search where to go in São Pau-

This is a really cool website:

lo

Carol: www.nationalgeographic.com Lots of great features,

www.guiadasemana.com.br/default.asp Weekly entertain-

including “Video of the Day” and “Photo of the Day.” Past clips and photos are archived, too. The “Photo . . .” can be downloaded as wallpaper, and the page includes “Photo

ment guide from the main Brazilian cities.

Tim: www.ign.com For when you need to check out what new video games are coming out.

Tip of the Week.”

Francisco: planetacinebr.blogspot.com

Although in Portu-

guese, the movies are in English.

the talon •29

viva voice

Obsessions Defect

My Experience Felix Wibergh

Tessa Peixoto

B

F

Fingers tap-dancing On the letter-based platform.

Snailing its way to perfection Or No hesitation for speed.

Privy to friends’ stilled memories as fake smiles capture you.

Becoming the zombies Who Eat Breath Live And Automatic emotions Burnt from a hidden sunlight.

“Are we there yet?” called in buses I’m sure, Cabins were sought out, the bed bunks did lure, To the gym and our first activity.

I thought: What are they like? I was unsure.

linded by that frame of polluted light pixelated to broken images.

Colors blaring as if in a rush to perform.

The end of skilled hands To mechanical devices Who punch with the finishing act, When they glided with determination.

30• the talon

irst weekend of September was delight.

Oblivious of that one warning light I ignorantly thought my bag secure In the hands of thirtyfold vengeful spite.

The eager air lacked negativity.

We played a game of selectivity, Got me off my butt, oh how it is fun!

Then meet in groups for receptivity.

Exercises provoke hunger, so run To breakfast, snack, lunch, snack, it’s just begun…

Three days together ensured me, that hun, Without a doubt, my group, is number one!

viva voice

Linseed Children T

E eu com isso?

Yumi Park

Deborah Fiuza

he blessed world taken in by sky eyes, Impressed upon soft cotton-cloud mind.

The colors still so vivid, words are a lullaby, A tiny finger traces shapes in the sky.

Tiny speck of sand, carried by the wind The soft breeze, red, yellow, blue.

A flute lullaby follows the child like a shadow, The winds are flowing wings, Clean linen and sun blankets.

She does not fear the beasts of forest Neither the scheming wolves nor the sly snakes.

The song birds guiding to a clearing in the forest.

She watches from behind the knotted trees, Other seed-like children at play.

All of them spring green inside the autumn forests.

The boys mock the war of good and evil, twigs as swords.

Their growls are too magnificent for their bodies, They do not know their power, those tame beast babies.

The girls hush them softly, but they do not listen.

They hiss at their crying flower children with Biblical names.

They scold the boys, they sound just like their mothers.

A forgotten newspaper boat disolves into the clear waters Dancing ink like a grandfather’s ash and smoke Each word an unheard plea, an unheeded sign.

Without knowing why, she starts to cry into her skirt She does not understand, it is just a game!

Don’t cry, it’s all pretend.

She grins as she cries, Fine rose petal lips and milk teeth Head low, golden silk curtains.

Vanilla flower skin with linseed freckles.

Pink cheeks splashed with ocean tears.

Taste them: they are born for curing, Each drop a young mother’s sorrow, Woes to soothe woes.

I want all the beautiful linseeds of the world, Innumerable, yet each indescribably precious.

I would take them all into my warm earthen womb

Nota do Professor Mário: Yumi escreveu essa matéria como expressão de seus pensamentos (e sentimentos) a respeito do assunto de dois textos, ambos publicados na “Folha de São Paulo”, nos dias 1º. e 2º. de outubro de 2007. No primeiro, o apresentador de tevê Luciano Huck manifesta sua revolta por ter sido assaltado em uma rua de São Paulo, quando lhe foi roubado um relógio de marca. No segundo texto, o escritor Ferrez (rapper e ativista comunitário do bairro Capão Redondo, da periferia paulistana) ironiza o apresentador, adotando, em parte, o ponto de vista do “correria” (o assaltante). Yumi fez a leitura dos textos - e escreveu o dela - como tarefa de seu curso de IB HL II Port B.

Q

uando eu vivia na Coréia, não sabia que existiam pessoas com vida tão diferente da minha. Aos olhos de uma menina, o mundo parecia harmonioso. Eu e meus amigos morávamos no mesmo bairro, estudávamos na mesma escola e freqüentávamos os mesmos lugares. Andávamos na rua até tarde da noite, sem nos preocupar com ladrões, com violência. Assassinatos e roubos eram histórias de ficção existentes em livros e filmes. Esse era meu mundo seguro e pacífico.

Assim que cheguei ao Brasil, vi a pobreza que antes só tinha visto no cinema. Pessoas com roupas esfarrapadas dormindo na rua, sem esperança, e as favelas pareciam que iam cair a qualquer momento. Honestamente, tentei me assegurar de que aquela realidade ficasse distante da minha. Eu me protegia no meu carro com janelas escuras – e tinha certeza de que ninguém podia roubar meu relógio Guess. Até hoje continuo vendo as favelas e os pobres, mas o mundo deles permanece tão obscuro quanto era, quando o vi pela primeira vez.

Vivendo uma realidade tão diferente da deles, me concentrei quase que totalmente na minha vida e no meu futuro.

Só que não consigo deixar de perceber que, no fundo, eu estaria sendo cúmplice da desigualdade social. Não posso entender o que sentiria se não tivesse pai, se minha mãe fosse dependente de bebidas, e minha vida não tivesse nenhuma perspectiva. Por isso não posso julgar a ação de um ladrão. Se colocarmos, porém, essa situação em um julgamento holístico, acredito que nos sentiremos culpados por ignorar a miséria do outro e nos distanciarmos dele.

Não posso compreender tudo isso completamente nem resolver as coisas sozinha. No entanto acredito que uma pequena mudança no meu modo de pensar pode contribuir de alguma forma. A sociedade inteira tem culpa e responsabilidade nessas questões. E eu faço parte da sociedade.

the talon •31

viva voice

Harley and Me “There is no greater joy than to make a fundamental difference in someone’s life.”

T

he doorbell rang in my apartment. Neighbors needed to borrow our car to take their kids to soccer practice. The problem with their car? Squeaky meows were coming from under the hood. There was a kitten trapped inside.

My mom and I had to investigate and, if possible, help get the kitten out. We both knew the kitten was probably terrified so we brought a couple of folding chairs into the garage and tried waiting quietly, ready to grab the kitten if it came out. But it didn’t come out. We tried to entice the kitten by putting milk and some cat food under the car, near where we thought the meowing was coming from. It didn’t come out, it just meowed more urgently.

Now my mom and I were more concerned; the kitten was trapped and starving. If a young kitten goes for three days without any water, it will die of dehydration. We had to make sure the kitten had at least a few drops of water. By this time we had actually seen the kitten a little bit. It was truly tiny, possibly three or four weeks old. My mom suggested that we dribble water onto the kitten so that it could perhaps survive a little longer until we could get it out.

At this point my mom and I had been loitering in the garage for almost three hours. People were getting more and more curious about what we were doing. When people asked, we explained what we were doing. News of the trapped kitten was passed around and people started trying to help us. Some slid themselves under the car and tried to look for an opening where they could get the kitten out. Others reached further into the engine compartment than I could. No one could get it out.

Finally a man who was more familiar with cars had an idea. He knew that behind the tires there is a small cavity; when you turn the wheel, the cavity opens. He turned the wheel, reached into the cavity and came out with a tiny gray kitten.

Now that we could get a better look at it, we could see that the kitten was closer to four or five weeks old but malnourished so it was smaller. My mom and I took it back to our apartment. We have three other cats, and we weren’t sure how they would react to the kitten so we kept it shut in my room. Instantly the kitten dove for the shadows. I set up a dish of water and introduced the kitten to it. The kitten drank and drank. I set up a dish of dry cat food with a bit of milk mixed in. The kitten ate and ate. By now the kitten had started to relax a bit. My mom and I got a washcloth and bathed the kitten in my bathroom sink.

When we washed its face with a washcloth it started purring.

Emily Matt When we were done we could see that it wasn’t a gray kitten but a black one. It was calmer after the bath so I tried getting it to play with me. I rolled a Hacky Sack to it. The kitten played with enthusiasm. It was still easily startled, but instead of staying hidden under my bed, it would come out again after a few seconds.

By now it was 10:00 pm Saturday night. The following day was going to be busy so I had homework to do. When I started working at my desk, the kitten would let out loud, anxiety-filled meows. When I checked on it, the kitten calmed down. As soon as it couldn’t see my face, the kitten started meowing again. I set my books on the floor and lay down on my stomach to work.

The kitten was pacified. When I had spent a while completely focused on my homework, the kitten started meowing again. I looked at it and started petting it. Soon it started falling asleep.

When I stopped petting it, the kitten’s eyes popped back open, but it was reassured since I was still looking at it. It fell asleep and I returned to my homework.

Sunday morning my dad woke me up early and we took the kitten to the vet. At the vet we learned that the kitten is a she. I decided to name her Harley.

Within a few weeks she was healthy. She played almost constantly and ate a great deal of kitten food. Her fur, once dry and rough to the touch, became soft and luxurious. All her playing gave her strong muscles and before long she was climbing onto my bed. At night she would sleep on me.

Five months later, Harley has grown so much. When we first found her, she weighed 350 grams. Now she weighs over two kilos. Her fur started getting fluffy about two months ago and now we can see that she is a long-haired cat. She can now jump from the ground up to my shoulder height. She gets along with the other cats and the oldest has adopted her as a daughter.

Sometimes I reflect on where she came from. I forget how little and fragile she was; how scared and how hungry. I am so grateful that I had a chance to watch her grow.

Emily Matt

32• the talon

sports

Online Sports Gambling The Brazilian effort to enforce limits

S

ports gambling was never a major governmental issue, but the new dependency on the Internet has brought the issue into the spotlight for many countries.

Recently, a member of Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies has submitted a bill that would extend the definition of illegal gambling in the country to specifically include online sports betting. The bill, filed by Deputy Luiz Carlos Hauly in mid-November, would not redefine the legal status of online betting but instead clarify the status of the activity to bring it firmly under the scope of 1941 legislation establishing the general prohibition of gambling in Brazil.

Deputy Hauly’s measure proposes the prohibition of “bets on all sports events through any method of data transmission, especially the worldwide web, in the national territory, including sea or airspace.” The only betting games exempt from the legislation would be sports gambling games specifically authorized by law and operated by state and federal lotteries, including Caixa Econômica Federal do Brasil.

“Every day we are aware of the entry into operation of websites illegally offering bets on sporting activities in Brazil,” Hauly said. “This is an infringement of the Criminal Contravention Act and the prohibition of gambling in Brazil, especially as it permits bettors to place wagers using their credit or debit cards. The objective of this initiative is to prevent this illegal practice, establishing its prohibition.”

The 1941 Criminal Contravention Act establishes that anyone found guilty of publically offering unauthorised wagers on sporting contests in Brazil can be sent to prison for a period of three months to a year. Under the legislation proposed

by Sr. Hauly, the website operator, the gambler and payment

Karen Hime processor would all be subject to criminal prosecution.

The measure proposed by Hauly seemingly places the greatest burden on Brazil’s payment providers, rather than the website operators. It establishes that all financial institutions are prohibited from processing transactions for unauthorized online sports betting games and that the companies would be liable to the same criminal sanctions as the operator. However, the measure also states that financial bodies would be subject to an additional fine of 200 times the amount of the betting transaction processed.

The deputy recognized the difficulty of controlling this new dimension of online gaming and the gambling business created around it. He stated that his bill was modeled on the ‘Internet Gambling Enforcement Act’ in the United States, which prohibited the realization of bets on games through the global network of computers.

Though the deputy seeks to place limits on online betting in Brazil, his success will probably arrive sports.com late or perhaps not at all. Given the challenge faced by the Brazilian state in enforcing the law within the country’s own vast territory, it is unsurprising that offshore gambling websites have yet to be implicated in any anti-gambling crackdowns. It is virtually impossible for the government to establish control over gambling in private home computers.

With the popularity of sports throughout the country and the ease with which the citizens can access the gambling sites, the number of gamblers at official houses for sports betting has declined radically. The adaptation of the online Brazilian gambling industry increases to satisfy its consumers, legal or illegal, despite any government intervention.

sports

Brazil’s Seleção Players and formation

B

Minjae Park

razil’s Seleção stumbled across a successful formation in the past five years. Luisão was commanding, left-back Juan their away match against Chile in Santiago on September 7th. made his debut for Brazil and dealt with the tricky Alexis SanThe final result was 3-0 and their under-fire manager Dunga chez and even Gilberto Silva and Josué, sad indictments of got a reprieve, at least until the next match. Unlike Vanderthe poor level of volantes in Brazil, didn’t put a foot wrong. lei Luxemburgo, a former Brazil manager whose job ended as Logical, then, that the same team would brush aside a result of a poor showing in the Olympics eight years ago, Bolivia. Wrong. Just three days after the triumphant victory Dunga was given the opportunity to in Santiago, Brazil were at home right his wrongs for the qualifiers in Rio facing the team placed How can Brazil’s national against Chile and Bolivia. Perhaps bottom of the South American team improve? Sacking Dunga because the Brazilian Football World Cup qualifying table. In isn’t the solution Confederation (CBF) couldn’t find front of a disappointing 31,422 a suitable replacement in time. Eicrowd, Brazil could not force a ther way, the CBF must have been way through a disciplined Bolivian side. Every build-up play gleaming with satisfaction after Chile were emphatically from Brazil was squeezed out by a committed defense. Boswept aside with two clever finishes from Luis Fabiano and a livia’s goalkeeper Arias was in inspirational form. Chants of terrific strike from Manchester City’s Robinho. “adeus Dunga” reverberated around the semi-filled stadium.

After months of switching back and forth between Ronaldinho was booed off the pitch. the traditional BraThe most zilian 4-2-2-2 and an successful naunfamiliar 4-3-3, a tional team in unique formation sithe world should lenced Chile’s 66,000 naturally have spectators. Gilberto the most expectSilva and Josué anant supporters in chored the midfield the world. After while the hugely talthe disappointented Diego was giving draws against en a free role in front Colombia, Peru, of them. Ronaldinho Argentina, and was stuck on the left, now Bolivia, not Robinho on the right to mention the of an attacking trio defeat at Parawith Luis Fabiano the guay, Brazil’s fans focal point of the atdeserve better. tack.

Brazil were How can solid defensively and Brazil’s national swift in attack, hitGloboesporte.com team improve? ting Chile on the break Sacking Dunga without overcommitting numbers forward. Robinho was smilisn’t the solution. Managing a team is a long-term project and ing again after his problems this summer and scored a wonDunga, who will surely gain Brazil a spot in the 2010 World derful goal, Diego was the same dominant figure he is for his Cup finals, deserves to carry out his four year plan. club, and Ronaldinho, even with a distinct lack of mobility, Brazil’s problems don’t lie solely with their manager. looked comfortable playing the role he did for Barcelona in The 4-2-2-2 formation Brazil has kept faith in for the last 15

34 • the talon

sports years is outdated. New personnel should come in for the old.

Dunga has been caught in the middle of a new cycle and it’s his job to lead them through it.

In the 1994 World Cup, then-player Dunga and Mauro Silva sat in front of the back four as these two volantes, or defensive midfielders, guided Brazil to their first World Cup in 24 years. Fourteen years on, Gilberto Silva and Josue can hardly be classed in the same bracket. Neither can Mineiro. Lucas, Anderson and Hernanes are the emerging talents whose passing ranges extend beyond the closest yellow shirt around. Surely and quickly, the current midfield pairing should be squeezed out to make way for these gifted youngsters.

As preposterous as it may sound considering Brazil’s history and reputation, their attack has been a problem. The “magic quartet” of Ronaldo, Kaká, Ronaldinho and Adriano in the 2006 World Cup scored goals. True, Ronaldinho didn’t play to his potential, but Adriano with his power and presence, Ronaldo with his all-round genius, and Ronaldinho and Kaká with their vision produced the goods. Two years on, Ronaldo and Adriano are out of the frame but Ronaldinho and Kaká remain. Luís Fabiano had the best goals-per-game ratio in Europe last season with Sevilla and can certainly do a job up front. But not alone, as was the case against Bolivia.

Away from home, a solitary striker works. Keeping things tight and hitting the opposition on the break is the formula for success away from home. Brazil got the breaks against Chile but having one up front is too conservative for a team with the attacking talent of Brazil, especially at home to teams such as Bolivia. If Chile hadn’t been so bold and adopted a similar approach to Bolivia, Dunga would not have stuck with his one-striker formation against Bolivia.

So who partners Luís Fabiano up front? Pato, Jô, Rafael Sobis or Nilmar? All are still unproven, especially at international level, but all deserve a chance. With Kaká returning from injury and certain to retain his spot on the right side of midfield, Robinho could be shifted to the center and played as a second striker, where his career began. Ronaldinho on the left, Kaka on the right, Robinho and Luis Fabiano up front. At least on paper, it sounds brilliant.

Brazil’s defense is solid and the goalkeeping and central defensive positions pick themselves. Julio Cesar, Lucio and Juan or Luisão. I’m befuddled by Maicon’s continuous selection as right-back, though. Daniel Alves, arguably the best right back in the world, overlooked for a player who is, as Rio-based BBC analyst Tim Vickery rightly puts, “more brawn than brains”? Gilberto at left-

back is hardly a Roberto Carlos, but will do a job.

Brazil’s best formation is not certain yet but as the country that produces the most footballers in the world (1085 Brazilian footballers from all levels went abroad last year), picking 11 players should be the easiest job in the world. At least, that’s what those fans in the Engenhão who booed Brazil and cheered on Bolivia will have thought. And such expectations are what put so much pressure on Dunga to play it safe, to go with familiar players in familiar formations. He claims to choose players based on form rather than reputation but that’s not enough. Results have gone downhill since the 2007 Copa America. Criticism and boos have increased in volume.

Not since the 5-0 demolition of Ecuador 11 months ago have we seen a vintage Brazilian performance. Only change can bring back these results.

We all think we’re better than the manager (which we’re not) but we, whose jobs aren’t on the line, can afford to take risks in our team selection. Dunga should too, because unless he changes the face of the national team, he won’t be keeping his job. It’s time to turn to a new generation, a new formation. Let the younger players establish themselves. Thank Gilberto Silva for his service and move on.

Give the volantes more freedom; perhaps sacrifice one for an attack-minded midfielder. Always play with two strikers up front. Throw Pato into the mix. As long as Dunga sticks with his current selection, Brazil’s chances of winning the 2010 World Cup hinge on Ronaldo winding the clock back 10 years and becoming the greatest striker in the world again by 2010.

I don’t see it either.

Globoesporte.com

the talon • 35

sports

Money: It’s a Gas I think I’ll buy me a football team

I

n the previous edition of the Talon, I predicted the results of the current Premier League season. Due to unforeseen circumstances, those predictions have already unravelled. On the 1st of September the Abu Dhabi United Group (ADUG), represented by Dr. Sulaiman Al-Fahim, acquired a controlling interest in Manchester City Football Club. Immediately after doing so, they hijacked Chelsea’s attempt to sign Real Madrid player Robinho and signed him for a British record fee of £32.8 million (approx. R$100 million).

It doesn’t stop there. Immediately afterwards, AlFahim declared that he would build a dream team, signalling interest in players such as Cristiano Ronaldo (for whom he is considering tabling a bid of £134 million in January), Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas, Kaká and Fernando Torres, among others.

The fact that the people from ADUG involved with Man City have a collective wealth of £150 billion means that such buys would be trivial to them.

What are the implications of this? With Chelsea, Manchester United and Liverpool all owned by foreign investors, what’s to say the Premier League will not simply become a businessman’s playground? While in the short run it can obviously mean success, in the long run, it hurts two of the most important things in the sport: the fans and the smaller teams who do not have such wealthy owners.

Even one of the most popular clubs in England, Arsenal, has not been exempt from the eyes of these multi-billionaires. While they have been able to maintain their status as a club run by the board, both Uzbek oligarch Alisher Usmanov and American tycoon Stan Kroenke have been seen as potential suitors to buy the club. The club has been run steadily recently and does not lack any money, so why should

36 • the talon

Christopher Thomas it be forced to sell? It seems unreasonable to have a team belong to just one person, let alone a foreign investor as is the case with Chelsea.

It makes a fan wonder about the morality of such ownership. Should a club be allowed to use funds it gained from an external source, rather than the money it generated through other means such as television deals and downright success? The three top clubs in England (Liverpool, Man United and Arsenal) all made their money through their periods of success; they did not gain it from an investor.

In fact, Liverpool and United’s owners have been draining money out of the clubs. United has an enormous debt they have to pay off, while Liverpool does not have enough funds to build their new Stanley Park stadium. Chelsea and Man City, however, have limitless resources from which to tap into. While technically they will be in debt, the fact they have these owners means such debts would only mean anything if these owners were to leave.

These outlandish amounts of money thrown ESPNsoccernet.com around also seem to affirm the fact that nowadays, money is everything. Those with soul are being steadily replaced by those who have bottomless pockets, showing that apparently only the rich make their way through this world.

Nobody knows what will become of this method of running a club, but the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) had already previously proposed a solution: the banning of clubs who aren’t running within their operating costs from UEFA competitions. Clubs that aren’t funding themselves would be ineligible for things such as the UEFA Cup and the Champions League. If this were to happen, surely the Football Associations of other countries would follow, forcing unwanted invaders from all football for good.