Helios Magazine Vol. 3 Issue 2

5 LGBTQ+ MEDIA

WHY REPRESENTATION IN FILM AND TV MATTERS

VOLUME III, ISSUE II

8 SENSATIONALISM IN THE NEWS THE DANGERS OF EXAGGERATED JOURNALISM

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INTRODUCTION

IN THIS ISSUE: Dear Reader,

Thank you for reading our 2022–23 spring issue! As the school year comes to a close, we are delighted to share with you the product of our hard work from the past semester. Through college admissions decisions, AP tests, and final exams, we remained dedicated to writing relevant stories and designing fun, interesting pages to present intriguing topics in the fields of art, culture, and STEM. If you’re interested in the impact of artificial intelligence on art, the importance of queer representation in media, or the gender gap in film composing, take a look at our Art section. Then, flip to our Culture section to explore stories discussing sensationalized news stories; free speech on private platforms; and recommendations for TV shows, music, and movies to consume during the long summer months.

Finally, delve into scientifically proven skincare tips, activism through radical gardening, and the ways AI can assist in medical research in our STEM section.

We could not have published this issue without the hard work of our entire staff. Thank you for writing and editing stories, interviewing sources, drawing graphics, designing pages, and contributing to our team to make this magazine the best it can be. We would like to give a special shout-out to Tanya Yu for creating the front-page graphic.

It has been a busy semester and a long year, and we appreciate the commitment of every single person involved.

We hope you enjoy this issue as we conclude the school year.

Your Editors-in-Chief, Carly and Irene

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Carly Liao Irene Tsen HEAD EDITOR Safina Syed ART EDITOR Maya Ma CULTURE EDITOR Lise Desveaux STEM EDITORS Aarushi Kumar Amann Mahajan WRITERS Aarushi Kumar Amann Mahajan Carly Liao Izzy Grimmer Jasmine Fan Jeri Lieberman-Evans Juliet Young Lise Desveaux Maddie Cheung Maya Ma GRAPHIC ARTISTS Aarushi Kumar Aeron Man Caitlin Ginn Francesca Agro Irene Hong Juliet Young Miguel Lopez Tanya Yu BUSINESS EDITOR Lucy Luo

HELIOS

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4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ANIMATION & AI ART

ART

the return of stylized animation and the role of AI in art

5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LGBTQ+ MEDIA

the importance of queer representation in film and TV

6 . . . . . . . . . . . . GENDER IN FILM MUSIC explaining the gender gap in film composing

7 . . . . . . . CREATIVE SUMMER PROJECTS

CULTURE

five fun projects to start over the summer

8 . . . . . . . . SENSATIONALISM IN NEWS the dangerous consequences of sensationalized journalism

9 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FREE SPEECH

what “free speech” means on private platforms

10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . SUMMER MEDIA summer film and music recommendations

11 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HUMANS OF GUNN

spotlights on Gunn students and staff

12 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PLANTS & SKINCARE

STEM

how to be a plant parent and a guide to skincare

13 . . . . POLLUTION & CONSERVATION how pollution affects brain function and how gardening can save the planet

14 . . . . . . . . . . CHATGPT IN EDUCATION exploring the chatbot’s influence on Gunn classes

15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . AI & PROTEINS how AI is transforming medical research

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ART THE RISE OF STYLIZED ANIMATION IN FILM By using computer animation, Pixar’s 1995 film “Toy Story” impacted the animation industry more than any other movie since Disney’s 1937 film “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.” Animators were suddenly able to keep characters, sets, and other designs stored in their computers, and hand-drawn animation became a tool of the past. This digital method of animation was more efficient, but as a consequence, critics began judging the merit of animated films based on the realism of their shots were rather than their storytelling or unique art style. This trend increasingly pushed animators to incorporate the photorealistic, 3D “Pixar effect,” which made them lose sight of the stylized, artistic aspect of animation that makes animated movies distinct from live-action films.

Lately, stylized animation—that is, nonphotorealistic animation—has been on the rise, largely thanks to Sony’s 2018 film “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.” The animators paid homage to the original illustrated material by including the speech bubbles, thought balloons, and crosshatch shading commonly used in physical comics. By liberating themselves from photorealism, the animators were able to create a colorful, exciting, and magical experience that

would never have been possible in a photorealistic film.

After seeing that animated movies did not have to use the “Pixar effect” to succeed, other animation studios began experimenting further with animation. For example, Dreamworks’ new movie “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish” experiments with painted backgrounds to create the illusion of depth. Netflix’s 2020 release “The Willoughbys” uses crafty textures and stop-motion animation to give it the classic, cozy feel of older animated movies. Even video games have experimented with stylized animation, including Riot Games’ Arcane, which has a painted style that deviates from classic animation styles.

Stylized animation is becoming more popular in media, but what does this increased traction mean for the future of animation? One major impact is that superhero movies and book adaptations may increase their use of stylized animation to pay tribute to their source texts.

More broadly, stylized animation gives animators an opportunity to return to what made animation incredible in the first place: being able to turn imaginative, unrealistic ideas into reality.

—Written by Aarushi Kumar, a STEM Editor.

“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”

Courtesy of Sony Pictures

“Puss in Boots: The Last Wish”

Courtesy of Universal Pictures

“The Willoughbys”

Courtesy of Netflix

THE ISSUE WITH AI-GENERATED ARTWORK The recent rise of artificial-intelligence software, such as ChatGPT, C’s”—consent, compensation, and credit—these concerns reflect the probhas caused controversy over the link between AI art and appropriation. lems with AI art. The violation of copyright protections has always been Modern AI is not bound by sentence outputs— an issue in the art world. However, AI has the it is also able to create pictures and artwork ability to violate copyright protections more efthrough a machine-learning technique called fectively and pervasively than ever before, since “artificial neural networks.” It receives words as the artwork is made digitally and without artists’ Art is designed to express input and generates an image in seconds. knowledge. human experiences and As the line between AI-generated and huOn top of concerns around illegal imitation emotions, which AI can man-made art has started to blur, artists have are concerns about amateur artists’ using AI. never fully replicate on raised concerns about their copyright protecRecently, the Colorado State Fair’s annual its own. tions’ being violated. In one art competition awarded its first-place award instance, the AI software Miin the digital art section to Jason M. Allen’s djourney, based on the input “Théâtre D’Opéra Spatial,” which he created of multiple users, used artist using Midjourney. Though Allen achieved his Kelly McKernan’s and other artists’ work to create an objective of showcasing the power of AI art, he received tremendous “original” painting. As backlash on social media platforms. One artist wrote on Twitter, “I can see a result, McKernan how AI art can be beneficial, but claiming you’re an artist by generating and the other artists one? Absolutely not.” This quote highlights the problems with amateur filed a lawsuit against artists’ generating AI art: Anyone can become an artist this way, without Midjourney, alleging any training. This accessibility undermines the education and efforts of that the artists had not trained artists, because training an AI program is much easier and less timeconsented to having consuming than training a person. their copyrighted artwork Although it is impossible to predict the full ramifications of AI-generated included in the database, art, its current existence threatens human artists’ creative property and were not compensat- rights and ownership over their work. Art is designed to express human ed or credited when AI im- experiences and emotions, which AI can never fully replicate on its own. ages were produced using As the art world continues to evolve by embracing and rejecting ideas, art Miguel Lopez their work. styles, and perhaps even art mediums, AI in art has a tenuous future.

Encapsulated by the “three —Written by Maya Ma, an Art Editor.

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HELIOS

Lights, Camera, Inclusion: Examining LGBTQ+ Representation in Film and TV It is a tale as old as time: Boy meets girl; boy and girl fall in love; boy and girl get married and live happily ever after. This is the kind of love story in romantic comedies and Disney movies that many people have grown up watching and normalizing. These movies exemplify heteronormativity, or the notion that heterosexuality is the standard sexual orientation and that any other orientation is a deviation from the norm. Without exposure to queer stories in the media, those in the LGBTQ+ community lack representation and the support to explore their own identities, while cisgender and heterosexual individuals lack understanding of queer experiences.

Lack of Representation Disney is one of the most prominent media corporations in the world— and one of the largest perpetrators of heteronormativity. Disney and other large media companies are often more concerned with making a profit and attracting overseas audiences—particularly in Russia and China, both of which currently outlaw same-sex marriage—than honoring their responsibility to shape public opinion and illuminate underrepresented experiences.

Thus, Disney has often been criticized for its tokenism because its attempts at representing the LGBTQ+ community are superficial at best.

In the 2017 live-action film “Beauty and the Beast,” Gaston’s sidekick LeFou is shown dancing with another man for three seconds; in the 2019 film “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker,” two female background characters share a peripheral kiss for two seconds. Disney finally featured its first openly gay main character in the 2022 film “Strange World,” which ultimately disappointed at the box office due to a lack of promotion.

An absence of queer representation does not only impact people at the movie theater. The Trevor Project estimates that at least one LGBTQ+ youth attempts to die by suicide every 45 seconds. Overall, LGBTQ+ youth are over four times as likely to attempt suicide than their peers. Queer individuals are not naturally prone to suicide risk because of their gender or sexual orientation; rather, this risk stems from the way queer people are often marginalized and discriminated against in society. Understanding is one of the most Aarushi Kumar effective ways to combat prejudice, which makes it all the more essential that large media corporations choose to foster this understanding and potentially

save lives over prioritizing their earnings.

Still, LGBTQ+ characters stake a notable share in media today.

According to the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, a nongovernmental organization that monitors LGBTQ+ representation in the media, 10.6% of regular characters set to appear on scripted primetime broadcast series for the 2022–23 season are LGBTQ+, compared with 7.1% of U.S. adults who self-identify as LGBTQ+.

Incomplete Representation While queer representation is growing overall, not all members of the LGBTQ+ community are represented equally. For example, according to GLAAD, bisexual+ individuals—those with the capacity to be attracted to more than one gender—make up 55% of the LGBTQ+ community but only 31% of LGBTQ+ characters onscreen. Furthermore, according to a study by the University of California, Los Angeles, asexual people make up 1.7% of LGBTQ+ individuals, yet not a single asexual character appears on a primetime cable show this year.

Additionally, the media rarely addresses intersectionality, or the overlap of an individual’s race, class, gender, and other aspects of their identity to shape their unique experiences with discrimination. Most mainstream films featuring LGBTQ+ main characters center the stories of those who are white, male, or both, such as the 2018 film “Love, Simon.” The LGBTQ+ community is a multiethnic and multiracial community, which must be reflected in media featuring queer characters.

Aarushi Kumar Silencing queer stories does not eliminate real-life queer experiences. Without empathetic reflections of these experiences onscreen, many LGBTQ+ individuals may find themselves without a support system—both in media and in real life—while navigating an already challenging examination of their identities. The media must take steps to incorporate more queer characters—including those of different racial or ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities, and those who identify with oft-overlooked gender or sexual orientations—not simply as prop pieces but as complex, dynamic people with real, human problems. Only then can society promote the understanding necessary to uplift, celebrate, and take pride in LGBTQ+ voices.

—Written by Carly Liao, an Editor-in-Chief.

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Caitli

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ART

Evaluating the cinematic soundscape: The gender gap in film composing

Danny Elfman

The soundscape of the big screen has perennially captured the American imagination.

From the rollicking tunes of “Indiana Jones” to the bombastic marches of “Captain America,” film music has molded entire universes from the clay of writing and directing. Yet the diversity of these worlds on-screen is hardly reflected behind the scenes: Institutionalized sexism has consistently excluded women from the profession of film composing.

Time after time, the same few dozen names dominate the end credits of films. Case in point: Of the 32 films Marvel Studios has released, only one features a score by a female composer—2019’s “Captain Marvel,” for which Pinar Toprak wrote the music. This year, no female composers were nominated for the Best Original Score category of the Oscars.

The 2023 Celluloid Ceiling report (an annual assessment of women’s behind-the-scenes employment in film) found that in 2022, 91% of the 250 domestic top-grossing films had no women composers.

The industry’s issue is the cumulative result of various practices preventing women from getting a foot in the door, from sexual harassment to stereotyping to a lack of mentorship.

Through examining these systemic barriers, we can better understand not only where the gender gap begins, but how best to close it.

Harassment “We don’t have an HR department. We don’t have a union. Where are we supposed to go?” pianist and composer Nomi Abadi said in an article from the Hollywood Reporter titled “#MeToo Missed Us: Female Composers Speak Out.” Abadi’s sentiment highlights how female composers are often exploited: According to an article from the Guardian titled “The Hollywood crisis #MeToo missed: ‘Every female composer has been through it,’” because composers mostly work freelance for independent music-production supervisors, few existing structures can address sexual harassment

Hans Zimmer

claims. The absence of these human resources departments and unions—along with the isolated nature of the profession and the mentor-student relationships it relies on—make it easy for male composers to exploit their female co-workers or proteges. Moreover, female composers often must network with male co-workers to access job opportunities, enabling harassment.

Stereotyping As in other industries, stereotypes contribute to the continued scarcity of female composers. Directors assume female composers are only capable of composing soft, romantic scores, and pass them by believing their music will lack the gumption necessary for a fight scene or a thrilling chase.

According to the same article from the Hollywood Reporter, composer Laura Karpman was once told her music wasn’t “masculine” enough and subsequently fired. These entrenched views make it difficult for women composers to even get a foot in the door.

Lack of mentorship

The movie industry remains overwhelmingly male: The 2023 Celluloid Ceiling Annual Report found that in 2022, “women comprised 24% of directors, writers, producers, executive producers, editors, and cinematographers working on the top 250 grossing films,” a decline of 1% from the year before. On these top 250 films, 18% of directors were women.

Why does this matter? Gender gaps in leadership roles on films can trickle down to create ones in composing, as female directors are more likely than male directors to hire female composers and other staff, according to the Celluloid Ceiling Report. “On films with at least one woman director, women comprised 53% of writers, 39% of editors, 19% of cinematographers, and 18% of composers. On films with male directors, women accounted for 12% of writers, 19% of editors, 4% of cinematogra-

Pinar Toprak

Aeron Man

John Williams

phers, and 6% of composers (top 250 films),” the report found.

Patty Macmillan, a composer and the founder of Allegro Talent Group, attributed this phenomenon to women’s being able to better identify with the struggles faced in a male-dominated industry in a Variety story titled “Women Composers Seek to Score Progress: ‘There’s Just So Much Work To Be Done.’” Because women filmmakers lack representation, though, there’s a long way left for women composers to achieve parity.

Moving forward

Of course, the issues discussed here are just a few of many factors affecting women’s representation in film composing. A gender gap in composition degrees awarded to women indicates an educational discrepancy; moreover, film music is historically tied to classical music, which relies heavily on the works of white, male composers.

Fortunately, female composers themselves are taking initiative to create opportunities for one another. Aside from the Female Composer Safety League, there’s also the Alliance for Women Composers, founded by Karpman in 2014 with the goal to “support and celebrate the work of women composers through advocacy and education.”

Efforts have also been made on the parts of other agencies. According to an article from the New York Times titled “Female Composers Are Trying to Break Film’s Sound Barrier,” groups such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers have tried to address the gender gap.

At the heart of these efforts lies one simple truth, voiced by composer Pinar Toprak in the same New York Times article. “Music, and art in general, it’s genderless, because emotions are genderless,” she said.

—Written by Amann Mahajan, a STEM Editor.

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HELIOS

CREATIVE PROJECTS TO take on over summer vacation Create a summer MUSIC playlist Summer is a wonderful time to relax and listen to some music to get in a good mood. Creating a playlist can help you pass the time and develop your music taste. Try searching for new artists on Spotify or Apple Music. You can also share your playlist with friends or create a shared playlist with songs you all like. Another way to curate songs for your playlist is through Shazam, an app that can identify song titles and artists in real time based on a short sample of the music. When you hear music that you enjoy, you can identify the song with Shazam and add it to your playlist.

LEARN A NEW LANGUAGE Though learning a new language in two months might sound unrealistic, with consistent practice and love for the language, you can be proficient enough to engage in basic conversation by the end of the summer. Learning a language is a great way to experience a new culture. For those traveling to another country, try picking up basic conversational skills and practicing with native speakers. For those learning from home, using language websites or apps can help you understand the basics without firsthand experience of being in the country.

knit clothing or accessories Knitting cute clothing and accessory items is another great way to spend your time during the summer. Learning to knit requires a bit of money and a whole lot of patience, but after some practice, you will be able to create a variety of knitted objects. To get started, pick out the proper materials: a ball of yarn and a pair of knitting needles. There are plenty of helpful videos online to guide you through knitting basic items, such as a scarf. As your skills improve, you can try taking on bigger projects, such as a swimsuit or a tote bag.

READ A BOOK The amount of free time you have in the summer means it is the perfect time to start reading.

Start by finding a genre that interests you, then search online or ask friends for books in that genre. Visit a local library to borrow them or go online to buy them—Barnes & Noble, Target, and Amazon are popular booksellers. Other options are buying secondhand or downloading digital versions of books. To make your reading marathon more interesting, keep notes of themes and bookmark favorite parts to come back to.

play games with friends Playing games is a great way to stay in contact with friends during the long summer break. With countless games on various platforms, you can play games on a mobile phone or on a gaming computer, even when you’re traveling. Gaming can also help you develop skills that are useful in everyday life, such as sharper reflexes and better problem-solving strategies. There are different levels to gaming, so you do not have to be a professional gamer to play. Popular video games include Minecraft, Super Smash Brothers, and The Legend of Zelda.

—Compiled by Lise Desveaux, a Culture Editor.

Graphics by Aeron Man

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CULTURE

‘IF IT BLEEDS, IT LEADS’: THE DANGERS OF SENSATIONALIZING NEWS STORIES

Francesca Agro

“If it bleeds, it leads.” This has been a common phrase concerning Laura Ingraham—contributes to sensationalism is through coverage of stories in the news since the 1800s. The premise is that the press tends social topics that are likely to upset their audience. Many of these issues to feature exciting, usually negative stories, involving danger or anger, are frivolous or nonexistent, and the hosts use them to incite anger over which have more potential to be sensationalized. Sensationalism is the actions of the “woke” generation. These anchors have criticized the defined by the Webster’s New World College Dictionary as “the use female green M&Ms’ wearing sneakers instead of high heels, diversity in of strongly emotional subject matter, or wildly dramatic style, language, the new Lego line, and the “war on Christmas” (referring to the increase or artistic expression, that is intended to shock, startle, thrill, excite, in people who say “happy holidays” rather than “merry Christmas”). etc.” Sensationalism poses a real threat to journalistic integrity: Many Their tactics make viewers angry in order to get more views and news outlets are tempted to publish dramatic, more money. This approach works: Fox News embellished stories to gain traction. To run a is continuously the most-watched cable news successful, honest news outlet, however, one network in the U.S. However, not only does it “Being aware must balance information with engagement, sacrifice reporting on real issues for meaningless of what you’re making stories emotionally engaging and rants, Fox News’ sensationalism has hurt real consuming helps interesting without over-sensationalizing. people. Their fearmongering over drag queens shape who you are.”

The biggest reason for sensationalism in the contributed to the ban on drag in Tennessee. news is ratings. News outlets like CNN, Fox, and Their tirades over “critical race theory” and —Kristy Blackburn, MSNBC cannot report pure statistics because LGBTQ+ education in schools has indirectly led The Oracle adviser their ratings would drop if they did. With low to censorship of books in Republican-controlled ratings, they would lose advertising revenue and school districts. The conspiracy theories spread be unable to continue providing information, on its network caused many viewers to refuse the no matter how factual. In an interview on the podcast “Conan O’Brien COVID-19 vaccine, endangering their lives. There is no doubt that Fox Needs a Friend,” CNN anchor Anderson Cooper explained how News’ sensationalism, exaggeration, and misinformation is harmful to pursuing better ratings can lead to a more negative slant to the news. the U.S. and should not be something that news organizations strive to “I think people say they want to see good news,” Cooper said. “The replicate, even if it boosts ratings. truth is, there are actually a lot of good stories that are put out, and I News outlets should minimize sensationalism, though some can tell you, the ratings usually drop on those kinds of stories. People responsibility falls on the viewer. The Oracle adviser Kristy Blackburn don’t actually really respond to those stories, even though they say believes that people should learn to distinguish between fact, opinion, that that is what they want.” This discrepancy is due to a psychological and misinformation. “The issue is commentary,” Blackburn said. “When phenomenon known as the “negativity bias.” People are more drawn to people get into opinions and conflate opinions with news, then that’s negative information, clicking on negative stories or tuning into news where you run into trouble. As a democracy, we need to get a lot better with scary or provoking headlines. This human tendency means that at distinguishing what actual facts are versus what someone’s opinions news outlets are motivated to focus on negative stories to generate are.” more engagement, higher ratings, and greater revenues.

Developing media literacy is imperative for people to become Yet focusing purely on engagement rather than accuracy can lead informed citizens. With so much information available online, one to disastrous results. For example, Dominion Voting Systems brought a must be able to understand what is true or false, what is fact or opinion, lawsuit against Fox News for knowingly spreading misinformation about what is accurate or exaggerated, and what is important or trivial. “It’s the 2020 presidential election, which recently ended in a $787.5 million really important (that) people are aware of what they’re consuming,” settlement. When asked why Fox News hosted MyPillow founder Blackburn said. “That’s not just for news, that’s for anything. Being aware and conspiracy theorist Mike Lindell, allowing him to spread false of what you’re consuming helps shape who you are.” information, Fox Corporation chairman Rupert Murdoch claimed in —Written by Jeri Lieberman-Evans, a Writer. his deposition that it was a financial decision. Another way Fox News— especially prime-time hosts such as Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, and

HELIOS

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FREE SPEECH AND FALSEHOODS IN THE AGE OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Social media has become a main form of communication, facilitating the Babylon Bee. While Musk’s plans to diversify discourse across the interaction and the sharing of ideas between family members, friends, platform are laudable, it is difficult to view his intentions as entirely and even strangers. With this spike in virtual interactions, new in the interest of free speech. Several of the restored accounts had a regulations should be established and norms expected from users history of targeting minority groups such as the LGBTQ+ community. on these platforms—especially when it comes to free speech. Social For instance, the Babylon Bee refused to delete a post that declared media platforms must now balance the principles behind free speech transgender health official Rachel Levine to be “Man of the Year.” with transparency and protective measures in favor of the greater Aside from the increase in hateful comments, the dangerous good. Since rights against abuse and misinformation can overshadow consequences of uninhibited free speech on social media were also concerns about censorship, purely free speech is untenable on social evident in the 2020 presidential election and Jan. 6 riots, when online media platforms. misinformation led to discontent and violence. Leading up to the Anonymity online breeds undesirable behavior, allowing social media presidential election, Russia attempted to use social media to manipulate users to clash with little accountability. Anonymity allows individuals to public perception of the electoral process, the Democratic Party, and freely express their beliefs without having to fear judgment; however, current president Joe Biden. The U.S. Intelligence Community found conflicting opinions can quickly devolve into heated arguments the campaign’s misinformation and “fake news” influenced voters, and its online. Without in-person accountability, success was amplified by social media. Presidential anonymous users may never reconcile with candidate Donald Trump also used social media Although free others, leading to more and more strife on to circulate allegations against his opponent, Joe the platform. Without consequences and Biden, and criticize the voting process, including speech is a a frame of reference grounded in real life, through his infamous “Stop the Count” tweet. necessary right, users may then develop drastic and hateful Extremist groups such as the Proud Boys, Oath not all speech can viewpoints, which can culminate in violence.

Keepers, and Three Percenters communicate be protected on Various organizations have addressed the and recruit followers using social media apps like risks of total free speech online. In January, Facebook or the encrypted messaging platform private platforms. more than two dozen human-rights experts Telegram. Threats against prominent politicians appointed by the United Nations urged such as former vice president Mike Pence, plans social media executives to “address posts and activities that advocate for the attack on the Capitol, and QAnon conspiracies that stoked hatred, and constitute incitement to discrimination” in a statement. The the flames of insurrection were circulated on such platforms. Despite Human Rights Council pointed to a moral obligation to society and their attempts to downplay their roles in fueling the attack, social media consideration of long-term interests as reasons for tech moguls to focus platforms did not fulfill their responsibility to the public of moderating on accountability on their platforms. political propaganda. Given the high-stakes nature of the election Evidence of corporate failure to regulate free speech for the and threat the riots posed to American democracy, digital networks greater good includes the sharp increase of racial slurs on Twitter after should have taken a more active role in restricting misinformation and its acquisition by Elon Musk. According to the Network Contagion potentially harmful material.

Research Institute of Rutgers University, Proponents for total free speech on social media platforms often use of racial slurs increased by 500% on point to its protections under the First Amendment, believing that Twitter within a 12-hour period. Musk is freedom of speech and expression cannot be prohibited. But the First no stranger to the free-speech debate. Amendment only protects individuals’ speech from censorship from In fact, he offered to buy Twitter to preserve the government, not from private corporations such as Instagram or free speech on the platform, and is a staunch Twitter. This precedent was set by the Supreme Court’s ruling in the advocate of the right “to speak freely within 2019 case Manhattan Community Access Corp. v. Halleck. Although the bounds of the law.” Claiming Twitter as free speech is a necessary right, not all speech can be protected on a “digital town square” and the bedrock private platforms. of a free democracy, Musk intended A large part of the appeal of social media is its diverse user base of for the platform to exhibit a full all ages and backgrounds. However, this diversity means that harmful spectrum of viewpoints. Under his misinformation online can be spread to a wider group of people, posing ownership, Twitter restored nearly a greater danger than ever before. Social media platforms run the risk all previously banned accounts, of presenting misinformation to young audiences, who may not take the including those suspended time to educate themselves on the truth. Recent events such as the Jan. for harassment or spreading 6 insurrection demonstrate that it is the responsibility of social media misinformation. These accounts companies to take preventative measures against further dangers. include those of former president Although free speech is a merit and a right in a court of law, it cannot Donald Trump, commentator be a guarantee on social media or held in higher esteem than the safety Jordan Peterson, and the of consumers. right-wing satirical news site —Written by Maddie Cheung, a Writer.

Juliet Young

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CULTURE

Sum m e r M E DIA Recom m e n dations TV Show: “The Summer I Turned Pretty” Adapted from Jenny Han’s bestselling romance novel, “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a heartfelt coming-of-age series that follows Isabel “Belly” Conklin on her annual summer getaway to Cousins Beach. Caught in a love triangle between two gorgeous brothers and an innocent romance with a John Ambrose–eque local boy, Belly is bound for an eventful summer. Add a splash of “coastal chic,” a touch of teenage drama, and a whole lot of wholesomeness, and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” becomes the perfect tooth-rotting summer series for some mindless fun. The show’s plot, though similar to the premise of the original novel, also takes some creative liberties in adding a debutante ball to close out the season, sure to delight even the most loyal novel purists. But the most heartwarming moments of the show come from the friendship between Laurel (Belly’s strict writer mom) and Susannah (the Fisher boys’ mother and summer home’s easygoing owner) as the two college best friends struggle to deal with bittersweet memories and personal tragedies. “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is the perfect easy watch for summer escapism, delicately dealing with issues of race and class while balancing wistful teenage romance with the ups and downs of adult life.

Album: “Lover” Taylor Swift’s seventh studio album, “Lover,” is a fun and bright listen, a resounding contrast to the darker concepts of “Reputation.” Indeed, the fluffy pink and blue skies of the album cover signify the dawn of a new era of Taylor Swift, complete with pastels and butterflies. The album’s theme is splayed out in glittery cursive in the title and alludes to the people and experiences that Swift loves.

With hefty synthesized beats and reverb, songs on the album feel a little bit like the fizzy bubbles in an alcoholic drink. The mishmash of songs hark back to Swift’s journey as an artist, including the track “Lover,” which reminisces on sweet and slow fairytale romance. But the album “Lover” also marks growth in Swift’s maturity, both in music and relationships. In an interview with “Elvis Duran and the Morning Show,” Swift reveals that “Lover” was written from a place of true and genuine love. Balancing heart-fluttering crushes with self-reflections from past relationships, “Lover” also serves as an exploration of uncharted territory for Swift: political commentary. Songs like “The Man” and “You Need to Calm Down” rebuff sexism and homophobia, while “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” is a commentary on the disillusionment of American youth. “Lover” appeals to a wide spectrum of listeners, including those in search of a poolside anthem such as “Cruel Summer,” as well as those who prefer to mull over her lyrical advocacy.

Movie: “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” Dominating the recent award landscape, “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” has quickly become the most awarded film of all time (IGN). The absurdist comedy-drama follows laundromat owner Evelyn Wang as she undergoes an IRS audit, navigates tense relationships with her husband and daughter, and taps into the parallel universe versions of herself to save the multiverse from a powerful being. Wang is played by the iconic Michelle Yeoh, and the film nods to her previous work with well-choreographed fight sequences reminiscent of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.” As for Ke Huy Quan—who plays each version of her husband, Waymond—a role in “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” came as his first in almost 20 years since his rise to fame as a child actor. His acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor and reunion with Steven Spielberg is sure to bring a tear to any eye, and his performance especially shines as CEO Waymond declares: “In another life, I would have really liked just doing laundry and taxes with you.” “Everything, Everywhere, All at Once” explores the nuance of the relationships between immigrant parents and their children, including the xenophobia and language barriers that immigrants encounter, as well as the intergenerational trauma and disconnect that their children may inherit. As Evelyn and her daughter Joy come together to bridge the gap that has driven them apart, viewers are compelled to recognize the sacrifices that their own families may have taken, and to hug their loved ones a little closer. The film is a heartwarming watch and the perfect occasion for a family movie night for those who do not mind some tears.

—Compiled by Maddie Cheung, a Writer.

Aarushi Kumar

HELIOS

HUMANS OF GUNN

FRESHMAN RUDDHRA GUPTA

11

LIBRARIAN DALJEET GILL

Happiest moment of high school: Spending time with friends during lunch Favorite class at Gunn: Biology Honors Song Ruddhra never skips: “Nouveau Monde” by Corneille

SOPHOMORE ATARA SCHWAB Happiest moment of high school: Watching Homecoming events Favorite class at Gunn: Photography 1 Song Atara never skips: “Roman’s Revenge” by Nicki Minaj

JUNIOR ANTHONY HO

Happiest memory as a high school student: Scoring the tying goal in a soccer match Favorite place on campus: The library Song Mr. Gill never skips: “Staying Alive” by the Bee Gees

MATH TEACHER JULIA CHOI

Happiest moment of high school: Surviving Chemistry Honors Favorite class at Gunn: Biology Honors Song Anthony never skips: “Rainbow” by Kacey Musgraves

SENIOR NOOR PARAK Happiest moment of high school: Being on the girls tennis team Favorite class at Gunn: Biotechnology Song Noor never skips: “Unforgettable” by Drake

Happiest memory as a high school student Creating a film in Spanish class for a final exam Favorite place on campus: Her classroom Song Ms. Choi never skips: “Dancing in the Moonlight”

by Toploader

­—Compiled by Jasmine Fan, a Writer.

12

STEM

HOW TO BE A PLANT PARENT

The pothos plant, also known as devil’s ivy, is fairly lowmaintenance: It is able to thrive in various living conditions, from sun to shade and moist soil to dry soil. Not only are these plants easy to keep alive, but they also effectively purify and remove pollutants from the air. According to a study from NASA, the golden pothos was able to remove 8,986 micro-grams of formaldehyde (a gas known to irritate the body and cause cancer) per plant over a surface area of 2,723 square centimeters.

For those who have a tendency to over water their houseplants, try purchasing a bonsai tree or an elephant ear plant. Sporting magnificent leaves, these dramatic tropical plants are generally easy to care for. Just remember to give them indirect sunlight and trim their yellowing leaves once in a while. Both bonsai trees and elephant ear plants grow best in moist soil, though bonsai trees require more care regarding sunlight and trimming. Rubber plants, bamboo, and ferns are also good choices for those who tend to use a heavy hand when watering. Aspiring plant parents can also adjust for their watering tendencies by using

pots with drainage holes, which allow excess water to filter out of the pot instead of accumulating at the bottom.

On the other hand, for those who tend to be more stingy with water, try the snake plant. Not only is it great at purifying the air and releasing oxygen, but the snake plant is also resistant to drastic changes in sunlight. These plants can go weeks without water or moisture, which makes them easy to take care of. Another easy option is growing succulents. Succulents can sit in direct sunlight and do not need much water—just shower them around twice a week or whenever the top inch of soil is dry. Because they come from climates with low rainfall, strong sunlight, and low humidity, succulents have cells in their leaves that expand during rainy weather to absorb water and shrink during droughts to conserve water, as well as a type of fluid that helps their leaves retain water. However, be aware of these plants’ major shortcoming: Their roots are relatively weak, making them best situated in pots with drainage holes.

—Written by Maya Ma, an Art Editor, and Juliet Young, a Writer.

THE SCIENCE OF SKIN CARE

Skin is the largest organ in the body and the outer barrier preventing harmful bacteria from entering the immune system. It is made up of three layers: the hypodermis, dermis, and epidermis. The hypodermis regulates body temperature and stores energy, but it is also where skin cancer is most likely to develop. Therefore, it is always important to protect the hypodermis layer with sunscreen. The dermis is composed of elastic tissue, collagen, nerve endings, and hair follicles. It assists with the thermo-regulation of the hypodermis and is where sensations come from. The top layer is the epidermis, which keeps moisture inside the body and produces new skin cells. To keep the epidermis healthy, one should drink plenty of water and regularly cleanse their skin.

Cleansing one’s skin is key in maintaining a healthy dermis.

Washing all the excess dirt, makeup, and oil out of one’s pores keeps one’s skin healthy and clear. This process also prevents acne and dehydration. Cleansing every day manages the pH levels of the skin and enables water retention. The skin is naturally acidic with an average pH of 4.7, which helps boost its immune system.

However, skin products with too much alkalinity can disrupt this natural acidity, making the skin vulnerable to dryness, breakouts, and inflammation. Therefore, choosing the gentle, appropriate products is also important to maintain healthy skin. Additionally, neglecting to wash one’s skin can cause oil and dirt buildup at best, and redness, dryness, and irritation at worst. All of these side effects can scratch the skin and create openings for infection.

Moisturizers hydrate the skin, preventing it from drying out.

Moisturizers are best able to seal in moisture on slightly damp skin, which is why experts typically recommend applying moisturizer after cleansing. However, this step depends on one’s specific skin type: People with oily skin would benefit more from lighter and gentler moisturizers because there is no need for extra oil and moisture.

Many moisturizers are loaded with vitamins to purportedly enhance skin health. While they are healthy ingredients, the vitamins in these solutions typically come in negligible amounts or degrade due to light and oxygen exposure, reducing their effectiveness. Thus, while these products can be helpful, they are not a necessity. In an article by Harvard Health Publishing, researchers recommended using humidifiers and drinking sufficient amounts of water rather than applying moisturizer to help with dryer skin.

The final—and perhaps most important—step in the ideal skin care routine is applying sunscreen. It is no secret that ultraviolet light is dangerous—according to the American Cancer Society, it is a major cause of skin cancer. On a less dire level, UV light can also lead to skin irritation and sunburns. Thus, applying sunscreen, which essentially prevents UV rays from penetrating the skin, is crucial. In a study published in the journal “Annals of Internal Medicine,” scientists followed more than 900 people over a fouryear period and concluded that people who use broad-spectrum sunscreen on a daily basis experienced 24% less skin aging than those using sunscreen only intermittently.

—Written by Maya Ma, an Art Editor, and Juliet Young, a Writer.

Aarushi Kumar

13

HELIOS

HEALTH EFFECTS OF POLLUTION It is all too easy to ignore the effects of pollution in Palo Alto.

With the city’s extensive greenery and high air quality, pollution often exists as a distant issue in people’s minds rather than an immediate cataclysm. In most urban cities, however, pollution is becoming an exigency: It increases respiratory infections, heart disease, and lung cancer while rapidly changing urban landscapes.

Pollution predominantly takes the form of particulate matter, or small mixtures of chemicals that vary in size, composition, and shape and contain metallic compounds and elemental carbon. The most worrying forms of PM are PM10, matter with a diameter of 10 or fewer microns, and PM2.5, matter with a diameter of 2.5 or fewer microns.

When breathed in, PM10 can deposit itself in the upper respiratory regions and large airways in the lungs, but will remain in the upper areas of the lungs. PM2.5, however, can lodge itself much further into the lungs. This blockage has been shown to lead to acute or chronic bronchitis, lung cancer, increased and more intensive asthma attacks, and premature mortality. All of these disproportionately impact children, the elderly, and those with preexisting respiratory conditions.

Particulate matter is mainly produced by cars, buses, and factory emissions. It differs from carbon dioxide, however, in that it can also come from construction sites, tilled fields, freshly unpaved roads, and even rock slides. Because of the greater concentration of transportation and factories in urban areas, cities have higher levels of PM buildup, resulting in a greater risk of respiratory issues in these areas. PM also creates visibility issues because it alters the way light is absorbed and scattered in the atmosphere—some particulate matter is large enough to be seen as soot or smoke in the air. Particulate matter also affects rural landscapes, especially agricultural areas.

When deposited in the ground, PM can reduce soil’s ability to raise organic compounds, impacting not only farmland but also natural ecosystems: PM decreases the amount of nutrients for animals to consume, limiting the growth of the environment. Pollution greatly affects all aspects of our life and demands immediate attention, no matter how little individuals may think it affects them.

—Written by Aarushi Kumar, a STEM Editor.

HOW COMMUNITY GARDENING IS RESCUING LOCAL ENVIRONMENTS

The increase of pollution in large cities has seen a commensurate increase of civillians working to protect their environment.

Notably, since the 1970s, there has been a surge in the number of “radical gardeners,” or civillians who garden simultaneously as a form of political protest, a way to improve air quality, and a method of supporting ecosystems.

Hattie Carthan, the “Tree Lady of Brooklyn”

During her years living in Brooklyn, field interviewer and researcher Hattie Carthan noticed the decline of greenery in her neighborhood and the negative effects the loss was having on the environment and infrastructure of the area, including increased temperature and air pollution. She decided to do something about it: She formed the T & T Vernon Avenue Block Association in 1964, holding block parties to raise money to plant and take care of trees in her neighborhood. Eventually, she started gaining more support and was able to found the Neighborhood Tree Corps, which allowed youth in the area to help create over 100 more block associations and plant thousands of trees across Brooklyn. Today, the Hattie Carthan Community Garden Farm aims to preserve her legacy of using gardening as a tool to improve livelihoods in one’s community.

The Green Guerrillas

In the 1970s, recent Columbia graduate Liz Christy founded the Green Guerrillas, a group of radical gardeners in New York City. They started by throwing “seed-green aids,” or balls of dirt, clay, and seeds, into vacant and abandoned lots that the city would not use. A year later, the lots were filled with flowers and greenery. The Guerrillas rallied the community at Bowery and Houston Streets to turn an abandoned lot into a community garden. Christy convinced the city to sell her the lot for just one dollar, and the area soon became the Bowery Houston Farm and Garden. This was the first community garden the Green Guerrillas helped found, but over the years, hundreds of abandoned lots were converted into community gardens and farms, many of which are still functioning today.

These community gardens have transcended New York: They now exist all over the country. For those who want to get involved in these programs, look no further than the HandsOn Bay Area “Magic!” program in Palo Alto. Gardening has proven to be a vital tool in improving the ecosystems and enviornment in each community.

—Written by Aarushi Kumar, a STEM Editor.

Aarushi Kumar

14

STEM

ENGLISH TEACHERS ADOPT NEW POLICIES, MINDSETS TO ACCOUNT FOR RISE OF CHATGPT For decades, scientists have studied and experimented with the capabilities of artificial intelligence. For even longer, students have studied and experimented with cheating in the classroom. In November 2022, the AI research laboratory OpenAI released the chatbot ChatGPT, which has quickly become a worldwide phenomenon. Educators, parents, and students alike have been fascinated by ChatGPT’s ability to answer questions, maintain conversations, and write stories based on a single prompt. However, the advancement of AI poses a challenging question for schools: How will language processing tools such as ChatGPT affect the learning environment in English classrooms?

According to English teacher Kate Weymouth, although using ChatGPT to cheat on a small assignment may seem inconsequential, such behaviors can lead to greater consequences in the long run. “What worries me is the longterm costs of it,” Weymouth said. “In the short term, a student might like that (using ChatGPT) gives them some room in their day and gets their work done for them, but the bill comes due later when they’re in a situation where they don’t have access to it.”

Moreover, using ChatGPT for assignments may not always be effective: AI is imperfect, and

ChatGPT makes many mistakes in its answers.

English teacher Ethan Halter elaborated on this phenomenon. “I think that when I’ve used ChatGPT, which I haven’t done a ton, there (are) always mistakes—and, in fact, the mistakes are often quite subtle,” he said. “There are mistakes, for example, that I can detect easily because I know the text really well, but if you don’t (fully understand the text) and there’s a subtle factual error in, for example, the sequence of events that takes place, then there will just be obvious cheating going on.”

Weymouth has also noticed this flaw in the AI. “I think one (mistake) that a teacher saw was (ChatGPT) saying that a character in ‘The Great Gatsby’ had a conversation with a character in ‘The Grapes of Wrath,’” she said. “ChatGPT doesn’t know, because it hasn’t actually read the books.”

This flaw is something that ChatGPT’s developers have been open about—one of the first things users see when opening the website is a disclaimer on the bot’s capabilities. “(ChatGPT) may occasionally generate incorrect information,” the disclaimer reads.

Unlike other AI, ChatGPT does not have access to the Internet when generating its responses.

Everything the chatbot does is based on test conversations with human AI trainers. The ideal response the chatbot generates generally includes a degree of accuracy. However, since ChatGPT does not receive additional outside information, it is likely to make up answers in a phenomenon commonly referred to as “hallucination.” The bot is not providing

researched information, but making up a string of words on the spot based on what it has been trained to say in the past. Therefore, ChatGPT is unable to distinguish between accurate and fabricated information, making it an unreliable source for students.

Upon first hearing about ChatGPT, many may immediately jump to the conclusion that students will use it to cheat. While this concern is valid, the chatbot may have positive implications for English curricula as well. Halter believes that students can use it to better understand the texts they are reading, and even to come up with some ideas of their own. “There’s no question that reading something about ‘The Great Gatsby’ will help students understand ‘The Great Gatsby,’” he said. “I would never tell a student not to read an essay about ‘The Great Gatsby’ just because it was written by a robot. That sounds interesting; they should go ahead and read that. It’ll help them write their own essay. (They can) use it to come up with their own perspective and ideas.”

Weymouth believes that there is a potential place for ChatGPT in the classroom, but teachers need to be sure of what they are trying to achieve with it. “If you were working on revision or skills for giving feedback or editing, then if you have ChatGPT quickly produce the essay (where) your job is to revise it, to improve it, then I can see that being a good use of (ChatGPT),” she said. “Teachers have to be really clear of what they are trying to do with assignments or assessments they are giving and what they want to assess, and what they want their kids to actually practice.”

As the chatbot continues to improve its responses, educators must constantly adapt to the changing technology in order to help rather than harm students’ learning.

—Written by Jeri Lieberman-Evans, a Writer.

Miguel Lopez

15

HELIOS

AI IN MEDICINE: PROTEINS Irene Hong New discoveries in the medical field are revolutionizing the way people develop medications to cure diseases. But these discoveries are not being made by researchers in labs—they are being made by artificial intelligence.

AI mimics, and sometimes even surpasses, human intelligence in order to perform not only everyday duties but tasks not necessarily possible without technological assistance.

The term “AI” was first coined by Dartmouth professor John McCarthy in 1955, but it was another two decades until AI began to gain prominence in the medical field. Recent developments by two key players in the AI game, Mark Zuckerberg and Christopher Bahl, are changing the way AI is used in medicine.

Protein folding In biology, structure determines function.

This is especially true of proteins, which change their structure during a process known as protein folding. Once proteins fold, they are able to perform several functions in the body. However, if a protein misfolds, the consequences can be drastic, according to biology teacher Jena Lee. “Molecules are able to fit into and interact with other molecules because of their specific three-dimensional shape,” she said. “If a protein’s shape is lost, the interaction will not happen, and that can have serious consequences on pathways that involve the protein.”

In biology, structure determines function. This is especially true of proteins, which change their structure during a process known as protein folding.

In other words, if a protein’s shape is lost, it either becomes useless or toxic. When a protein misfolds and the function of the protein is lost or changed, it results in a buildup of amyloid fibrils, which can result in allergies, neurodegenerative diseases, and many other ailments.

In order to address these afflictions, it is often helpful to be able to predict protein folding. “If scientists can predict the way

in which a protein is going to fold, they can predict its 3D structure, and that will give them insight into the functions of that protein,” Lee said. “This can be used in areas such as drug design, where a scientist could design a protein that would fit into a particular molecule or pathway to have a specific effect.”

Thanks to Meta’s technology, scientists will be able to predict protein folding and address the root causes of the world’s most elusive and undertreated diseases.

This is where Mark Zuckerberg and his team at Meta (formerly known as Facebook) come in. They use AI technology to predict the folding of proteins more quickly than in the past. “Meta’s AI research team just created a model that predicts protein folding 60x faster than state of the art,” Zuckerberg wrote to Meta employees in a post. “This will unlock new ways to treat diseases and accelerate drug recovery.”

Thanks to Meta’s technology, scientists will be able to predict protein folding and address the root causes of the world’s most elusive and undertreated diseases.

Constrained peptide medication Constrained peptide medication, according to a Ted Talk by Christopher Bahl, co-founder and Chief Security Officer of AI Proteins, is going to revolutionize the medical field. These peptides are typically viewed as superior to average peptides for drug development, but they are not a new discovery: The human body naturally produces them to fight off some illnesses, and they are what make snake venom poisonous. But how can people use constrained peptides further to their advantage? That is where the idea for constrained peptide medication comes in.

Currently, there are two primary medications on the market: regular medication and biologics. Regular medication includes pills taken orally or via ointment—think Advil or most allergy medications. These medications are very durable, though not as potent as biologics. Biologic medications are

incredibly effective—however, their size poses a problem. Biologics are so large that stomach acids would dissolve them on contact. This means that biologic medication must be taken, somewhat painfully, by injection.

Constrained peptide medication combines the benefits from both of these types of medication. The medication is small and potent, seeking to combine the effectiveness of biologics and the convenience of regular medication.

Scientists have been investigating this field for some time. However, constrained peptide medications currently on the market only alter preexisting constrained peptides. What sets Bahl’s idea apart is that he plans not to alter naturally preexisting constrained peptides, but to create new ones in a lab using AI. What sets Bahl’s idea apart is that he plans not to alter naturally preexisting constrained peptides, but to create new ones in a lab using AI. Bahl and his team at AI Proteins use an AI program to build never-before-seen protein structures that are then created by researchers in labs. After making a model of the proteins on a computer, researchers develop them and form them into potent, durable pills. This process enables constrained peptide medications to target specific illnesses based on prior information about them. The intelligence program essentially analyzes existing information and uses it to produce an entirely new protein.

Most constrained peptide medications are still in the animal-testing stage. However, as more of these medications are produced and advancements are made in the field, it is likely that these medications will revolutionize medicine as people know it.

—Written by Izzy Grimmer, a Writer.