Vol. 3 Issue 4

ISSUE 5

20

20

VISION

FREE/APRIL 2019

let t er from t he

EDITORS

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elcome to the fifth issue of The Chariot. After receiving a superior rating from the Columbia Scholastic Press and coming back from our staff ’s hiatus in New York, we are proud to present “20/20 Vision,” a look ahead into our world in the coming year, one that is rapidly coming into focus.

The cover piece is centered around the 2020 election, wherein many Johns Creek students will have their political ideologies voiced for the first time on a national stage with the upcoming presidential election. In this article, Managing Editor Maren Stephens and Staff Writer Drew Peljovich examine our generation’s political mobility, as seen by the recent national gun reform advocacy entirely orchestrated by high school students, as well as the policies that candidates will be tussling with in debates and on the campaign trail. We would like to thank Caris Eye Center for allowing us to take our cover pictures, courtesy of our photographer Sam Monkton, in their optometry office, and Edward Cho, for designing the cover for this issue. The Chariot would also be incomplete without the stellar work of designer Erin Lee, whose graphic art has colored and complemented our magazine perfectly throughout the year.

Additionally included in this magazine is Staff Writer Tessa Paul’s analysis of deepfakes, or editing techniques used to superimpose existing videos onto source materials, thereby making convincing fake videos, and the effect they will have on the 2020 election, as well as an opinion piece by Features Editor Morayo Ogunbayo on the rise of corporatism on the YouTube platform.

As the year winds down and we begin to work on our final issue of the year, I would like to thank everyone that has been a part of this collective and made it into the publication that it is.

In covering taboo and controversial subjects like mental illness and race, and facing the wrath of administration, this magazine is integral to our school’s ecosystem and has become something that I have become proud of to no end. Next year, Maura and I will pass the torch to Maren Stephens, Brooke Halak and Dani Blank to control the content and aesthetics of the magazine as Editors-in-Chief, and we are more than certain that this triumvirate will carry on the tradition and ethos of our publication. As our curtain draws to its close, The Chariot serves as a constant reminder: be independent in your thought and vocal in your beliefs. Thank you for a great year.

MAURA MCLYNN AND ROHAN LALLA

Edit ors -in-Chief 2 | COVER BY EDWARD CHO

contents 04. news 4. ROUNDUP 6. GREEN NEW DEAL 8. ADMISSIONS SCANDAL 9. DEEPFAKES IN ELECTION

10. sport s

Production Manager Dani Blank and staff writer Harrison Blank explore the implications of the Green New Deal. Page 6

10. 2020 OLYMPICS 12. ONE AND DONES 13. NEW PRO FOOTBALL LEAGUE

14. feature s 14. COVER STORY: 2020 18. FASHION IN 2010’S 19. 2020 FUN FACTS

Staff writer Emily Miller describes the changes seen between the fashion of the 2010’s versus the upcoming fashion in 2020. Page 18

20. COLLEGE ABROAD 22. CONCERTS THROUGH PHONES 23. COFFEE THAT ISN’T STARBUCKS 24. MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT

26. opinion 26. FACE-OFF: VOTING AGE 28. DEGENERATION 30. T SERIES V. PEWDIEPIE

Staff writer Annabelle Buchanan outlines some of the best coffee shops in the area that are more unique than a typial Starbucks. Page 23 THE CHARIOT | 3

NEWS

Julian Assange, founder and director of WikiLeaks, was released from the Ecuadorian embassy and arrested for stealing U.S. military secrets in coordination with Chelsea Manning.

Venezuela’s Constituent Assembly has stripped opposition leader Juan Guaidó of his parliamentary immunity, a move that could lead to his arrest. He declared himself interim leader in January, gaining the support of more than 50 countries including the US.

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A BBC investigation has revealed that at least six candidates were offered money by Russians in the lead up to last year’s presidential elections in Madagascar, coming after the immense scrutiny that Russia faced for election-meddling in the United States’ 2016 election.

Seventy people have died in flooding in Iran after record rainfalls began affecting parts of the country last month.

Since March 19, rainfalls have so far flooded over 1,900 cities and villages across Iran - causing hundreds of millions of dollars of damage to water and agriculture infrastructures.

South Korea has declared a national emergency in response to one of the largest wildfires on record. At least one person has died, and upwards of 4,000 have been evacuated. Some 16,500 soldiers, 32 military helicopters, 26 military fire trucks, and 800 fire engines have been deployed.

Awad Mohamed Ahmed Ibn Auf, the South Sudanese military chief who led the action that ousted long-serving Omar alBashir has resigned his position after one day in power. The military hierarchy has rejected any attempt to have Bashir extradited to be tried in criminal court.

ROUNDUP JOSHUA KIM, staff writer JACK LEE, staff writer

THE CHARIOT | 5

NEWS

The Green New Deal

climate change

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SAM MONCKTON

DANI BLANK production manager HARRISON BLANK, staff writer

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in 2020:

mong members of the scientific community, there is an understood agreement that climate change is real and is almost certainly due to human activity. Although a sector of the population is morally convinced that climate change is a hoax, or that it is inevitable and there is nothing humans can do about it, House Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Ed Markey side with scientists and argue that there is in fact a human solution. They recently released a massive list of proposals that aims to prevent climate change with modern ideas such as renewable energy and resource efficiency, while simultaneously addressing economic inequality in a way that resembles the New Deal implemented by former president FDR. The combination of proposed economic and environmental programs is appropriately titled “the Green New Deal.”

Ocasio-Cortez and Markey’s goals call for drastic measures to “[upgrade] all existing buildings in the United States to achieve maximal energy efficiency, water efficiency, safety, affordability, comfort, and durability, including through electrification” to slow humans’ effect on the environment. Most American homes and buildings could save up to 30% of their used energy just by taking steps to become energy efficient -- they would save up to 25% on their energy bill while also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The Green New Deal also recommends “building or upgrading to energy-efficient, distributed, and ‘smart’ power grids,” that would stretch across the continent as opposed to the regional ones we have now. Excess energy created from a wind alley that stretches from North Dakota to western Texas, could be transferred to major cities on the East Coast. Building a smart grid would create almost 5 million permanent jobs and temporary jobs, and incorporate outside interests from groups such as local landowners and federal regulators.The transition would lead to one or two trillion dollars of economic benefits and would cut greenhouse gas emission by over 50%, but it would cost almost 500 billion dollars. Experts even say that the country is nowhere close to implementing a smart grid, and without a clear plan from Ocasio-Cortez and Markey, the goal still remains impractical.

The Green New Deal’s extensive list of suggestions further includes using only renewable energy to meet the country’s power demand, anad investing in zero-emission vehicles and accessible public transportation to eliminate pollution from the transportation sector. Countless other goals revolve around preventing climate change, but Ocasio-Cortez and Markey also aim to create jobs and boost the economy.

They are pushing to “[guarantee] jobs with a family-sustaining wage, adequate family and medical leave, paid vacations, and retirement security to all people of the United States.” This sector of the deal traces back to FDR’s goals to stimulate the economy after the Great Depression. By requiring paid leave and securing retirement plans, the Green New Deal ties together the economy and the environment to force the economy to benefit from the new environmental policies.

The deal also strives to “[strengthen] and [enforce] labor, workplace health and safety, anti-discrimination, and wage and hour standards across all employers, industries, and sectors.” These labor laws will protect workers and ensure their safety — effectively encouraging people to support the proposal and join the works programs that are created.

Although a sector of the population is awaiting the new benefits of the Green New Deal, it is important to note that the deal is a nonbinding resolution.

This means that if it were to pass, it wouldn’t create any new programs itself; it would only potentially inform the House that these things should be implemented in the coming years. Altogether, the Green New Deal is a loose framework; it does not lay out guidance on how to implement these policies. The deal is entirely hypothetical — it would be extremely difficult to implement and extremely expensive, if it is passed. In Congress, the deal is supported by Democrats on the far left, but it will be difficult to gain support from Democrats who come from moderate districts and especially difficult to gain support from Republicans, even those who are worried about climate change. Thus, the Green New Deal’s proposals introduce a way to prevent climate change while contributing to the economy, but if it is passed, the benefits still lie far in the future.

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NEWS

MONEY TO BURN: the aftermath of operation varsity blues

MATT PRESS, sports editor

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or celebrities and their families, their lives are seemingly devoid of any hardship or struggle. From grade school to six figure jobs, children of celebrities have a stereotype of coasting their way through life and working significantly less than, well, everyone else. In the case of Lori Loughlin, more commonly known as Aunt Becky on ABC’s “Full House”, she took her daughter’s daunting task of coasting into her own hands. Loughlin coughed up hundreds of thousands of dollars to secure her daughter admission to The University of Southern California (USC) and has been charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit fraud which could result in a three to five year jail sentence. While she deservedly received severe scrutiny from the public, this was not a one person job. “College consultant” and scam artist Rick Singer essentially orchestrated the entire operation with help from multiple USC insiders, all of whom have been taken into custody and face significant charges. After speaking with college consultant Carol Doherty of Doherty Educational Consultants, the underlying meaning of this debacle became clear.

“I am a member of the IECA, which is the Independent Education Consultants Association, and we are held to a set of ethical standards. Mr. Singer is not a member of the IECA, so he wasn’t held to any standards and nothing he did was reg-

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ulated, so he could work on his own...I don’t see it impacting me, although I did send a note out to every family I work with so that they would know the difference” said Doherty.

The Lori Loughlin fiasco and others alike justify ethical questioning of college officials, but also of the admission system as a whole. The college admissions system has received gripes for years on end about what they should take into consideration for applicants, and many people across the country believe the ACT and SAT should be significantly less weighted than one’s personal life and extracurriculars.

“The college admissions system does need to be refined, but more from the standpoint of this love affair with top schools because the pressure it puts on students filters down to the highschool level...I feel like a lot of kids think they’re not good enough, when in fact they’re great” said Doherty.

The absurd amount of stress placed on students is felt all across the nation, and as strange as it may seem, even in the lives of celebrities’ children. The college admission system is undoubtedly flawed, and Doherty and many others have taken this scandal as a sign to improve it. If there are a few things Americans should have learned from Loughlin and Singer’s impropriety, it is to always check for ICEA credentials in a college consultant, and try as hard as possible to remove stress from the application process.

DEEPFAKES: presidential propaganda TESSA PAUL, staff writer

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MADHU RAVI

he 2016 presidential election was plagued with outside sources trying to influence voters opinions. One of these methods was through creating deepfakes, which are realistic videos that have been edited to show different visuals or audio than the original video. Some editing can start out as harmless comedy, but can rapidly get out of hand and turn into a fake celebrity sex tape or a politician talking about a controversial topic. Deepfakes can be very easy to make and difficult to detect as being a fake video.

“As deep fake technology becomes more advanced and more accessible, it could pose a threat to United States public discourse and national security, with broad and concerning implications for offensive active measures campaigns targeting the United States,” a group of U.S. Representatives wrote in a statement to the Director of National Intelligence.

The ease of using the technology involved in creating deepfakes has led to an increase of concerns for the next presidential election.

The fear comes after it was discovered that hackers from Russia were distributing fake information through social media to turn people away from certain candidates during the 2016 election. Instead of professional video editors with expensive equipment creating influential media, anyone with a computer and the right program can create a highly persuasive video to sway the general public’s opinions.

Politicians are fearful of the impact the diffusion of fake information will have in the upcoming elections. For the 2020 election, voters will be bombarded with political updates and news reports about various candidates and it’s primarily up to them to pick out the truth. Currently, there is no technology that has the capcity to detect an edited video from the original one. However, in the past two years, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has invested $68 million into developing a program that will be able to identify deepfakes, but it is a very difficult process.

“We already struggle to track and combat interference efforts and other malign activities on social media — and the explosion of deep fake videos is going to make that even harder,” Senator Mark Warner, the top Democrat on the Senate Intelligence Committee, says.

The technology to detect edited videos will become crucial in the near future as deepfakes expand beyond the United States and our elections. Deepfakes will be used on a global scale to influence people’s perspectives and support a certain political agenda or bias, making the interpretation of media even more critical in terms of international relations in the upcoming years.

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SPORTS

2020 OLYMPICS COLN RAAD and BRITTAIN LEE, staff writers

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he 2020 Olympic Games will commence on July 24, 2020 in Tokyo, Japan. The games return to Tokyo for the first time since 1964, in which Japan placed third overall in the medal count behind the United States and the Soviet Union. The 2020 Olympics returns to fashion following the 2016 Summer Olympics taking place in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in which over 300 nations and almost 11,300 athletes competed for their nations’ glory. In preparation for the games, the Japanese government has been working to prepare the city and its 13.9 million citizens for the events to come.

The Olympic Stadium used for the 1964 Olympics was destroyed and is undergoing a $1 billion dollar renovation in order for the games to commence. In accoradnce with the new Olympic Stadium, other venues for the games include the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium, the Imperial Palace Garden and Yokohama Stadium.

The Tokyo Games will see the return of baseball and softball for the first time since the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008. Several other sports will be making their debut in Tokyo, including 3x3 basketball, freestyle BMX, karate, surfing, Madison cycling, sport climbing and skateboarding. With the addition of these sports, fans can expect to see some of their favorite athletes and more enter the games and hopefully bring home gold for their country.

In addition to the city of Tokyo itself and all its beauty, the Japanese government looks to display the rapid-growing technology in Tokyo, hoping to provide visiting fans with an experience they won’t forget.

Hirohisa Hirukawa, leader of the Tokyo 2020 Robot Project, stated, “The Tokyo 2020 Games are a unique opportunity for us to display Japanese robot technology. This project will not simply be about exhibiting robots, but also about showcasing their practical real-life deployment helping people. So there will be not only sports at the Tokyo 2020 Games, but also some cool robots at work to look forward to as well.”

In addition to robots, Nokia is working to create a 5G-ready baseband network in Japan to provide the greatest network and experience for visitors and athletes coming to Tokyo. As the world waits for one of the greatest athletic competitions in the world to take place, the people of Tokyo and the rest of the world are marking their calendars for their great city to be put on display. With new innovations and creative designs showing off the cultures of Japan, one can expect the upcoming Olympics to be spectacular. As 2020 comes closer by the minute, the preparations for the Tokyo Summer Olympics are already underway.

With the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo on the horizon, there are many top athletes to watch that will be representing the United States. Four-time Olympic

gold medalist Simone Biles is competing, and will try to recreate her incredible run again in Tokyo. Coming off an amazing performance in Rio, she also looks to become the United States most decorated gymnast with 8 medals, going down as one of the greatest US gymnasts to ever compete. US diver David Boudia has announced his plans to compete in the 2020 Olympics, after stating that he would retire after the games in 2016. If he does decide to compete, he will undoubtedly be one of the favorites in his events, and only needs two medals to become the most decorated US diver of all time. The return of the games also brings the return of US golf in the Olympics, after it was reintroduced in Rio in 2016. The deep field of US men is headlined by the world number one Dustin Johnson, followed by the big names of Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Rickie Fowler and Tiger Woods, which is only a few of the golfers anticipated to represent the US in 2020. They also look to win the first gold medal for the United States since 1900, and with this deep field of golfers, anything is possible. The US swim team is also looking to make a major statement in this upcoming Olympics. Katie Ledecky is preparing for yet another incredible run in Tokyo, after winning five gold medals in Rio and taking women’s swimming by storm. If she could replicate another five gold medals in Tokyo, she would becoming the second highest gold medal winner ever, behind only Michael Phelps.

The US men are headlined by the young talent looking to make their mark in this year’s games. Five-time Olympic champion and veteran Nathan Adrian also is looking to compete, despite his cancer diagnosis and announcement in January of 2019. With this broad group of US men competing, do not be surprised to see the US making a major “splash” in this upcoming Olympics. And last but not least, the US men and women’s track and field teams come into next year looking to make a statement in their field of competitors. Allyson Felix hopes to become the most decorated Olympic track and field athlete with only needing three to break the record and be in a league of her own. Upand-comer Noah Lyles, looks to be the USA’s next top sprinter, and might turn some eyes with his dancing, somersaulting and high personality, but don’t be surprised with his speed either, as he is number one in the 200 meters in the world for his age and might be a top sprinter by the time the games arrive in 2020.

The United States team as a whole looks to be an exciting one in these upcoming games, and might once again win the most medals in the games in Tokyo. Even though the games are a year away, the buzz around this team should continue to grow, and by 2020 look for this team to have a major run and once again be on top.

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SPORTS

ALLIANCE: good while it lasted

BEN GOZALES, staff writer SAM BEAGLE, sports editor

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he Alliance of American Football (AAF) was a new professional football league in the United States. It was not meant to compete with the NFL, as it was considered a minor league, yet many fans were embracing their hometown teams.

After the failed USFL and XFL, it was difficult for football fans to find a chance to watch a game outside of the NFL or NCAA. The AAF was looking to change this with teams in cities such as San Diego, Memphis and Atlanta. With Atlanta being the largest city, the AAF catered to many smaller town markets with 8 teams that played across the country. The beginning of the season was very convenient to many football fans as it kicked off just one week after Super Bowl LIII. The Atlanta Legends, like many teams in the AAF, had a mix of former NFL and mid tier college players, with players such as CB Doran Grant of the Chicago Bears, RB Tarean Folston of Notre Dame and fan favorite Aaron Murray of UGA. In light of the lack of a draft in this league, players were typically assigned to teams based on the location of where they played in college or in other leagues. This allowed for fanbases to reunite with players who they were previously unable to watch.

Another great aspect of the AAF was the incredible ticket price. Unlike the NFL where tickets can range into the thou-

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sands for a single game, the AAF had ticket prices for as low as $20. This made these games very accessible for the masses, and those that may have not be able to afford the high buy in prices of many NFL and NCAA football games.

Unfortunately for many football fans, the AAF dropped a bombshell on April 2nd, 2019 only 2 months after its founding in February. This came as a shock to many fans of the AAF as the league had seemed to have a successful launch in many cities. The suspension of operations was implemented by the Chairman and heavy investor of the league, Thomas Dundon. At the time of writing, no official statement has been released from Dundon yet, many speculate that the reason for suspension of league operations is due to the league’s poor cash flow and reliance on Dundon’s 250 million dollar investment in the league. According to multiple sources, Dundon was not comfortable with such a risky investment in an unstable league.

Dundon, the owner of the Carolina Hurricanes and majority owner in TopGolf, allowed the players of the league to exercise their NFL-out clauses in their contracts, allowing them to sign with NFL clubs if they wish.

For many players and fans, the end of the AAF is disappointing, yet it opens doors for players to sign with the NFL and many fans to shift back to watching the highest level of play.

one & dones

ELI HIRSHBERG & AARON BASHUK staff writers

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or basketball fans there is nothing more controversial than the “one and done” policy - a rule that allows collegiate basketball players to enter the NBA draft with the intent of playing professionally after playing only one year of college basketball. Viewpoints on this issue vary, as some believe that the rule gives an opportunity for exceptional players to test their skills at the highest level, while others believe that one and dones have flawed the recruiting process for college coaches who are less likely to recruit a player who has only played one meager season with their college team.

The National Basketball Association and the NCAA’s responses to one and dones have been both swift and severe, with the most recent ruling promising the establishment of programs run by USA Basketball and a package of new eligibility rules designed to better educate elite basketball players and their families. A statement issued by the NCAA reveals that “Once fully operational, not only will it improve training and care but will give NBA officials and teams the chance to work with and evaluate players for several years before they enter draft eligibility... The elite young players will also receive life skills training on a variety of topics from positive decision-making to navigating the college recruitment process. Also for the first time, there will be sessions for parents and guardians to prepare them for the process of their sons playing basketball at the highest levels.” All individuals in the basketball world, from television analysts to NBA superstars, understand the one and done rule and how it is affecting the game.

The one and done rule was passed in 2006 stating that that players must be at least one year out of high school and 19 years old (in the year of the draft) to enter the league. More than 100 players have

had a one-and-done season since then, playing college ball for a year without compensation while risking injury before being selected in the draft. In fact, this year Duke superstar Zion Williamson’s impeccable play is leading NBA rulemakers to question why the one and done rule was ever put into place. In one of the most productive seasons by a college freshman to date, Zion averaged a double-double, shot 68% from the field, and led the Blue Devils to the Elite Eight almost single-handedly. After putting up these numbers and humiliating opposing teams’ players, it is clear that Zion Williamson was just too good to play college basketball this year. Prior to 2006, Zion would have been able to enter the NBA draft immediately after graduating from Spartanburg High School in South Carolina. However, that is where the one and done rule comes in. No matter how good Zion was coming out of high school, he had no choice but to commit to Duke as a collegiate player for at least a year before becoming eligible to play professional basketball. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver acknowledged over the summer that “one and done” is soon to just be done, saying the league was “ready” to make a change. But it has to be negotiated with the union as part of the collective bargaining agreement, making it unlikely to happen before the 2021 draft.

Zion’s play alone was enough to provide an eye opener to NBA officials who are finally beginning to realize that if someone has the talent to make it in their chosen profession, the age at which they do it is irrelevant. Although there may be a significant amount of high school players who are not mature enough athletically to succeed in the NBA, the one and done rule should not act as a roadblock to those high school ballers who are ready to play professional basketball.

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COVER

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ith the decade finally coming to an end, it’s time to say goodbye to the 2010s and hello to the 2020s. However, instead of looking back on the years past, we choose to look forward to the ones to come. In 2020, the world is predicted to begin another Roaring 20’s. With the low inflation and unemployment, a new presidential election and a resurgence of activism, the political and economic spheres are surely beginning a new golden era. Not only are the more abstract aspects of the world booming, but technology too is thriving. Innovations in the automotive, aerospace and personal industries are happening constantly, not to mention the various other technological developments occurring daily.

With some starting as early as last winter, campaigns and candidacy announcements are now in full swing. Though President Donald Trump is running for reelection, another Republican candidate, Bill Weld, is considering joining the race, a big deal for the Republican party, yet President Trump remains the largest contender. On the other side, there fails to be a front-runner for the Democratic party. With so many candidates, including Senators Corey Booker, Kamala Harris and Elizabeth Warren, it is unclear as to which are to be cut from the race.

Seemingly hand in hand with the upcoming election, Generation Z is in a phase reminiscent of the 1960’s, with a surge of activism.

Movements like the March for Our Lives, a cause started following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting last year, are a perfect example of this resurgence. Gen Z is the most vocal generation in years due to increasing technology that connects us all and the fear of pressing matters. No other age group has stressed about their own future more than we have party due to colleges becoming more competitive than ever. With student activism on the rise, many hypothesize that it will continue to grow in the years to come, specifically in terms of the next presidential election. In the 2020 election, many of today’s high school juniors and seniors will be casting their votes for the first time. This is playing a major factor specifically in the campaigns of Democratic candidates, who are beginning to engage more on social media

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and reach out to high schools for town halls and campaign events. Social media, coupled with tragedies of the most recent years is likely the driving force for this political action. The new annual walkouts and marches begun

by Generation Z are descriptive of the current youth movement: diverse, vast and vocal.

In addition to the novelty of the current political landscape, 2020 is expected to be a period of innovation in many technological fields.

Many companies, including Uber, are pushing for the revolutionization of the typical vehicle, and finally looking to the skies for inspiration. The Bell Nexus Air Taxi, a new car partnering with Uber that promises to create the first air taxi service, is already enjoying fame due to the Fort Worth company’s creation. After the company premiered the car at the 2019 Consumer Electronics Show, other companies are racing to top the new product. For years, Japanese automotive companies have been rumored to be working on flying cars in hopes that they will dominate the skies at the 2020 Olympics. However, with minimal new information on that technology, Toyota has also been advertising their new self-driving car, the first without a steering wheel.

Japan’s recent innovations and bursts in advertising come in anticipation of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, a chance to catapult Japan back to a leader in technology. The Summer Olympics will follow the tradition of the Olympic Games, a place for countries to show off their cultures and new features, along with displaying the incredible abilities of their athletes. However, as a sort of double-edged sword, while hosting the Olympics brings in tourists, athletes and media coverage, the preparations also require a cleanout of lower

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20 VISION

MAREN STEPHENS, managing editor and DREW PELJOVICH, staff writer

THE CHARIOT | 15

COVER

income neighborhoods and old infrastructure.

Much like the 1964 Olympics, in which 10,000 new buildings were created in Tokyo, the city is being revamped for the upcoming Games. This reconstruction began with Kengo Kuma’s redesign of the national stadium, a project costing the country $1.26 billion. As the remodeling trend proceeds, it is hard to imagine what part of Japan’s capital is next to be remade in hopes of a new, futuristic national image.

Hand in hand with the recreation of everything from cars to infrastructure, technology as a whole is expected to see a major boom in innovation in the coming decade. Perhaps the prime example of these technological developments is the new technology expected to come along with next year’s iPhones. 5G, the new type of service in 2020’s iPhones, allows for faster service overall, but the most notable change comes with digital downloads. Full length feature films will now take only 17 seconds to download with 5G, compared with the current six minutes for 4G. The new 5G technology will not only improve cell phone function, but will also decrease latency in everything from surgery to car functioning. 5G coverage is expected to decrease latency from 50 milliseconds to likely 3, or even less.

This new technology will come at a cost, however, and a high one. Approximated to debut at nearly $2,000,

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the phone continues the upward slope in mobile phone pricing. In addition to the new phone technology, artificial intelligence is becoming more prominent in our everyday lives, a trend expected to continue in the coming years.

With technology like Apple’s Siri and Amazon’s Alexa becoming commonplace in many American homes, it is reasonable to expect that more advanced AI software will soon make the jump as well.

Technology in spaceflight is expected to take off as well in the 2020s. Beginning with the highly anticipated Mars 2020 rover, the Red Planet is set to be the main destination for exploration by several space agencies including NASA and the ESA. Although, NASA has announced their goal to create a lunar colony in the mid-2020s that will house astronauts for months at a time and will further our understanding of Earth’s closest neighbor. However, private spaceflight company SpaceX has a bigger ambition. Their plan to send humans to Mars will begin in 2024 if all stays on track for the company. The feasibility of this goal will soon be understood, but nevertheless the 2020s look to be a very excited decade for space scientists and engineers.

Even though advances in spaceflight are occurring at a breathtaking pace, advances in our own planet’s well-being are slower to develop. Climate change looms ahead to be a devastating reality in the 2020s. If trends continue, the planet could warm by 1.5 degrees

celsius, which would cause catastrophic effects on the planet. Hurricanes and other natural disasters would increase in strength and cost. In addition, rising sea levels could completely submerge as many as 52 island territories in the oceans, costing millions in relocation costs and hurting the GDPs of several countries. Plus, thousands of species of wildlife and millions of aquatic animals are at risk for extinction due to rising temperatures and the disruption of mating and navigation instincts. With current projections and government programs, the future environment of our planet seems grim.

However, new advancements in climate change technologies could revolutionize the way we combat the rising temperatures.

Solar panels are expected to decrease in cost as they become cheaper and more efficient to create. In addition to solar panels, development in wind and hydroelectric power in the 2020s could create a world in which renewable resources create half of all energy used on Earth according to a Bloomberg report.

For the past few decades, film and television have portrayed 2020 and the decade afterward as a glimmering time for the world. Though we may not yet have the seemingly magic technology hypothesized by films like Click or Robocop, the innovations are not far off from what we have today.

With the major pushes for science, technology, engineering and mathematics in school curriculums across the world, it is not hard to imagine a time where robots rule the world. While it is hard to even picture what daily life will look like come the end of 2020, it is nearly i m p o s s i bl e to think of what it will be in 2030 due to these rapid advancements.

People’s lives however, are inevitable to change at the hand of what is to come in the next few years.

As technology revolutionizes, the youth becomes more empowered and there is a possibility for a complete uprooting of American politics. The years to come are a truly exciting and uncharted territory soon to be explored.

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The new annual walkouts and marches begun by Gen Z are descriptive of the current youth movement: diverse, vast and vocal.

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FEATURES

FASHION then and now

EMILY MILLER, staff writer

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hether you are a fashion lover or hater, our society revolves around clothes. Everyone, whether they care about their appearance or not, is affected by fashion. Our world is constantly being bombarded with new styles and trends; the way you dress in today’s era defines you. Whether you have the new air force ones, mom jeans or a top from Urban Outfitters, the struggle to keep up seems almost impossible nowadays. Although these trends evolve each year, many of the styles we see are from past decades. We take styles from the past and mix them with modern trends to create something funky and fresh. It is a vogue cycle that the fashion community defines as eclecticism: the practice of deriving ideas, style or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources.

Let’s take a look through fashion history beginning with some of the recent and most dashing years: the 2010s. The 2010s brought us many new and unforgettable trends.

Throughout the 2010s, fashion reinvented itself with innovative patterns, textures and styles. 2010 and 2012 were the years of neon, trendy high-low boots, chevron prints, plaid, skinny jeans, bedazzled dresses, leather bomber jackets and of course, UGGS. On top of these trends, the popular Vineyard Vines and Southern Marsh shirts, as everyone can recall, were a must have in order to fit in with the preppy styles at school. A

commonality within these trends lies in the fact that most of them were derived from past decades.

The popular bomber jacket was a version of the ones from the 1950s and plaid came all the way from Scotland from the 1850s.

In the mid 2010s, relatively between the years of 2014-2016, fashion took a turn towards more monochromatic and printed clothing. These years brought us the famous palazzo pants, cropped tops, combat boots inspired by the 90s and the classic skater skirts from Charlotte Russe. Popular day-today outfits also consisted of the stylish boyfriend jeans from abercrombie, floral rompers, pencil skirts, yoga pants and birkenstocks.

2017 and 2018 gave us the Gingham pattern, wide leg/bootcut jeans, shirt dresses, light wash/ distressed jeans, white sneakers, and shift dresses. Chokers and velvet also made a comeback. Some of the popular brands that started booming in younger audiences include Tommy Hilfiger, Adidas, Lululemon and Urban Outfitters.

All of these trends cycle throughout the decades. Today’s designers take elements from the past and combine them with current, vibrant trends to create something spunky and new. These decades of reinventing clothing create the illusion that fashion is going backwards, when it is really moving forwards. Fashion is its own world, and it is a form of art that will always stay prevalent in our society.

2020: a look ahead ETHAN MINGOIA, staff writer

As we approach the summer of 2019, it is difficult to contemplate how fast the year has gone by.

That being said, people are already looking forward to what this next decade has to offer. Although it may be too early to determine major world news and the defining events of the next ten years, there are some exciting things already known about what is happening in the year 2020.

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2020 will be a leap year, the 20th year of the 3rd millennium, the 20th year of the 21st century, and the 1st year of the 2020s decade.

It is interesting to note, as the population continues to grow, how many people there will be in 2020. With there being approximately 7,714,576,923 people amassing the population today, in 2020 there is expected to be 7,795,482,309 people and pushing 8 billion people by 2023.

2020 is also a year for historic anniversaries: 100 years ago prohibition came into effect all over America, 80 years ago was the beginning of animation with the birth of Pinocchio, Tom and Jerry and Fantasia and finally, was the opening of the first major fast food chain, McDonald’s.

By the year 2020 Generation Alpha, those born after 2010, will have been two-thirds completed with the end of this generation being kids born after 2025.

Generation Alpha also known as iGeneration are the children of millennials, yet their title remains vastly unknown. Generation Alpha use smartphones and tablets naturally, and were born alongside the advancements in iPhones, iPads, and applications.

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Furthermore, since the last Summer Olympics were in 2016, it is due time that the Olympics make their quad-annual appearance in Tokyo, Japan. New sports are being added to the games that will allow close to 500 additional athletes a chance at International glory and fame. Skateboarding, karate, surfing, sports climbing and baseball/softball are all the sports that the International Olympic Committee has added to the next edition of the Summer Games at Tokyo 2020. These sports will allow 18 additional events and raise the total number of different competitive categories up to 46. To make a statement about sustainability, Japan recently announced it would forge its 2020 Olympic medals from recycled smartphones, laptops and other gadgets. They have recently revealed that they have nearly met this goal after collecting nearly 48,000 tons of e-waste. The committee collected 4,100 kg of silver and 30 kg of gold valued at $3 million.

The Chinese New Year in 2020 starts on Saturday, January 25th and ends on February 11th, 2021. According to the Chinese Horoscope, the Year of The Metal Rat follows the Year of the Earth Pig (2019) and comes prior to the Year of the Metal Ox (2021). The Rat is the first sign from the 12 animals cycle of the Chinese Zodiac, and for this reason, this time period is considered a year of new beginnings and renewals.

The first year of the new decade is already shaping up to be a great one for movies. There will be highly anticipated sequels like Wonder Woman 1984 and Bond 25, live-action remakes like Mulan and Barbie, and so much more on the way. Other films including Godzilla vs. Kong, Fast & Furious 9, Top Gun: Maverick, Avatar 2, Jungle Cruise and Legally Blonde 3 are set to release throughout the year.

THE CHARIOT | 19

FEATURES

20 | SAM MONCKTON

College Abroad BROOKE HALAK, copy editor

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e live in a time that stresses the importance of a global perspective and what better way to obtain this global mindset than by living and studying abroad? Traveling abroad is an undeniably unnerving experience for anyone, yet even more frightening may be the experience of living and studying abroad for a semester.

Choosing to study abroad is a daunting decision, but one that seems to be becoming more and more popular each year. According to data from the annual Open Doors Report, the number of American students studying abroad has increased by 2.3% to over 332,000 students in 2017.

The reasons for studying abroad are endless. Those who want to be interconnected with the world and gain global insight would benefit from such an excursion. By exploring another country, students will be able to get out of their comfort zone, learn another language, meet new people and experience new cultures. This will help them adapt to new careers or unfamiliar environments they may undergo in the workforce. Whether a student has travelled numerous times in their life or has never been overseas, spending time abroad teaches students to accept diversity, understand cultural difference and exposes them to beneficial interactions.

Students graduate college with an abundance of knowledge and experience under their belt, thanks to the myriad of courses, clubs and opportunities college provides, yet more and more employers look for a study abroad experience when hiring students after graduation. It shows employers that the student has an open mind, the ability to handle themselves in stressful situations and the drive needed to adapt to changing environments. After all, what is the point of college without learning new things, expanding your horizons and pursuing new interests?

By immersing oneself in a new education system, one can develop the ability to critical skills and adapt to various environments. Studying abroad not only allows students to gain a global perspective, but to possibly also learn about their major from a different viewpoint than they have been taught in the classroom. It allows students to use the concepts they have learned in the classroom and apply them to practical real world settings. This cultural awareness will help give them an edge when looking for a job after graduation.

Whatever one’s career path may be, attaining a global insight can be auspicious to a student; they may improve on a certain language, recognize and sympathize with other cultures and even make global connections.

Meeting new people and making friendships with others around the world increases one’s chances of success in a globalized economy. One is no longer limited to the wisdom of college professors and friends, as these foreign connections can share their knowledge and teach

life skills which can be absent from a student’s college.

Although seeking out a new and foreign environment seems daunting and uncomfortable, the life skills you obtain are far more valuable than the discomfort one feels in the first few days. Yes, most students will experience the effects of culture shock, but this prepares them for the unfamiliar situations they’ll undergo in their future careers.

Emily York, a junior at Johns Creek High School who is spending the 2019-2020 school year in Austria said, “I wanted to study abroad because I wanted something different than the typical high school to college path. I chose Austria because I hope to become fluent in the German language, make lasting relationships with people from around the world and I also love the mountains.”

Nowadays FOMO, or the fear of missing out, has corrupted the minds of students who feel that by not being present in their social circle or in popular social activities, they’ll be completely excluded from the current gossip or fun activities happening without them. This FOMO may drive students to decline exciting new opportunities that would infiltrate considerably more knowledge within students than would residing at the college for four years.

“I have definitely thought about what I will miss out on in Johns Creek. I know I’ll miss my friends, family and spending my actual senior year with the class I have grown up with.

Even with all this back home, I know I’ll have a great experience in Europe. I believe I will learn things that I wouldn’t have the chance to in America, and this will benefit me in the future as I go to college and enter the workforce,” said York.

An undoubtedly significant factor when determining whether to embark on college abroad is the financial aspect. Paying for such a sophisticated excursion can be tremendously distressing, but the majority of colleges will offer the studying abroad program as a replacement for tuition. Typically, study abroad programs which function directly through a college, may grant financial aid or scholarships, whereas if this program is through a third party planner, the cost may be a financial burden.

Before studying abroad, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. Homesickness, cultural shock, fear of the unknown, expenses and time are all potential consequences of choosing to study abroad. This being said, overcoming these challenges displays positive qualities in oneself, builds character and additionally, increases one’s confidence.

Attending college abroad is an ideal opportunity to create networks, perfect a language, gain global insight and overall, learn new things. It is an extensive decision, but consider when you’ll have a similar opportunity. College is a time to grow and learn, therefore getting out of your comfort zone and into a foreign country, is a great way to complete this experience.

THE CHARIOT | 21

FEATURES

concerts through phones

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ALEC GROSSWALD and KOLIN BRANDEIS, staff writers

n 2019, concerts have established a big role in almost every teen’s lives. Everyone is dying to see their favorite artist perform, but most cannot afford the steep prices that come with the tickets. As a result, many teenagers are defaulting to spectating concerts from their phones, specifically from live streaming services such as Instagram Live. Although the crazy and energetic environment of the live concert is not there, people still get to witness their favorite artists perform for free. Viewing concerts digitally has seemingly become a legitimate second option to actually spending hard earned money for a concert, but how do the artists themselves feel about it?

Artists across all genres have shown their frustration towards people who record and live stream their concerts. Musicians such as Kendrick Lamar, the Lumineers and even the late Prince have discussed the issues of their performances being taped by explaining how it “ruins the ambiance” of the concert. In the past, many artists such as Atlanta rapper, Childish Gambino, have found solutions to the streaming when he required his fans to place their phones in Yondr pouches which lock their phones of use in a certain area around the location of the concert.

In addition, fans who live stream the concerts are actually a matter of the law too. Federal law, 17 U.S. Code Chapter 1101, imposes civil penalties for people who record unauthorized live performances. Anti-recording laws have rarely been enforced as artists usually do not prosecute their fans, but at the

22 | ERIN LEE

end of the day artists want their concerts to be exclusive.

The recording and viewing of concerts on one’s phone also proposes ethical issues. Is it ethical to view live content for free that others paid for? Many argue it doesn’t matter if someone watches a concert on their phone because people are paying for the live and memorable experience, which is unobtainable through a screen. Although illegal, many high school students use this as an alternative way to listen to music. Others claim that people who do this should be penalized because they are watching a concert for free that otherwise would have been paid for. Artists work hard to put on a fun, entertaining show, and viewing it for free would completely undermine their work. There really is no right answer to this question, and as of now, there are no regulations of these videos on sites such as YouTube.

This issue is relatively new because of the growth of technology in the past ten years, so no one has really addressed or spoken about it. However, as we become more reliant on techn o l o g y, an action may be taken.

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s homework piles up, many students begin to lose sleep. As a result, many kids are left searching for a caffeine buzz, usually from coffee. With over 14,000 locations in the US, Starbucks is the most popular and common for Johns Creek High School students. While Starbucks is close and convenient, there are many other places that rival to be the best spot for a morning cup of joe. Furthermore, we went out to find the best coffee place besides Starbucks.

peach coffee roasters

After walking through the doors, Peach’s bright cafe aesthetic greets you with the aroma of coffee. Peach Coffee Roasters is located close to JCHS and has recently opened. The cafe’s iced coffee was creamy and sweet but bordered tasting strongly of the cream and being overly sugary, however the coffee flavor was still there and tasty. On the hot drinks side of the menu, their latte was thick with a nice foam on top. However, Peach is a bit more pricey than other options like Dunkin or even Starbucks, but the coffee was definitely worth it. Overall, they provided quick service for a before school coffee run, and the coffee was filled with flavor, with less options but still customizable.

dunkin’ donuts

Second to Starbucks, Dunkin Donuts is still vastly popular. With a drive-through and being a fast food place, they were speedy with making the iced coffees. The ratio of milk, sugar and coffee was perfect, and after trying their almond milk it was just as good. Compared to Peach’s coffee flavor it was better and had a less burnt taste. Although, Dunkin’s main downside is the lack of the ambiance of a cute coffee cafe. But the title of being the cheapest coffee does not mean bad, as the coffee was still excellent they had the most options. After tasting Dunkin, going back to Starbucks is difficult.

allegro coffe co.

THE BEST COFFEE IN JOHNS CREEK ANNABELLE BUCHANAN, staff writer

With multiple locations across the country, Allegro is a small coffee shop in the Whole Foods building located down the street from Johns Creek. While not having as many options, they were quick with the iced coffee but it seemed a bit too milky. The coffee had a good flavor, not bitter or too sweet, but was masked by the cream.

For being a coffee shop inside a grocery store they were impressive and is definitely worth another visit.

AMBIANCE: 1. Peach 2. Allegro 3. Dunkin’ FLAVOR: 1. Dunkin’ 2. Peach 3. Allegro OPTIONS: 1. Dunkin’ 2. Peach 3. Allegro SPEED: 1. Dunkin’ 2. Allegro 3. Peach PRICE: 1. Dunkin’ 2. Allegro 3. Peach THE CHARIOT | 23

music

FEATURES NEWS

graduation grooves The notalgia that comes as graduation nears calls for songs that create a need for self-reflection. The Chariot has worked to create a melancholy, but sentimental series of songs that make you want to scream your lungs out alone in the car.

Music Throughout the Decade

1. TALIA king princess

2. TRAVELER hippo campus

3. AMERICAN MONEY borns

4. SUPERCUT lorde

5. AFTERGLOW driver era

6. LOVE IT IF WE MADE IT the 1975

7. YOUNGER ruel

8. PICTURES OF GIRLS wallows

9. MAKE ME YOUR QUEEN declan mckenna

10. COOL WITH YOU her’s

11. AMERICAN GIRL tom petty

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CARLY BLANK, staff writer

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n the past decade, the world of music and entertainment has undergone some drastic changes. 2010 was the year of iconic songs such as “California Gurls” by Katy Perry, “All I Do Is Win” by DJ Khaled, “Just The Way You Are” by Bruno Mars, “Love the Way You Lie” by Eminem and many more. Pop music has remained a favorite in America and rap has quickly escalated up the charts in the last five years with newer artists like Cardi B and Travis Scott. Programs like Spotify, Apple Music, and SoundCloud allow listeners to hear new music and customize what they want to listen to. The influx of newer, younger singers has caused concerts and music videos to become crazier than ever as older artists try not to be left behind with daring demonstrations- think Lady Gaga’s meat dress or Katy Perry’s giant mechanic tiger. Going into the 2020s, music is predicted to continue to diversify and develop into new subgenres of pop and rap.

Along with what we’ve been listening to, the movies we are watching have changed in the last decade. Box office hits at the

theaters in 2010 included Toy Story 3, Black Swan, Inception and the original How to Train Your Dragon. Although at-home entertainment like YouTube and Netflix has exploded in popularity, movie theaters still play a huge role in American culture. New technology in CGI and 3D animation has enhanced the experience for audiences, something which streaming services cannot offer. Despite this, online streaming has expanded its platforms with services like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon, thus leading to the popularity of at-home entertainment. Furthermore, the focus on more representation for women and minorities has recently led to films like Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians, and an all-female remake of Ghostbusters.

Clearly as ideologies transform throughout the upcoming decade, it is likely films will encompass a greater representation of minorities as leading roles.

Looking into the future of music and entertainment in the next decade, most can expect to see these advancements to continue to grow and spread, encompassing more genres and viewpoints.

entertainment Spotlight: Lady Gaga EMMA BUONI, staff writer

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hat’s 5’2, has a wild sense of fashion and is one of the most influential pop artists in the world? If you guessed Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta, you’re correct, and you also know Lady Gaga’s real name. Lady Gaga exploded into the music scene in 2008 with her album The Fame, and has not left since. Her eccentric and fun music style is perfectly captured in her well-known singles from the album, Just Dance and Poker Face. Lady Gaga is also famous for her activism. She has donated money to victims of earthquakes, toured to raise awareness for sexual assault and taken stands against fracking. Most famously, she created the Born this Way Foundation, an anti-bullying foundation to promote kindness and a safer commu-

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nity. She is also famous for her LGBT activism, as she is bisexual herself. She took political stands against the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy in the military, which decreed that openly gay people could not serve in the military. Besides her activism and inspiring the music of other artists like Halsey, Nick Jonas and Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga also has an impressive acting talent. She was in American Horror Story: Hotel and Roanoke, and recently had an explosion of new attention with her song Shallow from A Star is Born. She won the Academy Award for the best original song in the 2019 Oscars. Her influence has even appeared outside the music world, with an extinct mammal, and a parasitic wasp were named after her. She even has a genus of ferns, Gaga, named after her.

Space Jam Returns

he 1996 live action and animated movie, Space Jam, starring Michael Jordan and featuring Looney Tunes characters will have a highly anticipated sequel set to release on July 16, 2021. The movie will be replacing Michael Jordan with the best player in the NBA of this era, Lebron James. In the first film, Jordan teamed up with famous Looney Tunes characters to defeat a team of “monstars” which had stolen NBA players’ talent. The sequel had been rumored for years, yet James officially announced that the sequel was being made during the past all-star break of the NBA season. The film is a pillar of nostalgia aimed for 90’s kids who still wear Tune Squad jerseys and can sing all the lyrics to the movie’s theme song. This being the highest grossing basketball film of all time, also opened up the idea of athletes with little to no acting experience playing a role in a major film. Although the original movie was a massive success, there has been backlash and doubt about the upcoming sequel.

JUSTIN VEXLER, staff writer

Oklahoma City Thunder forward Patrick Patterson wrote his take on Space Jam 2 in the players tribune, “For the sake of preserving its greatness, we must never try to improve upon it.”

Several Space Jam fanatics share this opinion as they do not want the sequel to lessen the greatness of the original. The first film was regarded so highly because it had no business being a good movie, yet it turned out to be one of the the top sports movies of all-time. Even with the controversy of the sequel ruining the Space Jam legacy, it is expected to exceed the initial movie in terms of revenue. Thus, despite the possible resistance on the Lebron-led film, Warner Bros, will still be continuing to work on the much anticipated sequel until its release.

One of the most beloved childhood movies is finally adding a sequel after 25 years and Space Jam fanatics have either been fearful or joyful regarding this. Whoever replaces the original monstars, one thing is for certain, that Space Jam 2 will be one of the most anticipated sequels of our generation.

THE CHARIOT | 25

FACE O FF

OPINION

should the voting age be lowered?

26 | SAM MONCKTON

yes JEFFERY SHEN, staff writer

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s of now, the legal voting age is set at 18 years old - an arbitrary and outdated limit that dates back to a time where issues such as gun control and climate change weren’t so prolific. Deciding the administration who is in charge of our nation should include a wider range of ideals, personalities, and concerns, which can only be made possible by lowering the voting age to 16.

The young people who have come forward to call for gun control in the wake of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, are challenging the stereotype of American kids as indolent, smartphone addicted zombies. Events such as the shooting have directly impacted these students’ lives, and are frequently being overlooked by big corporations like the NRA or the government. Many of these student activists cannot even vote, but have inspired entire movements and concrete reform both at the state level and the feder-

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al level. For these 16 and 17 year olds, the right to vote seems like a logical proposal.

Arguments about the legality regarding teenagers becoming adults at 18 are ludicrous. What does 18 years even signify in the U.S.? It is not a set age where an individual becomes omniscient of the political process, and it is certainly not a measure of intellectual capacity.

The New York Times explains, “When considering the intellectual capacity of teenagers, it is important to distinguish between what psychologists call “cold” and “hot” cognition. Cold cognitive abilities are those we use when we are in a calm situation, when we are by ourselves and have time to deliberate and when the most important skill is the ability to reason logically with facts. Voting is a good example of this sort of situation. Studies of cold cognition have shown that the skills necessary to make informed decisions are firmly in place by 16 … Teenag-

ers may sometimes make bad choices, but statistically speaking, they do not make them any more often than adults do.”

Voter turnout for 16 and 17 year olds is also higher than the 18 to 24 year old range. In other countries with more lenient voting laws, like Argentina, Austria, Brazil and Nicaragua, voter turnout among 16- and 17-year-olds is significantly higher than it is among older young adults. This is also true in parts of the United States as well; in Takoma Park, Maryland, a city that permits 16- and 17-year-olds to vote in local elections, that age group is twice as likely to vote than are 18-year-olds.

With the changing political climate, growing issues that greatly affect younger citizens have proliferated across the country. The distinction between 18 years and 16 years is arbitrary and has been disproven. In short, America would benefit from a new group of voters that boost turnout and represent a silent majority.

ing the voting age to 16 will only open the door to more uninterested citizens.

At the age of 16, students are unable to pay bills or even purchase homes or firearms. 16-year-olds are mere students in high school who do not have a stable career nor stable income. At this age, they are unable to participate in jury duty or even be held accountable for their own debts.

Therefore, they can not directly feel the repercussions of their decision if they vote.

With their lack of interest in political news, teenagers do not fully understand political problems in today’s society, and students in high school are at that age where their own decisions are easily swayed by their friends, peers, and especially parents. If a student were to vote because their friends were, they would not be able to think through their decision carefully and precisely. Furthermore, high school

students may be distracted from the actual voting process. With all of the stress to exceed in school and sports, teenagers may be unable to come to a rational decision once they are in the polling booth.

Although some say that 16-year-olds should be able to have a say in their own future, there are other ways for them to be active in their community without voting.

According to Youth Rights, “Whether it is forming political groups at school, organizing protests, or using social media to express our opinion, young people find a way to become involved in politics.”

Especially with the upcoming 2020 presidential election, there is much discussion over lowering the voting age to allow 16-year-olds to vote; however, they are simply not ready to be able to make decisions that will affect not only themselves but the whole nation.

GRACIE KWON, staff writer

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he voting age should not be lowered to the age of 16 because 16-yearolds are unable to comprehend the magnitude of their decisions. In today’s society, teenagers are legally considered adults once they turn 18, and the responsibility of choosing who will actively represent the nation should not be given to sophomores or juniors in high school.

According to the United States Elections Project’s Analysis of US Census Bureau data, “Over the last 30 years, voter turnout for 18- to 29-year olds has never exceeded 21 percent in a midterm election.”

This suggests that people are not ready to vote until later in their life. In addition, younger eligible voters have a lesser interest in political news such as the midterm elections. If 18- to 29-year-olds show a lack of interest and participation in their own government, lower-

THE CHARIOT | 27

OPINION

28 | ERIN LEE

degeneration S

HANNAH ROSE FRAZER, features editor

moking tobacco/nicotine, being in mature romantic relationships or wearing tight, revealing clothing seems like things that only an adult would engage in, but starting as young as 12, kids are making these mature activities the standard. Middle schoolers partake in vaping, scandalous clothing, powerful relationships and much more unsettling activities.

Vaping, a trend that is skyrocketing, has hit the middle school. For those that are not aware, a vape or an electronic cigarette, is produced from vapor artifacts which is both inhaled and exhaled. Most electronic products that involve liquid typically include nicotine, an addictive substance, or the liquid is vaporized marijuana leaves.

Wow, have times changed. Most parents claim that they walked miles to get to school and acted like a mature adult in kindergarten. Now, middle school kids are driven to school everyday and with that privilege comes the irresponsibility.

A study done by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claims that more than one in every 14 middle schoolers are involved in the intake of any type of tobacco product. Indeed, a handful of those innocent preteens walking around Avalon most likely have possession of a tobacco product.

Just imagine how much better society would be without a bunch of little nicotine-addicted middle schoolers running around.

Along with keeping a stash of electronic cigarettes, most 12-14 year olds clearly enjoy showing of skin when out in public.

What happened to the leggings and Vineyard Vine trend? many current high school students can tell you about their ugly fashion phase in middle school, but middle school students nowadays seemingly bypass this embarrassing stage. Although women have worked diligently to gain the respect they deserve for empowerment of their bodies, it is important to send the message to the youth that copycat nudity is an erroneous attempt at maturity. Ther-

apist Dr. Sandra Scantling writes about a shocking experience at a movie theatre for Hartford Courant Newspaper. Dr. Scantling talks about seeing young adults around the ages of 12-15 outside in freezing cold weather wearing inappropriate clothing. “[They were wearing] skimpy tight T-shirts, teeny-tiny skirts no longer than a wide belt, and thongs provocatively peeking from painted-on jeans” reports Dr. Scantling.

Obviously, kids prefer hypothermia than being covered up in layers. Middle School, a time of love and heartbreak, where a 3 week relationship is viewed as a stronger bond than a mother-daughter relationship.

A post by a middle schooler on a popular app, VSCO, referenced a quote by XXXTENTACION saying “it’s a torture being in love” due to a recent break up. For all the young girls and boys who believe holding hands is love, please be prepared for the true dating experience in high school.

Along with posting depressing love quotes, 13-year-olds have gone to the extent of testing the faithfulness of their boyfriends in an uncanny way. On the American web series, To Catch a Cheater, a 13-year-old girl hires another female to flirt with her boyfriend. After realizing her boyfriend is an “undevoted” lover, the girl throws a tantrum and accuses him of cheating.

As a follow up to the video, the channel reports her emotional progress a week since they ended. The girl is able to find herself a new and improved boyfriend.

“He knows how to treat a lady. He introduced me to all of his friends already so [this] is a serious relationship now” claims the girl.

This distasteful behavior at such a young age is simply cringey and inappropriate.

A message to all middle schoolers- being born after 2004 automatically makes you way too young for vaping, scandalous outfits and “intimate” relationships.

Please don’t miss out on the awkward phases of life because it helps mold you into the person you will be in the future.

THE CHARIOT | 29

OPINION

PEWDIEPIE VS. T SERIES corporatism hindering individualism MORAYO OGUNBAYO, opinion editor

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ouTube’s have been “homegrown” in nature since its conception. When it was created in 2009, YouTube was meant to allow friends to share videos pre-smartphone era. Even as YouTube grew dramatically, the allure of the medium always came from the ability of seemingly average people to create extraordinary content.

The most popular early YouTubers usually filmed in their own homes or apartments and used cheap cameras; even some of today’s most popular creators have small setups and film close to home. However, YouTube is no longer the same grassroots platform. Large corporations such as Buzzfeed have begun to take up space originally set for small channels, and smaller YouTubers have begun to fight back. Most recently, the wildly popular creator Pewdiepie has started a subscriber war with a large Indian music channel called T-Series. As YouTube becomes one of the major ways people spend their time, the battle between corporate and grassroots has wider implications than for just two channels.

Pewdiepie has been a YouTube mainstay since 2013, when he first became the most subscribed channel.

Since then, his channel has gone through many scandals, from which he has always come out on top in the theater of public opinion.

While T-Series is just becoming relevant to the American public, it has been the mostviewed channel since 2017 and been immensely popular in Southeast Asia for many years, due to the plethora of music videos available. The number one spot has gone back and forth between the channels, with heavy support of Pewdiepie from other YouTubers, and creators in all media. On the other hand, T-Series has been able to maintain a heavy stream of new subscribers without much cam-

paigning. The fight has moved into the mainstream due to its implications for YouTube culture as a whole. Corporate channels have moved to the forefront of he platform, which, as many have pointed out, is easier for them due to the resources and connections they hold. These channels also do not have to build themselves from the ground up, the way others do, due to the followings they already possess.

While Pewdiepie has been able to gain many followers from all corners of the internet, this has not boded well for him completely. Many acts of vandalism have included the phrase “Subscribe to Pewdiepie,” causing the movement to reek of deviance.

The UK Independence Party, a far-right group, has given its support to the movement. Most famously, and heinously, the Christchurch Mosque shooter said “Don’t forget to subscribe to Pewdiepie” in his livestream before he killed 50 people.

Though Pewdiepie quickly condemned this support, it added to the stink of alt-rightism that has followed him throughout his career. From this bad faith co-opting of Pewdiepie’s movement, the battle has started to move from “corporate vs. grassroots” to a straight up culture war.

The fight between Pewdiepie and T-Series has no end in sight, just as the fight between large scale YouTube channels and homegrown creators has only just begun. While Pewdiepie is flawed in many ways, the merits of his battle remain true. And as our culture begins to reject big corporations and their influence, Pewdiepie has become the symbol of a movement. The

“

The battle between corporate and grassroots has wider implications than for just two channels.

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masthead PUBLICATION “The Chariot” is a student-run publication printed for and distributed to the Johns Creek community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Johns Creek High School, its students, faculty, staff or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors, in collaboration with the staff adviser and the administration.

The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity and the invasion of privacy.

ADVERTISING “The Chariot” publishes ads with signed contracts provided that they are deemed appropriate by the staff for the intended audience.

For more information about advertising with “The Chariot,” please contact the staff e-mail.

CONTACT US 470-254-2138 jchschariotmagazine@gmail.com 5575 State Bridge Road Johns Creek, GA 30022

ADVISER Todd Hedden

EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Rohan Lalla Maura McLynn

SPORTS EDITORS Sam Beagle Matt Press

MANAGING EDITOR

OPINION EDITOR

Maren Stephens

Morayo Ogunbayo

PRODUCTION EDITOR

STAFF WRITERS

Dani Blank

COPY EDITOR Brooke Halak

DESIGNERS Erin Lee Madhu Ravi

PHOTOGRAPHERS Sam Monckton Edward Cho

NEWS EDITOR Hannah Frazer

Carly Blank Harrison Blank Annabelle Buchanan Kolin Brandeis Emma Buoni Alec Grosswald Joshua Kim Gracie Kwon Emily Miller Ethan Mingoia Tessa Paul Drew Peljovich Jeffery Shen

crossword

across 3. National animal of Canada 4. Capital of Germany 6. An electron has a ___ charge 9. Rihanna’s last name 10. April’s birthstone 11. This was the original color of carrots 12. This popular coffee chain was banned in Italy for 47 years 13. The plastic part at the end of a shoelace 14. In 1858, this man discovered the theory of evolution 17. The period when the production,

transportation and sale of alcohol was banned 20. This English fashion designer was a member of the Spice Girls 21. The first man to step foot on the moon 23. It is illegal to own just one guinea pig in this country 24. The only country in the world named after a woman 26. 2nd president of the United States of America

down 1.Luxury clothing brand who’s mascot is Greek, mythical creature Medusa 2. The most listened to artist on Spotify in 2018 4. Humans share about 60% of our DNA with this fruit 5. Finish the vine: “My dad has a gold tooth. My dad has ___.”

6. This chocolate spread was invented during WWII, when hazelnuts were mixed with chocolate to extend chocolate rations 7. The title stacking puzzle video game popularized in the 90s 8. The youngest president of the United States of America 11. The competitor of the Coca-Cola company 13. Fear of spiders 15. This is the group of colors that appear after you mix two primary colors 16. Elon Musk is said to be the real life version of this superhero 17. This theorem is used to find the unknown side of a triangle 18. The birth month of Blake Lively 19. A disease caused by a plasmodium parasite, transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes 22. Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire in 1519 25. Keyboard player in Queen