Volume 49, Issue 5

The Independent Student Newspaper of the University of Toronto Mississauga since 1974

Issue 5 Volume 49

October 3 2022

themedium.ca

MY “FOB” EXPERIENCE

FACULTY FEATURE

I’M GLAD MY MOM DIED

I started noticing a trend among the social circles that I myself integrated into. It seemed that all Egyptians felt good in the company of each other, but dejected by Canadian society. A sense of otherness left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Professor Soo Min Toh is a renowned researcher and educator in the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). Professor Toh’s work merges the world of human resource management with the psychology of behaviour.

In Jennette McCurdy’s autobiography I’m Glad My Mom Died, the iCarly (2007-2012) child star writes about how her upbringing, filled with physical and emotional abuse, followed her into adulthood and constricted her self-growth and acceptance.

>> read more on page 06

>> read more on page 09

>> read more on page 11

NEWS

Overcrowded buses and a reduced schedule a concern for UTM commuters Razia Saleh Contributor

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s the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) makes a full return to in-person learning, late and overcrowded busses have become a significant difficulty for students who commute to campus.

This past week, the University of Toronto Mississauga Students’ Union (UTMSU) organized a meeting with MiWay and the UTM administration to discuss the current state of public transit on campus. “MiWay is currently monitoring the situation and collecting data to figure out where the problems are happening [regarding] bus frequency [and] capacity,” says the UTMSU President Maëlis Barre in an Instagram post. >> BUSES continues on page 03

NEWS

OPINION

WHO’s review highlights misinformation as detrimental to people’s health

The rise and risks of crypto gambling on Twitch

Danica D’Sa Contributor

T

he World Health Organization (WHO) released a review on September 1, 2022 revealing that social media apps such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram play a critical role in the spread and belief of misinformation. Due to the viral nature of social media, misinformation can spread before being debunked. Additionally, large-scale crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic increase the spread of myths. All these have sizable effects on people’s health decisions.

In the 2022 Snider Lecture hosted by the University of Toronto Mississauga, Timothy Caulfield, a professor of Law at the University of Alberta and author of two national bestselling books, states that the media plays a role in normalizing misinformation, and that celebrities, among other authoritative figures, often cause the spread of misinformation. This was especially evident during the Covid-19 pandemic.

False information regarding Covid-19 has led to vaccine hesitancy, and more alarmingly, the spread of dangerous and false treatment fads—such as ingesting urine, popularized by an anti-vaccine activist named Christopher Keys in January 2022. >> WHO continues on page 02

Angelina Jaya Siew Contributor

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s the seventh most popular category of streams on Twitch, crypto gambling has taken the cyberworld by storm, which is not necessarily positive. Every computer, tablet, or smartphone can now be used as a gambling device by persons of all ages. Although the origin of gambling is unknown, it has been practiced for centuries in China. Until 1638, when the first public legal casino, The Ridotto, was built in Italy. Back then, no one would’ve dared to imagine that technology would be able to place a casino in the hands of anyone, anywhere, anytime.

Thousands of Twitch streamers regularly broadcast their crypto gambling activities to an open audience.

However, many of these streamers are reported to have been paid by casinos to engage in making such content.

Popular streamers such as Tyler Niknam, better known as Trainwreckstv, who currently holds 2.1 million followers on Twitch, are heavily sponsored by online casinos, like Stake.com. Even high-profile celebrities like

Drake have started to engage in crypto gambling on the streaming service.

This sounds great, right? Streamers are making money from sponsors, and subscribers are entertained. It’s a win-win!

Well, not so fast. Bloomberg reports, “at any given time, over 50,000 people are watching Twitch celebrities play slots, Blackjack and other games of chance, primarily gambling with cryptocurrencies like Ether and Bitcoin.” This means over 50,000 people from all over the world—of all ages–are almost constantly exposed to gambling. Convenient, right?

But is it safe to broadcast crypto gambling to an unsuspecting public? It doesn’t seem so. Famous Twitch streamers sponsored by these online casinos can therefore negatively impact their viewers as they may lure them into engaging in the act of crypto gambling themselves. Some viewers found themselves repeatedly placing bets on crypto gambling websites, following streams from their Twitch role models. Many times, Twitch streamers even provide promotional codes to encourage viewers to tap into the world of crypto gambling, keeping them wanting more and more. >> GAMBLING continues on page 07

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NEWS

Editor | Larry Lau news@themedium.ca

Elections return as candidates race to capture Mississauga residents’ support Growing communities and improving public transit on the agenda for mayoral candidates in Mississauga’s municipal elections.

Meighan Atkinson Contributor

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nother election is just around the corner for residents of Mississauga—the city’s municipal elections will take place on October 24. There are eight mayoral candidates in total, including incumbent mayor Bonnie Crombie, Mohsin Khan, Melodie J. Petty, Derek Ramkis-

MODERN MISSISSAUGA MEDIA

soon, David Shaw, Bobie Taffe, George Tavares, and Jayesh Trivedi.

Incumbent mayor Bonnie Crombie launched her campaign on September 17 with her platform “Steady, Strong, Leadership.” At her campaign headquarters on South Service Road, Crombie spoke of various development projects, stating that: “On reclaimed land we are building new communities, new neighbourhoods. […] Places where people can live and work.” Focusing on the growth of Mississauga, Crombie spoke of constructing new neighbourhoods and preserving long-standing neighbourhoods.

The incumbent mayor celebrated the growth of Mississauga’s economy during her time in office, in spite of the Covid-19 pandemicimposed economic downturn. She shares that “three thousand new businesses and thirteen thousand jobs” have come to Mississauga since the public health crisis.

As population grows, the importance of public transit increases. Under Crombie’s leadership, the City of Mississauga “received over CAD $8 billion in investment for public

transit.” One of the city’s transit investments include the Hurontario light rail transit, which will connect the transportation hubs of Port Credit GO Station, Cooksville GO Station, Mississauga City Centre, and Brampton Gateway Terminal. The system is slated for completion in fall of 2024 and will relieve traffic congestion along Hurontario Street. Additionally, Crombie promises to increase GO Transit’s Milton Line service westward from Toronto Union Station towards Milton.

After spending twenty years in the business industry, mayoral candidate George Tavares’ platform contains numerous initiatives for the residents of Mississauga. Tavares aims to facilitate commuting between the cities of Toronto and Mississauga by improving Metrolinx service and reducing traffic congestion.

He also plans to expand bike lanes through the Cycling Network Plan and in his effort to reduce crime, Tavares intends to construct a police station in every ward, increasing police coverage of the city. He proposes a freeze on property tax to implement a cost-savings initiative with input from the community.

David Shaw, who worked in the fire protection industry for 38 years, bid his candidacy in May, with a platform promising to help small businesses, freeze property tax increases for 2023, and to annually celebrate a city-sponsored Indigenous day.

Moving past mayoral elections, the University of Toronto Mississauga is located within Ward 8 of the City of Mississauga. The electoral candidates for Councillor Ward 8 include incumbent councillor Matt Mahoney, Irfan Farooq, and Rahul Mehta While the official voting day is October 24, voters may opt to vote early through advance polling. The locations will be open October 7 through October 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., October 13 and 14 from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m., and October 15 and 16 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Finally, voters may select an eligible person to vote on their behalf should they be unable to vote on election day or in advance polls.

As voting day approaches, residents can determine their eligibility to vote and locate the closest polling stations by browsing www.mississaugavotes.ca.

WHO’s review highlights misinformation as detrimental to people’s health Widely perpetuated myths and false statements ran rampant during the Covid-19 pandemic, and have lead to risky and improper health behaviours among the populace.

Danica D’Sa Contributor

>> WHO continued from page 01 Other consequences include an increase in fear and anxiety about the pandemic.

Caulfield notes the farcical nature of these messages, stating that vulnerability to misinformation generally increases when people have limited knowledge of the content. “Experts and health professionals are among those best placed to refute misinformation and direct users to information sources that are evidence-based,” the WHO states in its review.

Steps can be taken to counter the impact of misinformation, such as creating platforms with evidence-based data and incorporating it in relevant health content. The WHO review states that in spite of its problems, social media may still be an asset in combating misinformation. Regardless, further research is required on how to use these specific mediums most effectively.

“We have to use a combined approach to fight this information. We have to debunk, nudge, [and] regulate,”

Caulfield states. He puts forth the benefits of “prebunking,” which refers to reminding the general public what misinformation looks like through lectures and videos filled with concrete examples. Additionally, he encourages people to take social media breaks to get a rest from the constant flow of information.

Caulfield also places large value in debunking. Tips on combating misinformation include using scientific evidence in arguments and being humble in the face of misinformation.

Regarding the importance of understanding the forms of misinformation, Caulfield speaks on the role of celebrities in perpetuating false messages. Celebrities and other authority figures, even healthcare professionals, can spread inaccurate information as a way to market their own products, or to spread their personal, unsupported beliefs.

Caulfield mentions Gwyneth Paltrow as an example, who used her diagnosis of Covid-19 to promote products from her own brand as effective treatments. Celebrities hold positions of power and respect; they have significant influence over the public’s opinions, especially in the early stages of a crisis, which teems with uncertainty.

The WHO review and the 2022 Snider Lecture reveal the importance of combating misinformation effectively. They

both echo that is vital for people to develop a skeptical mindset that sieves through the massive volumes of information they are exposed to. This will allow for informed decision-making and immunity to mob mentality, both critical as the world looks to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.

03

UTM opens robotics laboratory to facilitate research and learning The Undergraduate Robotics Teaching Laboratory opens to assist students in exploring the world of robotics.

Shreya Joshi Contributor

O

n September 7, 2022, the Undergraduate Robotics Teaching Laboratory (URTL) opened its doors to students and researchers alike. Located in room 3110 in the Maanjiwe nendamowinan building, the laboratory provides unparalleled opportunities to learn about robotics at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM).

The Medium sat down with associate professor in the Department of Mathematical and Computational Sciences, and Director of the Continuum Robotics Lab, Jessica BurgnerKahrs, to talk about the laboratory.

According to Burgner-Kahrs, the URTL is primarily used by third- and fourth-year computer science students for robotics courses. Burgner-Kahrs teaches an experiential learning course, CSC376: Fundamentals of Robotics—an introductory robotics course that delves into topics such as robot manipulators, kinematics, and motion planning. The course includes practical sessions in the lab, where students gain hands-on experience in robotics.

“Robotics engineering is one of the fastest growing job markets, and all these new jobs will entail being familiar with these collaborative robots. It will put our students at an advantage in the job market,” states Burgner-Kahrs regarding the importance of the lab.

A key goal for the URTL is to remain running for at least three years. Burgner-Kahrs hopes to work with UTM Facilities and the Office of the Dean to receive greater space for renovation. She also hopes to develop a robotics-related major

or specialist that would allow for further use of the lab.

There are numerous robotics-focused groups at UTM, including the Continuum Robotics Lab (CRL), a robotics research lab located on campus. The CRL’s work focuses on continuum robots, which are flexible and limbless machines able to reach areas inaccessible to humans.

Burgner-Kahrs hopes that in the future, continuum robots will be utilized for mechanical and surgical purposes. For instance, the robot could potentially slide through the interior of a jet engine for inspection. Likewise, neurosurgeons may employ such robots to inspect vital brain tissue more conveniently.

As artificial intelligence (AI) advances, there are concerns about the impact of over digitization on the labour market. Some lament that AI would strip them of their jobs, however, BurgnerKahrs pushes back against the belief: “I have done a lot of research in surgical robotics,” she began.

“Robots can’t take over surgeons because human intelligence and intuition is unique.”

As UTM continues constructing facilities with cutting edge technology and equipment, students are given more opportunities to hone their skills and step into bountiful worlds of research and work. The URTL marks an important milestone in experiential learning and will ensure that those pursuing robotics are more practically equipped for the job market.

SABRINA MUTUC/THE MEDIUM

Overcrowded buses and a reduced schedule a concern for UTM commuters As MiWay services become unreliable, the UTMSU lobbies for action against the transit provider and the UTM administration to improve bus services for students.

Razia Saleh Contributor

>> BUSES continued from page 01 Based on MiWay’s 2022 Budget report, buses have frequently arrived late or early. The percentage of buses arriving on time in 2018 was 91 per cent, declining to 75 per cent for 2019, and finally reaching 68 per cent in 2020. This occurred despite dropping ridership in the final year due to the pandemic.

Concerning shuttle buses to U of T’s downtown campus or Sheridan College, Barre shares that: “The UTM administration continues to monitor the situation [by] gathering data to pinpoint the problems and solve them.”

The staffing shortage responsible for the lack of UTM shuttle bus drivers is

ELIZABETH PROVOST/THE MEDIUM

part of a widespread problem affecting the entire Greater Toronto Area. A problem that has caused several transit routes, including 1C Dundas, 101 Dundas Express, and 110 University Express, to have reduced their service frequency.

The Medium spoke to several students who regularly commute on MiWay. Habibah Badar Hussain, a third-year Life Sciences student, discussed the shortfalls of MiWay operations post-pandemic.

“In my experience, I’ve had good service, however, I have heard of drivers allow-

ing people to cut in lines and those who were already in line had to be left behind for the next bus. [Due to the] cutting of buses during the pandemic, what used to be a 45-minute journey became longer.”

Mohammed Alaumary, a fourth-year, Biology for Health Science, and Psychology student, echoes other students’ impressions that, “the service has significantly deteriorated this year.” He hopes that an “increase in the number of buses” would help accommodate the surging number of commuters following UTM’s return to in-person learning.

Overcrowding, cancelled rides, and late or early busses are variables students cannot effectively predict when scheduling their day. Additionally, many students have tight schedules that cannot accommodate significant deviations. To reduce transit unreliability on campus, the UTMSU encourages students to contact the UTM administration via email to lobby for their concerns.

04

CITY OF MISSISSAUGA

The city of Mississauga showcases resilience against climate change through “We Are Resilient” exhibit The outdoor exhibition educates the residents of Mississauga on climate action and celebrates local environmental conservation efforts.

Emily Rogers Contributor

B

y definition, ecological resilience refers to a community’s ability to withstand and recover from environmental challenges. This concept is vital to combating climate change in the City of Mississauga. Located in Community Common Park in Mississauga, the “We Are Resilient” exhibit seeks to bolster the city’s collective resilience and showcase local environmental conservation actions.

The exhibit focuses on four key areas: the history of Mississauga’s environment, educational climate science, climate equity, and climate resiliency.

Of all the community members involved in setting up the exhibit, it was “particularly important for [the city] to engage with the Indigenous community and the Mississaugas of the Credit, who are treaty holders of the land where the exhibition is installed right now” says Lisa Abbott, Manager of the Small Arms Inspection Building and the Museums of Mississauga, in an interview with The Medium.

“Indigenous people have been taking care of the land since time immemorial. […] It’s time we start listening and learning from Indigenous practices about maintaining and caring for the Earth.”

The Culture Division of the city spoke with Chief Stacey LaForme of the Mississaugas of the Credit and Elder Peter Schuler in preparation for the “We Are Resilient” exhibit. LaForme emphasized that: “Indigenous people have been taking care of the land since time immemorial. […] It’s time we start listening and learning from Indigenous practices about maintaining and caring for the Earth.”

“We all have a role to play.”

Along with providing an Indigenous perspective of land usage, Elder Schuler also helped compile scientific information for the exhibit’s installations. Each of the individually coloured panels include an educational element on climate science, which is the second key component of the exhibit.

“We wanted to arm our residents with some basic terminology and understanding of what climate change is and how it happens,” explains Dianne Zimmerman, the Environment Manager for the City of Mississauga, in an interview with The Medium. Additionally, each of the panels include a call-toaction, which explains what residents can do to reduce their individual carbon footprints.

“We all have a role to play,” says Zimmerman. “There isn’t one silver bullet for saving the climate imperative.” The panels’ calls-to-action reflect the importance of community involvement in saving the environment.

“Those individuals that are least responsible for a change in climate are sometimes those who are most impacted.”

Focusing on Mississauga residents’ capabilities to resist climate change, the third key focus of the installation is climate equity, which recognizes that residents’ responses to environmental issues are heavily dependent on socio-economic factors—income, for instance. Zimmerman explains how “those individuals that are least responsible for a change in climate are sometimes those who are most impacted.”

In light of this, the exhibit is highly portable, and will be able to travel for several years due to its structural integrity. It will visit numerous recreation centers, museums, and parks.

Abbot explains that the city “love[s] to bring what we want to talk about outside of the museum into all areas of the city to ensure that [they are] serving Mississauga residents even in underserved areas.”

“It’s really an opportunity for us to give back to the community.”

The final theme of the exhibit concerns resiliency in Mississauga. This is displayed in the form of personal stories and photographs submitted by residents. While the installation ultimately serves to educate, it also celebrates the climate actions locals have already taken. “It’s really an opportunity for us to give back to the community,” says Zimmerman. Incorporated throughout the panels, these narratives give Mississauga’s climate change initiatives a personal touch.

Through captivating storytelling, the “We Are Resilient” exhibit reflects the City of Mississauga’s vision for community engagement and support for their climate change action plan.

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05

OPINION

Editor | Kareena Kailass opinion@themedium.ca

Editorial

Pssst, can I borrow some paper?

All students should be allowed to choose their best learning methods.

The Medium

W

ithin the last two years, almost everything has shifted online. School, work, social gatherings—we have learned to make technology our friend, not our foe, and adjust to new ways of learning—ways that are heavily reliant on technology. But, with the recent switch back to in-person classes, students are faced with yet another large, and almost abrupt change to their learning. Online learning led to a reliance on devices for notetaking and reading, as well as a dependency on cheating during tests and quizzes.

Students simply forgot how to do in-person tests and how to sit through three hours of lectures.

Sometimes, students are prohibited to use their devices in class. But, returning to old-fashioned pen and paper can be a burden, especially for those that have just finally gotten used to the digital world. It seems the days of asking professors to speak slower, in order to not miss a slide, have returned.

Humans are unique, with each mind working in multi-faceted ways. By limiting students in their style of learning, the educational institutions vowing to encourage knowledge-seeking actually hinder students from succeeding.

On the other hand, there’s a beautiful simplicity associated with the glide of a pen or pencil across glossy lined paper. Nearing the end of each page evokes a certain pride, knowing you’ve managed to stay focused and efficient during your lecture.

Some people learn better by writing, others by typing. Learning shouldn’t be limited to a single method, and notetaking shouldn’t be confined to a single medium.

If we look at our schools, workplaces, or even social media, we’ll learn that there no longer is one way of doing things, or one way of achieving greatness. There are millionaires who never attended university, and our nine-tofive is changing. With that comes accepting that there are multiple paths and strategies we can adopt, and also multiple ways to learn and test.

At The Medium, we know the importance and impact of appealing to every aspect of our audience. We upload each issue online and we trek around campus to distribute the beautifully-crafted physical copies because we know some people are more receptive to feeling the silky pages across their fingertips. There is importance in accommodating the unique minds that take interest in student journalism. This is a lesson our institutions should learn as well.

The great food price debacle Are your parents right when they tell you to pack a lunch?

Alex Johnson Contributor

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ood prices are one of the most debated topics of our time—or at least, on our campus. Everyone’s got an opinion. Most folks say that campus food prices are way too high, while repeatedly getting back into the line of one of the three decent food places we have. So, obviously, I’m writing this article to talk about how atrocious campus food prices are, right?

Not quite.

In relation to the cost of food everywhere else, I think food prices on campus are quite reasonable.

They may even be cheaper than the standard. It may be surprising, but I’ve found that the prices are virtually identical between places both on- and off- campus.

Comparing branded fast-food menus was easy, but some of the non-branded food—a tuna sandwich for example—took a little more work. I bought the ingredients required to make a sandwich identical to the ones sold in the Davis food court and found it actually costs more to make one than to just buy one—not including the time I put into making it. Campus food isn’t actually that expensive when compared to eating off-campus.

Despite this, no matter who I ask about food prices, everyone seems to agree that campus food prices are way too high, and that the University of Toronto Mississauga can’t keep getting away with their blatant daylight robberies. What causes this disparity between

reality and public sentiment? I think the reason for this idea, and the crux of this whole debate, lies not in whether campus food is expensive. It is the simple fact that eating well has become costly.

The amount of good food you can buy with a set amount of money has vastly decreased over the years. Even making a simple salad cost twice as much as it used to. Food, in general, has become too expensive for your average university student, who is both low in income and high in nutritional needs. Most students I spoke to have a full course load and a long day of commuting to with no time to find a part-time job. Purchasing meals every single day, even if those meals are only ten dollars, is bad for our health and for our wallets. Simply giving up on campus food altogether and packing a lunch won’t solve this either. It costs the exact same, just in different ways. Somebody has to pay, and that’s the whole problem.

For something that’s so vital to our survival, food requires far too much effort to “earn.”

These are not luxuries; these are needs. There should never be a situation in which a person cannot eat or drink because they cannot pay.

So, are campus food prices too expensive? It depends on your perspective. You could argue no, since everywhere else is just as expensive. But you could also argue yes, because something so essential to life shouldn’t be so unattainable, and because people should be able to eat good food without being locked behind a paywall they might not be able to climb. People deserve to eat healthy food without breaking the bank.

06

: So, you’re in a pickle Elizabeth Provost Editor-in-Chief

My “fob” experience How I merged my Egyptian roots with my new Canadian home.

Rola Fawzy Contributor

I

Hey boo, I’ve known these two guys for over a year now. They both present really sick qualities (in a good way), and I just can’t make up my mind about them. On one hand, this dude is my bestie for the resties, and the other one is so smokin’ hot that I feel my own face on fire when I talk to him. I don’t want to ruin my friendship with my bestie, and I think the other dude is a little too reckless for me— but, did I mention, he’s sexy? And my bestie, who is also sexy, is a little annoying sometimes because he has the humour of a 12-year-old boy. So, what dude do I make out with in the CCT parking lot?

Xoxo, Caught in the middle Dear Caught in the middle,

F

irst of all… please no making out in the CCT parking lot, I beg of you. Opt for the nice hideout at the back of P4, instead.

All jokes aside, I do see how you might be in a pickle. I commend you for taking a step back and giving this situation a good ol’ think, realizing that you don’t want to be riddled with regret for either choice.

What works for me, for any decision, is making a pros and cons list (just trust me okay), and choosing the one where the guy’s pros outweigh his cons. When you do so, also remember what your priorities are—for example, is having things in common (cue, bestie for the resties) more important to you than physical attraction (cue, smokin’ hot)? I’m not saying you should compromise one for the other—because both are equally important—I’m just saying that your list should also have a hierarchy of importance in case you’re facing a tie.

Another final suggestion, is to let time tell. Now, I’m definitely not encouraging you to date both guys at the same time, but hang out with them both! You never know when one will give you the ick or reveal something that’s a dealbreaker. Last time I was into two guys at once, one ended up being gay.

Good luck and lots of love,

t took me a whole year to make my first friend in Canada.

Life in Hamilton was pretty lonely till that point. Although I learned English in Egypt, here it felt like everyone around me spoke a different language. All efforts of conversation were nipped early on—they never made it past weather discussions. And I didn’t feel any more connected to other Arab newcomers. Our shared sense of struggle as immigrants did not translate into a shared understanding of the world. Outside of the favours we occasionally asked of each other, we never spoke candidly.

“Our shared sense of struggle as immigrants did not translate into a shared understanding of the world.”

My first friend was an Egyptian girl. Like me, she was a “Gulf baby”— born and raised in one of the many Arabian Gulf countries. This specific experience meant that we had similar life trajectories, and even some mutual friends unbeknownst to both of us. The Egyptian movie references that I made did not go unheard—they were reciprocated.

Egypt was the lens through which we saw everyday life. She introduced me to more Egyptians studying at McMaster University. Finally, I felt included.

I started noticing a trend among the social circles that I myself integrated into. It seemed that all Egyptians felt good in the company of each other, but dejected by Canadian society. A sense of otherness left a bitter taste in their mouths.

Few Egyptian students saw themselves staying past university and some career experience. Many rerouted their university trajectory such that their educations in medicine, dentistry, or the rest of their bachelor’s degree was spent in Egypt.

Even those who did not return lived in an Egyptian bubble.

Our seniors who started families here frequented the same Egyptian restaurants, attended predominantly Egyptian places of worship, and always vacationed in Egypt. I repeatedly heard the same explanation: “Life here isn’t life. Canadians don’t know how to live; they live to work. Back home, people cared and asked about each other. Here, life ends at 5 p.m. and restarts on the weekend.” This, coupled with a fear of the

youth being led astray from “Egyptian morals’” towards degeneracy, caused many Egyptians to seize the nearest opportunity to go back home.

I started considering moving to Egypt. By all accounts, I am always the “most Egyptian” in any given gathering.

Wouldn’t that mean that I would have the toughest time moving forward? Outside of career prospects, is there anything Canada gives me that Egypt won’t? Was the zeal for life strictly an Egyptian trait that could not be replicated here?

At the beginning of the pandemic, I began my fourth year of university in Canada. I had moved to Mississauga the year before and was still experiencing Canada through the Egyptian bubble. This was not due to a lack of opportunity; Mississauga’s wealth is its cultural diversity. But it was just easier this way. To avoid being neglected by the rest of Canadian society again, I shut it out first. I lamented all the lost opportunities of observing other “Canadian perspectives.”

I drafted a summer bucket list. The goal was to expose myself to as many cultures as possible in the Greater Toronto Area. To fulfill the list, I attended a Pakistani wedding, volunteered with a Mas Band, and marched in Caribana. I ate from Peruvian food vendors and danced to Amapiano in block parties. I sought different facets of Canada and was welcomed into all of them.

Last summer, I discovered that Egypt does not have a monopoly on warmth, humour, and spontaneity. Those values were present within other cultures in Canada. I just had to let my guard down and listen. We may not have a shared depository of Egyptian movie references, but we were motivated by the same things in life.

Last summer, I finally felt at home.

Staying in Canada isn’t for everyone, but I take issue with how we idealize our home countries. The friends I have that returned to Egypt were disillusioned with the mismatch between expectation and reality. Settling in Egypt reveals to them a new set of challenges they did not witness when visiting. To some, the trade-off is worth it. To others, it is not.

“Home is Egypt, and home is Canada, and home is everywhere joy is.”

I am still Egyptian to my core. My ears still perk up when I hear Egyptian music. But I have redefined what home means to me. Home is where people intentionally carve a space in their life for joy. Home is Egypt, and home is Canada, and home is everywhere joy is.

By: Reid Fournier

07

Where are those who care? A genuine question for would-be voters In times like these, electoral participation is critical.

Hema Ramnarine Contributor

W

e’ve all seen them before—in the weeks and months leading up to an elections, public holidays, or days of remembrance, government-sponsored ads flood social media. Reminding us to stay masked, get vaccinated, pause in remembrance, or rush to the polls. They’re certainly important messages, but are these advertisement campaigns truly effective?

Over the past few years, voter turnout has been falling, with this past June’s Ontario provincial election recording the lowest voter turnout in the history of the province—only 43 per cent of eligible voters showed up to the polls. However, Ontario isn’t the only province with low turnout—just 55 per cent of Manitoba’s eligible voting population participated in their 2019 general election.

Québec recently looked to social media for aid in encouraging voters—especially youth—to head to the ballot box on Monday, October 3. Elections Québec began a social media campaign on TikTok using a series of

BELICIA CHEVOLLEAU/THE MEDIUM

videos that were everything from funny to odd. In one video, a disembodied arm can be seen dropping sundae ingredients into a ballot box, with “an increasing participation rate” being the “cherry on top.” In another, the ballot box grows arm in an attempt to do a set of pull-ups, giving itself a pep-talk on the importance of voting. The videos are cute and vaguely amusing, and there’s no denying that the effort is to appeal to younger voters.

However, a turnout of less than 60 per cent is still expected, so what impact, if any, is this recent campaign having? Are the youth of Québec more convinced to go to the polls? If Elections Ontario had done something similar, would the historically low turnout still have been what it was? I suppose we’ll see on October 3.

I’m sure these provinces featured the same social media advertisements that Ontario did in anticipation for election day. It felt like every third post was sponsored by Elections Ontario, on both TikTok and Instagram.

Besides that, almost everyone on my feed was reposting stories and reels, reminding everyone to vote. I was already planning on voting, and did, and maybe that’s why these posts didn’t really stick with me. They weren’t telling me to do anything I wasn’t already planning to do. It seemed like everyone was planning to vote, so why was turnout so low?

I ask this question specifically to young people. In 2021, only 47 per cent of people aged 18 to 24 voted, according to Elections Canada. They go on to say that voting is “habit forming,” meaning that someone who

votes in one election will likely vote for the rest of their life. Is that where the answer lies?

Seeing these videos posted by the Québec campaign, I can’t help but wonder who’s listening to their messages, because they certainly seem to be going unheard. When I walk around campus or scroll on social media, it’s impossible to not hear the cries or complaints of the indignant. And frankly, the problem is that I can’t disagree with them. Changes to the system like a higher minimum wage, better public transportation (have you ever tried to crowd onto the 101 in time for a 9 a.m. lecture?), and more action against climate change: I’m all for them. And so, we vote. We make our opinions heard. We should give a platform to those who we feel are most likely to represent our goals. Our elected representatives are meant to represent the people, after all.

The situation that we’re all living in can be scary and calls for the fulfilment of your civic duty. In a time where it feels like the world is either burning or already burnt, helplessness is not an uncommon sentiment. But when I hear people bemoan these things as hopeless, I wonder: did you vote?

The rise and risks of crypto gambling on Twitch Is streaming crypto gambling on Twitch designed to lure unsuspecting victims into losing their hard-earned money?

Angelina Jaya Siew Contributor >> GAMBLING continued from page 01 The volatility of cryptocurrency, coupled with the risks associated with online gambling, form a dangerous combination that makes crypto gamblers susceptible to losing thousands or even millions of dollars in mere minutes.

goes into effect on October 18, 2022. According to CNBC, this policy amendment “comes after some of the platform’s top streamers threatened to stop using the platform if Twitch didn’t change its policy on gambling streams.” Honestly, I think that this ban is limited in its effectiveness.

So, can we deduce that gambling in tra-

“Some of the platform’s top streamers threatened to stop using the platform if Twitch didn’t change its policy on gambling stream.”

Recently, however, Twitch has announced that the streaming service will be prohibiting slot, roulette, and dice gambling sites including Rollbit, Duelbits.com and Stake.com that “aren’t licensed either in the US or other jurisdictions that provide sufficient consumer protection.” The ban

ISABELA ARRIOJAS OCAMPO/THE MEDIUM

ditional casinos perhaps involves less risk than crypto gambling? Yes, we can definitely view gambling in casinos as a lesser evil because there is less room for fraud when you receive your winnings immediately. Traditional gambling also restricts gambling to the casino, which can only be accessed by legal adults.

Broadcasting crypto gambling to an open audience is very unsafe, as viewers, especially minors, have easy access to it.

Crypto gambling is a highly risky venture that I would not recommend anyone undertake due to cryptocurrency’s instabilities and the high probability of incurring losses that shouldn’t be endorsed to anyone.

08

features

Editor | Prisha (Maneka) Nuckchady features@themedium.ca

MPH in Black Health: How U of T’s newest program will revolutionize healthcare The Black Health program seeks to improve healthcare practices by challenging oppressive networks and encouraging intersectionality.

Justine Hopkins Contributor

T

he University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health is introducing a new Masters of Public Health (MPH). Set to launch in Fall 2023, The Black Health program will be U of T’s newest initiative in achieving sustainable and equitable healthcare for BIPOC patients. The Program Director and creator, Professor Roberta Timothy, is an Assistant Professor in the Social and Behavioral Health Sciences Division program at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health.

Professor Timothy’s research focuses on intersectionality and its effects on mental health, African/Black and Indigenous health, and social justice health policy. As a contributor to critical race theory, Professor Timothy notes how discrimination can manifest itself in numerous ways within Black and Indigenous communities with regard to public health.

The term “intersectionality” was invented by Kimberlé Crenshaw—the creator of the intersectionality theory. The notion states that intersectionality is an analytical framework that allows us to identify where the different identities we undertake and systems of power intersect. For example, Black women face difficulty in healthcare and education because they are both Black and women—being victims of both racism and sexism.

In response to the mistreatment of these communities, Professor Timothy created the Black Health program “to empower future generations to create a resilient healthcare system that challenges anti-Black racism and promotes innovation.” The program will help to build an anti-oppressive healthcare system that will benefit African/Black and Indigenous communities. Black communities are filled with diverse identities which can consist of numerous characteristics such as gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, socio-economic status, and disabilities.

Areas of the program will address the effects of anti-Black racism and intersectionality on maternal healthcare, and the implications of intersectionality on elders and children within the Black community. This means looking at intergenerational relationships, assessing the effects of generational trauma on mental health, and promoting diversity, inclusion, and equity within the public healthcare system.

As defined by Professor Timothy, “anti-Black racism is a very complex and [unaddressed] issue within our society and the Canadian public healthcare system.” She also discusses how the child-welfare system, the disproportionate number of Black men in prisons, and bias within institutionalized systems are ever-present reminders of the discrimination faced by Black communities.

Furthermore, Professor Timothy highlights that “it is important that when talking about anti-Black racism to talk about it as a violence, that means not only just being prejudiced to somebody but to cause another person physical, mental, social and financial harm to someone.”

Professor Timothy recently hosted the Black Health program’s first information session on September 27, 2022. More information sessions will take place throughout the year. Professor Timothy indicated that they will soon begin hiring both staff and volunteers for the 2023 school year.

“We must continue to be innovative, inclusive, and impartial as we continue to create a culturally responsive and safe health care system for all members of society,” expresses Professor Timothy.

The Black Health program will inevitably change the way medicine and the Canadian healthcare system operate. Professor Timothy reflected on the program by stating that “This is something [that] has been years in the making.” The creation of this program is bittersweet; it’s upsetting that we need such a program to ensure proper healthcare for all, but it is reassuring and exciting to know that this program will improve healthcare for future generations.

09

FAUXELS/PEXELS

Implementing inclusive practices in workplaces is crucial to the wellbeing of immigrants Professor Soo Min Toh on the reshaping of the behaviour of immigrants in a new work environment.

Azkka Noor Contributor

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rofessor Soo Min Toh is a renowned researcher and educator in the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM). Professor Toh’s work merges the world of human resource management with the psychology of behaviour.

Professor Toh’s studies aim to recognize and address cultural, socioeconomic, and psychological obstacles that exist between newly-immigrated employees and domestic employees in multinational corporations. Coming from Singapore, where these matters were rarely discussed and often stigmatized, she is grateful for UTM’s acceptance of her research, especially in her involvement in the inclusion of minority groups.

“Local employees are overlooked in favor of expats [and] immigrant employees.”

In Singapore, Professor Toh noticed the difference in the behaviour of local employees towards immigrant employees.

She observed that Singaporean multinational corporations were less concerned with expanding the current skills of local employees. Instead, they focused on drawing overseas talent.

“Local employees are overlooked in favor of expats [and] immigrant employees,” she explains.

“I was interested in the human aspect of [an] organization, not so much the business itself.”

Towards the end of her undergraduate degree at Nanyang Technological University, Professor Toh considered working for multinational corporations in Singapore. However, when her supervisor suggested that she would gain more from pursuing further studies and research rather than by working in global firms, Professor Toh realized that her passion lied in academia. “I was more introspective and tended to think about why we do what we do which made me most curious during my undergraduate degree. I was interested in the human aspect of [an] organization, not so much the business itself,” she shares.

As a result, she pursued her PhD at Texas A&M University.

During this time, she focused her efforts on understanding the behaviour of specific groups of people entering the workforce.

She studied immigrants, a group often underrepresented in the field of organizational behaviour. “As I was thinking about what excites me the most during my doctoral studies, I ended up drawing from my personal experience. Working as a Singaporean in Singapore in a multinational organization got me

interested in the idea that organizations are overlooking the way local employees are perceiving expats [and] immigrants,” she shares.

Professor Toh’s work has not only revealed the unfair treatment that immigrants face in new workplaces, but also the long-term effects of such working environments. Her studies acknowledge the importance of treating all employees fairly, regardless of where they come from, while highlighting the dire psychological consequences of unequal, unjust treatment.

“It is important for voices to be heard, especially the voices of the minority. Often, ignorance about the interactions between the domestic and immigrant employee leads to mental health issues that stop the incoming immigrant worker from reaching their potential,” she explains.

Professor Toh seeks to shed light on how locals perceive immigrants in organizational settings. Currently, her research addresses the mental health issues employees face in the workplace. She studies and proposes how immigrants can meet workforce demands and integrate easily into their new surroundings while fostering personal growth. Professor Toh hopes to achieve a more inclusive society where “people can [be] fulfilled and be recognized for their strengths and potential, their unique capabilities they bring to the organizations, and respond positively.”

“Often, ignorance about the interactions between the domestic and immigrant employee leads to mental health issues that stop the incoming immigrant worker from reaching their potential.”

The ideal atmosphere in organizational settings can only be achieved through a partnership between the local workforce and arriving immigrants. To accomplish this, Professor Toh explains that we need to foster an environment in which neither group is shunned aside for the gain of the other. Her research highlights that this can only succeed if workplaces have more open discussions between the two groups and accept recommendations on how to overcome cultural and social barriers.

In order to reshape the behaviour in organizations, she adds that “it is important to have inclusivity in the workplace now.”

As a solution, Professor Toh explains that employees should be taught how to avoid potential segregation through workshops and seminars. She notes that organizations should also commit to providing the benefits that immigrants enjoy to all employees—equal benefits are a must.

By incorporating inclusive practices in the workplace, we can help protect the well-being of immigrant employees.

However, Professor Toh acknowledges that post-pandem-

ic, new approaches to preventing discrimination might be required. She explains that with most workplaces now returning to in-person activities, “it is very difficult to predict the change in organizational behaviour.” In particular, it is even harder for immigrant employees to recuperate from its effects. She notes that trying to redress these issues is essential for the world to hold smoother discussions about the integration of inclusivity in organizations.

“It is important to have inclusivity in the workplace now.”

Currently, Professor Toh’s research is funded by the Tamarack Institute. She is undertaking a community-based research project to examine family focus groups to better teach agencies “how to continue to foster the growth of incoming immigrants.” She hopes to understand how employees who immigrate with their families approach new work environments.

In 2021, Canada housed over 400,000 skilled immigrants.

In fact, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada, Canada’s labour force growth is 100 per cent attributed to immigration. As such, fostering a positive workplace environment conducive to the development and well-being of immigrants is essential. For Professor Toh, educating today’s workforce about the relevance of organizational behaviour and incorporating inclusive practices is key to advancing the success of immigrants in the workplace.

WORKSTARS

10

The Journal of Scientific Innovation: U of T’s only undergraduate scientific journal Professor Christopher Eaton and Paige France talk about how their undergraduate scientific journal can help address historical divides.

Melody Yang Contributor

O

pen Science is an umbrella term used in a variety of practices, with its greatest tenant being free and open access to scientific research. Most importantly, everyone is encouraged to contribute to these journals. This movement for open science is a response to the history of academia being entrenched in privilege and socioeconomic class. Through undergraduate research journals, the gap between accessibility and students decreases.

Launched in 2021, the Journal of Scientific Innovation (JSI) at the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) is spearheaded by Paige France, a third-year student studying Biology for Health Sciences and Psychology. France and Professor Christopher Eaton—Assistant Professor in the Institute of Study of University Pedagogy (ISUP) and the JSI’s Journal Sponsor—are both leaders of the journal.

Professor Eaton’s background highlights the JSI’s mission—an amalgamation of education and writing focused on innovative research. “I was not a scientist by trade, my background is in education and writing,” he reassures. With France’s humble beginnings in both writing for The Medium and in academic writing for the ISUP, the JSI is under keen guidance.

As an open-access tri-campus publication, the JSI invites students from all campuses to submit their own research projects. “Submissions opened last Sunday and are due November 27 at midnight—I’ll be staying up until then,” laughs France. “You wouldn’t believe how many articles come through right at the deadline.” Research papers can also be submitted through their Instagram’s Linktree, @journalofscientificinnovation.

“I needed to promise my team that this would be a journal, while also promising the university that this journal will have a team.”

However, the work of a Lead Editor doesn’t end there. After receiving submissions, France anonymizes the papers before sending them through a peer-review process. The JSI’s peer-review team comes together to screen all article submissions and devise a strategy for editing each piece. A critical vote concerning the paper’s content is held to determine whether the submission meets the JSI’s publishing standards.

If so, acceptances are sent out. Sometimes, this includes the invitation to revise and re-

BRIANNA ACEBEDO/THE MEDIUM

submit their paper. The JSI’s editing team in turn collaborates with the authors to advise them on content or stylistic changes.

Set to release their third issue, the JSI’s current review process is ready. But this wasn’t always the case. During Covid-19 lockdowns, opportunities across academia were limited—pushing France to start the JSI. Coordinating with researchers bordered impossible, as resources and the ability to recruit and train students were restricted. For France, the hardest part was having to make and uphold pledges during those uncertain times. “I needed to promise my team that this would be a journal, while also promising the university that this journal will have a team,” admits France. “That was one of the most stressful parts of the process,” she shares. Luckily, France’s gamble paid off.

Of course, “there is no journal without a team,” emphasizes France. Professor Eaton, France, and the JSI’s team now use their combined expertise to train other students.

Whether it be opinions, meta-analyses, or report pieces, the JSI can handle them all.

“Finding the right people to structure [the journal] is crucial,” adds Professor Eaton.

“Building a curriculum around this journal is needed, it’s up to the faculty member to keep this structure in place.”

“Building a curriculum around this jourznal is needed, it’s up to the faculty member to keep this structure in place,” explains Professor. Eaton. Based on the model used by the ISUP, the JSI implements well-researched practices to support authors and editorial students. This curricu-

lum allows new editors and peer-reviewers to be trained, so that even after a visionary Lead Editor like France leaves, the journal can continue to flourish. “The unfortunate reality is that students graduate,” adds Professor Eaton.

“It allows professors to assist students, the editorial teams to train science communication skills, and the authors to publish.”

However, the spotlight extends beyond the Lead Editor—all participants have a stake to gain. France explains that the benefits of participating in the JSI “are threefold.” “It allows professors to assist students, the editorial teams to train science communication skills, and the authors to publish.” Therefore, it’s possible to join the JSI team without previous research experience. Both editorial and peer-review teams look for applicants with a background in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), and strong writing skills. The difference lies in whether the applicant prefers to work with the authors as an editor, or to work behind the scenes on the peer-review team.

While there has been a larger emphasis placed on the biological sciences in past issues, there have also been feature articles across a vast array of STEM fields. For example, a review on the science behind art conservation and a nuclear energy opinion piece have both caught the attention of the JSI’s editors. “Anything that focuses on innovation in general [can be submitted],” says France, “and any writers looking

to pitch an idea are welcome to reach out to Chris and I [journalofscientificinnovation@gmail.com].” “[The] biggest thing [is that] students submitting a paper need to be open to the fact that it will need [to be] revised,” advises Professor Eaton. “We are not focused on grammar and spelling, we’re worried [about] the ideas” in the submission stage.

Students submitting their papers must be prepared to make significant revisions, including altering how they prioritize their thoughts in their pieces. Some papers may need more work than a student is willing to undertake. However, “tweaking and refining exists past undergrad and into all of academia,” Professor Eaton reassures, “This is not an indictment; it’s normal.”

“It’s the chance to contribute to a larger conversation academically, and [to highlight] what this [research can] do in the world.”

Publishing one’s own research paper as an undergraduate student can be an extremely fulfilling accomplishment. It is one that the JSI is willing to facilitate by creating this opportunity for students at U of T. While they acknowledge that it is a risk for principal investigators to put their name behind such a project, “it’s about the educational opportunity,” says Professor Eaton. Providing meaningful support to up-and-coming scientists embodies the spirit of pedagogy and the JSI. “It’s the chance to contribute to a larger conversation academically, and [to highlight] what this [research can] do in the world,” he finishes.

11

Arts

Editor | Julia Skoczypiec arts@themedium.ca

I’m Glad My Mom Died uncovers the secrets behind Nickelodeon stars Jennette McCurdy’s new novel speaks to the dark sides of fame not talked about on TV. encouraged her daughter to weigh 59 pounds at the age of thirteen and then disowned her for having a boyfriend—calling her a “slut.”

The most ironic part, she verbally abused her daughter and asked for money for a new fridge all within the same letter. The abuse was unclear to Jennette until she began therapy in her mid 20s. I found myself feeling her conflicting emotions.

Despite the horrible parenting, Jennette loved her mom. She sacrificed her childhood—and her adulthood—to please Debra.

She hated acting and singing. She hated crying on cue and going to auditions, but she did it all to make her mother proud. She would starve herself, or make herself puke, all so her mother was satisfied with her image. Her contrasting emotions of resentment and love come through clearly. At times, Jennette’s mother made her feel like she was achieving a better life—by securing fame and getting rid of financial insecurity. She made Jennette feel like her tortuous attempts to make Jennette “beautiful” were justified.

Aia Jaber Managing Editor

TW: Eating disorders, OCD, depression, sexual harassment.

E

veryone, at some point, craves fame.

We crave red carpets, magazine shoots, and glamour. We want big houses, tours, paparazzi, and to meet celebs like Angelina Jolie. We watch movies and TV shows and envy the lives of famous people—wondering why our parents didn’t invest in acting classes and dance studios.

“Pummeled by unwarranted opinions on body image and relationships, and continuously stalked by tormenting paparazzi, child stars are stuck on an involuntary journey of burn-out.”

In doing so, we overlook the horrifying truth behind being a child star. Pummeled by unwarranted opinions on body image and relationships, and continuously stalked by tormenting paparazzi, child stars are stuck on an involuntary journey of burn-out. They become has-beens that have quit acting “for the foreseeable future.”

In Jennette McCurdy’s autobiography I’m Glad My Mom Died, the iCarly (2007-2012) child star writes about how her upbringing, filled with physical and emotional abuse, followed her into adulthood and constricted her self-growth and acceptance. Made a victim by her cancer-ridden, manipulative mother, Jennette was forced into acting at the age of six and developed an eating disorder by the age of 11.

“Jennette was forced into acting at the age of six and developed an eating disorder by the age of 11.”

Throughout the book, I gasped frequently—my stomach turning and my eyes involuntarily closing at the sight of the more descriptive passages on the abuse. Simply put, this story is not easy to digest. Jennette, the talented writer she is, vividly depicts a life riddled with OCD, anorexia, bulimia, and a guilt-tripping mother. I found myself with

“She hated crying on cue and going to auditions, but she did it all to make her mother proud.”

GOODREADS

her during every stage of her life—from age 11 when Jennette’s doctor told her mother she was anorexic, to 18 when she tried alcohol for the first time, to 21 when her mom

died. I listened to her attentively, as if she sat right in front of me.

Debra McCurdy, Jennette’s mom, forced her four children to sleep on Ikea mats. She

After 18 years in the industry, Jennette has quit acting and is recovering by investing in her mental health. She declined the opportunity to appear in the spinoff of iCarly, where she would be reunited with long time best friend Miranda Cosgrove.

For anyone who witnessed the Nickelodeon excitement, I’m Glad my Mom Died finally addresses a multitude of secrets and rumors.

We learn of the hostile work environment and incidents of sexual harassment orchestrated by the “Creator” of shows like iCarly, Victorious, and Sam & Cat. We learn the truth behind Jennette’s rivalry with co-star Ariana Grande, and we finally understand why she passed up on her next big role.

Alongside the content, Jennette’s depiction of mental health is extraordinarily personal and deeply involved throughout the biography. Her stream of consciousness gave me glimpses into her struggles associated with her OCD and her eating disorders. The complexity of the novel was multi-layered, wellthought out, and moving.

Jennette may be glad her mother died, but she still feels pain, sadness, confusion, and guilt for missing her and for hating her. She captures intense, raw emotions in 300 pages, and she does so beautifully.

12

The M ’s Playlist: Sad Girl September with Liz For different moods throughout the month, this playlist comes with a bit of everything.

Elizabeth Provost Editor-in-Chief

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s I enter my final year of undergrad, September has marked the inauguration of “sad girl autumn.” This new term hit me like a semi-truck and left me nauseous with senior-itis. With a million tasks on my to do list—from five courses to grad school applications to deciding what I want to be for Halloween—I lack the motivation to do anything and have already packed my bags for the next big thing.

(Yes, I am aware that I need to get into grad school before I can actually go anywhere.)

“Sad girl autumn” has also materialized into a “sad girl Spotify playlist.”

Plagued with somber undertones and emotional instrumentals, songs about heartbreak, lost time, and finding yourself make up the playlist.

Every time I hit shuffle, my “Liked Songs” are out to get me—it’s like Spotify is trying to tell me “We’ve got a continuous soundtrack for your sad girl walk from P4 to Deerfield.” No, I didn’t ask for this, and no, it’s not making me feel better.

I do like to indulge in the occasional “sad girl spiral” (okay, last time I write the word “sad,” I promise). To achieve this state of mind, I put on a soft, mellow tune, with undertones of anguish and nostalgia, to serve as a reminder that I’m not alone. As I like to know that she has also survived loss and grief, Yebba is most often my headliner. So, grab a soft blanket and wrap it around your head so that your headphones sit so deep in your ear canal that it feels like Phoebe Bridgers is giving you a wet willy (sorry for the visual!). Next, stare at a blank wall, with used tissues in hand, and join me on this lyrical journey of finding strength and power through sadness (sike!). And when you’re done track 14, leave all your worries with Adele and I, we got you.

The Toronto International Film Festival— a historic source of artistry and culture How TIFF has impacted artists and film enthusiasts—from its debut till now.

Kuicmar Phot Contributor

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he Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) began in October of 1976 under its original name, Festival of Festivals.

Out of the 127 films that premiered during TIFF’s debut, the festival placed importance on sharing the stories and empowering the voices of marginalized and overlooked communities. According to its mission statement, TIFF has since brought together professionals and the public to “transform the way people see the world through film.” The festival is currently one of the most prestigious in the world, with over 300 annual film screenings and 500,000 attendees.

theatres. Toronto-based artists and businesses are given the opportunity to gain exposure and to connect with industry professionals from all over the world.

“TIFF is essential to Toronto’s culture.”

TIFF is a multicultural hub of artistry that showcases foreign and domestic independent films. The films might touch on topics like race, gender, or niche-subcultures. This year, some of TIFF’s most celebrated screenings

“The stories of individuals who were once silenced are now appreciated by today’s generation of viewers.”

An undeniable TIFF 2022 standout was Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of

the Universe (Dir. Aitch Alberto). The film is based on a book of the same name written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz. This coming-of-age film follows two teenage Mexican-American boys, Aristotle “Ari” Mendoza (Max Pelayo) and Dante Quintana (Reese Gonzales) as they navigate masculinity, vulnerability, and Mexican culture in 1987 El Paso, Texas. In an interview with Deadline Hollywood, Alberto described the film as one that “redefines masculinity” and casts a “lens on male vulnerability that includes a more compassionate and empathetic gaze.” She added that: “At its core, Ari and Dante tells a story of selfdiscovery and acceptance.” The film is an excellent example of the opportunities TIFF provides for artists that are underrepresented in Hollywood.

“They have the power to change cultures, traditions, and beliefs.”

“The festival placed importance on sharing the stories and empowering the voices of marginalized and overlooked communities.”

TIFF is essential to Toronto’s culture. The celebrities who attend the festival are spotted in and around Toronto’s Entertainment District—the epitome of Toronto’s art culture.

Waves of international visitors swamp the streets during the festival. Often, the accompanying media coverage will spotlight some of the city’s hidden gems, like restaurants and

were centered around themes of sexuality, gender, and racism. The stories of individuals who were once silenced are now appreciated by today’s generation of viewers.

HOLLYWOOD NEWS

Films inspire us, entertain us, and let us explore the world through the eyes of others. They have the power to change cultures, traditions, and beliefs. Through festivals like TIFF, we become inspired to engage with movies that are not readily available on our at-home streaming platforms. We are encouraged to take part in art that pushes us out of our comfort zones. If you ever find yourself in Toronto in September, find a screening and take a plunge into the wonders of TIFF’s riveting waves of art.

13

Disney’s unique position in the streaming wars How Disney+ uses its catalogue of nostalgic shows and familiar films to maintain subscriptions and attract new viewers.

Aidan Thompson Copy Editor

F

rom its release on November 12, 2019, Disney+ has been a streaming service that uses nostalgia to attract viewers.

Whether it’s their Star Wars films, their animated features, or their adored Family Channel shows—Disney’s intent as a streaming platform is closely modeled after their theme parks: they aim to create a place where you can always connect with a part of your childhood.

Looking through Disney’s catalogue, they don’t prioritize dark, depressing true crime documentaries like Netflix— nor do they chase gritty, character driven dramas like HBO. Instead, they feed into the familiar and fun. Their brand brings colour, magic, excitement, and wonder, and while that may not appeal to everyone, it does to their 221 million subscribers.

“I realized there was something more optimistic that could be said about the financially inspired effort Disney has gone through to capitalize nostalgia.”

As I began to work on writing this article, my instinct was to write a quietly cynical, statistically driven piece about viewer preferences and corporate reactions. I was going to include numbers and quotations, and it was going to be complicated and beautiful—but then I stopped. I realized there was something more optimistic that could be said about the financially inspired effort Disney has gone through to capitalize nostalgia.

It should come as no surprise to say that the world of streaming is crowded. Netflix, Amazon, Disney, and HBO are all shouldering for our attention, and each is trying to individualize itself to attract (or imprison) audiences. Netflix is continuously releasing undesired “originals,” crossing their fingers that one of their 600 true crime documentaries will be as good as Making a Murderer (2015-2018).

NATLIE NG/THE MEDIUM

Amazon is getting by on the fact that Jeff Bezos’ credit card is, for all intents and purposes, unlimited. They continue to make money on the millions of people who don’t even realize they have a subscription because they only subscribed to Prime so that their Christmas presents would arrive before January 16.

HBO is doing what HBO does best, releasing some of the past decade’s most critically adored television shows with Succession (since 2018), Euphoria (since 2019), and most recently House of the Dragon (since 2022). They’re prioritizing quality over quantity, but they’re still the quiet kid who gets tossed around by their obnoxious peers.

Disney+, in contrast, continues to commodify nostalgia.

The platform exploits the lucrative universe of Star Wars spin-offs and mines the millions out of Marvel’s next multiverse marathon. They’ve brought back shows from every generation’s childhood, created an online catalogue of some of the most adored animated films, and they continue to reinvent familiar classics by preserving and creating nostalgia.

I know I said this article was going to be fun and not nauseatingly analytical, but I can’t help it. It appears that Disney+, unlike any other streaming platform, relies just as heavily on their previously released content as much as they rely on their newly released content. Most other platforms, like Netflix, rely primarily on their new releases.

In their attempt to preserve nostalgia, Disney+ brought back shows like That’s So Raven (2003-2007), Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012), and Phinneas and Ferb (20072015). They’ve collected every Disney movie—from Cars (2006) to Toy Story (1995), to The Incredibles (2004). Even somewhat obscure, but fondly remembered movies like The Mighty Ducks (1992), or Honey, I Shrunk the Kids (1989) have found their way onto the platform.

In their attempt to “create” nostalgia, Disney+ has extended these familiar narrative universes, most notably through their new Star Wars shows like The Mandalorian (since 2019), Obi-Wan Kenobi (since 2022), and most recently Andor (since 2022). In a galaxy not so far away, Disney+ has created spin-offs of High School Musical, with their oh-so-meta-titled-series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. They also created a new Mighty Ducks series, a new National Treasure series, and a new The Santa Clauses

series, with Tim Allan reprising his beloved, but curiously cast, role as Santa.

“With the overwhelming amount of choice between streaming services and the content they provide, people just resort to watching something they’re comfortable with.”

Out of Disney+ original content released in the past few years, over 92 per cent of it is pre-branded content—meaning it’s a continuation of a previous movie or series. They seem to have a firm understanding that today’s audiences are looking for something familiar to watch. With the overwhelming amount of choice between streaming services and the content they provide, people just resort to watching something they’re comfortable with. Disney+ knows this.

This past August, Disney+ hit 221 million subscribers, passing Netflix for the first time. In addition to now being the largest streaming service, 89 per cent of Disney+ content is exclusive, the highest out of any streaming service.

The most shocking characteristic is that 65 per cent of its subscribers are households that don’t have kids. So, to all those who look at Disney+ as just a streaming service for families and kids, don’t forget the millions of middle-aged Star Wars stans and Marvel maniacs.

So, am I relieved to see one of the largest production companies churning out repetitive, uninspired content?

No. Is it going to sell? Yes. Disney+ is uniquely positioned with a huge catalog of rewatchable, already adored films and television shows. With that, they’re incredibly resilient as a streaming service. They can take their time in producing “new” content without worrying that audiences will get impatient and jump ship.

Disney+ is part of an immensely successful entertainment company—especially considering the turmoil Netflix is going through as they continue to lose subscribers. If I had to pick a favorite in the streaming wars, I’d put my money on Disney+.

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Margaret Atwood and Randy Boyagoda on politics, literature, and freedom In a recent screening, the two authors spoke to UofT students and faculty about what lies beneath our world’s political systems.

Leah MacKay Contributor

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n September 28, 2022, the faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto St. George (UTSG) invited students to attend a rare event at Convocation Hall. Joined by Canadian novelists Margaret Atwood and Randy Boyagoda, students and faculty had the opportunity to watch The Story of Democracy: What’s Next?—a screening where both authors spoke on how we can understand and question democracy through storytelling.

Atwood’s fictional worlds stem from her understanding of critical real-world issues. Through her novels, she continuously expresses that writing and communication are powerful tools that allow us to reflect on freedom. Amongst the thousands of students with vastly different experiences, personal values, and political views, the discussions at Convocation Hall elicited diverse responses and continued conversations.

Describing democracy as a “jagged line,” Atwood pinpointed that “there is no ‘yellow brick road’ that leads to the ‘Emerald City’

of politics. What we are seeing [now] in the United States is that some people do not seem to feel humbly towards women’s rights and women’s suffrage. There’s been active movements against [these issues], and there are commitments towards autocracies— but one thing autocracies can’t do, is they can’t control how you communicate.”

Atwood reflected on her storyline in The Handmaid’s Tale and connected the occurrences of her characters to today’s ongoings in democratic societies.

“What [we] have to watch out for is the deliberate creation of chaos,” Atwood said.

“Because once you have chaos, everybody wants to go to Mr. Fix-it [referring to the government]. I think we’re seeing that in various places in the world, and we have to be against it.”

To further expand on Atwood’s points, Boyagoda, author of the novel Original Prin (2018) and current English professor at UTSG, called for a sense unity despite incompatible world views. He referred to our world as a “global village”—a space that continues to develop technologically but feels like it is drastically “shrinking.”

“In a global, or globalized village, we often have incompatible realities side by side,” Boyagoda stated. He called attention to the

numerous individuals we sit beside on the bus, in classrooms, or in great halls, and revealed that we can never truly know their personal or societal ideologies. “And so, the question becomes: ‘How do we live together, if we have these incompatible realities?’”

During the Q&A session, Atwood and Boyagoda answered questions regarding social welfare democracy, capitalism, censorship, self and world views, and general political systems. I found Atwood’s reflections and her connections to literature compelling.

“I’ve never actually seen myself as anyone great,” Atwood said. “I don’t think it’s necessary to see yourself as anything great. You can see yourself as lots of things. You can see yourself as more than one thing.”

She continued to quote Offred, a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, when she said: “A story is like a letter. Dear you, I’ll say. You can mean more than one. You can mean thousands.”

Atwood and Boyagoda left the crowd feeling empowered to value individual voices. They reminded us that we have the power and the courage to take back our compromised freedoms.

For her closing remark, Atwood looked out into the crowd and said: “The Wizard of Oz is amongst you. Who is pretending to be a great person, when they are really just a ventriloquist?”

An entertaining commute with A More Beautiful Journey The new app creates ties between Torontonian commuters, artists, and the city they share.

Maja Tingchaleun Contributor

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More Beautiful Journey (AMBJ) was released in celebration of the Toronto Transit Commission’s (TTC’s) 100th anniversary. As a long-time commuter, I was immediately drawn to the concept. This iOS and Android app tracks your location to create a customized soundscape based on where you are in the transit system. I thought the app would be a fun way to discover more about Toronto’s arts scene and add some flavour to my commute, and I was not disappointed.

AMBJ matches artists and songs to places that are significant to their personal lives.

As you pass through a particular location, a song will begin to play and you’ll get a popup audio with facts about the area’s history, its cultural significance to Toronto’s music scene, or the artist’s personal ties to it. The audios use the authentic voices of each creator to tell their individual stories. Each artist plays a significant role in creating a narrative that they want their work to tell. This makes the app feel poignant, as if the artists are letting us into their lives.

I listened to every track available on the app and every single one slaps. Each song works cohesively but remains unique—a tes-

tament to the diverse stories that make up Toronto’s culture. Each destination in the app is displayed through an augmented reality experience—the technology reacts in real time as you pass into a new neighbourhood, take a turn, or make a transfer. This experience turns the city itself into a 3D canvas— one where art is created as you travel.

Before using AMBJ, my commute was made up of streaky bus windows and the same scenery I’d seen a hundred times before. Now, I can see the layers of life and history that inform the complex and colourful

AURORA PICCITTOLI/THE MEDIUM

melodies playing through my earbuds. The app creates a beautiful harmony between the artist, the commuter, and the city they share.

The app is still very new, so there are inevitable glitches. For starters, it’s difficult to learn—the first time I opened it, despite the pop-up windows with friendly, well-meaning instructions, I tapped around for a few minutes before giving up in frustration. Later, I found an “at home” option that allowed me to give the app a test run before taking it for a spin on my commute the next day.

Additionally, while AMBJ says its purpose

is to “transform public transit,” it works better as a self-guided music tour. Currently, there is only one artist (and thus one song) per neighbourhood, which means that users with the same daily commute will listen to the same thing every day. Also, the app currently only works for 25 stretches of transit lines. While this is a fairly large area, it feels deficient—as I was jamming out, the music suddenly stopped and the app revealed that the area I was in hadn’t been mapped yet. On the note of malfunctions, however, I was delighted that the app didn’t crash once, even on my three-year-old iPhone 7.

Finally, while the app boasts that it’s accessible to “millions of daily riders across the TTC,” the interface is web-based. Since the TTC still does not provide Wi-Fi on its transit lines, this automatically excludes users who don’t have data. An easy way to overcome this would be to introduce a feature that allows users to input their commute beforehand, generating a playlist that they can download before leaving home.

Overall, “A More Beautiful Journey” is a wonderful concept and a gorgeous app bursting with potential for commuters and artists. I’ll be keeping it on my iPhone to follow its updates as it hopefully expands to include more locations, more artists, and more features. This app is going places, and I’m excited to go places with it.

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sports & health

Editor | Alisa Samuel sports@themedium.ca

RAWC/UTM

UTM Fitness Supervisor inducted into the U of T Sports Hall of Fame Andrew Bellerby, Recreation and Fitness Supervisor at the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre, will forever be a part of U of T history.

Bilal Siddiqui Contributor

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ndrew Bellerby recalls the moment when U of T’s 1995 lightweight men’s eight rowing team crossed the finish line to win first place at the Dad Vail Regatta: “Exhausted obviously, but I just remember feeling elated. […]

It was a sweet victory.”

“Exhausted obviously, but I just remember feeling elated. […] It was a sweet victory.”

Bellerby reunited with his fellow rowing team members and former coaches this past May at the U of T Sports Hall of Fame where they were honoured in recognition of their athletic contributions to the U of T community.

The 1994-95 Varsity Blues men’s rowing team made waves in the college sports world by becoming the first and only Canadian team to win the Dad Vail Regatta—the largest intercollegiate rowing tournament in North America.

Andrew was the only student from Erindale College on the team (now the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)).

Before his second year at UTM, Bellerby had no prior experience in rowing. It was not until his roommate, Scott McCrindle, encouraged him to try it out that he realized the “amazing” opportunity that was given to him.

“U of T presented this to me,” Bellerby says. “It wasn’t something I came to U of T with.”

As a student, Bellerby spent most of his time learning how to row alongside his friends in the Erindale College rowing program. There, he found that friendships, in his words, “impact your student experience and support your academics in a powerful way.”

Nowadays, Bellerby can be found at the Recreation, Athletics & Wellness Centre (RAWC) where he’s currently working to expand Rowfit, a new introductory crash course and dryland training program for prospective rowers at UTM. Bellerby’s 30-minute Rowfit classes are beginner level and take place four times a week, from Monday through Thursday.

“My experience when it comes to athletics on this campus has changed my life [and] gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and my career.”

Bellerby has seen UTM’s athletic department grow into a world-class facility that fosters the development of both high calibre athletes and those who just want to get fit and have fun. He attests that the single most important aspect of participating in UTM athletics has remained consistent: the opportunity to foster social connections. It was a sense of community

that drove Bellerby to pursue rowing at a high level, both on and off campus. “My experience when it comes to athletics on this campus has changed my life [and] gave me the confidence to pursue my dreams and my career,” he says.

Since the return to in-person learning, the RAWC has launched a number of flagship programs wherein students can connect with one another and nurture their fitness goals and sports interests without the pressure of making any long-term commitments.

Students who are not familiar with the programming at the RAWC, or who are simply intimidated by the thought of participating in fitness classes, can meet with a fitness specialist at the RAWC for a free 30-minute fitness consultation to find a program that fits their schedule, interests, and skill level.

“A lot of it just comes down to taking advantage of the opportunities that are put in front of you.”

During consultations, students are also offered three complimentary personal training sessions with a RAWC personal trainer. “It helps get people started,” Bellerby says.

“It really is a tailored experience.”

Bellerby hopes his story reminds students to actively lean into potential personal, academic, and professional successes through campus involvement: “A lot of it just comes down to taking advantage of the opportunities that are put in front of you.”

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It can be as professional or as grassroots as you want: a perspective on esports The University of Toronto Mississauga Esports Club offers non-athletic students an outlet for their competitive energy.

Mikael Syed Contributor

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sports, an abbreviation for electronic sports, are organized competitions based on multi-player video games. The first recorded instance of esports was in 1972 at Stanford University where students competed against one another in a videogame called Spacewar (1962).

During the early 1990s, there was rising competition amongst combat video games, such as Mortal Kombat (1992), Street Fighter (1992), and Dead or Alive (1996). The mid to late 1990s saw the introduction of computerbased esports with StarCraft (1998), Quake (1996), and Doom (1993) gaining popularity.

Massive tournaments and competitions were organized around these popular titles with large prizes for the winners.

Today, Super Smash Bros. (1999), League of Legends (2009), Valorant (2020), and Guilty Gear Strive (2021) hold the largest player base in the University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM) Esports Club. During last semester, UTM’s Valorant team ranked first in their division and will receive a trophy to mark their accomplishment in the near future.

Some people who see sporting as strictly

a physical activity might take issue with the use of the word “sports” to define competitive video gaming.

“Esports are invaluable to many people, especially those who seek healthy competition and community but may have physical barriers that make athletic sports difficult.”

“[Sports] can be hard to define,” says UTM Esports Club president Peter Ghobrial, “because a lot of people’s perceptions on it may vary.”

Ghobrial is a fourth-year computer science major that was once an events coordinator for the club. He sets out the general plan and outline for the club, its future and vision for what it hopes to accomplish next.

Ghobrial thinks Esports are invaluable to many people, especially those who seek healthy competition and community but may have physical barriers that make athletic sports difficult. “Anyone who

likes video games [and] likes playing them can come out,” he says. “That’s really the thing that speaks to me.”

Due to Covid-19 restrictions last year, the UTM Esports Club had to redirect its in-person events. The club still continued to host collegiate games and participate in a multitude of tournaments but in an online format.

They also hosted drop-in game nights and interactive live streams.

With the return to campus, the club now hosts many weekly in-person games that anybody can participate in, while also coordinating rosters of players to compete in varsity collegiate esports tournaments.

“With the return to campus, the club now hosts many weekly in-person games that anybody can participate in.”

If you have the slightest interest in video games, whether you play them casually, competitively, or want to try them out, consider joining the UTM Esports club. The club’s executive team strives to create an inclusive community where students can make new friends and have fun.

Defensive Depth Pre-season woes raise questions as the Leafs look towards the start of the regular season.

Omar Khan Columnist

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ith training camp and the pre-season underway, several Leafs players risk getting injured as they compete to claim a spot in the lineup and prove they deserve to stay in the National Hockey League (NHL).

“Jake Muzzin, Timothy Liljegren, Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom are all currently on the injury reserve.”

Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares will miss the beginning of the season due to an oblique strain. Tavares’ absence is a major setback for the Leafs, but the team’s defense has more concerning injuries. Jake Muzzin, Timothy Liljegren, Jordie Benn and Carl Dahlstrom are all currently on the injury reserve.

Well into a preseason game, Benn and Dahlstrom were sidelined with injuries, leaving the team with only four defensemen instead of the usual six. Consequently, Alex Kerfoot and Calle Järnkrok, two forwards, dropped back to defence to cover their absences.

Kerfoot and Järnkrok are considered Swiss army knife players due to their versatility—but only when playing forward. As it turns out, the two players seamlessly transitioned into their new roles and brought the Leafs a 3-0 victory

against the Montréal Canadiens in the preseason.

This win proves the strengths of the Leafs playing system, their defensive strategies, and their ability to adapt to changing game circumstances. The injuries caused urgent defensive depth issues, but they were resolved quickly.

In other defensive news, the long awaited promising young defenseman, Rasmus Sandin, has re-signed with the Leafs on a twoyear USD $2.8 million dollar contract extension. Sandin is an extremely important piece of the Leafs defensive future.

Having him back in time for the beginning of the season is key for the success of both Sandin and the team.

Another positive development for the Leafs is their goaltending. While most fans were pessimistic of Matt Murray and Ilya Samsonov, both have played well to start the preseason. Both goaltenders have faced difficult situations.

They nonetheless proved that they are both committed to the team’s success.

“The Leafs are approximately $2.9 million over their salary cap right now.”

Looking towards the Leafs’ future, one question remains: Which players will be traded away in order to shed some salary expenses? The Leafs are approximately $2.9 million over their salary cap right now.

The salary cap has always been a complicated issue in the NHL, especially when it comes to the Leafs. Few people in the hockey world thought it was possible to keep together a core group of players as good as Auston Matthews, Mitch Marner, William Nylander, and Tavares while maintaining a well-balanced lineup.

Leafs General Manager Kyle Dubas has done a remarkable job every season of providing those core players with a cheap and effective supporting cast of players including Michael Bunting, Mark Giordano and David Kämpf.

“With the current talent on the Leafs roster, the team has reason to hope for playoff success this upcoming spring.”

Not only does this add value to the team, but it also makes paying premium prices for premium players that much easier. With the current talent on the Leafs roster, the team has reason to hope for playoff success this upcoming spring.