NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 11
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013
nyunews.com
Rally calls for cleaner energy
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
By COSTANZA MAIO
CHUCK KUAN FOR WSN
STUDENT IMMIGRATION MAY SOON BE EASIER
Bipartisan support for reform could relax restrictions on NYU’s international students IMMIGRATION on PG. 3
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LINK BETWEEN VIOLENCE AND VIDEO GAMES REMAINS THIN In the wake of the tragedies at Sandy Hook and Atlanta, displays of violence in artistic media have come under fire. But this criticism relies on little evidence and ignores important causes of criminality VIOLENCE on PG. 5
HYDROFRACKING CAN ALLEVIATE ENERGY WOES While it has risks, hydrofracking has potential to reduce pollution and fuel economic growth OPS on PG. 7
Chinatown hosts Lunar New Year parade
RACHEL KAPLAN/WSN
On Sunday, Feb. 17, the Year of the Snake was celebrated in Chinatown. This year was the 14th Chinese Lunar New Year Parade and Festival, which is organized by the Better Chinatown Society.
On Sunday, 40,000 people converged on the Washington Monument to urge President Barack Obama to keep his promises on environmental issues. The Forward on Climate rally was coordinated by 350.org, the Sierra Club and the Hip Hop Caucus, three of the largest environmental justice organizations in the United States. According to protesters, the first and most significant step in protecting the environment in the long term is to reject the Keystone XL pipeline plan. This plan, proposed last year by the company TransCanada, concerns extending an existing pipeline from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, to the Gulf Coast. Tar sands are sources of unrefined, toxic oil. Due to the danger of spills and leaks, this presents harmful environmental risks.
RALLY continued on PG. 3
‘Girls’ star branches out with writing, directing By WILL LANDMAN
Alex Karpovsky is a very busy man. In addition to starring in HBO’s “Girls” as Ray Ploshansky, Karpovsky directed, wrote and starred in two movies — “Rubberneck” and “Red Flag — which will be premiering as a double feature this Friday at the Film Society of Lincoln Center. But he does not find his schedule overwhelming. “Usually I’m on [a project] for one or two to three days,” Karpovsky said. “So it really doesn’t take up that much time. At least it doesn’t feel that way.” Despite the large number of projects and characters that he takes on, Karpovsky makes sure to fully commit to each endeavor. “My big thing is to make sure I understand what I’m doing in a fundamental, comprehensive sense,” he said. “I want to know if I totally understand what this character’s about, what his motivation is during the scene [and] how this will seem appropriate to the bigger picture. I just want to make sure I get it, that I get everything.” In “Rubberneck,” Karpovsky plays a Boston research scientist named Paul. Months after a weekend fling, Paul continues to lust after his coworker Danielle (Jamie Ray Newman). This role came naturally to Karpovsky. “My
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Alex Karpovsky has lept onto the silver screen with two new directorial efforts. dad’s a scientist,” he said. “I grew up in a community of scientists, so it was easy for me to draw from that and the general personality traits from these scientists.”
In “Red Flag,” however, Karpovsky’s part reflects his own personality. In the film, he is a newly single indie filmmaker who is traveling to promote his film “Woodpecker,” a film he actually directed in 2008. Alex is forced to suffer through a series of humiliations, each one more absurd and comical to watch than the last. “I took my genuine fears and insecurities, basically amplifying them for comedic effect,” Karpovsky said. “I find that stuff funny. Woody Allen used to do that. Louis C.K. kind of does that with his show. At this point, I feel I know a portion of who I am and I have enough perspective on some of my traits to caricature myself for comedic effect.” Karpovsky was also eager to share his advice for the aspiring writers, directors and actors of NYU. “I think, right now, more than any other time, there is no excuse not to make your film,” he said. “There are many ways to raise money, and we don’t have to bend over to executives as much anymore. The resources are there, your excuses are empty. Go out and make your movie. Take your time, do it right, but set a deadline.” Will Landman is a contributing writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE STAFF PLAYLIST By JOSH JOHNSON With the amount of music out there, sometimes it’s just easier to pick a band with a cool name. But that’s not always the best route. Here is a list of awesome songs by bands with terrible names.
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“Myth Takes” – !!!
“Grim” – Ass Ponys
“Gangsta” – tUnE-yArDs
WSN STAFF
IN AND OF
THE CITY
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“Funeral Dress” – Wussy
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“Club Foot” – KASABIAN “Low Budget Slow Motion Soundtrack Song for the Leaving Scene” – CARISSA’S WIERD “Leaf Blower” – THE ASYLUM STREET SPANKERS
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STEALING IS IN SEASON The New York Police Department is searching for two thieves who broke into the Four Seasons hotel on 57th Street over the weekend. The men stole $166,950 in valuable jewelry, including watches, pendants and chains.
“The Desert Is On Fire” – MURDER BY DEATH “Good to Sea” – PINBACK “Just Drums” – TAPES ‘N TAPES
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NEW YORK STATE GUN LICENSES CAN REMAIN PRIVATE Gun owners living in New York state can now file to exempt their personal information from the state’s Freedom of Information Law. This provision is a part of the state’s gun control law. The owner filing must state a legitimate reason for exemption.
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“The Age of the Understatement” – THE LAST SHADOW PUPPETS “Barfight Revolution” – MARGOT AND THE NUCLEAR SO AND SO’S
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NYU FOOTBALL WEBSITES MERGE TO CREATE WHATUPNYU.COM In an effort to gather all the NYU Football Team sites in one place, NYU Hookups, Things Overheard at NYU, NYU Secrets, NYU Memes, NYU Compliments, Things NYU Students Don’t Say, NYU Missed Connections and Humans of NYU are now aggregated on WhatUpNYU.
THREE HEROES SAVE MAN FROM SUBWAY TRAIN At 2:40 a.m. on Monday morning, a young man who appeared to be drunk fell onto the subway tracks at the Columbus Circle subway station two mintues before the 1 train approached. Three young men jumped on the tracks and saved him before the train arrived in the station.
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MORNINGSIDE HEIGHTS DELI ACCUSES OSCAR WINNER OF SHOPLIFTING A Morningside Heights deli employee frisked Academy Award-winning actor Forest Whitaker after wrongly accusing him of shoplifting. The deli’s owners have since apologized.
A marcher holding a janggu drum waits for the Lunar Year parade to begin.
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MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG About WSN: Washington Square News (ISSN 15499389) is the student newspaper of New York University. WSN is published Monday through Thursday during NYU’s academic year, except for university holidays, vacations and exam periods. Corrections: WSN is committed to accurate reporting. When we make errors, we do our best to correct them as quickly as possible. If you believe we have erred, contact managing editor Amy Zhang at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
RALLY continued from PG. 1
Activists gather in Washington Square Park to protest oil pipeline
The speakers at the rally emphasized this point. Bill McKibben, the founder of 350.org, and U.S. Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse were among rally participants. Last year, President Barack Obama delayed his decision on the project. After taking new precautions, TransCanada has re-proposed the plan. According to the TransCanada website, pipelines are the safest way to transport crude oil. Julianne Warren, an NYU environmental studies professor and member of NYU Divest, an organization that focuses on encouraging the university to avoid investing in fossil fuels, disagreed. “There’s nothing we can do to change the physics. If we burn that 240 gigatons of carbon that are in the tar sands, said Dr. James Hansen, the climatologist at NASA, it’s game over for the climate,” she said. The pipeline would carry 830,000 barrels of oil per day. According to TransCanada and advocates of the pipeline, it would triple American production of tar sands oil, decrease our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs. American investor and environmentalist Tom Steyer, who spoke at the rally, argued that the pipeline is not a sound investment. “The time for business as usual
has passed. We can’t afford it,” he said. “Today is different because now, for the first time, we have to look comprehensively at all the costs.” Reflecting on the march, Gallatin sophomore and NYU Divest member Alyssa Evans expressed some doubt. “The rally will draw attention, which puts public pressure on politicians. But does it actually make them re-evaluate what they’re doing? I don’t know,” Evans said. Yet others remained positive, such as Hannah Milnes, a freshman at Columbia University and a member of the Barnard-Columbia Divest team. “It was incredibly moving, affirming and exciting to join voices with all of these movements and demand that the president listen to his people,” Milnes said. The main issue at the rally was the world’s long-term plan for the environment. Environmental activists understand the importance of acting now. TransCanada, too, is determined. At the rally, Van Jones, the former special adviser of green jobs to President Obama, shifted the spotlight accordingly. “The decision is in your hands, Mr. President,” he said. Costanza Maio is a contributing writer. Email her at cstate@nyunews.com.
COURTESY OF ALICE SHOLTO-DOUGLAS
Keystone pipeline expansion has sparked anger in Washington, D.C.
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Mayor Michael Bloomberg proposes Styrofoam ban By JASON BOXER
A recent push for a ban on Styrofoam containers could have significant environmental and economic implications for New York City. This citywide sanction would be an effort to reduce the city’s recycling and waste removal costs. The government hopes that the ban will reduce the size and expense of landfills. The ban also fits into a plan that Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s office announced last year to double New York City’s household recycling rate by 2017. “The recycling rate is quite low here compared to other cities,” said Michael Keane, a professor of urban planning at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service. “Actually, I think it’s hovering [around the] mid-20s. Compared to cities like Chicago and Seattle, we’re really falling behind.” The Styrofoam ban demonstrates a new ecological focus for the Bloomberg administration, which is a break from previous tendencies, even though Bloomberg put a temporary hold on glass, plastic and metal recycling in 2002. Now, however, he appears to be changing his priorities. “This effort by Bloomberg shows him shifting away from end of the pipe waste management solutions to a more source-based one,” Keane said. “Solutions like this aim to reduce the amount of garbage being processed. I think that the administration is wise in its approach here, given how not comprehensive the current recycling program is.” Another side to take into consideration is the effect the ban will have on New York City food vendors. The consequences of this legislation have seemed to create an almost unanimous reaction among smaller-scale food service providers: raising costs. “High supply, high cost,” said Jerry Ley, the owner of Cambodian Cuisine, a food truck that regularly operates near NYU campus. “We are the small guy. When the price [of supply] goes up, we have no choice because no matter what I need to feed my children.” Replacing Styrofoam containers with plastic or aluminum containers means another regulation for Ricky Oh, owner of Han’s Deli on Broadway between Bleecker and Bond streets. “It will definitely be more expensive.
RACHEL KAPLAN/WSN
Mayor Bloomberg might issue a citywide ban on Styrofoam trays, boxes and cups. They give out a lot of tickets. They check every little thing, every little sign, even this,” Oh said. “It seems like if they want to give you a ticket they will.” Bloomberg reaffirmed the Styrofoam ban in his final State of the City address last week, after it was originally proposed by the New York City Department of Sanitation. He said that Styrofoam, aside from the environmental problems, also has negative economic consequences for New York residents. “[Styrofoam] is terrible for taxpayers,” Bloomberg said in the address. “Styrofoam increases the cost of recycling by as much as $20 per ton because it has to be removed.” Conflict between ecological and economic interests appears to be the decisive factors for this ban. Whether the city’s priorities lie with finances or the environment remains to be seen. Jason Boxer is a contributing writer. Email him at cstate@nyunews.com.
Talk of immigration reform brings hope to NYU students By NICOLE BROWN
Part of the bipartisan plan for immigration reform that President Barack Obama addressed in his State of the Union address could greatly impact college students. If passed, foreign-born graduates who have received degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics could more easily remain in the country to work. Additionally, students who were brought to the country illegally as children, also known as Dreamers, could find a simpler pathway to citizenship. According to the director of the NYU Office of Global Services, David Austell, there are about 8,600 international students enrolled in NYU. The Wasserman Center for Career Development provides a program called Optional Practical Training, which gives interna-
tional students a way to stay in the United States for 12 months of authorized work after graduating. Over 1,000 students are in OPT. But that does not guarantee that these students will remain in the country after those 12 months. Some international students have mixed feelings about staying in the United States after graduation. Kay Hwa Tan, a CAS junior from Malaysia, expressed the difficulty of staying in the United States. Tan is majoring in economics and comparative literature, which are not included in the STEM majors that the proposal benefits. If these reforms are passed, Tan says more international students will change their major. “Internationals basically come here to have a good education,” she said. “But at the end of the day, I feel that most of us want to stay here much more than just having the opportu-
nity to study what we like,” she said. But Austell said the reforms will eventually include more than students in the STEM fields. He cited the successful business, liberal arts and humanities students who could benefit the country. Statistics for the exact quantity of international students who stay in the United States after graduation are not available, but through personal observation, Austell believes more students are choosing to return home to pursue their career paths as economies abroad continue to improve. The other part of the proposal, which deals with undocumented immigrants, may not impact many NYU students. But members of the NYU Dream Team, a group of around 15 undergraduates, graduate students and professors, are pleased that citizenship is being addressed. NYU is immigration blind, mean-
ing students are not required to put on their application whether they are an undocumented student. “There is no way to know unless the student self-declares,” Austell said. The NYU Dream Team currently advocates for the establishment of an undocumented student scholarship because undocumented students are not eligible for financial aid. While these immigration reforms are highly anticipated by undocumented students, the NYU Dream Team is not completely satisfied. “Ultimately, waiting 12 years to potentially become a legal citizen is unrealistic,” said NYU Dream Team president Marco V. Galaviz, who spoke on behalf of the group. Additional reporting by Su Sie Park. Nicole Brown is investigative editor. Email them at investigative@nyunews.com.
CHUCK KUAN FOR WSN
Elinor Speirs is one of many students advocating for reform.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
BEAUTY AND STYLE
Channel military style for day, night in chic camouflage pants
EDITED BY MICHELLE LIM BSTYLE@NYUNEWS.COM
By CLARA YANG Lately, camouflage pants are a huge hit on runways, and trend reports have predicted the military look for several seasons to come. While camo pants can make for a unique look, military style can either a hit or a complete flop. Here are some tricks and tips for a military-chic look that you don’t have to be a soldier to pull off.
LADIES DAY: Skinny camouflage pants can look effortlessly sexy, so keep it simple. Throw on a neutral-toned shirt or a blouse — collarless, if you want to follow the current minimalist trend. In the early spring it can be a bit cold, so don’t forget a denim jacket to keep you warm. Sandals like ankle straps and T-straps are simple and chic. Keep your hair and makeup natural to match the effortless look. Style your hair for a simple, cute daytime look.
MEN
NIGHT: A pop of color for the night out is a must — switch from denim to a bright colored blazer. A variety of choices can work, from yellow to pink to mint-turquoise. You can also change the top to a lacey blouse or a metallic tank top for a more elegant style. Take off the sandals and grab a pair of classic mid-heels or metallic-detailed ankle boots. Add boldness to your look with dark or glitter-based eye shadow, or add a bright color to your lips. Then untie your braids and let your wavy locks flow all night.
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DAY: Camouflage pants naturally emphasize masculinity. For an even more masculine look, add a metallic colored bomber jacket. Also army-inspired, a bomber jacket is another keeper for this upcoming season. Add some fun into your look and go wild with color. You can find a bomber jacket in a number of colors like gold, silver and black, but metallic blue will keep your style both edgy and suave. Keep the hair chic and cool with a Brit-rock indie comb over.
NIGHT: If it’s a special night, try a camouflage suit. This style is trendy and clean, and it is easy to style it perfectly. Keep your shirt simple in design and color with an appropriate tie. Black is an easy choice for both shirt and tie, and metallic details will highlight your sense of fashion. Add volume to your hair with mousse or hairspray, and you are ready to go.
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Clara Yang is a staff writer. Email her at bstyle@nyunews.com.
SPO
Brooklyn Nets must evo By EVAN KENDALL
For any and all New Jersey Nets fans, success has been a bit of a dream in recent years. The Nets haven’t had a winning record since the 2005-06 season, and their last playoff appearance was in the 2006-07 postseason. Over the span of over half a decade since then, they’ve been consistently awful, even finishing in dead last in 2009-10 with a 12-70 record. But, things have been changing for the Nets, who now call Brooklyn’s Barclays Center home. They’re currently sitting nine games above .500, fighting for a top four seed in the Eastern Conference that would grant them home court advantage for the first round of the playoffs. Thus far the Nets have been extremely successful in the Barclays Center, post-
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ing an 18-10 record at home. So, are the Nets contenders or pretenders? They’re well in the top half of the Eastern Conference. They have a solid starting lineup that boasts several former All-Star players, including star point guard Deron Williams, shooting guard Joe Johnson, scrappy forward Gerald Wallace and a current All-Star center, Brook Lopez. These players have worked well together this year, as they have two quality wins against the Boston Celtics, the Indiana Pacers and the New York Knicks, as well as one win against the Los Angeles Clippers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. At this point, the Nets seem set for some playoff success, but general manager Billy King has been desperately trying to improve the team. The Nets have been linked in trade talks with the Atlanta Hawks’ Josh Smith, the Charlotte Bobcats’ Ben Gordon and possibly even Paul Millsap, the power forward for the Utah Jazz. Adding any one of these three players could potentially boost the Nets to true contender potential, as the names linked in the trade on Brooklyn’s side are bench players Kris Humphries and MarShon Brooks. If the Nets can pull off a blockbuster trade before the deadline to bring in another major star to their team, they have a legitimate shot to contend in
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
ARTS
EDITED BY JOSH JOHNSON ARTS@NYUNEWS.COM
Atlas Genius breaks new ground on debut By ALEX PASTRON
Atlas Genius’ recent rise to the top of the alternative rock charts is as abrupt as the first track on its new album, “When It Was Now.” The album follows the band’s EP, “Through The Glass,” which was released last summer and featured the hit single “Trojans.” Opening with “Electric,” it is immediately clear that keyboardist Darren Sell and brothers Keith (vocals/guitar), Steven (bass) and Michael Jeffrey (drums) aren’t messing around. As the title implies, “Electric” showcases the band’s ability to mix catchy electronic synth with sturdy percussion and guitar. While certainly a departure from “Trojans,” which is characterized by a stronger focus on vocals and guitar, the band’s original sound remains intact. The eponymous track “When It Was Now” falls somewhere between “Trojans” and “Electric,” and it is one of those great moments where each member’s talents are showcased equally. The result is a tune that clearly defines the young Australians’ sound — solid, well-produced rock with a pop edge that would not be out of place at your favorite coffee shop or blasting from your iPod. This is evident on tracks like “Back
Seat,” which features interesting lyrics such as “Cold backstreet / The flicker of a light that an eye couldn’t meet,” and some unusual yet interesting guitar picking. The song was released with the band’s EP last year, but it still stands out on the full album. While “Trojans” continues to reign as the band’s best release, the whole of “When It Was Now” doesn’t lag far behind. Each track is carefully constructed from the lyrics to the keys. Fans of the alt-rock hit single, and of artists ranging from Jack’s Mannequin to Walk the Moon, will appreciate a fresh, new sound on the indie-rock airwaves. Alex Pastron is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
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ORTS
olve to stay competitive
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A Nets playoff bid could receive a boost from a few strategic trades. the East. However, it is yet to be seen whom they will bring in or how he will fit with the new roster. Excitemnet and anticipation surround the Nets’ newfound success but unless they make a big move,
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they will be stuck in the “good, not great” category in the East, unable to get over the hump. Evan Kendall is a contributing writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
Critics of violence in media distract from real dangers By NIVEA SERRAO
At this year’s Golden Globes, the critically lauded show “Homeland” took home the award for “Best Television Series – Drama.” Despite its critical acclaim, the show has faced criticism for its depiction of violence — as have Oscar-nominated films “Zero Dark Thirty” and “Django Unchained.” Following the tragic events at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., Aurora, Colo. and now Price Middle School in Atlanta, Ga., criticism seems warranted. But film and television aren’t the only media receiving the blame. With the discovery that Adam Lanza — the Sandy Hook shooter — played many violent video games, politicians pushing for gun control regulations want to regulate video games as well. A week after the shooting at Newtown, Wayne LaPierre, the executive vice president of the National Rifle Association held a press conference during which he blamed “blood-soaked” films and video games for contributing to gun violence in America. Later in
January, Vice President Joe Biden met with entertainment industry representatives to engage in a dialogue about the same issue. Research shows that video games are extremely popular among young people. A 2008 Pew study found that almost all teens play video games, and at least half do so on a daily basis. Therefore, Adam Lanza’s video game habits should not come as a surprise. “The question is whether there is a causal relationship between representations of violence in video games and acts of violence in the real world,” said Eric Zimmerman, a professor at NYU’s Game Center. “Despite the government pouring untold millions of dollars into research in order to establish a link between these two phenomena, my reading of the research is that there is nothing that proves games affect the judgment of players and would cause someone to commit acts of violence. Human beings have complex relationships to the art, entertainment and media they interact with that go far beyond some kind of ‘monkey see, monkey do’
notion of media effects.” Meanwhile, scientific studies still fail to find any correlation between video game play and human behavior. But amid so many calls for regulation of guns and violence in video games, it is easy to forget the national tragedy that brought the issue to the forefront in the first place — especially as the shooting is now becoming the cause celebre of national debate. “I think with things like Newtown, the media tries to sensationalize it,” said CAS senior Alyse McGuigan. “Obviously these stories need to be covered, and they shouldn’t take away from the tragedy of it, but I think they need to change the way they cover it.” Nivea Serrao is a contributing writer. Email her at entertainment@nyunews.com.
FROM WALKEN TO WALTZ: THE FORMULA FOR A LATE-NIGHT HOST
What makes a great SNL host? Find out at www.nyunews.com.
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Crossword ACROSS partner 5 Defeatist’s words 10 Velcro component 14 It extends from the elbow 15 Futile 16 Approximately 17 Expected outcome 18 Pillowcase go-with 19 Cavils 20 1973 film for which John Houseman was named Best Supporting Actor 23 Melancholy 24 Soviet launch of 1986 25 Like some restaurants 28 Shortest paths 31 Surfer girl, maybe
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Tiny sugar-lover
49
41
Color akin to silver
50
42
Obesity
51
44
Women’s tennis champ Medina
53
45 46
Original Beatle Sutcliffe Bird with a colorful bill Temple head Van Gogh home for a while Choppers Daughter of Cronus
54
Layer
55
Cosette, e.g., in “Les Misérables”
56
Burnable data holder: Abbr.
57
Regret
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
ENERGY
Open hydrofracking laws should pass By RAQUEL WOODRUFF The hydraulic fracturing decision in New York has been delayed yet again due to remaining uncertainty regarding the potential health risks of gas drilling. While the media has sensationalized the strong public anti-fracking response, an energy poll weighted using U.S. Census Bureau figures and conducted by the University of Texas at Austin revealed that 62 percent of survey participants did not even know what hydrofracking was. Hydraulic fracturing is an advanced method of extracting natural gas from layers of shale rock buried up to 10,000 feet below the surface. The rock formations are blasted with water, sand and chemicals so that fissures are created and gas is released. So what does this mean? Well, it means the most efficient domestic development of natural gas America has ever seen. It means a dramatic reduction in foreign fuel imports, which means more federal revenue. It
means a significant decrease in dependency on foreign oil, which means more jobs in the United States. It means a cleaner alternative to coal and oil. It means cutting carbon dioxide emissions in the looming shadow of climate change. It means access to enough resources to heat homes in the United States for 857 years. Given the information available to us, the benefits of fracking far outweigh public health concerns. While there has been evidence of water contamination, Syracuse University hydrology professor Donald Siegel agrees that accidents are a minimal risk. “In every basin, there might be one or two accidents out of tens of thousands of wells,” he said. Even the New York Health Department believes that human exposure to chemicals due to hydrofracking poses little or no danger. While these affirmations are vague, look toward Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper — such a firm believer in its safety that he actually drank fracking fluid. Now, I’m not saying the health
risks gas drilling poses are not legitimate or do not need to be addressed. In fact, I believe the best way to minimize environmental harm and make natural gas production safer is through more regulation. No more exemptions for gas and oil industries, as in the Energy Policy Act of 2005. No more loopholes and trade secrets. It’s time for comprehensive federal legislation on energy policy starting with the cleanest fossil fuel accessible to us: natural gas. Hydrofracking has opened the door to the most effective natural gas development the world has ever realized. Stopping it is not the answer to a better environment. Sufficient regulation and safer procedures extended by the federal government on gas and oil companies are the next steps the United States should take in order to ensure economic growth and increased domestic energy production. Raquel Woodruff is deputy opinion editor. Email her at rwoodruff@nyunews.com.
MILITARY
Iran presents contradictory nuclear stance By JESSICA LITTMAN
Last week, Iran surprised the world with its reaction to North Korea’s third nuclear test. The Islamic Republic declared that all nuclear weapons in the world should be destroyed, a shocking statement in the eyes of those in the West who believe Iran is attempting to build up its own nuclear arsenal. Whether Iran is trying to create nuclear weapons is unclear. Its government fervently claims that its nuclear programs are meant solely for providing energy, and the International Atomic Energy Agency has not found hard evidence to the contrary. But Iran’s public statements on the issue are so conflicting and confusing that it is impossible to determine the country’s true goal. After the initial statement last week condemning nuclear weapons, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the supreme leader of Iran, declared that Iran could create nukes if it wanted. The Ayatollah claimed that Iran does not “want to build atomic weapons. But if we didn’t
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believe so and intended to possess nuclear weapons, no power could stop us.” This statement was made in the midst of requests by Iran for Western countries, in particular the United States, to lift harsh sanctions they have put in place in a push to stop the Iranian nuclear program. While the statement is not quite a threat, it does not inspire confidence in Iran’s commitment to nonproliferation. There are other major signs that Iran’s comments immediately after the nuclear test are not representative of their actual thoughts or actions on the issue. The most troubling fact is that the Iranian who likely conceived of Iran’s nuclear program observed the test in North Korea firsthand. Iran seems to desperately want the global community to believe that it is not creating nuclear weapons. Whether this is because that is the truth or because they are trying to cover up a weapons program remains to be seen, but sending mixed signals to the world on its intentions about
nuclear weapons does not help Iran’s cause. Sweeping statements against proliferation — like the declaration that every country should destroy its nuclear weapons — are the outlier for Iran and only serve to draw attention to its nuclear program. They are not convincing the world that Iran is not trying to build nuclear weapons. The only way for Iran to do this is to open up more to IAEA inspectors — but instead, they sent the deputy IAEA chief home from talks last Thursday with no conclusion as to when they would grant IAEA requests for new inspectors. The best overall solution to this situation is indeed Iran’s: all countries should destroy their nuclear weapons. But that isn’t going to happen and in the meantime, Iran needs to be more open about its program if it truly does not want any more nuclear proliferation. Jessica Littman is a staff columnist. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
STAFF EDITORIAL
Obama administration must reveal motive for plans to fund brain mapping
This week, the Obama administration revealed its plan to pursue a 10-year, $3 billion research effort aimed at mapping the human brain in its entirety. Titled the Brain Activity Map, the project is designed to facilitate an understanding of the approximately 100 billion neurons interacting in our brains. Advocates of the study claim it will contribute to the elimination of neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s and stimulate employment in the sciences. Critics, however, question the worth and motives of this bold initiative — brain research is not cheap, and current theoretical and technological means such as nanotechnology tools might not be adequate for the endeavor. Although the ’90s have been called the “decade of the brain,” and significant advances in the computational aspects of brain architecture were made in the last decade, we are still far from understanding the inner workings of the cognitive organ. Therefore, such funding would greatly benefit scientific research at large, most notably artificial intelligence. In addition, Obama’s initiative is expected to boost the economy as the Human Genome Project did, with an $800 billion return on a $3.8 billion investment. While the Brain Activity Map study is indeed similar to the HGP, there are notable differences. First, the HGP was organized with a basic, though flawed, hypothesis in mind — knowledge of the human genome would allow us to map human beings based on their distinct genetic codes. The Brain Activity Map study has a similar structure but lacks a concrete prediction — our knowledge of the brain is so limited that scientists cannot foresee the full implications of a realized brain map. Second, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a government organization responsible for the development of new and innovative military technologies — including drones — was not involved in the HGP, meaning the project had no military ends. In contrast, a portion of the Brain Activity Map funds will be appropriated to DARPA, as briefly noted by The New York Times. Interestingly enough, the Times did not expound on the implications of DARPA’s involvement. The inclusion of money for DARPA seems to suggest that this project may have strategic military benefits in waging new kinds of wars. This is where the project begins to sound more Orwellian. It remains to be seen if the administration will divulge exactly what the strategic military advantage of this study would be. Whether the findings will be used for humanitarian purposes is another question entirely.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co-Chair), EdwardRadzivilovskiy (Co-Chair), Nicky Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
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