NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 41, No. 16
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013
TEDxNYU initiates Campus Takeover By SU SIE PARK
Yesterday marked the first day of TEDxNYU’s TEDActive Campus Takeover, an independently organized event hosted by students, which allowed NYU communities around the globe to come together for the TED 2013 conference. The takeover, which includes students from the Abu Dhabi campus, will run until March 1. The conference is dedicated to sharing ideas of technology, entertainment and design — also known as TED — from the world’s brightest minds. This is NYU’s third year partnering with TED, and TEDxNYU shows live streams from the TED 2013 conference in Bobst Library. NYU is one of seven schools in the country chosen by TED to participate in the TED Takeover competition. Schools were chosen by TED based on how strong and well-organized the TEDx groups have been in the past. As one of the top seven
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schools, NYU fights for the top spot this week during the campus takeover. The winning school will be awarded $10,000. Each day includes several sessions that feature a different speaker. Following the exclusive TED Talk screenings, TEDxNYU hosts activities such as creating “Then and Now” posters, “Banana Tattoos” and “Jeopardy Style” games. According to Stern junior and TEDxNYU president Griffin Dooling, the screened talks are only shown at the seven TEDx schools and won’t be available to the public for at least another 12 months. TEDxNYU partnered with several different student clubs including LiveWellNYU, HashtagNYU, Tech@NYU and the Roosevelt Institute. In total, TEDxNYU is working with 16 clubs in the New York campus as well as student organizations at NYU’s global sites. This week, TED Takeover is intro-
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‘Clive’ offers ambitious update to Brecht By DREW GREGORY
Jonathan Marc Sherman’s new play “Clive,” based on Bertolt Brecht’s “Baal,” is confident in its risks. It may seem absurd to minimize a 100-minute, 21-act play filled with sex, drugs and immorality to a single word, but the play itself is so absurd that it is really the best introduction to the work. Ethan Hawke (“Before Sunrise”) directs and stars as the predictably eccentric title character. Most of the play follows his personal self-sabotage and descent from depraved to immoral, all while pondering his existence. He is guided by Doc, played by a scene-stealing Vincent D’Onofrio (“Full Metal Jacket”), who starts off as a devilish mentor before assuming a role that more closely resembles a drinking buddy. Zoe Kazan (“Ruby Sparks”) also stars as many of Clive’s lovers, playing each with a different level of vivacious sadness. In Brechtian fashion, the audience is constantly reminded that they are watching a play. The fourth wall is broken, the lighting calls attention to itself and the characters speak the stage direction. At times these elements are incredibly effective, but occasionally they fall flat. Overall, the audience is left pondering the seemingly opposing ideas of Brechtian distancing and a melodramatic demand for emotions. While Brecht wanted to remind the audience that they were watching a play so
they could focus on the ideas instead of sentiments, “Clive” seeks to use these techniques to heighten the emotion. Despite this seemingly problematic dichotomy, the play succeeds more than it fails. Another Brechtian trope is the use of musical interludes. Led by Clive’s guitar, the entire cast often joins in, and in these moments, the play is sublime. The power built up in the surrounding story is felt in the vocals and musicality. These scenes succeed at being the most fun and emotional moments. Throughout the entire play there is a feeling that this is Hawke’s show. Sherman acts in a few smaller roles, but Hawke’s intricate, in-your-face direction and intense performance really make the play. He portrays an unlikable character with a fascinating and immediate intensity, but by allowing himself to be vulnerable, he gains the trust and support of the audience. Not everything in this ambitious production works. It’s unapologetically elusive, and this will frustrate many. But as one of the characters says, “Any story that can be understood is a bad story. Stories should be felt.” “Clive” is hard not to feel thanks to its fearlessly bold execution. “Clive” is presented by the New Group and is playing now through March 9 at the Acorn Theater, located at 410 W. 42nd St. Drew Gregory is a staff writer. Email him at theater@nyunews.com.
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Speakers and demonstrators hold a moment of silence during last night’s vigil.
Vigil in Union Square remembers Trayvon Martin By VERONICA CARCHEDI Candles lit the night in Union Square as demonstrators gathered to commemorate Trayvon Martin’s death to prove one year later that his case has not been forgotten. Dubbed the Million Hoodies Candlelight Vigil, the demonstration reignited protests against racial profiling that surfaced in Feb. 26 of last year when Trayvon Martin, a black teenager walking home at night, was shot and killed in Sanford, Fla. Martin’s parents, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, spoke at the event, and a moment of silence was held for Trayvon at 7:16 p.m., mirroring the approximate time of the shooting last year. The vigil
also featured a celebrity speaker, Jamie Foxx, and politicians such as District 45 Councilman Jumaane Williams. “In the midst of all of the swirling, and all the talking points and people standing on different sides, she stood on the side of being a mother, and he stood on the side of being a father,” said Foxx. “Stop worrying about what we believe in politically...Think about that 17 year-old child.” Although the vigil focused on Trayvon, it also raised racially charged issues specific to New York City. “Being black is not a crime. Wearing a hoodie is not a crime,” Councilman Wil-
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
ON THE SIDE STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS 1. THREE MEDIA PERSONALITIES TO AVOID — Michael Moore — Glenn Beck — Alex Jones
— Sameer Jaywant
2. SLEEP TIME Sleep is critical to the success of any student or professional, and sometimes we need to regulate our body clock. Fortunately, the app Sleep Time does exactly this — just place your phone on your bed while you sleep, and it records your progression through different sleep cycles based on your movements. Though its measurements may not be as accurate as if you were taking a real sleep test, Sleep Time’s best feature is its ability to wake you up — to soothing noises, of course — at the point of your lightest sleep in the half hour before your alarm is set. Within a week, you will notice better sleeping patterns and minimized drowsiness during the day. Thank you, Sleep Time.
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It’s a big city and a widespread university. Catch up with our daily updates on university and city/state news headlines other publications are covering.
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university TATIANA BAEZ city/state VERONICA CARCHEDI investigative NICOLE BROWN arts JOSH JOHNSON features KRISTINA BOGOS sports MARY JANE DUMANKAYA multimedia RACHEL KAPLAN copy MICHAEL DOMANICO,
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3. “HOUSE OF CARDS” After “The West Wing,” there has been a dearth of both stimulating and politically themed shows. Netflix’s newest original series “House of Cards,” starring Kevin Spacey, fills that void in impressive fashion. Based on the popular British series of the same name, it follows one man’s quest for revenge when a promised political position is ripped out of his hands. All of the first season’s episodes have been released at once to Netflix subscribers. Binge watch to your heart’s content.
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books/theater OLIVIA GEORGE film JEREMY GROSSMAN entertainment ALEX GREENBERGER music ALEXANDRIA ETHRIDGE the highlighter blog SAM RULLO features HELEN HOLMES beauty & style MICHELLE LIM dining ANGEL CHANG sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia REBECCA CLEMENTI,
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4. “THE REVOLUTION WAS TELEVISED” If television drama is truly in a golden age, revered critic Alan Sepinwall has put together the most comprehensive guide to what made our favorite shows so special. From “The Sopranos” to “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” Sepinwall discusses what elevated these shows above the rest, and he spoke with creators, network executives and others, devoting an insightful chapter to each show. Even before you finish, you’ll be willing to put aside homework and revisit your favorites.
– Jonathon Dornbush
FLASH MOB GETS POLITICAL On Monday, nearly 200 people gathered in Times Square to protest gun violence, but this was not your average picket line. The group of activists included many Broadway dancers who performed a routine to honor the victims of the Newtown, Conn. shooting in December.
— ABC Local
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SNARKY ALEC BALDWIN DENIES RACIAL SLUR Recently accused by the New York Post of making offensive racial comments to a press photographer, Alec Baldwin took time on Monday during his “Late Show with David Letterman” appearance to deny the Post’s allegation.
— The Huffington Post
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NEW YORK AQUARIUM TO REOPEN IN SPRING According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, the New York Aquarium in Coney Island will reopen in late spring. The aquarium has been closed since late October due to damage from Superstorm Sandy.
— The New York Times
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A multicolor sled takes an upbeat approach to predicting the end of the world.
PHOTO BY RACHEL KAPLAN
FIRST NYU EXPANSION HEARING FACES MASS OF OPPONENTS Disputes over NYU’s 2031 plan continued on Tuesday during the first court hearing against the city-approved expansion. Over 100 people, including actor Matthew Broderick, appeared to protest the plan, stating that New York City illegally approved the plan. NYU lawyers said the land in question is not legally considered parkland. The case is set to be heard in court again on March 20.
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— DNAinfo
MAXIMILÍANO DURÓN, JAEWON KANG, FRANCIS POON, MERYLL PREPOSI, AMANDA RANDONE, EMILY YANG
TOM HANKS GETS ‘LUCKY’ The lovable and talented Tom Hanks is making his Broadway debut on Friday in the first preview of Nora Ephron’s “Lucky Guy,” which opens at the Broadhurst Theater on April 1. In the show, Hanks plays real-life New York City tabloid journalist Mike McAlary.
— The New York Times
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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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TED chooses NYU as one of seven universities to host sessions in campus takeover
ducing four big projects including the Local Project, organized by HashtagNYU. TEDxNYU has over 150 students around NYU’s global sites in six continents that will be reacting and participating in these events. “New York is a study abroad site for them,” Dooling said. “The Local Project is a sharing experience that makes NYU unique.” Abhi Ashutosh, CAS freshman and marketing director of TEDxNYU, has organized a group of around 60 students from NYU to create TEDxNYU posters and engage in social media. “NYU is a global school with global ideas, just like TED,” Ashutosh said. “TED has a global spirit and brings ideas from people who are around the world. I can imagine no better place for TEDx than at NYU.” Rahul Sharma, a Tisch freshman who attended Tuesday’s event, said the event is a good opportunity for students to learn important lessons from the speakers and events. “NYU is full of smart people [interested] in the talks, so I feel they will be benefited,” Sharma said. Su Sie Park is a contributing writer. Email her at university@nyunews.com.
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Abhi Ashutosh raises awareness of TEDxNYU.
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The web push: universities begin to offer credits for online courses By KLEIN ALEARDI
The world of online education is rapidly changing and universities are playing a key role by partnering with various sites to offer these courses to students of all ages and levels around the world. NYU spokesperson Philip Lentz explained that professors can put their lectures or lessons online as a course, but whether a student can receive credit for the course varies among departments. A few NYU programs do offer degrees online. For instance, graduate degree programs are available at the School of Continuing Professional Studies, and the Polytechnic Institute of NYU offers master’s and certificate programs online through NYU-ePoly. Furthermore, there are currently nine free, non-credit courses offered online through NYU Open Education. By clicking on the course, anyone can view taped lectures, some available in approximately 40 languages. Students can also join study groups to communicate with other people taking the course. Other universities have partnered with Massive Open Online Courses providers to make their lectures available for free on the internet. Although NYU is not officially partnered with the organization, Stern professor Aswath Damodaran, who has taught online classes for 20 years, is one of many professors currently posting his corporate finance and valuation courses online through MOOC provider Symynd. “My courses are for anyone who
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Students have recently voiced a preference to take classes online. wants to learn, whether it’s a 75-yearold investor who wants to learn why his portfolio is doing so badly or a high school student who is fascinated with stocks,” Damodaran said. Tom Huntingford, a student who has attended professor Damodaran’s online courses, found the online class to be more effective than those offline. “I assimilated the curriculum better than through a normal class as I could do it when it was convenient and could repeat sections I did not understand,” Huntingford explained. There are many other MOOC providers that partner with universities to make more and more online courses available. Udacity, one of these MOOC providers, is passionate about making affordable higher education available for anyone. Last December, Udacity founder Sebastian Thrun was among 12 educators who met to draft a bill of rights to protect the interests of online students. “Our broad goal is to inspire an open, learner-centered dialogue around the rights, responsibilities and possibilities for education in a globally connected
world of the present and beyond,” said Clarissa Shen, vice president of business development and marketing at Udacity. As of January, San Jose State University offers three for-credit courses through Udacity called San Jose State Plus. These courses will cost $150 each. “San Jose State University must and will take a leading role in leveraging technology to transform [higher education] with the goal of making a college degree affordable and accessible to all,” said SJSU President Mohammad Qayoumi in a press release. While NYU has not made commitments to provide credit for online courses, its future in online education could be changing. “The university is currently evaluating possible opportunities and challenges of online learning,” said biology professor of biology Mark Siegal, whose genomes and diversity lectures are on NYU Open Education. Klein Aleardi is a contributing writer. Additional reporting by Nicole Brown. Email them at investigative@nyunews.com.
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New Yorkers unite for Trayvon Martin liams said, addressing the crowd. “Ignoring Stop-and-Frisk is a crime. The things Bloomberg does and does not do are crimes.” The trial for Trayvon’s shooter, George Zimmerman, is set for June 2013, but among the demonstrators were some parents who had lost children in cases similar to Trayvon’s. Nicholas Heyward Sr., 56, lost his 13-year-old son in 1994 when he was shot and killed by a New York Police Department officer while he was playing with toy guns in a house in Gowanus, Brooklyn. “I feel outraged by the Trayvon Martin case,” Heyward Sr. said. “Things like that should not happen.” The vigil also attracted NYU students like Andrew Donilon, a sophomore in the Liberal Studies Program who spoke out against racism in the United States. “Trayvon Martin is not an anomaly,” he said. “It happens on pretty much a daily basis for people who are black and brown in this country.” Landis Anderson, a 23-year-old from the Bronx, came to the vigil to take a stand against racial profiling. “What is the justice system worth if it doesn’t try and figure out why this boy was killed?” she said. Veronica Carchedi is city/state editor. Email her at vcarchedi@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 | NYUNEWS.COM
DINING
EDITED BY ANGEL CHANG DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
Murray’s Cheese Bar now serves late-morning menu By CAITLIN SCHNACK
Cheesemongers now have reason to rejoice — Murray’s Cheese Bar is serving brunch. From 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, you can enjoy your favorite brunch fare with a special Murray’s Cheese twist. Murray’s Cheese Bar, which opened in August, began serving this morning meal on Jan. 23. It began offering the late-morning meal in response to what Julia Collins, director of restaurant development, called an “overwhelming request for brunch.” “Brunch is the perfect platform to feature our cheeses because a lot of brunch items are dairy-based,” Collins said. Collins said Murray’s brunch is about “fun and indulgence,” and
the fun begins with the Flights section of the menu, a collection of cheese plates named after The New York Times Sunday edition sections. Selections include Travel & Leisure ($12), an assortment of cheeses from Italy, Spain and Holland, and the Week In Review ($14), an assortment of the staff’s three favorite cheeses from Murray’s underground cheese caves that week. The real stars of the menu, however, are the many unique entrees. One of the concepts of Murray’s brunch is ramping up both the characteristics of sweet and savory classic breakfast food. For example, the Alpine eggs ($14), Murray’s take on eggs Benedict, features a deeply flavorful threecheese fondue in place of traditional Hollandaise sauce.
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Shrimp and grits are part of Murrary’s new brunch menu.
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CHELSEA MARKET | 75 NINTH AVE. This indoor market houses everything from fresh pastas to local dairy. Stop by the Green Table, which serves meals from local, sustainable farms. Specialties include organic, pasture-raised chicken potpie with seasonal vegetables and three types of locally produced cheeses and macaroni. Also make sure to visit Sarabeth’s for delectable fresh pastries, warm loaves and artisan jams.
Murray’s French toast is given the cheesy treatment to make it unlike the average egg custard-soaked toast. Pullman bread is soaked in brûlée custard before being panfried, so the toast is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The dish can be served four ways, including the Illegal Donut ($12), which sandwiches cream cheese and bacon between two French toast slices and is drizzled with maple syrup. For those desiring a more traditional selection, Murray’s offers the Farmer’s Breakfast ($15), Farmstead cheese, egg, salami and bread with butter and jam. While it is renowned for offering cheeses from around the world, Murray’s prides itself on supporting other local business. The restaurant offers several locally sourced items, including Ben’s Cream Cheese, Stumptown coffee (roasted in Red Hook) and Brooklyn’s own P&H soda. Jordana Weiner, a freshman in Steinhardt’s food studies program, said the use of cheese fondue in the Alpine eggs dish is a “brilliant twist on an overdone classic.” Whether you are a self-proclaimed cheesemonger or a brunch enthusiast, Murray’s has the potential to become a go-to spot for a weekend breakfast. Murray’s Cheese Bar is located at 264 Bleecker St., between Cornelia and Morton streets.
Caitlin Schnack is a contributing writer. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
Delicious markets to expand your palette GRAND CENTRAL MARKET | 105 E. 42ND ST. This is a perfect place for commuters to stop for a quick, healthy bite. Conveniently located inside the station, the market has a great variety of cheeses, fresh fish, grass-fed beef and prepared foods. Check out the selection of soups and grain salads at the Greenwich Farmstand or grab chicken parmesan from Dishes at Home, a stand that sells healthy, ready-to-eat meals.
ESSEX STREET MARKET | 120 ESSEX ST. This downtown market is home to many specialty shops. Be sure to stop by La Tiendita, which has everything from cupcakes and cookies to granola and gingerbread. If you are craving brunch, the Essex Restaurant cooks up delicious shrimp and grits, challah French toast and “the Aristocrat,” potato pancakes topped with their house-cured salmon, caviar, sour cream and a poached egg.
Casa Gusto offers authentic Italian treats By DANIEL YEOM
Alphabet City is now offering a scrumptious selection of Italian desserts. Casa Gusto, which opened on Feb. 1, specializes in authentic desserts, all imported directly from Turin, Italy. Owner Christine Huynh wants to provide New York with the “good stuff.” The products Casa Gusto offers reflect Huynh’s personal favorites. “One day, my husband returned from a business trip in Italy and brought me chocolate,” Huynh said. “I fell in love.” After a year-long search for the perfect brand of authentic Italian sweets, Huynh settled on chocolate products from Venchi, an Italian chocolate brand renowned for its original recipes. Chocolates are delicately wrapped in foil and sold by the piece. Huynh recommends the “classic Giandujotto” ($1.25), a soft hazelnutflavored chocolate. Global Liberal Studies freshman Susan Lee loves the delectable sweet. “[The Giandujotto] is really smooth and feels like fudge,” Lee said. Macarons ($2.50) are equally tempting. Casa Gusto’s macaron flavors include salted caramel and raspberry. Gelato is also a popular
DANIEL YEOM FOR WSN
Casa Gusto sells macarons in a variety of delicious flavors. choice. Favorite types of gelato include chocolate, dulce de leche and coconut. Next month, Casa Gusto will offer an additional eight flavors. The store also offers a few beverage options, including Casa Coffee ($4.25) and the Venchi hot chocolate ($4.25). Huynh is planning to expand the drink menu. Though the store opened only recently, customers are already frequenting it. “People who like chocolate keep coming back for the chocolate, and people who like gelato keep coming back for gelato,” Huynh said. Casa Gusto is located at 199 Avenue A. Daniel Yeom is a contributing writer. Email him at dining@nyunews.com.
By KIM BUESSER There is something about the rustic and homey nature of markets that people find comfortable. New York City has everything from superb farmer’s markets to indoor markets, supplying the best and freshest produce and the most delicious baked treats. Here is a list of the markets that are definitely worth visiting. UNION SQUARE GREENMARKET | UNION SQUARE PARK Open year-round, this outdoor farmer’s market has a vast array of local produce, sustainably raised meats, homemade pickles, jams and baked goods. Stop by Lynnhaven Goat Farm for creamy goat cheese or try the truffle-infused spread for a sharp burst of decadent flavor. Don’t forget to pick up some fresh cider from Breezy Hill Orchards — perfect to warm you up on cold, winter days.
ARTHUR AVENUE | 2344 ARTHUR AVE. This avenue in the Bronx is an Italian culinary hotspot. The market is filled with everything from fresh mozzarella, Italian meats and bakeries overflowing with cannoli. Stop by Casa Della Mozzarella for bocconcini, or small bite-sized mozzarella balls, which are perfect for a small snack. Don’t leave before stopping by DeLillo Pastry Shop for delicious Italian pastries.
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Kim Buesser is a contributing wrier. Email her at dining@nyunews.com.
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‘Leviathan’ makes waves without using dialogue By SANCHEEV RAVICHANDRAN
Throughout its 87 minutes, “Leviathan” paints a picture of a gritty universe that may have existed but could have never been imagined. Its visceral and up-close nature allows the film to portray a distinct beauty in an eerily ominous world. The film is a documentary that takes us aboard a fishing vessel, the Leviathan, off the East Coast on the Atlantic Ocean. The ship, the ocean and even the marine life are kept in full view throughout the beautiful story. However, “Leviathan” is certainly not for everyone. There is no dialogue, and everything is presented objectively. Though some will find these aspects truly refreshing, they are not meant to come together to deliver a crowd pleaser. While watching “Leviathan,” you may wonder about the documentary’s purpose, but once you sit back and absorb the film, the depths to which it proves immersive will surprise you. Viewers travel alongside the crew, and the film gives each aspect of the story its due. “Leviathan” makes no effort to tell a coherent story but still effortlessly draws us into the atmosphere of a unique world that is at peace with itself. The cinematography and sound work carry the film. Covering most of its shots at night, we see the wretched circumstances in which these fishermen have to do their job. We see the constant mix of yellow, orange and white colors juxtaposed against the darkness that envelopes the Leviathan. The camera does not hesitate — it moves hanging on a chain that draws a net out of the water and into a pile of dead fish facing imminent beheadings at the hands of the fishermen. The stellar, deep sound quality heightens the sense of exhilaration. The natural ambiance of the ship creaking, fish flopping and birds flapping their wings as the viewers are thrust in an out of the water with
the camera all create a captivating score. Do not try to understand “Leviathan.” The dedication provides a rewarding explanation for its ambling pacing and unfocused narrative. The film is made for the fishermen, the sailors and everything else that is a component of East Coast fishing. “Leviathan” is a documentary that reveals — like a window that constantly breaks and tries to let us touch what is behind the glass. Sancheev Ravichandran is a contributing writer. Email him at film@nyunews.com.
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The gorgeous cinematography of air and sea creatures is the film’s greatest strength.
Slow pacing weighs down ‘Unspeakable’ By MARISSA ELLIOT LITTLE
While family drama is a familiar trope in many films, Dan Sallitt’s “The Unspeakable Act” hopes to explore a darker side of the theme. The small film confronts a big topic, diving in right from the opening lines: “I had somehow thought that [my brother] and I had an unspoken agreement that we belonged to each other, which was really pretty stupid of me.” This line is spoken by the character Jackie Kimball, who utters these words as the film begins to investigate the incestuous relationship of a brother and sister during a turning point in their lives. “Unspeakable” is a character study of Jackie. The film follows her during and after her older brother Matthew’s final summer before college. The summer is brief, and Matthew heads to Princeton University, leaving Jackie to explore life without their relationship. Though deemed an incest movie, “Unspeakable ” does not depict a forbidden relationship between a brother and sister. Jackie’s love for Matthew is pure, and her fantasy does not involve a sexual relationship, rather the ability for them to be together. He is aware of his sister’s feelings and even discusses them with her, yet he never reveals his feelings. He does not discourage Jackie, as he holds hands with her in public, but he also feels free to date other girls. Matthew is a fascinating character. He acts robotic and distanced, which leaves the audience to wonder whether the actor’s portrayal is profound or if he is a
poorly written character portrayed by an uncertain actor. Despite the unfamiliar territory, “Unspeakable” is dull. Although it is only 91 minutes long, those minutes crawl by. Most of the monotony stems from Sallitt’s use of voice-overs. At times, it is appropriate and even a strength for the film, but at other times the technique turns the film into a slideshow of the family home played to the sound of Jackie ramblings. Minutes are wasted on voice-overs, extraneous shots and auxiliary plotlines. While these devices are not distracting, they are unnecessary. For example, the audience accepts that there is not a father, and the source of the mother’s income is questionable — it wastes time to even mention them. Sallitt attempts to bring life to the film with characters’ unprovoked outbursts of anger, and he succeeds in scenes involving Jackie and her friends. The director deserves praise for either knowing how adolescent girls think or for loosening the reins on his actresses and allowing them to improvise. Tallie Medel, who plays Jackie, shines in the therapy sessions. She embodies the awkwardness of an insecure teenager, but her performance matches her brilliant, sometimes comedic lines. “Unspeakable” is a real and careful film, but ultimately, it is a forgettable one. Sallitt’s vision is muddled, but he and Medel demonstrate enough promise to give hope to future projects. Marissa Elliot Little is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
Imagine Dragons, Atlas Genius impress energetic audience By ALEX PASTRON
The view from the sidewalk outside the Roseland Ballroom last Saturday set the scene for a memorable night. As audience members forced their way into the sold-out venue, the energy in the room was already mounting. Fans were excited and restless for Nico Vega, Atlas Genius and Las Vegas indie-rockers Imagine Dragons to take the stage. Nico Vega were incredibly energetic. Lead singer Aja Volkman climbed all over the stage, a vibrancy highlighted when she jumped off an empty oil drum with the band’s name on it. Their short set was the perfect way to start off the night and keep anticipation high. Following Nico Vega’s performance, men in white jumpsuits and masks, presumably the members of Atlas Genius, took the stage and began to tune their instruments. After tuning, the Australian Jeffery brothers and English keyboardist Darren Sell re-emerged, now smartly dressed in button-down shirts with elegant ties. Frontman Keith Jeffery wore a fedora.
Unlike other venues in New York City, the Roseland Ballroom did not hesitate to turn the volume up, and neither did the audience. The screams of approval were deafening as Atlas Genius opened with “Symptoms” from their recent debut album, “When It Was Now.” Keith Jeffrey’s voice flowed smoothly as he sang “On A Day,” captivating the audience like a seasoned performer. About halfway through the show, the band got the crowd moving with “Electric,” thanks to Sell’s enthusiastic keyboard. After the song, Keith Jeffrey jumped off the stage in the middle of “Don’t Make A Scene.” He performed a guitar solo in front of the barricade, which elicited screams from the fans in the front row. The band closed with their hit single “Trojans,” and Michael Jeffery’s impressive work on the drums turned the popular track into an epic finale. By this point, it was impossible to think Atlas Genius were only billed as an opening band. But Imagine Dragons were nothing short of epic. Lead singer Dan Reynolds made sure he had the already
ecstatic crowd’s attention by opening with “Round and Round” from Imagine Dragons’ freshman album, “Night Visions.” Reynolds punctuated his performance by pounding on a giant, upright Taiko drum. The stage was set with large cutouts of trees with leaves dangling in front of a giant screen which intermittently projected images of clouds and desert landscapes. The show reached its peak about halfway through the set during the recently popular “Radioactive.” The audience screamed the lyrics back at Reynolds with so much vigor, it was a wonder the band could be heard at all. Even after an incredible and memorable performance by Imagine Dragons, there was no question that the headliners were not the only band fans were talking about all the way home. Atlas Genuis have already shown they can produce a quality album, and now they have proven they can also rock the stage. It is only a matter of time before they start their own headlining tour. Alex Pastron is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
ALEX PASTRON FOR WSN
Dan Reynolds sings to a full crowd at Roseland Ballroom.
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NYUNEWS.COM | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2013 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY SAMEER JAYWANT OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
LAW AND MORALITY STAFF EDITORIAL
Dworkin leaves behind legacy of integrity By EDWARD RADZIVILOVSKIY
Earlier this month, world-renowned legal philosopher and NYU School of Law professor Ronald Dworkin passed away at 81. I reached out to Thomas Nagel of NYU’s Department of Philosophy, a professor who worked closely with Dworkin. He said, “Ronald Dworkin was not only the leading legal philosopher of our time but one of the most creative and original contemporary moral and political philosophers, as well as a major figure in the nation’s public intellectual life. He helped make NYU an internationally recognized center.” In the latter half of the 20th century, a great debate in legal philosophy arose between three heavyweights: H.L.A Hart, Lord Devlin and Ronald Dworkin. The debate helps to summarize contemporary competing legal principles, but it also provides a deeper insight into Dworkin’s ideas. Initially the debate arose between Hart and Devlin over the legalization of prostitution and homosexual activity. Hart argued that one must drive a wedge between law and morality. According to this view, laws are to be un-
derstood as social rules and not cultural values, and they are valid only when authorities enact them. Instead of searching for a common conception of morality to justify laws, Hart turned to John Stuart Mill’s famous harm principle, which stated that an act is illegal if and only if it produces harm to society. Lord Devlin countered Hart, arguing that law — particularly criminal law — can further the moral sensibilities of society. The reason something is a crime is because society does not condone or endorse it. Therefore, there exists a notion of public morality. The only way to codify certain principles in criminal law is to base them around this common conception of norms. Thus, according to this view, engaging in certain activities — even in private — can constitute an attack on societal laws. Ronald Dworkin countered both of these views, arguing that neither provided an adequate conception of law. In order for law to be truly justified, we need to invoke certain moral notions. Dworkin’s philosophy does not come up with substantive moral concepts but instead points to broad notions like integrity, equality and liberty. Additionally, Dworkin talked about scenarios in which judges are faced
with particularly hard cases in which there is an incompleteness of law. Such forks in the road require a special type of judge — a herculean judge — who can reach beyond the law to certain background moral conceptions, expanding our conception of equality and liberty. A common objection to Dworkin’s theories is that he advocates for a normative approach to law and even a type of judicial activism — instead judges should try to understand law as it is rather than interpreting it through specific lens. But by denying the idea that law and morality are and should be separate entities, Dworkin places himself in the camp of natural law theorists, arguing that standards of law and morality are derived from the nature of human beings and that morality and law necessarily intersect. Aside from his powerful impact in the esoteric legal world, professor Dworkin contributed to society as a public intellectual. Dworkin wrote very clearly and intelligently, giving basic and meaningful insights on how to create a decent society. Edward Radzivilovskiy is deputy opinion editor. Email him at eradzivilovskiy@nyunews.com
WOMEN’S RIGHTS
Support of protestors needed to reform India By PETER KEFFER
The Western media has brought about some ill-minded and unfounded commentary in the months that have followed the rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi, India. Certain publications have blamed misogyny in India on Islam and the supposedly radically different belief Muslims have compared to the rest of the world. Much more than simply a fanciful claim, it is ungrounded. All five men who are accused of carrying out the attack are Hindus and, according to the 2001 census, only 13.4 percent of the country is Muslim — hardly a majority. Using Islam as a scapegoat here is unjustifiable. Rather than blaming one cultural foundation or another, one should pursue the means to real change. The rape that occurred late last year is not the first to receive national publicity in India. In 1979, two policemen, who were later acquitted because the victim was not a virgin at the time, raped a 16-year-old girl. But, after largescale protests and coverage from
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India’s media, there was a significant change to the law. In 1983, a provision was made to the Evidence Act, which states that if a woman says sexual intercourse was not consensual, then the court is to take the statement at face value. Such a victory should not be seen as minor. Not only does this provision show the power that protest holds for real legal and social change, but it also empowers female victims to point out their attackers and identify them as rapists. Since 1979, India has grown in affirming the status of women. 1984 marked the end of the 15-year premiership held by Indira Gandhi — the world’s longest-serving female prime minister — and the years that followed saw the creation of numerous non-governmental organizations concentrating on women’s rights. Furthermore, the government declared 2001 the Year of Women’s Empowerment, and in 2010 it passed the Women’s Reservation Bill, which retains a minimum of 33 percent female membership in parliament and other state legislative bodies. These mile-
stones reflect the growing trend towards equality in India, and they affirm that the catalyst for substantive change is real, legal action as opposed to criticism of outdated cultural foundations. What is true is that India is a deeply divided country. Cultures of misogyny and patriarchy are prevalent with some, but the ideals of equality and egalitarianism across the sexes are prevalent with many more. In trying to explain the cultural cause for misogyny in India we always find ourselves lacking an explanation. The demonization of cultural foundations does nothing to solve this real social problem — in fact, it explains it away. If India is to enjoy substantive reform, and if the West wants to help the country achieve it, then what we need to do is support the protesters who are calling for a judicial system that represents the beliefs of the growing majority. Anything else would be damaging. Peter Keffer is a contributing columnist. Email him at opinion@nyunews.com.
Anthropologist rightly denounces militarization
Marshall Sahlins, a leading American anthropologist, resigned last week from the National Academy of Sciences. This may come as a shock to the scientific community and even to students at NYU. Anyone taking an introductory course to anthropology at NYU, for example, is bound to encounter several readings of Sahlins’s work. Among his more influential works are “Historical Metaphors and Mythical Realities,” a case study of the murder of Captain Cook in Hawaii and how it was the result of underlying social factors. Normally, when a scientist or scholar resigns from such a prestigious position, one assumes that he probably committed an irrevocable and egregious error that forever taints their credibility as an academic. However, our assumptions sometimes deceive us. If we explore the reasoning and motivations behind Sahlins’s resignation, we may arrive at deeper insights of the issues at play. Sahlin resigned for two reasons. First, the NAS’ decision to admit Napoleon Chagnon as a member. Second, the scientific community’s role within the military-industrial complex, which included the increasing proportion of funding from the military for scientific projects. Perhaps Sahlins’ resignation is understandable. The militarization of anthropology recalls those days when it was standard practice for the OSS — the precursor to the CIA — to hire anthropologists as spies. Presumably, this was because of their foreign language fluency and the travel necessary for their field work. All of this ended, of course, when anthropology took a decisive position against the Vietnam War. It was at that time that Sahlins published his powerful article “The Destruction of Conscience in Vietnam,” which called out against the militarization of anthropology. Ever since then, anthropology has had tenuous relationships with the U.S. government — except for those Sahlins is now criticizing. Beyond this, every day we are hearing more about the applications — many of which are militaristic in nature — of scientific discoveries. Of course, there is nothing inherently bad about this — machine learning helps Netflix suggest movies more accurately, anthropology is being used to smooth relations between the U.S. military and Iraqi citizens and game theory can predict election outcomes. But it is important to note that a heavy focus on application can impede scientific research. Ultimately the goal of science should be to seek explanation, not application.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Sameer Jaywant (Chair), Raquel Woodruff (Co–Chair), Edward Radzivilovskiy (Co–Chair), Nickhil Sethi, Matt Luo, Nina Golshan, Ian Mark, Jess Littman, Marcelo Cicconet
Send mail to: 838 Broadway, Fifth Floor New York, N.Y. 10003 or email: opinion@nyunews.com WSN welcomes letters to the editor, opinion pieces and articles relevant to the NYU community, or in response to articles. Letters should be less than 150 words. All submissions must be typed or emailed and must include the author’s name, address and phone number. Members of the NYU community must include a year and school or job title.
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