NYU’s Daily Student Newspaper
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS Vol. 42, No. 23
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014
nyunews.com
Digital experts discuss security
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
By ANN SCHMIDT
VIA FACEBOOK.COM
Cyrus goes wild on ‘Bangerz’ tour Setting a tough precedent to match at the VMAs, Miley has done her best to keep up. MILEY on PG. 5
Internet users need to safeguard data The government is out for data, and most websites aren’t doing enough about it. HOUSE on PG. 7
SHAWN PAIK/WSN
Barbara Laker and Wendy Ruderman discuss Philly cop corruption The Pulitzer Prize-winning authors of “Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love” came to the Arthur L. Carter Institute of Journalism to recount their extraordinary reportage.
Cyber security experts discussed the ongoing threat of hacking and importance of using secure technology at the NYU School of Law on March 10. Samara Moore, the White House director of Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity, and a panel of government and private sector officials explained the executive order “Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity” that was issued on Feb. 12. The preliminary framework, designed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, is an assessment tool used for the security of governments, businesses and individuals from cyber threats. Other experts joined Moore, including Jon Boyens, senior adviser of the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce; Bob Kolansky, senior adviser to the assistant secretary for Infrastructure
CYBER continued on PG. 3
STORY ON PAGE 3
Freegan movement ‘Le Week-End’ brings British charm reaches NYU students By JULIA KROM
By CHANDLER WEST
Though increasing tuition costs make students’ budgets tighter each year, most incoming students at NYU probably do not envision themselves spending their evenings on the city’s streets, digging through trash bags for food. However, with the recent rise of freegan culture, some students are doing just that. Freeganism, a movement centered around finding meals in dumpsters, began in the mid-90s in radical anti-consumerist circles. Recently, freegan practices have become more widely accepted, with some NYU students finding that dumpster diving is not as gross as it sounds.
LS sophomore Katie Fustich has participated in freeganing on several occasions. She said she is most successful when she comes equipped with gloves and plenty of bags. “It’s definitely as sanitary as you put in the effort to make it,” Fustich said. Nonetheless, dumpster diving is frowned upon by many. It is often viewed as dangerous, since dumpster divers can never be certain the food they find will be safe to eat. There is also a stigma attached to digging through garbage. GLS sophomore Lola Harney experimented with freeganism last semester.
FREEGAN continued on PG. 4
“Le Week-End” is a quintessentially British film that depicts a married couple taking a weekend holiday in Paris. First and foremost, the movie examines what happens to a relationship as it matures. In the case of Nick and Meg, the most recent change in their lives is that their son moved out of the house. The couple then decides to take a journey to Paris. The parents are now alone as a couple and the viewers soon learn that Nick, played by Jim Broadbent, is being forced into early retirement. Anything that once occupied their time is no longer relevant. In addition to being alone, the couple appears to have lost the spark after so many years of focusing on other distractions.
However, the tired pair regains some energy and motivation once in Paris. When Lindsay Duncan’s Meg sees the boring — albeit economical — hotel that Nick has booked for them, she immediately leaves. Somehow, through Meg’s impulsiveness the two end up at the nicest hotel in Paris, with a perfect view of the Eiffel tower, and while Nick initially resists, he warms to the idea after some prompting from his wife. The film is effective in examining this couple’s complicated relationship. Few movies choose to focus on mature relationships, but the topic proves fascinating in Roger Michell’s project. However, there were a few weak points in the depiction. The strange mid-movie appearance of Nick’s old friend Morgan, played by Jeff Gold-
blum, feels a bit out of place. Meg’s impulsiveness is also somewhat exaggerated throughout the movie, causing the married couple’s relationship to seem somewhat caricatured. However, the hyperbolic rift is quite entertaining to watch. The climax of the film occurs at a party, and while it does seem a random coincidence that Morgan would have invited the couple, this provides a good way for Nick and Meg to work out their issues in a very public, comical and heartfelt way. Aside from being a solid and funny film, “Le Week-End” contains excellent views of the City of Light. From whirling cab rides to amazing restaurants and cafes, the sights of
WEEK-END continued on PG. 5
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ON THE SIDE
COMPILED BY THE
WSN STAFF
WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS
MIDTERM MANAGEMENT
Editor-in-Chief NICOLE BROWN Managing Editor
The week before spring break always tests students’ creativity both in completing assignments and in figuring out how to cope with the stress of an exam-filled schedule. Here are some handy tips from the WSN Arts Desk about managing the pressure in this home stretch.
MICHAEL DOMANICO Deputy Managing Editor
CASEY DALRYMPLE Assistant Managing Editors
TATIANA BAEZ JONATHAN KESHISHOGLOU Creative Director
CICEK EREL
Special Editions Director
LYANNE NATIVIDAD SENIOR STAFF
news KAVISH HARJAI, ANN SCHMIDT arts CLIO MCCONNELL features BRYNA SHUMAN sports FRANCISCO NAVAS multimedia FELIPE DE LA HOZ copy THOMAS DEVLIN, PAIGE MANKIN web KIMBERLY HART, BENSON TSAI,
LAVYA YALAMANCHI senior editors TONY CHAU, ARIANA DIVALENTINO, MICHELLE LIM, STEFAN MELNYK, NEELA QADIR, DANIEL YEOM
1. Looking for a healthy snack to tide you over during midterms? Well, forget about it. Go for the classic Double Stuf Oreos, the best kind of store-bought cookie available. A vast improvement on the regular Oreo, these sweet treats boast the ideal ratio of cookie to cream. Pair with a glass of milk (they are, after all, milk’s favorite cookie) — or a cup of tea, if you want to keep up that healthy pretense — and set the granola aside. It’s midterm week, and you deserve some junk food. — DYLAN JARRETT
2. For a campus nap at NYU, definitely hit up Bobst — there is a particularly great sweet spot on Lower Level 1. True, there is a fair amount of chatter with the cafeteria area right near by, but if you have a good pair of headphones, there is no better nap spot than the black wall couches. You may have seen people sprawled out on one of these wall-mounted sofas, but take a seat on one and you will see why these squishy waterbedlike spots are worth taking. — JAKE FOLSOM
3. The perfect way to de-stress from the pressure of midterms is to have a dance party. Whether it is with your friends or by yourself while studying at 2 a.m., there is nothing better than taking a break from sitting to move your body to your favorite tunes. Any music you like is fine, but something upbeat and energetic, such as hits from pop divas like Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Britney Spears and Robyn, are always good to maintain a positive mood and fight off sleepiness. — IFE OLUJOBI
4. 18 Washington Place is one of the stranger buildings on NYU’s campus. Unless you have a rare class there, you may never know that this place extends beyond the Argo Tea and Academic Resource Center on its ground level. But down below the ARC is one of the best places around to study or grab a quick cat nap. Though the room is bright, there are plenty of large couches on which to sprawl. It is also great to be in the middle of campus in case you have to rush back to class. — CLIO MCCONNELL
DEPUTY STAFF
news LARSON BINZER, SCOTT MULLEN books/theater DYLAN JARRETT film IFE OLUJOBI entertainment BOB TEOH music JAKE FOLSOM the highlighter blog VALERIE NELSON features HANNAH TREASURE beauty & style DANA RESZUTEK violet vision blog GIANNA COLLIER-PITTS dining CHANDLER WEST sports CHRIS MARCOTRIGIANO multimedia HANNAH LUU, LAWRENCE WU video ALEX LINZMEIER
OPINION PAGE opinion editor
PETER KEFFER deputy opinion editors
CHRISTINA COLEBURN, OMAR ETMAN, NINA GOLSHAN
ADVERTISING BUSINESS MANAGER
ELLEN MCQUEEN
CIRCULATION MANAGER
CORRECTION: In the article titled “Vice co-founder screens series preview, answers audience questions,” from Thursday, March 6, the moderator for the question-and-answer session was misidentified as WSN staff columnist Lena Rawley. Tisch junior Melanie Ward moderated the event. WSN regrets the error.
CHLOE COFFMAN SALES MANAGER
ALISON LIZZIO
1. VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG 2. VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG 3. VIA FLICKR.COM 4. VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
UNIVERSITY AND ALUMNI COORDINATOR
CLAIRE MAHANY
SALES REPRESENTATIVES
SNAPSHOT
TODAY ON CAMPUS
ARIANA DIVALENTINO GRAPHIC DESIGNER
JILLIAN BRANCHAUD
Presidential Histories Presidential historians Timothy Naftali and Evan Thomas will be speaking today about the dynamics of declassification and privacy issues which make revisionism inevitable. The event will take place at 20 Cooper Square on the fifth floor at 7 p.m.
SALES ASSOCIATES
EMMA HOWCROFT, AMY LU, ANA SCHULER, BENJAMIN SWINEHART, JESSICA TIEN
ADVISING
Indonesia There will be a discussion held today about Islam in Indonesia. This event is a part of the “Conflict, Security and Development” series and will be held at 295 Lafayette St. on the 2nd floor at 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS
NANCI HEALY EDITORS-AT-LARGE
HANQING CHEN, JONATHON DORNBUSH, RACHEL KAPLAN, JORDAN MELENDREZ, JONATHAN TAN
Women’s HERstory Month
This week’s snapshot theme is warmth. Here is today’s interpretation.
Janet Mock and Laverne Cox will talk about their experiences as transgender women in the media and how to manage personal and social spaces. The event will take place at the Graduate Center for Academic and Spiritual Life at 7:30 to 9 p.m.
PHOTO BY AVITAL GLIBICKY TODAY’S EVENTS ARE FREE FOR NYU STUDENTS.
GOT AN EVENT? EMAIL US AT AGENDA@NYUNEWS.COM OR TWEET US @NYUNEWS. GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? EMAIL US AT TIPS@NYUNEWS.COM.
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 Michael Domanico at managing@nyunews.com or at 212.998.4302.
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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists launch book By CASSANDRA CASSILLAS
Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalists Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker visited NYU’s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute on March 10 to discuss the story of their book, “Busted: A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love,” which launches today. Ruderman and Laker spoke about both the journalistic and personal journey they took to expose the corruption in Philadelphia. Steinhardt junior Lu Mavern said he looked up to the speakers as inspiration for his future career. “I’m kind of on the fence about my major, and by that I mean I have no idea what I want to be,” Mavern said. “I don’t want to be in an office all day. These women exposed a huge city’s corruption by telling stories. I want to hear from them what it’s really like, and maybe follow in their footsteps.” As reporters at the Philadelphia Daily News, Ruderman and Laker were approached by a drug informant who feared for his life. From there, they uncovered more stories, including sexual assault of innocent women by police officers during raids, fabricated search warrants and video evidence of police officers raiding and stealing from local bodegas. Ruderman said she and Laker were unpopular when their stories were first published, and the police even had press conferences and a website against the reporters. “We were scared [the police] would follow us home,” Ruder-
man said. “They actually called us the ‘Slime Girls.’ But we didn’t care, we kind of liked it. We made it our own and kept going.” Laker discussed the most impactful moment of uncovering the abuse. “One of the most powerful moments of the experience was finding the three women who had been assaulted,” Laker said. “The second woman who we were able to track down [was told that] there was a reporter outside who wanted to ask her what happened at the raid. She had tears rolling down her face and hugged me and said, ‘I’ve been praying for this day for a long time.’” The audience gasped, booed and cheered along with the two women as they told their stories. Vanessa Dayner, a senior at Eleanor Roosevelt High School, said she looks to emulate Laker and Ruderman. “I really [look up to] both of these women,” Dayner said. “They were publicly ridiculed, slapped around, threatened, they beat on doors of drug dealers, they stuck to their gut. They got dirty. Then they go up on stage and control the room with class and humor. I want to be like that.” Over 100 people attended the event, including Laker’s family, students and members of the general public. After the event the pair signed and sold copies of their book which is for sale everywhere today. Cassandra Cassillas is a staff writer. Email her at news@nyunews.com.
CYBER continued from PG. 1
White House Cybersecurity Director lays out challenges
Protection at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Naomi Lefkovitz, the senior privacy policy advisor at NIST. Michael Coden, the vice president of NextNine Inc., moderated the panel. Moore began the panel by explaining that there has been an increase in the use of technology, which affects the way the framework was designed. “This change is a concern for us in managing cyber risk,” Moore said. “We are concerned about the risk posed to national security, economic security, public health and public safety.” Lefkovitz said the framework planners included ways to protect individuals’ privacy and civil liberties in the executive order in an effort to engage citizens. “What the EO is really saying is that it is important and it is possible to preserve key values around privacy and civil liberties while conducting cyber security activities,” Lefkovitz said.
Boyens said the main parameter for the framework was that it is voluntary. Other parameters included cost-efficiency and flexibility. “The parameters that we were given in development were two scoops of ice cream … under 100 calories,” Boyens said. “It’s the perfect dessert that you can possibly have. [It] tastes great, doesn’t have too many calories, but the question was, how were we actually going to get there?” Third-year law student Eric Messinger said the subject of the panel was one that many people have strong opinions about, but they do not understand the issue’s intricacies. “It’s sort of a rare opportunity to get a chance to hear from a lot of people who really do know what they’re doing and are directly invested in the process,” Messinger said. Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email her at aschmidt@nyunews.com.
FLORENCE
VIA FLICKR.COM
American gun manufacturer ArmaLite has sparked controversy in Italy by using a picture of Michelangelo’s David, one of Florence’s most famous works of art, holding an AR-50A1 bolt-action rifle in an advertisement that is part of its “A Work of Art” campaign. — THE FLORENTINE ABU DHABI
VIA FLICKR.COM
The National Media Council of the United Arab Emirates has decided that the U.S. film “Noah” will be prohibited from being shown by theaters in the U.A.E. The council cites Islamic religious teachings, which bar the depiction of holy figures in art, as the reason for the ruling. — THE NATIONAL FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
The panelists discuss threats to national cybersecurity.
PARIS
College Board revamps rules on SATs By ANN SCHMIDT
The College Board announced on March 5 that the essay portion of the SAT will be optional for testtakers in 2016. College Board spokeswoman Katherine Levin said the SAT will be changed so that it offers
more opportunity to a larger group of students. “Less than half of the students who take the SAT are college ready, and that statistic has remained constant over time,” Levin said. “Even among those who are ready, the majority of low-income, high-achiev-
FELIPE DE LA HOZ/WSN
Students can elect to skip the essay-writing portion of the test.
ing students do not apply to the colleges within their reach.” LS sophomore Sunwoo Oh said it is easier for students to be tutored in critical reading and math questions than to write an essay. “[Essay writing is] a way to precisely articulate thoughts and arguments into words in a short amount of time,” Oh said. “It’s crucial and that’s about the only section you can actually see how articulate, and maybe in some cases, intellectual, a student is.” Overall, students who apply to NYU, including international students, take the SAT more than they take the ACT. Out of over 52,000 students who applied to NYU for the Fall 2014 semester, 36,820 submitted their SAT scores, according to the admissions office. NYU spokesman James Devitt said the effects on the admission process are still uncertain. “Given the very recent announced change to the SAT and that it won’t take effect for a couple of years, it’s premature to determine how this would affect the admissions process — if at all,” Devitt said. LS sophomore Adriel Chang
said the changes seem to be going in the right direction. “It’s also to the various schools’ credit if they realized that the SATs weren’t the best standard of measuring academic ability,” Chang said. “But it’s also telling on the education system in general if a student needs to study specifically for the SATs, that high school education just isn’t giving students enough exposure to the level of vocabulary deemed appropriate in the past. And it seems almost as if we’re lowering our standards in a sense.” Levin said the goal of the SAT is to prepare students for college success and to make sure they are taking advantage of the opportunities they have. “Because a test alone can’t change student outcomes, assessments such as the SAT must be integrated with rigorous classroom instruction, and through their results, propel students to greater opportunities,” Levin said. “The redesigned SAT will reward productive use of classroom time and a focus on rigorous course work.” Ann Schmidt is a news editor. Email her at aschmidt@nyunews.com.
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Paris is suffering from an epidemic of tourists attaching “love locks” to bridges crossing the Seine. Some residents see this practice as nothing but detrimental, and hope that the city will take action against it. — THE LOCAL LONDON
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
London is preparing to introduce a citywide network of bike routes, many of which will be located on quiet side streets. The city is hoping that these bike lanes will reduce traffic congestion and encourage bicycling as a method of transportation. — THE ATLANTIC CITIES
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DINING
EDITED BY CHANDLER WEST DINING@NYUNEWS.COM
100 Montaditos expands menu to include pricier tapas By CHANDLER WEST
100 Montaditos, just blocks from Washington Square Park, is known for its wide selection of miniature sandwiches. At the end of last week, the restaurant began serving several new menu items. The owners expanded their offerings in light of the success they have seen since opening in November. The new menu items are keeping with the Old-world Spanish theme. The restaurant is now serving olives from Spain as an appetizer ($3). The
olives, which come in a variety of colors from bright green to dark purple-tinted red, are spicy and flavorful — the perfect precursor to a cold beer or a glass of sangria. New platters include paella ($12), croquetas ($9), chistorra ($9), tortilla española ($12) and calamari ($9). These prices are considerably higher than the famously cheap sandwiches ($1.50 to $2.50), but still worth the price tag, especially as late-night bar food goes. The standout of the platters is the calamari. Each piece is lightly battered before frying,
DANIEL COLE/WSN
The Spanish restaurant is moving away from its sandwich roots.
and served with lemon and a mayonnaise-based sauce that is popular in Spain. The croquetas and chistorra (spiced sausages) are both distinctly Spanish. Though their intense flavors and the chewy texture of the chistorra may be a little disconcerting to those unfamiliar with traditional Spanish tapas, they are sure to satisfy fans of Spanish cuisine. CAS sophomore Montserrat Yañez enjoyed her experiences at 100 Montaditos. “I like to go to 100 Montaditos because they have authentic Spanish food and whenever I go there, I feel like I’m in Spain enjoying some tapas,” Yañez said. The price, however, is a downfall, Yañez said. “The only thing I wish is that they’d kept the same prices they have in Spain, because they’re known for having affordable yet delicious food,” she said. Overall, the menu additions at 100 Montaditos (located at 176 Bleecker Street) will please regulars and newcomers to the restaurant. Chandler West is dining editor. Email her at cwest@nyunews.com.
Healthy on-the-go snacks to help study, ace midterm exams By REBECCA RIDDLE
Midterms are undeniably stressful for college students, and they often entail a time of year when healthy choices are abandoned for an abundance of sugar and caffeine. With a little planning, you can do yourself a favor by providing your brain and body with the fuel they need. Check out these healthy, tasty and energizing
snacks that will help you ace your next exam.
Hummus and Veggies Hummus, which is made from chickpeas, is a satisfying dip that is also high in protein. Proteinrich foods will keep you feeling full and will allow you to focus on your studies rather than your grumbling stomach. Sabra makes single-serve hummus cups that can be thrown into your bag along with some veggies like celery and carrots for a crunchy, on-the-go pick me up.
Almonds Commonly touted as a superfood, almonds are a small snack that pack a big nutritional punch. Almonds provide protein and are also high in hearthealthy fats and fiber. Make sure to ration out single servings ahead of time, or buy preportioned almonds, as nuts are high in calories and it is easy to mindlessly eat handful after handful as you study. VIA FLICKR.COM
Chobani is a popular brand of Greek yogurt.
Greek Yogurt Greek yogurt is a popular craze that is worth all the hype.
With about twice as much protein as regular yogurt, it is a quick, easy snack that comes in many brands and flavors. It is impossible to get bored of a flavor. For a more substantial snack, or even for breakfast as you head out the door, try pairing Greek yogurt with a handful of granola and a banana.
Low-Fat Popcorn If you like to graze while you study, try opting for lowfat popcorn rather than potato chips. The fluffiness of popcorn increases its volume, meaning you can eat more of it. It is also a good source of whole grain and fiber.
Granola Bars There are many varieties of granola bars on the market that offer enough protein to serve as a filling snack that is convenient to eat on the run. Just be sure to check the nutrition facts for the sugar content, as many granola bars are more like candy bars in disguise. Rebecca Riddle is a contributing writer. Email her at features@nyunews.com.
FREEGAN continued from PG. 1
Freegan revival brings dumpster diving into mainstream “At first I was embarrassed to be scrounging through trash bags, but soon I forgot my fear of germs and dug in,” Harney said. Harney said she was surprised to find out how much of perfectly good produce and pastries were being thrown away. Because grocery stores and pharmacies cannot sell products after the labeled sell-by date, many items that still have not spoiled must be disposed of anyway. “I personally found containers full of slightly soft avocados, trash bags full of barely bruised bananas, every type of vegetable you can imagine and calcium vitamins,” Harney said. “Outside of Starbucks, I found individually wrapped pastries that normally sell for four dollars each.” Fustich also found an abundance of food when she tried freeganing. “When you get into it, it’s surprising to see the types of things you can find,” Fustich said. The best time for freeganing is early evening, between trash pickup and when stores take their bags to the curb. Seasoned freegans get to know the general trash schedules of stores in their neighbor-
hoods. A detailed plan and route can make a big difference in the successfulness of freeganing. Stores known for their fruitful trash bags include Le Pain Quotidien, D’Agostino, Duane Reed and Panera Bread. Grocery stores, pharmacies and bakeries usually throw away the largest amounts of salvageable food. So large are these amounts that freegans often find far more food than they can consume themselves. “Witnessing the extremes of mankind wasting things, especially food, is really disappointing and makes you want to do something about it,” Fustich said. “I hope that it spreads and becomes a less taboo concept so that people who are actually in need of food can take advantage of the possibilities of freeganing.” Harney agreed and said she gained a new perspective from freeganing. “Freeganing forced me to reconsider my daily routines and reliance on material objects,” Harney said. Chandler West is dining editor. Email her at cwest@nyunews.com.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
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ARTS
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‘Cosmos’ returns with big bang ‘All the Way’ leaves audiences wanting more By BOB TEOH
By MICHAEL DOMANICO
Politics is like a circus act — with so many moving parts, it is hard to keep an eye on what is real and what is just another trick. The ringmaster in Robert Schenkkan’s new Broadway play “All the Way” is President Lyndon B. Johnson, who manages the chaos following the assassination of President John F. Kennedy from center stage. The play, which features “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston as the 36th president, follows Johnson’s dramatic first year in office, including the passage of the Civil Rights Act and Johnson’s eventual election in 1964. Audiences will not be treated to a great Broadway play about the Vietnam War — though this conflict was going on at the same time, it is not the focus of the production. Instead, the play follows the progress of history, as Johnson’s Civil Rights Act alienates the loyal Democrats in the South. The friction between Johnson the President and Johnson the Texan drives much of the action, as does the swelling popularity of Martin Luther King Jr. Cranston brings an animated Johnson to life, constantly swearing, shouting, arguing and fighting his way into the history books. However, Cranston seems to overpower the other actors, and the scenes without him lose the simmering intensity Cranston brings. This domination is partly because of the lack of characterization for the other players. Michael McKean’s J. Edgar Hoover digs up dirt; Brandon Dirden’s MLK is cool in his resolve; and
Betsy Aidem’s Lady Bird Johnson rarely wavers from her husband. This cast sinks underneath the weight of 1964’s significance and frequently becomes lost in the shuffle of over 40 characters in the play. Director Bill Rauch’s flourishes allow the play some room to breathe. The stage is set up like an auditorium with three stands — left, right and center — that often bring the characters physically together, even when all of them are not participating in the scene. The staging helps convey the almost innumerable people who were involved in Johnson’s first year as president. For such a landmark year, the play is remarkably low on drama. This lack of tension is because both the passage of the legislation and Johnson’s re-election are assured outcomes, and therefore there is no suspenseful build-up. The sheer density of the history bogs down the play, and “All the Way” ultimately feels more like a history lesson than a staged adaptation of the tumultuous 11 months from assassination to re-election. While Cranston may be at the center of the ring attempting to lend order to the madness, he is no match for the information overload presented in “All the Way.” The promise of unmasking the White House always leads to a certain sense of curiosity, but Schenkkan’s play offers little in terms of insight or intriguing nuance. Theatergoers savvy with regard to American history would be smart to sit this offering out. Michael Domanico is managing editor. Email him at mdomanico@nyunews.com.
Over three decades ago, “Cosmos: A Personal Voyage,” hosted by the late Carl Sagan, inspired a new generation of scientific minds. Hosted by Sagan’s colleague and personal friend, astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, the highly anticipated follow-up, “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey,” returned to primetime on Fox with an ambitious attempt to touch the hearts of young scientists again. The monumental event was certainly deserving of its introduction, given by President Barack Obama himself. Noted for bringing hard science to the public through the use of innovative storytelling techniques, the first rendition of “Cosmos” was an adventure that resonated with the public and left an impact on the American consciousness. In a world where theories are thrown back and forth and arguments are launched over the smallest pieces of information,
COURTESY OF FOX BROADCASTING COMPANY
Neil deGrasse Tyson hosts the new primetime show.
Cyrus sheds Disney image on tour By ALEXA SPIELER
When Miley Cyrus released her 2007 hit “See You Again,” perhaps the best-known lyric was the excuse, “she’s just being Miley,” bringing to mind images of her innocent childhood days as a Disney Channel star on “Hannah Montana.” Her Video Music Awards performance in 2013 continues to sneak its way into daily conversation, and Cyrus has gone out of her way to continue to prove her maturity, making sure fans know she has relinquished the innocence of her Hannah Montana persona. Yet during the beginning dates of her “Bangerz Tour,” Cyrus seemed to maintain a carefree appearance of joviality. Some may claim that Cyrus is acting out, but it appears more that she is now trying to reclaim the childhood she was pried from — like many child stars, she was forced to be mature at an early age. While some childhood stars refute claims of acting out, Cyrus acknowledges her recent behavior, saying that she has chosen to reverse her former dilemma — instead of putting on a mask of maturity as she did
in her youth, she promises to misbehave in her adult life. With the start of her “Bangerz Tour” — her first tour since reinventing herself and sexualizing her image — Cyrus is continuing unabashed in her retreat of childhood. She is running her tour under her own terms, and making audiences expect the unexpected. When Cyrus performed “Adore You” during the tour’s Los Angeles stop, she removed herself from the stage, approached Katy Perry and proceeded to kiss her. Following the kiss, Cyrus announced that she “kissed a girl” and that she “really, really liked it.” Proving that whatever happens
VIA WIKIPEDIA.ORG
Miley Cyrus’ concert antics prove she’s just being Miley.
in Vegas does not actually stay in Vegas, Cyrus made headlines after she kissed another female audience member on March 1. Once again during “Adore You,” which features a kiss-cam, Cyrus opted to kiss a fan as opposed to a celebrity attendee. After video footage surfaced that revealed Cyrus wiping her lips following the kiss, she explained on Twitter to the “mystery babe” that she was simply “wiping off the dark lipstick that was all over [her] face.” Along with her antics of kissing audience members, Cyrus has also been seen placing fans’ undergarments in her mouth on stage. This raunchiness has led to various protests, such as livid parents even attempting to shut down the tour. Justifiably, parents remain unwilling to expose their children to the provocativeness, but it is puzzling as to why those parents seem to be expecting the Disney-fied version of Cyrus. If her performance at the VMAs was not a clear enough indication, Cyrus is no longer the child she once was. At 21, Cyrus is on top of the music industry and simply having fun. Alexa Spieler is a staff writer. Email her at music@nyunews.com.
“Cosmos” stays true to its predecessor with its commitment to the facts. With gravitas and charisma, Neil deGrasse Tyson takes us through a tour of our solar system in a straightforward, matter-of-fact fashion. But “Cosmos” is nothing like your average middle school field trip to the science museum. Building on the strengths of the original series, the show immediately awes with gorgeous visual effects in its opening segment, revealing the Earth’s “cosmic address,” which refers to our specific location in the universe. The viewers tag along with Tyson as he zooms farther and farther away from the Earth, revealing the planet’s location in relation to other cosmic entities. The series’ extravagant displays take full advantage of modern cinematic technology and bombard the audience with a stunning visual conceptualization of Tyson’s lessons. “A Spacetime Odyssey” also makes numerous references to its predecessor. The “cosmic calendar,” which condenses the history of the universe into one year, is a segment that viewers will probably remember from the original “Cosmos.” The nifty device reveals that Jesus was born just five seconds ago on the calendar. However, the series also features some new material tailored for a 21st-century audience. Tyson addresses the multiverse theory, an idea initially labeled as pseudoscience that is
increasingly gaining traction as another vital key to unlocking the universe’s mysteries. The series premiere then launched into a charming animated sequence about Giordano Bruno, an Italian philosopher and mathematician who posited that the sun and universe are just a small piece of millions of other solar systems in the infinite universe. With Bruno voiced by Seth MacFarlane, the segment was a fun, fresh way to present a familiar story. Finally, the premiere ended with Tyson’s poignant speech about Sagan, his mentor and friend. He touched on Sagan’s legacy in modern science and astronomy and recounted the close relationship the two had, including the touching tale about how Sagan helped a 17-year-old Tyson. The anecdote was the perfect ending to a very strong premiere, as Tyson reflected on his own inspiration to follow in Sagan’s footsteps. “I already knew that I wanted to become a scientist,” he said. “But that afternoon I learned from Carl the kind of person I wanted to become.” With “Gravity” and “Big Bang Theory” cemented in the mainstream consciousness, science is making a comeback. With Fox’s outstanding 13-episode series “A Spacetime Odyssey,” it is clear that it is here to stay. Bob Teoh is entertainment editor. Email him at bteoh@nyunews.com.
WEEK-END continued from PG. 1
‘Le Week-End’ transports audiences to City of Light
COURTESY OF FILM4 PRODUCTIONS
Jim Broadbent and Lindsay Duncan play Nick and Meg. Paris come alive. Michell’s movie is great for anyone looking to experience a little piece of France. While “Le Week-End” is not a perfect film, audiences will appreciate the issues raised, especially older couples who might be going through similar ordeals. However, even young college students
should be able to appreciate the humor in Nick and Meg’s struggle. “Le Week-End” is a great minimal-stress movie for a Friday night, highly recommended for easy viewing pleasure. Julia Krom is a contributing writer. Email her at film@nyunews.com.
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WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS | TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 | NYUNEWS.COM
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Eighth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10018 THE620NEW YORK TIMES CROSSWORD & DAILY SUDOKU For Information Call: 1-800-972-3550 For Release Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Crossword ACROSS 1 Coal carriers 5 Take pleasure, as in one’s glory 9 One-named singer with the 2006 hit “Too Little Too Late” 13 Soon, quaintly 14 Tennis’s Nastase 15 “Same with me” 17 Author of the best-selling book series in history 19 ___ buddy 20 Founder of U.S. Steel 21 “Thank you,” in Hawaii 22 Actress Caldwell and others 23 Instant 24 Office PC hookup 25 Joe Namath or Mark Gastineau 28 Actress Christine of “Funny About Love” 30 Wall St. operator 31 Eschews takeout, say 35 A deadly sin
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38 Means of a castaway’s escape, maybe 40 Early bloomers 41 “Inside the Company: C.I.A. Diary” author Philip 42 Vocalist Lovett 43 Itch (for) 45 R.N. workplaces 46 Take pleasure in 48 The “A” of James A. Garfield 50 Stew holder 52 “___ Boys” (Louisa May Alcott novel) 53 “___ Lisa” 55 HOW THIS CLUE IS WRITTEN 57 “Peter Pan” author 61 Kind of jacket 62 Dagwood Bumstead’s boss 63 Campaign sign directive 64 On task 65 Exclude
66 Josip ___ Tito, Yugoslav statesman 67 Egyptian goddess whose headdress was shaped like a throne 68 A model strikes one
DOWN 1 Muslim’s trek 2 Cleaning a mess, maybe 3 Quad quarters 4 Alarm clock button 5 Baloney 6 Name after “a.k.a.” 7 ___ Féin (Irish political party) 8 “Animal House” party fixture 9 “The WellTempered Clavier” composer 10 “I’m intrigued!” 11 Reclusive bestselling novelist 12 Alley Oop’s girl 16 “That was my cue” TO PREVIOUS PUZZLE 18 Composed, as an email L A D Y P O R C H E L I A A D I E U 21 Villain A M O K R O B O T 23 Like pomaded hair N D A R Y E A R L S A D D I M P 25 Viscount’s superior C H U C K Y E A G E R 26 Word with tube S O T A S I N A I or vision T E N P M D I N O 27 Pen name for Angela Lansbury’s S D I A M E T E R character on K E N Y A R D E R S “Murder, She Wrote” I O U T S P A N A R Y Y E L L O W 29 Boston Harbor jetsam R N O I R A E R O often elicit E C O P E T A C O 32 They blessings A E K E D O R A L 33 Photocopier parts
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34 Holy Trinity member 36 Stylish Wang 37 Polite rural affirmative 39 Real hottie 44 Charged, as in battle
47 Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher who was a 2007 All-Star with Seattle 49 Drink a little here, drink a little there … 50 Woodsy odor 51 Candy bag wt., maybe 53 2,502, to ancient Romans
54 Newspaper part with mini-bios 56 With a bow, on a score 57 Hwy. crossings 58 San ___, Italy 59 Showy bloom 60 Villa d’___ 62 ___ alai
For answers, call 1-900-285-5656, $1.49 a minute; or, with a credit card, 1-800-814-5554. Annual subscriptions are available for the best of Sunday crosswords from the last 50 years: 1-888-7-ACROSS. AT&T users: Text NYTX to 386 to download puzzles, or visit nytimes.com/mobilexword for more information. Online subscriptions: Today’s puzzle and more than 2,000 past puzzles, nytimes.com/crosswords ($39.95 a year). Share tips: nytimes.com/wordplay. Crosswords for young solvers: nytimes.com/learning/xwords.
NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
OPINION
EDITED BY PETER KEFFER OPINION@NYUNEWS.COM
SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY STAFF EDITORIAL
New fertilization method saves lives By TESS WOOSLEY
The U.K. Department of Health has recently released the draft rules for future legislation on three-person in vitro fertilization. The experimental method combines the genetic material of two female eggs and male sperm to prevent mitochondrial disease, a painful and often fatal genetic condition that diminishes the cell’s ability to efficiently produce energy. Symptoms can include muscle weakness, blindness, epilepsy, organ failure, heart failure, which can lead to death. The United Kingdom has taken the right steps to address relevant ethical issues and is on the path to preventing this debilitating disease that affects one in every 6,500 babies. There are currently two methods to achieve fertilization of a healthy donor egg with the parent’s genetic material — egg repair and embryo repair. The former involves removing the nucleus, which contains most genetic material, from the mother’s egg and transplanting it into the donor’s egg with healthy mitochondria. The egg is then fertilized after the mother’s nucleus is implanted into the donor’s egg. The latter involves removing the fertilized nuclei and
transplanting it into the donor’s egg with healthy mitochondria. The procedures raise major ethical questions. Accordingly, in 2011 the Health Department requested both public consultation and guidance from the United Kingdom’s Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. The public’s primary concern was the use of genetic material from three individuals. The Nuffield Council on Bioethics, an independent review body, addressed this issue in a report declaring “mitochondrial donation does not indicate, either biologically or legally, any notion of the child having either a ‘third parent’ or a ‘second mother’” due to the extremely small amount of genetic material, less than 0.1 percent, in the donor egg. More importantly, mitochondrial DNA has no impact on a child’s physical and mental characteristics. Another concern is the techniques’ similarity to cloning and the fear of
genetic modification leading to designer babies. While these methods are close to cloning, the results are not. The children would be genetically unique and related only to their parents. Three-person IVF does not alter any of the genes involved — it simply moves them. The worry that this path will lead to rampant, frivolous genetic alterations is well-addressed by HFEA, which will review, selectively approve and monitor every three-person IVF application. Only cases in which the mother is a carrier for a significant mitochondrial abnormality that will result in a serious physical or mental condition will be approved to proceed. Questions should always be asked about the ethics and long-term effects of genetic modification, but welltested disease prevention must be allowed to be implemented efficiently. By pre-emptively addressing ethical concerns and establishing regulatory control, the United Kingdom has greatly simplified the legislative path for the approval of three-person IVF. Tess Woosley is a staff columnist. Scientific Society is published every Tuesday. Email her at opinion@nyunews.com.
OMAR’S ORATION
‘Cosmos’ embodies need for STEM education By OMAR ETMAN
America’s faltering education system is no secret, and results of various international exams have shown that American students are falling behind students in other countries, specifically in math and science. Pouring money into pre-K systems and federal financial aid funding, as President Obama’s 2014 budget proposal suggests, is a reasonable way to approach an apparent lack of support for quantitative studies, but sparking a conversation about science in households across the country will help to once again refocus the country on innovation. Fox’s “Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey” is initiating that spark and can incite eagerness to participate in scientific inquiry. If the United States hopes to remain a global authority in academia, it must embrace science or risk stagnation. “Cosmos” focuses on discoveries in space, building on those outlined by Carl Sagan in the original series from 1980. The first episode of the 13-part series aired Sunday after a big marketing push. It seems Fox’s preemptive rallying was warranted. The show is
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a spectacle of computer-generated imagery, as enjoyable an aesthetic masterpiece as it is an educational one. That is what makes “Cosmos” special — it appeals to the brain in its entirety, supplementing the scientific reason so many students find boring with sights that cannot be ignored. The show’s narrative arc is easy to track, making the complicated subject matter manageable. As educational as “Cosmos” is, it most effectively serves as a call to action, a reminder that NASA funding is not superfluous and that science spending cannot remain low. On average, U.S. students lag behind their Asian counterparts in science and math, and the educational divide between the two is only widening. Now is the time to enhance science programs in America. “Cosmos” opens with an introduction by President Barack Obama that
emphasizes the show’s significance. He concludes on an encouraging note: “There are no limits. So open your eyes and open your imagination. The next great discovery could be yours.” His words echo the purpose of the show — to ignite passion for science and math among millennials. Global progress, technological or societal, is dependent on continuous discovery. Complacency is the most dangerous adversary of innovation, and the United States is in serious risk of succumbing to comfortable self-congratulation over previous American scientific discoveries. If our government continues to shirk its responsibilities to our young men and women, discovery will be limited by the ceiling of insufficient funding and attention. “Cosmos” is a beautifully told, colorful first step toward the fulfillment of Obama’s goal. More importantly, it hints at a refocusing on education in America. There are 12 episodes remaining. Don’t miss out. Omar Etman is a deputy opinion editor. Omar’s Oration is published every Tuesday. Email him at oetman@nyunews.com.
Internet users must protect own data
South by Southwest, an annual cultural conference held in Austin, Texas, hosted NSA leaker Edward Snowden as a speaker via video feed on March 10. Snowden focused his discussion on how he believes tech companies can best approach the problem of widespread surveillance and data collection. Since Snowden released thousands of classified NSA documents in 2013, tech giants like Facebook, Google and Apple have voiced their disapproval of NSA data collection methods. While legislative reform has failed to move swiftly through Congress, software companies and the computer users can take it upon themselves to help protect Internet security. Snowden noted several times in his video feed that the encryption technology required to protect information from the NSA already exists, but despite this, the Internet was not secure because websites hold onto user information for too long. To combat this problem, companies should do away with excess information, and consumers should take steps to enhance online security by encrypting their hard drives and using anonymous web browsing systems like Tor. Over 6,000 sites participated in an online protest against inadequate congressional reform of the NSA call-records program on Feb. 11. The websites, including Reddit and Tumblr, displayed banners across their homepages encouraging users to communicate their support of privacy rights and NSA oversight to their representatives in Congress. The collaborative effort, dubbed “The Day We Fight Back,” showed a grassroots style movement on the part of Internet communities to fight egregious NSA monitoring. This type of public information campaign echoes Snowden’s calls for user protection. Without pressure from the average user it is unlikely that technology companies or Congress will alter their approaches to consumer privacy. Snowden also raised a valid point about the need for judicial oversight. The FISA Court — the underground court which decides whether intrusions are legal or not — stated in a heavily redacted ruling in 2008 that the extent to which the government can infringe upon our personal data is virtually unchecked. Justice Bruce Selya argued indiscriminately that data collection was not a harmful method of surveillance, saying that “Notwithstanding the parade of horribles trotted out by the petitioner, it has presented no evidence of any actual harm, any egregious risk of error, or any broad potential for abuse in the circumstances of the instant case.” The petitioner in this case was Yahoo. While the NSA wields immeasurable resources, Snowden was right to point out that tech companies and consumers are not entirely defenseless. Instead of waiting for legislation that might help to restrain NSA surveillance, computer users and emerging and established companies alike should take initiative by installing simple tools to enhance data security.
Email the WSN Editorial Board at editboard@nyunews.com. EDITORIAL BOARD: Peter Keffer (Chair), Christina Coleburn (Co-chair), Omar Etman (Co-chair), Nina Golshan (Co-chair)
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 450 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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NYUNEWS.COM | TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2014 | WASHINGTON SQUARE NEWS
SPORTS
EDITED BY FRANCISCO NAVAS SPORTS@NYUNEWS.COM
NYU Athletes React: Coles Men’s golf team finishes with spirit in Florida Sports Center to be demolished By KATHRYN JONES
NYU’s men’s golf team concluded the second day of the UAA Championships on par with last year’s fourth-place standing. Carnegie Mellon University hosted NYU’s first conference tournament of the spring season at Red Tail Golf Course in Sorrento, Fla., from March 9 to March 10. In addition to the host team, the men’s golf team faced top competitors University of Rochester, last year’s UAA champion, and Emory University. Head coach Todd Kolean said he was happy with the team’s participation. “It’s one of the toughest conferences in [the] nation,” Kolean said. “But we feel good going into our spring season.” This year, the men’s golf team sought to redeem its 2013 UAA last-place standing of 632 (+56). But by the end of day one, NYU trailed behind the other three universities with a collective score of 308. CAS junior Matthew Gjonaj, who was tied for fifth place on Sunday, scored two strokes over par 74, the best for the team during the first day. “I was still pretty rusty seeing that that was the first time we got on the course in months, but the swing felt good,” Gjonaj said. “I’m expecting us to be in contention in a few tournaments coming up.” CAS freshman Owen Lin, Stern senior and co-captain Kyle Demshki, CAS senior Timothy Lau and SCPS senior Dillon Emry shot 75, 76, 83 and 88, respectively. Rookie Lin tied for eighth place while Demshki and Lau tied for 12th and 23rd, respectively. All five players shot in the 70s on the second day. However, the resulting
score only improved to 307, and NYU fell short of the other teams. Lau rebounded with the highest score for NYU on Monday with 74, ranking 20th out of 28 overall in the tournament. Emory earned first place with a combined score of 582. Rochester came in second with 591, followed by Carnegie Mellon with 595. By the end, Gjonaj ranked 10th with an overall score of 151 (+7), Lin ranked 12th with 152 (+8), Demshki ranked 17th with 155 (+11) and Emry ranked 25th with 167 (+23). The team totaled 615 (+56). Kolean said the team put forth a good effort. “We couldn’t play it safe,” Kolean said. “We played well. We just got beat.” Kathryn Jones is a contributing writer. Email her at sports@nyunews.com.
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Junior Matt Gjonaj putts on the green. He finished tied for 10th.
By SEAN BILLINGS
NYU President John Sexton recently sent an email to the university with his approval of the final report of the University Space Priorities Working Group. Included in the report are plans to replace the Coles Sports Center. Despite a temporary setback of team displacement, NYU sports administration and director of NYU athletics, Christopher Bledsoe, said he is optimistic and looking forward to the future with the updated facility. “I am very confident that the university will be fully committed to meeting the sports and recreation needs of our student athletes, students, faculty, staff, alumni and community,” said Bledsoe. While there is still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding the issue of venue for the sports teams, NYU wrestling head coach Bruce Haberli took a more humorous stance and said he is not worried about the Coles construction. “It’s not a problem,” Haberli said. “I told Bledsoe we can wrestle in the grassy lot behind Coles.” Located on Mercer Street, Coles is the largest workout facility on campus and is home to the majority of
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The facility currently serves NYU’s sports teams. NYU’s sports teams on the varsity, club and intramural levels. Many of NYU’s sports teams are already accustomed to changing venues because some sports, such as soccer and track, have to travel away from Coles for their practices and home competitions. The sports teams that use Coles for the majority of practice and competition, however, will face changes. Stern sophomore and wrestler Matt Eulau, who lives in Palladium residence hall and uses the Palladium Athletic Facility, said he is not worried about the change and is looking forward to it. “From the athlete’s perspective, being able to live
in the building you are practicing in would be awesome,” Eulau said. “It may even help bring more fans to matches and events since those who are living there would have no trouble getting to the event.” Eulau said NYU should have facilities comparable to other universities of the same athletic level. “Overall, I think it would be great for NYU Athletics,” he said. “I feel NYU is highly competitive in every sport at the Division III level, and it’s time to have facilities that show how much we put into our sports.” Sean Billings is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews.com.
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